Women's Philanthropy--Women's Issues

Denied Treatment for Pregnancy Complications: Could This Happen To You

Could It Happen to You? Knowledge is power. Empower yourself and others — learn more about religious restrictions and how you can prevent them from affecting your care. Dear Stephanie, Can you imagine learning that complications from your pregnancy put your health at risk and yet your hospital refuses to act? This horrific reality has happened and can happen again. If your local hospital is religiously-affiliated or employs doctors or nurses who have religious objections to providing needed medical care, it could even happen to you. Take our pledge and get informed about how religious refusals can affect your care. In November 2010, a woman in southern Arizona who was fifteen weeks pregnant with twins miscarried one at home. She went to the only hospital available, a Catholic-affiliated hospital, for treatment, only to be told that the miscarriage could not be completed because the remaining fetus still had a heartbeat. According to her treating doctor, nothing could be done to save the fetus, and without treatment the woman was at risk of hemorrhaging or developing a life threatening infection. Yet she was sent eighty miles away for treatment, because hospital administrators considered completing an inevitable miscarriage to be an abortion. This woman was denied the standard of care at the hospital in her community and subjected to an unnecessary delay in treatment while enduring a traumatic experience. One way to prevent this from happening to you is to know that it can happen and to ask the right questions of your health care providers. Pledge to empower yourself with the knowledge that individual health care provider or institutional religious refusals could affect your care or the care of someone you love. Some religiously-affiliated hospitals allow religious doctrine, and not proven medical best practices, to dictate the kind of care and procedures that pregnant women can receive. In these hospitals, patient care and medical standards often run a distant second to religious doctrine and, as a result, women’s health can suffer and their lives can be at risk. Our newly released report, Below the Radar: Health Care Providers’ Religious Refusals Can Endanger Pregnant Women’s Lives and Health, explores this disturbing trend. Knowledge is power. Empower yourself and others — take our pledge that you’ll learn more about how religious restrictions can affect your health care. Thank you for all the work you do to support women and girls and for continuing to fight with us to protect women’s health. Sincerely, Jill Morrison Senior Counsel National Women's Law Center P.S. Don’t forget to check out our newly released report, Below the Radar: Health Care Providers’ Religious Refusals Can Endanger Pregnant Women’s Lives and Health.       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.           Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive future NWLC e-mails >> View this email on the web >> Privacy Policy >> Unsubscribe >> ® Copyright 2010 National Women’s Law Center 11 Dupont Circle, NW, # 800 Washington, DC 20036 ( phone ) 202. 588. 5180

Now he's after abortion access - stop Speaker Boehner from taking away our rights

Access to Abortion at Risk Tell your Member of Congress to reject the Smith bill and protect women’s access to abortion. Dear Stephanie, Speaker Boehner’s priorities: #1: Hold a vote to repeal the health care law, which will harm women’s health; #2: Threaten women’s access to health insurance coverage of abortion, even when it is paid for with their own private dollars, which would harm women’s health. Sense a trend? Tell your Member of Congress to stop Speaker Boehner and other anti-choice Members of Congress from threatening women’s health. It’s no coincidence that this week, leading up to anniversary of the landmark Roe v Wade decision, anti-choice Members of Congress introduced the Smith bill (H.R. 3). This bill: Increases taxes on millions of individuals and small businesses that keep the insurance plans they currently have; Attempts to shut down the private market for insurance coverage that includes abortion, even though the coverage is paid for with private funds; Makes dangerous restrictions on abortion coverage permanent; Prevents some rape survivors and women with life-threatening pregnancies from obtaining insurance coverage for abortion. I know — you probably have to read the list above again, but it’s true — Speaker Boehner and other anti-choice Members of Congress have decided to vote on a bill that is this dangerous for women. The truth is, he’s on a roll to make sure that his special interests are taken care of. And his special interests? They don’t have the interests of women’s health in mind. Tell your Member of Congress to oppose the harmful Smith bill (H.R. 3) and protect women’s health. Today, as we celebrate everything that the Roe v Wade decision has meant for women, we also need to remind ourselves that access to abortion is continually threatened, and we must do all we can to protect it. Thank you for helping us protect women’s access to reproductive health services. Sincerely, Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women's Law Center P.S. Want to learn more about how the Smith bill harms women’s health? Check out our new fact sheet.       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.           Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive future NWLC e-mails >> View this email on the web >> Privacy Policy >> Unsubscribe >> ® Copyright 2010 National Women’s Law Center 11 Dupont Circle, NW, # 800 Washington, DC 20036 ( phone ) 202. 588. 5180

Was your Representative for the insurance industry or for women and their families?

