Florida NOW

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt and Christian Nunes, Chairwoman of the Racial Justice Committee:

WASHINGTON – Every February, we observe Black History Month as a way of celebrating, honoring and absorbing the lessons of the African Americans who have contributed so much to our culture, our communities and our nation. This year, we are witnessing a transformation in our politics, with more women of color running for office, getting elected and making a difference than ever before.

While Donald Trump and his overwhelmingly white, male Administration wage a mean-spirited, discriminatory and racially divisive campaign to undermine civil rights protections, we need to remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King said, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there ‘is’ such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”

Black History Month reminds us of the “fierce urgency of now.”  That’s always been the watchword of the National Organization for Women. As part of NOW’s core principles, we see human rights as indivisible, and we will continue to stand in solidarity and follow the lead of African Americans across the country, working together to overcome the barriers to justice and equality that have been imposed by racism.

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NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-628-8669

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON – When the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, women were paid 58 cents for every dollar earned by men. Fifty-six years after the act’s passage, the difference is still apparent. Today, women are paid only 80 cents for every man’s dollar, and the gap is even wider for women of color. The career earnings loss due to sex- and race-based pay discrimination for many women total in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Paycheck Fairness Act was first introduced in the 105th Congress, 1997-1998 — more than 20 years and 11 Congresses ago. Women have been waiting for far too long for equal treatment. The Paycheck Fairness Act would bring us several important steps closer to parity.

Today, on the ten-year anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduces the Paycheck Fairness Act as H.R. 7. This act would begin to close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and address other ways to close the gender wage gap. Namely, it would increase penalties for wage discrimination and assure that employers determine wages through the factors of experience, training, and education, rather than sex. The act would also direct federal agencies to collect data on compensation discrimination and publicly disclose it.

The progress of women in the workforce over the last fifty-six years is evident, but the financial penalty many women experience due to sex- and race-based pay discrimination must stop. If closing the wage gap continues at its agonizingly-slow current rate, men and women will not reach wage equality until 2059. That is forty years too long.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) calls on members of Congress to support the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R.7) and to take leadership in moving this important advancement for working women and their families to passage.

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NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-628-8669

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON – By granting the Trump Administration’s request to allow it to bar most transgender people from serving in the military, the Supreme Court has taken another step away from judicial fairness, and towards political vendettas.

Donald Trump launched this hate campaign in a series of tweets in July 2017, abruptly declaring that “the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military.”   This came as news to the Pentagon, and Donald Trump’s government once again had to catch up to his personal vitriol and discriminatory agenda.

Now, the Supreme Court has taken a place on Donald Trump’s team of enablers.  Transgender military service members have proved themselves to be dedicated, productive, patriotic individuals who deserve the nation’s honor and respect. Instead, the Court has sanctioned continued discrimination and persecution.

The ruling does not automatically mean that transgender people already serving openly in the military will be discharged, but those who seek to transition or serve openly in the future risk removal from service. This sends a terrible message to transgender people who choose to serve in dangerous, difficult jobs in the military because they believe in their country and believe in their mission.

NOW calls on military commanders not to remove these brave people from service, and for Congress to act forcefully to put a stop to this discriminatory and unconstitutional policy.

Contact

NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-628-8669