Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

The observance of 2018 Women’s Equality Day in the U.S. is inseparable from the history of the fight for women’s right to vote. In honor of this important day, I will join Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and other supporters to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Tuesday, August 28.

We have to remember that it was Jim Crow laws that kept most black women and men from voting. It wasn’t until passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 that the right to vote was extended to all adult citizens. However, those rights are under siege. Women’s Equality Day is a special reminder that we must protect women, particularly women of color, from the onslaught of voter suppression laws that can tilt the balance of elections.

For the first time, this year a woman has been named to lead the NYSE. Just over 30 years ago, there wasn’t even a ladies’ room on the 7th floor – where the men’s only lunch club occurred. Although the role of women at many of the companies traded at the NYSE has changed for the better over the years, there is still a long way to go. Many companies still need to make improvements – such as pay equity and more women executives – and there is more work to be done to achieve true equality.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to read “What’s unequal about Women’s Equality Day” to learn more about how much I appreciate Women’s Equality Day. Let us not forget how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.

Contact

Brittany T. Oliver, comms@now.org, 202-628-8669

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt

His tweet calling Omarosa Manigault Newman a “dog” is only the latest example of one of Donald Trump’s favorite topics—his low opinion of people of color, especially Black women.

In fact, dehumanizing language was the first thing we heard from candidate Donald Trump, who rode down that golden escalator with hate speech about Mexican rapists in his pocket.

Since then, Trump has referred to Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) as “low IQ” seven times this year, often before cheering crowds who also roar their support for his attacks on African American athletes and journalists.  And Trump loves to tweet about “illegal immigrants” that “infest” our country.

We all know what Donald Trump left unsaid when he called his former top-ranking African American advisor a “crazed, crying lowlife” and “that dog.”

We’re likely to hear even worse language from Donald Trump before long.  This is not news.

What’s important is this: what do we do about limiting the damage Trump can do while he remains in office?  How can we protect and defend women, and expand women’s rights?

The answer is three months away.  Our focus must be on Election Day.

NOW is calling on voters to stand up to Donald Trump’s hate speech and dehumanizing language in the next election.  Your vote is your voice–use it!

Contact

Brittany T. Oliver, comms@now.org, 202-628-8669

Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison has won the Democratic primary for Minnesota Attorney General, following an ex-girlfriend’s claim of domestic violence that she called “narcissist abuse” from Ellison.

If the allegations are true, Keith Ellison has no right to serve as the state’s chief legal officer. And he had no right to run under false pretenses, as a man standing wrongly accused. Voters had only his word on that claim, and the investigation is ongoing.

In the meantime, Keith Ellison must withdraw from the race and not put Minnesotans through another cycle of political scandal. They’ve been through enough.

It’s very simple. We believe survivors.

Politics doesn’t matter. We believe survivors.

Keith Ellison says he wants to protect women from domestic violence and sexual assault. That starts by believing survivors.

Enough is enough. The time is NOW to stop this culture of oppression and silencing women.