And, October will be here before you know it (sorry, but it’s true).

On October 6, our sister organization, the Maine Women’s Policy Center, is celebrating two decades of increasing opportunities for Maine women and girls with the Maine Women’s Gala and Auction.

The gala will be a festive affair with great friends, delicious food, and unique auction items. And, to top it all off, we’ll be jumping and swinging to the sounds of Three Button Deluxe – so, shine up those dancin’ shoes.

Most importantly, your participation will generate critical funds towards our work to break the glass ceiling – and raise the floor – to create real economic, social, and political opportunity for Maine women and girls.

Browse the auction items here .

Buy your tickets online right now! ]]> http://www.mainewomen.org/blogs/2010/09/dress-code-fabulous/feed/ 0 http://www.mainewomen.org/blogs/2010/08/cheers-to-90-years/ http://www.mainewomen.org/blogs/2010/08/cheers-to-90-years/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:36:06 +0000 asheldon http://www.mainewomen.org/blogs/?p=2119 After nearly a century of struggle, on August 26th, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote.

In 90 years women voters have made a lot of progress – we’ve seen pioneering women like Shirley Chisholm, Hillary Clinton, and Margaret Chase Smith make bids for the presidency, and we have passed landmark legislation such as FMLA and the Equal Pay Act.

But while women may have the right to vote – too often, our state and federal policies still fail to reflect the needs of women voters – and the families they support.

Fortunately, Maine women are flexing their electoral muscle through a new campaign called SheDecides.org!

SheDecides will ensure that this election cycle, campaign messages and priorities speak directly to the economic realities of women’s lives. And we need you to bring women’s economic security front and center this fall.

Today, women voters gathered in Bangor to officially launch the SheDecides campaign. Their message to candidates? “Speak to me if you want my vote.”

Now it’s your turn to make sure your candidates are listening.

Email your candidate here to ask them to respond to the SheDecides candidate questionnaire which asks where they stand on the minimum wage, family friendly workplaces, paid sick days, equal pay, and, education and training programs. Visit shedecides.org to learn more about this “pocketbook agenda.”

Make sure your candidates know that you will be looking for their answers.

Spread the word!

•    Click here to tweet about SheDecides or make your own message with the #SheDecides tag.
•    Make this your facebook or Twitter Status: Maine women to candidates: Speak to me if you want my vote!  #SheDecides
•    Like SheDecides on Facebook: and stay tuned for at-the-minute updates and information about your candidates.
*** stay tuned for updates and photos form our campaign launch tomorrow!

Does this leave you inspired to share your story? If so, email Anne at Asheldon@Mainewomen.org

The proposed rule would:

• Designate BPA as a Priority Chemical under the KSPA;
• Ban the use of BPA in reusable food and beverage containers, effective January 1, 2012;
• Require manufacturers of infant formula or baby food stored in plastic containers, jars, or cans to report if they use BPA in their products and alternatives to BPA for these uses;
• Manufacturers of toys, child care articles, and tableware to report on BPA use.

Comments on the proposed rule can be submitted through August 30, 2010 to Andrea Lani and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Andrea.Lani@maine.gov).

The hearing is today! Follow our Public Policy Director at MWLobbyist on twitter to get up-to-the-minute updates on the event! Check back tomorrow for more details.

What’s the lucky chemical? BPA. Bisphenol A is a chemical that has been linked to breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, obesity, and learning disabilities, and reproductive health problems.

These health effects are particularly pronounced for women. According to a Natural Resources Defense Council and Safer Chemicals Health Families Report,

“BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that mimics estrogen, the female sex hormone essential for the development and function of reproductive organs … fetal exposure to BPA is linked to developmental and reproductive harm including earlier onset of puberty, increased susceptibility to breast and prostate cancer … BPA also has been associated with miscarriages and infertility …”

But it’s not all bad. Maine has the opportunity to join a handful of pioneering states across the country to ban BPA and lead the way in environmental health policy – again.

But, we can’t do it without your help!

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, the Board of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing at the Augusta Holiday Inn/Ground Round at 12:30 p.m. to discuss a BPA ban for Maine.

And, we want you to be there! We need a strong public turnout and many written public comments in order to combat the BPA lobby’s arguments against a ban.

E-mail Anne at asheldon@mainewomen.org to sign up to attend, or for more information about the hearing – your attendence could make all the difference.

Can’t make it but still want to make a difference? Click here to submit a written statement in support of the BPA ban.

Not persuaded yet? Check out this fantastic Opinion Piece written by Colby Student, Blair Braverman.

An additional $16 billion would extend for six months increased Medicaid payments to the states. That would free money for states to meet other budget priorities, including keeping more than 150,000 police officers and other public workers on the payroll.

Some three-fifths of states have already factored in the federal money in drawing up their budgets for the current fiscal year. The National Governors Association, in a letter to congressional leaders, said the states’ estimated budget shortfall for the 2010-12 period is $116 billion, and the extended Medicaid payments are “the best way to help states bridge the gap between their worst fiscal year and the beginning of recovery.”

Or read the whole article here.

This fall, three women will take their seats together on the bench for the first time in United States history.

This is a monumental achievement for women in the judiciary.  We extend our sincere gratitude to Senators Snowe and Collins for casting their votes in her favor just moments ago.

Welcome, Justice Kagan.

Not only is this an exciting step for same-sex couples across the country, it also reveals the extraordinary power of just a few voices speaking for social change – the case was brought forward by two gay couples. And now it will begin its journey through the legal world until it reaches the high and mighty Supreme Court.

But wait…there’s more!

It’s time to get out our thank-you notes once again. Sens. Snowe and Collins supported a $26 billion funding bill to provide helpful aid for states to fund education and Medicaid. In Maine, this means about $77 million to the state’s General Fund and an additional $39 million for local aid to help school districts in need and protect teachers’ jobs. The spending package provides a much-needed supplement to the state budget  to go towards programs that disproportionally benefit women. Find out more here.

Sadly, for too many people in this country, taking a leave still costs too much. Nearly one in ten Americans have to go on public assistance while they’re on leave to care for a newborn or family member; for low-income families, that number is one in five. And nearly 3 million people a year who need to take leave don’t, because they just can’t afford to.

In these tough economic times, workers need paid family leave more than ever, but states simply don’t have the resources to cover the costs of computer systems and other expenses that come with launching new programs. Read the rest after the jump >>