A message from the President of the US Section of the
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
C O M M U N I T Y * C O M M I T M E N T * C O U R A G E * C O M P A S S I O N
March 8, 2017
Happy International Women's Day!
We Are Still Making History...Walking the Walk
Today on International Women's Day we continue to strive for unity across state borders, over oceans and face those walls that separate humanity into units of production and disenfranchise the 99 %. We applaud the Wearing of the Red in US to support #BeBoldForChange" the International Women's Day theme for 2017 where women UNITE IN A GLOBAL STRIKE to focus on PURCHASE POWER and WORK POWER of women all over the globe.
In the US, we already we see the effect of "A Day Without a Women" Campaign in Virginia and North Carolina - teachers striking out for women's rights forced the close of schools (The Guardian). In Argentina, Peru, Brazil, and more global partners to come women are standing up! There will be stories to carry with us from the world of women about the need to speak out and be heard.
Although not all women are able to leave their employment today, we can wear the red of rebellion. And remember this is ONLY THE BEGINNING!
What are you doing? Send WILPF US your photos and bylines We need to hear from you!
In New York, actress Anne Hathaway, a global goodwill ambassador to the United Nations, will deliver a keynote address at the world body.
Crowds will gather for "A Day Without a Woman" march" at 12 p.m. at a corner of Central Park while others will head over to Trump Tower in protest of the President's policies.
Not to be left out, women in the nation's capital will have a "Resist Trump" protest as well, starting at 11 a.m.
House minority leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats will honor the importance of women at 12:30 p.m. in DC. Another rally will call for an end to workplace violence and harassment, and to promote pay equality.
Coming up CSW61(2017) Women's Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work
WILPF US supports the decision by WILPF International to not attend the CSW 61 in protest against the Executive Order to BAN IMMIGRATION OF WORLD CITIZENS FROM 7 (NOW 6) COUNTRIES signed by US President Donald Trump.
However, a WILPF US side-panel was chosen to present at the CSW 61 this year. The presenters (Lamia Sadek, Maureen Eke and me) agreed that because the President of the United States' order is in violation of human rights, that we must speak up and out in support our women all around the world. Our side-panel focuses on the sustainability through economic empowerment of women and young girls, particularly from indigenous cultures. We look forward to bringing women to "our" table to provide multiple ways of supporting the protest against this egregious attack on human rights and particularly against women and children who are disproportionately disadvantaged.
I am grateful to US WILPF members who form a powerful sisterhood to move forward!
Yours in Solidarity and Service
Mary Hanson Harrison
President
WILPF US Section
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom/US Section
11 Arlington Street | Boston, MA 02116 | 617-266-0999 |
www.wilpfus.org
