Feminist Newswire, Author at Feminist Majority Foundation

Appeals Court Rejects MI Affirmative Action Ban

Posted on November 16, 2012September 4, 2014 by Feminist Newswire

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rejected a ban that currently prohibits Michigan from instituting affirmative action policies in higher education on Thursday by an 8 to 7 vote.

The Court ruled [PDF] that a 2006 referendum approved by Michigan voters that prohibits race or gender from being used as a factor in university admissions violates the 14th Amendment because it places additional burdens on minorities. Judge R. Guy Cole explained in his majority opinion “A black student seeking the adoption of a constitutionally permissible race-conscious admissions policy … could do only one thing to effect change: She could attempt to amend the Michigan Constitution — a lengthy, expensive and arduous process — to repeal the consequences.” He continued by explaining the same would not be true of a student trying to change the admissions policy to consider an applicant’s alumni connections – he or she simply could circulate petitions and lobby within the university. “The existence of such a comparative structural burden undermines the Equal Protection Clause’s guarantee that all citizens ought to have equal access to the tools of political change,” he concluded. Dissenting judges believed that any preferential treatment for an applicant that was not based on merit challenged the premise of equal opportunity guaranteed by the law.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has already announced plans to appeal the decision to the United States Supreme Court. He also announced that he will ask the Sixth Circuit Appeals Court to stay its decision pending review of the case by the Supreme Court to prevent the Sixth Circuit Court’s decision from taking effect.

Last year, a three-judge panel of the same US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit voted 2 to 1 to strike down the same provision of the Michigan state constitution created by the 2006 referendum. An appeal of this decision resulted in the case appearing before the full Sixth Circuit Court.

The provision of the state constitution in question bans any preferences on the basis of ethnicity, sex, or race, particularly in regards to admissions policies at state universities. Other states, including Arizona, California, Nebraska and Washington, have similar affirmative action bans.

Media Resources: Christian Science Monitor 11/15/12; CNN 11/15/12; Detroit Free Press 11/15/12; New York Times 11/15/12; United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit 11/15/12; Feminist Newswire 7/8/11

Wooden gavel and books on wooden table,on brown background photo from Shutterstock.

New Study Finds Women Denied Abortion More Likely to Be in Poverty

Posted on November 16, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

A recent study conducted by UC San Francisco’s Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) found that women who are denied an abortion in the United States are three times more likely to be under the federal poverty line. Of 956 women who sought abortion care, the study found that 65% of “turnaways” (women who were denied abortion care) were below the poverty line compared to 56% of women who had abortions. Two years after seeking an abortion, turnaways were three times more likely to be below the poverty level compared to women had abortions.

The “Turnaway Study” also tackles other stigmas surrounding abortion in the United States such as mental health, drug use, and violence experienced by turnaways compared to women who received abortion care. According to the study, there were no differences between turnaways and women who had abortions in relation to the development of clinical depression, but turnaways had higher rates of physical complications than women who had abortion procedures, even when including those who had an abortion late in a pregnancy. ANSIRH also found that there was no significant correlation between drug use and women who have abortions versus those who are turned away.

ANSIRH did determine that turnaways experienced a higher level of domestic violence compared to those who had abortion procedures (7% a year later versus 3%). Dr. Diana Greene Foster, the Principal Investigator of the study, clarified that this discrepancy is not the result of turnaways seeking more abusive relationships, but rather that women who had abortions were more likely to leave an abusive relationship than turnaways who also had a child to consider.

The “Turnaway Study” is planned to span five-years. The current findings are preliminary and were released after a two year period. Researchers interviewed 956 women who sought abortions in 30 clinics across the country. Of these women, 182 were turned away from the clinics because their pregnancies were past the legal gestational limit in their area or for other reasons. The interviews are conducted by phone every six months over the course of five years. The study includes English and Spanish speakers over the age of 15 whose pregnancies did not have fetal anomalies.

Media Resources: i09 11/13/12; ThinkProgress 11/13/12; ANSIRH “Turnaway Study” visited 11/13/12

Pile of Crumpled Dollar Bills Isolated on a White Background photo from Shutterstock.

