Milestone For Women

I watched Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech with a lump in my throat. As the first Black and Asian American woman to be nominated by a major party, she is bringing a conversation about inclusion, diversity and equality into our national politics that we have long demanded. 

 As I wrote in this op-ed, Kamala Harris’s success is also an affirmation of the solidarity that unites and inspires women.  We are all standing on the shoulders of those who came before us.  Kamala Harris has said she was inspired by Shirley Chisholm, who was one of NOW’s founders and who received NOW’s first presidential endorsement.  

Today, I’m excited that NOW PAC has endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and I know that you are determined to help bring the largest feminist voting force in history to the polls—and the postal service!—this fall.  We need a Biden/Harris Administration to lead us out of this pandemic, away from the politics of division, hatred and fear, and into a recovery that uplifts every community and empowers those who have been left out. 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump issued a phony pardon to Susan B. Anthony in order to claim a twisted connection to women’s rights.  See what the Susan B. Anthony Museum thought about that! 

And the New York Times did this great special section about “Suffrage at 100.”  NOW has been part of this movement for more than a half-century, and we’re excited about the next chapters of feminist history we’ll be making together. 

And as Emma Goldman said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.  Here’s a song by Taylor Swift that lifted my spirits. 

Finally, this is the last letter I will be writing to you as NOW President.  As I wrote this week to the NOW Board, NOW staff and state presidents, 

“As some of you know, over the past year I have been battling with a very painful health issue.  I have been seeking a remedy to control this issue with various treatments and doctors with no positive results.  My doctor has implored me for months to stop working.  I have been ignoring my doctor’s advice and my health for too long, so I have made the very hard decision to retire and step down as president of NOW.” 

Today (August 21) will be my last day, and effective immediately after, Christian Nunes will become president.  And members of the Board will begin the process to appoint a new vice president.  I wish her well in her time as the president. 

It has been an honor to serve you and the NOW community as president, and I will continue to be an active and enthusiastic supporter of NOW’s mission.  I hope that we all emerge on the other side of this pandemic with good health, resolve and determination to work even harder for equality and justice. 

Press forward for women’s lives and happiness.