MEDIA ADVISORY JULY 21, 2022
UPDATED SCHEDULE: National Organization for Women (NOW)’s Annual Conference:
Save our Democracy – Vote for Womxn’s Lives!
July 22-24, 2022, Chicago – Palmer House Hilton Hotel
CHICAGO – In light of Governor JB Pritzker’s recent COVID-19 diagnosis, NOW’s annual conference will include written remarks from Governor JB Pritzker that will be read by Illinois NOW President Laura Welch, in-person remarks from Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and video remarks from Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. At a time when women’s lives are at stake more than ever, NOW is bringing dozens of other impactful speakers to motivate and encourage NOW members to come together to move our nation forward.
The conference theme will be “Save our Democracy – Vote for Womxn’s Lives!” and will be held in Chicago at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel July 22-24. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the NOW member body will meet in person to vote on resolutions and bylaws, participate in educational workshops, and hear from leaders in the feminist movement.
WHAT: 2022 National NOW Conference: Save our Democracy: Vote for Womxn’s Lives!
WHEN: Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24
WHERE: Palmer House Hilton – Grand Ballroom, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603, US
MEDIA: If you are interested in attending or connecting to any of our speakers/panelists, please contact press@now.org.
WHO:
Additional confirmed speakers and logistical details will be updated here.
Selected Plenary Speakers (*denotes video or written remarks shared by speaker)
Friday, July 22, 2022, 9-10:30 a.m. CT
- Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL)*
- Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
- Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot*
- President of NOW Christian F. Nunes
- Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference Education Fund
- Shree Mehrotra, New Jersey environmental advocate and co-chair of the NOW Young Feminist National Committee
- Patti Tototzintle, executive leadership at Esperanza United
- Dr. Amiee Julian, director of Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support
Friday, July 22, 2022, 2:15 – 3:45 CT
- Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D-IL)
- Loretta J. Ross, co-founder, Sister Song
- Michelle Goodwin, Chancellor’s Professor at the University of California
Saturday, July 23, 2022, 9:00-10:45 a.m. CT
- President, Christian F. Nunes
- Vice President, Bear Atwood
- Amanda Brown-Lierman Executive Director of Supermajority
- Zoe Nicholson Lifetime Achievement Award
- Joni Madison President- Human Rights Campaign
- Dr. Traci Kurtzer Victoria J. Mastrobuono Award for Women’s Health
Other Speakers
Amanda Brown Lierman, executive director of Supermajority
Loretta Ross, visiting associate professor at Smith College
Regina Lewis Ward, Georgia State Representative
Shamaine Daniels, PA-10 candidate
Terry Cosgrove, president and CEO of Personal PAC
LaSaia Wade, founder of TNTJ Tennessee Trans Journey Project
Patricia Ireland, former NOW president
Brigid Leahy, Planned Parenthood lobbyist
Mony Ruiz-Velasco, deputy director at Equality Illinois
Michele Goodwin, author of Policing the Womb
Terry O’Neill, former NOW president
Nancy Mullen, executive director of Youth Outlook
Dr. Kimberly Adams, NOW board member and NOW PAC member
Ellie Smeal, Feminist Majority president
Krystal Leaphart, Black Girls Vote
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The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the nation’s leading membership-based advocacy group dedicated to defending women’s rights, advancing equality and combating injustice in all aspects of social, political and economic life. Through educating, mobilizing, and convening a vast network of grassroots activists across the country, NOW advocates for national, state and local policies that promote an anti-racist and intersectional feminist agenda. Since its founding in 1966, NOW has been on the frontlines of nearly every major advancement for women’s rights and continues to champion progressive values today. More about NOW’s efforts and resources is available at NOW.org.