Beware, Women, Families, Democracy

June 13, 2018 by admin

Donald Trump’s and Jeff Sessions’ Cruelty Towards Immigrant Families Has No Bounds

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions are turning our nation of immigrants into a country of cruelty. They have issued an edict to forcibly remove young children from the arms of their parents, as families seek refuge from dangerous conditions and lethal violence. Children are being torn from their parents, shipped off to ‘foster’ families at the taxpayers expense and we have no idea if these families are licensed, speak Spanish or if these children are being labor or sex trafficked. There is no specific law, no regulation, no political consensus to support this obscene and unlawful policy. It is pure pandering to Donald Trump’s morally bankrupt political base. It is legally indefensible.

Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions would take a wrecking ball to the Statue of Liberty and replace it with barbed wire and guard dogs.

In addition to snatching children from their immigrant parents, AG Sessions has now doubled down on the politics of cruelty by undermining hard-won protections for immigrant women and girls fleeing domestic violence. He has single-handedly changed existing policies that protect tens of thousands of women seeking protection from unimaginable abuse, denying their legal right to apply for asylum in the U.S.

This afternoon at 2pm, in front of the Customs and Border Protection Building, NOW is joining other allies to protest the administration’s despicable actions. NOW calls on Congress to exercise its moral duty to protect immigrant families, particularly women and children. Hearings must be held and legislation drafted to end this reprehensible policy. If judges and courts are overwhelmed, appoint more judges. If lawmakers refuse to act, then women will lead the charge to replace them at the ballot box. We must take action NOW to ensure these survivors are protected, not persecuted for seeking the inalienable right to safety and freedom.

Contact

Dee Donavanik, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

June 9, 2018 by Florida NOW

Champion Gender Equality: Social Decency with Action

The Palm Beach County Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOWPBC) was created in 1972 by female professors at Florida Atlantic University to fight for equal pay and tenure.

This was also the year that Congress passed Title IX (prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools and providing women equal opportunities to participate in sports) and NOWPBC presented its first Susan B. Anthony Feminist of the Year Award to a 13-year-old athlete for her successful battle to play on an all-male Boca Raton sports team. Today, Susan Hamill is a law professor at the University of Alabama.

And yet, 45 years later, The Palm Beach Post reported in its front page article -“Gender equality? FAU gave feds false numbers, ranked near bottom” on May 18, that FAU submitted false data to the federal government. There are costly consequences. The Post revealed how most women receive no scholarship money, are discouraged from speaking out and find it necessary to work multiple jobs to cover increasing tuition and school fees while male athletes disproportionately received more scholarship dollars, thereby widening the gender gap.

It’s not the first time FAU tarnished its reputation by placing money above principle. In 2003, the university sponsored a naming rights competition for its new $70 million football stadium. It initially declared the for-profit private prison company, the GEO Group Inc., as the winner for its $6 million deal. Students and the community rose up in indignation, and GEO was dropped.

But now FAU has the opportunity to right this wrong and to be in compliance with the law of the land. This also presents a chance to make a statement for social justice. Indeed, now is the time for university leaders to do it.

ARLENE R. USTIN, DELRAY BEACH

Vice President of the National Organization for Women Palm Beach County.

June 9, 2018 by Florida NOW

Florida Feminist Legend Dies

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the passing of an LGBT Legend & Icon Constance (“Connie”) Kurtz

Connie passed away on Sunday evening, May 27, 2018, in West Palm Beach.

Connie and her wife, Ruth Berman, were simply known as “Ruthie & Connie”. They were together for over 44 years. They first met in the late 1950’s. After 2 divorces, they became a couple in 1974.

In 1988, Ruthie & Connie sued the New York City Board of Education for “Same-Sex Healthcare Benefits”. As their case was being tried, they appeared on “The Phil Donahue Show”; coming-out-of-the-closet in front of millions of people watching T.V.

In 1996, they were victorious in their law suit.

In 2002, they portrayed themselves in the documentary film; “Ruthie & Connie: Every Room In The House”. Shown at film festivals the world over, the film won 6 “Best Documentary Film” Awards.

In 2016, the organization known as “Services & Advocacy For GLBT Elders” (SAGE), presented “The SAGE Pioneer Award” to Ruthie & Connie.

In 2017, Ruthie & Connie were presented “The Rusty Gordon Spirit of Excellence & Equality Award” at the annual TKJ Gala of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party.

Recently, Ruthie & Connie were named “HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS” of The Rusty Gordon LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Palm Beach County.

Earlier this year, the PBC Chapter of ‘The National Organization For Women’ (PBC-NOW), presented Ruthie & Connie with: “The Rusty Gordon Human Rights Award”.

Ruthie & Connie were married on July, 26, 2011, in New York City.

Together with Ruthie, Connie was “The Ultimate Activist & Advocate” on behalf of the Women’s Movement (NOW), the LGBT Community, and the Democratic Party.

Connie was the former president of “The United Democratic Club of Century Village, West Palm Beach”.

The Legacy that Connie Kurtz leaves behind, speaks volumes, and Connie WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.