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Spring 2010 newsletter of Pennsyvania NOW Inc.
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Pennsylvania NOW
PENNSYLVANIA Inc.
NOW TIMES Pennsylvania NOW Times
Spring 2010
New Executive Board Elected Inside this issue:
Pennsylvania NOW also lives in Shani Robin, New Executive Committee 1
elected our new Wilkinsburg, Member At Large of Voters’ Guide - PAC 2
Executive Committee Allegheny County the Executive
for 2010-2011 at the and is the other Co- Committee. Shani Fundraising Update 3
biennial convention President of East lives in State College, Legislative Updates 4-7
held in State College End NOW. She is Centre County. She
on December 5, 2009. returning for her is a member of Ni-Ta- NOW/PAC Endorses Lois 7-8
Our new officers are: third term as Nee NOW. And this
Treasurer. is her first term on the
Joanne Tosti- Executive Northwestern PA NOW.
Vasey, President. Mary Kay
Committee. This is also her third
Joanne lives in Peterson,
term on the Executive
Bellefonte, Centre Secretary. Mary Susan Woodland, Committee.
County. She is Co- Kay lives in Honey Member At Large of
President of Ni-Ta- Brook, Chester the Executive
Nee NOW. This County. She is Committee. Susan
will be her third President of lives in Edinboro, Erie
term as President Chester County County. She is the
of Pennsylvania NOW. And this will President of
NOW. be her sixth term as
Secretary.
Kathleen Wilson,
Vice President. Doris Pridgen,
Kathleen lives in Member At Large
Wilkinsburg, of the Executive
Allegheny County. Committee. Doris
She is Co- lives in
President of East Philadelphia. She
End NOW. This is a member of
will be her third Philadelphia NOW.
term as Vice This is her forth
President. term as a member
of the Executive
Pamela Macklin, Committee.
Treasurer. Pamela Members of PA NOW Executive Committee (l to
r): Joanne Tosti-Vasey, President; Kathleen
Wilson, Vice President;
How to contact Pennsylvania NOW Pamela Macklin, Treasurer;
TREASURER’S Shani Robin, At-Large
MAIN OFFICE E-Mail
OFFICE Member; & Susan
PENNSYLVANIA NOW Joanne Tosti-Vasey, President
PENNSYLVANIA N0W panow@panow.org
Woodland, At-Large
P.O. Box 68 Member. Missing from
Bellefonte, PA 16823 Treasurer’s Office Kathy Wilson, Vice-President
P.O. Box 8614 kathyjoycewilson@aol.com picture are Mary Kay
Phone: 814-280-8571
Fax: 814-355-3057 Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 Pamela Macklin, Treasurer Peterson, Secretary & Doris
412-242-4448 pmacfish@aol.com Pridgen, At-Large Member.
Mary Kay Peterson
mkpeterson2@verizon.net
PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 2
National NOW/PAC & PA NOW PAC Voters’ Guide
Primary Election Day is Tuesday May 18, 2010. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The following
information is provided to you from the National NOW PAC and the PA NOW PAC.
National NOW/PAC: The National NOW PAC makes endorsements in all Federal races. As of May 6th,
2010 the following people have been endorsed in Pennsylvania:
U.S. Senate: U.S. Congress:
Joe Sestak (D) http://joesestak.com Lois Herr (D) 16th CD http://herr2010.com
U.S. Congress: Bryan Lentz (D) 7th CD http://votelentz.com
Ryan Bucchianeri (D) 12th CD http://ryan2010.com Manan Trivedi (D) 6th CD
http://trivediforcongress.com
Pennsylvania NOW PAC: The Pennsylvania NOW PAC makes endorsements for all
statewide and local races. This year, there are races for Governor, Lt. Governor, half of the
PA State Senate, all PA House races, and all precinct-level and state committee level seats
for both the Democratic and Republican parties. As of May 6th the following people have
been endorsed. We are continuing to interview other candidates. We will update our
endorsements at http://www.panow.org as they become available. Click on PA NOW PAC
and then on PAC Endorsements for full details.
