Pennsylvania NOW

PENNSYLVANIA Inc.

NOW TIMES Pennsylvania NOW Times

Spring 2011

Inside this issue:

What are They Thinking!? What are They Thinking? 1

Voters’ Guide 2
Here’s what the federal “Kids? Their parentsTerry O’Neill , President
and state legislators can’t show me their United We Rise! 3
of National NOW has
are saying: papers. Why should called these attacks a Proposed By-Laws Change 4
they be fed? Keep ‘em
“war” on women. She Legislation 5
“Cut the state budget
and funding for out of the food banks
says that all of these bills Education Fund 7
education. Oh, & yea, and domestic violence
should have new names Chapter Exchange 8
to make sure we really shelters.” (PA HB 41that more clearly reflect
cut education, take and SB 9) what they actually intend
more funding out of These are just some of to do. Titles like: on companies and
public schools & send it the messages being  "Let the Women Die employees whose
to private & parochial sent to women and Act," for a federal insurance covers
schools.” (Governor’ children this year by bill that allows public abortion.
Corbett’s 2011-2012 the Tea Party and the hospitals to let a To that we’d add,
budget proposal Republicans who pregnant woman die
(education cuts) and  “Let’s Starve the Kids”
control the US House rather than perform a
PA SB 1 (school for the state bill that
of Representatives, the life-saving abortion;
vouchers)). denies women and
Pennsylvania General
 "Public Health children access to WIC
Defund Planned Assembly and the
Nightmare Act," that and food banks if they
Parenthood” (US HR 1 Governor’s office in permanently do not have the
and US HR 3). Harrisburg.
eliminates funding for paperwork to prove that
“Let’s shut down all What are you Title X family they are citizens of PA;
abortion clinics” (PA thinking!? planning programs; and
HB 574 and SB 3). It appears as if these and
 “Take Us Back to the
“Taxes? We can’t tax conservative legislators  "Stupak on Early 19th Century” for
Marcellus Shale. Why believe that women, Steroids," for the state budget and
should we? The oil children, people of another bill that vouchers bill that gut
and gas industry keeps color, and permanently outlaws public education funding
us in office. internationals are public funding for from Kindergarten
(Governor’s 2011-12 threatening the power abortion care and through college.
budget proposal) of rich white men. imposes tax penalties We need to stand up and be
heard. These attacks must
stop. Check out PA NOW’s
How to contact Pennsylvania NOW legislative summary starting
on p. 5. Pick an issue you
MAIN OFFICE TREASURER’S E-Mail are passionate about. And
PENNSYLVANIA NOW OFFICE  Joanne Tosti-Vasey, President let your legislators know that
P.O. Box 68 panow@panow.org you are watching. Tell them
Bellefonte, PA 16823 PENNSYLVANIA N0W  Kathy Wilson, Vice-President they need to stop this war
Phone: 814-280-857 Treasurer’s Office kathyjoycewilson@aol.com
on women NOW!
P.O. Box 8614  Pamela Macklin, Treasurer
http://panow.org pmacfish@aol.com
http://pennsylvanianow.blog Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 Contact information for your
 Mary Kay Peterson PA legislators can be found
spot.com mkpeterson2@verizon.net
at http://bit.ly/PAGenAssem.
 PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 2

PA NOW PAC
PA NOW PAC Voters’
Voters’Guide
Guide
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 17, 2011. The following recommendations by the state NOW Political
Action Committee (PA NOW PAC) are presented here for your information. These endorsements are current
as of April 20. Any additional endorsements made between now and the May 17 Primary will be posted on
our PAC Endorsement page at http://www.panow.org. Click on “PA NOW PAC” and then on “PAC
Endorsements..”

Pennsylvania NOW PAC Endorsements

The Pennsylvania NOW PAC makes endorsements for statewide and local races. At the State level, there is one
opening for Justice on the PA Superior Court and one openings for Justice on the PA Commonwealth Court. At the
County level, all County Commissioners or County Executive (Allegheny County) plus all Row Offices are up for
election. In addition, some counties have openings for the county-level Court of Common Pleas. At the local and district
level, people are running for District Court Justice, Borough and City Councils, Township Supervisors, and Mayors.
The PA NOW PAC has two levels of approval for candidates. "Endorsement" is the highest level of endorsement and is
given only to those candidates who support all of our issues and will take a leadership position on those issues if elected.
"Support" is given to those candidates who are good on most of our issues but have a problem with one or two and we
believe that these candidates are significantly better than their opposition. As of April 24, all of the listed candidate have
received full endorsement. Any additional endorsements or supports will be posted on our webpage at
http://www.panow.org/pacendorsements.htm as they are made.

Statewide
Pennsylvania Commonwealth
Court (note: you can only vote for
one person in this race)
Kathryn Boockvar (D)
http://www.boockvar.com
Barbara Behrend Ernsberger (D)
http://www.ernsbergerforjudge.co
m Commissioners (vote for two)
Allegheny County
Controller
Valerie McDonald Roberts (D)
http://allieswithvalerie.com
Dauphin County
County Executive
Clerk of Courts
Rich Fitzgerald(D)
http://www.voterichfitzgerald.com
Pittsburgh City Council, District 9
Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell (D)
http://mitchell4citycouncil.org
Wilkinsburg Borough Council, 1st Register of Wills & Clerk of the
Ward Orphans’ Court
Paige Trice (D) Rogette Harris (D)
www.voterogette.com
Wilkinsburg Borough Council,
2nd Ward Lancaster County
Manheim Township Commissioner
Beverly McCoy (D)
Doreen Kreiner (D)
Bucks County
http://www.kreinerforcommissioner.com
Montgomery County
Det Ansinn (D)
http://www.bucksvictory.com Clerk of Courts
Diane Marseglia (D) Ann Thornburg Weiss
http://voteweiss.com
http://www.bucksvictory.com
Controller
Diane B. Morgan (D)
http://dianemorgancontroller.com
Shamaine Daniels (D)
http://www.shamainedaniels.com Recorder of Deeds
http://espanol.shamainedaniels.co Linda M. Hee (D)
m http://heefordeeds.com

The PA NOW PAC needs your help.

In order to put out a voter’s guide and to assist NOW endorsed candidates for statewide and local office, we need
funds donated directly to the PA NOW PAC. If you are interested in electing public officials who support full equality of
women, then please consider donating to the PA NOW PAC. Mail your donation to the PA NOW PAC, P.O. Box 8614,
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. You can also donate online to the PAC via credit card at http://panow.org/PAC_file/
PANOWPAC.htm. Thank you!
 Pennsylvania NOW Times
United We Rise: the 2011 PA NOW Convention
UNITED WE RISE! We
need & will rise to fight the
War on Women that is
currently being waged against
women in the US & here in
PA. A war that includes: 1)
women continuing to earn
only 78% of men’s salaries, 2)
Congress & the PA General
Assembly’s attempts to take
away our reproductive rights;
3) Threats to public
education; 4) attempts to deny
citizenship to children born in
the US of foreign nationals; &
attacks on the new federal
health care law combined
with a lack of movement on
universal single-payer health
care, 5) etc.
Join us at our biennial
convention October 1, 2011 at
the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Philadelphia Bucks County,
4700 Street Road, Trevose,
PA 19053 (215-364-2000).
We will be focusing on this
war on women & how,
United, we can fight back.
Lodging is $99 + tax/
night; deadline for this rate is
September 15.
This all-day conference
will include workshops
focusing on these types of
attacks as well as how to get
involved in elections, voting,
& legislative advocacy to
make sure our united voice is
heard. In addition, we will be
electing new officers, holding
a luncheon PAC fundraiser,
voting on the proposed by-
laws change (see p. 4), &
hosting a cash-bar reception
in the evening.
Workshops
There will be three banks
of workshops with the first
bank focusing on voting,
elections, & general
advocacy. The afternoon
workshops will focus on
Page 3
feminist issues & the war on  Names, contact if they are not staying
women. information, & overnight. The luncheon
Each workshop will last qualifications of the will feature current & past
1.25 hours. Proposals for these moderator & presenters. NOW PAC-endorsed
workshops are now being Elections candidates speaking on their
accepted. Please send your We will be holding elections for races and why it’s important
proposals to Pennsylvania President, Vice-President, for NOW & NOW members
NOW by August 1, 2011. Secretary, Treasurer, & three to become involved in
Send your proposals to At-Large Executive Committee elections.
panow@panow.org or mail to members. The four officers This fundraiser will help
PA NOW, P.O. Box 68, must run together as a slate. If get out our Voters’ Guide to
Bellefonte, PA 16823. Based you are interested running for also support our endorsed
on the proposals received, we office, you must contact our candidates. Cost is a
may merge some of the Elections Committee. minimum $50.00/person.
proposals into one workshop. Chairing this committee will You can use the form on the
Each proposal needs to be Cindy Purvis (814-460-3568, left to send in your
include: cindypurvis@velocity.net). Lois registration. You can also
 Proposed Title Herr (717-371-5721, register online with your
 Issue or Theme of herrlk@me.com) and Irene credit card for the luncheon
Workshop Boyle (215- 913-0108) are the at http://panow.org/
 Short abstract (no more other two members of this PAC_file/PANOWPAC.htm.
than 50 words) committee. Then follow-up the online
 Summary of workshop PAC Luncheon Fundraiser payment with an email to
 Goals/Objective of We have moved the Treasurer Pamela Macklin,
workshop, including three traditional PAC fundraiser from pmacfish@aol.com, saying
specific takeaways or calls Sunday to Saturday so that more your PAC donation is for the
to action people have a chance to attend PAC luncheon.
Registration Fees
Since this is PA NOW’s
40th anniversary, we are
PA NOW Convention and PAC Luncheon
offering an early-bird
Mail your checks/credit card information to: PA NOW, P.O. Box registration fee. Registration
8614, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. Make convention registration
for those who register by
check out to PA NOW, Inc. & a separate PAC Luncheon check to
PA NOW PAC. Women’s Equality Day on
August 26, 2011 will be
$40.00. After that day, NOW
#____Early Registration (by 8/26/2011) $40 $____ member registration will be
$50.00. Non-member
#____ NOW member (after 8/26/2011) $50. $____
registration, including a one-
year membership is $70.00.
Current members can
#____Sliding scale NOW member (starting @ $0) $____ register & attend the
convention on a sliding scale
down to $0.00. Use the form
#____ Non-member registration ($70, includes membership) $____
to the left or register online
with your credit card at
#____ PAC Luncheon ($50 or more, via separate ck.) $____ http://panow.org/
contribution.htm. Then
follow-up the online
Name_________________________________________________
payment with an email to
Address_______________________________________________ pmacfish@aol.com, saying
Credit Card #_________________________Exp. Date__________ your donation is for your
Signature______________________________________________
registration.

Proposed Bylaws Amendment
Philadelphia NOW
Chapter is proposing an
amendment to the
Pennsylvania NOW
Bylaws to increase the
number of chapter
delegates on the
Pennsylvania NOW State
Board based on the
number of members in
each chapter.
The process for amending
the by-laws is as follows
(quoting from the bylaws):
The bylaws may be
amended by a two-
thirds (2/3) vote of
the State
Convention, State
Conference or a
special membership
meeting called for
purposes of
amending the
bylaws, provided:
A That the
amendment has
been proposed by
the State Executive
Committee, State
Board or by petition
of five (5) per cent of
the membership at
large or by a
Chapter, and
B. That a written
notice of the
proposed
amendment has
been mailed to all
members in good
standing at least
thirty (30) days
before the meeting of
the State
Convention, State
Conference, or at
PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 4
special membership representative for direction of a more
meeting called for chapters with 10-50 democratic formula.
the purpose of members, two (2) Chapters pay dues to
amending the representatives for the national and state
bylaws. chapters with 51-150 organizations in
members, three (3) proportion to the
The following presents representatives for number of their
the proposed change chapters with 151-250 members. For each
and Philadelphia NOW’s members, four (4) member 22.85 percent
rationale for making this representatives for goes the chapter, 34.37
change. The vote on this chapters with 251-400 percent to the state, and
proposal will occur at the members, and five (5) 42.8 percent to the
PA NOW Convention on representatives for national organization.
Saturday, October 1, chapter with 400 However,
2011 at the Crowne members. representation on state
Plaza—Bucks County in Rationale
board is not in
Trevose, PA (see article proportion to
on the Convention on The following is the
membership; thus there
page 3 for further detail). rationale given by is a considerable gap
Philadelphia NOW for
Proposed Bylaws proposing this change. between the financial
Change contribution of members
The various units of NOW and their
The rules governing have different formulas for
representation at state representation.
representation. For
board meetings were example, at the national Philadelphia NOW is not
devised 40 years ago. convention when voting proposing a proportional
The current by laws for national officers, a system. Under a
state: chapter with 300 members proportional system, a
chapter with
Section IV Structure; C. has 11 times as many approximately 300
The State Board; 1. votes as a small chapter
members would have
Composition. The State with 10 members. 30 votes as compared
Board shall be Current rules for to a chapter with ten
composed of one (1) representation on state members which would
representative from each board treat a chapter with have one vote.
chapter having at least 50 members as equivalent
ten (10) members and to a chapter with 300 The proposed by laws
change would merely
two representatives from members. Both have 2
each chapter having at votes. narrow the gap between
a chapter’s numbers/
least fifty (50) members.The proposed change financial contributions
Philadelphia NOW would mean that a chapter and its representation
proposes to change this with 300 members would on the state board. It
clause to read: have 4 votes and thus 4 would be a step towards
times as many votes as a fairer, more democratic
Proposed change:
chapter with 10 members. representation.
Section IV Structure; C. This is significantly less
The State Board; 1. than the national formula,
Composition. The State but would move the state
Board shall be organization in the
composed of one (1)
 PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 5