UPDATE: Irish Leaders Affirm Need to Clarify Abortion Laws

Posted on November 15, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Today, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore urged the Irish Parliament to clarify the restrictive abortion laws that lead to the death of Indian national Savita Halappanavar in Ireland last month.

“It is time to bring legal clarity to the issue,” he said. “Although we will not know the full details until the investigation has been completed, we have heard what Savita’s husband said yesterday and as legislators we have a duty and responsibility to respond, act and deal with the issue. . .I do not think we, as a country, should allow a situation where women’s lives are put at risk in this way. We must deal with the issue and bring legal clarity to it.”

He also stated that he and Prime Minister Enda Kenny will be reviewing a report from a group of experts tasked with researching abortion, and that the recommendations in the report will help guide the process.

Ireland has also come under international scrutiny over the incident. Savita’s death has been the subject of headlines across the world, including the Times of India, whose headline read “Ireland murders pregnant Indian dentist.” The Guardian reports that Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesperson for India’s ministry of external affairs, confirmed that the Indian embassy in Dublin is “following the matter.”

Savita Halappanavar died last month in Ireland after she was denied an abortion while miscarrying her pregnancy. She was 17 weeks pregnant when she arrived at University Hospital Galway complaining of severe back pain. Hospital staff determined she was miscarrying, however doctors refused to remove the pregnancy until three days later. After the pregnancy was removed, Savita was transferred to intensive care where she died three days later of what was determined to be septicaemia (similar to blood poisoning).

Praveen Halappanavar, Savita’s husband, told the Irish Times that she had asked for an abortion multiple times while she was miscarrying, but was told that the hospital could not do anything until the fetal heartbeat stopped. Savita experienced vomiting, shivers, shakes, and even physically collapsed in the three days before the fetal heartbeat stopped. When Savita asked if the hospital could induce labor to end the pregnancy, a hospital employee told the family that Ireland is a Catholic country and “as long as there’s a foetal [sic] heartbeat we can’t do anything.”

Media Resources: Guardian 11/15/12; Reuters 11/15/12; Feminist Newswire 11/14/12

Photo available under creative commons license via Flickr user infomatique.

Mobile Phones to Promote Afghan Women’s Literacy

Posted on November 15, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Paiwastoon Networking Services, an Afghan IT company, launched a new literacy program this week that enables women to use mobile phones to learn reading and writing. The program is currently in its pilot phase, but the education ministry has intentions of spreading it nationwide.

The phone is called Ustad Mobile (Mobile Teacher) and uses mobile apps to provide courses in math and both of Afghanistan’s national languages, Dari and Pashtu. With financial aid from the US, the software was developed in an effort to address one of the world’s lowest literacy rates. According to UN figures, Afghan women are literate at rates of only 12.5 percent, whereas Afghan men’s literacy rates are 39.3 percent.

The goal is that this program will help women who were unable to attend school because of the Taliban rules that barred their access to an education. According to the program director, Allah Baz Jam, “Our focus and target is mostly on uneducated women“. Furthermore, there are plans to distribute the software via CDs and DVDs as well. Additional lessons will also be available on the Afghanistan Ministry of Education website. Mike Dawson, CEO of Paiwastoon, told AFP “We can make the job of the teachers easier by using the video and the audio [on the phones] and the questions and exercises. Cellphones are cheaper than any computer and people are familiar with it. And also, the maintenance is much easier. . . People don’t realise [sic] how powerful these phones are, they work like computers.”

The government hopes this project will help their target of achieving 48 percent literacy for those over fifteen years old by 2015.

Media Resources: AFP 11/14/12; Afghanistan Today 7/30/12

Photo available under creative commons license via Flickr user isafmedia.

