Just Say Hello

The Kingston AAUW is experimenting with a blog as website. You'll find this site contains lots of information about events, issues, and people that are important to us.

AAUW is all about exploring and learning, so dialog is important. You can use the 'comments' field to share your thoughts on any post. Try it.

To say hello, just click on the word 'comments' below. You'll get a little screen on which to leave your message. You then have to complete a box recognizing the letters so we know you aren't a robot trolling the internet.

Photo by Natascha2007

Update: Emergency Contraception

Last week we posted an AAUW Action Network Alert asking for support of the Emergency Contraception Education Act. The act hasn't made it out of Congress. This week, the NYC Public Advocate's Office released a report that reinforces the importance of the act.

NYC teens find access to contraception not so easy, report says -- Newsday.com: "The office found more than 60 percent of the clinics failed to have emergency contraception available, 73 percent of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene sites failed to provide birth control by prescription and only seven of the 38 teen health clinics had female condoms readily available."

If this is what women find in NYC, what do you think happens here in Ulster County?

Support the Emergency Contraception Education Act

AAUW Action Network: Support the Emergency Contraception Education Act: "Nearly half of pregnancies of U.S. women are unintended, and four in 10 of those pregnancies end in abortion. Increased access to information about emergency contraception will help reduce unplanned pregnancies, reduce abortions, and improve access to women's health care. In addition, only 12 states currently require hospital emergency rooms to provide emergency contraception-related services to victims of sexual assault, even though it is often the only contraceptive option available to them.

AAUW supports the right of every woman to obtain medically accurate information about and access to safe and comprehensive reproductive health services. AAUW believes that improved pregnancy prevention programs and access to complete reproductive health information and services enhance women's reproductive choices."

Click on the link above to Take Action! by sending a message to your representatives requesting their support of this bill which directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate information on EC to health care providers-including recommendations on the use of EC in appropriate cases-and to the American people.

In Memory of Dick Hlavsa

Vivi has asked me (Garnette) to let the AAUW membership know the following. Sorry if this duplicates previous emails to you.

"I know all of you would want to know our sad news: Dick Hlavsa died yesterday of injuries sustained during a car crash. He was able to tell the police our phone number, so I got there in time to see and comfort him at the scene of the accident before he was airlifted down to Westchester Trauma Center. When I finally arrived there, I found out that the internal bleeding had been massive, and by the time they had that under control, his heart stopped around 7 PM. David is here now and Lisa and Benjamin are coming later this week.

We are planning a memorial service for him this coming Saturday, September 22nd, from 3 to 5 PM at the Unitarian Congregation on Sawkill Road in Kingston. If you can't make it, I know you will be there in spirit. Please, no flowers. Contributions may be made to Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Love--ViVi"

We all share ViVi's grief. We have lost a friend.
Freeman article

Photo by David McConeghy

Urge Senate Ratification of World-Wide Women's Rights - Two Minute Activist

For more than 26 years, the U.S. Senate has failed not only to ratify the UN Women's Rights Treaty (CEDAW), but it has failed to even bring it to a vote. This lack of action is unacceptable.

185 countries have ratified the treaty.

The U.S. is one of only eight countries that have yet to do so. We stand alongside Sudan, Iran, Qatar, Somalia, Nauru, Palau, and Tonga. This is not the example the United States should be setting as a true leader of democracy and freedom around the world.

American Association of University Women - Two Minute Activist: "Take Action! Urge your senators to advocate for basic rights for all women around the world by ratifying CEDAW. Simply click the link, scroll down to the 'Take Action' section and follow the instructions to send your message to your U.S. Senators."