Cindy Pearson on Women’s E-News

Raising Women’s Voices partner Cindy Pearson was intereviewed by Molly Ginty for Women’s E-News. Cindy is the executive director of the National Women’s Health Network in Washington, DC and is a fabulous lady. The article, from Jun 26th is on their website here. Check it out!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha I love the internet.

This is amazing. I could watch this for hours, probably.

Check it out.

Thanks to Sam, a friend of health care reform advocates all over the world!

The White House makes move toward awareness and action

The White House announced on Friday that the first White House advisor on Violence Against Women will be Lynn Rosenthal, an activist who has been working in anti-violence and empowerment advocacy for many years. Check it out:

“In this new position, Rosenthal will be a liaison to the domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy community; coordinate with the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women on implementation of Violence Against Women Act programs; coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services on implementation of Family Violence Prevention Act services (including the National Domestic Violence Hotline); coordinate with the State Department and USAID on global domestic violence initiatives; and drive the development of new initiatives and policy aimed at combating domestic violence and sexual assault with advocacy groups and members of Congress.”

Read an article from Feministing, and a piece from the Family Violence Prevention Fund here. This appointment follows the Clinton-era 1994 Violence Against Women Act that was drafted by (then Senator) Joe Biden and by groups such as the National Organization for Women. It was last re-authorized by President George Bush in 2006 and will be up for another authorization in 2010.

With 4.8 million intimate partner assaults and rapes in this country per year, it is imperative that our government and our citizens get serious about preventing this. This issue is fresh in the minds of the public after the inexcusable violence against pop star Rihanna by her boyfriend, Chris Brown. Proof that intimate partner violence can, and does, happen to anyone.

“Doing nothing is not an option”

President Barack Obama has scheduled another town hall-style meeting to take place on Wednesday in Annandale, Virginia. The event will focus on questions from citizens submitted via YouTube, and will most likely focus on the President’s message that not acting on health care reform is unacceptable:

“Ultimately, your engagement on this issue is just as important as that of our lawmakers. I’ve always believed that real change doesn’t come from Washington, it comes from the American people — and we won’t be able to achieve reform without you. So America, tell me what you want to know about health care reform and I’ll do my best to answer your questions. I look forward to hearing from you.”

Read the full article here, and Twitter questions with hashtag #WHHCQ.

Health care activists getting fed up with in-between Democrats

Ceci Connolly commented yesterday about the movement of health care reform advocates toward a more direct criticism for politicians (especially Democrats) who seem to be in the way of progressive reform. Activists are asking for more dedication for those on the side of the public health option while criticizing politicians who are less than interested in that option. Issues like the trigger option and a co-op are (surprisingly) still in discussion among centrist Democrats and Republicans. Read the full article from the Washington Post about these issues (and others facing health care reform) here.