Air Forces Releases Lackland Sex Abuse Investigation Results

Posted on November 15, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

The US Air Force released the results of an investigation into widespread sex abuse charges at the Lackland Air Force Base training facility in Texas this week. As of Wednesday, 23 training instructors have been investigated for alleged sexual assault of 48 victims. Of those who have been investigated, 11 instructors have faced criminal charges, 5 have been convicted on criminal charges, an additional 6 commanding officers also face internal disciplinary action, and 2 commanding officers have been relieved of duty. Most publicly, Air Force Staff Sergeant Luis Walker was found guilty of 28 rape and sexual assault charges by a military jury in July and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, was demoted to the lowest Air Force Rank, dishonorably discharged, forfeited pay, and is required to register as a sex offender.

The investigation, conducted by General Edward A. Rice Jr. of the Air Education and Training Command and Major General Margaret H. Woodward who is the Chief of Air Force Safety, concluded that there was a lack of accountability and leadership among military training instructors that lead to rampant abuses of power. According to the Wall Street Journal, some instructors would assign their victims to duties that would force them to be alone together, even going so far as to select their victims at the start of base training. At a press conference, Rice recounted Woodward’s statement that the perpetrators “knew that they were violating a regulation or policy, and that was very clear to them . . .This report necessarily focuses on the few who violated a sacred trust and broke faith with fellow airmen everywhere.” The report of also includes 46 recommendations to make commanders more accountable for their actions, including a more detailed selection process for trainers, requiring that 25% of trainers be women, and the establishment of a Military Training Oversight Council.

Some members of Congress believe that congressional intervention is necessary if sexual assault in the military is to be stopped. Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA) sits on the House Armed Services Committee and told the Huffington Post, “These findings and recommendations are not far off from what we expected to see, given the defects in the system and in leadership that have become clear since the Lackland incident came to light. . .The horrific incidents at Lackland and the string of high-profile scandals of a sexual nature currently plaguing the military confirm a deep-rooted cultural failure.” But General Rice firmly believes that the Pentagon and Air Force are equipped to make the changes themselves. Rice stated that the recommendations listed in the report are just the beginning of the necessary changes. “This isn’t the end,” he said, “This is an ongoing process.”

Media Resources: American Forces Press Service 11/14/12; The Hill 11/14/12; Huffington Post 11/14/12; Wall Street Journal 11/14/12; Feminist Newswire 7/24/12

Female soldier in front of US flag photo from Shutterstock.

Ohio House Committee Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood

Posted on November 15, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

On Wednesday, the Ohio House of Representatives’ Health and Aging Committee approved a bill that would prevent Planned Parenthood clinics in Ohio from receiving federal funding. House Bill 298 seeks to redirect $1.7 million of federal funding away from Planned Parenthood to other clinics in Ohio.

The predominately conservative committee approved the measure despite testimony from multiple health care providers and religious leaders lauding the preventive care provided by Planned Parenthood to primarily poor and young women in the state. Now House Bill 298 will go before the Ohio House of Representatives, which is majority Republican. Ohio state Senator Nina Turner told CityBeat, “Voters soundly rejected the foolishness of the radical right on Election Day in favor of the dignity of American women, but some lawmakers must not have heard. . . While Republicans rail against women making their own choices, they are cutting funding for education and critical social services that children need after they are born. They want small government, all right – small enough to fit into a woman’s womb.”

If House Bill 298 is passed, Ohio will be the tenth state to defund Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that under federal law, this funding cannot be used for abortions. Planned Parenthood health centers across the country provide contraception and basic health care including family planning, cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections to approximately 2.5 million women per year. Each year, Planned Parenthood provides over one million cervical cancer screenings and 830,000 breast exams.

In addition to the defunding of Planned Parenthood, Ohio’s legislature could also consider one of the most restrictive anti-abortion measures in the country as early as next week. House Bill 125 would prohibit abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Such a measure could potentially criminalize abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy – before many women know they are pregnant. This bill has been stalled in the Ohio state legislature since June 2011 and is being rewritten so that it can be reconsidered.

Media Resources: CityBeat 11/14/12; ThinkProgress 11/14/12, 11/9/12; Feminist Newswire 4/19/12

Photo available under creative commons license via Flickr user ProgressOhio.