Governor: Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee
Joe Hoeffel (D) http://joehoeffel2010.com
Lt. Gov: Jonathan Saidel (D) http://saidel2010.com Pamela Macklin (D) Allegheny Co., 38th SD
Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Barbara Ernsberger (D) Allegheny Co., 43rd SD
Tonya D. Payne (D) 19th HDhttp://tonyapayne.com Karen Cochran (D) Bucks County
st
Tina Davis (D) 141 HD http://votetinadavis.com Stephanie Fineman (D) Bucks County
nd
Babette Josephs (D)182 HD Joanne Tosti-Vasey (D) Centre County
http://reelectbabette.com Ruth Damsker (D) Montgomery County
Pennsylvania Senate: Karen Bojar (D) Philadelphia Co., 4th SD
Ruth Damsker (D) 12th SD http://voteruth.com
PAC Donations
The PA NOW PAC needs your help to put out a voter’s Yes, I want to help support the PA NOW PAC
guide and to assist NOW endorsed candidates for
statewide and local office. we need funds donated Yes, I wish to make an nondeductible donation to
directly to the PA NOW PAC. If you are interested in help the PAC: $25__ $50___$100___$250___
electing public officials who fully support the full equality of
Other $____.
women, then please donate to the PA NOW PAC by credit
card online at http://wwww.panow.org or mail your Donation over $250.00 require the following additional information:
donation to PA NOW PAC, P.O. Box 8614, Wilkinsburg, PA Occupation: _______________________________________
15221. Thank you! Employer: _________________________________________
Method of Payment Name:
Check (PA NOW PAC)
Credit Card # Exp. date
Discover Address:
Visa Signature
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Phone: Voters’ Guide paid for by PA NOW PAC & NOW/PAC
American Express
Pennsylvania NOW Times
PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 3
NOW is the time to dig deep!
Prepare to fight, keep the pressure on!
Women’s rights are under What can we do?
Send your tax deduction deductable donation to
attack:
our Pennsylvania NOW Education Fund, P.O.
Right to a legal, safe abortion Box 8614, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 or online at
Right to have birth control http://panow.org/edfund.htm. The Fund is a not-
Right to pay equity for-profit organization, that focuses on raising
Right to privacy and self the consciousness of people and in particular
determination young women and corporations on feminist
Right to freedom from issues. The overwhelming sexist and violent
discrimination media from video games to television to movies
Right to disability rights is increasing. We saw this in the Super Bowl
Right to freedom from sexual advertising. Now there is a new Japanese video
assault, domestic violence, stalking game promoting rape and molestation “until our
Right to equal sports scholarships
women and daughters learn to like it”.
Right to herstory
Right to healthcare What can we do?
Right to quality public education Our President Joanne Tosti-Vasey, Vice President
Right to organize Kathy Wilson and NOW leaders speak to
organizations, college students and at events
What can we do? addressing feminist issues. Invite them to speak
Help us go “green” save trees to your organization or campus event.
and money (paper, printing, What can we do?
postage). Keep your favorite TV stations phone numbers
Help us save your money for by your side. Pick up the phone and call the
station or corporation when you see or hear
actions.
anti-female sexually explicit, violent, or degrading
Email “panow@panow.org” behavior or advertising to or about women.
with your latest email address E.g. billboards advertising a gun show depicted a
with “PNT mail” in subject woman with a target on each breast. Email,
line so we can send you a link write or call the corporations whose ads are
to our Spring Newsletter. degrading or support these shows or talk show
hosts.
YES — Make a Financial Commitment to your future
I will make a financial commitment to ensure Pennsylvania NOW is at the table with our friends to
STOP the right wing agenda to eliminate women’s rights and women’s unity
PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 4
Legislation
PA NOW is monitoring HB 164—PA NOW passage of this bill in the patients the ability to
several pieces of supports passage of General Assembly. choose the best
legislation in the this bill. This bill adds treatment plans for the
Pennsylvania General breastfeeding as a HB 2245 — PA NOW individual patient.
Assembly. protected class under supports passage of Referred to Senate
the PA Human this bill. This bill adds Banking and Insurance
Reproductive Justice Relations Act, which is language to the Committee on
Pennsylvania’s anti- Pennsylvania Human November 10, 2009.
Emergency Relations Act to make it
Contraception discrimination law. Bill For more information,
sent to Appropriations illegal to discriminate see
SB 402 — PA NOW Committee from against someone in http://pennsylvanianow.
supports passage Children and Youth employment based on blogspot.com/2010/03/t
WITHOUT any Committee on either their marital or hree-bills-for-women-
amendment. It requires February 11, 2009. familial status. HB 2245 on-ides-of-march.html.
hospitals to provide passed out of the House
Emergency HB 1303—PA NOW State Government
Contraception (EC) to all supports passage of Committee on March 9,
this bill. This bill would 2010 and is currently in Health Care
sexual assault victims
who come to the prohibit discrimination the Appropriations The Federal Health
emergency room. The against a woman who Committee. Rep. Carroll Care bill passed in
hospital & staff must is breastfeeding in has agreed to urge Congress in March
provide every woman terms of hiring, firing, expanding the definition 2010. It is a good start.
clear & unbiased or discipline and must of family status to include However there are
information on EC. Anti- allow these women to family responsibilities serious problems with
choice advocates & express their milk across the life span. the bill for women that
legislators want to during break periods. Please call Rep. Carroll need to be fixed. These
amend this bill to allow Complaints must be and you state legislator include:
hospitals & doctors to opt filed with the PA to urge them to add this
out of providing EC. This Department of Labor amendment to the bill The bill contains a
is currently sitting in the within 90 days of and then vote for the bill sweeping anti-
Senate Public Health violation. Bill sent to in its entirety. For more abortion provision.
and Welfare Committee Appropriations details go to This provision
Committee from http://pennsylvanianow.bl ultimately achieves
Reproductive Health Children and Youth ogspot.com/2010/03/thre the same outcome
Committee on e-bills-for-women-on- as the infamous
HB 28 — PA NOW Stupak-Pitts
November 10, 2009. ides-of-march.html.
supports passage of Amendment, namely
this bill. This “Pharmacy Note, the new Federal Eating Disorders the likely elimination
Act” requires Health Care Law of all private as well
pharmacists to fill all requires workplaces SB 1138 — PA NOW
supports this bill. to as public insurance
legal prescriptions with 50 or more coverage for
without delay unless employees to create increase awareness and
show support for this abortion. It imposes
there are medical lactation-friendly a bizarre
contraindications, policies and create legislation that would
require insurance requirement on
duplications, incorrect private spaces (NOT in insurance plan
dosages, drug-allergy bathrooms) for companies to cover non-
hospital residential care enrollees who buy
interactions, drug abuse, lactation purposes. coverage through
or inability to pay for Rx. This law can, in PA for eating disorder
patients, thereby the health insurance
This bill was referred to NOW’s opinion, be
the Health and Human used to urge for quick allowing doctors and (Continued on page 5)
“
PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 5
Legislation (Continued)
(Continued from page 4) The bill also working to have preexisting conditions or
permits gender- Congress eliminate the ability to pay; these bills
exchanges to write rating, the practice Hyde amendment and also preserve the
two monthly checks of charging women will continue their work private health care
(one for an abortion higher premiums for passage of a single– system with the right of
care rider and one for simply because payer health care individuals to choose
all other health care). they are women. program at both the state their own doctors. PA
Even employers will Large-group plans and federal levels. NOW urges passage
have to write two (more than 100 of the Economic
separate checks for employees) sold Pennsylvania is one of Impact Study as well
each of their through the the states at the forefront as HB 1600 / SB 400.
employees exchanges will be for passage of Single-
requesting the permitted to Payer Healthcare, which Care Giving
abortion rider. discriminate PA NOW supports.
There are two bills in the HB 245 — PA NOW
against women -- supports this bill, which
President Obama having an General Assembly on
made an eleventh- this issue. amends the Family
especially harmful Caregiver Support Act
hour agreement to impact in
issue an executive SR 267 in Re SB 400: to provide lottery fund
workplaces where State Health Care monies to assist
order lending the women
weight of his office to Economic Impact persons who are
predominate. Study—This resolution primary at-home
the anti-abortion
measures included in Preexisting creates a study to review caregivers of
the bill. This conditions the impact of PA’s “functionally dependent
executive order helps restrictions/costs proposed “Family and and victims of chronic
to cement the are not entirely Business Healthcare dementia” who earn
misconception that eliminated. Security Act” (SB 400) less than 200% of
the Hyde Insurance on the state. A federal poverty income.
Amendment is companies will no bipartisan majority (34 of This bill unanimously
settled law rather longer be able to 50) of the PA Senators passed the House on
than what it really is - deny health who have signed on as March 30, 2009. It has
- an illegitimate tack- insurance to sponsors of the bill. In remained in the Senate
on to an annual people with order to get a hearing to Aging and Youth
must-pass preexisting pass the Resolution, Committee since then.
appropriations bill. conditions. But pressure needs to be put Poverty Issues
they don’t have to on to Senators Dominic
The bill permits age- Pileggi, Joseph Scarnati, HB 1766 – would
provide the require a 90-day
rating, the practice of coverage at the Jake Corman, and Don
imposing higher White. Please call them residency period in PA
same cost they before being eligible for
premiums on older quote to people and tell them you want a
people. This practice hearing NOW! any Dept of Welfare
without the benefit. NOW opposes
has a preexisting
disproportionate SB 400 and HB 1600. In these poor economic
condition. This These are the bills that times, this could put
impact on women, would include
whose incomes and will create the “Family families lives at threat if
conditions like and Business Healthcare this denial prevents
savings are lower diabetes, high
due to a lifetime of Security Act” Both bills access to food, housing,
blood pressure, provide comprehensive, and/or health care that
systematic wage obesity, etc.
