Category: Press Release

(WASHINGTON, DC): Jordan Brooks, Executive Director of the United State of Women, released the following statement on the Supreme Court of the United States decision on abortion rights. 

“The United State of Women joins the entire reproductive justice community in expressing our anger and dismay at the Supreme Court’s decision to allow state lawmakers to make decisions about our bodies and our healthcare. This decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will harm millions of Americans, allowing states to ban abortion and permitting Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban to go into effect.” 

“One thing is clear – abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join the community members, activists and individuals across the country both in our grief and our determination. And we know our fight must center the most marginalized because these bans on our bodies are most harmful to low-income communities of color.”

“People across the United States will still need abortion care and the United State of Women is dedicated to protecting abortion providers and patients at all costs. All people should be trusted to make the reproductive healthcare decisions that are best for them on their own terms.” 

USOW will continue to share resources and information for people who want to get involved in the fight for abortion access. Abortion is still legal in many states and USOW’s Abortion Access Hub  features an extensive list of actions people can take as abortion advocates including supporting abortion funds across all 50 states, abortion clinic wishlists, social media graphics and resources for people seeking care.  

Jordan is available to speak to press about the implications of the Supreme Court decision, including how abortion rights intersect with economic inequality, voting rights, parental support and other gender issues.
 

ABOUT THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN: 

The United State of Women (USOW) aims to create a world in which women and all people of marginalized genders can thrive. Through education, community, and action, USOW amplifies issues at the intersection of gender and racial justice and galvanizes organizations, public figures, elected officials, and everyday feminists of all genders to drive policy and culture change. Learn more here. 
 

ABOUT CIVIC NATION:

Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit home for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation. Civic Nation empowers and educates individuals, companies, institutions and organizations to drive culture, systems, and policy change, working towards a more inclusive and equitable America. Seven initiatives are a part of the Civic Nation family: When We All Vote, United State of Women, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, End Rape On Campus, It’s On Us, Made to Save and We The Action. Learn more here.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Ahead of the first anniversary of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, more than 40 organizations and leaders of the gender equity community released a joint statement pledging to fight for our democracy. 

“One year ago – January 6, 2021 – a violent mob of anti-democratic insurrectionists attacked the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. The sexism, racism and othering exhibited that day have roots in the misogyny and white supremacy that have long fueled violence and discrimination in this country. When those hateful beliefs and violence go unchallenged and are instead amplified by those in power, our very democracy is at risk. That is why there must be full accountability for all those involved in the insurrection and its continued disinformation. To do anything less is to further risk the erosion of our country and our values of equity, justice and fairness. 

Our community of multi-racial, multi-generational gender justice leaders represents women, girls and gender nonconforming people from every corner of this nation. We remain as strongly united in our commitment to protect democracy as we were one year ago. We will not back down. We are organizing day in and day out in 2022 to ensure that our voices are heard and our democracy is protected. And we need leaders who represent us– running for office and building the democracy we deserve.

Today, our democracy, our bodies and our dignity are still at stake. Lawmakers in 49 states have proposed more than 500 bills making it harder for people to vote. Our time to act is now. We urge all Americans to contact their Senators and demand that they support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. 

Anti-freedom politicians are trying to sabotage our elections and take control over the most personal freedom we have — determining what happens to our own bodies, lives and futures. When the right to vote is under attack, abortion and all gender and racial justice issues are under attack. We are urging lawmakers to protect voting rights using every means at their disposal, so that we may achieve economic, social, and physical freedom for all women, girls, and people of marginalized genders.”

The coalition was led by the United State of Women and includes:

 #WinWithBlackWomen, 9to5, American Association of People with Disabilities, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Black Women’s Roundtable, NCBCP, EMILY’s List, End Rape On Campus, ERA Coalition, Esperanza United (Formerly Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network), Feminist Majority Foundation, Girls for Gender Equity, Higher Heights for America, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, It’s On Us, Jewish Women International (JWI), Justice for Migrant Women, Liberation for Us, Marshall Plan for Moms, MomsRising, Ms. Magazine, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Action Network, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), National Council of Jewish Women, National Crittenton, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Urban League, National Women’s Law Center, Paid Leave for All, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Supermajority, UltraViolet, United State of Women, Vote Run Lead, Women’s Foundation California, Women’s March, YWCA USA 

