HERvotes Blog Carnival: It’s Time to Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act!

By Fatima Goss Graves, Vice President for Education and Employment at the National Women’s Law Center

For this 14th #HERvotes blog carnival, we’re blogging about equal pay and the need for the Paycheck Fairness Act – which will be on the Senate floor for a vote next week.

Why do we need the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA)? It would update the 50-year-old law by providing incentives to employers to pay women fairly. It also would ban employers from retaliating against their employees who choose to share salary information with their coworkers.

It’s time for Congress to stand up for the rights of working women and to advance fair pay! The PFA is pending in the 112th Congress, with a vote expected in the Senate on June 5. It has twice passed the House, and it fell just two votes short of a Senate vote on its merits in the last Congress. This is a commonsense bill that would help women and their families – especially in this tough economy.

So please join us in supporting the PFA today! Start by calling you Senators today and urge them to vote for it. After you’ve called, read and share the blog posts below. We’ll be tweeting about this blog carnival all day with the hashtag #HERvotes and we encourage you to join us!

#HERvotes, a multi-organization campaign launched in August 2011, advocates women using our voices and votes to stop the attacks on the women’s movement’s major advances, many of which are at risk in the next election.

Part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

Read More:
I Didn't Get Equal Pay. You Should- Lilly Ledbetter, via AAUW
Advancing Paycheck Fairness for Latinas means Advancing Immigrant and Reproductive Rights- Natalie D. Camastra, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Restoring Some Reality to the Paycheck Fairness Debate- Fatima Goss Graves, National Women's Law Center
Paycheck Fairness Makes the Political Personal- Alison Channon, National Women's Law Center
Closing the Wage Gap Is About Fairness, Not Magic!- Samantha Lint, National Women's Law Center
NASW Supports the Paycheck Fairness Act- National Association of Social Workers
If Our College Graduates Can’t Fight For Fair Pay, Who Can? (PDF) - Jamie Dolkas, Equal Rights Advocates
Salary Negotiation, Powerful Women and the Wage Gap- Katherine Birdsall, Feminist Majority Foundation
Raise the Minimum Wage and Narrow the Wage Gap- Abby Lane, National Women's Law Center
Paycheck Fairness Does Not Have to be an Oxymoron- Malak Yusuf, Wider Opportunities for Women
America’s Women and Families Deserve a Vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act- Sarah Crawford, National Partnership for Women & Families
The Facts Behind the Call for Equal Pay- Christine Miranda, NOW
Families, the Wage Gap, and the Economy- Caitlin Highland, Feminist Majority Foundation
Stimulate the Economy: Pay Women Fairly- Linda Meric, 9to5, National Association of Working Women
HERvotes Blog Carnival: Equal Pay and the Single Woman- Elisabeth Gehl, Business and Professional Women’s Foundation
The Wage Gap: Collective Change, Not Choice- Maggie Fridinger, National Council of Women's Organizations
The Paycheck Fairness Act: Telling the Truth About Workforce Equality - Dani Nispel, National Council of Women's Organizations
Paycheck Equality: It’s Not a Suggestion, It’s the Law- Anny Bolgiano, Coalition of Labor Union Women
Women of Color, the Wage Gap and the Paycheck Fairness Act- Katherine Birdsall, Feminist Majority Foundation
A Jewish Call for Equal Pay- Ian Hainline & Katharine Nasielski, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Justice for Working Women- Miri Cypers, Jewish Women International
The Paycheck Fairness Act: For When Women are Old and Broke- Kate McGuinness, Fem2.0
The Relationship Between Unequal Pay and Other Forms of Gender Discrimination- Debra Miller, Feminist Majority Foundation

HERvotes Blog Carnival: National Women’s Health Week

By Cindy Pearson, co-founder of Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need

For the 13th #HERvotes blog carnival, we’re celebrating National Women’s Health Week. The federal government launched National Women’s Health Week ten years ago in an effort to improve women’s health by building awareness about things like exercise, healthy eating and the importance of regular check-ups.

It’s nice to have our government speaking out about the importance of our health, but we know that it takes more than just awareness to insure that all women are healthy. It takes access to high quality affordable health care services. For too many women, health care hasn’t been affordable, especially reproductive health services. That’s starting to change, thanks to the new health law. This week’s #HERvotes blog carnival will focus on the importance of the preventive well-woman services of the Affordable Care Act.