Pelosi Decides to Stay as House Democratic Leader

Posted on November 14, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced today that she will seek reelection as leader of the Democratic caucus. As Democratic Leader, Pelosi is the highest ranking woman in American politics. Pelosi has used her leadership position to advance women in the House, as well as advance women’s right issues and a whole host of progressives. Pelosi also has recruited a very diverse caucus and as Democratic Leader will chair the first major party caucus of the House which will have a majority of women and minority members. Composed of 61 women, 26 Latino, 11 Asian, 5 out gay, 1 out bisexual and 43 black representatives, this will be the first time that women and minority members will outnumber their white male counterparts. And with Democrats currently leading in six out of seven Congressional races that have yet to be determined, the caucus is expected to grow. Pelosi has also raised more money than any other woman in American political history. In 2012, she raised more than $85 million for the Democratic Party, and has raised a total of $382 million since 2002.

“She is a feminist and she for women’s rights unequivocally. She made sure the health-care bill ended blatant discrimination on the basis of sex; she made sure it covers maternity benefits and eliminates charging more for women’s health insurance. As Pelosi has said, ‘No longer is being a woman considered a pre-existing condition'” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority.

Pelosi was the first woman Speaker of the House in the history of the United States and has been claimed by some historians to be the most effect House Speaker in U.S. history. As speaker she was essential to passing key legislation for women such as the Affordable Care Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and the repeal of Don’t Ask , Don’t Tell among many others.

Media Resources: CBS 11/14/12; NBC 11/14/12; Yahoo! News 11/14/12; CNN 11/12/12; TPM 11/12/12; CBS 11/8/12

Photo available under creative commons license via Wikimedia Commons user Lauren Victoria Burke [Public domain].

Ugandan Speaker: “Kill A Gay” Bill Will Pass This Year

Posted on November 14, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

This week Uganda’s parliamentary speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, said Uganda’s “Kill a Gay” bill will be passed by the end of the year and intends to offer it as a so-called “Christmas Gift” for Ugandans. Speaker Kadaga argues the people “are demanding it” be passed.

The Anti-Homosexuality or “Kill a Gay” bill calls for the death penalty in cases of “aggravated homosexuality,” for engaging in same-sex relations with someone who is HIV positive, and life imprisonment for having sex with someone of the same sex. The bill would also make same-sex marriage and officiating at such a ceremony criminal offenses. As San Diego Gay and Lesbian News reports, homosexuality is already criminalized in Uganda and this newest bill just broadens and increases the severity of these types of offenses.

The bill originally proposed in 2009 had been temporarily tabled due to outspoken criticism from the international community. Some international donors have threatened to sever financial aid to the country if it becomes law.

A coalition of Ugandan groups seek to declare the legislation unconstitutional through the judicial system. According to Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CSCHRCL) coordinator Clare Byarugaba, “The international community supports us and we also believe in the constitution of our country which protects the rights and freedoms of everyone.”

Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries with the exception of South Africa, which recognizes gay marriage, but even there, anti-gay practices such as “corrective rapes” of lesbians, are commonplace.

Media Resources: Feminist Newswire 05/13/11, Gay Star News 11/12/12, Huffington Post 11/12/12, San Diego Gay and Lesbian News 11/12/12, CNBC 11/13/12, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law

Rainbow flag isolated on white background, gay concept photo from Shutterstock.

SF Health Care Program to Include Transitioning Procedures

Posted on November 14, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

San Francisco’s Health Commission voted last week to include transitioning procedures for transgender individuals under their universal health care program. The city is reported to be the first in the United States to provide this type of coverage for uninsured residents.

The city’s universal health care program, Healthy San Francisco, will be adjusted to provide surgical procedures that were previously denied to transgender individuals if they are already covered for non-transgender individuals and are determined to be medically necessary. The director of policy and programs at the Transgender Law Center, Kristina Wertz, explains that under the current system “a transgender man may need a hysterectomy as part of his transgender operations and it wouldn’t be covered, but a non-transgender woman could need the exact same procedure and it would be covered.”

