14 June 2011

Weekly Round-Up: Grantees Making Waves Nationwide

We're sure, like us, you'll be inspired by the incredible activism of our grantees. Read on to see how we can work together to push for progressive change and social justice across the nation.

The National Domestic Workers Alliance was in Geneva last week for the 100th International Labor Conference of the United Nations' International Labor Organization (ILO). This year's gathering was centered around setting -- historic! -- international standards and workplace protections for domestic labor, and was a result of a decade-long organizing effort by domestic workers advocates and allied organizations. The final outcome will be a Convention on Domestic Labor (an international human rights document) to be voted upon this Thursday, June 16. See testimony from the proceedings and read more.  

Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) announced [pdf] the awardees of its first-ever Economic Security Innovations Awards, a part of WOW's Building Bridges to Economic Security Campaign.

On June 13, the National Council for Research on Women, Demos, the White House Project, New York Women's Agenda, the Women of Color Policy Network, the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee, and NOW-NYC hosted A Promising Economic Strategy: More Women in Leadership Positions, a panel discussion on strategies for advancing the role of women in leadership positions.


Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) expressed its outrage over a report released by the Government Accountability Office that reveals patients and staff have been raped and sexually assaulted while seeking care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. "The rates of sexual assault and harassment in the military are disturbing enough," said Anu Bhagwati, executive director of SWAN. "However, to expose veterans to hostile behavior where they are being treated for conditions related to in-service sexual trauma is unconscionable.”

The Alabama Women’s Resource Network has issued a call to action to fight a dangerous bill currently under consideration in the Alabama House: HB 8. If passed, women would be prosecuted for the use of any controlled substance while pregnant, completely ignoring prenatal needs or treatment solutions. Call your legislators and take action!

On June 2, Community Voices Heard (CVH) celebrated their 15th anniversary at the Museum of the City of New York. Congratulations on an amazing 15 years of building power among low-income New Yorkers! Watch this inspiring video about how CVH came to be such an incredible member-led, movement-building force for economic justice and social change:



















Stand Up and Take Action!
On Wednesday June 22, join the National Council for Research on Women for Non-Traditional and Green Jobs for Women, the seventh webinar on pathways to greater economic security for women and their families.

June 10 was the 48th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. Although the act was revolutionary for its time, it has not been updated since its inception. The Women of Color Policy Network asks you to help capitalize on the promise of the Equal Pay Act, by supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act today, which closes loopholes in the Equal Pay Act by deterring wage discrimination and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages to coworkers. Help make sure women get equal pay for equal work!

This Wednesday, June 15, Miriam Yeung of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum will be a featured speaker on Tracking the Crackdown, an informational teleconference for journalists sponsored by New American Media about attacks on immigrant rights and the birthright citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. RSVP today!

The National Partnership for Women and Families needs your help this week to make Paid Sick Days a reality in Philadelphia. The city council is expected to vote this Thursday morning, June 16. You can call Mayor Michael Nutter, attend the council’s session at 9:30 AM or spread the word on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more at http://www.earnedsickdaysphilly.com/.

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