Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus March 2014 E-Newsletter Women—United We STAND Women—United We Stand Women Making History—March Event The saying goes…. “When you want anything said, ask a man; Call to Action—STAND Up for H.R.951 if you want anything done, ask a woman.” This March we are celebrating Women Making History in NJ—those special women STAND with WOMEN Rally who made extraordinary contributions in art, science, public MCDWC Spotlight—Ann Baker service, sports, politics, and countless other professions on behalf of their nation and their sisters. We count our country Celebrating Women in American History stronger, more compassionate and forward thinking because Remembering “LA ZIA” by Joe Grillo of their inspiration, sacrifice and dedication to their causes. MCDWC Calendar In 2014 it was decided that the MCDWC would focus on what impacts every facet of our lives—the Economy! Therefore, we /Monmouthdemswomen encourage you to step up to the plate by fulfilling the dreams of our exemplary models who opened doors so we may walk /MCDWC through them… the right to vote, to seek public office, to enter any profession of our choice, to enjoy sports, etc. “Young women today often have very little appreciation for the The Women and Workforce Investment for Non-Traditional real battles that took place to get women where they are today Jobs Act (Women WIN Jobs) has been introduced in the in this country. I don't know how much history young women House and Senate multiple times since 2010. In March 2013, today know about those battles.” Sandra Day O’Connor Rep. Jared Polis(D) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro(D) re-introduced Upcoming Events H.R.951, a bill which would provide women with a pathway to non-traditional, higher-paying job fields. With total Republican Women’s History Month—March 24th opposition to bring it forward for a vote, this bill languishes in Watermark Restaurant, Asbury Park, NJ limbo. That is why we must allow our voices to be heard and become the “new” women in American history who take a stand Community Organizing—TBA to make our country stronger for future generations to come. Last year’s MCDWC event at the Watermark was a huge success. Please join us for another another great evening at the Watermark on March 24, 2014. C A L L T O A C T I O N Dear Congressman Smith, March is Women’s History Month. This is our time to recognize and honor all of the women who made personal sacrifices and dedicated their lives to making our nation a better place to live. Now it is our turn to pitch in and help those who need assistance in getting better, higher-paying jobs—but we need your help! H.R. 951— Women and Workforce Investment for Non-traditional Jobs or Women WIN Jobs, is a bill that would provide funding to eligible entities (partnerships) with approved state plans to increase low-income women’s participation in high-wage, high-demand occupations in which women make up less than 25% of the current workforce. This would include technical assis- tance, state-registered apprenticeship programs, and permanent employment openings in publicly assisted projects. Grant funds would be allocated to support recruitment, training, placement and retention of low-income women in non-traditional occupations. This bill would impact women’s lives in countless ways that could only benefit all of our families, our economy and our country. That’s why we need your help! There are thirty-two Democratic co-sponsors of this bill but not one Republican has stepped up to the plate! Can you be that one person to help American women succeed? So many of us need a promise of better jobs and security to help raise our children. As one of your constituents from Monmouth County, I trust that you will help us make Women’s History Month meaningful for all women in New Jersey & America. Thank you for your attention to this matter. (Please copy, paste and e-mail to: chrissmith.house.gov/contact/) On February 1st, the “STAND with WOMEN” rally took place at Congressman Chris Smith’s Freehold office. As passersby waved and honked their approval, thirty-five men and women marched around Raintree Plaza to express opposition to H.R.7, an anti-choice bill authored by Smith, which passed the house in January. Using humor and wit to critique Congressman Smith’s “Love and Compassion” plan to end abortions, co-coordinator Angela Gandolfo noted that mortgage companies do not accept love and compassion payments and doctors are not able to infuse these virtues into I.V. drips. Gandolfo added that although practical solutions in the form of bills to increase economic stability and reduce violence against women would lessen the need for abortion, Congressman Smith chooses to vote down these common sense strategies time and again. Gandolfo is founder of the District 4 Coalition for Change (D4CC) and