Legislators, health care providers, and advocates hope that including transgender individuals under Healthy San Francisco will improve the quality of life for transgendered residents by no longer forcing them to give up basic needs in order to save for transitioning procedures. “Transgender Californians experience unemployment and poverty at rates twice the state average, 42% have delayed seeking health care because they could not afford it, and 26% report health conditions had worsened because they postponed care,” reports the Transgender Law Center.

Previously, hormone therapy and mental health services were available to transgender residents under Healthy San Francisco, however surgical procedures were excluded. Inclusion of surgical coverage in the program is expected to be implemented in late 2013.

Media Resources: Washington Blade 11/12/12; CBS 11/8/12; Huffington Post 11/8/12T

Transgender identity symbol isolated on white background photo from Shutterstock

Catholic Church Continues Fight Against Women’s and LGBT Rights

Posted on November 13, 2012September 4, 2014 by Feminist Newswire

The Catholic church acknowledged Monday that they have no plans to revise their stance on birth control or same-sex marriage despite falling flat with voters this year. This comes alongside complaints filed last week with the Internal Revenue Service that allege that many bishops and religious organizations violated requirements that they be non-partisan during this past election.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, the leader of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, commented that “The election is a symptom of a much larger problem. Most people don’t understand what marriage is.” He argued that because opponents of same sex marriage did not spend as much on campaigns as advocates of equality, the social conservative view held by the Church was defeated. Instead of discussing a different stance towards the issues, the Conference of U.S. Catholic Bishops recapped what may have gone wrong in their attempt to reach out to Latino Catholic voters. He also mentioned that the bishops are evaluating how to be more persuasive on the issues. Bishops sent a letter earlier this month urging Congress to overturn mandatory birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act and some 25 similar letters by various religious organizations have been filed against the policy since last year.

At the same time, Catholic Bishops and the Christian Evangelical group lead by Billy Graham are coming under scrutiny for potentially violating IRS regulations during the election. Similar to non-profit organizations, churches may take a political stance on any issue but are not allowed to speak in favor or against any political candidate or party. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics filed a complaint with the IRS that individuals bishops within the Catholic church abused their power to persuade their followers to vote against President Barack Obama. Freedom from Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based organization for separation of church and state, filed a separate complaint against Catholic bishops in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin, as well as against the Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization. Billy Graham’s evangelical group states that it urged voters to vote for candidates who supported “the sanctity of life” and marriage between a man and a woman, but that its political ads never said which candidate or political party that would be.

Media Resources: Huffington Post 11/12/12; Washington Post 11/12/12; Freedom From Religion Foundation Press Release 11/7/2012; Feminist Newswire 8/6/12

Church photo from Shutterstock.

UPS Won’t Donate to BSA over Anti-Gay Policies

Posted on November 13, 2012September 4, 2014 by Feminist Newswire

The United Parcel Service (UPS), Inc. announced they will end donations to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) due to the program’s policy barring openly gay individuals from participation.

UPS released the following statement: “The UPS Foundation seeks to support organizations that are in alignment with our focus areas, guidelines, and non-discrimination policy. UPS and The UPS Foundation do not discriminate against any person or organization with regard to categories protected by applicable law, as well as other categories protected by UPS and The UPS Foundation in our own policies. These include, but are not limited to race, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, pregnancy, age and religion.”

UPS joins the Intel Foundation, which has also publicly stated that they will stop monetary donations to BSA. In response, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation President Herdon Graddick praised the announcement by UPS. He said, “Equality is not only good for business, but supported by a vast majority of Americans. The time is now for the BSA to end this outdated and unpopular ban before other corporate funders pull dollars and scouting families drop their support.”

Boy Scouts of America has banned participation from openly gay persons at all levels of their organization since 1991.

Media Resources: Huffington Post 11/12/12, Jezebel 11/12/12, Scouts for Equality 11/12/12

Boy Scout Uniform & US Flag photo from Shutterstock.

Planned Parenthood sues Oklahoma over Funding

Posted on November 13, 2012September 4, 2014 by Feminist Newswire

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has filed a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Department of Health because it has withdrawn funding from three Tulsa-area clinics that had previously received Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program funding from the state.

