<![CDATA[Women's Rights Action Alerts from Care2]]> <![CDATA[FDA Debating Morning-After Pill Again]]> The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is about to decide on another petition to allow over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill, Plan B®. The deadline for the agency's decision is Thursday, January 20.

If it were up to medical experts and scientists, the morning-after pill – which significantly reduces a woman's chance of becoming pregnant after sex or sexual assault – would have been available without a prescription last year. But science doesn't seem to matter when it comes to making policy on women's reproductive health in the Bush Administration. In May 2004, President Bush's FDA rejected the recommendations of its own experts and denied an application to make EC available to women over the counter.

Will the FDA do the right thing this time and help women prevent unintended pregnancy? Or will politics prevail AGAIN? Please sign this petition to send a message to the FDA encouraging the agency to approve EC for over-the-counter status.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[ FDA Delays Decision on Morning-After Pill]]>
Some of the most vocal opponents of abortion are also opposed to EC, comprehensive sex education, and international family planning. But the fact is, EC has been shown by the FDA's own advisors to be safe and effective, and can greatly reduce the need for abortion. Improving access to EC is a pro-woman measure that has wide support in the medical and scientific community.

Please urge the FDA to approve over-the-counter status for emergency contraception!
More...]]> <![CDATA[Still Time to Urge FDA to Approve OTC Status for Morning-After Pill]]>
If it were up to medical experts and scientists, the morning-after pill – which significantly reduces a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant after sex or sexual assault – would have been available without a prescription last year. But science doesn’t seem to matter when it comes to making policy on women’s reproductive health in the Bush Administration. In May 2004, President Bush’s FDA rejected the recommendations of its own experts and denied an application to make EC available to women over the counter. Even worse, the Bush Administration is allowing Medicare to cover sexual enhancement drugs such as Viagra!

There is still time to urge the FDA to do the right thing this time and help women prevent unintended pregnancy! Send a message to the FDA encouraging the agency to approve EC for over-the-counter status.
More...]]> <![CDATA[Religious Right doctor claims credit for blocking morning-after pill]]> He was one of only four of the panel's 27 members to oppose over-the-counter sales of the emergency contraceptive.

In the same speech, Hager bragged that the FDA's rejection of the petition for over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill marked only the second time in 50 years the FDA overruled its advisory panels.

Dr. Hager is a radical right-wing physician who opposes birth control, and believes that women with pre-menstrual syndrome should seek help from the Bible. Take action today - don't let the religious right control access to emergency contraception!
More...]]> <![CDATA[ Don't Let Frist Eliminate the Filibuster!]]> Our ability to save the Supreme Court from President Bush could hang in the balance...

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is hatching a plan to allow President Bush to pack the courts with extremist judges. Frist wants to take away pro-choice Democrats’ most powerful line of defense against extremist judges: the filibuster.

Called the "nuclear option" because of the explosive consequences it would have in the Senate – Frist’s plan would allow anti-choice Republican leaders to change Senate rules to prevent the filibuster of judicial nominees.

During President Bush’s first term, senators used the filibuster carefully and selectively. The Senate confirmed more than 200 of President Bush’s judicial nominees to lifetime appointments, and used the filibuster to block only 10 of his most controversial nominees. Clearly, this is not a Senate rule that is being abused.

If you value balance and moderation on our courts, and believe the Senate should carefully review judges who are being considered for lifetime appointments, then you need to take action to stop Senator Frist today!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[ Tell pharmacies to stop discriminating against women!]]> Don't let far-right extremists send women's rights back to the 1800s...

In as many as 20 states, pharmacies can refuse to fill women's prescriptions for contraception, including the morning-after pill.

When a woman and her doctor decide that a prescription for contraception is in the woman's best interest, a third party has no right to override that decision. Pharmacies must ensure that patients get their doctor-prescribed medication without delay or inconvenience.

Join NARAL Pro-Choice America in telling our nation's biggest pharmacies (Wal-Mart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreen's, and Eckerd's) not to stand between a woman and her physician.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[ Don't Let Frist Eliminate the Filibuster! - update]]>
"We're heartened that the crisis has been averted and the right to filibuster preserved for upcoming Supreme Court nominations. We are confident that a Supreme Court nominee who won't even state a position on Roe v. Wade is the kind of extraordinary circumstance this deal envisions. And we are determined to see Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen and William Pryor -- three judges whose combined respect for individual rights remains negligible -- defeated with the votes of the moderate senators on both sides that supported this compromise.

Pro-choice Americans from across the country rallied against the nuclear option, sending more than 150,000 phone calls, emails and other messages to senators. Our efforts against these nominations will start first thing tomorrow, and will be even more intense."

Read the NARAL Pro-Choice America press release.
More...]]> <![CDATA[Forty years after Griswold v. CT, we're still fighting for birth control...]]> June 7 is the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that recognized married couples' right to use birth control. This came about when the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut statute that prohibited the use of birth control in the decision Griswold v. Connecticut.

While in 1965 the high court ruled that the Connecticut statute violated the Constitutional right to marital privacy, today we are dangerously close to losing these hard won privacy rights.

Women across the country now face an alarming trend of anti-choice pharmacists denying them their legally prescribed medications due to personal objections to birth control. Some pharmacists even go so far as to lecture women, humiliate them, or refuse to hand back the prescription after they refuse to fill it. Yet most women don't even know this is happening, much less what they can do about it.

Let's make sure that pharmacies provide women - indeed all of us - with our doctor-prescribed medication without delay or inconvenience! Take action today.

More...]]> <![CDATA[ Tell pharmacies to stop discriminating against women! - update]]> One activist reported that her local Walgreens would not dispense the morning-after pill! NARAL has heard similar reports about at least one CVS store, as well, despite the company's public statement to the contrary.

