Happy Birthday Ellie Smeal!

Today is the birthday of Feminist Majority Foundation President Ellie Smeal, my boss and a true feminist shero. Ellie claims to hate celebrating her birthday (FMF Political Director Alice Cohan told us the story of one year when all of Ellie's feminist friends had a rally downtown against birthdays in her honor), but I wanted to take this opportunity to write a few words about our extraordinary friend and mentor.

Ellie has been fighting for women's equality locally, nationally, and internationally for over 50 years. Since becoming involved with the civil rights movement as a student at Duke University, she has been at the forefront of almost every major battle for political, social, and economic rights for all people. I encourage you all to check out more of Ellie's biography, from her remarkable tenure as the president of the National Organization for Women in the 1970s and 80s and her extensive travels in support of the Equal Rights Amendment, to her cofounding of the Feminist Majority Foundation and her leadership of the pro-choice movement. Her achievements are numerous, and to look at a list of legislation in which she has had a hand boggles the mind.

No one knows politics and feminism better than Ellie Smeal. Ellie lives and breathes this fight every day. She never pauses, never rests. I once heard Ellie described as a "lioness." It's a fitting description. She knows to grab a megaphone and head into the streets, but she also trusts her instincts and will go to the bargaining table when the time is right.

It is because of her extraordinary achievements and experiences that Ellie believes in the power of young people. Ellie is no curmudgeon, disparaging the contributions of the countless young activists around the world. Rather, she is counting on us to innovate and get active and lead this movement. So get involved with the feminist movement on your campus and in your community. Start a feminist group. Run for office on a feminist platform. As Ellie says, "Do what you love." It is the best gift you could give her.

SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED: National Young Feminist Leadership Conference!

Hi everyone,

Quick conference update - your campus team is hard at work putting together what promises to be a fabulous 6th Annual National Young Feminist Leadership Conference! We've got a great lineup of some wonderful speakers announced that we wanted to share with you all:

• Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
  
• Katherine Spillar, Executive Editor, Ms. magazine
• Jehmu Greene, President, Women's Media Center
• Jane Campbell, former Mayor of Cleveland and Chief of Staff, Office of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
• Andrea Camp, Executive Director, US Congress Joint Economic Committee
• Latifa Lyles, Deputy Director, US Department of Labor Women's Bureau
• June Zeitlin, Director, CEDAW Education Project
• Heidi Williamson, National Policy Coordinator, SisterSong Women of Color Health Collective
• Shelby Knox, feminist organizer
• And much, much more! Check out our schedule online for more info!
  

Will we see you there? There's still a little over a week left to register - check out our conference website and register today so you don't miss out! Questions? Call 703-522-2214 and ask for a Campus Organizer! See you in a few weeks!

FMF Hails Roeder Jury Verdict, Calls on Justice Department to Act

In reaction to the unanimous jury verdict convicting Scott Roeder on one count of first-degree murder in the death of Dr. George Tiller and two counts of aggravated assault, Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal and Executive Vice President Katherine Spillar released the following statements:

Smeal said, “Defense efforts to establish that Roeder’s actions were justifiable failed miserably. The jury saw Roeder’s actions for what they were: cold-blooded murder.”

Spillar stated, “Roeder’s own words on the stand revealed that his ‘sidewalk counseling’ outside the clinic was a cover for his surveillance of Dr. Tiller’s ‘comings and goings’ and an opportunity to determine Tiller’s and the clinic’s vulnerabilities.” She continued, “Roeder’s testimony, during questioning by District Attorney Nola Foulston, opened the door wide for the Department of Justice to establish that there was a broader conspiracy to murder Dr. Tiller and other abortion providers. Now it is time for the federal Department of Justice to act.”

The Feminist Majority Foundation runs the National Clinic Access Project, which is the oldest and largest national clinic defense project in the nation. Executive Vice President Spillar attended the trial of Scott Roeder in Wichita, Kansas, and leads the project.

FMF Press Release on Stupak Amendment

House Passes Historic Health Reform
Women’s Rights Suffers Major Defeat in Passage of Stupak Amendment

The House passed the historic Affordable Health Care Act (HR3962) by a narrow margin (220-215) with major gains for women including eliminating gender rating in insurance prices, banning pre-existing conditions, capping out of pocket expenses, expanding Medicaid to include individuals at 150% of the federal poverty level, improving Medicare by closing the donut hole on prescription drug coverage, no charge for preventive care, and stopping the practice of dropping coverage or capping coverage of sick people. Important provisions that advance the health needs of LGBT people were also included in the Act. Unequal taxation of domestic partner benefits was eliminated.