The WIC program is designed to provide nutritional food and guidance to low-income families at a reasonable cost. According to a statement from Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Planned Parenthood is the only WIC provider whose funding was not renewed in October. In part, Planned Parenthood stated, “We call on the State to allow us to continue to be a place Oklahoma women and families can trust for these health services. Politics should never interfere with a woman’s access to health services – or food for her children.”

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland alleges in their lawsuit that the Oklahoma Department of Health has yet to provide any factual evidence supporting termination of the three clinics from the program. According to the Associated Press, health department officials have declined to comment on the matter, but in the past have said that Planned Parenthood’s cost per person is higher than other participant centers.

Media Resources: Planned Parenthood of the Heartland 10/4/12; ABC News 11/12/12

Photo available under creative commons license via Flickr user Neon Tommy.

Malawi Backtracks on Suspended Criminalization of Homosexuality

Posted on November 12, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Last Wednesday, Malawian Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara backtracked on his announcement that Malawi intends to suspend criminalization of homosexuality. His initial announcement was supported by the international community, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Kasambara’s reversal comes after his initial announcement sparked internal conflict in Malawi.

In his most recent statement Kasambara said, “There was no such announcement and there was no discussion about same-sex marriages.” In a later interview he maintained, “Nobody talked about suspension of any provision of the penal code.”

Earlier, a Malawian law against homosexuality had reportedly been suspended and the police had been ordered to stop arresting gay people pending a decision by parliament as to whether to repeal the law. Repeal of the criminalization of homosexuality would have faced public debate and a parliamentary vote. In an earlier explanation of the suspension of the law while it was debated, Kasambara reportedly said: “If we continue arresting and prosecuting people based on the said laws and later such laws are found to be unconstitutional it would be an embarrassment to government. It is better to let one criminal get away with it rather than throw a lot of innocent people in jail.”

LGBTQ Nation reports that a number of influential Protestant churches expressed discontent and “forc[ed] the government to reverse its position and deny examining making possible changes”. According to Malawian law experts, Dunstain Mwaungulu and Gift Mwakhwawa, only the Parliament is permitted to suspend a law.

Homosexuality is currently banned 70 countries worldwide, including 36 in Africa, and is punishable by death in five countries.

Media Resources: Amnesty International 11/05/12, Feminist Newswire 11/05/12, Human Rights Watch 11/06/12, The Daily Times 11/07/12, LA Times 11/08/12, LGBTQ Nation 11/08/12, Queerty Blog 11/09/12

Raster version of Illustration for Malawi, Round Button photo from Shutterstock.

Gaddafi’s Former PM On Trial for Mass Rape

Posted on November 12, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Former Libyan prime minister Al Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi appeared in court today to face charges including ordering a mass rape and corruption during the war that overthrew Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The court will reconvene on the case in December.

Mahmoudi fled to Tunisia in 2011, but was extradited back to Libya in June 2012, creating tensions between the two nations. Before fleeing from Libya, Mahmoudi had served as Gaddafi’s prime minister since 2006. Since returning, there has been controversy over the former prime minister’s treatment while in custody.

Despite concerns, the Libyan government assures the trial will be “free and fair”. If convicted, Mahmoudi could face execution or life imprisonment.

Media Resources: Bloomberg News 11/12/2012; Chicago Tribune 11/12/2012; IrishTimes.com 11/12/2012; Libya Herald 11/12/2012; Reuters 11/12/2012.

Libya flag, three dimensional render, satin texture photo from Shutterstock.

Kim Gandy: New President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence

Posted on November 9, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

This week Kim Gandy left her position as Vice President and General Counsel of the Feminist Majority Foundation to take the helm as President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Gandy began her illustrious feminist career as an attorney defending victims of domestic violence and led a successful effort to modernize Louisiana domestic violence law providing more rights for women.

