California NOW

Upcoming Events for Women

With Congress about to return to work just after Labor Day, it's time to remind them what's at stake with the health insurance reform debate. So, together with our friends at MoveOn, next Wednesday, September 2, we'll hold nationwide vigils highlighting the real people with real stories who need real reform with the choice of a public health insurance option.  FIND A VIGIL IN YOUR AREA AND SIGN UP TO ATTEND NOW
What: "Can't Afford to Wait" Vigil
When: Wednesday, September 2
Where: Your Town

Learn How to Use New Data About Poverty and Health Insurance Wednesday, September 2, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Eastern time (11:00 a.m., Pacific) Register today! The recession started in 2008.  In September, the Census Bureau will release the first surveys showing some of the impact of the recession on poverty, income and the number of uninsured. Please join us for a training session about how to use this data. Learn what to expect the data to show, how to put it in economic context, how to use the data to make the case for addressing critical needs, and how to find what you need quickly and accurately.

6th Filipina Leadership Summit | Oct. 30-Nov. 1-Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1, 2009. -Filipina Summit Registrations (all 3-day events): -FWN Members - $388, $478 (after Aug 15); Nonmembers - $488, $588 (after Aug 15) -Daily rates are available. Online reservations @ www.FilipinaWomensNetwork.org/events or call 415.278.9410 WHERE Claremont Resort & Spa, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705. Special FWN rate - $149 (single/double) until Sept 30. Register for the Filipina Leadership Summit, info on hotel, travel and group registration, Summit schedule,  Summit's Learning Tracks, view the 2009 Nominees for the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S.

Bay Area Activists: Volunteer at the Power to the Peaceful Concert
September 12, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

California NOW needs your help!

The economy is hurting nonprofits, and California NOW is no exception. But we have a great opportunity to do some fundraising and membership outreach at the Power to the Peaceful concert on September 12 at Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

The concert runs from 9am – 5pm, and we'll need volunteers from 8 - 6 to help us set up, sign people up for memberships, sell merchandise, and more! If you can volunteer for at least a two-hour period, contact Mona Lisa Wallace to get signed up, and please spread the word!

Legislative Wrap-up

Both houses’ Appropriations Committees met last Thursday and released the bills that will continue for this 1st year of the 2 year session. The next 2 weeks will be floor sessions only.

ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

SB 118 (Liu) Child Welfare Services: Incarcerated Parents (amended 8/17/09)
CA NOW Position: APPROVE
Passed 17-0

SB 158 (Wiggins) Health Care Coverage: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
CA NOW Position: APPROVE
Passed 12-5

SB 248 (Oropeza) Educational Equity: Title IX
CA NOW Position: APPROVE
Passed 12-5

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

AB 56 (Portantino) Health Care Coverage: Mammographies
CA NOW Position: APPROVE
Passed 8-5

AB 98 (De La Torre) Maternity Services
CA NOW Position: SUPPORT
Passed 8-5

Monday's Action Checklist

Should California women pay more for health insurance simply because of their gender?  No!  But, it's happening.  A recent study revealed that California women aged 18-54 are paying as much as 39% more than men for identical individual health plans.  Next week, California Senators will have an opportunity to support AB 119, a bill that would end this discriminatory practice. Tell your Senator to make healthcare coverage more equitable and affordable for women in California!

Sen. Feinstein has not taken the important step of expressing her support for the public option in a public forum, including speeches or written responses to constituent letters. And you will not find a statement of support for the public option on her web site, in a press release or any other format. It's time for us to pressure Sen. Feinstein to go public in her support for a public option. SIGN this open letter calling on Senator Feinstein to publicly support the public option.  

With Congress about to return to work just after Labor Day, it's time to remind them what's at stake with the health insurance reform debate. So, together with our friends at MoveOn, next Wednesday, September 2, we'll hold nationwide vigils highlighting the real people with real stories who need real reform with the choice of a public health insurance option.  FIND A VIGIL IN YOUR AREA AND SIGN UP TO ATTEND NOW
What: "Can't Afford to Wait" Vigil
When: Wednesday, September 2
Where: Your Town

Not only are anti-choice extremists and their allies in Congress spreading false claims about health care reform and abortion, but they are trying to use the heath care reform bill as part of their push to ban abortion across the country. If they have their way, they’ll be taking abortion coverage away from millions of women who already have it as part of their private insurance. Urge Congress to oppose all anti-choice attempts to take away coverage from women already have it! 

Links Roundup

Great information on Latinas and education from the National Women's Law Center.  

In the midst of fat-shaming, we also have feeding porn. What do they often have in common? Misogyny.  

Discrimination against breastfeeding women at work is alive, well, and supported by the Ohio Supreme Court .

Kate Harding takes apart the "feminists hate babies" argument.

How anti-choice fake "crisis pregnancy" clinics push young mothers into unwanted adoptions to make money.

The ongoing racism of the GOP, and the latest incident ("Great White Hope")
Renee of Womanist Musings looks at the "ignorance" excuse for using racist language.
Ta-Nehisi weighs in. 
nojojo at Angry Black Woman points out that the GOP is destroying themselves by relying on the appeal of racism. 
Liss of Shakesville 
Pam of Pam's House Blend (at Pandagon) on the predictable "apology". 

Video Friday: Intersectionality, Safe Space, and Marginalized Communities

An Oakland community organizer speaks about the importance of spaces for queer people of color (speaking specifically on the closing of the Vibe bar, which had served as this kind of space).

One of the things that has happened in the aftermath of Prop. 8's passage is the erasure of the existence of LGBT people of color. In all the rhetoric which positioned the LGBT community against the Black or Latin@ community, there was almost no discussion of the people who are part of both communities, and who are often marginalized by both communities as well. This video speaks to the need for spaces that allow LGBT POC to build their own communities within, around, and in contrast to the larger white or heteronormative spaces.