Use NOW’s Capwiz interactive political page to send messages to your elected officials:
(http://www.capwiz.com/now/dbq/officials/)

Dear BQNOW members and friends,
Women's Equality Day is fast approaching. It officially marks the 88th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (women's victory to win the right to vote). While we're still not in the US Constitution (we do not as yet have an Equal Rights Amendment) we can take a step forward:

GOOD NEWS! The Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act has successfully passed the House of Representatives.

This bill  posthumously awards a Congressional gold medal to Alice Paul, in recognition of her role in the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women. Representative Joseph Baca (D-CA) was the lead sponsor in the House. Senator Menendez and Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey have signed on as the only sponsors of this bill (S 826) in the US Senate.

We need 68 Senators to Co-Sponsor S 826 before September 26, 2008 when the Senate adjourns. Otherwise, we need to start over with the 111th Congress next year. This bill will also revitalize interest in passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (aka the Alice Paul Amendment).   Please do the following:

Call Senator Clinton and Senator Schumer TOLL FREE at 1 866-338-1015. That's the DC Capitol Switchboard. Ask to be connected to the Senator (by name). When connected, tell your senator's aide that you want the Senator to SPONSOR S 826, the Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act. Also request that your senator influence other senators to do likewise. Send this email on to your family and friends, colleagues, etc in other states asking them to contact their senators with the same message.

You'll get personal satisfaction from knowing you are part of our 85 year struggle towards making the ERA happen!!!

The Equal Rights Amendment: Simple Justice.  It's about Time!

Just a couple of months ago, a mother was kicked out of a museum in New York for breastfeeding, a perfectly legal act in this state. Mothers continue to suffer discrimination and humiliation for breastfeeding, even though doctors recommend breastfeeding for all infants. Clearly we need Congress to pass the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2236) now—before more mothers are stigmatized and humiliated for breastfeeding.

But this Act is currently stalled in Congress, and isn't going to move forward without increased citizen pressure. You can supply that pressure. There is no companion bill yet in the US Senate.

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON NOW (go to thomas.loc.gov for contact information).

Sample letter – cut and paste this message into your own letter or email:

Hon. [Cong. Representative’s name]

I am a member of Brooklyn Queens NOW, and I support The Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2236).

Please co-sponsor and pass this legislation now. Mothers continue to suffer discrimination and humiliation for breastfeeding, even though doctors recommend breastfeeding for all infants.

Studies show that breastfeeding is the best possible way to ensure that babies thrive. In turn, we must ensure that breastfeeding mothers are able to breastfeed, and are given the time and environment to pump at work or during other professional obligations.

Both the medical profession and the government agree that breastfeeding is best for mothers and children. In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) actively advocates breastfeeding and states on their website that the, “CDC is committed to increasing breastfeeding rates throughout the United States and to promoting optimal breastfeeding practices.” And, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services leads a National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign to promote breastfeeding, and notes on their website that, “The longer a mom and baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are for both mom and baby.”

Please sign on to co-sponsor the Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2236) today—and please act to make sure this passes in the near future. Thank you for taking the time to consider this serious issue.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address and email address]

NOTE: To find your representative’s contact information, click here.

Dear [NYS Senator or Assembly Member],

I write as your constituent to urge you to sign-on as a cosponsor of the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act (S06045A). The Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v Carhart, permitting a ban on an abortion procedure without any exception to protect a woman’s health, is a strong blow to women’s reproductive rights. The Supreme Court’s recent actions have made it clear that Roe v Wade is at risk, and that New York can no longer afford to rely on federal constitutional law to protect the fundamental right to make private reproductive healthcare decisions.

The Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act would help reverse the trend of increasing restrictions on women’s rights by codifying the protections of Roe v Wade in New York State law. We must act now to strengthen the foundation for reproductive freedom in New York State law, update our archaic legal code, and ensure that women’s health is protected.

As a New Yorker, I am proud that our state has historically been a beacon and a leader in women’s rights and would like to uphold this hard-earned reputation. As your constituent, I urge you to demonstrate your support for women’s health and reproductive choice by cosponsoring this critical legislation.

Sincerely,

[Your name, home address and email address]