Featured Blog Posts - NoLimits.org

Working for Working Families

2009-11-12T15:30:00.000Z

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) were an integral part of our conference, see what they have to share from the day:

Click here to view IAMAW Video from the No Limits Conference.

No Limits Policy Conference - Women's Rights are Human Rights

2009-11-11T03:44:31.000Z

I’m delighted that so many of us got to attend the No Limits policy conference last week. Many of our online No Limits friends weren’t able to join us, so I thought people might enjoy seeing my notes from one of the morning breakout sessions – Women’s Rights are Human Rights…

Moderated by Randi Weingarten of the American Teachers Federation.

Hillary’s Beijing speech was given nearly 14 years ago.

Approximately 200,000 women and children have been raped in the Congo since the war started 13 years ago. It’s still a novel idea that women’s rights are human rights in many parts of the world.

Hillary (and relief workers) travels the world not to tell survivors what to do, but to listen and become their voice.

To EMPOWER them.

You do that with:
Advocacy
Aid and
Education

Panel:
LISLissa Muscatine – was Hillary’s speechwriter in the White House (wrote the Beijing speech!!), worked with her on her book Living History, and now serves as speech writer at the State Dept.

Kakenya Ntaiya – founder of the Kakenya Center for Excellence – building school for girls in Kenya.

JoDee Winterhoff – CARE.

Lissa – Never anticipated that phrase in Beijing speech would mean so much to so many.

Still working to include those still marginalized.

Human rights = dignity and freedom.

1st trip with Hillary (as Sec. of State) was to Asia.

They did town hall meetings with women in South Korea, Indonesia and China.
Hillary met with some of the same women in China as she did at the Beijing conference in 1995.

This is the first time a secretary of state has appointed an ambassador for global women’s issues (Melanne Verveer).

Issues like climate change hits women – Agriculture – women derive much of their income from Agriculture.

Food security initiative – they go in and find out what they need and get it for them.
She used the example where the women in one village said they needed shovels. When someone pointed to a stack of them nearby the women said those were for the men – regular handles etc. The women work in the fields with a baby strapped to their back so they bend down and need a different handle. Little things like that mean so much but we wouldn’t know that if we just went in and told them what to do without listening.

She and Melanne Verveer went to Goma and the refugee camps with Hillary. It was like triage in the camps – so MUCH suffering and violence – sexual violence is being used routinely in conflict areas – it’s a fact of life for so many.

Lissa talked about the role of New Media and how Hillary’s using that at the state department.

Things like instant messaging can be used to quickly and safely report rapes – and cell phones for micro-financing to make person to person small loans.

Kakenya – Grew up in a small village in Kenya, the oldest of 8 children in her family – she helped raise her siblings.

She was expected to marry as soon as she reached puberty and got cut.

Her father abused her mom – she was uneducated and his property just as everything in their home was his. The cattle – the crops the others grew and harvested – he could sell it all and take the money and do with it as he wished.

Her mom never got an education and was helpless – she didn’t want her life for her children.
Girls went to primary school in Kenya. Kakenya admired her teachers – she wanted to teach when she grew up – not farm.

In the 8th grade (at age 13 or 14) she was ready to be cut (female genital mutilation) but she didn’t want that. Bargained her way into high school with her father.

It’s against the law in Kenya to cut girls – but that law is never enforced. Families considered it a disgrace if their daughters didn’t get mutilated.

Kakenya managed to get permission to go to school in the US. Applied and was accepted and raised the money to get here. Her eyes were opened to women’s rights when she got to the states.

At home – girls are worth 7 cows – their father gets 7 cows when she marries.
Something as basic as bathrooms in school make a difference. When a girl reaches puberty and the school has no bathrooms, she stays home 4 or 5 days a month from school.

Thanks to Kakenya and her organization, last year they broke ground on a new school for girls – 32 girls are getting an education there now.

Teachers are trained to see girls with limitless potential. Quality education for them is the result.

JoDee – women’s rights are human rights and there should be no limits – great idea!
Hillary went to 7 nations in Africa in 11 days recently.

Kankenya’s story is not uncommon.

CARE started as a disaster relief organization 60 years ago (?) and delivered boxes of supplies.

They go in and ask what folks need instead of telling them what they need.

Help to build school and work with government to help them understand why girls should be educated.

CARE works in 70 countries and has 12,000 staff. The majority of them are native to the nation they’re working in. They serve 60 million people worldwide.

1.3 billion people are living on a dollar a day or less – 70% of them are women and girls.

A woman dies every minute of every day from childbirth or complications of pregnancy.

Women bear the brunt of poverty in the world. We’re a huge part of the solution.

Health care, food and education.

We’re 3 times more likely to put our resources back into the community than men.

Good news – CARE is not alone in the work.

We now have a women’s power center with Hillary and Melanne at the state department.

In the senate, Senator Boxer chairs the Foreign Relations subcommittee on global women’s issues.

JoDee closed by saying that one day she got a pop-up on her computer asking her if she wanted to “re-set normal”. Didn’t know what that meant so she said no or cancel.

But it occurred to her that we need to RE-SET NORMAL re the way people think about women and our lives.

Q&A
College student from New Jersey said she was the president of the feminist club on her campus (lots of applause). She said people thought women’s rights were no longer an issue or a problem. To the point where people wore t-shirts that said “NO MEANS NO (UNLESS SHE’s DRUNK)”

How do we get the message out that there’s still work to do re women’s rights?

Randi said that’d be a great topic for No Limits – to tackle that notion that we don’t have to worry about women’s rights any more.

We’ve made progress re race relations (black and white etc) but we still have a LOT of work to do re relations between the sexes.

We’re waging a battle of mass culture here.

Part of the solution needs to be economically based.

Women still control massive amounts of income in this society and set family budgets – make a lot of the purchasing decisions.

It might take boycotts of companies that profit from the sexist nature of what’s done in the media and in marketing / advertising.

It’s going to take the political will of women.

Example - Liberia now has a woman leader.

It all started with a sit-down strike and the women who refused favors to their men.

They stuck together and achieved great things.

We need to somehow replicate that model.

This breakout session wrapped up and we all headed over to the main part of the conference center for a fabulous luncheon, more visiting, and to hear our Champion, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speak.

Conference photos, health care on the move - and so is Hillary!!

