Maine Women's Lobby

January 14, 2010 - The Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Labor held a public hearing on L.D. 1665, “An Act to Prevent the Spread of H1N1,” sponsored by Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell. Kevin Miller, researcher from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) testified that employers statewide will save $37 million annually as a result of the proposed law... ( Download…)

January 7, 2010 - Health experts and advocates joined Senate President Libby Mitchell to discuss the results of a recent Health Impact Assessment on paid sick day policy in Maine. By taking action to enable workers to take care of themselves during this public health crisis, Maine lawmakers will protect business productivity and the public’s health. ( Download…)

November 18, 2009 - Members of the Maine Work and Family Coalition delivered a message – and several bottles of hand sanitizer – to the Chamber of Commerce today. Their message was simple: In light of the national H1N1 emergency, it’s time to support paid sick days for all. Citing a new national Health Impact Assessment on the positive public health impact of paid sick leave, advocates called for legislation requiring paid sick days for the more than 245,000 Maine workers without any. ( Download…)

October 20, 2009 - On Tuesday, a prominent local physician joined Senate President Libby Mitchell and advocates for seniors, women, and survivors of violence to urge passage of “An Act to Aid in the Prevention of the Spread of H1N1 Influenza by ensuring the Provision of Earned Paid Sick Time.” The bill was recently approved for introduction by Legislative Council by a vote of 10-0. The bill, introduced by Senate President Libby Mitchell, would provide approximately six paid sick days annually for large businesses and approximately three days for small businesses. The time could be used to care for oneself or a family member for illness or in relation to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. ( Download…)

October 9, 2009 - Leading Women's Groups Urge No Vote on Question 1. Advocacy organizations serving Maine women and children across the state announced their strong support for marriage equality and treating families equally under the law. The groups urging a NO vote on Question 1 include: the Maine Women's Lobby; American Association of University Women of Maine; Women, Work and Community; Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center; Family Planning Association of Maine; Planned Parenthood of Northern New England; Maine National Organization for Women; and Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. ( Download…)

September 3, 2009 - “I’m delighted to welcome Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to Maine today, to underscore the importance of health care reform to Maine women and to women all across the United States. The fact is that the current health care system does not work for women. Women are more vulnerable to high health care costs than men are, and more likely to be underinsured. Particularly in the individual health insurance market, coverage can be cost-prohibitive and, sometimes, totally unavailable. As a result, many women are simply unable to afford the services they need. The frightening consequence is that women go without. In a recent national study by The Commonwealth Fund, more than half of women reported delaying or avoiding needed care because of cost, compared to 39% of men.” ( Download…)

August 20, 2009 - A sold-out audience of more than 1,000 people will gather at the Augusta Civic Center for a summit on H1N1 flu preparation. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers, which includes recommendations from the CDC and a letter cosigned by the Secretaries of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Labor. Their advice is simple: Plan ahead and “encourage sick workers to stay home without penalty.” ( Download…)

April 30, 2009 - "It's a great day for Maine women and for everyone who stands for the principles of equality and fairness. We are extremely gratified that the Senate voted to pass L.D. 1020, "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom" today by an overwhelming margin. ( Download…)

March 16, 2009 - Kim Fleming joined the Maine Women's Lobby and its sister organization, the Maine Women's Policy Center, as Program Assistant where she provides membership, communications, fundraising, research, and general board, staff, and donor support for both organizations. "We are delighted to welcome Kim to the Maine Women's Lobby team," said Sarah Standiford, Executive Director of the Maine Women's Lobby. "Her extensive experience in nonprofit development, combined with her obvious commitment to our mission of equal opportunity for women, made her the ideal candidate." ( Download…)

January 29, 2008 - Today the Maine Women's Lobby commends President Barack Obama for signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. "By promoting and signing the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - President Obama put the issue of pay discrimination where it belongs - at the top of the economic agenda," said Sarah Standiford, Executive Director of the Maine Women's Lobby. "Unequal pay doesn't just harm women, it weakens the economic security of families. We're proud that the entire Maine Congressional Delegation recognized this and took leadership in moving the bill forward through Congress." ( Download…)

January 29, 2009 - Today the Joint Standing Committee on Labor considered L.D. 84, "An Act to Ensure Fair Pay," sponsored by Senator Deborah Simpson. Said Maine Women's Lobby Public Policy Director Laura Harper in her testimony before the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, "The bill before you today seeks to rectify a simple problem that current Maine law doesn't yet address, an employee's inability to address wage disparities-for the sole reason that they do not know that those disparities exist. By removing barriers to sharing salary information, Maine lawmakers can more fully realize the promise of our model Equal Pay Law." ( Download…)

September 18, 2008 - Two of the organization's founders, Representative Janet Mills and Lois Reckitt, reminded the audience that they formed the group so women would have an enduring voice at the State House. ( Download…)

September 17, 2008 - In commemoration of its 30th year of advocacy on behalf of Maine women and girls, nearly 400 members, supporters, policymakers and community leaders will gather to celebrate the Maine Women's Lobby's pioneering achievements. ( Download…)

April 17, 2008 - Next week, the Senate will take up The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, legislation that will restore the ability of American workers to seek fair compensation for pay discrimination. Tomorrow, Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m., Eastern time, Lilly Ledbetter will join Sarah Standiford, Executive Director of the Maine Women’s Lobby, to call on Senator Collins to support this bill, which is critically important for workers in Maine who may face pay discrimination. ( Download…)

April 7, 2008 - The Maine Legislature has failed to take a stand for the health and well-being of Maine families. Both the House and Senate refused to adopt the Labor Committee’s recommendation to enact the paid sick days bill, L.D. 1454, ‘An Act to Care for Working Families.’ ( Download…)