Here are stories from two NARAL activists:

"I went out today to my Walgreen's in King of Prussia, PA and went in and spoke to the pharmacist and had memorized the whole speech the web page gave us. And I was told, "No!!" She told me she would not dispense Plan B contraceptives, because she considered it ABORTION... I asked her did she not understand that it was NOT abortion, it was a contraceptive to PREVENT pregnancy???!!... Her response was just, "Well, I believe it is." Please let me know what I can do to help to make this change a reality!!
- Debra, Valley Forge, PA

"I am a pharmacy technician of 13 yrs at the biggest retail pharmacy chain. Trust me, we stand up against the ones who put their religion before their patient's rights. I am very active in speaking up about women's rights to access to contraception."
- Angela, Portland, OR

Take action today to keep the pressure on the major pharmacy chains to dispense contraceptives without hassle or delay!

More...]]> <![CDATA[Current Pension Laws Penalize Women]]> Women should not have to choose between having a family and having a secure retirement!

Women today play a much greater role in our workforce than they did just a few decades ago. And yet, pension plan laws have not been updated. The current laws unfairly penalize women for taking time off to raise families. It's time for pension plan laws that reflect the economy and the workplace of today and the future.

Many companies have begun to adopt cash balance and other hybrid pension plans - ones that do not assume a full, uninterrupted career with a single company. These plans allow women to earn and keep substantial benefits earlier in their employment.

However, these modern plans are now at risk. Due to a recent court decision and Congressional inaction, companies may be forced to stop offering cash balance and other hybrid pension plans - leaving women workers everywhere facing the prospect of "turning back the clock" when it comes to pension fairness.

Don't make women choose between having a family and having a secure retirement!

Let Congress know you will no longer stand for inaction when it comes to pension equality.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[You're invited to talk online with Senator Barbara Boxer!]]> "What is the outlook for future Supreme Court openings - and how will these nominations affect me?"

If this is a question you ask yourself, then take a moment to read on about an online event Wednesday, June 29, that you won't want to miss.

We're all concerned about the upcoming judicial nomination battles in the Senate - from the lower courts to the Supreme Court. We've followed the rancorous debates over the "nuclear option" and we know that women's rights are at stake like never before.

Here's your chance to find out how the upcoming court battles could affect you. For straight talk with an insider's perspective on what judicial nominations could mean for women, you are invited to join a conversation - by phone or online - with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Marcia Greenberger, Co-President of the National Women's Law Center, next Wednesday, June 29th at 1:00 p.m. EST.

This event is a fantastic opportunity for activists to interact with leaders in the struggle for women's rights and equality. Senator Boxer and Ms. Greenberger will talk about the controversy over judicial nominations and take questions from attendees. The event is free but space is limited, so register online today!

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Acting FDA Commissioner Has Blocked Birth Control: Oppose Crawford's Nomination]]> President Bush has nominated Lester Crawford, who helped block attempts to improve women’s access to birth control, for the top job at the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

During Crawford's tenure as acting commissioner, the FDA has ignored the recommendation from its own scientific and medical experts and blocked an application to make the morning-after pill available without a prescription.

Speak out with two Senate Democratic leaders, Patty Murray from Washington and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who are holding up his nomination until the FDA acts on the application.

Urge your senators to join Senators Murray and Clinton and oppose the Crawford nomination.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[The Battle for the Supreme Court Starts Now!]]> For the first time in over a decade, there's a vacancy on the Supreme Court. Unless we act quickly and forcefully, it will be filled by a right-wing extremist bent on ending a woman's right to choose.

On July 1, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement from the Supreme Court - and sent a shudder through the pro-choice community. Throughout her tenure, Justice O'Connor has been one of the "swing" votes on the Supreme Court, part of the razor-thin majority that has kept Roe v. Wade from being dismantled.

It's time for pro-choice Americans to fight back. Sign our petition to tell President Bush that you'll firmly oppose any Supreme Court nominee who doesn't support Roe v. Wade, then spread the word to your pro-choice friends and family. We'll deliver your letter to both President Bush and your Senators, who will have to confirm any nominee. Don't let Bush's choice mean the end of ours!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Supreme Court Battle: The Status of Roe v. Wade]]>
Question: "Isn't it true that Roe v. Wade won't be overturned, no matter who is appointed to the Court, since the justices don't like to overturn previous opinions?"

Answer:
  • Trusting far right judges to respect precedent is not a risk we can afford to take when the Court already has several members who've voted to overturn Roe in previous cases.
  • Three of the current justices have explicitly said Roe should be overturned (and two of them are among the youngest members of the Court).
  • In fact, the Court will overturn its precedents whenever a majority wants to.
  • President Bush has already nominated numerous judges to other Federal courts who are advocates of overturning Roe.
  • The Court could also claim that it is not overturning Roe, but permit many more restrictions on the right to choose so the right would be even more limited than it has already become.

More...]]> <![CDATA[FDA Agrees to Make Decision on Plan B by September]]> On July 15th, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) succeeded in pressuring the Food and Drug Administration to make a decision on "Plan B", a petition to make the "morning-after" pill available to women over the counter instead of by prescription.

The FDA now has until to September 1st to decide whether to go along with the doctors and scientists who overwhelmingly support giving women over-the-counter access to the pill or capitulate to pressure from the radical right, which strongly opposes the measure. Consequently, the senators have lifted their hold on Lester Crawford's nomination to become the new FDA Commissioner.

On Monday, July 18th, the Senate confirmed Lester Crawford as FDA Commissioner.
More...]]> <![CDATA[President Bush Seeks Advice From Jerry Falwell on Supreme Court Nominee]]> Divisive Radical Right Leader 'Trusts' Bush to Name Someone He’ll Like

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, expressed concern about reports today that the Bush Administration has actively sought the advice of radical right leader Jerry Falwell on whom to nominate for vacancy on the Supreme Court, stripping the White House of any credibility in searching for a consensus candidate who can unify the country.

In a story published in the New York Times on July 13, Falwell -- who enraged Americans after the September 11, 2001 attacks by saying that we could expect more attacks if "God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve" -- confirmed that the White House reached out to him to seek his advice on a Supreme Court nominee. The paper reported that Falwell "declined to offer advice, telling the White House staff member that, because of Mr. Bush's track record appointing conservative judges, '"I am willing to sit back and trust him and pray for him."

"We're glad that President Bush is reaching out for advice, but this isn't the direction we had in mind," said Keenan. "Consulting with Jerry Falwell is not a recipe for bringing America together. Even more troubling is the assurance Falwell has apparently been given that any nominee would meet his litmus test of opposing personal freedoms like the right to privacy and a woman's right to choose. Any nominee who can earn Jerry Falwell’s trust is someone who’ll likely be hard for mainstream America to swallow.

Keenan added "When Americans read the vicious words that came from Jerry Falwell in the wake of our worst tragedy ever, they saw his true colors. That the President would seek the counsel of such a person is unconscionable."
More...]]> <![CDATA[ Tell pharmacies to stop discriminating against women! - update]]> anti-choice House leaders may be preparing legislation to protect pharmacies that refuse to fill legal, valid birth-control prescriptions. The House Small Business Committee has just called a July 25 hearing to explore the issue.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said: "It is remarkable that there are pharmacies across this country where a woman can walk in with a prescription for birth control and not be able to have it filled. It would be outrageous if an anti-choice-controlled Congress were to take action that could defend - or even encourage - such a thing. Politicians should be supporting personal responsibility and personal freedom, not empowering those who try to impose their ideological values on women trying to access basic health care."

Keenan also pointed to recent polling that shows 80 percent of Americans oppose allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill women's prescriptions for birth control. Even 74 percent of self-described "pro-life" voters oppose these refusals.

"The overwhelming majority of Americans want to protect women's access to birth control," Keenan said. "It is astounding that, 40 years after a landmark Supreme Court case that established a right to privacy and legalized the use of birth control, Congress could be considering turning back the clock and blocking women’s access to birth control."

While no legislation has yet been introduced to protect discriminatory pharmacies, the July 25 hearing could indicate that such a measure is in the works. Bills have been introduced, in both the House and Senate, to protect women’s health by protecting their prescriptions. Among other proposals, in April 2005, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Chris Shays (R-CT) introduced the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act ("ALPhA"), which would ensure that pharmacies fill all legal, valid prescriptions. However, to date, anti-choice congressional leaders refused action on ALPHa and all other related bills.
More...]]> <![CDATA[The Battle for the Supreme Court Starts Now! - update]]> In a devastating move, George W. Bush has nominated John Roberts to replace Justice O'Connor's swing vote on the U.S. Supreme Court. By nominating John Roberts, George Bush has issued a slap in the face to every American who values personal privacy and a woman's right to choose.

If Roberts is confirmed to a lifetime appointment, there is little doubt that he will work to overturn Roe v. Wade. As Deputy Solicitor General under the first President Bush, he argued to the Supreme Court that "Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled...." We must not allow someone who's spent his career advocating ending the right to choose to be appointed to the most important court in our country.

Some of the lowlights of Judge Roberts' background include:
  • As Deputy Solicitor General, Roberts argued in a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court (in a case that did not implicate Roe v. Wade) that "[w]e continue to believe that Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled…. [T]he Court's conclusion in Roe that there is a fundamental right to an abortion… finds no support in the text, structure, or history of the Constitution."
  • In Rust v. Sullivan, the Supreme Court considered whether Department of Health and Human Services regulations limiting the ability of Title X recipients to engage in abortion-related activities violated various constitutional provisions. Roberts, appearing on behalf of HHS as Deputy Solicitor General, argued that this domestic gag rule did not violate constitutional protections.
  • Roberts, again as Deputy Solicitor General, filed a "friend of the court" brief for the United States supporting Operation Rescue and six other individuals who routinely blocked access to reproductive health care clinics, arguing that the protesters' behavior did not amount to discrimination against women even though only women could exercise the right to seek an abortion.
  • The Court was so accustomed to the Solicitor General and the Deputy Solicitor General arguing for the overturn of Roe that during John Roberts' oral argument before the Supreme Court in Bray, a Justice Asked, "Mr. Roberts, in this case are you asking that Roe v. Wade be overruled?" He responded, "No, your honor, the issue doesn't even come up." To this the justice said, "Well, that hasn't prevented the Solicitor General from taking that position in prior cases."

More...]]> <![CDATA[Tell Your Senators to Oppose Anti-Choice John Roberts]]> Just as we feared, President Bush has nominated a right-wing judicial activist with an anti-choice track record to the Supreme Court: John Roberts.

If Roberts is confirmed to a lifetime appointment, there is little doubt that he will work to overturn Roe v. Wade. As Deputy Solicitor General under the first President Bush, he argued to the Supreme Court that "Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled...." We must not allow someone who's spent his career advocating ending the right to choose to be appointed to the most important court in our country.

It's time for pro-choice Americans - we are in the majority after all - to fight back. Send an email to your U.S. senators right now to oppose Roberts.

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Protect the Reproductive Rights of California's Young Women]]> As part of a special election called by Governor Schwarzenegger, Californians will see a dangerous initiative on the ballot this November. Qualifying for the ballot is a parental notification measure on a woman's access to abortion, which threatens the health and well being of young women in our state.

We believe that real family communication begins at home, not at the ballot box. Our focus should be on prevention of unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive sex education, counseling and access to contraceptives.

This proposed amendment to California's constitution would do nothing to reduce the number of unintended teen pregnancies - pregnancies that have in fact declined 40% in California over the past decade without government mandates like this one!

Join us in opposing The Parental Notification and Child Protection Act, because parents and teens need real world solutions, not constitutional amendments.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act]]> Every day, more than 700 women are abused or sexually assaulted by their partner - and four are murdered.
If Congress fails to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), these numbers could get a whole lot worse. With passage of VAWA in 1994, rates of domestic violence incidents have dropped by almost 50% and incidents of rape are down by 60%.

VAWA is up for reauthorization in September and we must send a loud and clear message that 700 women a day is 700 too many. Urge your Congressmember to reauthorize VAWA. It provides desperately needed shelter, counseling, medical, and justice services for the 700 women and children who are affected by domestic violence every single day in this country.

There is a good chance that VAWA could be cut. If it is, funding for domestic violence shelters is at risk. Children who witness domestic violence are at even greater risk. And, we may slow the progress that we've made in preventing violence against women.

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Demand Justice for Linda]]> Linda Loaiza's waking nightmare began 4 years ago at the age of 18 when she was kidnapped, held prisoner in her attacker's home, and repeatedly raped, beaten and tortured. She was finally rescued by Venezuelan police 4 months later.

Demand Justice!
But Linda's suffering didn't end with her rescue. After waiting 3 years for a trial, the court set a trial date only AFTER Linda resorted to holding a 2-week hunger strike on the steps of the Supreme Court to raise media awareness of her plight. Amazingly, the judge appointed to the case let her attacker (the son of a very influential Venezuelan man) go free, citing a lack of evidence despite the fact that Linda was rescued from his apartment and he had been previously arrested for attacking another woman in 1999.

Linda's experience is deeply disturbing - both for the violence she suffered and for the corruption and the injustice she has faced in her quest to put her attacker behind bars where he can't hurt her or others. Linda's story is representative of the immense difficulty faced by women in many parts of the world when they seek justice in the face of violence and abuse.

It's been many months and Linda is still awaiting a trial date. Please don't let the Venezuelan justice system drag their feet any longer or deny Linda justice once again!

Demand Justice for Linda - send a letter asking key Venezuelan officials to ensure a timely and fair trial.

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Tell Wal-Mart to Stop Discriminating Against Women]]> Wal-Mart currently faces the largest class-action sex discrimination lawsuit in American history.

Plaintiffs in the Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. case have provided evidence that women working in Wal-Mart stores are paid less than their male counterparts for comparable work in every region of the country and in most job categories. What’s worse, data show that the pay gap between men and women gets worse over time, and that women get promoted to management roles at Wal-Mart at a much slower rate than men.

As the world's largest corporation and America's largest private sector employer, Wal-Mart clearly has some explaining to do.

But rather than address the serious issues raised in the sex discrimination lawsuit, the company has aggressively fought the charges, even refusing to implement recommendations of its own diversity task force back in 1998. Tellingly, Wal-Mart disbanded the task force in 1999; and the percentage of women in management positions declined at the company in the two years that followed.

It's time to demand that CEO Lee Scott take concrete and measurable steps to end the systematic discrimination against women at Wal-Mart Stores.

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stand Up for Iraqi Women]]>
Iraq, January 30, 2005: Women waiting to vote in elections. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Baghdad.) Women in Iraq have more to fear these days than the horrors of war. As the August 15 deadline approaches for the completion of the new Iraqi constitution, women in Iraq fear that their hard-won rights could disappear.

Iraq's existing laws regarding women's rights are some of the most progressive in the Middle East. But Article 14 of the new draft constitution aims to replace these laws with Islamic Sharia law - which could dramatically affect women's rights in marriage, court, education and the political system, including the right to vote.

Stand up for Iraqi women! Send a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today and urge her to advocate to protect the rights of women in Iraq by working with the Iraqi government to repeal Article 14 and guarantee women's rights under the law.

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Tell Bush to Help Lift Millions of Women and Children Out of Poverty]]> These are needless, preventable and unacceptable deaths.

Women and children disproportionately bear the weight of extreme poverty around the world. In many countries, women are routinely denied access to resources and even the most basic education, making it virtually impossible for them to adequately provide for their children and themselves.

Five years ago, all 189 members of the United Nations agreed to eight Millennium Development Goals, which set 15-year targets for, among other things, eradicating extreme poverty, enrolling every child in primary school, empowering women, reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. Meeting these goals, all nations agreed, requires a global partnership between countries both rich and poor.

On Sept. 14-16, the leaders of some 170 nations will gather in New York City for the World Summit, where they will take stock of their progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Time is running out. Many nations have made significant strides -- Tanzania now offers free primary education to all, Uganda reversed the spread of AIDS and Bangladesh narrowed the gender gap in school attendance. But without bold U.S. leadership to achieve the goals by the 2015 deadline, many countries will fall short of the targets.

Urge President Bush to demonstrate U.S. leadership by playing an active role at the Summit and reaffirming America's commitment to doing our part to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[FDA goes back on its word on morning-after pill]]> The Bush administration has broken its promise to make a decision on the morning-after pill by September 1.

American women have waited more than two years for the FDA to decide whether women can purchase the morning-after pill over the counter. The Bush administration explicitly promised the U.S. Senate that the FDA would stop dragging its feet and issue a decision by September 1. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) secured this written promise last month as part of an agreement to lift their hold on the nomination of Lester Crawford to the post of FDA commissioner.

By constantly delaying the decision, Bush's FDA is allowing a small number of anti-birth control zealots to prescribe policy for women's birth control options.

Help us tell the FDA that Americans don't appreciate anti-choice politics getting in the way of sound science and women's access to birth control. Sign our petition to the FDA today!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[John Roberts nominated to Chief Justice]]> Roe v. Wade on the line, we must continue to fight this nomination. Two vacancies give Bush the chance to name another replacement for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was often the key swing vote on cases involving the right to choose.

If Roberts is confirmed as Chief Justice, he would be an even greater threat to fundamental American freedoms, including the right to privacy and right to choose. Roberts' nomination to this pivotal post only underscores the need for him to provide clear answers to questions on issues related to individual freedom during his hearings before the Senate. The Bush administration also must drop its opposition to releasing documents related to Roberts' tenure as the Principal Deputy Solicitor General during the first Bush administration. Given the profound importance of the Chief Justice position, the American people have a right to all the information about Roberts’ record and legal philosophy.

The Senate was scheduled to begin its committee hearings on Roberts' nomination September 6, however, due to Chief Justice Rehnquist's death and Roberts' nomination to Chief Justice, the hearings have been postponed until Monday, September 12.

Senators still need to hear from us. The next few days will be critical as the Senate prepares for Roberts' hearings for Chief Justice. President Bush could also nominate a second Justice any day. Help us send a strong message to the Senate that the American public opposes John Roberts.
More...]]> <![CDATA[FDA breaks its promise to rule on Plan B]]> The Bush administration has broken its promise to make a decision on the morning-after pill by September 1.

American women have waited more than two years for the FDA to decide whether women can purchase the morning-after pill over the counter. The Bush administration explicitly promised the U.S. Senate that the FDA would stop dragging its feet and issue a decision by September 1. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) secured this written promise last month as part of an agreement to lift their hold on the nomination of Lester Crawford to the post of FDA commissioner.

By constantly delaying the decision, Bush's FDA is allowing a small number of anti-birth control zealots to prescribe policy for women's birth control options.

Help us tell the FDA that Americans don't appreciate anti-choice politics getting in the way of sound science and women's access to birth control. Sign our petition to the FDA today!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[FDA Commissioner resigns; departure should prompt action on Plan B]]>
Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called Crawford's resignation an opportunity for the agency to rebuild its credibility and move forward on a petition to make emergency contraception available to women over the counter.

For more than two years now, the FDA has repeatedly refused to decide whether women may purchase Plan B, an emergency contraceptive also known as the "morning-after" pill, without a prescription. Most recently, as the Senate considered Crawford’s nomination to serve as commissioner, Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt made senators an explicit, written promise that the agency would make a decision on a pending over-the-counter application by September 1. The agency has failed to honor its promise.
More...]]> <![CDATA[Senate passes Violence Against Women Act]]>
The House of Representatives passed their version of the VAWA bill just last week. The next step is for Senate and House members to meet to resolve the differences between these two versions and hold a final vote.
More...]]> <![CDATA[Tell the Media: Expose Exclusion of Survivors from Katrina Reconstruction]]>

A mother holds her baby close after Hurricane Katrina, and begs for the outside world to bring her baby food and milk. Photo by Ted Jackson, The Times-Picayune
Scanning the news we find the answer is 'No.' The women and people of color who were predominantly among those in harm's way appear to be absent from the networks of decision-making that are forming to decide strategies and priorities for reconstruction. And the media, which vigilantly placed the spotlight on the poor in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, have largely not reported on the survivors who are left out all over again.

Will this be the same old-boys' network or will this process include women and people of color as the whole city starts over?

We urge the media to shine their spotlight on the rebuilding efforts in the southern states, listening to the communities, listening to people of color, above all, listening to the women.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Protect the Health and Safety of California's Young Women]]> In November's special election called by Governor Schwarzenegger, Californians will see a dangerous initiative on the ballot. Californians will have an opportunity to vote on a parental notification measure on a woman's access to abortion, which threatens the health and well being of young women in our state.

Real family communication begins at home, not at the ballot box. The best way to protect our daughters is to begin talking to them about responsible, appropriate sexual behavior when they're young and to continue to keep the lines of communication open as they get older. Our focus should be on prevention of unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive sex education, counseling and access to contraceptives.

This proposed amendment to California’s constitution, known as Proposition 73, would do nothing to reduce the number of unintended teen pregnancies - pregnancies that have in fact declined 40% in California over the past decade without government mandates like this one!

Join us in opposing Proposition 73, because parents and teens need real world solutions, not constitutional amendments.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[62 Lawmakers Urge FDA to Approve Plan B "Without Further Delay"]]>
The lawmakers also noted that the agency's delay will hinder efforts to reduce abortions in the United States, and urged von Eschenbach to approve Plan B "without further delay."
More...]]> <![CDATA[Tell Congress to protect your access to birth control!]]> More and more women are being denied their doctor-prescribed birth control pills across the country.

As many as 20 states have laws on the books that put a pharmacist's personal views above a woman's right to safe and legal birth control – making it even easier for pharmacists to deny women access to prescription contraceptives. Birth control is basic health care for the vast majority of American women, and no third party should be able to stop a woman from taking responsibility for her reproductive health!

That's why a bipartisan group of pro-choice members of Congress - Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT), and others have introduced a bill to ensure that women can get their birth control prescriptions filled - without intimidation, inconvenience, or delay. Under the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act (ALPhA), pharmacies would be responsible for filling women's birth control prescriptions even if a pharmacist refuses for personal reasons.

Please send a letter to your federal lawmakers urging them to support this bill. Help us put a stop to the far-right's anti-birth control agenda by taking action today!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stop human trafficking and protect women from abuse]]>
As a result, women seeking better lives in our country are being abused, even murdered, by the men they meet through the online brokers.

Domestic abuse of mail-order brides is just one example of the larger problem of human trafficking in the United States and around the world. Each year alone, approximately 14,500 to17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. and then sold into a life of sexual exploitation and/or slave labor. And a staggering 80% of trafficking victims are women and girls.

There is a bill in Congress right now that can help to protect women from abusive men and unscrupulous international marriage brokers: the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA), H.R.3657. Please sign this petition to urge your representative to support this bill today!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Californians Vote to Keep Teens Safe, Reject Anti-Choice Prop. 73]]>
The measure, Proposition 73, included a parental involvement mandate and other anti-choice provisions.

The leaders of both the national group and the state chapter said voters’ rejection of Prop 73 demonstrated that anti-choice rhetoric won't persuade voters to support measures that would endanger teens' health.

"Californians reaffirmed their commitment to a woman’s right to choose and rejected a ballot initiative that would have jeopardized the safety and health of our state’s teens. All of us want parents to be involved in their teens’ lives, but California voters understood that Prop 73 was more about anti-choice groups pushing an agenda and not about the health and safety of their kids," said Amy Everitt, state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California. "It’s was a tough fight – and we were proud to work alongside our coalition partners, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, ACLU California, and the California Family Health Clinics in successfully communicating why Prop. 73 was wrong for California’s families."

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, commended Californians for protecting their teens by voting down Prop. 73.

"A ballot initiative cannot mandate healthy family communication," Keenan said. "Yesterday’s vote is a sign that Californians want Governor Schwarzenegger and other elected officials to focus on ways to prevent unintended pregnancy. Fortunately, California has made honest, medically accurate sex education a priority, so let’s hope the state will devote more resources to these efforts, now that voters have said no to anti-choice proposals like Prop. 73."
More...]]> <![CDATA[Defend Asylum for Survivors of Trafficking]]>
When Ann turned in her request for asylum, she was only 17 years old, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Immigration Judge said that she would not be eligible for asylum anyway because her kidnap, rape and threatened sale into prostitution were merely "personal" and "criminal" acts by a rejected suitor. Overwhelming evidence shows, however, that the man who kidnapped her treated her the way traffickers prepare their victims to be trafficked.

U.S. Women Without Borders is working with the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies to win justice for Ann and others in her position. Take action now to ensure that Ann is not sent back into the hands of her persecutors. Protest the one-year deadline for minors. Demand that our government protect victims of trafficking by giving them asylum in this country.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Light the Candle of Hope - Support Fair Trade and Women's Equality]]> function popUp(URL) { day = new Date(); id = day.getTime(); eval("page" + id + " = window.open(URL, '" + id + "', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=1,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=740,height=500');"); } This holiday season, what if there was a way to quickly and directly put the power to make change into the hands of women and girls? We've got a simple way – and all it takes it a little shopping.

When women and girls are doing well, their communities thrive. Click here to see some great deals on hand crafted products made by women and you'll put money directly into the hands of the people who know how to make change in their communities.

You can take it a step further and let these women know that this holiday season, you'll do your best to purchase things made by women. If you take our pledge to shop fair trade items, you'll know for sure that the people who made them were paid a fair price, that they had a safe and clean place to work and that they used environmentally sustainable practices.

When you sign our pledge, you light the candle of hope for women by shopping fair trade and supporting women's work.

Flex your purchasing power to make a difference in the lives of women.

Let's make this change right now. When you sign our pledge and then visit our online store, you are helping to light the candle of hope for women around the world.

Join us in pledging support for the values of economic equality for women worldwide by doing your best to purchase fair trade gifts for the people you love.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[House and Senate pass versions of VAWA]]> Thank you for all of your hard work!
More...]]> <![CDATA[Call on Canada's New Prime Minister to End the Seal Slaughter!]]> The largest commercial slaughter of marine mammals on the planet is set to begin again in Canada next month.

By the end of the hunt, more than 300,000 seals are expected to be clubbed or shot to death by fishermen who hunt seals off-season to pick up extra cash by selling their skins. Almost all of their victims will be babies -- some as young as 12 days old.

During a recent hunt, veterinarians who examined dead seals concluded that 42% of the seals examined had most likely been skinned while they were alive and still conscious.


Polls consistently show that most Canadians oppose the hunt, but still the Canadian government and fishing industry refuse to end it.

But there is new hope on the ice. Canada has a new Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and a new party in power. With enough public support, they may consider ending this terrible hunt forever.


Sign this petition now and send it to anyone who cares about protecting the lives of Canada's seals.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stand Up for Mississippi Women]]> Mississippi's governor said he is inclined to sign the ban if it reaches his desk, which it could within days.

A lot of us thought it couldn't happen, but it is happening. There is no room for complacency anymore. Eleven states besides South Dakota are considering bans — we must stop the domino effect.

Tell Mississippi's governor that Americans do not support any bans on the right to choose. We'll also CC your governor, to make sure your state stands strong against abortion bans.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Clinton and Murray Stood Up for Women's Rights - Send Your Thanks!]]> The FDA’s scientific staff has long concluded that Plan B, the "morning-after pill", is safe and effective for over-the-counter use by women. But senior FDA officials have repeatedly delayed a final decision.

This has prompted some in the medical community, as well as Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Patty Murray of Washington, to charge that the agency compromised its scientific judgment under pressure from social conservatives influential in the Bush administration.

As a result, Clinton and Murray are blocking the confirmation of acting FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach as permanent head of the agency until the FDA reaches a decision.

"For more than two years, the FDA has dragged its feet on making a decision, putting ideology over science," Clinton said. "We will place a hold on the nomination of Dr. von Eschenbach until the FDA issues a decision on Plan B, yes or no."

Please take a moment to thank Sens. Clinton and Murray for standing up for what’s right! Let them know how much we value them as strong advocates for women's health in the Senate!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stop human trafficking and protect women from abuse - success]]> VICTORY: International Marriage Broker Regulation Act Passed

Thank you to the more than 15,000 of you who signed our petition letters supporting the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, H.R. 3657. This bill was passed!

We now have a federal law requiring women enticed to become mail order brides to be informed of their husbands-to-be criminal records. The law also mandates other protections from the often violent and abusive situations for women resulting from the marriage broker trade.

Our campaign delivered 15,173 U.S. signatures as emails to representatives in the House. California had the most signatures (2,536), followed by New York (1,334), Texas (889), and Washington (591). Fifty states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, were represented in the signatures.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Larsen, had 15 cosponsors, and all except for one were added to the bill during the time our petition letters were in action. We assume some of those Members learned about the legislation and signed on once they heard from constituents. One of Rep. Larsen's staffers emailed us: "This is great! Thanks for your efforts. I've gotten quite a few calls from offices wanting more information because they'd gotten constituent mail (no doubt thanks to your petition)."
More...]]> <![CDATA[Celebrate Mother's Day by Helping Women Around the World]]> This Mother's Day, you can honor the special women in your life by taking one simple action to help empower women all around the world.

It's easy -- just sign the petition below to join us in urging Congress to increase funding for international family planning programs.

Every minute a woman dies in pregnancy or childbirth. Family planning could prevent many of those needless deaths. Currently, family planning programs prevent 105 million abortions (many of them unsafe) and nearly 3 million infant deaths worldwide every year. With better funding from the U.S. government, family planning programs could save even more women's lives and ensure more healthy births.

Unfortunately, President Bush recently proposed cutting the budget for these already under-funded programs by 18%!

Congress will be deciding how much to invest in international family planning in the next few weeks.

This Mother's Day please honor and celebrate womanhood by adding your name to the petition below to ask Congress not to skimp on funding for these life saving programs.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stop the Silent War on Contraception]]>
It was started by a small group of extreme ideologues who claim the right to impose their personal beliefs on the overwhelming majority of the American people.

They're waging this silent war on contraception by using the power of the White House and their right-wing allies in Congress -- and so far, they're getting away with it.

The United States has one of the highest rates of unintended pregnancies in the industrialized world. And the impact of the war on contraception is borne by the poor: a poor woman is four times as likely to experience an unplanned pregnancy as a higher-income woman.

That's why Senator Hillary Clinton and Congresswoman Nita Lowey have introduced a Congressional Resolution to Strengthen Family Planning Services for Women - and they need your voice to make sure every member of Congress votes on this Resolution. Become a co-sponsor today and help us pass this important resolution to ensure women have access to contraceptives! Senator Clinton will forward your message to your Congressional representatives.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stop Fake]]> So-called "crisis pregnancy centers" are rapidly appearing across the nation — a deceitful new tactic of the anti-choice movement to keep women from getting the accurate education and health services they seek.

These fake "clinics" often masquerade as health centers offering the full range of reproductive health services, when their only real purpose is to keep women from exercising their right to choice and family planning.

They lure unsuspecting women with the offer of free pregnancy testing or HIV tests. Once inside, the "clinic" staff--usually volunteers with no training -- try to dissuade women from exercising their right to choose by subjecting them to inaccurate, anti-choice propaganda and intimidation.

The worst part? Your tax dollars are funding "crisis pregnancy centers" to the tune of $60 million.

A new bill in Congress, the "Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act" (H.R.5052), would stop "crisis pregnancy centers" from deceiving women. Urge your representative to support this important bill.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stop the War on Women: Don't Let Pharmacists Deny Contraceptive Prescriptions]]>






The "morning-after pill," or Plan B, is a legally approved medication.

But in a unanimous vote of consideration last week, the Washington State Board of Pharmacy took a step towards giving pharmacists the legal right to refuse to dispense emergency contraceptives, or any other medication, on moral grounds. The justification? If someone is denied Plan B, or any other medication at one pharmacy, they can just go to another.

But for women in rural areas, their local pharmacy is often the ONLY pharmacy in the neighborhood. If the "morning-after pill" must be taken within 72 hours after intercourse, these women will be powerless to prevent unintended pregnancy. While emergency contraception is the catalyst behind this proposed law, it would set a dangerous precedent for all medications, giving pharmacists the power to "morally" object to doling out any other prescription: AIDS/HIV medications, STD medications, obesity treatments; what about condoms?

What's at stake has nothing to do with health - it has everything to do with control and imposing subjective morality. This proposal represents a blatant discrimination against women and a clear violation of consumer rights.

Send a message to the Washington State Board of Pharmacy and the governor; we don't want any state to moralize our access to prescriptions.


Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Protect Survivors of Rape Against Unwanted Pregnancy]]> Rape: it’s a horrible thing that no woman chooses. Yet as it stands now, when a survivor of rape enters the emergency room, she is not always given the chance to prevent pregnancy.

To address this troubling problem, members of Congress have proposed the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act (“CARE”: S.1264/H.R.2928).

This bill would ensure that when survivors of sexual assault enter the emergency room, they are always offered the emergency contraception pill (EC) as an option.

EC is a concentrated dose of ordinary birth-control pills that can dramatically reduce a woman's chance of becoming pregnant if taken soon after sex or sexual assault. It is NOT the same thing as mifepristone, or RU 486, which terminates an already-established pregnancy.

Making EC an option for all rape survivors that enter the emergency room would ensure that they have a choice in the aftermath of their assault.

Please sign the petition to ensure that rape survivor get the health-care services they need to prevent unintended pregnancy.

Ask Congress to vote YES on the CARE act.

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Tell Senator Frist: Stop Playing Politics With the Lives of Young Women]]>
This Act, misleadingly named, would make it a federal crime for any person other than a parent - including a grandparent, aunt, or religious counselor - to accompany a young woman for abortion care in another state unless she has complied with parental involvement mandates in her home state.

But this bill doesn’t take into account those young women who seek the help of a responsible adult other than a parent because of violence or abuse at home, or situations of rape or incest. In fact, this bill would actually force a young woman in such circumstances to go to the doctor alone, rather than be accompanied by a trusted adult.

Tell Senator Frist to stop playing politics with the lives of young women. Urge the Senate to protect underage survivors of rape, incest, and assault by rejecting the "Child Custody Protection Act."

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Thank the FDA for Approving Plan B!]]> Finally, after 3 years of dragging their feet and over 141,000 letters from PetitionSite signers, the FDA has made Plan B - the "morning-after-pill" - available to women without a prescription!

