“We Need To Speak With One Voice” Say Leaders:

“The heads of three prominent groups that advocate for women said today that Doug Jones’ victory in the Alabama Senate election will reverberate into the coming battles over tax cuts, abortion, birth control, health care, budget policy and entitlement spending—as well as the 2018 elections and women’s equality,” assert Toni Van Pelt, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW); Eleanor Smeal, Co-Founder and President of Feminist Majority; and Dr. E. Faye Williams, President and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women.

“Roy Moore may have lost this election–thanks to the principles and values of Alabama’s women and minority voters–but the campaign proved that Republicans will support any predatory, compromise any value, betray any principle and break any commitment in order to pass their right-wing agenda” continues Van Pelt.

“The GOP tax cut will do enormous harm, and we now know that the Trump Administration is preparing to next target recipients of food stamps, Medicaid and housing benefits.

“As Doug Jones prepares to take his seat in the Senate, we need to speak with one voice and hold the Republicans to account as they push for policies that turn back the clock and put women at risk.”

Eleanor Smeal, President of Feminist Majority, said, “Once again we see a huge gender gap with 17% more women voting for Jones than men. Turn out is everything, the amazing African American vote despite all obstacles and college students helped determine the outcome. The people of Alabama have spoken loud and clear: a grown man who preys on teenage girls is not a leader, he is a predator.

Dr. E. Faye Williams, President and CEO of National Congress of Black Women, said,
“Alabama voters, particularly voters of color, have struggled and fought for access to the ballot. Tonight, our voters have shown that they will not stand by and give a man as egregious as Moore the opportunity to sit in the US Senate. The American people are demanding a political and cultural change and tonight, Alabama voters stood on the right side of history.”

Contact
Emily Imhoff, press@now.org, 951-547-1241

The National Organization for Women (NOW) congratulates the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for adopting its new Standards of Conduct, to which each of its 8,427 members are expected to adhere.

NOW was the first organization to call on the Academy to expel Harvey Weinstein following the first reports of the producer’s record of sexual assault, and NOW saluted the Academy when it took that step. Today, the Academy has codified its policies with new Standards that read, in part,

“The Academy is categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, age, religion, or nationality.” Additionally, “If any member is found by the Board of Governors to have violated these standards or to have compromised the integrity of the Academy by their actions, the Board of Governors may take any disciplinary action permitted by the Academy’s Bylaws, including suspension or expulsion.”

“The Motion Picture Academy is on the right road,” said Toni Van Pelt, President of NOW, “but the journey is just beginning. We need to take the conversation about sexual harassment and assault past ‘who did what to whom’ and find meaningful ways to transform the culture to one that respects women and values them as equals.”

Contact
Emily Imhoff, planner@now.org, 951-547-1241

Al Franken was right to resign. He’s been a good Senator, but his career cannot be valued higher than his obligation to treat women with respect. Minnesota will get another good Senator, and I hope it’s a woman.

Once all the prominent people who’ve been revealed to have sexually harassed co-workers resign, there will still be a culture that disrespects women in place. Al Franken is not the problem. The problem is a workplace culture that treats women as objects and accommodates their abusers.

It’s not about how many famous people have to resign, or whether they’re Democrats or Republicans. It’s about men who protect men, institutions that protect their own, and a legal system that protects victimizers over victims.

Contact
Emily Imhof, planner@now.org, 951-547-1241