Maryland National Organization For Women


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Breaking News:

Sunday, May 31:  We are learning across the Washington area today that Dr. George Tiller of Witchta, Kansas was shot and killed today at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, where he regularly attended services.  Dr. Tiller, director of the Women's Health Care Services clinic,  perservered for several decades in providing late-term abortion procedures for women -- one of the few facilities in the U.S. to do so -- against bombings,  horrible protests, and -- of late -- legal action.  

 

The clinic's philosophy:  "Women and Families are intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and ethically competent to struggle with complex health issues - including abortion -- and come to decisions that are appropriate for themselves." 

 

Please check back with this web site, or National NOW's site - www.now.org - for more information about local or area actions to honor Dr. Tiller and commiting to continue our work to keep abortion safe, legal and accessible for women in this country.

 

This is a very sad day for all people who support a woman's right to choose. 

 

Members of the Media: 

Please click here for a statement from Maryland NOW,

Please contact our president, Beth Corbin, at 301-209-0123 for a statement on behalf of our organization.

 

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Maryland NOW Elects New Officers, Honors Kim Gandy

 

Maryland NOW held it's 2009 Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 16th at Montgomery College in the Campus Center building's Faculty-Staff dining room.  Our special guest was Kim Gandy, National NOW President, who is finishing her second term as NOW's President, and two decades in National NOW's leadership.  She gave the meeting's keynote remarks, and answered questions about some internal NOW topics and current events.

 

Colleen Dermody, Nominating Committee Chair, presented her report; after discussion by the body, the following names were moved for state office:  Beth Corbin, President, Paula Abeles, Executive Vice President, Sandy Bell, Action Vice President, and Barbara Hays, Treasurer.  Holly Joseph, outgoing state treasurer, decided not to run for another term. 

 

Due to a tight agenda, the group passed two resolutions, both of which defer to the state council topics for discussion.  First, the group asked the council to consider helping our national organization out financially, either by foregoing our monthly dues rebates for some period, or to decide to give the Naitonal Action Center an amount outright from our financial reserves.  Second, the group directed the council to begin planning at their first meeting after the conference for the coming year's priorities. 

 

Barbara Hays defered presentation of her President's Report for the 2008-2009 year - click here to read it online:  2008-2009 President's Report.

 

President's News

Beth Corbin wants you to know: 

MD NOW Congratulates Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her Historic Nomination : President Obama announced his Supreme Court nominee, Judge Sonia Sotomayor. National NOW President Kim Gandy said: "She brings a lifelong commitment to equality, justice and opportunity, as well as the respect of her peers, unassailable integrity, and a keen intellect informed by experience. President Obama said he wanted a justice with "towering intellect" and a "common touch" and he found both in Judge Sotomayor." 

 There is no question she has a compelling personal story, and her selection is historic. If confirmed, she would be the third woman and the first Hispanic to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. 
NOW launched a "Confirm Her" campaign to ensure a swift confirmation of the next Supreme Court Justice. For information on the campaign visit the NOW web site, www.now.org. 
 
California Supreme Court Upholds Prop Hate: Maryland NOW is disappointed by the California Supreme Court decision upholding Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment prohibiting marriage equality for same-sex couples. The 6-1 decision closes the door on marriage equality in the state for now -- but supporters vow to continue the fight. 
 
While the decision is a set-back for LGBT residents in California, there is cause for hope among marriage equality supporters nationwide. Iowa, New Hampshire and Maine have granted marriage equality, and the District of Columbia recently voted to recognize same sex marriages.
 
The outrage we feel over this decision must be balanced by our resolve to do all that we can to secure justice and equality for lesbian and gay couples.  We encourage you to join us!

 

Slates for National NOW Office

At our state meeting, representatives for both slates of candidates running for National NOW office at NOW's National Conference in Indianapolis next month -- Jun 19-21 -- made presentations.

 

Please visit their respective websites for more information about their slates and platforms.

 

NOW is The Time:  Latifa Lyles, President,  Sonia Ossario, Executive Vice President, Janice Rocco, Action Vice President, and Liz Gilchrist, Membership Vice President.

http://www.nowsthetime09.com

 

Feminist Leadership NOW:  Terry O'Neill, President, Bonnie Grabenhofer, Executive Vice President, Erin Matson, Action Vice President, and Allendra Letsome, Membership Vice President. 

http://www.feministleaders.org

 

Maryland NOW News!

 

View Maryland NOW's Fall-Winter 2008 Newsletter online!

View Maryland NOW's Spring-Summer 2009 Newsletter online!

 

MD NOW Officers

Go to the About section and click on the officers link to contact any of them via email.  You may use the contact form or call the MD NOW phone number. 

Our Founding Mother's Scholarship Fund! 

In 2006 we lost a Maryland NOW member who clearly left her mark on each of us and our organization.  Dolly Yvonne Packard was an extraordinary feminist who graced our NOW world for 40 years. In 2007, a former Maryland NOW President and Maryland NOW Council Member, Dot Howze, lost a battle with cancer.  We also lost a leader in our Frederick Chapter, Sandra West, who over the years had been Maryland NOW Treasurer and PAC Treasurer as well a leader in her own community. 

We created a scholarship fund for contributions that were made in honor of Dolly three years ago, and we plan to move from this to create an ongoing fund from memorials we've received from members and friends honoring all these women. We hope to pass the torch in this way for others to benefit from the honors others gave in these womens' names.  Please contact our President for more information if you are interested in applying for a grant from this fund.  Contact our Treasurer if you'd like to donate.

Feminist Goings On

Check our calendar and volunteer section to see whats going on and how you can help.