Common assumptions about mothers’ and caregivers’ responsibilities frequently affect their salary, raises, and job opportunities, and we are gratified that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton made this and other work/life balance issues a central part of her campaign platform.
Thanks to the leadership of great women who have organized, demanded change, and fought for their rights, today’s women have more opportunities than ever in education and employment, more economic freedom and reproductive options, and a better future for themselves and their families. But many of those gains are threatened.
So in celebrating Women’s Equality Day 2007, we should pause and ask, “Is this what equality looks like?”
In a close vote of 225 to 199, today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007. It’s not surprising that the bill passed, because it simply re-states the law as it has been interpreted for many years. What is truly shocking is that 199 members of the House voted to roll back our rights and deprive women of this longstanding remedy for pay discrimination.
The National Organization for Women is proud to stand today with Senators Kennedy and Smith they introduce the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a law that will penalize and help to prevent hate-based violent crimes. The most comprehensive hate crimes legislation ever introduced in Congress, this law will finally classify as hate crimes certain violent, criminal acts that are motivated by the victim’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) celebrates Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign announcement as a proud moment for women everywhere. Reflecting the dreams of suffragists at Seneca Falls in 1848 and the vision of NOW’s founders 40 years ago, this weekend Clinton became the first woman ever to enter the race for U.S. president as the clear frontrunner for a major party’s nomination.
Tell the Senate to vote No on the SAVE America Act.