Real Status Of Women and Girls on Constitution Day – 9/17/19

Women are taking back Constitution Day, an underutilized and under-appreciated holiday – celebrating the day the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia in 1787. The U.S. Constitution is a statement of the basic principles and laws of our nation that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it. States and groups can also have constitutions. The U.S. Constitution is regarded as the oldest written and codified national constitution in force. Constitution Day is the perfect time to educate people that women are not equally protected under our constitution, and about what could remedy that. The Equal Means Equal documentary by Kamala Lopez shows how women and girls are treated in multiple areas, the systems are failing them.

Screening Equal Means Equal on 9/17/19 Photo Credit: Gailya Paliga

Equal Means Equal Screening and Discussion – 9/17/19

Equal Means Equal is a groundbreaking film on women’s rights.

Learn about the true status of women and girls in the United States. This documentary follows Kamala Lopez as she journeys across the country to learn what women think about their lives, and how or if they want them to change. The interviews tell the stories of four generations of American women grappling with the status of their rights, the issues they face and how these have impacted our society. Lopez talks with women from the well-known, such as actress Patricia Arquette, and legendary feminist Gloria Steinem, to the unknown, including gang girls and hotel maids, to find out how being female impacts daily life, whether economically, politically or socially.

The film runs 90 minutes. Afterward, there will be time for discussion. You will want to discuss!

Voices from the Coverage Gap Event on 8/27/19 with Raleigh NOW

“Living without health insurance is like playing Russian Roulette with your life.” Jesse, Moore County. All over our State, many North Carolinians are unable to get the medical care they need because they don’t have any health coverage. Rebecca Cerese, the Health Engagement Coordinator for the NC Justice Center, amplifies their stories, in hopes of creating real policy change. She will be sharing some of these stories and discussing ways we can work together to fix this problem.

Filmmaker Rebecca Cerese at work, Photo Credit: Steve Whitsitt

Some Inspiring and Some Maddening Documentaries to See

There are some excellent documentaries available. Here are a few, including “Seeing Allred” (about women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred), Equal Means Equal (unequal rights for women and girls in the U.S.), RBG (Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg), Trapped (about TRAP laws limiting or stopping access to abortion clinics), and more.

1. Seeing Allred, About Women’s Rights Attorney Gloria Allred.

“Seeing Allred” is a 2018 documentary about women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred. It shows what one woman can do. The film intertwines the stories of Ms. Allred’s life with her persistence in going after actor Bill Cosby with what ended up being 50 women willing to speak out about what he did to them.

This film may really change your perception about who Ms Allred is, but also about how telling stories can heal, and what one woman’s persistence can do.

Photo Credit: Gailya Paliga

NC NOW Newsletter Available – January/February/March 2019

The January, February and March 2019 newsletter is available. January and February have been a whirlwind of activity – 6 women’s marches around the state, getting people to other marches, NC NOW’s annual pro-choice signature ad, and organizing other events and advocacy days. Also, strong reactions to administration activities and lawmakers. There is plenty more to do in March and the rest of the year! NOW chapters choose what they want to do—Charlotte NOW actively working against ICE raids, Fayetteville NOW continues to work collaboratively against racism and sexism. Raleigh NOW is involved with rallies at Senator Tillis’ office highlighting ICE raids and the domestic gag rule (Mar 12).  Following NC NOW’s website and on facebook will help you keep much more up to date on activities.

Charlotte NOW at Charlotte Women’s March – 1/26/19 Photo Credit: Charlotte NOW

ERA is in the air and in the news! See March 5 ERA bill introduction and more on (page 1), and read about ERA Advocacy Day (1/30/19) on page 2.

ERA Advocacy Day at NCGA a Big Success! 1/30/19

On January 30, NC NOW, a lead organization of the NC-ERA Alliance, joined an Alliance call-to-action at the General Assembly. Advocates engaged in constituent visits to share materials supporting the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and to call on their representatives to co-sponsor ERA bills this session. ERA bills sponsored by Senator Floyd McKissick, Jr. (Senate) and Representative Carla Cunningham (House) are expected to be filed on March 5.

Women delivered two things to each legislator – a letter from the ERA-NC Alliance and Legalize Equality, a 30 minute DVD which makes the case for ERA. Great timing since January 30 was the legislators’ first day back and some legislators, and many legislative assistants, were available.

Representatives from many women’s organizations attended the event, which was organized by ERA-NC Alliance. ERA-NC Alliance is a coalition of mostly women’s organizations which are focused on getting ERA into the U.S. Constitution. 

ERA Advocacy Day Team, 1/30/19, at Legislative Building in Raleigh. Photo Credit: Mike Onnifrey

Volunteer opportunities – October 2018

Upcoming Opportunities to help in Raleigh in October 2018:
Oct 2 at Cameron Village Library, Raleigh NOW meeting, 7:15pm
Oct 4 at Halifax Mall – set up, clean up, or run the NC NOW table
Oct 8 at Mahler Art Gallery – bring food, help it stay stocked up, setup and cleanup
Oct 17 at NC NOW Office – putting conference packets together
Oct 19 at screening of Seeing Allred in Raleigh, set up, clean up
Oct 20 at state conference – room and food set up and cleanup

Email president at raleighnow.org if you can help at any or all of these events.

Female Lego Judge picture, in honor of Judicial Meet and Greet on Oct 8, in Raleigh.

Updates on “Women Rising Up NOW” Conference

Time to register for the conference on 10/20/18. The Call to Conference newsletter at NOWNewsFall2018.Conference v4. 2018 NC NOW State Conference theme is “Women Rising Up NOW!” Please join us 10/20/18 in Raleigh. Read about keynote speaker and more in the newsletter.

Civil Rights Attorney, Anita Earls Photo Credit: Anita Earls

Inspiring “Seeing Allred” in Raleigh on 10/19/18

There is some great incentive to coming in to Raleigh the night before the NC NOW state conference – we’re screening “Seeing Allred,” a new documentary about Women’s Rights Attorney Gloria Allred.

The NC NOW State Conference is on Saturday, 10/20/18, with the theme of “Women Rising Up NOW!” To show what one woman can do, and in line with our conference theme, we are screening “Seeing Allred” for our event on Friday, 10/19/18, at 7pm.  Attorney Gloria Allred is an inspiration! The film intertwines the stories of her life and her persistence in going after actor Bill Cosby with what ended up being 50 women willing to speak out about what he did to them.

National NOW Conference 2018 Was Full Of Stars!

“Speak Truth To Power NOW” was the theme of the 2018 National NOW Conference held in San Jose California from Jul 6-Jul 8, 2018.  NOW members came from around the country to attend. The conference included many plenaries and workshops. There also was a PAC discussion luncheon, full of more fabulous speakers. My single favorite experience was meeting Attorney Gloria Allred after a screening of new documentary “Seeing Allred” which we hope to show in NC soon! My favorites speakers out of many exciting speakers were Feminist Majority founder Ellie Smeal and Nevada Senator Pat Spearman, who was instrumental in ratifying ERA in Nevada. Both of these women have come to North Carolina in the past – and I would say – follow them anywhere!

Gloria Allred receiving a Lifetime Acheivement Award from NOW. Photo credit: Linda Tosti-Lane