Dear Lucas,
Well, it sure didn't take long for congressional Republicans to show their true colors. Remember all that talk last fall about strengthening the economy and creating jobs? Looks like that's all it was: talk! Republicans pulled a major bait-and-switch on the American public and are now pursuing a radical social agenda that jeopardizes our health and threatens our rights.
Thank goodness for EMILY's List elected women, who are defending our rights and giving Republicans hell. During the outrageous debate on defunding Planned Parenthood, Congresswomen Gwen Moore and Jackie Speier gave searing speeches on the House floor recounting their personal experiences with choice, family planning, and reproductive health. And there are so many more examples -- we've included just a few below.
The House GOP just passed a budget that would recklessly deny American women and their families access to vital health care facilities and services. EMILY's List women in the Senate stood up and said no, helping the Senate to block it from passing. These brave senators are ensuring our voices are heard and our rights are protected. But the fight is far from over -- House Republicans are more committed than ever to an extreme agenda.
If you haven't already done so, please sign our petition today to show our EMILY's List senators that we've got their backs. They're standing up for us every single day -- and they need to know that we'll stand up for them against the coming onslaught of right-wing attacks.
Now here's the latest News from the Field!
Sincerely,
Amy K. Dacey
Executive Director
It's game on in West Virginia
The race for governor of West Virginia is fully engaged, with Secretary of State Natalie Tennant running strong in this special May 14 primary election. Natalie, a former TV anchor and the first Democratic female secretary of state of West Virginia, is a first-class multi-tasker: statewide elected official, small-business owner, mom, and wife of an active duty Naval reserve officer. Click here to get the latest on this race -- the ads, the polls, and the candidates -- and learn more about this rising star, who could be the first woman governor of West Virginia.
EMILY's List and the Wisconsin 14: The fight for workers' -- and women's -- rights
Working Wisconsinites have been battling their union-busting, Tea Partying governor -- and state Senators Julie Lassa and Lena Taylor have led the charge. Unfortunately, Walker and his cronies rammed their unfair bill through this week -- but it's not over yet. Click here to watch an inspirational video showing how Julie, Lena, and state Rep. Tamara Grigsby are fighting for our progressive values -- like choice, education, and health care for kids -- thanks to the support of EMILY's List. We're standing with them -- and we couldn't be prouder.
Fighting back against the GOP war on women
Every day, our EMILY's List congresswomen and senators are decrying the right wing's despicable anti-woman agenda. Here's a round-up of some of the most atrocious bills and how we're fighting back.
EMILY's List Communications Director Jen Bluestein on Cong. Mike Pence's cruel attempt to defund Planned Parenthood and its life-saving services for American women.
Whether they're redefining rape or showing callous disregard for our lives, Republicans have shown their real agenda has very little to do with creating jobs and a whole lot more to do with rolling back women's rights.
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Richard Blumenthal stand with EMILY's List against the radical GOP agenda.
Congresswoman Gwen Moore on why we need more women to fight the war on women.
"Miss Representation": the EMILY's List interview with filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom
You don't have to go to Hooters to see women objectified. Demeaning stereotypes are as close as your computer, television, or morning paper. The relentless onslaught of sexist images puts women leaders at a serious disadvantage and wreaks havoc on young women's ambitions and self-esteem. How bad is it? To find out, EMILY's List talked to documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom at the Athena Film Festival in New York City. Click here to read our interview.
EMILY's List celebrates Women's History Month
At EMILY's List, we celebrate the contributions and achievements of women pretty much year-round. But we really ramp it up in March, the official Women's History Month. To share the love, we're asking the EMILY's List community to tell us about the women who've touched their lives. The response has been incredible. Click here to add your story.
My grandmother, Casimira Luna Valdez, was only 17 when she left her home in San Luis Potosi to come to Texas during the Mexican Revolution.
She settled in Dallas, where she started a family, opened her restaurant business, and made sure her family never knew hunger the way she did. She also never turned away anybody who showed up at the back door of the restaurant during the Great Depression.
By the time she passed away in 1986 at 84, she owned her own home, didn't owe a dime to anyone, and had instilled a deep love for this country -- and her maternal homeland -- in all her children and grandchildren. In fact, she sent four of her five sons off to fight in America's wars -- three fought in World War II and the youngest in Viet Nam.
She was a tough but loving matriarch, and we still love her and always think about her. She set the example, and we follow her lead to this day.
-- Mercedes O.