Ginsburg Dissents Offer Bright Spots in Two Disappointing Supreme Court Rulings

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 Ginsburg Dissents Offer Bright Spots in Two Disappointing Supreme Court Rulings Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy June 29, 2009 Today's Supreme Court ruling in Ricci v. DeStefano was disappointing, but it's what we have come to expect from the conservative majority on the Roberts Court. Had retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor still been on the court, instead of her successor Justice Samuel Alito, this 5-4 decision might well have gone the other way. The City of New Haven, Conn., was right to question the results of the promotion test given to firefighters, based on its disparate impact on African-American and Hispanic candidates. We know that such tests can exhibit race and gender bias, and city officials correctly threw out the test and began anew in order to create a level playing field for all those seeking promotions. The federal district court that first reviewed the case determined that the city was making an effort to comply with Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964 by invalidating the test, and was not discriminating against the candidates who did qualify for promotions. A three-judge panel of the Second Circuit -- which included current nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor -- agreed with the lower court's "thorough, thoughtful, and well-reasoned opinion" that the City of New Haven was "simply trying to fulfill its obligations under Title VII when confronted with test results that had a disproportionate racial impact." Even if Sonia Sotomayor had been on the court for these deliberations, her lower court opinion was in line with Justice David Souter's position, so her vote would not have changed the outcome. A dissent authored by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg contends that the ruling opinion "ignores substantial evidence of multiple flaws in the tests New Haven used. The Court similarly fails to acknowledge the better tests used in other cities, which have yielded less racially skewed outcomes." Ginsburg also noted that: "Firefighting is a profession in which the legacy of racial discrimination casts an especially long shadow. . . . It is against this backdrop of entrenched inequality that the promotion process at issue in this litigation should be assessed." Just last week, the Supreme Court made what initially appeared to be a commendable ruling in the case of a 13-year-old girl who had been strip-searched by school officials looking for ibuprofen. In an 8-1 ruling, the court said that Savana Redding's constitutional rights were indeed violated by the search. That decision was in line with a comparable ruling made by Sotomayor. Having found that Redding's rights were violated, the Supreme Court, by a smaller majority, also ruled that the very school officials responsible for the strip-search could not be held liable for their actions. The justices left it to the lower courts to determine whether the school district itself could be held liable. On the question of liability, Justices Ginsburg and John Paul Stevens dissented, with Ginsburg arguing that the school vice principal's "treatment of Redding was abusive and it was not reasonable for him to believe that the law permitted it." Based on the court's performance on these two cases, NOW is more eager than ever for Judge Sotomayor to join Justice Ginsburg on the high court in time for the next session.

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[News-releases] Celebrating Title IX at 35

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 Celebrating Title IX at 35 Enhancing Enforcement In a New Administration Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy June 23, 2009 Since its passage on June 23, 1972, there have been repeated attacks on Title IX, the civil rights law that guarantees equal educational opportunities to women and girls. After eight years of Bush administration regulations limiting the impact and effectiveness of Title IX, there is now an opportunity to reinvigorate the law and once again prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funds. Millions of women and girls have reaped the rewards of Title IX since it was launched 37 years ago with the active support of NOW. According to Women's Sports Foundation, the number of women in school sports increased in 2001 to almost 2.8 million, a nearly ten-fold increase from 294,000 in 1972. Young girls can now watch their favorite women's sports teams in the WNBA and see women's soccer on television; there is a proliferation of sports magazines geared to women; and new generations are being exposed to sports like never before. But the lack of equitable funding and repeated weakening of the law has set women and girls back, and there are many repairs to be done. With a new administration in the White House, President Obama has an opportunity to restore the integrity of Title IX, both in athletics and in education, particularly with regard to single-sex school regulations that promote sex stereotyping and limit girls' educational opportunities in public schools. The Department of Education must return to its responsibility to promote gender equity and enforcement of the law, and a good start would be to heed the call of the Coalition for Women's Appointments to fill the job of Special Assistant for Gender Equity (SAGE). That position, which was created to "advise the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on all matters relating to gender equity" and "promote, coordinate, and evaluate gender equity programs, including the dissemination of information, technical assistance, and coordination of research activities" languished unfilled during the entire eight years of the Bush administration.

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Special Offer: Join NOW, Get Ms.