2009-11-11T16:28:07.000Z

WHAT'S NEXT FOR HEALTH CARE?

Our goal of quality affordable health care for every American took a big step forward this weekend when the House passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act - but a step backward for women's health.

First the good news: No Limits Executive Director, Liz Wing, was in the gallery for the vote. As she said "the Affordable Health Care for America Act, is designed to make health insurance companies more honest, enacting regulations like prohibiting them from refusing coverage for pre-existing conditions and charging women more than men for the same coverage. It also offers a public option for those who aren't insured or aren't satisfied with their current coverage."

But Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, says: "While there are some who are satisfied with the health care reform bill that passed in the House of Representatives late Saturday night, I am not one of them. When it came down to it, Congress passed a bill that will undercut women's access to comprehensive health care..."

Now the fight for health care reform moves to the Senate. The challenge will be to keep what is so valuable in the House bill - and get fair treatment for women's health!

NO LIMITS NEWS

You may have noticed that we had our first Public Policy Conference last Friday, November 6th in Washington, D.C. Those of you who were able to be with us know it was an informative, energizing and inspiring day - highlighted by the appearance of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. For those who could not be with us, we're working now on getting video clips and reports, so you can share the day!

A special thanks to our five Co-Chairs for their leadership with this great event: Jane C. Bergner, Betty Cotton, Leecia Eve, Susan Ness, and Beth Newburger.

"In the few hours between landing after a swing through Pakistan, the Middle East, and North Africa and taking off again for Berlin, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton found time on Friday to stop over in much friendlier territory... The occasion: a 'policy conference'- really more of a reunion - put on by a Hillary-centric advocacy group called NoLimits.org."
"We have had some extraordinary times..." Hillary said, relaxed and smiling. "You're the ones who helped put all those cracks in the glass ceiling."

- The New Republic November 8, 2009

"Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today addressed the first public policy forum of NoLimits.org, an education foundation focusing on issues like work-family policies, healthcare reform and human rights. ...Addressing the mostly female audience, Clinton spoke of a recent trip to Congo, where she visited a hospital for rape victims. 'It rips your heart,' she said, noting that raping young women has become 'a tactic of war' there. She stressed the importance of spreading awareness in America about humanitarian crises abroad, telling the audience that her job as Secretary of State is to 'explain to the laid-off auto worker why it is important to help people abroad....to educate their children.'"

- MSNBC First Read, November 7, 2009

Click here to view photos from the conference!
(Courtesy of Ed Kimmel)

WELCOME LEECIA EVE

I am both very proud and excited about serving as a Senior Fellow at No Limits. In this capacity, I will oversee No Limits' education and grassroots advocacy effort on issues including progressive economic and work-family policies and women's rights as human rights.

For me, this is very much about "coming home" and moving forward, as it gives me a wonderful opportunity to work again with Ann Lewis, our extraordinary No Limits President, and with all of you as we work together to remain as informed as possible and seek to make a difference about the issues that matter to us all. The challenges, both here at home and around the world, are now greater than ever, but I am optimistic and have tremendous faith in the extraordinary energy and commitment of No Limits members and what we can learn from each other and achieve.

I can be reached at Leecia@NoLimits.org and look forward to hearing from you!

- Leecia Eve

HILLARY'S TRAVELS

Can't keep up with Hillary's travels? Neither can we. Two days after returning from her trip to Pakistan, Morocco, Israel, Bahrain and Egypt, Hillary left for Germany, and the 20th Anniversary celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall:

"We owe it to ourselves and to those who yearn for the same freedoms that are enjoyed and even taken for granted in Berlin today. And we need to form an even stronger partnership to bring down the walls of the 21st century, and to confront those who hide behind them: the suicide bombers; those who murder and maim girls whose only wish is to go to school; leaders who choose their own fortunes over the fortunes of their people."

- Secretary Hillary Clinton, in Berlin, November 9, 2009

From Germany, Hillary goes East - to Singapore for meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum; to Manila, for meeting with Philippine officials, and then back to Singapore.
Click here to see the map.

Check out Secretary Clinton's interview with Charlie Rose.

THE LAST WORD

"...what's important about No Limits is your message. That is such an American message, but it shouldn't be only an American message. And what I've been trying to do is to help people separate their historical sense of limits from what is possible going forward, that it is hard in traditional societies, it is hard when the odds seem stacked against you, but it is part of the American message at core that we believe not just in a better life for our own people, but we think helping those around the world to a better life is good for America, that it gives us a chance to see our values in action."

- Secretary Clinton at No Limits conference, November 6, 2009

Historic Move Toward Health Care Reform

2009-11-08T14:58:08.000Z

Today I got to watch history being made. I sat in the visitor gallery of the U.S. Capitol while our U.S. Representatives scurried to vote on a historical health care reform bill. It passed 220-215.

Titled the Affordable Health Care for America Act, this bill is designed to make health insurance companies more honest, enacting regulations like prohibiting them from refusing coverage for pre-existing conditions and charging women more than men for the same coverage. It also offers a public option for those who aren't insured or aren't satisfied with their current coverage.

Next up is the Senate, and it's unclear when they will vote on a version of the health care legislation. Though this was only one step in a long process towards real reform, it was a big step in the right direction. Certainly something to cheer about!

However, the House also passed a dangerous amendment to the bill. The Stupak Amendment bans federal funds from being used for reproductive health services in the public option and in the insurance "exchange" the bill would create. Democratic members argued that it was unnecessary because the Hyde Amendment (passed in 1976) prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services. Conscientious Members spoke out that this amendment went too far - and unnecessarily brought a polarizing issue to the health care debate - ultimately using health care reform to attack women's privacy and health. Indeed, if enacted, this amendment would further limits women's access to reproductive health services.

No Limits holds first Public Policy Conference with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

2009-11-08T07:00:00.000Z

"...what’s important about No Limits is your message. That is such an American message, but it shouldn’t be only an American message. And what I’ve been trying to do is to help people separate their historical sense of limits from what is possible going forward, that it is hard in traditional societies, it is hard when the odds seem stacked against you, but it is part of the American message at core that we believe not just in a better life for our own people, but we think helping those around the world to a better life is good for America, that it gives us a chance to see our values in action."

- Secretary Clinton at No Limits conference, November 6, 2009

Watch here for more information about this exciting event! Blog posts and pictures to come!

First Ever No Limits Conference Begins in Less Than 24 Hours!

2009-11-05T21:27:13.000Z

I can barely contain how excited I am that the first ever No Limits Public Policy Conference begins TOMORROW!!

Congressman Barney Frank on the economy and consumer finance protection, the very latest on health care from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina, issue panels on Women’s Rights as Human Rights, two dynamic former White House Press Secretaries sharing their Views from the Press Room, and experts on Climate Change and American Security.

I believe we’ll come away with a better understanding of not only the challenges that confront us as a nation and world, but also about what each of us can do individually and collectively to help address those challenges. And that’s just tomorrow morning!

I’m looking forward to the afternoon sessions as well, where we’ll all learn about how to refine our messaging skills and use social networking tools more effectively. It will also be so wonderful to see many friends I have not seen in a long time and to meet new ones as well.

I know this conference will be not just inspiring, but educational on a range of issues. Attendees will leave armed with the information and the tools to take action!

But, of course, the highlight of the conference will be the luncheon where we will all hear from our extraordinary Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton!

- Leecia Eve
New York Co-Chair

Half the Sky – Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

2009-10-31T01:00:00.000Z

I studied Third World development in the early ‘80s and my professors never mentioned a word about modern day slavery, human trafficking, honor killings, maternal mortality, or mass rape in war zones. As Secretary of State Clinton has repeatedly said, no nation can reach its full potential if half its population is left uneducated, unfed, and without health care, and Half the Sky illustrates this on every page. This incredible book should be required reading for anyone who cares about women and girls – especially those studying international relations.

In the developing world, boys sometimes go to school but girls go uneducated when school fees need to be paid or work needs to be done. When it comes to health care, sons go to the doctor and get vaccinated, but families take their chances when it comes to their daughters’ (or even a wife’s) health. If food is scarce, the boys eat before the girls. In India, girls aged 1 to 5 are 50% more likely to die than boys for lack of health care or food. A woman dies every minute of every day from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth – millions more are maimed for life. There’s a reason that 107 million females are missing in the world today and another 2 million disappear with each passing year. It’s called Gendercide – there’s a record of their birth but somewhere along the way they disappear for lack of food or medicine, or get sent off or taken to some brothel never to be seen again. Sadly, the evening news never tells us about any of this.

The authors of this book – both of whom have been awarded the Pulitzer for their journalistic talents – even admit that they’ve devoted little if any space in their columns and reports to the plight of women and girls. They admit that “[w]hen a prominent dissident was arrested in China, we would write a front-page article; when 100,000 girls were routinely kidnapped and trafficked into brothels, we didn’t even consider it news”.

This book changes everything when it comes to women’s rights on a global scale. It’s got people talking about ways to make this world a better place for all of us. It tells the stories of girls and women who’ve endured horrific things at a very young age. Some didn’t survive, but with a little help, others did. They survived and thrived because of people-to-people, grassroots involvement from folks just like us.

Half the Sky is full of stories of women who have gone from battered and abused wives contemplating suicide, to leaders in their community because someone loaned them a few dollars to buy a cow or plant some crops. It’s both heartbreaking and inspiring and covers issues that all civilized societies should be discussing and taking action on.

Read the book - and then help spread the word and get involved with one or more of the groups listed in the book - http://www.halftheskymovement.org/get-involved. Sponsor the construction of a new school or go to Kiva's website and loan someone $50 to start a small business in their community. Every little bit makes a huge difference in someone’s life – and from what I’ve seen in the stories in this book, it really doesn’t take much at all.

Hate Crimes Bill – Signed!

2009-10-30T18:09:26.000Z

In July, I wrote about the Hate Crimes Expansion bill and I am happy to say now that it has been signed into law!

Attached to the defense bill, this bill makes is a federal hate crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, disability, gender and gender identity. It is an expansion of an existing hate crimes law that protected those attacked because of their race, religion, or national origin.

Hats off to Judy and Dennis Shepard, the proud parents of Matthew Shepard, who worked for 11 years towards this bill’s passage. Their victory gives us all hope to fight for what we know is right.

TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX....COUNTDOWN!!

2009-10-29T16:30:00.000Z

JUST TEN DAYS TO THE CONFERENCE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 with

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

TOP TEN REASONS TO COME TO THE NO LIMITS CONFERENCE:

10. Because Washington is beautiful in the fall.

9. Because you want to see friends you made last year in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania - and even on the phone!

8. Because you want to brush up on your Message Mastery Skills.

7. Because Social Networks keep getting more important - and you're still not sure you've got Twitter right.

6. Because climate change is a scientific fact- and not enough people recognize reality.

5. Because you want to know more about the View From the Press Room - and how it looks to the Gals on the (Press) Bus!

4. Because women's rights are human rights-all over the world - and you want to help!

3. Because we're at the critical moment on health care reform - and you want to hear the very latest news.

2. Because Congressman Barney Frank will tell it like it is on the economy - and tell it like no one else.

And the # 1 reason - drum roll please...

Because Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be with us for a very special presentation!

With just ten days to go, seats are going fast!

Click here to reserve your seat.

A Day in the Life…

2009-10-28T19:06:24.000Z

In a recent Parade article, Leslie Gelb outlined what he called a “grueling and inspirational” day spent with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Within a day’s time, she discusses U.S.–India strategy, swears in new State Department officials, holds a policy dinner on Iran, makes calls to leaders around the world, and meets with President Obama and the Canadian Prime Minister to discuss trade issues.

There is also a great photo essay that accompanies this article. Click here to view it.

Read the full article here.

A LABOR DEPARTMENT THAT WORKS FOR WORKING PEOPLE!

2009-10-22T21:00:33.000Z

Good news from the Department of Labor, headed by Secretary Hilda Solis, and now acting to boost protections against discrimination, unfair pay and other workplace issues.

Fairness in pay – The Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division has added 250 more investigators to look into pay disputes and resolve issues. This will bring more enforcement to the rules against unfair practices.

Discrimination – protection will be expanded to more individuals through a broader definition of disability under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Union rights – Changes in the National Labor Relations Board mean more worker-friendly hearings coming up. For example, the definition of a supervisor may be more narrowly defined by the new board, making more workers eligible to join a union.