You may already know that the Affordable Care Act requires new health plans to cover contraceptive counseling and methods without any co-payments. But did you know that plans will also be required to cover breast feeding supplies? And screening for domestic violence? These are just a few of the new preventive services that will be covered for women starting later this year.

The #HERvotes blog carnival will feature stories about how real women and their families are already benefiting from the new women’s health services and information on new parts of the Affordable Care Act that will be implemented in August 2012.

You can participate by telling your own story and by sharing the posts below on Facebook, Twitter (using the hashtag #HERvotes) and other social media.

Part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

Read More:

New Reasons to Celebrate Women’s Health Week- Beth Scott, American Association of University Women

Who’s Afraid of the Ob/Gyn? Lack of Communication Between Women and their Doctors- Dani Nispel, Program and Policy Intern, National Council of Women’s Organizations

National Women’s Health Week: Pledging to Take Care of Ourselves- Ann Rose Greenberg, Marketing Coordinator, Jewish Women International

Celebrating Women’s Health Week as a Grandmother- Nancy K. Kaufman, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women

Get your women’s health checkup today. It’s covered!- Lois Uttley, Co-Founder, Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need

League Recognizes National Women’s Health Week- Stephanie, League of Women Voters

#HERvotes, a multi-organization campaign launched in August 2011, advocates women using our voices and votes to stop the attacks on the major advances of the women’s movement, many of which are at risk in the next election.

HERvotes Blog Carnival: Tell Congress to Reauthorize VAWA

by Eleanor Smeal, Feminist Majority Foundation

For the eleventh #HERvotes blog carnival, we’re joining together to urge the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Domestic violence results in over two million injuries every year. Three women die every day in the United States as the result of domestic violence. Since the passage of VAWA in 1994, the rate of intimate partner violence has declined by 67%. VAWA provides services to victims of violence and has improved the criminal justice response to violence against women.

VAWA expired December 31, 2011. Finally, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in February to move VAWA to the Senate floor. But the Senate committee vote was strictly on party lines – 10 Democratic members voting yes and 8 Republicans voting no.

Now the VAWA Reauthorization will finally be voted on this week by the whole Senate. Currently, 61 Senators (53 Democrats and 8 Republicans) are co-sponsoring the Reauthorization. HERvotes is urging all Senators to vote yes. Eliminating violence against women is not… must not… be a partisan issue.

HERvotes urges Congress to reauthorize this landmark legislation and extend VAWA’s lifesaving programs and services for another five years.

Join us by sharing the posts below on Facebook, Twitter (using the hashtag #HERvotes), and other social media.

Part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

Read More:
Strengthening the Violence Against Women Act- Lynn Rosenthal, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women
Why the Violence Against Women Act Impacts College Women- Francesca Witcher, Feminist Majority Foundation
Group Opposes VAWA Because Act Helps Lesbians -Ben Atherton-Zeman, Ms.
Why is the U.S. Senate is Playing Politics with Violence Against Women?- Gloria Lau, YWCA USA
The Violence Against Women Act: Fact vs. Fiction- Miri Cypers, Jewish Women International
The Struggle to End Violence Against Women Encounters a Road Block-Nancy K. Kaufman, National Council of Jewish Women
Newsweek Glamorizes Women's Submission-Lisa Bennett, NOW
Congress Rocking Back the Clock for Women- Janet Hill, Coalition of Labor Union Women
VAWA Reauthorization and Economic Security for Survivors- Sarah Gonzalez Bocinski, Wider Opportunities for Women

