Violence Against Women Act

March is National Women’s history month and today is International Women’s Day! When we hear the words ‘international’ and ‘women’ one EMILY’s List woman always springs to mind. We hope you can take some time to celebrate that certain special someone with us.  Can you guess who she is?

It’s been a long time coming, but the Violence Against Women Act is finally heading to President Obama’s desk for his signature. This is due in no small part to the tireless efforts of EMILY’s List women like Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Louise Slaughter and Senator Patty Murray.

I have an aunt who lives way out in the woods of Nebraska. Chadron, actually, beautiful country, pristine land, amazing wildlife. She doesn’t have a landline at her house – or electricity, for that matter (by choice). And it was only relatively recently that there was a cell tower near enough to allow  her to get a phone with a local provider to have regular phone access. Still, it’s a basic plan, with limited minutes (the two of us get chatty) and between our two schedules, I’m only able to catch up with her once or twice a month.
 

No one is for violence against women, right? No one supports rape, domestic violence, stalking, or abuse. And yet, Wednesday, Republicans refused to even consider the Violence Against Women Act.

Changes in the Violence Against Women Act – rights for Native Americans, immigrants, LGBT – were included to reflect the reality of life since the Act was last updated. But Republicans in Congress have made the safety of others political, rather than common sense.