member of the Monmouth County Democratic Women’s Caucus. Other supporters included statewide pro-choice organizations including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NJ National Organization for Women (NOW), and Organizing for America (OFA). United We STAND For more information, go to: http://youtu.be/zMvbwYFLLaI Ann Baker has been an active member of New Jersey Stonewall Democrats since 2006 and has served as the chair of the Membership Committee since early 2007 and the Vice MCDWC Spotlight President of Legislative and Political Affairs since 2008. In that capacity, she registered the NJSD Continuing Political Committee with the Election Law Enforcement Commission enabling the organization to make political endorsements of New Jersey pro-equality state, county, and local candidates. She has been involved in social and political action for more than 40 years and served as the lobbyist for the National Organization for Women of New Jersey for 6 years. Ann is currently the Democratic Municipal Chair in the Borough of Roosevelt, serves on the Monmouth County Democratic Committee, and has been appointed by the Monmouth County Freeholders to the county Environmental Council. She also serves as the Legislative Committee Chair of MCDWC. She and her partner, Carol Watchler of 37 years, have lived in Roosevelt for 31 years. An Ohioan by Ann Baker birth, she graduated from Youngstown University and did graduate work at Princeton Theological Seminary. Celebrating Women in American History From the 16th century to the present, American women have contributed significantly to American history. Although all of these women have been responsible for the advancement of our society, you may not recognize some of them. Match up the women with their accomplishments to find Alice Paul how they all contributed to the advancement of women in America. A) Eleanor Roosevelt At the Battle of Monmouth, brought water to soldiers and replaced her fallen husband at a gun. B) Oprah Winfrey Exerted political influence over her famous president husband & wrote about her life and times. C) Billie Jean King Supreme Court Justice and strong advocate for women’s rights and civil rights in general. D) Amelia Earhart A “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, she led more than 300 slaves to freedom E) Coretta Scott King NYC inventor who devised methods to reduce factory smoke emissions & el train track noise. F) Susan B. Anthony Famous for gender role studies of Pacific Islands, Russia and the U.S. G) Alice Paul Author famous for lucidly written books on ecological themes; critical examination of pesticides. H) Molly Pitcher Founded Catholic Worker Movement, an outreach to disadvantaged and marginalized people. I) Rosa Parks Used her rare voice to advance race relations; alternate UN delegate; first black Met Opera star. J) Sojourner Truth Flew across the Atlantic & Pacific oceans; disappeared while attempting to fly around the world. K) Harriet Beecher Stowe Remembered for her independence and character, was re-elected to U.S. Senate four times. L) Anne Sullivan As attorney and congresswoman, worked for progressive causes, especially women’s issues. M) Mary Harris Sparked the modern civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus. N) Margaret Mead First woman physician in the U.S.; opened a slum infirmary and trained women in medicine. O) Rachel Carson Wrote a controversial anti-slavery story based on her experiences; spoke against slavery. P) Bella Abzug Tireless campaigner for gender equality, she inspired a nationwide suffrage movement. Q) Abigail Adams Overcame childhood obstacles to become famous teacher & lifelong companion to Helen Keller. R) Dorothy Day Head of Democratic National Committee’s Women’s Division; fought for minimum wage law. S) Margaret Chase Smith Democratic Party activist, worked for racial equality and was U.S. Representative to the U.N. T) Marian Anderson Known as First Lady of Civil Rights, carried on the dreams of her husband. U) Ruth Bader Ginsburg As a preacher, campaigned nationwide for abolition of slavery and important women’s rights. V) Elizabeth Blackwell Labor organizer and speaker at many significant labor struggles of the 19th and 20th centuries. W) Harriet Tubman A singular force as a crusader of women’s rights earned her an iconic place in U.S. sports history. X) Mary Walton American media proprietor, award-winning talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. Y) Molly Dewson Woman suffragist who led a successful campaign resulting in the passage of the 19th Amendment. Z) Pearl S. Buck Wrote on life in China; 1938 Nobel Prize for Literature; worked for adoption of unwanted children. Z G, B, C, M, J, E, A, Y, L, F, K, V, I, P, S, D, T, R, O, N, X, W, U, Q, H, Answers: Freeholder Candidate Joe ‘Giuseppe’ Grillo remembers L A Z I A It’s a special week.