Victory for Women! Global Gag Rule Repealed

The Feminist Majority applauds President Barack Obama for issuing an executive order today that repeals the Global Gag Rule. President Obama’s expeditious action on behalf of women worldwide will save the lives, health, and suffering of literally millions of women worldwide yearly.

“Barack Obama, with the stroke of a pen, is now saving the lives and health of countless women and girls around the world. President Obama is keeping his pledge to women and I believe this is only the beginning,” said Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal.

The Global Gag Rule prohibited family planning programs in other nations that receive US aid from using non-US monies for abortion counseling, advocacy, and referrals. The rule was instituted by President Reagan in 1984, was repealed by President Clinton, and was reinstituted by President George W. Bush.

The Global Gag Rule inhibited women worldwide from access to gynecological exams, AIDS prevention and treatment, and contraceptive options. It also halted shipment of condoms and contraceptives to more than 20 countries. In part because of restricted access to reproductive health services, more than 70,000 women annually die from unsafe abortions worldwide.

The Feminist Majority, founded in 1987, works for women’s equality and to enhance feminist participation in public policy nationwide and worldwide.

Senate Passes Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

The Senate tonight passed by a strong majority the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (S. 181) after defeating a series of Republican hostile amendments. The Senate floor debate for the Act was led by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Dean of the women Senators, for Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) after Majority Leader Senator Reid (D-NV) navigated the bill to the floor.

“President Obama and the Democratic Congress are keeping their pledge to women and all workers to reverse the Supreme Court decision that gutted the right of employees to fight wage discrimination,” said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority. “We’re on a roll to rebuilding women’s rights and civil rights taken away during the Bush era.”

The Senate Act, which has already passed the House in a version coupled with the Paycheck Fairness Act, will go back to the House as a single bill. The House is expected to pass the Senate bill on Tuesday. President Obama is expected to sign it into law shortly thereafter. In almost straight party line votes the Senate kept the pledge of President Obama to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act almost immediately after being sworn in.

Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s killer amendment was defeated 55-40 in a nearly straight party vote with Democrats voting against it – only Republican Olympia (ME) voted with Democrats. Several other debilitating Republican amendments also went down to defeat.

The Ledbetter Act corrects the Roberts Supreme Court decision that gutted the ability of women workers to sue for wage discrimination. The Act passed helps not only women, but all workers who are victims of wage discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.

Why Are YOU voting for Obama?

Last week we asked our friends on Twitter "Why are you voting for Obama?" We received a huge outpouring of replies that cover a wide variety of issues. Thanks to everyone who responded! And be sure to check out FeministsForObama.org if you haven't already.







You can follow Feminst Majority on Twitter: @femmajority

Announcing the launch of FEMINISTS FOR OBAMA.ORG

If McCain and Palin win, Women Lose.

Eleanor Smeal, President of Feminist Majority, says, “Obama/Biden are running on the strongest platform for women’s rights of any major party in U.S. history”.

That’s why Feminist Majority launched www.FeministsForObama.org, a side-by-side comparison of the Democratic and Republican nominees on four major women’s issues: Violence Against Women, Abortion and Contraception, Women and Work, and Breast Cancer and Health Care.

To reach as many people as possible, Feminist Majority created three striking PSAs that illuminate some of the grave truths about the McCain/Palin record on women’s issues.

One in Six
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fChyeoMJc3U
“Under Sarah Palin, rape survivors were forced to pay up to $1200 for rape evidence collection kits.”




Unholy Trinity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RFrEzQAOvM
“John McCain voted against funding to fight and prevent domestic violence”



Violation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w7ZZ5huKMk
“John McCain and Sarah Palin are running on a platform that seeks to outlaw a woman's right to an abortion even in cases of rape and incest.”




Quick Facts

Did you know Senator McCain voted against establishing the Army's Breast Cancer Research Program? This program, which started modestly, appropriated hundreds of millions to Breast Cancer research.

Did you know Senator McCain opposes the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act? The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would restore a woman’s right to fight pay discrimination in court.

Did you know Senator McCain has ducked questions on contraceptive insurance discrimination as recently as July 2008?

Visit www.FeministsForObama.org to read more. You can also follow us on Twitter @femmajority.

Joe Biden Wows Women in Sterling, VA

We just returned from a Women for Obama/Biden rally featuring Joe and Jill Biden in Sterling, Virginia. It was marvelous! There was a large, enthusiastic crowd. Jill Biden gave an impassioned introduction. She is terrific -- a down-to-earth Doctor of Education who really promotes teachers and education for women. Joe Biden's speech was right on target -- a woman's rights speech highlighting the struggle to reduce violence against women (he led the fight for the Violence Against Women Act in Congress), pay equity, the fight for the Supreme Court and the right to legal abortion, paid family and medical leave, raising the minimum wage -- he presented each issue with passion. And he took on McCain -- who votes against women's issues time and time again. We loved it! And he even brought tears to our eyes -- to have a leader who cares so strongly about respecting women. I know he is the real thing -- I've worked with him on women's issues for decades. The crowd's response was electric!

-- Ellie Smeal

Feminist Majority to make Important Announcement on the Presidential Election

On Tuesday, September 16, the Feminist Majority PAC, National Organization for Women PAC, Business and Professional Women/PAC, National Association of Social Workers PACE, National Congress of Black Women, and the Women's Information Network will make a decisive announcement regarding the 2008 presidential election.

What: Women’s rights groups make important announcement on the presidential election

When: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 12:30 pm

Where: National Press Club - Holeman Lounge, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC

Who: Ellie Smeal, Feminist Majority PAC Chair
Kim Gandy, National Organization for Women PAC Chair
Deborah Frett, CEO of Business and Professional Women/PAC
Betsy Clark, NASW-PACE, Executive Director
E. Faye Williams, National Chair, National Congress of Black Women
Kristy Pagan, Chair, Women's Information Network


Video of the event will be posted approximately one hour after the event at the Feminist Majority PAC site

New Videos

I have some new videos from the DNC Women's Caucus up on our YouTube channel, feministpolitics. Check them out here:




and here: