Eliminating racism is a priority of Virginia NOW and the responsibility of every member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Racism is not just a matter of individual attitudes. It is an institutionalized system of power and control over people of racial and cultural diversity in this society.

Racism and sexism are the "double whammy" that stands in the way of empowerment for women of racial and cultural diversity.

NOW members work to eliminate racism by lobbying legislators, sponsoring educational programs, organizing consciousness raising groups, and taking direct action.

Education

NOW has long been in the forefront of the struggle for equal educational opportunities for women. Education is a vital tool to break the poverty trap. That is why the restoration of Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, a Federal law prohibiting sex discrimination, was a priority and they strengthening Title IX enforcement remains a priority.

Employment

The majority of women of racial and cultural diversity are segregated into low-paying jobs and are disproportionately represented among the working poor. In 1986, women of racial and cultural diversity were paid on the average less than 58 cents for every dollar men were paid. NOW is committed to eliminating job segregation, to working for pay equity in the marketplace and to increasing the minimum wage for the working poor at the national level.

In 1996 Virginia NOW spearheaded the successful effort to change Virginia law to make job discrimination laws reach down to firms of more than 5 employees. Formerly, the law exempted firms of 15 or fewer from anti-discrimination laws. There had been a Virginia Supreme Court decision that made the anti-discrimination law reach ALL employers, and there was proposed legislation that would effectively nullify that decision. Virginia NOW initiated the effort to change the proposed law to exempt only firms of 5 or fewer. We sought support from the NAACP and others to lobby.

A report from the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund summarizes statistics about several wage gaps, which they obtained from the U. S. Census Bureau Current Population Reports, Commerce Department. One statistic given is that in 1996 women earned 74 cents for every $1.00 earned by men.

Confronting Personal Attitudes

Recognizing that racism and prejudice against people of ethnic diversity remain serious problems dividing women in our communities and that NOW members need to be more effective in preventing or solving such problems, NOW has held conference workshops designed to confront personal prejudices and insensitivities that we may not be conscious of. These kinds of techniques have proved very helpful. We are proud of the racial and cultural diversity among our members and leaders. However, everyone can use occasional reminders.

NOW makes a concerted effort to join forces with all women of racial and cultural diversity, including women in poverty.

Virginia NOW continues in its support of women's rights by urging its chapters to actively discourage the use of language that is racist, demeaning, and counter productive to the attainment of NOW's goals. Virginia NOW has adopted the terminology "women of racial and cultural diversity" is the replacement phrase for "women of color."

Chapters are also encouraged to devote time during regularly scheduled meetings for consciousness raising and exercises that make people consciously aware of different sensitivities.

International Actions

Virginia NOW was very active in anti-apartheid activities aimed at the Union of South Africa, where anti-apartheid laws have been brought down and the Black majority is now in control. Many chapters were involved, from Alexandria to Tidewater NOW.