Women’s rights advocates, however, were delivered a major defeat Saturday night by passage of the outrageously restrictive anti-abortion Stupak amendment to the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) by a 240-194 vote of the House of Representatives. The amendment, co-sponsored by Bart Stupak (D-MI), Joe Pitts (R-PA), Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), and Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA), bans abortion coverage for women in both the public option and private insurance. Under the guise of no federal funding for abortion in so-called keeping with Hyde Amendment restrictions, the Stupak Amendment goes way beyond Hyde. This amendment bans abortion coverage even if women pay for it with their own money in the public option or private plans in the insurance exchange.

“This is an outrageous denial of choice to women dictated by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and their army of lobbyists,” said Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority. “Millions of poor and middle class women will be denied abortion coverage. Millions more may lose abortion coverage because currently some 85% of private plans now have such coverage. The Stupak amendment far from being abortion neutral is an unacceptable, giant step backward for women.”

The fight is far from over. Many pro choice legislators and groups, who were reluctantly willing to compromise on the Capps amendment included in the Act, are now determined to strip the Stupak amendment from the Act before it is finally approved by Congress and signed by the president. The Capps amendment provided that no federal funds would be used for abortion. It also provided that in the insurance exchange there would be at least one option that would include abortion coverage and at least one that would not at every premium level for an individual or small business to purchase with their own dollars. The anti abortion forces took advantage of a close House vote on passage of the Affordable Health Care for Americans Act this weekend by Stupak and some 30 legislators pledging they would not vote for final passage unless their total ban on abortion coverage amendment received a floor vote. The Act was only approved by a slim 220-215 ultimately, with Stupak and 20 other members of Congress who both voted for the amendment, voting for the Act.

“Pro-choice forces feel they have been had and are willing and able to step up pressure as the Act proceeds to the Senate for action, then to a House/Senate conference committee, and back to both the Senate and House for final approval before the President signs it into law,” observed Smeal. “There are many more pro-choice Democrats than anti-abortion ones. The question must be answered if the Democrats are more willing to dance to the tune of the Catholic bishops or to listen to its overwhelming constituency of pro-choice women. We must stop every major act being used as a vehicle to cut back reproductive rights. Young women’s lives cannot continue to be a political football. This historic Act must be freed of abortion politics and that is what the pro-choice forces tried to do.”

Ellie Smeal on the Daily Show!

Ok, while it would be WAY cooler if she were actually interviewd by Jon Stewart, it's still pretty awesome that Ellie made her way onto last night's Daily Show...

She makes her cameo around 0:22 - but don't blink or you might miss her! :)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Whole Foods Boycott
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Ellie Smeal: Senator Kennedy, A Champion of Women's Rights

Statement of Feminist Majority president Eleanor Smeal on the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy:

For decades, Senator Edward M. Kennedy was a champion of women’s rights. For years, when few other Senators would take women’s rights seriously, the women’s movement could count on Senator Kennedy. In struggle after struggle, the women’s movement could turn to Senator Kennedy and his dedicated and talented staff to lead the fight in Congress.

Behind the scenes, Senator Kennedy would sit down with the leaders and activists of the women’s and civil rights movements and strategize. He was indefatigable and, whether in the Senate in the majority or minority, he had the undying hope and the know-how to move ahead, pass legislation to help millions, and work for a better day.

In legislative battle after battle, Senator Kennedy never let down the women’s movement. We did not always win – but we were always stronger because of his passion, wise council, unparalleled legislative skill, and inspiration.

As a women’s rights leader who had the privilege of working with Senator Kennedy in many of those struggles for decades, to say we will miss his brilliant leadership is a gross understatement. But, of course, the dream never dies, the fight goes on, and we will never forget Senator Kennedy and his indomitable spirit.

Senator Kennedy, who was the principle sponsor of more landmark legislation than any other Senator in U.S. history, led the fight in much historic legislation for women’s rights, civil rights, and human services, including:

· The Equal Rights Amendment Extension Act of 1978, which provided more time to pass the ERA.

· Minimum wage laws that impacted women.

· The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which prohibited discrimination against pregnant women and revered the Supreme Court decision that permitted discrimination against women in the workforce.

