Florida NOW

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON – As we wind down the month-long observation of November’s Native American Heritage Month, the National Organization for Women celebrates the history and legacy of the first American feminists. Native American women were more than just mothers of the tribes’ children—they were builders, warriors, farmers, and craftswomen. Many Native American tribes believed that women had more healing power and a deeper connection to the spirit world. And in many tribes, the families were matrilineal—instead of women leaving their families to join their husbands, it was the opposite. Men joined the families of the women they married and their sons left to join their wives’ families.

It’s only fitting that the first two Native American women were elected to Congress during this year’s Native American Heritage Month. NOW honors the rich culture, traditions, and accomplishments of indigenous people, and we recommit ourselves to working with Native people to meet the challenges and overcome the obstacles faced by this vibrant, diverse community. We are all enriched by Native American heritage—this month, and every month.

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

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON — The National Organization for Women regrets the unfortunate ruling of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in the first case of female genital mutilation brought under the federal law banning this horrific practice. We believe this ruling to be erroneous for a number of reasons. The cutting of the genitals of girls in Michigan is not just “a local criminal activity,” as the judge described it. Rather it involves interstate commerce in that girls are brought to Michigan from other states by parents who tell them they are going on vacation. This brutal attack on girls has become a matter of cutting tourism and certainly falls under the right of Congress to ban it under the interstate commerce clause.

We at NOW hope the U.S. Attorney from Michigan, who brought this case, will appeal this erroneous ruling.

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

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt

WASHINGTON – The Ohio House has passed a bill to criminalize abortions which take place after a fetal heartbeat can be detected- this can be as early as six weeks before many women even know they’re pregnant. Although Gov. John Kasich vetoed the bill once in 2016, the legislature may have enough votes now to overturn another veto—and Governor-elect Mike DeWine has promised to sign the measure once he takes office.

This dangerous, extremist legislation – which makes no exception for rape or incest – is designed to jail doctors, punish women, and overturn the law of the land.  The author of the bill, Janet Porter, worked on Roy Moore’s Senate campaign in Alabama and defended him against accusations of sexual misconduct with teen girls. Now, she says that “we literally crafted this legislation to be the arrow in the heart of Roe v Wade.  It is made to come before the United States Supreme Court.”

The stepped-up, all-out, no-holds-barred crusade against women’s health we feared with the elevation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has begun in earnest.  With this measure, Ohio is sending Justice Kavanaugh a “save the date” card to get ready to vote on repealing Roe.  This notice needs to be marked “return to sender,” and anti-choice extremists must be stopped. NOW will continue to advocate for women’s fundamental right to healthcare – including safe, affordable and legal access to abortion  – and urges its members to lobby their representatives to do the same.

Contact

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