Where did your Representative stand? Thank Representatives who stood up for women’s health and tell those who stood with insurance companies you are disappointed. Yesterday, your Member of Congress had two choices: Vote no on repealing the health care law and protect women’s health. Or vote for repeal and re-open the door to insurance companies treating women like a pre-existing condition. Find out where your Representative stood — thank those who stood up for women’s health, and tell those who stood with insurance companies you are disappointed. I know many of you are frustrated by yesterday’s vote, and I am too. With our country still struggling to recover from one of the worst recessions in history, and families making impossible choices between putting food on the table and paying for medicine, it’s astonishing that Representatives would vote to repeal a law that is already benefiting women and their families. The law prohibits harmful insurance industry practices like dropping people when they get sick, and will dramatically increase the number of people getting affordable coverage. Some Representatives stood with the insurance industry yesterday — we need you to tell them that you are disappointed. We know that this is only the beginning. We believe champions of the law in the Senate will stop repeal efforts in that chamber and President Obama would never allow the American people to go back to the days of being at the mercy of insurance companies. But unfortunately, full-scale repeal is not the only tactic opponents of the law will attempt. This is the beginning of a long, drawn-out campaign by opponents to weaken or repeal the health care law. That’s why thanking our leaders who have stood up for women and families is so critical, because we’ll need their help again. And that’s why we continue to thank you for all your efforts to ensure that women and their families receive all the benefits of this important law. Sincerely, Judy Waxman Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights National Women's Law Center       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.

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Call on President Obama to Protect and Strengthen Social Security

Women Can’t Afford Cuts to Social Security Call on President Obama to protect and strengthen Social Security. Next week, President Obama will make his annual State of the Union address. It’s important that he use the speech to send a clear message to those who want to put Social Security on the chopping block: Social Security should be strengthened — not cut! President Obama has opposed cutting and privatizing Social Security before. But we need him to speak out now in support of protecting and strengthening it. Tell President Obama: Women Are Counting on You to Fight for Social Security! If Social Security benefits are cut, women will bear much of the burden. Women live longer, rely more on Social Security, and already have lower benefits. Average benefits for women are just $12,000 per year. But Social Security provides more than half the income of the majority of women 65 and older. For one in four older women, Social Security is virtually their only source of income. Nearly all Americans depend on Social Security at some point in their lives. Most are retirees. But millions are disabled workers, widows and widowers, and children who have lost the support of a parent through death or disability. We need to keep the promise of Social Security alive for them — and future generations. Social Security has not contributed a penny to the federal deficit, and it’s not in crisis. In fact, Social Security has a $2.6 trillion surplus — it can pay 100 percent of promised benefits for 25 years and over 75 percent of benefits after that. With modest adjustments, Social Security can be strengthened and improved. Yet some Members of Congress are supporting proposals that would cut Social Security benefits deeply and are trying to push them through Congress. Tell President Obama: Women Can’t Afford Cuts to Social Security. We need your help to protect the promise of Social Security. And please spread the word by forwarding this message to friends, family and colleagues. Sincerely, Joan Entmacher Vice President, Family Economic Security National Women's Law Center       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.

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Honor a Champion in Your Life

"Champions keep playing until they get it right." -Billie Jean King What makes a champion? A true champion is not only the fastest, strongest player, but the athlete who gives her all to help her team to succeed. Whether it's taking the game winning shot or assisting a teammate, a champion will selflessly lead the team to victory. There are even more champions on the sidelines — parents, coaches, and advocates like you, who are still striving to make sure that girls are getting the opportunities they deserve to play. Now is the time to rally behind these champions in our lives and thank them for inspiring us every day to strive to achieve more. Honor the people in your life today by sending them the Rally for Girls' Sports e-card to let them know how much you admire and appreciate them. Want to make a more public gesture? Use our Rally for Girls' Sports Facebook App and honor up to ten of your friends on Facebook. Sincerely, Neena Chaudhry Senior Counsel National Women's Law Center P.S. Don’t forget to save the date for National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Wednesday, February 2! Find out how you can get involved.       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.           Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive future NWLC e-mails >> View this email on the web >> Privacy Policy >> Unsubscribe >> ® Copyright 2010 National Women’s Law Center 11 Dupont Circle, NW, # 800 Washington, DC 20036 ( phone ) 202. 588. 5180

And Now the Work Begins Anew...

Terrific news: The Center’s year-end fundraising drive was a remarkable success, and we’re happy to report that we not only met but surpassed our $75,000 match goal by $25,000. The Center’s Board and staff couldn’t be more grateful, and on behalf of the remarkable team here at the National Women’s Law Center, we want to thank our donors from the bottom of our hearts for their financial support. This week, as the New Year and the new Congress begin, we’re going to hit the ground running to protect our hard-won gains and to make fresh progress for women and girls — in the classroom, in the workplace and in society in general. We’ll be in touch in the coming weeks with progress reports, updates and requests for your help. As a valued member of the Center community, you’ll be among the first to know about new developments and urgent needs to speak up for women and families. For more than 38 years, every victory, every step forward has come with the active and often vocal support of people like you — who share our commitment to equity, fairness and progress for women and girls and our belief that every member of society benefits from achieving these ideals. Of course, it’s never too late to help — please give today, knowing that your support will be vitally needed to build our work throughout the coming year. We look forward to being in touch in the months ahead. Sincerely, Nancy Duff Campbell Co-President National Women's Law Center Marcia Greenberger Co-President National Women's Law Center       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.           Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive future NWLC e-mails >> View this email on the web >> Privacy Policy >> Unsubscribe >> ® Copyright 2010 National Women’s Law Center 11 Dupont Circle, NW, # 800 Washington, DC 20036 ( phone ) 202. 588. 5180

Only Hours Left to Match Your Gift

One Chance Left to Match Your Gift Until midnight tonight, every dollar donated in year-end giving will be matched dollar for dollar up to a total of $75,000. As a new year and a new Congress dawns, there are few better investments you can make in your and your family’s future than supporting the National Women’s Law Center. And until midnight tonight, every dollar donated in year-end giving will be matched dollar for dollar by our Board of Directors, up to a total of $75,000. From helping to secure major new investments in child care and Head Start to supports for struggling families to landmark health reforms that end health insurance abuses to providing girls with equal opportunities on the athletic field, the Center has fought to advance progress for women and families for more than 38 years. Some of our most critical achievements will be under attack next year. But we’ve faced this kind of adversity before. And we have prevailed. With your help we’ll prevail again. With best wishes for a joyous new year, Nancy Duff Campbell Co-President National Women's Law Center Marcia Greenberger Co-President National Women's Law Center       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.           Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive future NWLC e-mails >> View this email on the web >> Privacy Policy >> Unsubscribe >> ® Copyright 2010 National Women’s Law Center 11 Dupont Circle, NW, # 800 Washington, DC 20036 ( phone ) 202. 588. 5180

Only Two Days Left to Match Your Gift

Two Days Left to Match Your Gift Please invest in the Center by making a generous year end-contribution today. This year-end, there are few better investments that you can make in your and your family’s future than supporting the National Women’s Law Center. Please invest in the Center by making a generous year end-contribution today. And for the next two days only, every dollar donated in year-end giving will be matched dollar for dollar by our Board of Directors, up to a total of $75,000. From helping to secure major new investments in child care and Head Start to supports for struggling families to landmark health reforms that end health insurance abuses to providing girls with equal opportunities on the athletic field, the Center has fought to advance progress for women and families for more than 38 years. Some of our most cherished achievements will be under attack next year. But we’ve faced this kind of adversity before. And we have prevailed. With your help we’ll prevail again. With best wishes for a joyous new year. Nancy Duff Campbell Co-President National Women's Law Center Marcia Greenberger Co-President National Women's Law Center       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.