Workplace safety – tougher enforcements from OSHA (the Occupational, Safety & Health Administration) are in the works, further protecting individuals in the workplace.

Tough economic times are hard on many working people. Lets cheer for our new Secretary of Labor, who gets it right!

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS HILLARY CLINTON?

2009-10-21T15:57:42.000Z

Last week Hillary was in Zurich, London, Dublin, Belfast, Moscow, and Kazan. On Friday November 6, she'll in be in Washington, D.C. speaking at our

First No Limits Public Policy Conference

Featuring Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congressman Barney Frank, and more!

Purchase Tickets here

Click here to see the complete program.

You won't want to miss this exciting day!!

HEALTH CARE IS MOVING; LET'S GET IT DONE:

We're moving forward on health care reform. Now comes the hard part: What will actually be in the bills that are voted on by the House and Senate:
- A robust public option that builds in competition for insurance company policies and pricing?
- A "trigger" public option that would kick in if policies cost too much?
- A "drop-out" public option that allows individual states to drop out of the public option requirement?
- None of the above?

No surprise: the closer we come to the finish line, the more opponents fight back. Last week there was the insurance companies' phony "research report" which had exactly the opposite effect they were hoping for, strengthening public option supporters:
"Anyone who had any doubts about the need for such an option need only look at the behavior of the health insurance industry this week," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The good news is that every version of health care reform adopted by committees in the House and Senate would end the worst examples of insurance company discrimination, like treating pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. All would make health insurance more accessible, and all include subsidies for low-income earners to make it more affordable.

See Senator Barbara Mikulski on ABC News: Do Insurers Discriminate against Women??

Have an opinion about health care reform and what should be in the final bill? Your Senators and members of Congress are hearing from everybody else - are they hearing from you??

OUR SECRETARY OF STATE AT WORK:

SECRETARY OF STATE Hillary Rodham Clinton executed some deft diplomacy last weekend as the leaders of Turkey and Armenia signed a potentially historic deal to establish normal diplomatic relations and reopen their borders... Not for the first time in her short tenure, she proved capable of overcoming an impasse and teasing out a favorable outcome for the United States.
- The Washington Post, October 14, 2009

Hillary was on the road in Europe, last week, meeting with leaders in London, working to advance peace and economic development in Northern Ireland, increased cooperation with Russia on control, nuclear nonproliferation and counter terrorism; and the value of diversity and interfaith dialogue in Kazan. You can see an interactive map of her trip here.

In Russia, Hillary spoke up for human rights, telling civic leaders, "Both President Obama and I want to stress how strongly the United States stands with those who work for freedom, campaign for justice and democracy, and who risk their lives to speak out for human rights."

In Northern Ireland, where Hillary was invited to address the Stormont Assembly, she saluted those who worked for peace: "I am looking forward to helping reopen the Belfast City Hall, a symbol of this city's rebirth, later today. I will see leaders and peace activists, who have become dear friends over the years. We have walked together, especially including the Women of Vital Voices."

Deputy First Minister McGuinness applauded Hillary's efforts over the years: "Hillary Clinton has been a true friend to all of us, back over 15 years. And her continual intellectual and emotional and political engagement with us is something that has been to our enormous benefit over all of that time."

And one more peacekeeping mission:

Hillary Clinton Breaks Up Fight Between Conan O'Brien and Newark Mayor
- Yahoo! TV Blog headline, October 8, 2009

Because even hard working Secretaries of States get to have a little fun, Hillary got engaged in helping to settle the feud between Newark Mayor Corey Booker and late night television host Conan O'Brien:

"As Secretary of State, my job is to strengthen ties and improve relations, whether it be between nations around the world or between the mayor of a midsized American city and the host of a mildly amusing late-night talk show," Hillary said. She delivered a peacekeeping message on videotape, calling for an end to the ongoing argument:

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS HILLARY CLINTON?

ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH
SHE'LL BE AT THE NO LIMITS POLICY CONFERENCE

Join Us

THE LAST WORD:

"We don't believe in battered women, whether it's in the home or in the insurance market place."

- Senator Barbara Mikulski, leading the fight to end health
care discrimination against women, October 15, 2009

Women Senators Speak out on Health Care Reform

2009-10-16T18:22:00.000Z

Ten women Senators appeared together on Larry King Live recently to speak about health care reform. Watch it here:

Yesterday, Senator Barbara Mikulski held a hearing focused on discriminatory practices of health insurance companies when it comes to insuring women.

“When it comes to health insurance, women are discriminated against. We pay more –in higher premiums - and get less. Often we are denied care, or when we have care, it’s skimpy and spartan. It’s time for a change. It’s time women had equal benefits for equal premiums,” Senator Mikulski said.

Did you know?

- 17 million women are uninsured - that’s about 1 in 5 women.

- One in 10 women is covered under Medicaid.

- More than half of all Medicare beneficiaries (56%) are women.

- Most individual insurance policies exclude maternity care.

- Only 20 states require private insurance companies to cover annual mammograms.

Source: Senator Mikulski’s office. For more information, click here.

Let love be.

2009-10-12T15:30:00.000Z

This weekend I attended the National Equality March in Washington, DC. Tens of thousands of folks swarmed the nation’s capitol to march for equality (the right to marry and serve openly in the military - regardless of sexual orientation.) We marched past the White House and ended on the Capitol lawn. As we marched, I couldn’t help but notice many diverse families cheering us on. They remind us that love is love and family is family. Marching alongside us was Dan Choi, a soldier recently discharged from the military for being openly gay. Below are some of the most touching moments I captured. I hope the message echoes across America: there are to be no second-class citizens in our nation.

"Dad of 2. 1 straight, 1 gay. Same rights for them both!!"

"Equal rights for my two dads"

"Our marriage was once illegal, too"

"Married in Iowa"

Dan Choi, discharged from the military for being openly gay.

"It’s Not Cultural; It’s Criminal"

2009-10-08T15:55:08.000Z

Spoken by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the recent meeting with the United Nations Security Council, it’s a phrase that still rings in my ears. "Violence against women is not cultural; it’s criminal." Here's some recent action dealing with violence against women around the world:

- In eight states and the District of Columbia health insurance companies can deny you health care coverage sighting domestic violence as a pre-existing condition. Senator Patty Murray is doing something about it.