· The Civil Rights Restoration Act, which restored the scope of Title IX and reversed the Grove City Supreme Court case that had gutted Title IX.

· The Voting Rights Act of 1965

· The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), which protected reproductive health care providers.

· The Family Medical Leave Act, which provided 12 weeks unpaid job-protected leave to workers for newborn care, adoption or faster care, or illness of the worker or her/his spouse, child, or parent.

· The Civil Rights Act of 1991, which provided to women workers the right to collect damages in sex discrimination cases.

· The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which reversed the Roberts Supreme Court decision that gutted the ability of women workers to sue for wage discrimination.

· Numerous health care measures including stem cell research, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Mental Health Parity Act, and reproductive health funding

Action in Rememberance of Dr. George Tiller

Aired today on Democracy Now, an excellent news coverage on the life and activism of Dr. George Tiller painted a clear picture of the significance of his work, the dangers in practicing reproductive health care and promoting reproductive justice, and why we need his work to continue on.

Among those who worked so closely with him over the past years--Dr. Tiller's attorney, Laura Shaneyfelt; OB/GYN and Tiller's colleague for seven years, Dr. Shelley Sella; gynecologist and also colleague of Tiller, Dr. Susan Robinson; senior attorney with the Center for Reproductive rights who represented more than 2,000 Dr. Tiller's patients, Bonnie Scott Jones; and president of the Feminist Majority Foundation who worked with Tiller on anti-clinic violence, Ellie Smeal--all shared their stories on what it was like working with him and their involvement in the pro-choice movement.



If your feminist group is looking to educate your campus about Dr. Tiller's significant history in the fight for reproductive choice and honor those who place their life on the line everyday to provide adequate and accessible reproductive services, consider these options:

1. Host a vigil in honor of Dr. Tiller's life
2. Host a screening and dialogue about Democracy Now's news story
   
3. Send greeting cards of support and encouragement for the awesome work of reproductive health clinics in your area.

If you have other helpful ideas, please feel free to post a comment or contact us at campusteam@feminist.org.

Let us always keep the feminist fire burning!

In solidarity!

Feminist Leaders Take on FAILED Abstinence Only Policies

Keep an eye out for FMF President Ellie Smeal around minute 2:30!

What a start to NYWLC!

The 2009 National Young Women’s Leadership Conference has started off incredibly! The opening plenary has just finished up – I cried, I laughed, I cheered. You could feel the energy in the room as we had the opportunity to hear from some of our country’s most influential women!

If you missed it, here are some highlights:

- Dolores Huerta, confounder of the United Farm Workers and current president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, spoke about her close work with the new Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. She specifically recollected Solis’ campaign for the California state legislature and their work with women workers in Juarez, Mexico.

- Solis took the stage and energized the audience, reminding us that there is a place at the table for everyone and that young women need to keep the fight going until we see all discrimination ended. She talked about a plethora of issues ranging from increasing the number of women in math and science to sex trafficking to the importance of unions to green jobs and the economy. She challenged women everywhere to take leadership, step up, and speak out in many forums.

- Feminist Majority Foundation President Ellie Smeal moderated the opening plenary and revved up the crowd by listing off some of the great victories for women since President Obama took office, such as:

o The repeal of the Global Gag Rule
o Passage and signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act 2009
o Passage and signing of the Omnibus Spending Act of 2009 that included a provision to restore subsidized birth control pricing to low-income and college campus clinics and also a provision that released money held up by the Bush Administration for seven years that withheld authorized funds from the United Nations Population Fund for women’s maternal health.
o The creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls

- Tina Tchen, the Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls and the Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison gave some the details about what the new administration is doing for women and girls. She encouraged dialogue and engagement with the new administration on all topics by e-mailing public@who.eop.gov.

- Lilly Ledbetter gave first hand accounts of her experiences as a victim of pay discrimination – she was paid 30-40% less than her male counterparts for nearly 20 years as a manager at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. She underscored how the discrimination impacted not only her salary, but also her retirement savings, social security, and overtime pay. Ledbetter pursued her wage discrimination case all the way through to the Supreme Court, where she lost in a decision that gutted the Title V of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Fortunately, President Obama has signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act – although it can’t help Lilly recoup her damages, it gives future women a chance to protect themselves from such discrimination.

Check out the opening plenary on UStream. Keep watching for new posts all weekend, and follow us on Twitter @feministcampus. Tweet your responses with the hash tag #NYWLC! Here’s to a happy feminist weekend!