News of Note: Duckworth, Saudi Women, and Pro-Woman Actvity in the Senate

Our Candidates

• Obama campaign advisor David Axelrod is backing Tammy Duckworth in her run for Congress in Illinois 8th district, and last week he successfully co-hosted a fundraiser for Tammy that raised $75,000. Last Thursday Axelrod stated- “I know that Tammy is going to be in the forefront of fighting for the kinds of policies that will create the best future for people in the 8th District.” We couldn’t agree more.
• Congratulations to Senator Feinstein for being a recipient of the 2011 Alice Award! The award recognizes women for their efforts and achievements in breaking barriers for women.

Women and Politics

• Saudi Arabia finally grants women the right to vote. While the announcement came with stipulations and delays, women worldwide can celebrate Saudi Arabia’s move to finally enfranchise women. It’s a definitive step in the right direction for one of world’s most socially conservative nations.

Choice

• It’s become difficult to expect any good news for women’s health to come from the House this session - with so many Republicans playing politics instead of working on behalf of the American voters who put them there. However, last week the Senate Appropriations committee adopted two promising amendments to the 2012 Fiscal Year funding measure that would have important implications for women living and serving abroad. The first incorporates a measure that would lift the ban on abortions for Peace Corps volunteers.  The second would permanently disallow the global gag rule. The Ms. Magazine Blog covers what this decades old tug-of-war over women’s health really means, and why the prospect of a permanent end to it is absolutely necessary. Also of note is that EMILY’s List alums Dianne Feinstein, Patty Murray, and Barbara Mikulski were among the Senators who stood in support of this measure and in solidarity with women everywhere.

Just for Fun

• Why is it that young women sometimes hesitate to raise their voices or express political opinions when given the opportunity? On Zooey Deschanel’s site Hello Giggles, blogger Julia Gazdag asks readers for their thoughts on this. So- here’s opportunity #1 to reverse the trend- add your voice by joining the conversation on her blog!
• Fall television premiers are upon us! While some shows continue to typecast women as shrill nags or glamorize sexual harassment, there are many others that showcase strong female characters and friendships. Marlo Thomas reflects on ‘That Girl,’ women in television, past idols, and future fearless females.