Read our Previous Posts:
A Critical Tool to Save Lives: VAWA -Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III, American Bar Association
Violence Is a Cycle: We Must Reauthorize VAWA -John Roach, Break the Cycle
Calling for the Reauthorization of VAWA- Brandi Callaghan, Feminist Majority Foundation
Immigration, Intimate Partner Violence, and the Violence Against Women Act -Anjela Jenkins, Law Students for Reproductive Justice Fellow, blogging for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Teen Dating Violence -Christine Bork, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Hey Congress, How About Giving Half the Population Some Love? -Janet Hill, Coalition of Labor Union Women
“It’s a Good Time To Be a Black Woman? Well, Not So Good When It Comes To Violence”- Angela Sutton, Black Women’s Health Imperative
Combating Domestic Violence: A Call to Reauthorize VAWA- Mallen Urso, National Women’s Political Caucus
Taking the Violence Against Women Act to Higher Ground- Emily Alfano, NCJW
Tell Your Senator to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act Now- Elizabeth Owens, AAUW
Why VAWA is a Queer Issue- Terra Slavin, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and Sharon Stapel, New York City Anti-Violence Project
Universities Should Support VAWA- Melissa Siegel, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board
Students Against Dating/Domestic Abuse- Sara Skavroneck, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board
Loveisrespect.org- National Youth Advisory Board Against Dating Violence- Kevin Mauro, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board
Teenage Dating Violence and VAWA- Nikki Desario, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board
Joining Forces – Women Veterans Speak Out: The Trenches, Remembered- Joan Grey, Business and Professional Women’s Foundation
Violence Against Women Act up for Reauthorization- National Association of Social Workers
Wake up, People! Domestic Violence is an Epidemic!- Donna Pantry, Elf Lady’s Chronicles
Recession and Women: How Economic Insecurity Enables Abuse- Donna Addkison’s, Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW)
More Bipartisan Support Needed for Violence Against Women Act- Terry O’Neill, Say It Sister- NOW’s Blog for Equality

HERvotes Blog Carnival: What Health-Care Reform Means to Women

By Cindy Pearson, co-founder of Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need

For the tenth #HERvotes blog carnival, we’re celebrating the second anniversary of the new health-reform law, the Affordable Care Act, or ACA.

Why are women so excited about the ACA? Well, for a start, the law has already started removing barriers to health care and improving services for millions of women and our families, helping us access the care we need to stay healthy.

This week’s #HERvotes blog carnival is going to raise women’s voices all across the country. We will tell our stories of how the Affordable Care Act has helped us, what is still wrong with our health care system and what we’re doing to make a difference. We will express our anger about the insurance company abuses–such as charging us more than men for our health insurance–that will continue until the ACA is fully implemented. And perhaps most importantly, we’ll share why this important advance for women should be upheld by the Supreme Court when it takes up the Affordable Care Act next week.

Please join us in lifting our voices–because we all have something to gain from the Affordable Care Act.

You can participate by telling your own story and by sharing the posts below on Facebook, Twitter (using the hashtag #HERvotes) and other social media.

#HERvotes, a multi-organization campaign launched in August 2011, advocates women using our voices and votes to stop the attacks on the women’s movement’s major advances, many of which are at risk in the next election.

Read more:
As ACA Faces a Supreme Court Challenge, Who Is at Stake?- Shivana Jorawar, NAPAWF
Stand Up For Health Care Tumblr- NARAL Pro-Choice America
10 Things to LOVE About the Affordable Care Act- Debra Ness, National Partnership for Women and Families
Celebrate Second Anniversary of Affordable Care Act- Family Values @ Work
The Affordable Care Act: Hope for Health Care Equality For All- Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health via RHRealityCheck
Health Insurance Access for Young Latina Adults - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Health Reform to Expand Reach of Community Health Centers- National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
No Co-pay for Pregnancy Care is Good for Latina Moms and Babies - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Medicaid to Service 6 Million More - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Prevention Saves Latinas' Lives - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Insurance protections for Latinas' with Pre-Existing Conditions - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Cervical Cancer Prevention for Latinas - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
No Co-Pays for STI/HIV Testing - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Showing love for women, mothers and Babies - National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
The Affordable Care Act Turns 2 – No Baby Step for Women- Gloria Lau, YWCA USA
Why It's Time for Women's Rights- Sophia Yen and Ellen Shaffer, Trust Women/Silver Ribbon Campaign
20 Million Women and Counting ...Two Years of the Affordable Care Act- Jacqueline M., Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Thank you, ACA: Protecting Our Country’s Well-being by Protecting Students- Andrea Alajbegovic, National Women's Law Center
New Options for Those with Chronic Illness- Dania Palanker, National Women's Law Center
Affordable Care Act: A Necessity for Women's Health- Katharine Nasielski, Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism
How the ACA is Helping My Family- Sarah Robinson, National Women's Law Center
The Limbo of a College Graduate- Brittany Papalia, National Women's Law Center
Preventative Care: Protect the Affordable Care Act- Mallen Urso, National Women's Political Caucus
Why I Support the Health Care Law- Amy Cotton, National Council of Jewish Women
Where Would Women be Today without the Landmark Programs that were Enacted Over the Last 45 Years to Protect and Advance Women’s Health?- Raising Women's Voices
The Impact of the Affordable Care Act on One Young Woman- Lindsay Yancich, NOW
Why We Need the Affordable Care Act- Julie Seger, AAUW
Healthcare Stories the Supreme Court Needs to Read- Nancy Keenan, NARAL Pro-Choice America
Today's Story on How Health Reform Helps Women- NARAL's Blog for Choice
HERvotes Blog Carnival: Gen Y Women Benefit from the Affordable Health Care Act- Business and Professional Women's Foundation
Celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act!- Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, MomsRising
2 Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act-What’s In It for Young People?- Sarah Audelo, Advocates for Youth
The Affordable Care Act and Women’s Health- National Association of Social Workers
Health Reform: Winning for Women- Tara Mancini, WIN's Women’s Health Policy Network
Two Years Later, Reflections on the Landmark Health Care Law, Miri Cypers, Jewish Women International
Real Stories on Why Health-Care Reform Helps Women,Thomas Dollar, NARAL Pro-Choice America *updated daily*