discrimination. universal health would otherwise be
National NOW is coverage regardless of (Continued on page 6)
PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 6
Legislation (Continued)
(Continued from page 5) that denies services to bill would creates a SR 253—PA NOW
citizens and legal “Sexual Violence Victim supports this bill.
available. Bill is currently residents of the US. Protection Order” for VICTORY! This is a
in the House Health and Most people denied sexual violence victims. Resolution directing the
Human Services services through this Basically, this is a Joint State Government
Committee. program are people of Protection From Abuse Commission to
Lesbian Rights color. HB 44 was law for victims of sexual establish an advisory
referred to House assault. This bill is committee to study the
HB 300— LGBT Civil Health and Human awaiting a final vote in problem of human
Rights Bill. PA NOW Services Committee. the Senate before being trafficking and to make
supports this bill, which HB 1184 was referred sent to the House. a report to the Senate
seeks to amend the PA to the House on the issue of human
Human Relations Act to Intergovernmental Human Trafficking trafficking, including a
prohibit discrimination Affairs Committee. SB SB1227— PA NOW proposed State plan for
based on sexual 9 was passed by the supports this bill. This the prevention of human
orientation & gender full Senate on April 3, bill mandates the posting trafficking and any
identity in employment, 2009 and has sat in of the National Human recommendations for
housing, & public the House State Trafficking Resource changes in State law,
accommodations. HB Government Center hotline, in key policies and
300 has passed out of Committee since then. locations throughout the procedures. Adopted by
the House State Stopping Violence state to provide Senate on April 20,
Government Committee Against Women assistance, tip reporting 2010.
on March 5, 2009 and is and training on human
now in the House Protection from Abuse Shackling of Pregnant
trafficking to victims, Women
Appropriations community members and
Committee. HB 1191—PA NOW
supports this bill. It law enforcement. Posting SB 1074—PA NOW
Promoting Diversity & creates a “Criminal of signs would be supports this bill. This
Ending Racial Protective Order” for required in massage bill prohibits correctional
Discrimination people who are being parlors, spas, facilities within the state
stalked, intimidated, or restaurants, bars, from shackling pregnant
SB 9, HB 44, & HB 1184 threatened by another. taverns, hotels or clubs women during labor and
– requires all recipients It adds a Civil that have a valid liquor or delivery. FYI, most
of public benefits over Protection from Abuse malt or brewed beverage jurisdictions in
age 18 to sign an Order to prevent abuse license, adult Pennsylvania either
affidavit and then have (sexual or physical) entertainment have no policy or have
their names checked even in cases where enterprises, hotels or explicit policy allowing
through the US there is no familial motels found to be a this procedure.
Department of Homeland relationship between drug-related nuisance, Currently, only the PA
Security SAVE (federal the perpetrator and the airports, train stations or Department of
Systematic Alien victim. It also creates bus stations, and Corrections and the
Verification of a permanent state- welcome centers and Philadelphia Prison
Entitlement) program to wide registry of ALL rest areas operated by Board are the only know
prove they are citizens or criminal and civil the Dept of jurisdictions known to
legal residents of US protective orders. This Transportation. This bill prohibit this practice
before receiving benefits. bill is in the House was referred to Senate (Philadelphia NOW
PA NOW opposes all Judiciary Committee. Labor & Industry helped create this
three bills as they target Committee on February prohibition in the city).
