Examiner, October 5, 2012 by Juli Turano
Saturday, October 6, 2012, in the heart of Denver, We are Women Colorado (WAWCO), a statewide women’s social organization is holding its first “Equality Rally and March.” The planned events are scheduled to begin around 1p.m. and weather permitting, conclude around 5p.m. See details below.
WAWCO aims to educate the community regarding the social and domestic issues facing women and their families and the need to be active participants in the local and national voting processes. Ironically, some of the most pressing issues are ones that were legislated in women’s favor decades ago but now are being threatened. Other areas are new and seem to be negating the progress women have made in areas of equal opportunity, privacy rights and civil liberties.
Although thousands of bills have been written by certain members of the US House of Representatives, few of them have been voted on and/or passed. However, if this upcoming November election increases the numbers of a Congress (US House or Senate) who are committed to removing existing women’s rights, or blocking new avenues for women, then women’s economic security, personal safety and opportunity for pursuit of her own goals, becomes jeopardized.
The War on Women –
Since 2000, Congressional Republicans and countered by Democrats have authored over 285 bills attempting to somehow diminish or remove a women’s access to contraception.
In 2012, Congressional Republicans have authored 94 bills to remove a women’s access to safe and legal abortion services, while also removing her freedom of choice in life or death in certain medical situations where termination of a pregnancy is the only option in which to save her life. Since 2000, the total bills authored by Republicans and then countered by Democrats now top 734.
From the Congressional year 2000 to present, 3162 bills authored by Republicans and countered by the Democrats to lessen or remove protections for women and others from discrimination in the work place and in health care as it relates to sex and reproductive health.
Below is a partial list of some lessor known bills which have come from this 112th and preceding 111th Congress (2010-2012):
Note: “blocked” denotes one or more of the following events: bill was referred to committee but committee stalled the process, bill was referred out of committee then blocked by vote by same committee, Senate filibuster, House vote defeat.
S.J.Res. 39: A joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendments (ERA) The ERA was never ratified by the required number of states and deadline has been extended many times over the decades. Sponsor: Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) Blocked by House and Senate Republicans.
S. 1301: Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2011 A bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2012 through 2015 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, to enhance measures to combat trafficking in persons, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Blocked by House and Senate Republicans.
H.R. 889: Fulfilling the Potential of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Act of 2011 Sponsor: Rep. Eddie Johnson (D-TX30) Blocked by House and Senate Republicans
H.Res. 20: The Senate should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Sponsor: Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA6) Blocked by House Republicans
H.R. 809: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to display in each facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs a Women Veterans Bill of Rights Sponsor: Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA-51) Blocked by House and Senate Republicans
H.R. 5647: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Sponsor: Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY8) Blocked by House Republicans
H.R. 3522: Family Act of 2011 Allows a tax credit for 50% of infertility treatments expenses. Sponsor: Rep. John Lewis (D-GA5) Blocked by House and Senate Republicans
H.R. 3418: Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education, and Awareness Act of 2011 Sponsor: Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ6) Blocked by House and Senate Republicans
S. 3313: Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012 Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-MA) Blocked by House and Senate Republicans
*H.R. 1215: To amend title V of the Social Security Act to convert funding for personal responsibility education programs from direct appropriations to an authorization of appropriations Defunds title V: Maternal Child Health Services. Sponsor: Rep. Robert Latta (R-OH 5) Stalled out of committee
S. 1984: Protect our Kids Act of 2011 Reduce-prevent child abuse. Sponsor: Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) Blocked by Senate and House Republicans
H.R. 3977: Domestic Violence Judicial Support Act of 2012 Improve the protective services for women and families – victims of abuse and violence – in and out of courts. Sponsor: Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA15) Blocked by House Republicans
S.J.Res. 42: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to parental rights Remove all state or federal legal authority over families for safety or any other concerns. Sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) Blocked by both parties
According to WAWCO’s mission statement:
We are Women Colorado believes women’s rights are fundamental human rights. We are committed to social justice and equality for all. Our mission is to organize civic action and community events that educate and empower participants, with a focus on preserving and advancing not only women’s rights, but also human rights.
Since April of this year, WAWCO has reached out to local and state organizations and agencies that are invested in furthering the cause of protecting rights and access. According to founding members, the response has been larger than expected and hopes this translates to a big turnout for the event.
Rally location and events: 1-5p.m. – Open
(Dress warm for possible cold weather)
Civic Center Park, 14th and Broadway, Denver, Colorado
Speakers: Local leaders and elected officials 1-3 p.m.
March: Loop 16th Street 3-4 p.m.
Musical entertainment, fun stuff: 4-5 p.m.
Contact: wearewomenco@gmail.com
URL: www.wearewomenco.org
War on Women 
Posted on October 5, 2012