Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Three Action Alerts



It feels good to act on important issues. Here are three chances for you to do so.

First, the Senate is (once again) considering ratifying the Convention for Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It's not an honor to be among the group of countries which won't ratify it. But that is exactly where the US is today. You can call your Senator and ask him or her to vote for the ratification. It may not matter much but not ratifying the CEDAW does stink.

Second, the Lily Ledbetter Paycheck Fairness Act. It's coming up for vote in the Senate tomorrow:

We'll continue urging the Senate to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, but your Senators also need to hear from you. Save a few minutes on the national call-in day to dial 877-667-6650. That's Tuesday, November 16 – the day before the vote.

It was way back in January 2009 that the House passed the Paycheck Fairness Act. Please join American Association of University Women, American Civil Liberties Union, the National Committee on Pay Equity, National Women's Law Center, and hundreds of other organizations nationwide in calling on the Senate to do the same and send this important legislation to the President's desk.

Third, New York City is considering legislation which would require "truth in advertising" from the so-called crisis pregnancy centers:

The legislation being considered in New York City is really quite simple: if passed, it would merely require CPCs to disclose what they do, so women are aware of what they're getting into when they visit one of the centers. Women will know that the center they're visiting does not provide abortion services or referrals and that they will, in fact, be advised against getting an abortion. So-called "truth-in-advertising" measures aimed at CPCs have already been passed in Baltimore and are under consideration in Austin and Washington state.
For why this matters, read this blog post by a physician. You can sign the petition to pass the law here.

There. Don't you feel great now?