Photo of Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010, from Wikimedia Commons.

Two Years Later, Reflections on the Landmark Health Care Law

by Miri Cypers, JWI Senior Policy and Advocacy Specialist

Two years ago this week, Congress voted in support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the landmark health care reform bill, and sent the legislation to President Obama’s desk to sign. This came after months of heated debate in Washington DC and throughout the nation which showcased the complex and often vitriolic nature of the political landscape in the United States. Ultimately, the passage of this historic bill affirmed the right of every American to quality, affordable health coverage and served as an especially important victory for women and their families.
So what gains has the Affordable Care Act made since its passage two years ago? Now, over 20 million women across the U.S. have received preventive health care services, from mammograms to colonoscopies, without co-pays. Soon, this coverage will include other critical preventive health care services, like well-women visits, contraception, and domestic violence screenings- all available without additional costs to women. Now, 2.5 million young adults are insured because of the health care law which allows them to stay on their parents’ insurance plan until the age of 26. Now, nearly 500,000 Americans who were denied coverage have insurance. The list goes on and on.
Women are already benefitting from the ACA and these positive trends will only continue. As women and as activists, we must continue to protect this historic law by dispelling myths and staying informed and active advocates. The health care law is a tremendous achievement for women and their families and despite strong opposition, we will not turn back now.

Cross-posted with Jewish Women International

Part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

HERvotes Blog Carnival: No Religious Exemption for Birth Control Coverage

by Kim Gandy, Feminist Majority Foundation



Despite enormous pressure from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Obama Administration recently decided not to broaden the religious exemption for contraceptive coverage under the Preventive Care package of the Affordable Care Act. This demand for additional exemptions, would have denied millions of American women contraceptive coverage, including students, teachers, nurses, social workers, and other staff (and their families) at religiously-connected or affiliated schools, universities, and hospitals, as well as agencies and institutions like Catholic Charities.

The Catholic Bishops are now leading a backlash against this decision, and women are speaking out. Because of the Affordable Care Act, millions of women who may have been denied access to birth control will now have full access under their health insurance plan, with no co-pays or deductibles, beginning in August 2012. Birth control is the number one prescription drug for women ages 18 to 44 years. Right now, the average woman has to pay up to $50 per month for 30 years for birth control. As a result, many women have had to forgo regular use of birth control and half of US pregnancies are unplanned.

Women of all faiths are employed by hospitals and schools that are owned by religious interests, and they should not be denied equal health care coverage. We urge the Obama Administration to continue to stand strong for women’s health care.

Join us by sharing the posts below on Facebook, Twitter (using the hashtag #HERvotes), and other social media.