Dear Salima, You've already been involved with NOW through our email alerts, staying up-to-date on critical issues and taking action on women's rights. Now take the next step. Join NOW for the special rate of $25, and you'll receive a one-year Ms. membership and Ms. magazine -- for free. For over forty years, NOW has worked for women's equality as a multi-issue, progressive organization. We're the largest feminist organization in the nation, and policymakers turn to NOW for our cutting-edge, multi-issue research and our dedicated network of grassroots activists. Ms. magazine is an award-winning, feminist publication with thought-provoking stories on everything from pop culture to world affairs. And we've teamed up for this special offer. We've sued, we've lobbied, we've educated the media, the general public and our allies -- and we have picketed, demonstrated and marched. And sometimes we've been called shrill or "unladylike," and even unpatriotic, by our detractors. But we have never backed down from our principles. Don't miss this opportunity to join two feminist communities for one low contribution. Join us and help make equality for women a reality. I look forward to hearing from you. For equality, Kim A. Gandy NOW President P.S. If you're already a member, you can renew using this offer! Sign Up for Emails | NOW Home | Unsubscribe / Edit Profile

NOW Activists Elect New President Terry O'Neill to Succeed Kim Gandy

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 NOW Activists Elect New President Terry O'Neill to Succeed Kim Gandy June 20, 2009 This weekend members of the National Organization for Women (NOW) cast their votes for a new team of leaders to direct the largest grassroots feminist organization in the country over the next four years. NOW delegates elected Terry O'Neill, who served as the group's membership vice president from 2001 to 2005, to succeed President Kim Gandy. Gandy will retire from her office on July 20 due to the organization's term limits; she has been a leader in NOW for 36 years, with 22 years of service at the national level, including the last eight as president. "NOW is the organization that fights for the rights of all women no matter the circumstances of their birth, their race or sexual orientation, no matter if they live in poverty or are trying to escape violence," said NOW President-Elect Terry O'Neill. "My experience with domestic violence, as an abused wife left me humiliated and embarrassed. I only began to talk about this publically five years ago as I realized that to keep quiet was to continue the abuse. I want to empower women and telling my story does just that. Women are fed up with persistent inequality and are ready for change. I am honored and eager to lead NOW in making that change." O'Neill cut her political teeth working to defeat David Duke's gubernatorial campaign in Louisiana. She went on to serve NOW at the local, state and national levels. As an attorney, she served a clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago before practicing law in New Orleans. She taught at the University of California Davis Law School and Tulane Law School. Currently, she is chief of staff to a Montgomery County (Md.) councilmember whose successes include a transgender equality law and Maryland's first Family Justice Center for survivors of domestic violence. O'Neill's national positions also include executive director of the National Council of Women's Organizations. The other members of O'Neill's team are Bonnie Grabenhofer of IL, taking on the position of executive vice president; Erin Matson of MN, serving as action vice president; and Allendra Letsome of MD, incoming membership vice president.

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2009 National NOW Conference with Officer Elections Starts Today

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 Indianapolis Hosts 2009 National NOW Conference and Elections "Turning the Tide for Equality" June 19, 2009 Indianapolis will host the 2009 National Organization for Women Conference and NOW Election, June 19-21, at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites. NOW's conference theme this year, Turning the Tide for Equality, reflects the changing political landscape and renewed sense of hope for advances in women's rights. It is also a fitting theme as NOW prepares to elect a new president and leadership team. The three day event will feature distinguished key note speakers such as Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner; educator, economist and commentator Dr. Julianne Malveaux; renowned journalist, author and activist Barbara Ehrenreich; Lulu Flores, president of the National Women's Political Caucus, and more. There will be discussions and workshops on hot topic issues, as well as strategy sessions and the passing of resolutions that will guide the organization over the coming year. Outgoing President Kim Gandy will also be saying farewell after 22 years in national NOW leadership, the last eight as president. What: 2009 National NOW Conference and Elections When: Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21 Where: Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites Who: Conference Speakers include Kim Gandy, President of NOW Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State, replaced the infamous Ken Blackwell Barbara Ehrenreich, journalist, activist, author of bestselling book, "Nickel and Dimed" Lulu Flores, attorney and national president of the National Women's Political Caucus Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President of Bennett College for Women in North Carolina Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Congresswoman and advocate for women's rights Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale, president and dean, Episcopal Divinity School, Boston Donna Smith, founder of American Patients United, featured in Michael Moore's SiCKO "It is an honor to be part of this organization, which has allowed me to fulfill my passion to help women for more than three decades. I came to NOW as a teenager, ready to change everything that was wrong with the world -- and NOW gave me an opportunity to be part of some of the greatest societal changes in my lifetime. This weekend, I will be leaving the presidency of this great organization with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment -- a little older, a lot wiser, and ready to pass on the reins to the new leaders who will continue our important work," said Gandy. Media Credentialing: If you are a member of the media and would like to attend, please call 202-641-1906. Find the agenda and the full list of speakers and workshops on NOW's conference web site.

