Since 2003, the National Organization for Women and the NOW Foundation has saluted resolutely courageous, fearless and bold women from a variety of fields at our annual Intrepid Awards Gala. This year we will be honoring five amazing women on July 17 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.
Today the House of Representatives recognized Alice Paul for her role in winning women’s suffrage by passing legislation to award her the Congressional Gold Medal. Paul was one of the leading figures responsible for the passage of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote and penned the early version of the Equal Rights Amendment that would enshrine women in the Constitution. This long overdue honor recognizes Alice Paul as one of the great women in history for her work to promote women’s rights, freedom and equality.
Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and chair of the NOW PAC, and Eleanor Smeal, co-chair of the NOW Advisory Board, comment on the Super Tuesday results. “The women’s vote carried Hillary Clinton to victory in delegate-rich states that will put her ahead in the ultimate delegate count. Her historic race has energized the gender gap, which is key because women make up the majority of voters in the general election,” said Kim Gandy.
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?”
NOW is proud to open its national conference in Detroit, Michigan on July 13. The last National NOW Conference in the Motor City was 30 years ago, and women have gained much ground during that time. With the inspiration of thrilling speakers, the wide range of exhilarating workshops, and the energy of women nationwide hungry for change, this year’s NOW conference is sure to make a lasting impact on the struggle for women’s equality.
Tell the Senate to vote No on the SAVE America Act.