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Feminist Events

Sender: Alice Ralph
Date: 5/12/2009

Tuesday 28 April was National Equal Pay Day
WPA members Jan BenDor, Alice Ralph and Mary Shindell carpooled to visit with WPA members and State Representatives Alma Wheeler-Smith and Pam Byrnes before joining women wearing red for a rally in the Capitol Rotunda. Red symbolized how far ‘in the red' women's annual pay is, compared to annual pay for equivalent work done by men. Michigan women's pay is 44th in the U.S. at 71.8 cents on the dollar, compared to about 78 cents for the national average.

As guests of Rep. Pam Byrnes, we three WPA members grabbed a quick bite of lunch before going to the House session where pay equity legislation was introduced for the 24th consecutive year. We were greeted in the House chamber gallery by WPA member and State Representative Rebecca Warren during various introductions of guests by other Representatives. A large contingent of the American Association of University Women www.aauwmi.org was introduced with WPA member Amy Seetoo among them. As presiding officer of the House session, Rep. Byrnes graciously introduced us individually as representatives of WPA.

We remained in the gallery a while longer before rounding out our trip with a visit to the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame where some WPA members are inductees! www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org

We thank our WPA Treasurer, delegation leader and driver Mary Shindell.
We thank our WPA members and State House Representatives Pam Byrnes, Rebecca Warren and Alma Wheeler Smith for their hospitality and for the work they continue on our behalf.

Actions we can take:

• Lean on the Republican-controlled State Senate to pass pay equity legislation
• Support progressive candidates to take control of the State Senate and get progressive legislation passed!
• View websites at the links provided above and here to see what some of our sister organizations are doing:
  The White House Projects
  Michigan, "No More Red Suits"
  Michigan NOW
  Mary Pollack's Testimony of 2007 still stands!
  www.aauwmi.org (Save the date for AAUW 2009 celebration of Women's Equality Day August 26)
  

WPA Sunday 15 March 2009 * Manifesto Medley *

Repeat Downtown Ann Arbor location!
Light Refreshments!

Members, please log in* and click here to WPA Business for more information.

Because WPA members so enjoyed Winter Warming, we are reprising the popular Open Floor period for our Spring quarterly general membership meeting, a Manifesto Medley.

Did you miss Winter Warming? Did you have some afterthoughts? Be part of Manifesto Medley on Sunday 15 March. WPA members are welcome to bring personal guests. We will take an hour or so for voluntary 3-minute speeches, flanked by half-hours of introductory social and informal follow up time. (Handouts? Petitions? Volunteer sign up?)

If you have a WPA friend who is not using this website or email, help her out, call her! RSVP to

*Forgot your own login info? Use to request a reminder.

WPA Winter Warming Pot Luck

Members, please join us for our annual Winter Warming Pot Luck!

Sunday, December 14
5:30 - 9 p.m.

Hathaway's Hideaway
310 S. Ashley, Ann Arbor 48104
(South of Liberty, near Fleetwood Diner)

Download a map of avalable parking lots.

RSVP to Kristin Judge at 646-2088 or and sign up to bring a dish to pass.

Don't miss this opportunity to share stimulating conversation, delicious food and beverages.

Warmly,

WPA Executive Committee

P.S. Annual dues are now $15. We will be collecting 2009 dues at the Winter Warming. Save a stamp and pay in-person!

WPA September Stump Speech Salon

This year, WPA is kicking off a quarterly schedule with a September membership meeting. In keeping with election season, members are invited to prepare a 3-minute 'stump speech' on any progressive issue, cause, or person they would like to introduce or share (vent?) with WPA members and personally invited guests. We hope for a minimum of 3 volunteers (members have priority) to make 3-minute speeches. We would love to have about 9 speeches to make up a middle half hour of structured time flanked by half hours of introductory social and informal follow up time. (Handouts? Petitions? Volunteer sign up?)

Members, please log in and click on WPA Business for more info.
Forgot your member login? Send a request for your current user name and password to .

Sarah Palin Doesn't Speak for Us!

The slide show below belongs to PFAW. View the original, make a donation, or submit your photos here.

WPA Endorsements

WPA Executive Committee announces organizational endorsement of WPA members and other progressive women running for elected office. Not only are several members serving in public office or running for re-election, but more and more members are running for the first time. Members also recommend other progressive candidates for organizational endorsement. WPA organizational endorsement represents candidate evaluation by active member commentary and Executive Committee decision. Criteria reflect our WPA Mission. WPA members are also free to extend their individual support to any candidate they choose. To see the current slate of WPA endorsements, click here or go to the Endorsements link in the side bar to the left.