Press Releases

NOW Urges Nomination of Sen. Debbie Stabenow as Secretary of Health and Human Services

Released on February 3, 2009

With the withdrawal of Sen. Tom Daschle from consideration, the National Organization for Women urges President Barack Obama to nominate another strong and consistent advocate for universal health care to the position of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has long focused on health care as a priority, and with her background as a social worker she is well positioned to take the helm of this agency that is so critical to women and families.

NOW Applauds the Final Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Act

Released on January 27, 2009

This day has been a long time coming for Lilly Ledbetter and every woman who has suffered pay discrimination. It is an important symbol that the Lilly Ledbetter Act will be the first piece of legislation signed by President Barack Obama.

NOW Cheers Repeal of Global Gag Rule As First Step toward Worldwide Reproductive Justice

Released on January 23, 2009

“President Obama took the side of justice today,” said NOW President Kim Gandy. “For eight years the Global Gag Rule has forced international family planning organizations to make an impossible choice between providing comprehensive reproductive health care, and receiving funds that enable them to help women in need. Women around the world have died as a result of this heartless policy.”

Kirsten Gillibrand Picked to Fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate Seat: NOW Looks Forward to Working with Another Strong Supporter of Women’s Rights

Released on January 23, 2009

Today New York Gov. David Paterson picked women’s rights supporter Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “She has big shoes to fill, and we are confident that she will be a senator who will continue the fight for the women, girls and families of New York and the nation,” said NOW President Kim Gandy. “We are pleased a pro-choice woman has been appointed, and we expect that Gillibrand will take up key issues where Clinton left off.”

Goodyear Tire Gets Away with Pay Discrimination, But Lilly Ledbetter Wins the Day

Released on January 22, 2009

Tonight the Senate passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by a bipartisan vote of 61 to 36, vindicating Lilly Ledbetter’s long search for redress after 19 years of pay discrimination.

“This is an important first step in our efforts to undo years of backsliding on the right to be paid a fair and equitable wage,” said National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy. “The Ledbetter bill will allow redress for workers with the energy and willpower to seek redress in the courts, but we have a long way to go before we have fair pay for women, and laws with real teeth.”