Women weren't given the right to vote; we fought for it

Ninety years have flown by since the passage of the 19th Amendment.

What do you think those fearless women and men who fought for women's right to vote would think if you told them they could only get paid 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for comparable work? [According to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the gap between men's and women's median earnings widened slightly between 2007 and 2008, from 78 percent to 77 percent for full-time, year-round workers.]

What do you think they would think of the small number of women in House and Senate?

Wouldn't they think there might be a connection?  Here's how these two issues are intertwined:

Women get paid less because there's no place to turn for protection under the law. The House has already  passed the Paycheck Fairness Act. More than once. If the Senate hasn't passed it before they adjourn in a few weeks, we start over again at the beginning. Again.

Here in NY, our elected representatives have played games with pay equity legislation, as they have with so many other issues. So, we don't have protection at the state level, either. I think Susan B. Anthony is right.

“There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.” -- Susan B. Anthony

 While many men say they support equal pay, they don't seem to be in office. Or, they aren't exerting their influence to get this legislation passed. And, nationally, the number of women in office may actually drop.

An article today by Lisa Mascaro in the LA Times said: 

Women now hold 90 [of 435] seats in Congress: 69 are Democrats and 21 are Republicans. After the November election, Congress could end up with as many as 10 fewer female members, prognosticators now say, the first backslide in the uninterrupted [slow] march of women to Washington since 1978.

So, here are a few things you can do:

• Take Action: Ask our representatives what specific things they will do now to ensure that pay equity legislation is passed now. 
• Ask every candidate this fall for their position on pay equity and whether they will provide leadership for passing pay equity and comparable worth legislation.
• Reach out to friends and family in other states, especially those with senators uncommitted or opposed to the Equal Pay Act, asking them to take action. You can find Congressional voting records on "women's issues" .here.
• Think about the women you know who would make strong candidates for office now or in the future. Encourage them to think about running. There are lots of resources available to help women sort out what it takes and whether to run. You can find a few here.
• Subscribe to the Two-minute Activist to stay abreast of these issues.

Save NY State's Lever System

The Kingston AAUW Public Policy Committee is working along with many others in NY State to keep our lever voting machines. NY is the only state that's withstood the push for electronic voting.

Dutchess County's legislature passed a resolution to keep levers in December. Columbia County will be voting on a resolution this week. It's time for Ulster County to act.

We've set up a Citizen Speak message -- it's like a local Two Minute Activist -- for people to let Ulster County Legislature's Chairman Donaldson and County Executive Hein know that we expect them to take action.

There's more info on the Unofficial Passions blog about why levers are better and links to sites with even more. We want to get the word out beyond the branch.

Here's the link to send your message.

Get your friends to send a message, too.

What's Up With Voting Machines in New York?

Image via WikipediaWhat's Up With Voting Machines in New York?

• How does a mandated switch to op-scan computers in 2009 square with the Constitution?
• Can we save our levers---and millions of dollars, too?
• Can op-scan voting be trusted?

These questions will be covered in a public forum

7 pm, Tuesday, December 9

at the Kingston Library, 55 Franklin Street

The forum will begin with the video "Hacking Democracy", which shows how optical scan computers, even with paper ballots, can be secretly hacked without a trace.

The video will be followed by attorney Andi Novick's explanation of why op scan, or any other computer voting, does not square with the NY State Constitution, which demands an "observable, transparent, and secure" system that computers cannot comply with.

She will also update the public on a pending legal case to ensure that legislators adhere to the Constitution and will detail the enormous costs a switch to computers would entail now and over the years vs keeping our levers.

Sponsored by the American Association of University Women, the program is free, and questions from the audience will be encouraged.

For more information: contact Irene Miller at 518 678-3516

Kingston AAUW in the News

Image via Wikipedia
Friday night forum - an excerpt from an article in the Catskill Daily Mail
http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2008/10/31/news/news2.txt

Barber also took part in an Oct. 24 “Meet the Candidates Night” at the Saugerties senior center in neighboring Ulster County. Of the 22 candidates running for New York State Legislature in Greene, Ulster and Dutchess counties who were invited to the event, 10 RSVP’d and seven turned out to discuss their positions on campaign finance reform, healthcare, the economy, the environment and education.

The Kingston chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsored and hosted the event, and they identified the five topics as vital issues of concern.

“I really think events like this are extremely important because first of all, it is very expensive for the candidates to run their campaigns, and the ads that they put out on the radio and so on — they just don’t do it. We need a lot more of these so that people get to know who is running and what they’re running for,” said Palenville resident Irene Miller, who coordinated the event. “We need to know what a candidate’s record is, and what their background is so that we can make good, informed decisions.”

Miller is a member of the AAUW and the New York Citizens for Clean Elections.

Other Greene County candidates who attended the forum include Assemblyman Pete Lopez, an incumbent in the 127th district who is running unopposed, and Assemblyman Tim Gordon, who is seeking re-election against Steve McLaughlin in the 108th district.

