Florida NOW

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON – The Virginia Senate voted today (26-14) to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The National Organization for Women (NOW) applauds Virginia lawmakers for taking this first step towards passage of the amendment by the state legislature. NOW leaders and activists across the country are rejoicing that Virginia could become the 38th and final state needed for the amendment to become part of the U.S. Constitution.

Virginia NOW activists are currently working hard to convince the state’s House Republican leaders to bring the resolution out of committee.  It will be an uphill battle, but NOW and our allies are mounting a valiant effort. NOW will not rest until women achieve full equality, first with the constitutional protection of the ERA, and then across society in every sphere: social, economic, and judicial.

NOW calls on the Virginia House of Delegates to move swiftly to vote to ratify the ERA, so we can all celebrate as equal rights become the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Contact

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

Statement by National NOW President Toni Van Pelt and New Mexico NOW State President Sharon Hart:

WASHINGTON – New Mexico state legislator Rep. Miguel P. Garcia has proposed a state holiday in honor of the late farm worker leader Cesar Chavez of California and the late New Mexico State Senator Dennis Chavez.  Garcia is quoted as saying, “There are no other kinds of individuals connected to New Mexico quite like these gentlemen who regularly preached civil rights and social justice.”  

Wrong!

Dolores Huerta is a native New Mexican, who preceded Cesar Chavez in the fight for farm workers’ rights. It was Huerta who created the organization that evolved into the United Farm Workers, more than three years before she and Chavez co-founded the UFW together. It was Huerta who was overshadowed due to her gender as a nationally recognized “face” of the farm workers, and it was Huerta whose contributions to their struggle took second place to no man.

Today, Dolores Huerta remains a tireless advocate for workers and women. She richly deserves to be honored. This must start with recognition in the new bill in New Mexico that renames the proposed holiday, “The Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez and Dennis Chavez Day.”  

NOW calls on New Mexico legislators to fix this sexist oversight. Dolores Huerta is one of the state’s most illustrious, accomplished, and historically significant women.

Contact

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

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

Bernice Sandler, who passed away January 5 at her home in Washington, D.C., was widely known as the “Godmother of Title IX.”  After earning a doctorate at the University of Maryland in 1969, she applied for one of seven teaching positions in her department but was told that she wouldn’t be considered for any of them.

“Let’s face it,” a male colleague told her.  “You come on too strong for a woman.” When she applied for another position, the researcher in charge of hiring said he didn’t hire women because they stayed home too often to care for sick children. Later, an employment agency dismissed her as “just a housewife who went back to school.”

Bernice Sandler then embarked on a lifelong mission to change the culture of sex discrimination on college campuses. She spent decades documenting, investigating and working to change the arbitrary limits and sexist standards that held women back academically and professionally. Her work led to the passage in 1972 of Title IX, the landmark legislation that banned sex discrimination in federally funded educational institutions.

Bernice Sandler was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013 when she was lauded for her efforts that led to the first federal investigation of sex discrimination on campuses.

Bernice Sandler was an inspiration to countless women who were inspired by her example and empowered by her accomplishments.  She will be missed but never forgotten.

Contact

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