In a campaign promise fulfilled, President Obama signed the first significant pro-lesbian, pro-woman, pro-disability rights legislation today. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act expands the 1969 federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability.
The National Organization for Women is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy, the revered Democrat from Massachusetts. A dedicated public servant, Ted Kennedy was a champion of civil rights, women’s equality, voting rights, economic justice, disability rights, reproductive freedom and so much more.
NOW applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee’s 13 to 6 vote recommending confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. “At the risk of upsetting Senator Sessions, I am pleased that this ‘wise Latina’ is one step closer to joining Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the high court,” said NOW President Terry O’Neill. “As the first Hispanic justice and only the third woman, Judge Sotomayor will add a much needed perspective to a bench dominated by white males.”
Today’s Supreme Court ruling in Ricci v. DeStefano was disappointing, but it’s what we have come to expect from the conservative majority on the Roberts Court. Had retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor still been on the court, instead of her successor Justice Samuel Alito, this 5-4 decision might well have gone the other way.
“The jury is in, the studies are done, and the conclusions are consistent: the gender pay gap is alive and well,” said NOW President Kim Gandy. “The disparity between what women and men are paid stubbornly persists, even after controlling for years of education, work experience and type of occupation.”
Tell the Senate to vote No on the SAVE America Act.