California NOW

Forum: Undocumented Immigrants and Domestic Violence

From the National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles:

In conjunction with our Women Helping Women Services, Advocacy and the Center for Pacific Asian Families have partnered to present a free community event that will bring to light how undocumented victims of domestic violence can learn to identify barriers and service gaps that put them and their children at risk.

What is the effect of the current political climate on services for undocumented immigrant families? Does a victim of domestic violence who is undocumented have access to the criminal justice system or social services for her and her children?

Do service barriers for undocumented immigrants have a ripple affect on community violence, public health or education?

What barriers to services and protections affect not only the women, but also their children and the community at large? What rights and services ARE available?

Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (Bring your “brown bag lunch” and we will provide refreshments and dessert), at NCJW/LA’s Council House: 543 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles 90036 (One Block South of Melrose – SW Corner of Clinton & Fairfax)

Panelists are:
♦ Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)
♦ Sheila Neville, Senior Attorney, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
♦ Joann Lee, Directing Attorney, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA
Moderator: Councilmember Jan Perry

For information and reservations call: (323) 852-8503 or e-mail ruth@ncjwla.org

Happy Leap Day!

Every four years, we are blessed with an extra day.

Yes, a whole new 24-hours! Why not use this day to do all those things you have dreamed of, all those things we seem to make excuses for? The time is now! Helen Keller once stated, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

LEAP for it!

I'm going to use this leap day, to leap into action on planning women's herstory month events. What about you?

California NOW Conference is proud to present, Helen Reddy!

California NOW is proud to announce that Helen Reddy will address our annual membership and state conference, Women in the Public Eye on her new Spring 2008 speaking tour on ~ Adapting to Global Transformation.

Helen Reddy will take us into the world of healing, encouragement and self-empowerment. At a time when many feel disjointed and unaware of how they can affect the challenges in the world, Helen, with wisdom, wit, and spiritual clarity, helps us discover a latent power within us all to help us influence our own reality with courage, truth and hope. Helen clearly demonstrates how as we progress consciously, the world around us transforms with us. Learn how to harness that perceptual power with the woman who has always been a sacred catalyst for positive change. 

Helen Reddy: the unforgettable voice that became the lightning rod for feminist consciousness in the 1970's,  celebrates with us on her cross-country speaking tour in Spring 2008, to once again bring a critical message of hope and change to all.  Join us April 19th at the Hyatt West Hollywood to celebrate Ms. Reddy. 

CaL-Poly San Louis Obispo to Discriminate Against Saudi Women

For the past year, Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo has been engaged in talks with the Saudi Arabian government to set up an engineering program at Jubail University. The catch to this seemingly great international opportunity is that women will not be able to attend classes or teach in the program. This is a giant step backwards for a progressive educational institute that is one of the top schools in the state. Women make up 44% of the student body and should be represented in equal numbers at any counterpart school. In addition women faculty members would be passed over when the administration places professors in Saudi Arabia. Respecting another country’s customs is one thing, but sacrificing women’s rights in a field of study that needs more women, is just wrong. It also sends a dangerous signal to Saudi Arabian women- we are not willing to support women beyond our borders.

Cal Poly is a state school that relies on government funding. If Cal-Poly were to suggest an educational program in California that did not allow women, the proposal would never be accepted. Both Saudi Arabian women and American women would be discriminated against, as neither would be allowed at the school. We all know the value of studying aboard. One can learn and benefit a great deal from immersing themselves in foreign cultures. However, the point is that everyone should get an opportunity to experience these fundamental global exchanges--not just the men. Tell Ca-Poly how you feel about this!

CA Gets First African American Woman as Speaker

Assemblymember Karen Bass has the votes to become the next speaker of the California Assembly, elevating an African American woman to the post for the first time in California history!

Assemblymember Bass, a Los Angeles Democrat, is now second only to the governor in power and prestige in California government.

Bass, 54, has been a top lieutenant to the current speaker, fellow Los Angeles Democrat Fabian Núñez who has served as leader since 2004.

Go, Karen! Read the full story here.

And Now There Are 3

Today, Barbara Seaman, the Mother of the Modern Women's Health Movement left us.  Just yesterday I got an email from my friends at the Veteran Feminists of America that said if you want to send Barbara a message - to do it soon.  And today, she has dropped her body and gone on to her next journey.

This silly picture (dubbed the 4 Virgos) portrays how I feel about these pioneers; Barbara Seaman, Kate Millet and Jacqui Ceballos and all of the women who did the heavy lifting in the Second Wave, upon which we now ride.  I could not contain myself that I was in their presence. 

Yeah, it can be a bit scary, but I choose to be a brave and consenting feminist.

A message from Rebecca Dolhinow:

So, I received my I Heart Consensual Sex t-shirt last weekend and it rocks! I’ve been waiting for it for a while now. As the president of the CA NOW Foundation I have helped with the I Heart Consensual Sex campaign for a while and I’m very excited about the project – it embodies everything the Foundation works for in educating the women and girls of California on issues important to their advancement. Talking about consent and its relationship to sex is something we all need to do more often, especially those of us who have young women and men in our lives that we know and love. As more young adults are sexually active in their teen and pre-teen years it becomes necessary to have conversations about what is and is not consensual sex at an earlier age. This is what the I Heart Consensual Sex campaign is all about.

But when I put on my I Heart Consensual Sex t-shirt with its cute scoop neck, its hip longer styling, and its eco-friendly organic cotton the ideas at the core of the campaign were not the first things to come to mind. The most obvious thing was the word SEX! And I have to admit at first I was a little bit wary about putting it on stepping out the door. Waking up in the morning pulling on your favorite jeans and grabbing a t-shirt that reads “I Heart Consensual SEX” can be a bit scary at first, at least it was for me. Because people look at it, they really look at it, that’s the whole point; and I found that most people are looking approvingly. People love my I Heart Consensual Sex t-shirt, they ask what it’s about and how they can get one too. Now that I know people are looking at me because they want a t-shirt too it’s a fun and powerful experience to wear mine. If you want to learn more about the I Heart Consensual Sex campaign or maybe wear one of our t-shirts keep your eye on this page...new updates are coming soon!
                                                                                                            (Photo by Aaron Ho, Berkeley NOW)

 

Take Action Against Domestic Violence

Write to your senators TODAY and ask them to sponsor the following two bills. Both of these proposals are crucial in the effort to end violence against women in the U.S. and around the globe.

The International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA - S.2279), sponsored by Senator Joe Biden, will put in place steps to help end gender-based violence worldwide in its many forms – including rape, domestic violence, sexual violence, genital mutilation, forced and child marriage, "honor" killings, dowry related violence, and human trafficking.

The bill requires the U.S. State Department to develop a five-year comprehensive strategy to address violence against women in as many as 20 countries and an annual funding stream of $175 million to support coordinated programs including legal reform, health care, economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and public awareness. The bill also strengthens the protection of women and girls in areas of armed conflict.

We know all too well that women who have escaped domestic violence rarely find justice in the family and criminal courts. The National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network Act (S.1515), sponsored by Senator Joe Biden, will provide low-income women access to the same legal resources so readily available to victims with greater financial resources and access to networks within the criminal justice system. The bill would set in motion an effort to mobilize 100,000 volunteer attorneys willing to work on behalf of survivors of abuse.

Calling all Daughters of Illinois

It seems that on a monthly basis someone tells me to let this ERA thing go.  Well, I am glad to say that ain't gonna happen.  As a matter of fact, the Speaker of the House in Illinois has moved HJRCA0002 (ERA Amendment bill) out of committee by a vote of 8 to 5 to the House and it may be voted on as early as next week.   

You can guess that Phyllis is packing her bags right now.  Don't forget all the red suits!  And if you forgot all of your ridiculous arguments you can read them in the South Town Star in a piece by Fran Eaton is a south suburban resident and conservative activist in state and national politics and an online journalist.   She reminds us all about same sex toilets, the draft and marriage for two people of the same gender!! 

If you know ANYONE in Illinois ~ the time is NOW to make the call and ask them to press their representatives and state senators.  Or give a jingle to Clinton or Obama, see if they have any traction in their home state.  Women in the Constitution is way past due.

Ellen on Hillary