Add your name to the letter below to thank the FDA for voting on the side of the hundreds of thousands of women who asked for better access to Plan B.

This victory shows that your actions DO make a difference.

Support a woman's right to choose! Sign the petition to show the FDA that you're paying attention and that you support their vote for science over politics!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[It's Time to Support Sex Education]]> "Family values." Anti-choice politicians just love using this catch-phrase to support the inaccurate, unproven "abstinence-only" programs they're forcing our nation's schools to teach.

The U.S. has the highest teen-pregnancy rates in the Western industrialized world, so we think it's about time to set the record straight: Misleading young people about sex and birth control is NOT a "family value," it's setting our kids up for greater rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

We're working for change - and accurate sex education - by inviting parents around the country to sign on to the Parents' Petition to support accurate sex education in our schools.

Are you a parent? Do you know a parent? Then sign the Parents' Petition to oppose "abstinence-only" programs and support the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, legislation that would set up the first-ever federal sex-education program!

As parents, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles – we all want our young loved ones to grow up to be informed, responsible and safe. By coming together to demand more for our families, we can make it happen.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Support Pro- Choice Candidates: Download the]]> Are you a woman, doctor, mother, daughter, parent or grandparent who supports a woman's right to choose? Then say it with a stickie!

This election season, support a woman's right to choose by signing the "Vote for Choice" pledge and displaying the badge or "stickie" in your personal profile (Care2Connect or MySpace), email or website.

Sign the pledge, check the box to receive more information on how to protect a woman's right to choose from NARAL Pro-Choice America, and we'll give you one of the special stickies shown below.

Once you've got your stickie, pass the word along to friends, family, and anyone who wants to show that they support a woman's right to choose!


Sign the pledge and download one of these cool stickies now!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Ask Mainstream Media to Stop]]>

The "pro-life" lobby has successfully manipulated Congress and the Courts. Now, legislation and court cases around the country are threatening to overturn the right to choose, a very private health decision for women.

What's more disturbing is the fact that the mainstream media, who supposedly provide us with "fair and balanced" perspectives, have actually adopted the very language that far right strategists invented for talking about women's medical procedures.

 The term "partial-birth abortion" is "not medical terminology" according to the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and many other leading legal and medical associations. Yet, the media continues to use this phrase and others as legitimate medical terms, making right-wing rhetoric seem like factual language in the minds of voters.

 Next week, the United States Supreme Court will hear two important cases - both of which have been called out by all major American medical associations for using political rhetoric rather than medical language to describe abortion.

Reproductive Health Reality Check is asking mainstream media to refrain from using extremist rhetoric in their reporting of these cases and others. Join them in calling on news executives to ensure that journalists stop "talking right" about a woman's right to choose.
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[A Victory for Women! Congratulate Our New Pro-Choice Members of the Congress]]>
Claire McCaskill
Sherrod Brown
Gabrielle Giffords
Joe Sestak

It's a new morning in America, and our country has the chance to once again protect freedom, privacy, and a woman's right to choose. After a hard fought battle, we're asking you to welcome the new leaders of Congress and urge them to prioritize our pro-choice agenda.

Despite the hardened anti-choice agenda set by some of our nation's radical leaders, voters hit the polls and changed the tide, electing 20 new pro-choice members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sign the petition to show your support for our new pro-choice Senators and Representatives. By encouraging them early on, our new leaders are more likely to do their best in continuing to support women's health and reproductive rights.

Your comments will be delivered directly to them in January.

Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Tell the FDA: We Want Safe Birth Control Pills!]]> Is your birth control dangerous?

It could be--7.5 million prescriptions for third-generation oral contraceptives were filled last year in the U.S. alone!

Watch Kate's movie:
Chances are, if you're taking one of these drugs, you weren't told very much about it. But these third generation birth control pills contain a synthetic progestin called desogestrel, which doubles the risk of life-threatening blood clots compared to birth control pills that do not contain this ingredient.

So why would doctors choose to prescribe something that's twice as likely to hurt you when there are other, safer alternatives available? And why does the Food and Drug Administration continue to ignore evidence that these drugs hurt women?

Support Public Citizen's petition to the FDA. Demand that the FDA ban third-generation oral contraceptives!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Tell Wal-Mart to Sell Emergency Contraception Without Humiliation or Delay]]> Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Support the Prevention First Act & Help Prevent Unintended Pregnancies]]> Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Thank CA Senator for Her Efforts to Protect Domestic Violence Victims and Their]]> 71 percent of pet-owning women in shelters reported that a pet had been threatened, injured or killed by their abuser.

We as a nation learned after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina that people seeking protection need to be able to protect their pets, too. Senator Sheila Kuehl understands how important the human–animal bond is, and has drafted critical legislation in California to include pets in domestic violence protection orders. This legislation is an important step in preventing abusers from using pets to threaten their victims.

The ASPCA applauds Senator Kuehl's foresight in introducing this bill; if passed, California will join the states of Maine, Vermont and New York in leading the charge against domestic violence. Let Senator Kuehl know you appreciate her efforts to protect victims of domestic violence and the animals they love – sign our petition to say thank you!
Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Support the Freedom of Choice Act]]> Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Make Childbirth Safe for ALL Women! Support the Safe Motherhood Platform]]> Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Don't Publish OJ Simpson's 'If I Did It' Book]]>

Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, is shocked and horrified by the Goldman family's decision to publish OJ Simpson's "If I Did It" book. Reportedly, the Goldman family, who owns the rights to the book, has finalized a deal with a publisher in New York.

Nicole's sister is asking the public to sign a petition to boycott the book and help protect Sydney and Justin, Nicole's children, from being subjected to this step by step manual on how their mother was murdered.


Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Stop Rape and Other Violence Against Women in the the Democratic Republic of Con]]> Take Action]]> <![CDATA[Lift Women Out of Poverty with the GROWTH Act]]> Take Action]]>