Part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

Take Action:

Join the Feminist Majority Foundation in chastising the Washington Post for repeatedly running editorials attacking the Obama administration’s decision.
Join The National Women's Law Center and Raising Women's Voices in thanking Kathleen Sebelius for making the right decision.
Join UltraViolet in thanking President Obama and Secretary Sebelius.
Thank the Obama administration directly on WhiteHouse.gov.
Join the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health in telling President Obama you support birth control without co-pays.
Join The National Women's Law Center in telling your senator to reject extreme legislation.
Join The Coalition of Labor Union Women in telling the Senate that you oppose S.2043.

Read More

Sex, Contraception, Motherhood & The Current Madness - Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Mom's Rising

The Long History of the War Against Contraception- Ellen Chesler, New Deal 2.0

Five Big Facts on Birth Control Not Nearly Enough Discussed by Men in the Mainstream Media- Erin Matson, NOW

Congressional Members’ Statements on Contraceptive Coverage Rule Not Based in Fact- Mara Gandal-Powers, National Women's Law Center
Mission Accomplished With Komen: Now It's Time to Save Birth Control Coverage!- Sammie Moshenberg, National Council of Jewish Women
Protect Women's Health: Tell Your Senators to Reject Extreme Legislation- Judy Waxman, National Women's Law Center
I Don’t Use Birth Control, But I Want Access To It- Abigail Collazo, Fem 2.0
This Week’s Attack on Women: Deny Contraceptives! Take Action!!- Carolyn Jacobson and Carol S. Rosenblatt, Coalition of Labor Union Women
Would You Like an Unplanned Pregnancy with that Burrito?- Jen Wang, NARAL's Blog for Choice
HERvotes: Boehner Ups the Threat Against Contraception Coverage- Ms. Blog
Do Republicans Have Sex?- Silver Ribbon Campaign
Major Mainstream Religious Leaders Support White House on Contraceptive Coverage In Health Care Reform- Religious Institute
The Fight Millennials Never Expected: Birth Control- Sarah, Advocates for Youth
An Unholy Alliance Between the Bishops and the Right-Wing Attack Machine- Amy Allina, Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need, National Women’s Health Network
An Equal & Just World: A Woman’s Right to Control Her Own Reproductive Health- Hannah Sherman, Jewish Women International
Margaret and Helen on the Issues- Margaret and Helen
Religious Freedom in the Crosshairs of Catholic Bishops- Catholics for Choice
Co-Pay for Birth Control? Not Under my Conscience Clause- Bettina Hager, National Women's Political Caucus
Select Media Coverage: Catholics Supporting Contraceptive Coverage Under the ACA- Complied by Catholics for Choice
Seven Things You (and the Media) Need to Know about Birth Control -Jacqueline M., Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Women Are Watching Blog
Obama's contraception exemption puts my patients at risk -Dr. Jennifer H. Tang, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health; Letter to the Editor, The Charlotte Observer
Contraception mandate doesn't force use -Bernice Durbin, Letter to the Editor, USA Today
Why All Employers Should Provide Insurance Coverage for Birth Control -Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health
Delays and Barriers to Accessing BC at Georgetown -Sandra Fluke, Georgetown University Law Students for Reproductive Justice
How to Host a Birth Control Clinic in 3 Easy Steps -Emily T. Wolf, Fordham Law Students for Reproductive Justice
Obama Administration Ensures a Wide Range of Contraceptive Insurance Coverage, Even at Religiously-Affiliated Institutions -Women's Law Project
Birth Control and Government: The Right of Refusal Should Belong to Women -Nancy K. Kaufman, National Council of Jewish Women
Through the Looking Glass on Contraception Coverage -Debra Ness, National Partnership for Women & Families
For the Sisters -Megan Lieff, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Thank you, Obama, For Standing with ALL Women on Important Health Care Issues -Lacy Langbecker, the Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health
Birth Control Matters -Nita Chaudhary and Shaunna Thomas, UltraViolet
Would you let someone make your contraceptive decisions for you? Didn’t think so -Mara Gandal-Powers, National Women’s Law Center
The Highs and Lows on Birth Control Access Coverage -Stephanie Drahan, National Women’s Law Center
Hey Media: It’s about the Health of Women and Families -Leila Abolfazli, National Women’s Law Center
Women of Childbearing Age: Take Your Talents Elsewhere -Jill C. Morrison, National Women’s Law Center
My Health Is Not a Pork Chop -Dania Palanker, National Women’s Law Center
Single 18 year-old female. Desperately seeking affordable and accessible contraception. – Keely Monroe, National Women’s Health Network
NASW Supports HHS Decision on Women’s Rights -National Association of Social Workers
Fight Against the Catholic Attack on Preventative Healthcare for Women -Mallen Urso, National Women’s Political Caucus
The Impact of a Religious Exemption for Birth Control to University Students – Emily T. Wolf, Fordham Law Students for Reproductive Justice
We’re Not Giving Up! – Amy Allina, Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need, National Women’s Health Network
Maryland Women Have a Right to Birth Control- Leni Preston, Maryland Women’s Coalition for Health Care
Critics Get It Wrong on Contraceptive Coverage- Marcia D. Greenberger, National Women’s Law Center
One More Time…- Jill Morrison, National Women’s Law Center
Breaking News: Access to No-Cost Birth Control Secured- Judy Waxman, National Women’s Law Center
What Difference does a Co-Pay Make? Plenty!- Cindy Pearson, Raising Women’s Voices
The Greatest Advance for Women in a Generation- Jean Silver-Isenstadt, MD, PhD, National Physicians Alliance
#Fail on Birth Control from The Washington Post- Thomas Dollar, NARAL Pro-Choice America
Response to Washington Post Criticism of Contraceptive Coverage- Nancy Keenan, NARAL Pro-Choice America

