Congratulations NOW ~ you made the right choice!

It may have been close in numbers but it was not close in any other way.  The two slates that were running for national NOW office were as different as possible within a non-profit, social justice, organization. 

All day long I was writing a little speech, imagining it written on a 3X5 card, standing at a mic ~

This year, the decision could not be clearer.  If you believe that NOW should be an advocacy organization for the Democratic Party, a lobbying body for pro-woman legislation, working in courtrooms and Congress then vote for the incumbent's slate.  (While Kim Gandy may not be running, she is the obvious architect of the Lyles slate).  If you believe that NOW should be a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing, protecting and educating women and girls in their neighborhood, in their community, in their schools then vote for the O'Neil Matson Slate. 

Frankly I was afraid to hope, as the fans of the legislative approach have made significant headway.  They have a penchant for Roberts Rules of Order, bylaws, grievances, closed circles and preferring their primary skill set; litigation and lobbying.  It could be argued that laws are needed to protect women and girls; but it leaves a gaping void in the development and education of FEMINISTS. 

The founders of NOW knew that it all started with an individual and their understanding of human potential.  The entire Second Wave was built through Consciousness Raising, establishing Women's Studies classes and, organically, demanding reproductive autonomy.  Sure Roe V.Wade was a court case, but the hearts and minds of the people had to understand that biology is not destiny for it to get any traction.  We had to know it was the right thing to do.

Classes, actions, meetings, sisterhood - that is what creates feminism.  To those who want to make it all happen in the courts, there are organizations that do just that and I hope you join them, work for them and are fabulously successful.  But NOW was not a private club just for lawyers and lobbyists, it is for girls and boys, women and men who want equality. 

I am hopeful again.  I am thinking that NOW can be MY organization again. 

Comments

[Christina]

Yay! I'm excited to hear the good news!