Legislation
PA NOW has been this bill or any similar bill . rural women of orientation to the Ethnic
monitoring several pieces This bill bans private Pennsylvania. Passed out
Intimidation Act (hate
of legislation in the insurance plans sold in of the House Health crimes). This is the bill
Pennsylvania General Pennsylvania’s state Committee on April 11, that would return these
Assembly. These bills exchange, created under 2011 by a vote of 19-4. For
protected classes to the
have been introduced for health care reform, from more details, read our hate crimes bill that were
possible passage by the covering even medically January press statement at
purged by the Supreme
General Assembly during necessary abortion http://bit.ly/HR574Apr2011.
Court in 2008 due to the
this 2011-2012 term. Any procedures. If a person way the legislature
bill not passing both wants to have abortions Health Care passed the original bill.
houses by the last day of covered, they will have to HB 42—PA NOW opposes Referred to the Senate
the legislative business in seek separate insurance this bill. “An Act providing Judiciary Committee
2012 will have to be coverage completely for the rights of individuals February 18, 2011.
reintroduced. Some of outside of the exchange. to purchase private health Promoting Diversity
these bills are good for Passed out of the Senate care insurance; and
women and children. Banking and Insurance & Ending Racial
prohibiting certain
Many of them are bad and Committee on January governmental action.” This
Discrimination
reverse our steps towards 25, 2011 by a vote of 12-2 bill guts the federal health Immigration
equality. and re-referred to Senate care insurance law by
Appropriations Committee HB 41 and SB 9—PA
The bills are listed by topic on March 1, 2011. For eliminating penalties for
area along with a any employer or individual NOW opposes. Both
more details, read about bills require identification
statement of where PA who decides not to be
our opposition on our blog for “lawful presence” in
NOW stands on each bill. at covered by health
the United States as a
insurance. Voted out of
http://bit.ly/SB3Jan2011. prerequisite to the receipt
Education House Insurance
of public benefits.
SB 1—PA NOW HR 574—PA NOW Committee on February 7,
Among the restrictions
opposes. This bill opposes this bill. This 2011 14-9 strictly along
are denial of any benefit
removes funds for public bill requires freestanding party line with 2 non-voting that the state or local
education from struggling abortion providers to (1D & 1 R). Recommitted
government provides
school districts by creating comply with ambulatory to House Appropriations
including, in the case of
a voucher program to surgical facilities February 8, 2011.
HB 41, access to any
send taxpayer monies to regulations. This bill does local food banks and
Lesbian Rights
private and parochial not improve patient safety “services provided to
schools with little or no and will force safe HB 708—PA NOW women, infants, and
oversight as to the providers to close, supports this bill. This act children through the
education provided in increase the cost of an creates civil unions in PA Special Supplemental
these schools. abortion by as much as for LGBT couples. It does Nutrition Program for
Pennsylvania NOW $1,000, force women to not require clergy to Women, Infants and
opposes school vouchers. seek care in other states perform services against Children” (WIC). (Let’s
For more details about or from marginal or illegal their religious tenants. starve the kids!). Both
why we oppose this bill practitioners, and create Introduced and referred to also require that the
and what has happened two overlapping sets of House Judiciary Committee identification be verified
with it, see our series of regulations that are in on February 16, 2011. through the flawed
blogs on SB 1 at conflict with each other federal Homeland
http://bit.ly/eP4AVL. and in violation of the SB 586—PA NOW
Abortion Control Act. It supports this bill. An act to Security’s “Systematic
Reproductive Justice will have the harshest add actual or perceived Alien Verification of
SB 3—PA NOW opposes impact on the poor and ancestry, disability, gender, Entitlement (SAVE)”
(Continued on page 6)
gender identity, and sexual
 PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 6

