Legislative
Information
(Advocacy
Center)
->
2008-2009 BPW/USA
National Legislative Platform
Preamble
The Equal Rights
Amendment, as authored by Alice Paul, shall stand first, foremost and above
all other items which may appear on the national platform of this Federation
until equal legal rights for women and men become guaranteed in the United
States Constitution, because all statutory law derives there from.
The Equal Rights
Amendment “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
Platform
Economic
Equity
Ensure pay equity and
equal educational and economic opportunities at all stages of life; and
promote affordable, quality dependent care to help ensure economic
self-sufficiency for women.
Health
Ensure reproductive
choice and full access to all reproductive health services and education;
ensure funds for research into and protections for women's health care needs;
and encourage the development of a national health care policy recognizing the
special health care needs of women.
Civil Rights
Ensure equal rights
and remedies for women in all phases of their lives; support affirmative
action; and eliminate all forms of harassment and violence against women.
Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) salutes the selection of
Governor Sarah Palin as the first woman Vice Presidential nominee for the
Republican Party. While her nomination puts a much needed spotlight on the
challenges faced by many working women as they seek to balance work and
caregiving responsibilities, we expect the press and the public to focus on her
positions on issues rather than her ability to do the job because of gender or
motherhood.
Governor Palin needs to tell the nation where she stands on issues that
impact working women and their families, such as equal pay, access to child care
and retirement security. As a working mother, we hope she will be a strong
advocate for work-life policies such as paid sick leave, FMLA and flex time. BPW/USA
believes that the ultimate working mother is one who has the support and
resources to be a successful care giver and an employee without penalty.
BPW/USA believes that greater federal attention to work-life policies is
needed so that working women and men do not have to choose between their
responsibilities as employees and their responsibilities to their families. BPW/USA
is committed to ensuring access for all workers to paid sick days, expanding
existing rights to time off for family and medical needs, and implementing new
policies guaranteeing the right to request flexibility and equal pay.
BPW/USA advocates for successful and equitable workplaces. Successful
workplaces are those that offer flexible options to all employees including
those with families. Workplace flexibility began in response to a perceived need
to “accommodate” working mothers. Now, businesses have found that successful
flex programs meet bottom line needs as well.
I encourage you to ask Governor Palin where she stands on these critically
important issues that impact working women and their families.
Click here to write Senator McCain and Governor Palin and ask them to support
equity for all women in the workplace.
Sincerely,
Deborah L. Frett
CEO
Business and Professional Women/USA