I had the good fortune of attending the Democratic National Convention last week. I attended the Women's Caucus on both Tuesday and Thursday, saw Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Michelle Obama speak, and attended Obama's speech. It was a thrilling week full of hope and motivation but it was also chock-full of policy recommendations about important social issues.
There were more women delegates at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) than men this year for the first time in history! 50.1% of the delegates were women. It was also the most diverse group of delegates to attend a convention in Party history.
This year women and women's issues were included in the party platform more than ever before--which is an extremely good thing for women and the country!
Among the issues discussed, reproductive health care was addressed often at many of the speeches and events I attended. Barack Obama even mentioned abortion in his acceptance speech,
"We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country." -Obama
The women in Congress and the women in the Democratic Party have done an extremely effective job at making women's issues social issues and bringing them to the forefront of the Democratic Platform.
In addition to reproductive healthcare, the women's caucus and Barack Obama addressed a variety of social issues by outlining specific goals and strategies to address those goals
....you know, kind of like a Community Organizer would do!
But in all honesty, each and every social issue has a plan--a plan that will take time and energy and hard work
...but then again, that's exactly what Obama is asking us for.
Please take a look at the social/women's issues that Obama is planning on addressing WITH the help of the women in Congress. Seeing those women in action was an emotional experience that I will not soon forget.
Here's to organizing for what we believe in!
...let's organize the hell out of them!
- Universal Health Care System
- Prevent HIV/AIDS
- Research into Women's Health
- Fight Cancer
- Reduce Health Risks Due to Mercury Pollution
- Support Stem Cell Research
- Support a Woman's Right to Choose
- Prevent Unwanted Pregnancy
- Supporting Communities of Color
- Oppose Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Roe v. Wade
- Protecting Against Violent Activists
- Reduce Domestic Violence
- Fight Gender Violence Abroad
- Expand the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Encourage States to Adopt Paid Leave
- Protect Against Caregiver Discrimination
- Expand Flexible Work Arrangements
- Expand High-Quality Afterschool Opportunities
- Fight for Pay Equity
- Expand Paid Sick Days
- Invest in Women-Owned Small Businesses
- Expand Women's Share of Federal Contracts
- Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families
- Expand Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Protect Social Security
- Eliminate Income Taxes and Seniors Making Less than $50,000
- Create Automatic Workplace Pensions
- Expand Retirement Savings Incentives for Working Families
- Improve Child Support Collection
- Bring War in Iraq to a Responsible End
- Care for Women Veterans
- Fight Poverty
- Increase Minimum Wage
- Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Help Low-Income Workers Enter the Job Market
- Protect Title IX
- Expand Early Childhood Education
- Promote Women in Math and Science
- Improve our Schools
- Make College More Affordable
****I have copies of Barack Obama's materials from the DNC as well as Women's Caucus materials. If you would like any information or if you are hosting a house party or event and would like a representative from NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut to attend, please let us know by emailing info@pro-choicect.org
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