Amanda Brown Lierman (Supermajority), Anna Chu (National Women’s Law Center), Bia f Vieira (Women’s Foundation California), Carrie Hatfield (National Crittenton), Catherine V. Beane (YWCA USA), Ebonie Riley (National Action Network), Eleanor Smeal (Feminsit Majority Foundation), Erin Vilardi (Vote Run Lead), Heather Booth, Jeannette Pai-Espinosa (National Crittenton), Joanne N. Smith (Girls for Gender Equity), Jocelyn Frye (National Partnership for Women & Families), Joi Olivia Chaney (National Urban League), Jordan Brooks (United State of Women), Jotaka Eaddy (#WinWithBlackWomen), Joycelyn Tate, Katherine Spillar (Ms. magazine), Kathleen E Washington, Kenyora Lenair Parham, MSW (End Rape On Campus), Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (MomsRising), Laphonza Butler (EMILY’s List), Marcela Howell (In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda), Margaret Mitchell (YWCA USA), Maria Town (American Association of People with Disabilities), Mary Kay Henry (Service Employees International Union (SEIU)), Meredith Jacobs (Jewish Women International (JWI)), Mini Timmaraju (NARAL Pro-Choice America), Monica Ramirez (Justice for Migrant Women), Patti Tototzintle (Esperanza United (Formerly Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network)), Rachel O’Leary Carmona (Women’s March), Sarah McPherson (End Rape on Campus), Shaunna Thomas (UltraViolet), Sheila Katz (National Council of Jewish Women), Shirley J Wilcher, Silvia Zenteno (It’s On Us), Tracey Vitchers (It’s On Us), Vicki Shabo

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NDAA includes meaningful changes for sexual assault survivors, incorporates removing the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault from the chain of command

CONTACT: Press@civicnation.org

Washington, DC – Today, Civic Nation’s gender equity initiatives, The United State of Women, It’s On Us and End Rape on Campus, stood together as organizations at the forefront of the fight for gender equity to release a statement following the House passage of The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA includes historic and meaningful reform of the military justice system’s handling of sexual assault cases.

“Every issue is a gender issue at USOW, especially survivor justice,” said the United State of Women Executive Director Jordan Brooks. “We are pleased to see Congress pass bipartisan reform on military sexual assault that is both trauma-informed and prioritizes the needs of survivors of sexual misconduct. Reforms like this will help set an important precedent for how survivors must be centered and believed across all sectors as we work to create a world free from gender-based violence.”

“It’s On Us is pleased that Congress has reached a bipartisan deal to achieve historic reform of the military justice system’s handling of sexual assault cases, including recommendations made by the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault led by Lynn Rosenthal and supported by President Biden and Secretary Austin. Removing the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault from the chain of command and creating dedicated units to handle these cases will hopefully lead to more survivors accessing support and justice. We also believe that increased reporting will help to inform the creation of much-needed prevention education efforts and work to eliminate sexual violence from within our military ranks,” said It’s On Us Executive Director Tracey Vitchers.

“End Rape On Campus is proud to support the NDAA’s military justice reform as a critical and transformative step in addressing the long-standing sexual assault crisis present in the military. Each year, thousands of service members experience sexual assault, and then must face the fear of retaliation and lack of accountability,” said End Rape On Campus Executive Director, Kenyora Parham. “Through addressing the bias yielded by the military chain of command and ensuring that investigation and prosecution procedures are conducted by an independent unit of trained, professional military prosecutors, EROC believes this bill will serve as the first step in shifting culture within the military and creating a violence-free environment in which all service member survivors are seen, heard and believed.”

ABOUT CIVIC NATION:

Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit home for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation. Civic Nation empowers and educates individuals, companies, institutions and organizations to drive culture, systems, and policy change, working towards a more inclusive and equitable America. Seven initiatives are a part of the Civic Nation family: When We All Vote, United State of Women, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, End Rape On Campus, It’s On Us, Made to Save and We The Action. Learn more here.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN:

The United State of Women is an initiative of Civic Nation dedicated to convening, connecting, and amplifying voices in the fight for full gender equity. We are a community for all women, gender nonconforming people, and allies who believe in full gender equity and want to work collectively to achieve it. Learn more here.

ABOUT IT’S ON US:

It’s On Us was founded in September 2014 as an initiative of the Obama-Biden White House. The program launched following recommendations from the White House Task Force to Prevent Sexual Assault that noted the importance of calling everyone into the conversation on sexual assault prevention. Over the last six years, It’s On Us has grown into the nation’s largest nonprofit program dedicated to college sexual assault prevention and survivor support activating students on hundreds of campuses in our awareness and education programs. Learn more here.

ABOUT END RAPE ON CAMPUS:

End Rape on Campus (EROC) works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities; prevention through education; and policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels. EROC envisions a world where each individual has an educational experience free from violence, and until then, that all survivors are believed, trusted, and supported. Learn more here.

Framework includes transformational investments in child care, caregiving, expanded Child Tax Credit, and universal preschool. USOW continues to advocate for inclusion of paid leave.