“At the Feminist Majority Foundation Kim successfully led out efforts to end violence against women and to modernize the definition of the FBI Uniform Crime Report’s archaic rape definition,” said Eleanor Smeal, President of Feminist Majority Foundation. “I am looking forward to her new leadership in the fight to end domestic violence. No question she will make a lasting contribution.”

Gandy was a two-term past president of the National Organization for Women, and served NOW at the local, state, and national level for some 25 years. She also currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Free Press, the media reform organization, is on the national board of Legal Momentum, the Women’s Legal Defense Fund, and serves on the Advisory Committee of Ms. Magazine.

Awareness Ribbon – Alzheimer’s Disease Photo from Shutterstock.

Arizona Shooter Sentenced to Life in Prison without Parole

Posted on November 9, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Jared Loughner, who attempted to assassinate then Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords, killed six, and wounded thirteen in Tucson, Arizona, in January 2011 was sentenced to seven consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole yesterday. According to CNN, U.S. District Judge Larry Burns believed that even though 24-year-old Loughner suffered from mental illness, he was still aware of his actions during the shooting.

Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, attended the sentencing hearing. Kelly, with Giffords by his side, addressed Loughner and said, “Mr. Loughner, you may have put a bullet through her head, but you haven’t put a dent in her spirit and her commitment to make the world and better place.” Nine other victims of the shooting were also present and spoke at the hearing.

Giffords, the first Jewish woman elected to Congress from Arizona, is considered a moderate “Blue Dog” Democrat. Supported by feminist groups, she is pro-choice and has stood up for comprehensive immigration reform, health-care reform, stem-cell research and raising the minimum wage, among other positions. Prior to the shooting, she had been the target of vandalism and inflammatory campaigns by conservative super PACs, such as Sarah Palin’s SarahPAC, who put forth a map of the U.S. with 20 locations marked with the crosshairs of gun sights to indicate 20 House Democrats, including Giffords, who voted for the health-care bill and thus should be removed from office.

Media Resources: CNN 11/8/12; New York Times 11/8/12; Feminist News 1/10/11

Anti-Choice Amendment 6 loses BIG in Florida!

Posted on November 8, 2012September 4, 2014 by Feminist Newswire

Pro-choice forces, led by Planned Parenthood and a coalition of women’s groups including National Organization for Women and Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF), overwhelmingly defeated state constitutional Amendment 6 proposed by the Republican-controlled state legislature. FMF campus organizers, Sarah Shanks, Francesca Witcher, Kari Ross, and Jacky Oppler, led a statewide college campus drive to defeat the amendment, which would have endangered women’s lives by restricting access for women to abortion and would have deleted from the Florida constitution, a right to privacy clause that guarantees women’s access to abortion and birth control. It could have banned health insurance from covering medical care for abortion and could have prevented a woman with cancer from getting the care she would needs to protect her health.

“The Florida voters were not fooled and said a loud NO to politicians who want to intrude in women’s health decision,” explained Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation. FMF campus organizers and student leaders throughout the state successfully led a public education campaign to Stop Amendment 6.

Historic Election Results

Posted on November 8, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

On Tuesday, November 7th 2012 the United States of America reelected President Barack Obama, while the Democrats and Republics held on to their control of the Senate and the House, respectively. Historic victories and milestones in this year’s election results include:
-President Barack Obama won re-election with 55% of women’s votes and 45% of men’s votes for a decisive and historic 10% gender gap, according to CNN exit polls.

-The 113th Congress will have 20 women Senators, the most in US History.

-Same sex marriage was legalized in Maine, Maryland and Washington via ballot measures — marking the first time marriage equality has been won through the ballot.

-Minnesota rejected a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman — marking the first time voters have rejected such a constitutional amendment.

-Tammy Baldwin was elected to the US Senate — she is both the first woman elected to the US Senate from Wisconsin and the first openly lesbian/LGBT US Senator ever elected.

-Elizabeth Warren became the first woman ever elected to the US Senate from the state of Massachusetts.

-Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. In Colorado, residents who are 21 or older can now use and possess an ounce of marijuana, and the state can regulate retail sales of the drug. In Washington, the state will now sell of small amounts of marijuana to people 21 and older, with sales tax.

