The 2013 Pennsylvania NOW Convention

The Pennsylvania State chapter of the National Organization for Women will hold its 2013 Convention on Saturday, September 28th at the Harrisburg Hilton, from 9AM-5PM. Register online at PANOW2013.Eventbrite.com (flyer with more info here). It's a chance to attend workshops and get up to date on the issues you care about and to connect with fellow feminists from around the state. It's also the time when NOW members will elect new state leadership.

I am a candidate for President of Pennsylvania NOW. It's time to change the conversation about feminist issues in this state. My main goal for PA NOW is to promote a Women's Equality Agenda for Pennsylvania that begins with a comprehensive Reproductive Health Care bill and a Pay Equity bill. Reproductive health means more than access to safe abortion, it means sex education, access to birth control, and high quality prenatal and maternity care. Pay equity means not only narrowing the wage gap and pushing for affordable child care, but passing basic worker rights like earned sick time and raising the minimum wage so workers can better support their families. I hope to help PA NOW empower feminists to empower themselves by providing the tools, opportunities, and statewide feminist network to help move women into leadership roles in their communities and government.

If you're a NOW member attending the Convention, you can vote for me. I am running on a slate with wonderful women from across the state: for Vice-President, Michele Hamilton (Centre County); for Secretary, Susan Woodland (Erie County); and for Treasurer, Betsy Parziale (Montgomery County). But whether you're a member or not, you should come to the Convention. Our program includes workshops like:

The Importance of Social Security & Medicare for Women
How I Met Your Movement: Involving Millenials in Reproductive Justice
Thank You Diego, but We'd like to Hear about Frida: Women Engaged in the Arts Community
LGBT Equality in Pennsylvania
Domestic Violence: Prevention, Intervention & Treatment Strategies Empowering Women
Financial Literacy: How to Preserve & Maximize Your Income and Investments
Documenting Our History & Celebrating Grassroots Activists
and More!

We are honored this year to have "Liberal Lion of the Senate" State Senator Daylin Leach as our Guest Speaker for Lunch, so when you register for the Convention, register for this lunch as well. Senator Leach is a terrific speaker, and one of our strongest supporters in the General Assembly. Lunch is at the Hilton and is an additional $25. All proceeds benefit NOW.

Registration begins at 8AM, or you can register online at PANOW2013.Eventbrite.com. Tickets include breakfast, access to all workshops, and an after-Convention reception with the Central Pennsylvania Womyn's Chorus. For more information, search PA NOW Convention on Facebook, or the PANOW.org website, and please forward this to friends who might like to attend.

I hope to see you there!

Caryn