In an effort to halt these practices and to further assist women, Senator Patty Murray has introduced legislation, along with Senators Sherrod Brown and Chris Dodd. The Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act allows a victim to take time off from work, without penalty from their employers, ensures that victims can retain the financial independence necessary to leave their abusers, and prohibits employers or insurance providers from basing hiring or coverage decisions on a victim’s history of abuse.

Read more about the SAFE Act here.

- A 19 year-old woman is gang raped by her colleagues while on a mission in Iraq. She was then locked up in a crate when she tried to report them. After being freed she returned to America only to find out that the company that sent her to Iraq had protected themselves from lawsuits in the small print of her contract. The company is KBR, a subsidiary of Halliburton. The men have not been charged.

This week, Senator Al Franken acted to prevent this injustice from happening again. The Senate is currently debating the Department of Defense appropriations bill and he sponsored an amendment, S. Amend. 2566, which prohibits companies from further injustices. His amendment passed 68 to 30.

- Hillary calls violence by Guinea's government "criminality of the greatest degree". Military leader Moussa Dadis Camara's troops opened fire on a rally at a stadium in the capital Conakry on September 28. A local human rights group said 157 were killed and hundreds wounded and many women were raped on the streets by the troops. "We were appalled and outraged by the recent violence in Guinea," Clinton said during a news conference with Pakistan's foreign minister. "The indiscriminate killing and raping ... by government troops was a vile violation of the rights of the people of that country." The State Department is taking this very seriously. "We intend to pursue appropriate actions against the current administration in that country," Clinton said.

Read more on the violence in Guinea here.

HILLARY SPEAKS, HEALTH CARE MOVES FORWARD - AND MORE

2009-10-07T16:19:04.000Z

HILLARY WILL SPEAK AT OUR FIRST POLICY CONFERENCE; WILL YOU BE THERE?

We're so excited that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will address our first Public Policy Conference on Friday, November 6, in Washington D.C.

Plus: we'll hear from Congressman Barney Frank, on the economy (because he'd rather talk to us than the dining room table!); the latest word from the White House on health care reform; Dee Dee Myers and Dana Perino on the View from the Press Room; panels on women's rights around the world and the climate change imperative; and workshops on message mastery and the power of new social networks.

Click here to join us for this exciting day!

HEALTH CARE REFORM MOVES FORWARD IN CONGRESS - BUT THERE'S HARD WORK AHEAD

If we need reminding why this is so important:

The American economy lost 263,000 jobs in September - far more than expected - and the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, the government reported on Friday, dimming prospects of any meaningful job growth by the end of the year.
- The New York Times, 10/2/09

Number of Americans who die in the United States every year for lack of good care: 48,789
Source: Harvard School of Public Health Study, 9/17/09

In this difficult economic climate, people lose access to health insurance on the job - and the ability to get insurance coverage on their own. Now, with versions of health care legislation passing every relevant committee in Congress, we have the opportunity to get real reform this year: ensuring access to quality affordable health care for every American.

We know that the forces opposed to reform are working - and shouting. It's up to us to make sure our voices are heard. Have you talked to your members of Congress lately?

And while you're talking: Some anti-choice members of Congress are trying to use health care reform to deny women access to full reproductive care. Remind them that we don't intend to go backward:

Percentage of private health care plans that currently include full reproductive health coverage: 80%
Percentage that would be able to offer reproductive health care if anti-abortion amendment is adopted in health care reform: 0%
Number of women who would lose full health care coverage: Millions

HEAR MORE ABOUT HEALTH CARE AT OUR POLICY CONFERENCE - CLICK HERE!

HILLARY PRESIDES AT MEETING OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL DEVOTED TO ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Last week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presided over the UN Security Council; the first ever to consider "Women and Peace and Security":

"When I was in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I was told of an old proverb that says 'No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come.' Well, I hope our work today and every day going forward will hasten the time when thousands of women around the world will be able to feel comfortable in walking the streets of their cities and villages freely again - to work outside their homes, collect firewood and water without fear, play with their children, spend time with their husbands, enjoy all the blessings of life in freedom, peace, and security.."

- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 9/30/09

See a video clip of Hillary at the Security Council here:

This historic Security Council session, led by Secretary Clinton, adopted United Nations Resolution 1888, recognizing the serious problem of violence against women in war zones, including rape as an instrument of war, and identified action steps that should be taken by the UN and by nation states, including appointment of a special representative to lead efforts to end sexual violence; and full use of the rule of law to prevent violence, build accountability and punish violators.

Hillary also called on the UN to integrate more women in peacekeeping and law informant forces and include protection of women and children in peacekeeping mandates; and she urged member states to ensure that their foreign assistance programs include protection from sexual violence in their foreign assistance programs.

For a longer address by Hillary to United Nations on Violence Against Girls:

"We must also recognize that ending conflicts outright is the most certain path to ending sexual violence in conflict." Hillary said. "So pursuing peace and successful post-conflict transitions should be our highest priority."

WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS AT OUR POLICY CONFERENCE: CLICK HERE

THE LAST WORD

When Senator Jon Kyl tried to oppose health care reform by saying he didn't need maternity care, Senator Debbie Stabenow had the perfect response: "I think your mom probably did."
See it for yourself:

Health Care by the Numbers

2009-10-01T15:00:00.000Z

Number of Americans who die in the United States every year for lack of good care: 44,789
Number of states where health insurers can deny coverage to survivors of domestic violence: 8 states and the District of Columbia
Number of Americans going without health insurance for at least one month between 1997 and 2006: 48%
Average family health care premium offered at work in 2009: $13,300
Average premium in 2019 if health care increases at rate of last 10 years: $30,800
Percentage of private health care plans that currently include full reproductive health coverage: 80%
Percentage that would be able to offer reproductive health care if anti-abortion amendment is adopted in health care reform: 0%
Number of women who would lose full health care coverage: Millions

Source: Harvard Medical School study published in American Journal of Public Health, 9/17/09

Family Health Matters

2009-09-29T15:30:00.000Z

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) kindly informs Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) that we all benefit from maternity care during a Senate Finance Committee meeting on health care reform.

Hillary Speaking - Sign Up Now

2009-09-23T15:59:44.000Z

NOLIMITS.ORG

INVITES YOU TO JOIN US AT OUR

FIRST ANNUAL PUBLIC POLICY CONFERENCE

Friday, November 6, 2009

Washington, D.C.

