Ratify CEDAW Petition

To:  U.S. Senate
Dear Senators:

We, the undersigned, are writing to urge your strong support for ratification by the United States of the Treaty for the Rights of Women, formally the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). It is the most comprehensive international agreement on basic human rights for women.

185 nations have already ratified this important Treaty. However, the United States is one of only eight countries yet to ratify CEDAW, alongside Sudan, Somalia, Qatar, Iran, Nauru, Palau and Tonga.

This Treaty has enormous support within the United States. Over 200 leading organizations representing millions of people across this country form a strong coalition in support of U.S. ratification. The coalition groups range from the AARP and Amnesty International, to Business and Professional Women USA, and the American Association of University Women, to B’nai B’rith International and the American Bar Association.

Today, President Barack Obama signed his first major piece of legislation, boosting workers’ ability to bring pay-discrimination lawsuits.

Hooray: Obama Signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act | Rights and Liberties | AlterNet

Morgentaler among those named to Order of Canada - Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has named a leading abortion rights crusader to the Order of Canada, news that has outraged anti-abortion groups.

Dr. Henry Morgentaler is one of 75 Canadians to receive honours for their contribution to the country. 

The Governor General announced the new inductees on Tuesday after the names were recommended by an advisory panel.

AlterNet: Blogs: Video: Happy 35th Birthday Roe v. Wade [VIDEO]

Today, we owe it to ourselves, and the generations of women and activists before us, to celebrate 35 years of women collectively fighting to uphold the legal right to abortion and for accessibility to quality healthcare in the name of self determination, autonomy, political and social equality.