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Latest News

July 21, 2018 by admin

Donald Trump Bullies Breastfeeding Mothers—And Sells Out Their Health To Business Interests

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt

When Donald Trump takes the world stage, the world trembles.  President Trump’s disastrous European tour was foreshadowed by the news that earlier this year, the Trump Administration pushed the World Health Organization to weaken or trash a resolution meant to encourage breastfeeding and to minimize the inaccurate marketing of substitutes.According to several officials at the WHO meeting, once Trump’s delegation was unsuccessful in removing language that affirmed support for breastfeeding, they turned to bullying and threatening other countries that were considering introducing the wording.   According to the New York Times,

           “The Americans were blunt: If Ecuador refused to drop the initiative, Washington would unleash punishing trade measures and withdraw crucial military aid. The Ecuadorian government quickly acquiesced.”

A British health policy advocate at the meeting said, “What happened was tantamount to blackmail, with the U.S. holding the world hostage and trying to overturn nearly 40 years of consensus on the best way to protect infant and young child health.”

But that’s Donald Trump’s way.  He’s the hostage-taker-in-chief.

Whether it’s infants at the border or at their mother’s breast, Donald Trump sees foreign policy as a vehicle for advancing his own business interests, and to funnel more wealth to his friends and financial backers.  The powerful infant formula industry has its hooks in Donald Trump—just as it’s been able to influence scores of U.S. politicians and agencies.

Donald Trump is guilty of collusion—with the formula industry.  Together, they are perpetuating a system of racial disparities that harm women and children.  Because women of color are one of the most vulnerable populations in the country, they are easy to target with factors that make it impossible for them to actually breastfeed.

Both the WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that infants consuming nothing but breast milk for the first six months of life.  Donald Trump may not respect science, or value public health—but we do. NOW calls on women to demand that U.S. officials stop ignoring decades of research that proves breastfeeding is best for children.

Contact

Brittany T. Oliver, comms@now.org

July 20, 2018 by admin

“Coach” Jim Jordan Betrays The Trust Of The Most Vulnerable Young People

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

Either Jim Jordan is lying—or the wrestlers he was paid to mentor and care for are.

The Ohio Congressman denies knowing about a team doctor groping student wrestlers when Jordan was the assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University between 1986 and 1995. The university says that former athletes from 14 OSU sports have reported abuse. But when former OSU wrestlers came forward to say that they saw Jordan witness or acknowledge the doctor’s behavior, Rep. Jordan attacked the whistleblowers and denied everything.

“Conversations in the locker room are a lot different than people coming up and talking about abuse,” Jordan said. “No one ever reported any abuse to me.”

In other words, because no one had a conversation with him in which the phrase “I was abused” was uttered, no wrongdoing occurred. As the Cleveland Plain-Dealer said in an editorial,

“With all due respect to Jordan, there’s a slang word Ohioans use to describe such fine-line distinctions: ‘Weaseling.’ “

Jim Jordan wants to make a run to succeed Paul Ryan as Speaker, but his colleagues should know by now that they can’t trust a word he says. Do they even care?

We don’t believe Jim Jordan. If he didn’t know about the abuse going on under his watch he should have known. It was his job to protect his students, and he failed miserably.

Contact

Brittany T. Oliver, comms@now.org

July 17, 2018 by Florida NOW

Florida NOW Represents at National NOW Conference in San Jose, CA

Some of the Florida NOW members at National in San Jose, CA

Florida NOW was well represented recently at the National NOW Conference in San Jose, CA. There were 15 members attending from Florida – that’s amazing for a Conference completely across the country. It was a fantastic conference with amazing speakers, great workshops and inspiring conversations with NOW members from all over the country.

There was much discussion as well as a resolution to support the ERA by getting it ratified by the final state (let’s make it Florida!), elect those supportive of the ERA in Congress and oppose any Supreme Court nominee who doesn’t support rescinding the ratification deadline. We will have a follow up specifically with steps we are taking to get the ERA ratified. But the most important thing is to change the Florida Legislature by electing supportive candidates!

More News:

  • Florida NOW is excited to appoint Diane Lebedeff, President of the Pinellas chapter, as the State NOW Social Media Director. Diane brings great enthusiasm to her new role. She’s been doing a lot of Social Media outreach preparing for the State Conference in Tampa and has done such a great job we wanted her to continue. Diane will be reaching out to all the chapters in Florida to help with their social media, especially Facebook and to establish consistent Facebook practices and presentations. Contact Diane at media@flnow.org .
  • The Department of Health and Human Services is asking for public comments on the Title X gag rule. The deadline for comments is July 31st. Planned Parenthood has set up a simple web site to add your name or personal comments. Please go to this link and sign your name against this infringement on health care.  Sign your name
  • Have you called your Senators? We must Stop SCOTUS, Save Roe!: The Senate Must Refuse Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Call Marco Rubio at (407) 254-2573 and Bill Nelson at (407) 872-7161 and demand they oppose this Trump nominee.
  • Please note – we are trying to keep our website up to date and current. Your input is welcome – send your meeting notices or special events to communications@flnow.org and Diane at media@flnow.org and we’ll post them on our calendar. We also have a ‘Gallery’ page now and welcome your pictures – especially from the recent Conferences.
  • Check out the Spring edition of the Family Law Committee FACTS newsletter on the National NOW site. Palm Beach NOW’s Adele Guadalupe has written the headline article about Family Court and the #metoo movement. Click on this link: Family Law Committee
  • Greater Orlando NOW is hosting their 4th annual Feminist Cruise, this year they are going through the Panama Canal. 7 Cities, 14 days starts at $929 p/p (Subject to Change) on Norwegian Pearl Oct. 21 to Nov. 4 Bring your significant other or singles welcome to share a cabin with another single. Contact us to make a connection. We have one slot open already! Embark in San Diego, CA and disembark in Tampa, FL. Here is the link to the cruise information. Call Mary Wilson to reserve your spot at 616-666-2699.
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Florida NOW’s purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls.

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