By: Dani Nispel, Program and Policy Intern
National Council of Women’s Organizations
With all the talk about Title IX lately, it only makes sense to shift our focus to the Olympics. Friday, July 27th marks the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic games. The question on my mind is not how will women do in the games themselves, but how will they be treated?
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By: Julie Rhoad, President/CEO
The NAMES Project Foundation/The AIDS Memorial Quilt
According to the CDC, at some pivotal point in her lifetime, one in 139 women will be diagnosed with HIV infection. For African American and Hispanic/Latina women, the numbers are far worse — 1 in 32 African American women and 1 in 106 Hispanic women. While the statistics are indeed startling, they point to a major reason the NAMES Project Foundation is bringing The AIDS Memorial Quilt back to Washington, DC this summer, starting this month.
Measuring more than 50 miles and weighing 54 tons and, thus, no longer able to be displayed all in one location at once, The Quilt’s journey to Washington for two major events spotlight a very current issue in dire need of renewed attention. Each one of the 94,000 names sewn meticulously into The Quilt is a testament to the fact that life in the age of AIDS is the story of us all — especially women. Continue reading
By: Sarah Lindemann, Photography Intern
National Council of Women’s Organizations
Not many teenage girls would jump at the chance to wear spandex six days a week, but I asked “how high?” Joining a high school sports team helped to define my four years of high school. The friendships I made and the lessons I learned would not have been possible without Title IX—and the Woodbridge Senior High School crew team. Continue reading
By: Dani Nispel, Program and Policy Intern
National Council of Women’s Organizations
The critics of Title IX are loud and proud: it’s a quota system that’s no longer necessary to level the playing field. Implicit in that statement is the mantra of our “post-feminist” society: “Men and women are equal. We don’t need feminism. Things are fine the way they are.” I disagree. As someone who benefitted enormously from Title IX, I can tell you exactly why it’s necessary. I’ve also experienced the extreme sexism that exists within and despite Title IX.
I started playing sports officially when I was in first grade–a late start compared to most of my other friends who had been playing pee-wee soccer since they could walk. Playing lacrosse was a great opportunity to learn a lot more about my confidence and self-esteem. I also gained valuable skills that I use today: working on a team with people you dislike, self-discipline, and goal-setting.
Even given the opportunities of Title IX, the sexism that pervades our society doesn’t disappear. If Title IX no longer existed, I can only imagine how much worse that would be.
By: Maggie Fridinger, Program and Policy Intern
National Council of Women’s Organizations
This week women’s rights advocates have a reason to party. June 23, 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Over the past four decades, Title IX has accomplished a lot in regard to women’s education, career training, and athletic participation. While Title IX applies to many aspects of women’s advancement, most people still draw associations with it creating more opportunities for women in sports.
Even though Title IX turns 40, it is not quite “over the hill” in terms of eliminating disparities that still persist in opportunities for women in high school athletics. In fact, the proverbial “playing field” in high school is still slanted in favor of men. Girls only receive 41 percent of all athletic participation opportunities even though they comprise approximately half of the high school population. The National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE) released a report last week that reviews Title IX’s accomplishments over the last 40 years – and the work still left to do.
By: Maggie Fridinger, Program and Policy Intern
National Council of Women’s Organizations
On May 23, 2012, I attended the Paycheck Fairness Act press conference on the Hill as a representative from the National Council of Women’s Organizations. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Diane Feinstein (D., Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) joined Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA), a bill designed to strengthen existing legislation that prevents employers from discriminating against women by closing loopholes left unaddressed by the Equal Pay Act of 1963.
One by one, the Senators framed the policy problem in a way that would resonate with the public, and hopefully urge the Senate to vote in favor of the bill. Sen. Murray explained that pay inequity is an “economic issue,” while Sen. Boxer termed it a “family issue.” Sen. Franken offered his appeal as a father and husband. Continue reading
By: Dani Nispel, Program and Policy Intern
National Council of Women’s Organizations
I need the Paycheck Fairness Act. We all do. I’m a junior in college and in two years, my job hunt begins. The prospect of only making 77 cents to every dollar men make is disheartening enough, but not having the support to get the pay I deserve is even more daunting.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would give needed improvements to the Equal Pay Act of 1963, and as MomsRising.org notes, “It’s a comprehensive bill that would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law, empower women to negotiate for equal pay, and strengthen federal outreach, education, and enforcement efforts.” It seems like a no-brainer to help make sure women are receiving equal pay for equal work and giving them the support necessary to get there. Continue reading
By: Dani Nispel, Program and Policy Intern
National Council of Women’s Organizations
The National Council of Women’s Organization’s Women’s Health Task Force held a panel discussion this past Tuesday called, Blaming the Victim: A Discussion about Diseases and Conditions Women Suffer From and Get Blamed For. This talk got me thinking about the various ways women do not feel comfortable talking with their health care providers about their own health issues. The panel brought up the important issues of shame, which keeps women from having these conversations, their lack of health insurance, and the role women play as caregivers (and therefore, let their own health issues come second). When discussing shame, I was instantly drawn to ob/gyns. What other health care professional creates so much anxiety for women, while also being such an important part of our health and sexual well-being?
By Becky Mezzanotte
In a world where I continually hear gripes about the political state of the U.S., I can always seem to find a small piece of silver lining somewhere. For the health care law that passed in March of 2010, it’s the fact that I am able to stay on my parent’s health care plan until I am 26. It may not seem like it’s that big of a deal to some people, but to me it means quite a bit.
By Kendra McCormick
Throughout the economic crisis, many successful policies that improve women’s economic security and ensure our access to health care have been put in jeopardy. Even our right to vote is being attacked. However, I feel most threatened by the proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act.