“It’s one thing to vote, and everybody should vote, but if you just go in and pull a lever, it doesn’t mean anything,” said Miller. “It’s important to know what you’re voting for, because it’s the only way we can have a democracy, and it’s the only way we can control what’s going on in our lives.”

The AAUW provides a powerful voice for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. It was founded in 1881 and today the organization boasts 100,000 members nationwide with 1,300 branches and 500 college and university partners.

“The candidates who came were very good. They all gave their positions openly and thoughtfully, and I think it was really a wonderful exchange for the audience,” said Miller, “The issues covered at the event are very important, and the voters got to hear each candidate’s position first-hand.”

Kingston CATV to Broadcast Candidates Forum Friday

Unofficial Passions: "Last Friday the Kingston AAUW branch hosted a 'Meet the Candidates for NY State Legislature' event. Kingston Community Access TV filmed the event and you can watch it Friday evening, October 31st, from 7-9 pm.

The candidates addressed the state budget crisis, pay equity, green jobs, health care, education, and campaign financing.

Candidates who attended include:

* Greg Ball (R), NYS Assembly District 99 (Dutchess)
* Don Barber (D), NYS Senate District 51 (Greene)
* Kevin Cahill (D), NYS Assembly District 101 (Dutchess, Ulster)
* Larry Delarose (D), NYS Senate District 39 (Orange, Ulster)
* Timothy Gordon (Ind.), NYS Senate District 108 (Greene)
* Pete Lopez (R), NYS Assembly District 127 (Greene, Ulster)
* Anne Rubin (D), NYS Assembly District 103 (Dutchess)
* Jonathan Smith (D), NYS Assembly District 102 (Dutchess)

Candidates who committed but didn't show up include:

* Steve McLaughlin (R), NYS Assembly District 108 (Greene)
* Robin Yess (R, C, I), NYS Assembly District 101 (Dutchess, Ulster)"

10/24: Meet the Candidates - Ulster, Green, & Dutchess Counties, NY

The Kingston Branch of the American Association of University Women is sponsoring a "Meet the Candidates Night" featuring candidates from Green, Ulster, and Dutchess counties who are running for the New York State Legislature. The meeting is being held as a public service to permit candidates to state their positions on campaign finance reform, pay equity and comparable worth, health care, and other state issues, which will be followed by interaction with voters from each of the counties.

Join us at the Saugerties Senior Center, Friday, October 24, at 7 pm.

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9/30: Watch 'Hacking Democracy' at the Public Policy Committee

Image via WikipediaThe Kingston Branch of AAUW invites everyone to join us Tuesday, September 30th, to watch and discuss Hacking Democracy.

HBO: Hacking Democracy - Synopsis: "Electronic voting machines count about 87% of the votes cast in America today. But are they reliable? Are they safe from tampering? From a current congressional hearing to persistent media reports that suggest misuse of data and even outright fraud, concerns over the integrity of electronic voting are growing by the day. And if the voting process is not secure, neither is America's democracy. The timely, cautionary documentary HACKING DEMOCRACY exposes gaping holes in the security of America's electronic voting system."

This year we will spend part of every Public Policy committee educating ourselves about important public issues.

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AAUW TV Show Launches Wednesdays til Nov 11

From Garnette:

Alice Paul image via Wikipedia

"So, refresh your memory. Some women won't vote this year because . . . why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?"

The quote above comes from an email I received in celebration of the anniversary last week of women's right to vote. I've reproduced the email below. It tells the story of those women who fought long and hard and paid very high prices for that right. It sets the stage for our TV show which premiere's on Wednesday evening. It is a story we shouldn't forget.

But first, let me tell you about our premiere.

WHY VOTE? See your AAUW colleagues, Doris Goldberg, Ruth Wahtera, Kathy Pauker, Irvin Rosenthal, Bette Nitze, Louise Flood, and surprise guests discuss the voting issues.

Co-hosts and producers Garnette Arledge, President of Kingston AAUW, and Janine Mower, Chairperson for Voter Education have been working all summer to address these questions. The result: an eleven-part public access tv show, (Woodstock Channel 23, or www.woodstocktv.org or ustream.com) from 8:30-9 pm, from Wednesday, Sept. 3 through Nov. 11.

We looked at all reasonable and true excuses, still excuses however. So we suggest watch our show tomorrow night, or anytime on the web then pre-plan your carpooling dates, take the children with you to the polls to model the voting privilege, remember polls are open before and after work. The one reason given above that cannot remain standing, the Power of One Vote, national AAUW's campaign. Each vote, even for states where the media calls it red or blue, or belonging to the other candidate, even then if the majority voters, that's women, would vote, we could have AAUW women in political office, we could have a government we choose taking our rightful response-ability seriously. Why Vote: because we can!

The email:

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote. The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote. (photo: Lucy Burns)

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic. They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

(photo Dora Lewis)
They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.

Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging,beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

(photo Alice Paul)

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.
(http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/prisoners.pdf)

So, refresh your memory. Some women won't vote this year because . . . why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work?Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

All reasonable and true excuses, still excuses however. So pre-plan your carpooling dates, take the children with you to model the voting privilege, polls are open before and after work. The one reason given above that cannot be remain standing, the Power of One Vote. Each vote, even for states where the media calls it red or blue, or belonging to the other candidate, even then if the majority voters, that's women would vote, we could have AAUW women in political office, we could have a government we choose taking our rightful response-ability seriously.

Why Vote: because we can!

A recent HBO movie 'Iron Jawed Angels' is a graphic depiction of the battle these women mentioned above waged so that each 'I' could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have her say. Frankly as a 'former' dis-enheartened voter, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

HBO released the movie on video and DVD. I wish all history and social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch the politicians try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.

The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Branch Voter Registration & Education Drive

From Janine Mower:

The AAUW Branch voter registration and education drive will begin in July with a TV show on Woodstock public access channel 23 - date and time to be announced.

Volunteers are welcome to come to Mower's Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday Markets to staff a card table

for voter registration and education beginning Wednesday, July 2. I will provide the card table; volunteers need to bring their own folding chairs. I will obtain the voter registration forms from the board of elections.

More details to follow in the next week or so; watch the KAAUW blog.

Voter Registration: Unequal Access

One of our mission-related areas of focus this spring is voter registration. Here's a new report that will help inform our planning.

Unequal Access: "Unequal Access: Neglecting the National Voter Registration Act, 1995-2007

Although millions of citizens have taken advantage of voter registration opportunities created by the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), key provisions of the law meant to reach populations with low voter registration rates have been poorly and inconsistently administered in many states. Specifically, states have failed to adequately implement — and the Department of Justice has in recent years failed in their duty to enforce — NVRA provisions that require states to offer voter registration in government agencies providing public assistance benefits.

Download the full report: Unequal Access: Neglecting the National Voter Registration Act, 1995-2007."

This information comes to us from Project Vote. Hat tip to Rokki Carr.

How did women vote on Tuesday?

AAUW DIAlog is the brand new blog brought to you by the AAUW staff at National. I encourage you to take a look. Here are some interesting stats from DIAlog blogger Seth Chase's post on Super Duper Tuesday.

• Women were more likely to vote Democratic than men, who were more likely to vote Republican.
• 80% of African American women voted for Barack Obama.
• 64% of Latinas voted for Hillary Clinton.
• 59% of white women voted for Hillary Clinton.
• Women over 60 were most likely to vote for Clinton (55%).
• John McCain held a small lead over Mitt Romney among women voters.

You can read the headlines for their posts in our sidebar. And you can subscribe to their updates via email or RSS feed. Pay them a visit and welcome them to the 'blogosphere.'

Call Janine Fallon-Mower to support Voter Turnout

KAAUW Branch Luncheon January 19 was so great. Well informed speaker, Deising’s lunch and made me happy in that a number of members have signed up to participate in the National AAUW project on a-political Voter Turnout. Let member Janine Fallon-Mower know if you are willing to make a few telephone support calls on voting. She’s in your yellow directory.

Debates 101 - How to watch political debates

From: Bill Moyer’s Journal Guest Blogger:

Debate Watching 101 with Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Director
Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania [link]











(Photo by Robin Holland)

By Kathleen Hall Jamieson
1) I recommend not watching the coverage immediately before the debate and, when the debate is finished, turn the television off and talk with your family about what you saw and what was important to you. And think about what you saw.
2) Candidates make different assumptions about government's role, about economic policy, about the value of government regulation, about the role of the US in the world, about appropriate use of military power, about US relationships with other countries... and the like. What are the governing philosophies of the candidates?
3) Come to a debate with a list of the issues that matter to you and ask what you learned about each candidate's record and promises on those issues. Where are they similar and how do they differ?
4) When a candidate promises a new program or any move that will reduce government revenue -- how will the candidate pay for it? Increase the deficit? Cut spending elesewhere and if so where? Raise taxes? On whom?
5) How accurate are candidates' descriptions of opponents' programs? And how accurate are a candidate's descriptions of his or her own record?
6) Is the candidate willing to tell voters things they don't want to hear about the challenges facing the country and what is required to address them?
7) If the country were faced with a crisis, what can you know from the candidates' past performance, character, and dispositions about whether the country would be in good hands?
In addition to Professor Jamieson's advice, you might wish to check candidate accuracy at one of the following websites:
FactCheck.org FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, which Jamieson directs, that aims to monitor the accuracy of major national candidates' statements and rhetoric.
COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW: Campaign Desk The journalists at CJR turn their attention to "auditing" campaign ads, speeches and other media moments. In addition to CJR staff a group of veteran journalists will add their perspective to the Campaign Desk's analysis.
The Fact-Checker Run by veteran journalist Michael Dobbs, The Fact-Checker is a project of the WASHINGTON POST that publishes research evaluating and providing background and context to candidate statements and popular political stories.
Politifact and Truth-0-Meter Politifact is an extensively cross-referenced fact-checking resource run as a joint project by the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES and CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY.