California NOW

CA NOW Welcomes Mary Hunt

The Eco-Feminism Committee is proud to present this Woman in the Public Eye, Mary Hunt ~ Author, Speaker, Business woman at the 2008 CA NOW Conference. 

From her Blog ~

I'm a speaker, writer and business developer for sustainable products and the women's market. I TRUST IN PURSE STRING THEORY - Money talks. Women determine over 80% of all consumer buying. By purchasing and promoting fully sustainable products, they can redirect the business climate while cooling down the global climate.

In Women We Trust is a recognition of the dual roles women play in bringing about a more Sustainable world. I'm an example of that duality, behaving both as a marketing professional and as a consumer. In my lifetime I've purchased 10 cars, selected the furnishings for 3 homes & 4 apartments, and hand picked enough groceries for 24,000 meals. I'm guessing that makes me the average boomer woman.

Do You Buy For Equality?

Last Friday, President Bush outlined the basic principals of his proposed economic stimulus package. In an effort to jumpstart consumer spending, Bush included in the proposal a one-time massive tax rebate. It seems like everyone, Bush included, is avoiding the "R" word (recession), but if the economic status of American women and children is any indicator (which it almost always is), we're in trouble.

We'll see what comes out in the wash when Congressional democrats have their say, but in the meantime, if you decide to do your part and spend, spend, spend, put your money behind your values. The Human Rights Campaign has come out with their 2008 "Buying for Equality" guide, grading companies from Exxon to Mattel on their commitment to LGBT equity. If you want Wheaties for breakfast, check out General Mills (they got a 100). Sending a package? Not with FedEx (they received a 55). How about a vacation? Stay away from Royal Caribbean cruises! Take the family to Busch Gardens instead. The worst of the worst, fittingly, is Nestle Purina, parent company of dog food brand Alpo. No more Friskies!

Dorky Video, Good Safety Tip

Guest blog: Vote with your pur$e!

Kate Mitchell is the CA NOW Legislative and Advocacy Intern.

I have about as much disposable income as Mike Huckabee has concern for women and gay folks: that is to say, none. So when I saw Martha Burk’s recent article in Ms. about the “negative gender gap” in political giving, I didn’t think twice. Women my age don’t usually give to charity—maybe they haven’t worked in the “real world” long enough to see the effects of the “power of the purse” or maybe they think they just don’t have the money. Burk writes that only 29 percent of direct contributions to candidates were given by women in the 2006 election cycle, and women's share of hard-money contributions to candidates, political action committees and party committees combined was just 27 percent. Part of the reason, she argues, is that women on the whole don't have the same earning power as men and are in fewer leadership positions in high-giving sectors (like law firms). So I thought I’d do my part to close the gap. It’s not much, but it’s a start. I’ve put together my personal top five feminist charities for the holidays—one click of a mouse was all it took.

1. Of course, California NOW! I’ve had a great four months in the Sacramento office with some amazing women!

2. The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation for Low-Income Women and Children: run by her daughter, feminist welfare scholar (and my college advisor) Gwendolyn Mink, the foundation offers Education Support Awards of up to $5000 to help low-income women with children pursue higher education. I give monthly, as it’s easier on my wallet.

3. EMILY’s List: the largest PAC in the country, they’re the early money behind a host of pro-choice Democratic women candidates.

4. Of course my alma mater, Smith: a tradition I started this year, I gave to the Women’s Studies department.

5. Witness for Peace: two years ago, I traveled with a group from this Quaker organization to Nicaragua, to witness the struggles of women peace activists in Managua.

What are your top 5?

Wal-Mart Brings Holiday Cheer, Sweatshop-Style

A group of Chinese teenagers, with the help of the National Labor Committee, recently exposed the horrendous working conditions of the Guangzho Huanya ornament factory (read sweatshop) in Guangdong, China. According to Mother Jones and the National Labor Committee, the factory in Guangdong employs 8,000 workers and is among the top three Christmas ornament makers in mainland China. And where might these ornaments be sold in the States? You guessed it—Wal-Mart! The high school students were smart enough to bring along their camera phones, and they broadcast video of children as young as 12, forced to work 15 hour days, 7 days a week, for as little as 26 cents per hour! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg; workers at the factory have also been exposed to dangerous chemicals that cause skin rashes and sores. Of course the management of the factory doesn't pay for medical bills or allow sick days and docks workers who quit unexpectedly an entire month's pay.

The new NLC report finds that each worker at the factory is expected to pump out tens of thousands of ornaments a day, hand painting one every 39 seconds, or spray painting, without gloves or masks, between 64,000 and 76,800 hanging decorations each shift. You can read the NLC’s report here, and view video shot by the highschoolers. Wal-Mart, of course, has kept mum. Let them know where you’ll be doing your holiday shopping by writing CEO Lee Scott at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville, Arkansas, 72716-8611 or here. Wal-Mart claims it’s “driven by a common mission: saving people money so they can live better...” We fail to see how these workers are “living better!”

Guest Blog: Megan Seely

Have you seen this?! 

A friend at work sent me this email from one of his frequented blogs (I think that it originated on feministing).  These are little girl panties for sell at Wal-Mart that say "Who needs credit cards" across the pelvis!  I don't want to take away from feministing who has great comments about the panties and a link to tell Wal-Mart what you think but I figured this was exactly the type of thing that needs shared with as many as possible.  What kind of message does WalMart--our 'family values' store--want to send teen women?  Particularly in light of rampant sexual violence against women and girls, tragically inadequate sex education, and an increasing rate of STDs and teen pregnancy???  Not to mention a culture that readily reinforces the notion that women's physical body is all they have to offer and all they have to gain from.  Let's teach an even younger population now that their vaginas are for sell.