legal immigrants with a SB 432 – PA NOW 4, 2010. In addition, the Centre
flawed database system supports this bill. This (Continued on page 7)
PENNSYLVANIA NOW TIMES Page 7
Legislation (Continued)
(Continued from page 6) procedures. a Senate floor vote. believe that allegations
Restrictions could HB 463 – Joint Custody of abuse are
County Prison Board is include – stay away bill mandates that in presumptively false,
currently rewriting their order, travel contested custody cases, simply a nuclear
policy after they agreed restrictions, removal of physical custody goes to weapon in the ongoing
to not shackle a pregnant child’s passport or stop the parent who in the divorce custody war. A
woman in January 2010 order for passport, and opinion of the court is study conducted in
at the behest of PA visitation restrictions. more likely to allow 2008 by a statewide
NOW. This bill has While this bill may help visitations. Contrary to parental education
passed the Senate and protect children from Fathers’ Rights groups’ program found that only
was referred to the familial kidnapping, it arguments, only 1% of 9% of these allegations
House Judiciary could also prevent cases are litigated. were false. With this
Committee on March 18, international women Mothers usually get belief by professionals
2010. who are fleeing a custody by agreement of in the court system,
domestic violence the parties in the rest of custody of children by
Family Law situation from leaving, their alleged abuser
divorce cases. In
HB 90 – Uniform Child resulting in the entire addition, there is a would be more likely to
Abduction Prevention Act family remaining in pervasive attitude in the happen if this bill
– bill creates procedures danger. Until this courts that allegations of passes. PA NOW
for determining when a conflict is resolved, PA child abuse are not true. therefore opposes this
child is likely to be NOW opposes this Many professionals bill. This bill continues
abducted allowing a bill. This bill has involved in custody to sit in the House
court to implement child passed out of the cases involving Judiciary Committee.
abduction prevention House and is awaiting allegations of child abuse
NOW/PAC Endorses Lois Herr for Congress
On Saturday, November November 21, 2009 NOW PAC endorsing
7, 2009, Congressman Pennsylvania NOW, Lois for this seat. Thanks in large part to
Joe Pitts of Lancaster, National NOW, and The National Pitts' efforts, the
PA , along with Bart Planned Parenthood Organization for Women House's version of
Stupak, inserted an PA Advocates held a Political Action health care reform now
amendment into the protest rally against Committee is proud to stands as the greatest
House version of the Rep. Joe Pitts for co- announce our threat to women's
health care bill that authoring the Stupak- endorsement of Lois fundamental right to
denied access to Pitts amendment to the Herr for Congress in abortion in decades.
abortions through the health care reform bill . Pennsylvania's 16th That's why we're here
proposed health During the rally, the District. Lois is taking on today on Joe Pitts'
insurance reform (A National NOW PAC the all-important home turf -- not only to
slightly different version announced their challenge of unseating express outrage at his
of this prohibition put into endorsement of long- Rep. Joe Pitts, co-author actions but also to
the Senate version of the time NOW member of the outrageous demonstrate our
bill by Senator Nelson and women’s rights Stupak-Pitts commitment to getting
became law in March advocate Lois Herr for Amendment. Lois rightly Lois Herr elected in this
when the health care bill this seat. called this amendment "a district next November.
was signed into law by direct attack on the
President Obama). Here’s the speech Lois is dedicated to
given by Terry O’Neill, freedom and privacy of
Two weeks later, on American women." providing affordable
Chair of the National (Continued on page 8)
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
Pennsylvania NOW Inc. PAID
PITTSBURGH PA
PERMIT NO 1099
Pennsylvania NOW Inc.
P.O. Box 8614
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Political Information Enclosed
Pennsylvania
NOW Inc.
GOING GREEN! Save costs and to save Trees.
We will be sending out future copies of the Pennsylvania NOW Times
See the PA NOW via email to everyone for whom we have an email address.
PAC Voter’s Please send us your name and email address to panow@panow.org;
Guide on page 2. put “PNT email” in the subject line.
To continue receiving a paper newsletter, please write to our main
office (see front page) or call 814-280-8571. Thank You!
Endorsement of Lois Herr by NOW/PAC (continued)
(Continued from page 7) We have a battle ahead
of us, but I am confident
health care to every that the people of
person in the United Pennsylvania's 16th
States, but not at the District will see the light.
expense of women's The current health care
access to reproductive debate has revealed the
health services. She is a cynical side of law-
longtime NOW member making and exposed
and a strong supporter of those legislators who are
constitutional equality, only too willing to throw
equal pay, affirmative women overboard for the
action, equal marriage sake of political
rights and the full range expediency. To those like
of feminist issues. Lois Joe Pitts, I say: if
understands the hurdles women's rights aren't
that women face every safe when you're in
day in this country, and office, then we'll just
when we send her to have to replace you. And L. to R.: Congressional Candidate Lois Herr (D),
Capitol Hill, she will work I can't think of a better PA 16th CD; PA NOW President Joanne Tosti-
to improve the lives of candidate to take your Vasey; Lancaster Councilwoman Louise Williams;
women and girls. seat than Lois Herr. National NOW President Terry O’Neill; and State
Representative Barbara McIllvaine-Smith.
Representative Barbara McIllvaine-Smith.
