Despite Adversity, Shirley Sharrod Has History of Civil Service

Krissah Thompson of the Washington Post reports on Shirley Sharrod’s continuous commitment to equality and fair treatment for everyone and sets the record straight on her grossly misrepresented NAACP speech: “It is Spooner [a white farmer] whom Sherrod w…

NOW Congratulates Terri Sewell on Definitive Victory in Alabama

The National Organization for Women congratulates Terri Sewell for her definitive runoff victory in Alabama last night. Sewell is now the Democratic nominee for an open seat in the House of Representatives from Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, and she will go on to challenge GOP candidate Don Chamberlain in the general election. NOW’s Political Action Committee proudly endorsed Sewell, a first-time candidate for public office, early in her campaign and highlighted Sewell’s race at the recent National NOW Conference. The Washington Post reports that Sewell is favored to win in November.

NOW Conference Opens with Feminist Fireworks on the Agenda

Today the National Organization for Women opens its 2010 National NOW Conference at a critical time for women’s rights. Hundreds of feminist leaders and activists have gathered in Boston, Mass., to share information, ideas and strategies for addressing the huge challenges before us.

NOW Congratulates Elaine Marshall on Primary Win in N.C. Senate Primary, Looks Forward to November Victory

Last night, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall moved closer to becoming the state’s next U.S. Senator. The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee proudly endorsed Marshall and helped organize strong grassroots support that ultimately helped her win the Democratic primary.

The June 22 runoff between Marshall and Cal Cunningham determined who would face the Republican incumbent, Senator Richard Burr, in the November election. “With this victory, Marshall has proven herself a winning candidate,” said NOW President and NOW/PAC Chair Terry O’Neill. “NOW calls upon the national Democratic Party leaders, including President Obama, Tim Kaine and the DNC, and Senator Robert Menendez and the DSCC to rally behind Marshall in order to assure her victory in the fall.”

NOW Congratulates Sewell on Strong First-Place Finish in Alabama Primary

Alabama voters cast their ballots for Terri Sewell on Tuesday, giving her a first-place finish in the state’s Democratic Party primary. Sewell received 37 percent of the vote and will face Shelia Smoot, who garnered 29 percent of the vote, in a July 13 runoff. NOW’s Political Action Committee proudly endorsed Sewell, a first-time candidate for public office, early in her campaign. Sewell is running for an open seat in the House of Representatives from Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.

“NOW congratulates Terri Sewell, and we look forward to continuing to work together toward a win in July and again in November,” said NOW President and NOW PAC Chair Terry O’Neill. “Early support for women candidates is critical to their success. We must continue backing women like Terri Sewell if we hope to achieve gender parity in government.”

In Ultrasound, Abortion Fight Has New Front

Kevin Sack writes for The New York Times, “Over the last decade, ultrasound has quietly become a new front in the grinding state-by-state battle over abortion. With backing from anti-abortion groups, which argue that sonograms can help persuade women to…

NOW Supports Protests Against Arizona Immigration Law Measure Will “Push Already Vulnerable Families Past The Breaking Point”

The National Organization for Women (NOW), the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States, joins the Arizona chapter of NOW in supporting the public protest against Arizona’s controversial new immigration law, SB 1070, which makes it a state crime for a person to be undocumented. The law, as it stands, will take effect on July 29 unless the courts intervene.

“For years, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arapaio has been terrorizing this community by profiling, arresting and deporting the undocumented. This law codifies Sheriff Arapaio’s vigilante justice and gives a green light to the politics of racial division, fear and discrimination,” says NOW President Terry O’Neill.