Press Releases

On Women’s Equality Day We Ask, “Is This What Equality Looks Like?”

Released on August 24, 2007

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 Denounces Deportation of Immigrant Rights Advocate Elvira Arellano

Released on August 22, 2007

“It is an outrage that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), in a deplorable operation called ‘Return to Sender’ is violating the rights of U.S. born children and placing their well-being in jeopardy. In a cold-hearted and punitive manner, ICE ignores pleas from mothers and fathers who have lived, worked, paid taxes and formed families in this country not to be separated from their dependent children,” says Olga Vives, Executive Vice President of NOW.

NOW Deplores Fetal Homicide Charges in Ocean City Case, “This is a job for social services, not the D.A.”

Released on August 3, 2007

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is urging its Maryland members to speak out against a rush to judgment in the Ocean City stillbirth case. Christy Freeman is being charged under a 2005 state “fetal homicide” law that makes it illegal to kill “a viable fetus,” despite a provision in the law that was intended to protect pregnant women from prosecution for actions that result in their own fetus’ death, such as abortion.

House Passes “Ledbetter” Fair Pay Act But Too Soon to Declare Victory

Released on July 31, 2007

In a close vote of 225 to 199, today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007. It’s not surprising that the bill passed, because it simply re-states the law as it has been interpreted for many years. What is truly shocking is that 199 members of the House voted to roll back our rights and deprive women of this longstanding remedy for pay discrimination.

Republican Minority Prevents Vote to End the War

Released on July 18, 2007

“It is an outrage that after an all-night session, with every senator having an opportunity to participate in the debate, the Republican minority still is blocking a Senate vote on the war,” said NOW President Kim Gandy.