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NOW Calls on Obama to Withdraw DOMA Brief and Renounce Discriminatory Law

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 NOW Calls on Obama to Withdraw DOMA Brief and Renounce Discriminatory Law June 16, 2009 The National Organization for Women calls on President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to withdraw the U.S. Department of Justice brief filed in support of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and to publicly renounce this discriminatory law. The brief was reportedly written by Bush administration holdovers, and if that is the case, this administration must immediately make it clear that President Obama does not support this position. Under DOMA, same-sex couples who wed in states where their marriages are legal are still denied federal marriage benefits, and other states may refuse to recognize their unions. "President Obama ran on a Democratic Platform that specifically said: 'We oppose the Defense of Marriage Act and all attempts to use this issue to divide us,'" said NOW President Kim Gandy. "This brief is indeed divisive, and the administration must disavow it immediately." The government motion filed in Smelt v. United States of America states that the federal branch may discriminate against same-sex couples because all 50 states sanction the "traditional and universally-recognized form of marriage" and that DOMA is "a cautious policy of federal neutrality towards a new form of marriage" "Neutrality is not what DOMA is about," said Gandy. "This law flat-out favors one form of legal marriage over another. The Obama administration has no business treating a discriminatory law as neutral, and should instead be working with Congress to develop legislation repealing this harmful law. The Bush years are over -- we expect much better from our new president."

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Indianapolis Hosts 2009 National NOW Conference and Elections

	For Immediate Release Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906 Indianapolis Hosts 2009 National NOW Conference and Elections "Turning the Tide for Equality" June 15, 2009 Indianapolis will host the 2009 National Organization for Women Conference and NOW Election, June 19-21, at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites. NOW's conference theme this year, Turning the Tide for Equality, reflects the changing political landscape and renewed sense of hope for advances in women's rights. It is also a fitting theme as NOW prepares to elect a new president and leadership team. The three day event will feature distinguished key note speakers such as Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner; educator, economist and commentator Dr. Julianne Malveaux; renowned journalist, author and activist Barbara Ehrenreich; Lulu Flores, president of the National Women's Political Caucus, and more. There will be discussions and workshops on hot topic issues, as well as strategy sessions and the passing of resolutions that will guide the organization over the coming year. Outgoing President Kim Gandy will also be saying farewell after 22 years in national NOW leadership, the last eight as president. What: 2009 National NOW Conference and Elections When: Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21 Where: Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites Who: Conference Speakers include Kim Gandy, President of NOW Jennifer Brunner, Ohio Secretary of State, replaced the infamous Ken Blackwell Barbara Ehrenreich, journalist, activist, author of bestselling book, "Nickel and Dimed" Lulu Flores, attorney and national president of the National Women's Political Caucus Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President of Bennett College for Women in North Carolina Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Congresswoman and advocate for women's rights Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale, president and dean, Episcopal Divinity School, Boston Donna Smith, founder of American Patients United, featured in Michael Moore's SiCKO "It is an honor to be part of this organization, which has allowed me to fulfill my passion to help women for more than three decades. I came to NOW as a teenager, ready to change everything that was wrong with the world -- and NOW gave me an opportunity to be part of some of the greatest societal changes in my lifetime. This weekend, I will be leaving the presidency of this great organization with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment -- a little older, a lot wiser, and ready to pass on the reins to the new leaders who will continue our important work," said Gandy. Media Credentialing: If you are a member of the media and would like to attend, and/or set up advance interviews, please use this link to request credentials. Find the agenda and the full list of speakers and workshops on NOW's conference web site.

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