*****

Luncheon Address by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

*****

A Frank Talk on the Economy with U.S. Representative Barney Frank

***

The Latest Word on Health Care Reform

***

Panel Discussions on Today's Issues:
Women's Rights are Human Rights
The View from the Press Room
The Climate Change Imperative

***

Workshops on Making a Difference:
Message Mastery
Twitter, Text and Blog

*****

You don't want to miss this exciting day - and we don't want to miss you!

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Click here for the full program.

Registration opens at 7:30am, November 6th

All conference sessions will take place at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

I RAN... AND I WON!

2009-09-15T20:30:00.000Z

When I read this article, I was not surprised that women are often more effective legislators than men. However, what was a shock was that only 2% of all congress since 1789 have been women. We have got to get busy!

I admit I never thought about running for office. I didn’t believe I knew enough to speak intelligently on issues of interest to voters. Dare I admit it was my mom who urged me to run for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner having witnessed my intense involvement in Hillary’s campaign. My initial response, “What is that?” Then I looked at the political landscape in my home town and realized how few women there were with decision making authority. My former job had required me to manage employee expectations – now I would be managing constituents’. I am surprised how similar human resources is to government!

So I ran and I came in the top 25 for overall votes. I don’t know if it was my pledge to improve the overall safety, communication and well-being of my district or the fact that I stood at the polls on Election Day in the rain wearing an apron, a billboard sign and holding a skillet and spatula reciting, “Get Cookin’ With Cook For ANC”. “Add a little sizzle with Cook for ANC”. When you’re the only one hamming it up and you’re a woman – you stand out among voters.

So it’s now nine months later. I have installed a bus shelter to protect commuters, school children and the elderly from the heat, rain and cold. I had a vacant house cleaned up. Two streets have now been repaired with new sidewalks installed. I advocated for park benches to be purchased for two nearby green spaces (I await the city’s response). Currently, I am lobbying for a Women’s History Trail to be blazed in the Nation’s Capital. It is exciting to bring about positive changes in people’s lives.

Indeed this has been a life-affirming experience, but not always easy. I have learned a lot in a short time about how city government works. For telling my constituents the truth, I was called a liar. For seeking clarity on agency policy, I was thrown under the bus by my Councilmember. I stood up as the lone commissioner to testify at a very contentious hearing on an issue that has pitted neighbor against neighbor in my district. I survived. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger” (Friedrich Nietzs)

Perhaps the most rewarding part of the job to date (besides driving past the bus shelter and seeing everyone snuggled together underneath) is what I know now about myself. At the end of the day, I can live with my decisions that serve the public interest - not the special or the self- interest. For this politician, MY VALUES TRUMP VOTES! Think of this trend continuing as more women take to the helm…

And don’t wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder – Just Do It!

BACK TO SCHOOL - BACK TO WORK – BACK TO HEALTH CARE!

2009-09-04T17:16:30.000Z

Georgette Kanach of Gray told the gathering in South Portland that she sometimes goes without food or doesn’t pay her electric bills so she can buy medication to treat her breast cancer. Even with health insurance, her co-payments eat up most of her limited fixed income, she said.
- Bangor Daily News, September 4, 2009

One in five women aged 50 and above has not received a mammogram in the past two years.
- HHS report, September 3, 2009

Congress returns to work on September 8th, and health care is first on the agenda. This past week, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius held a health care reform hearing in South Portland, Maine. Among the speakers: Georgette Kanach, above, and a small business owner:

Panelist Joe McSwain of Edgecomb, who owns Mid Maine Restoration Inc. with his wife, Linda, said health insurance costs for his employees have risen 15 percent to 25 percent every year in the last 10 years.

“At present we are all the way down to a catastrophic plan with astronomical deductibles and no drug coverage at all.” he said. “This plan is useless to our employees. We need a public option and we need it now.”

President Obama will address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, September 9th to urge action on health care reform. What about you?

Have you talked to your Senators and Member of Congress about your experience, and why we need health care reform? Now is the time!!

WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY - AUGUST 26

2009-08-26T14:30:00.000Z

“It was we, the people, not we, the white male citizens, nor we, the male citizens but we the whole people who formed this Union. We formed it not to give the blessings of liberty but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people, women as well as men.”
Susan B. Anthony, 1872

"Because we cannot – we must not- ever forget that the rights and opportunities we enjoy as women today were not just bestowed upon us by some benevolent ruler: They were fought for, agonized over, marched for; jailed for and even died for by brave and persistent women and men who came before us…

That is one of the great joys and beauties of the American experiment. We are always striving to build and move toward ‘a more perfect union’ that we on every occasion keep faith with our founding ideas and translate them into reality"
Hillary Clinton, 1998

From the first women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls, NY in 1848 to the final ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment on August 26, 1920, American women organized and worked to win their rights as citizens.

The challenges before us today are different; we have all the rights our foremothers fought for. How will we use them?

SAVING THE WORLD'S WOMEN: SPECIAL EDITION

2009-08-25T16:33:37.000Z

An important issue of The New York Times Magazine this Sunday, August 23, addresses the challenges facing women all over the world -- and the need for policies that truly value women's lives. You'll want to read this magazine for yourself. Here are some highlights:

The Women's Crusade cover story by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn:
"In The 19th Century, the paramount moral challenge was slavery. In the 20th century, it was totalitarianism. In this century, it is the brutality inflicted on so many women and girls around the globe: sex trafficking, acid attacks, bride burnings and mass rape....

"In many poor countries, the greatest unexploited resource isn't oil fields or veins of gold; it is the women and girls who aren't educated and never become a major presence in the formal economy."

A New Gender Agenda interview with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:
"I happen to believe that the transformation of women's roles is the last great impediment to universal progress - that we have made progress on many other aspects of human nature that used to be discriminatory bars to people's full participation. But in too many places and too many ways, the oppression of women stands as a stark reminder of how difficult it is to realize people's full human potential...

"We've moved from an understanding of how to deal with global AIDS to recognizing it's now a woman's disease, because women are the most vulnerable and often have no power to protect themselves. ...But women die every minute from poor maternal health care. You know, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria - those are all, unfortunately, equal-opportunity killers. Maternal health is a women's issue; it's a family issue; it's a child issue."

