Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NOW members have been working tirelessly for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) for decades—generations even. Some NOW members who marched for the ERA in the 1970s are being joined by their daughters and granddaughters at rallies and grassroots actions today.  

On Thursday, February 13, the House of Representatives will vote on a resolution to remove the arbitrary timeline that was placed in the preamble to the Equal Rights Amendment. Because it’s not actually in the text of the ERA, we believe, along with many top Constitutional law scholars, that it’s not binding.  

But Donald Trump, William Barr and Mitch McConnell will use every excuse they can find to block the ERA. A strong bipartisan vote in the House is the best way to take them on as we enter the final stretch to constitutional equality for women and gender minorities.  

We’re calling on NOW members to tell their representatives in Congress to stand up for the ERA and vote to remove the arbitrary timeline. This measure deserves bipartisan support—so it’s especially important to let Republican members know where you stand.  

Congress must remove the arbitrary timeline and reaffirm its commitment to the ERA. A democracy that fails to include women in its founding document is a failed democracy.

Contact

, press@now.org , 202-570-4745

Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to establish the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum in the nation’s capital.  This victory has been a priority for female lawmakers in Congress like Rep. Carolyn Maloney, the author of the legislation. 

In 2014, Rep. Maloney’s bill passed overwhelmingly, with just 33 Republicans voting against it.  Now today, the bill once again passed with bipartisan support. 

“With each step we take forward, the steps behind us disappear,” Rep. Maloney then said. And we must continue taking these steps forward and pressure Mitch McConnell to bring this legislation to a vote in the Senate. 

We look towards the day when young women visiting the nation’s capital can visit a museum that inspires them to follow in the footsteps of the women whose achievements have shaped our history.  NOW salutes Carolyn Maloney and her colleagues for their tireless leadership to advance this historic step forward. 

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary , press@now.org , 202-570-4745

Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—This February 11th, NOW recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Women’s Equal Pay Day. There are persistent wage disparities between AAPI women and white men, as well as within AAPI communities. Far too many AAPI women are not receiving equal pay for equal work, which prevents them from supporting themselves and their families and investing in their future.  

Depending on the industry, women in AAPI communities are paid as low as 50 cents to every dollar made by white men holding the same job. On average, AAPI women are paid 79 cents to every dollar made AAPI men. These inequalities simply should not exist – there should be no difference in pay for two people in the same occupation, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.  

Gaps vary by industry as well – AAPI women who are hand laborers, servers and physicians make 24 to 26 cents less than their white male counterparts. The National Women’s Law Center reports that the AAPI wage gap is worsened for women 65 and over, mothers who work full time, and women in urban areas. At all levels of educational attainment, AAPI women are consistently paid less than white men in the same occupation. 

NOW fiercely supports legislation such as the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help to reduce wage discrimination, and urges our leaders to look at systemic patterns of sex or race/ethnicity-based pay discrimination. Today, we stand with AAPI women across the nation in demand of pay equity. 

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary , press@now.org , 202-570-4745