Maine Women's Lobby Blog » Press Link

Snowe and Collins on Kagan

asheldon — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:01:20 +0000

With the confirmation hearings scheduled for June 28, Elena Kagan is making her rounds on the hill and meeting with key Senate votes. Last week she met with Senator Snowe; after the meeting, Snowe commented that, Kagan “certainly has the qualifications, and certainly has, I think, the balance in her approach — at least so far — but I’d like to wait and see.” Collins met with the nominee the previous week, and as Politico reported, she commented that, “At this point, I do not see the extraordinary circumstances that I view as a standard to determine whether to filibuster a nominee.” Very positive news from our two Senators! Last year, the Senators made up two of the seven Republicans that voted for Kagan as Solicitor General – in no way does this guarantee that they will vote for her for Supreme Court, but it is a good sign none the less.

Want up-to-date news on SCOTUS and how you can be part of the process? Sign up here and be “in the know” when it comes to SCOTUS this summer.

Interview with Libby Mitchell on Paid Sick Days

asheldon — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:35:09 +0000

This October, Senate President was interviewed on the Paid Sick Days Bill that she will introduce in response to the H1N1 outbreak. Libby explains that while the purpose of this bill is to prevent the spread of H1N1, the important thing is that we address the need for paid sick leave, both for illness and for safe days for victims of violence.

Maine Women's Lobby Co-hosts Roundtable Discussion with Secretary Sebelius

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:53:46 +0000

MAINE WOMEN TO SECRETARY SEBELIUS: HEALTH SYSTEM IS FAILING US
Congresswoman Pingree hears health care stories; says current system unacceptable

No one knows better about how the health care system is failing than the women-young and old-who met with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius today in South Portland. The Maine Women’s Lobby and AARP brought together the group of women leaders to discuss why women’s health issues are critical in the national health care reform debate. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree also participated, providing Maine women a chance to tell their stories about how health care issues affect them and their families and why reform must happen this year. Read more…

Congresswoman Pingree, Sarah Standiford, Nancy Kelleher with Secretary Sebelius

Maine Women Leaders Join the Discussion

Check out some of the press from the event:

New York Times and photo

The women of the Maine Women's Lobby reflect on the 124th

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:58:55 +0000

Last week, the Village Soup posted an article featuring reflections on the 124th session from capital-area legislators. Their reflections are really interesting – and got me wondering what others thought.

So, I started asking around … and here are some reflections from the women of the Maine Women’s Lobby:

Director of Public Policy, Laura Harper, and some of her lobbyists cohorts.

Here’s what Laura had to say:

I feel certain that my experiences lobbying for marriage equality will never be matched. Every day, I came out to legislators. I shared with them my commitment for my partner, Lauren, our engagement, and the fears and discrimination I have faced during our partnership because we can’t get married.

It was a rush. It was exhausting. It was scary. It was joyful.

When the Governor signed the bill into law, I was waiting with other advocates outside his office. When a member of his staff discreetly stuck her head around the door and whispered, “He signed it,” I knew I was a part of Maine history. I knew it would be a moment I would never forget, similar to when President Obama was elected or when we finally passed the anti-discrimination law in Maine.

I will return to that moment again and again. There will always be a part of me that will never age, there will always be a young woman standing there in her little suit with her sweaty armpits and rumpled tissue thinking, “Oh my God, we’ve actually won.”

Here’s Sarah, our Executive Director:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s Kim Simmons, one of our board members:

The highlight of the 124th Legislative session, for me, was the passage of the Marriage Equality Bill! I am impressed with the cooperation that emerged in the 124th Legislature and with the fact that our leadership is female. Nevertheless, I was disappointed not to see more radical and progressive action taken to redistribute wealth in our state, to protect the poor, and to address the absence of paid sick leave which creates both the potential for a public health crisis and family emergencies on daily basis. It seems to me that we have a unique moment to truly push for tax policy that is rooted in social justice priorities and reflects the interests of most Maine people, and I hope that more progressive and innovative thinking will emerge in the second session of the 124th!