Contact: Press@civicnation.org 

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, President Biden announced the Build Back Better framework which includes historic investments in child care and home care, the extension of the Child Tax Credit, universal preschool and a critical expansion of affordable health care coverage. This investment in care infrastructure will be transformative for women and families.

Parents will now have access to high-quality, affordable child care and expanded resources to care for their loved ones with disabilities. Additionally, the extension of the Child Tax Credit to 90% of parents for 2022 will help cover the cost of food, housing, medicine, and transportation and will continue to reduce child poverty. The framework also includes permanent refundability for the Child Tax Credit, meaning that the neediest families will continue to receive the full Child Tax Credit in years to come. This year USOW has worked alongside community partners to ensure that the lowest-income families are able to access this life-changing benefit. 

“Thank you to President Biden and the champions in Congress who advocated for and continue to push for the historic investments in women and families, which will lead to years of transformational, equitable change,” said Executive Director of the United State of Women Jordan Brooks. “The care infrastructure policies included in the Build Back Better framework will be a game-changer and we are nowhere near finished fighting. We will continue to work alongside members of Congress to ensure that paid family leave is included in the final legislation alongside these critical investments in caregiving, the Child Tax Credit, universal preschool and home care.”

Follow the United State of Women on Instagram at www.instagram.com/usowomen, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/USOWomen, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheUnitedStateofWomen 

ABOUT THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN: 

The United State of Women is an initiative of Civic Nation dedicated to convening, connecting, and amplifying voices in the fight for full gender equity. We are a community for all women, gender nonconforming people, and allies who believe in full gender equity and want to work collectively to achieve it. Learn more here. 

ABOUT CIVIC NATION:

Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit home for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation. Civic Nation empowers and educates individuals, companies, institutions and organizations to drive culture, systems, and policy change, working towards a more inclusive and equitable America. Seven initiatives are a part of the Civic Nation family: When We All Vote, United State of Women, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, End Rape On Campus, It’s On Us, Made to Save and We The Action. Learn more here.

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Contact: Press@CivicNation.org

The United State of Women efforts aim to reach 300,000 eligible women and their families 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as a part of the White House Child Tax Credit Awareness Day, the United State of Women (USOW) is kicking off a series of actions to ensure parents know about the American Rescue Plan’s expansion of the Child Tax Credit and how it will benefit their families. 

To reach these families and build trust in the Child Tax Credit benefits program, the United State of Women will target eligible women, particularly young mothers of color, through paid advertising; technical assistance briefings for state and local organizations; and resources to educate and empower women to sign-up for these benefits. 

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan included the largest Child Tax Credit ever for working families. Experts predict that the Child Tax Credit has the potential to cut child poverty in half and it is absolutely critical to make sure that every eligible family can access it,” said Co-Chair of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein. “We look forward to working alongside The United State of Women team to support all eligible mothers in signing up for the Child Tax credit.”

“COVID relief and the Child Tax Credit is a gender issue,” said Executive Director of the United State of Women Jordan Brooks. “Women across the country sacrificed for their communities and families throughout the pandemic with little relief, and women of color especially bore the brunt. It is our charge to ensure that all eligible mothers, especially young moms of color, are aware of the life-changing Child Tax Credit benefits and feel supported in the sign up process through this campaign.”

“The expansion of the Child Tax Credit is going to put money directly in the pockets of the people who need it most – helping families pay for groceries, rent, child care and more.” said Civic Nation Board Chair Valerie Jarrett. “Civic Nation and the United State of Women look forward to working alongside the White House to make sure that everyone who is eligible can access this life-changing benefit.” 

To answer the White House’s call to raise awareness and reach all eligible families, USOW will support eligible mothers every step of the way throughout their campaign. USOW will follow up with individuals to ensure they completed the IRS sign-up form and received their benefits, and will mobilize them to share information about the Child Tax Credit benefits with others in their community. USOW’s goal is to reach 300,000 eligible women and their families.

For more information on the Child Tax Credit, please visit https://usowomen.wpenginepowered.com/ctc

Please follow the United State of Women on Instagram at www.instagram.com/usowomen, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/USOWomen, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheUnitedStateofWomen 

ABOUT THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN: 

The United State of Women is an initiative of Civic Nation dedicated to convening, connecting, and amplifying voices in the fight for full gender equity. We are a community for all women, gender nonconforming people, and allies who believe in full gender equity and want to work collectively to achieve it. Learn more here. 

ABOUT CIVIC NATION:

Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit home for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation. Civic Nation empowers and educates individuals, companies, institutions and organizations to drive culture, systems, and policy change, working towards a more inclusive and equitable America. Six initiatives are a part of the Civic Nation family: When We All Vote, United State of Women, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, End Rape On Campus, It’s On Us and Made to Save. Learn more here.

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