-Maryland passed a state version of the DREAM Act — the first act of its kind passed.

-New Hampshire elected the first-ever all-women congressional delegation.

-Mazie Hirono is the first Asian-American woman elected to the US Senate.

-Tulsi Gabbard is the first Hindu ever elected to the US House.

Media Resources: Huffington Post 11/07/2012; Feminist News Wire 11/07/2012

Historic Gender Gap Rules: Women’s Votes decisive in Presidential and Senate Races

Posted on November 7, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

President Barack Obama won re-election with 55% of women’s votes and 45% of men’s votes for a decisive and historic 10% gender gap, according to CNN exit polls. This is the second largest gender gap in Presidential voting recorded by exit polls, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. The largest was in 1996 for Bill Clinton. If only men had voted, Mitt Romney would have won 52%-44%.
Very large gender gaps also determined the outcome of many Senate races and the Democratic majority in the Senate. Key Senate races where the gender gap made an impact are:

Chris Murphy (D-CT) defeated Linda McMahon (R), despite her spending tens of million of dollars with an 11% gender gap with 60% of women’s votes to 49% of men’s votes;

Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) won with a 12% gender gap with 59% of women’s votes and only 47% of men’s votes;

Martin Heinrich (D-NM) won with a 6% gender gap with 54% of women’s votes and 48% of men’s votes;

Sherrod Brown (D-OH) won with an 8% gender gap with 56% of women’s votes and 48% of men’s votes;

Bob Casey (D-PA) won with a 9% gender gap with 58% of women’s votes and 49% of men’s votes; and

Tim Kaine (D-VA) won with a 7% gender gap with 56% of women’s votes and 49% of men’s votes.

If only men had voted in each of these senate races, according to exit polls, the Republican would have won and the Senate majority would be Republican.

“The problem Republicans have with women is deep and costly,” said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority. “The attacks on women’s rights through restricting access to abortion and birth control, opposing equal pay legislation, advocating for privatization of Medicare and slashing Medicaid funding, and the demeaning of women by ignorant and offensive comments regarding rape and the attempt to weaken the Violence Against Women Act all add up to a widely perceived Republican War on Women.”

Media Resources: Feminist Majority 11/7/2012; CNN 11/7/2012

Sweeping Victory for Marriage Equality

Posted on November 7, 2012June 11, 2020 by Feminist Newswire

Yesterday, voters in Maine, Washington, and Maryland voted to legalize same-sex marriage, and voters in in Minnesota rejected a constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman.

Same sex marriage is already legal in six states and the District of Columbia via legislative action. However, the issue of marriage equality was defeated on state ballots 32 times, every single time it was put before the public, until yesterday. Minnesota became the first state to vote against a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, and Maine, Maryland, and Washington (most likely, final results pending) became the first states to legalize same-sex marriage via the ballot.

“This is a landmark election for marriage equality and we will forever look back at this year as a critical turning point in the movement for full citizenship for LGBT people,” Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin he said in a press release on Tuesday night.

Freedom to Marry’s national campaign director, Marc Solomon, echoed Griffin’s sentiment in a press release: “It’s hard to overstate the national significance of this vote. For years, our opponents have argued that we could not win a majority vote at the ballot.”

This sweeping victory for marriage equality reflects the shift towards acceptance of marriage equality and LGBT rights demonstrated in recent polls.

Looking to the future, Griffin said: “Tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow morning we get up and get back to work so that the victories we hail tonight are felt everywhere across this great country. Too many people are denied the ability to marry. Too many people go to their jobs without workplace protections. Too many young people go to bed at night and stare at the ceiling, sleeplessly wondering what awaits them the next day at school or at church or in their own home. Thanks to all the hard work in achieving tonight’s victories, we finally have momentum on our side and we will not rest until the promise of equal justice under the law is realized for every single person living in every single corner of this vast country.”

Media Resources: Huffington Post 11/07/2012; HRC 11/07/2012; Freedom to Marry 11/07/2012