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Only Four Days Left to Double Your Gift

Four Days Left to Match Your Gift Please consider making an urgent and generous year-end donation in support of our work. There are only four days left to match your donation to help us carry on the fight for women and girls in America. Please donate today. Dear Stephanie, This Saturday we begin a new year. On January 5th, the 112th Congress convenes, with both big opportunities and serious threats ahead for women and families. The coming year will be a tough one for our cause. Some members of the new Congressional leadership want to turn back the clock on critical supports for women, including Social Security, this year's landmark health law and core reproductive rights. We've worked under adverse conditions — and prevailed — before. With your help we'll do it again. Please make an urgent contribution to the Center's year-end campaign — every dollar you donate will be matched dollar for dollar by our Board of Directors, who have generously increased the match from $60,000 to $75,000. For more than 38 years, the National Women's Law Center has led the way for women and families — in the classroom, in the workplace and in society as a whole. Our team of experts, lawyers and advocates is a formidable force for women in America today. Please consider making an urgent and generous year-end donation in support of our work. Thanks in advance for your generous help. Wishing you a warm holiday season and a peaceful and happy new year, Nancy Duff Campbell Co-President National Women's Law Center Marcia Greenberger Co-President National Women's Law Center       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.           Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive future NWLC e-mails >> View this email on the web >> Privacy Policy >> Unsubscribe >> ® Copyright 2010 National Women’s Law Center 11 Dupont Circle, NW, # 800 Washington, DC 20036 ( phone ) 202. 588. 5180

Help End Economic Insecurity - Your Gift Matched

Many women and families are hurting in this fragile economy. The unemployment rate among women is the highest in a quarter-century. As many as 300,000 children are at risk of losing access to affordable child care. Yet much of the talk in Washington is about reducing the deficit and cutting programs that serve women and their families, even as the wealthiest Americans receive billions of dollars in tax breaks. That's not the right prescription for fixing the ailing economy. We will fight for policies that promote economic growth, create jobs, and support the economic well-being of women and families. We will work to protect and improve programs that give vital support to women and children, such as Social Security and child care assistance, and for fair and responsible tax policy. Please join us in this fight — every dollar you donate will be matched dollar for dollar by our Board of Directors, up to a total of $60,000. Throughout the last two-year session of Congress, the Center fought hard for these programs and more. We spearheaded the effort to expand funding for child care and Head Start in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, leading to the largest increase in federal funding for these programs in a decade. We were instrumental in securing significant improvements in the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit in the same legislation and in winning a two-year extension of those improvements in the tax bill signed into law by the President last week. We helped secure billions of dollars in incentive payments for states to expand unemployment insurance coverage for women and low-wage workers, which 39 states have taken advantage of already. In the coming year, we will fight for women's economic security by: Ensuring that Social Security is protected and strengthened — not cut in the name of deficit-reduction Pressing for fair and responsible tax reform that raises adequate revenues and requires those with the greatest ability to pay their fair share Improving access to high-quality, affordable child care so parents can earn a living and children can succeed in school. When the new session of Congress begins in January, with many more Members hostile to programs that will support women and families, we will have our work cut out for us. In its 38 years, the Center has faced similar challenges before and prevailed — and with your help, we'll win again. Thanks in advance for your generous support. Sincerely, Nancy Duff Campbell Co-President National Women's Law Center Marcia Greenberger Co-President National Women's Law Center       Share This     Spread the Word   Please forward this email to your friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to sign up to receive the NWLC Update in their own inboxes.   Check Your Subscription   Are you getting the emails from NWLC that most interest you? Please take a moment to update your subscription preferences.           Did someone forward you this email? Sign up to receive future NWLC e-mails >> View this email on the web >> Privacy Policy >> Unsubscribe >> ® Copyright 2010 National Women’s Law Center 11 Dupont Circle, NW, # 800 Washington, DC 20036 ( phone ) 202. 588. 5180