Legislation (cont’d)
database. HB 41 was program to confirm throughout the state to 1227 not yet introduced.
referred to the House employee Social Security provide assistance, tip
State Government numbers, and to deny any reporting and training on TSA Airport Screenings
Committee on January form of registration human trafficking to HR 16—PA NOW
19, 2011. SB 9 was (including driver’s victims, community supports. House
voted out of the Senate licenses) to individuals members and law Resolution calling on
State Government who can not prove that enforcement. Posting of Congress to limit the use of
Committee on February they are legal residents ofsigns would be required in advanced imaging
8, 2011 by a vote of 8-3 the US. This bill could airports, train stations and technology and enhanced
& referred to the Senate cause serious problems bus stations; welcome pat downs to those people
Appropriations for victims fleeing centers and rest areas; under arrest and with a
Committee on March 1, Domestic Violence massage parlors and search warrant for probable
2011. situations without any spas; adult entertainment cause as well as exercising
identification. Referred toenterprises featuring nude greater oversight upon the
HB 857 the House Labor & Industry or partially nude dancing TSA to place greater
“Commonwealth Committee on March 1, or providing live adult
Citizenship Act—PA restriction on the use of
2011. entertainment; hotels & these search techniques
NOW opposes this bill. restaurants, bars, taverns, taking into concern the
This bill that is part of Stopping Violence hotels or clubs that have a issue of personal privacy.
Rep. Metcalfe’s anti- Against Women valid liquor or malt or
immigration ““National Once passed in House, the
brewed beverage license; resolution is sent directly to
Security Begins at Protection from Abuse
hotels or motels found to Congress (no votes in
Home” package . This be a drug-related
SB 58–PA NOW Senate or signature by the
bill seeks to prevent nuisance; and truck stops Governor are needed).
supports this bill. This
automatic citizenship for that cater to long-haul
bill creates a “Sexual Referred to State House
children born in the US
Violence Victim Protection truck drivers. Bill is Government Committee
to illegal aliens. It
Order” for sexual violence supported by the Tavern January 20, 2011.
denies citizenship rights
victims. Basically, this is Association & the Tourism
within the border of
a Protection From Abuse & Lodging Association. HB
Pennsylvania to any 235 referred to House
law for victims of sexual
child born anywhere in Judiciary Committee on
assault. Voted
the US whose parents January 26, 2011; SB
unanimously out of
aren’t either citizens of
Senate Judiciary
the US or who are legal
Committee on February 8,
resident aliens and who
2011 and referred to the
now reside in PA.
Senate Appropriations
Referred to House
Committee, where it was
Judiciary on March 1,
also voted unanimously
2011.
out of committee on April
HB 858-PA NOW 11, 2011.
opposes. This is another
Human Trafficking
bill that is part of Rep.
Daryl Metcalfe’s anti- HB 235 & SB 1227 —PA
immigration “National NOW supports this bill. Informal discussion of local NOW chapter leaders at the
Security Begins at This bill mandates the April 2011 board meeting in Wilkinsburg (l to r): Jasmin
Home” package. This posting of the National Rakestraw and Michele Hamilton, Co-Presidents, Ni-
bill requires all PA Human Trafficking Ta-Nee NOW; Kathleen Wilson, Co-President, East
employers to enroll in Resource Center hotline, End NOW; & Susan Woodland, NW PA NOW.
the federal E-Verify in key locations
 PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 7