HERvotes Blog Carnival: Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act

by Emily Alfano, National Council of Jewish Women

For the eighth #HERvotes blog carnival, our coalition of women's groups is joining forces for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found alarming rates of sexual violence, stalking, and domestic violence. One in 4 U.S. women has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner, and nearly 1 in 5 has been raped in her lifetime.

This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider legislation that would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the largest policy effort aimed at responding to and preventing these crimes. First passed in 1994, VAWA supports comprehensive, cost-saving responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Since its passage in 1994, more victims report domestic violence to the police and the rate of non-fatal intimate partner violence against women has decreased by 53 percent.

HERvotes supports VAWA’s lifesaving programs and services and urges Congress to reauthorize and improve VAWA’s critical programs for five more years.

Let’s spread the word and make sure Congress hears our voices.

Join us by sharing the posts below on Facebook, Twitter (using the hashtag #HERvotes), and other social media.

Part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.

Take Action:
National Organization for Women petition to Congress

Read more:

A Critical Tool to Save Lives: VAWA -Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III, American Bar Association
Violence Is a Cycle: We Must Reauthorize VAWA -John Roach, Break the Cycle
Calling for the Reauthorization of VAWA- Brandi Callaghan, Feminist Majority Foundation
Immigration, Intimate Partner Violence, and the Violence Against Women Act -Anjela Jenkins, Law Students for Reproductive Justice Fellow, blogging for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Teen Dating Violence -Christine Bork, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Hey Congress, How About Giving Half the Population Some Love? -Janet Hill, Coalition of Labor Union Women
“It’s a Good Time To Be a Black Woman? Well, Not So Good When It Comes To Violence”- Angela Sutton, Black Women’s Health Imperative
Combating Domestic Violence: A Call to Reauthorize VAWA- Mallen Urso, National Women’s Political Caucus
Taking the Violence Against Women Act to Higher Ground- Emily Alfano, NCJW
Tell Your Senator to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act Now- Elizabeth Owens, AAUW
Why VAWA is a Queer Issue- Terra Slavin, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and Sharon Stapel, New York City Anti-Violence Project
Universities Should Support VAWA- Melissa Siegel, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board
Students Against Dating/Domestic Abuse- Sara Skavroneck, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board

Loveisrespect.org- National Youth Advisory Board Against Dating Violence- Kevin Mauro, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board
Teenage Dating Violence and VAWA- Nikki Desario, loveisrespect.org National Youth Advisory Board
Joining Forces – Women Veterans Speak Out: The Trenches, Remembered- Joan Grey, Business and Professional Women’s Foundation
Violence Against Women Act up for Reauthorization- National Association of Social Workers

Wake up, People! Domestic Violence is an Epidemic!- Donna Pantry, Elf Lady's Chronicles

Recession and Women: How Economic Insecurity Enables Abuse- Donna Addkison’s, Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW)

More Bipartisan Support Needed for Violence Against Women Act- Terry O'Neill, Say It Sister- NOW’s Blog for Equality