HILLARY'S TRIP TO AFRICA: PUTTING IDEALS INTO ACTION

Hillary returned from her 11-day trip to Africa last week, days filled with official events and televised town halls and interviews, meetings with government executives and legislators, with women entrepreneurs and educators; with HIV/AIDS patients and health care providers in South Africa; with students and young leaders everywhere.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where rape and violence against women are so widespread, Hillary announced a $17 million plan to fight sexual violence, including programs to train doctors, supply rape victims with video cameras to document violence; and train Congolese police officers, especially women, to crack down on rape.

Read Hillary's roundtable on rape and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo here.

See a video diary of Hillary's trip here.

AND TRANSFORMING AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY

"Amid all the distractions, what is Clinton actually doing? Only overseeing what may be the most profound changes in U.S. foreign policy in two decades ...The secretary has quietly begun rethinking the very nature of diplomacy and translating that vision into a revitalized State Department, one that approaches U.S. allies and rivals in ways that challenge long-held traditions"

David Rothkopf, Washington Post, August 23, 2009

One more for your summer reading: Rothkopf, a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, discusses how Hillary is transforming the State Department with her emphasis on building coalitions, and working with allies. Read it for yourself here.

YOUR TURN: SPEAK UP FOR HEALTH CARE (AGAIN!)

Congress will return to session on September 8th, and health care leads the agenda. You know the issues: our current health care system costs too much, and leaves too many people out. Too many people can't get the insurance they need; or learn after they get sick that their health insurance won't help. Too many families go to the emergency room for health care, or wait in line for hours for free care -- or don't get care at all!

We need reform that ensures everyone has access to quality affordable health care: health care reform with a public option to help keep costs in line, care that includes women's health - the kind of health care program that Americans voted for in the last campaign.

But now the news is dominated by shrill, angry voices, complete with scare tactics and false charges ("death panels" anyone?) Will these be the only voices that Congress hears? That's up to us!

Have you spoken up for health care yet? If you have already spoken or written to your Senators and representatives, will you contact them again?

The Last Word: "It seems like this bill is allowing people more control over their lives, and your reading of it is hyperbolic and dangerous."

Jon Stewart explains health care reform to self-proclaimed health expert Betsy McCaughey, who has been attacking non-existent provisions of the bill.

Hillary's Inspiring Trip

2009-08-18T16:28:50.000Z

I happen to be a fan and a friend of your president. …And I will raise this glass to the people of Liberia, who deserve the chance to have a future worthy of their hard work, their resourcefulness, their resilience; a future of the peace and opportunity, the development and prosperity, that should be the birthright of every single boy and girl.
Hillary Rodham Clinton in Liberia - August 13, 2009

But in many parts of Africa, and indeed around the world, the picture is not so encouraging. Laws deny women the right to own property, access credit or make their own choices within their marriage. Women comprise the majority of the world’s poor, unfed and unschooled. They are subjected to rape as a tactic of war, so-called “honour” killings, maiming, trafficking, child marriages, genital mutilation and other violent, degrading practices.
Hillary Rodham Clinton in the South Africa City Press - August 9, 2009

She talked chickens with female farmers in Kenya. She listened to the excruciating stories of rape victims in war-torn eastern Congo. And in South Africa, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited a housing project built by poor women, where she danced with a choir singing "Heel-a-ree! Heel-a-ree!"
Washington Post - August 18, 2009

Hillary has returned from her 11-day trip to Africa and the world is paying attention: this Secretary of State advocates for a better life and a better future for women and men, for boys and girls, around the world. She met with government officials and women entrepreneurs to discuss economic opportunity; with HIV/AIDS patients and health care providers in South Africa; with students and young leaders everywhere.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hillary met with victims of rape and announced a $17 million plan to fight sexual violence, including programs to train doctors, supply rape victims with video cameras to document violence; and train Congolese police officers, especially women, to crack down on rape.

“Working through USAID, we will provide medical care, counseling, economic assistance, and legal support to 10,000 women living in North and South Kivu, and other areas…” Hillary said. “Our commitment to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence did not begin today, and it will not end today.”

Read Hillary’s roundtable on rape and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo here.

See pictures of Hillary’s historic trip to Africa here.

A STEP BACK FOR WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN

2009-08-18T15:08:36.000Z

Troubling news from Afghanistan about the controversial law restricting women's lives: Despite opposition from Afghan women - including a brave, historic demonstration - and international outrage, the law was secretly enacted by President Hamid Karzai last week.

At the time the law was in the spotlight, Karzai promised revisions. But as the BBC said about the law as enacted: it “allows a man to withhold food from his wife if she refuses his sexual demands; a woman must get her husband's permission to work; and fathers and grandfathers are given exclusive custody of children.”

Elections in Afghanistan are scheduled for August 20, 2009, and we will continue to follow this story. Secretary of State Clinton has made clear that the U.S. does not support any candidate: “The Afghan people should be commended for their courage in conducting this election despite the stresses of wartime…” she said. “The United States of America remains impartial in this election. We do not support or oppose any particular candidate.”

We will continue to follow this story, and to support the courageous efforts of the women of Afghanistan.

HRC in the DRC

2009-08-14T20:18:32.000Z

In line with her long history of advocating for human rights and standing up for the most vulnerable of groups, Hillary Clinton made a trip to a place where young girls are born into a world of unimaginable violence. A place where a generation born from rape are now being viciously raped. She visited The Democratic Republic of Congo.

We have written about just how devastating the violence is there. And as The New York Times reports: “she is the first secretary of state to venture into the war zone here.”

Indeed, there is no problem too big for Hillary, especially when the lives and safety of girls and women are at stake. As Secretary of State, she is willing to take on the tough stuff.

According to Dipnote, the State Department blog:
In her interview with Christian Lusakueno of Raga TV, the Secretary said, "There has to be an agreement in the region to end the violence in eastern Congo... There has to be an end of the paying of the militias by mineral interests and other interests that buys impunity and gives these militias the free rein to terrorize people. And sexual and gender-based violence must be condemned. It must be condemned by everyone in every part of society. People need to be not only ashamed if they commit rape and other sexual violence, but they need to be arrested and prosecuted and punished so that it serves as a strong message that this will not be tolerated. We are working with your military, we are working with your government, and we are also working with the victims to provide the medical care and the support that the victims of these traumatic attacks so desperately need."

Hear about her travels first-hand. View her State Department Travel Blog here.

Also - did you see her Op-Ed in The City Press, A South African newspaper - "Women Are Drivers of Positive Change". Check it out here.

Sotomayor to the Court; Hillary to Africa; The Health Care Fight Comes Home

2009-08-11T14:02:50.000Z

WILL WE FIGHT FOR HEALTH CARE?

With Congress out of session, the fight for health care reform has moved from Washington, D.C. to every congressional district. We know what the opponents are doing: shouting and fistfights at town hall meetings, trying to frighten their neighbors with rumors and scare stories.

What are we going to do?
You know how important real health care reform is to you and your family -- and to our American future. You know that our current system costs too much and leaves too many of us out, vulnerable to losing our insurance if we change jobs or one member of the family gets ill. And you know the questions that must be addressed:

- Will health care legislation include everyone, with accessible, quality health care?

- What about a public option that can keep the insurance companies honest?

- Will women's health be included? Right now, every health care reform bill approved by Congress includes women's health, enabling women to continue to see the health care providers they already use. But anti-choice forces are sending out false rumors of their own, trying to use health care legislation to further their anti-women's health agenda.

Answer rumors with reality:
Health care reform will not "expand" abortion rights. Most private health insurance already covers the full range of reproductive health care, because most women want to have that choice. Anti-choice forces want to take us backward -- to reduce the level of care that is now available to millions of women by stripping away reproductive care.

Get the facts about abortion and the health care bill at Politifact. Click here.

From our first days at No Limits we've talked about the need for health care reform. Now it's up to us to do something about it.

If your member of Congress is holding a town meeting, can you go and speak up for health care? If there is no town hall meeting, will you write or call your Senators and member of Congress?

WE CAN'T LET THE LOUDEST, ANGRIEST VOICES DROWN OUT THE REAL NEEDS OF THE REST OF US. SPEAK UP FOR HEALTH CARE NOW!!

HILLARY IN AFRICA: SHARED ASPIRATIONS, COMMON CHALLENGES -- AND DANCING

"Mrs. Clinton, who seems uncannily resistant to jet lag, visited two community housing projects and danced with children, lugged some rocks into a wheelbarrow, planted flowers, planted a tree and beamed as a choir broke out into a song about her."
- The New York Times August 9, 2009

Traveling through Africa on her eleven-day, seven-nation tour, Hillary is meeting with government officials and civic representatives, with university students and business leaders. She met with former South African President Nelson Mandela, an old friend; with HIV/AIDS patients at a health care clinic, and with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who joined discussions of improving agriculture and protecting food supplies in Kenya.

Returning to the Victoria Mxenge cooperative in South Africa, a community she first visited in 1997, Hillary remembered that early trip -- and the progress that has been made:

"I met homeless women working to transform an empty patch of land into a new community... They pooled their savings and microloans, bought shovels, poured concrete and built homes for themselves and their children...

"Yesterday I found a village of thousands of homes. The determination and spirit of the women of Victoria Mxenge underscore a basic truth: empowering women is key to global progress and prosperity."

Oh, and about the dancing:

For pictures of Hillary's trip, including her visit with Nelson Mandela, and the Victoria Mxenge Housing development, click here.

CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO WISE LATINAS

To Judge Sonia Sotomayor, sworn in on Saturday August 8, 2009 as the 111th Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court; the third woman in our nation's history -- and the first Latina.

And to her mother, Celia: "I am here today because of her aspirations and sacrifices for both my brother, Juan, and me" Sonia Sotomayor said at her hearing "Mom, I love that we are sharing this together."

We love it too.

THE LAST WORD

"There is no credible way to look at what has been proposed by the president or any congressional committee and conclude that these will result in a government takeover of the health-care system. That is a flat-out lie whose only purpose is to scare the public and stop political conversation."
- Steven Pearlstein, The Washington Post, August 7, 2009

Sincerely,

Ann F. Lewis

Confirmed!

2009-08-06T20:06:06.000Z

Judge Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed by a Senate vote of 68-31 this afternoon.

She will be the 111th person to sit on the Supreme Court.

The third woman justice.

The first Hispanic justice.

She is expected to be officially sworn in within the coming days and a formal ceremony is expected to take place in September.

In a press release from his office, Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said:

"Years from now, we will remember this time, when we crossed paths with the quintessentially American journey of Sonia Sotomayor and when our Nation took another step forward through this historic confirmation process."

"Judge Sotomayor’s career and judicial record demonstrates that she has always followed the rule of law. Attempts at distorting that record by suggesting that her ethnicity or heritage will be the driving force in her decisions as a Justice of the Supreme Court are demeaning to women and all communities of color."

After a grueling Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that focused largely on her ethnicity and gender instead of her immense qualifications, and a string of inappropriate attacks from media pundits, it’s nice to hear a voice of reason.

Congratulations, Judge Sonia Sotomayor!

Hillary: 11-day Tour in Africa

2009-08-04T21:35:56.000Z

Today Secretary of State Hillary Clinton jumpstarted her 11-day trip to seven different African countries. She will be making stops in Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde. In recent blog posts we have written about the terror and abuse that women and girls face in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other nations. Secretary Clinton’s extensive, solution-oriented trip shows her dedication to achieving human rights throughout Africa.

According to the State Department, “the Secretary will emphasize Africa as a place of opportunity, built on an ethic of responsibility.”

The State Department is posting a Travel Diary, which you can find here.

According to the Travel Diary:

“Secretary Clinton will stress the importance of social and economic entrepreneurship, encouraging a new generation of young African scientists, small business leaders, entrepreneurs and civic leaders who are solving real problems and establishing new models for economic success and social advances, with women as full partners in this progress. And she will discuss ways to foster good regional governance, partnering with regional leaders to prevent conflict and violence, including gender-based violence, democratic erosions, and transnational threats.”

Photo from Dipnote, the State Department blog

Video: Hillary on Meet the Press

2009-07-30T22:00:00.000Z

Given the interest in Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's hour-long interview on Meet the Press - we are providing links to see the full text from the interview, as well as video. Enjoy!

Full Text - click here.

Video - click here.