Pennsylvania voters stayed home last November. Our mothers, sisters, children & brothers are now
suffering from State & Federal selected budget cuts that are undermine the fabric of our Democracy.
Governor Corbett & the Pennsylvania Legislature are gutting our public school and higher education
programs with up to & over a 50% cut in different parts of the education budget.
We must stand up and fight. If not NOW when?
The Tea Party,The Right, What can we do?
Educate ourselves on who is using their wealth to
and Supreme Court Attack suppress our rights. Research how they make their
Women’s Rights: money. Then spend our money wisely.
 Right to a legal, safe abortion We may have to work a little harder, walk a little
 Right to have birth control further, change our preferences; we know it can
 Right to equal pay change peoples’ behaviors!
 Right to privacy and self What can we do?
determination Keep our favorite TV stations phone numbers by
 Right to freedom from discrimination our side. Pick up the phone and call the station or
 Right to disability rights corporation when we see or hear anti-female
 Right to freedom from sexual sexually explicit, violent, or degrading behavior or
assault, domestic violence, stalking advertising to or about women. It works—thanks
 Right to Social Security & Medicare to us Glen Beck no longer has his show on the FOX
 Right to healthcare network!
 Right to quality public education
 Right to organize What can we do?
VOTE—Register citizens to vote. ♦ Call our friends
What can we do? More than ever help and family to vote. ♦ SCREAM ♦ Write letters to
yourself and your families please: Send local newspapers. ♦ Keep calling our state Reps and
your tax deduction deductible donation to Senators and the talk radio shows.
our Pennsylvania NOW Education Fund, P.O. PA NOW is now
Box 8614, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 or online accepting camera-ready
at http://panow.org/edfund.htm. And if you ads for our Spring & Fall
can commit to a sustaining donation of $10 or PNTs with Voters guide &
$20 per month, please email for the State Conference
pmacfish@aol.com. Our Education Fund is a Program :
not-for-profit organization, that focuses on Page $375  Half $200
raising the consciousness of people on
1/4th $100  1/8th $50
women’s issues.
Bus Card $30  Contact:
Email: pmacfish@aol.com

YES — Make a Financial Commitment to your future

I will make a financial commitment to ensure Pennsylvania NOW is at the table with our friends to
STOP the right wing agenda to eliminate women’s rights and women’s unity. See above left for ways
you can make your donation. Thank you!

Pennsylvania NOW Inc.
Pennsylvania NOW Inc.
P.O. Box 8614
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Political Information Enclosed
Pennsylvania
NOW Inc.
See the PA NOW
PAC Voter’s
Guide on page 2.
Ni-Ta-Nee NOW
Public education programs.
Lobbying efforts. Local
housing issues. We’ve done
them all!
The chapter hosted
viewings of the video "I Had
an Abortion" w/ guest
speaker & National NOW VP
for Action Erin Matson. We
also showed "Training
Rules,” the documentary
about homophobia in
women's sports.
Several members attended
the State Lobby Day on Jan
25 for the Human Trafficking
Bills SB1127 & SB1128, &
attended a State Senate
meeting on SB3, the bill that
bans abortion in the state
health exchanges.
We traveled to Washington
DC for the April 7 rally
against HB1 (the federal
NONPROFIT ORG 
US POSTAGE 
PAID 
PITTSBURGH PA 
PERMIT NO 1099
Chapter Exchange
“Stupak on Steroids” bill) & State College Human women's reproductive rights.
cuts to Planned Parenthood. Relations Commission! Yea! As a member of the Healthy
Locally, we distributed flyers We are also planning a Families, Healthy
for Pay Equity Day (April 12), media event in early May Workplaces Coalition, we
& have spoken out on three with Better Choices of participated in several rallies
ordinances in State College: Pennsylvania to promote & press events to promote
worker rights & an Earned
the creation of an alternatives to PA’s Budget
Sick Time bill, so all workers
inclusionary housing cuts in human services.
in Philadelphia would have
ordinance, a revision of the
Philadelphia NOW the ability to accrue sick time
employment anti-
Our primary focus since the to be used in event of
discrimination ordinance, &
election has been to fight illness, or to care for a sick
the expansion of the fair
dependent. That bill has
housing ordinance to include back against the legislative
onslaught at the national & passed out of its committee.
public accommodations.
state levels against We hosted a Progressive
On April 18, State College Forum with local legislators
reproductive rights & also
passed the Fair Housing & in December, & have co-
worker rights. We worked to
Public Accommodations sponsored two forums
halt the progress of SB 3,
ordinance that includes dealing with our local
that bans abortion in the
protections for familial elections. Our PAC has
state exchanges. We spent
status, marital status, gender endorsed various pro-
a lot of time lobbying on that
identity, & sexual orientation. choice, feminist candidates
issue, as well as on SB 1,
At the same meeting, for the upcoming election.
the school voucher bill.
Michele Hamilton, Co- We are planning a women's
President of Ni-Ta-Nee As a member of the Raising
Women's Voices coalition, rights rally for May.
NOW was appointed to the
we participated in several — Susan Woodland, NW PA
rally & visibility events for NOW