Virginia NOW is asking Virginia social justice organizations and letters to sign on to the following letter, which will be sent separately to both Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner. If you would like to sign on to the letter, please let Marj Signer know at vanowpresident@hotmail.com by April 10, 2009. Feel free to forward the letter to others who might want to sign it. (See next item for data about wage disparities in Virginia.) Thank you!

Dear Senator Webb/Warner:

CONGRESS MUST PASS THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT NOW TO HELP CLOSE THE WAGE GAP FOR VIRGINIA WOMEN

 

Source: National Women's Law Center, 2009

More than forty-five years ago, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act (EPA)1 into law, making it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who perform substantially equal work. At the time of the EPA’s passage in 1963, women earned merely 59 cents to every dollar earned by men.2 Although enforcement of the EPA and related civil rights laws have helped to narrow the wage gap, significant disparities remain and must be addressed.

Congress has recently taken steps to improve the laws that govern pay discrimination. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act3 reverses the Supreme Court’s damaging decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire &Rubber Co., and restores prior law by making clear that pay discrimination claims on the basis of sex, race, national origin, age, religion and disability “accrue” when a discriminatory pay decision or practice is adopted, when a person becomes subject to the decision or practice, or when a person is otherwise affected by the decision or practice, including each time an employee receives a discriminatory paycheck.

Although the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act enables women to challenge the discriminatory paychecks they receive, Congress must now act to strengthen the laws that apply to those challenges and to require the federal government to be more proactive in preventing and battling wage discrimination. In particular, the Senate must pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which was introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro and passed by the House in January 2009.4 The Paycheck Fairness Act would close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act, enhance the procedures and remedies available to challenge violations of the law, and provide the government with tools to monitor and address pay inequities. Passing this bill is critical to realize the decades-old promise of equal pay for equal work.

March 30, 2009

Virginia NOW is outraged by Gov. Kaine’s shameful decision to allow “Choose Life” license plates to be sold by the state. His rationale in today’s press release – basically, there are lots of message license plates out there, this is just one more  – ignores women’s health and safety. It also insults us by suggesting that the remedy is for pro-choice supporters to get their own license plate. Virginia NOW does not think that license plates are the place to debate this sensitive personal issue.

The fees from the sales of these biased slogans go to a state fund which is paid annually to Heartbeat International, a network of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers, to distribute to 501(c)(3) "pregnancy centers." The license plates cost an additional $25 each and after the first 1,000 are distributed, $15 per plate goes to the fund. There are more than 70 such pregnancy centers. They are generally religious-based, non-medical centers with an anti-choice agenda, and they do nothing to promote women's healthcare. Many use ultrasound technology to persuade women to continue their pregnancy; using this medical technology for non-diagnostic and non-medical purposes is contrary to responsible medical practice, according to the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
 
What troubles us even more is that Gov. Kaine is also the chair of the Democratic National Committee – which puts into question the Democratic Party’s commitment to pro-women's rights policies, pro-choice candidates and healthcare for girls and women that covers the full range of reproductive medical needs and services.

Kaine’s refusal to veto the bill is a victory for state Senator Ken Cucinnelli, the Republican candidate for attorney general. Cucinnelli succeeded in getting the “Choose Life” plates into a broader bill on license plates. Many Democratic members of the General Assembly went along with the bill - thereby tarnishing their party’s reputation as the best political party for women.

Virginia NOW activists throughout the state are celebrating the accomplishments of our sisters this month. You are invited to join us – whether you’ve come to a NOW event before or not, we’d love to see you. Questions? Marj Signer, VA NOW President, vanowpresident@hotmail.com or contact the sponsor directly.
 
March 23-27, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

Virginia NOW 2009 State Conference & Annual Council Meeting

The Personal Is The Political - Telling Our Stories
Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 - Fredericksburg, Virginia
Get together with activists, feminists, campus leaders, & young professionals. Great speakers, lively discussion, music, laughter. Celebrate!

Friday, May 8  - Meet ‘n Greet Wine and Cheese Reception, 8 pm – 11 pm
Whytestone Suites, 4615 Southpoint Parkway, Massaponix area of Fredericksburg