Charlotte at the State House

And, here’s what I think:

So, when I think back on the 124th session of the Maine Legislature, my first thought is, “phew … it’s over.” And don’t get me wrong, I love the excitement of the session. I love the exhilaration of the wins – and the opportunity of the losses. And, I guess in a lot of ways I would describe this past session as a roller-coaster ride – we were up, we were down, we were recessed, we were tabled … Oh yeah, I was paying attention to the play-by-play afforded to us by Laura, her Blackberry, and Twitter … and I was addicted! Check out our newsletter archive to review the roller-coaster ride.

So, enough about us. What do you think? Add your reflections today.

PS: Yes, “phew” is actually a word. It’s in the dictionary and everything.

Thanks everyone,

Charlotte

Get BPA Out of Our Bodies!

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:53:39 +0000

That’s the message that the Maine Women’s Lobby and the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine is trying to send to all people and policy-makers in Maine.

Throughout the past 2 weeks this giant baby bottle has been traveling across the state.

In the photos below, a group of children from a local daycare joined us – with their own handmade signs.

For more information about our work to “Get BPA out of our bodies,” and to sign the petition, check out the action page of our website.

Check out the article from the Times Record.

Sarah says, "the Commission got it right"

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:32:30 +0000

The Maine Human Rights Commission decided that a transgender woman was discriminated against at a Denny’s restaurant in Auburn when management would not let her use the ladies room until she had sex reassignment surgery.

The Sun Journal editorialized against the decision.

And here’s what Sarah said, “The Sun Journal editorial stating that a transgender woman should use the men’s restroom misrepresents gender identity and discrimination.” (Go Sarah … Go Sarah.)

Check out the articles (I’d advise against perusing the reader comments – unless you’re lookin’ to get fired up) and then tell us what you think …

PS: I have to send a shout-out to Pam and her “Pam’s House Blend” blog. Check it out… and then come back and give us your take.

Candlelight Vigil in Remembrance of Dr. George Tiller

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:44:08 +0000

Maine’s reproductive health community is deeply saddened by the murder of Dr. George Tiller. His death is an enormous loss for the patients who relied on him, his dedicated staff, and the women’s health care community.

To honor Dr. Tiller, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the Family Planning Association of Maine, the Maine Women’s Lobby and the Maine Civil Liberties Union will hold a candlelight vigil Thursday, June 4th, at Monument Square in Portland. The vigil will begin at 7:00 pm. Speakers from the faith and women’s health communities will offer remarks to honor the memory of Dr. Tiller.

WHAT and WHERE: Candlelight vigil to honor Dr. Tiller in Monument Square, Portland

WHEN: Thursday, June 4, 2009 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

WHO: Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Family Planning Association of Maine, Maine Civil Liberties Union, and Maine Women’s Lobby.

Check out the media about the event:

WMTW

Portland Press Herald

FOX4KC.COM (A Kansas television station)

Do you have children?

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:45:45 +0000

A woman in Pennsylvania is seeking to make it illegal for potential employers to ask that question. In her experience, the fact that she was s single mom of two young children stopped many job interviews mid-stream. This article is a perfect example of why we are working so hard on LD 962, An Act to Protect Family Caregivers.

A Question of Fairness

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:56:28 +0000

We know how Governor Baldacci answered the question, he clearly stated that marriage equality was about being fair. Unfortunately, New Hampshire’s Governor hasn’t proceeded in the same fashion.

In New Hampshire, Gov. John Lynch – who previously defined marriage as strictly between a man and a woman – promised his “best decision” after consulting lawmakers and constituents. Mr. Lynch would be wise also to consult his neighbor in Maine, Gov. John Baldacci, who signed his state’s same-sex marriage bill. He previously had opposed the idea, with the familiar hedge of supporting the half-step of civil unions.

Got Sick Days?

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:20:40 +0000

Roughly 60 million Americans do not have access to paid sick leave. So, in a time of swine flu and warnings to stay home if your sick – heeding these cautions can be a pricey endeavor. The reality is that many American workers have to go to work when they or their children or sick – because staying home my cost them a paycheck or their job.

Many other countries do better. According to Dr. Jody Heymann, director of the Institute for Health and Social Policy at McGill University, more than 160 countries ensure that all their citizens receive paid sick leave and more than 110 of them guarantee paid leave from the first day of illness.