WASHINGTON, D.C. — We will long remember what was on display at President Biden’s first State of the Union address.
Two women sat behind him, occupying for the first time both the second and third highest office in the land. The first woman and first woman of color Vice President and the first woman Speaker of the House welcomed not only the President, but his Cabinet, which itself is the most diverse in our nation’s history.
NOW members have long been working for milestones like these—and to surpass them. That’s why we’re fighting so hard for the aspects of the Biden/Harris agenda that will be most transformational to women.
We add our voices to President Biden’s call to bring back the child tax credit, cut the cost of child care, expand home and long-term care and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
We recognize the President’s historic support for younger transgender Americans, who are increasingly a target of hate-mongering politicians.
And we second his call to strengthen the Violence Against Women Act.
We see this today in the shadow of a war on democracy taking place in Europe. What’s happening in Ukraine is the most horrific extreme of a worldwide campaign against inclusion, equality, justice, and democracy. The events of January 6 proved how pitched this battle is here at home.
But last night was a good night for democracy—it was as plain as the sight on our screens.
Thank you, President Biden, for an essential, intersectional State of the Union.
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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.