Work-Life31 May 2007 07:14 pm
AWARDS COVERAGE: Pop rock band…
Betty, the five piece pop rock band, lauched the event.
The members told us a bit about themselves before they sang a song.
Alyson Palmer said: “I just had a baby.”
Elizabeth Ziff said: “I’m a recent breast cancer survivor.”
Amy Ziff said: “I’m chubby, sexy and proud.”
May 31st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Eve,
I’m curious about the recipients’ take on what we’ve facing regarding reproductive rights. I know after Bush stacked the Supreme Court with conservatives, it’s not looking good. Should pro-choice Americans be targeting their state legislatures to restore rights/make sure rights aren’t further eroded? Are we committed to a state-level battle? In short, where do we go from here? Is anyone optimistic?
—Sharon
May 31st, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Hi Sharon,
I’m Desiree Flores, the Program Officer for the Health Programs at the Ms. Foundation for Women. I oversee all grantmaking in the areas of reproductive rights, health and justice. Thank you for your wonderful question.
At the Ms. Foundation, we have funded groups working on reproductive rights at the local and state level for almost 20 years. The reason for this is because we have always known that the true fight begins and ends at the state and local level. All politics is local. Those voting on bills in D.C. are voted in by local constituencies.
We have wonderful stories of grassroots groups made up of young, diverse women and men making concrete policy wins in the area of reproducitve rights. Last year at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision awards we recognized Margaret Chapman, Executive Director of West Virginia Free, the statewide reproductive rights organization in W.V. Margaret created a coalition with labor groups in her state to introduce and pass a bill for “contraceptive equity” that saw insurance cover contraceptives for state employees.
We also fund Migrant Health Promotion, a group of migrant farmworker women in Progreso, Texas who advocated for and won county-funded transportation to health clinics for reproductive health services in their community.
So, yes, we all feel that the Supreme Court decision is a huge blow to women’s rights in this country. We also feel that groups at the local and state level should be resourced to fight these attacks. They represent the constituencies that have historically been invisible, yet extremely successful in building bases of power.
Please visit the Ms. Foundation’s website www.ms.foundation.org for more information on these wonderful groups!
Thanks again for your input!