Are we hidden from history? Good question!

I recommend this powerful article to all feminist-minded people. Consider it your homework for this summer.

It's from the July/August 2009 issue of The Humanist magazine by Cleo Fellers Kocol, an award-winning poet and novelist who was awarded the American Humanist Association's "Humanist Heroine" in 1988.

Hidden from History

NOW Activists Elect New President Terry O'Neill to Succeed Kim Gandy!

June 20, 2009

Members of the National Organization for Women (NOW) cast their votes for a new team of leaders to direct the largest grassroots feminist organization in the country over the next four years. NOW delegates elected former New Orleanian Terry O'Neill, who served as the national group's membership vice-president from 2001 to 2005, to succeed President Kim Gandy also a former Louisiana NOW leader. Gandy will retire from her office on July 20 due to the organization's term limits; she has been a leader in NOW for 36 years, with 22 years of service at the national level, including the last eight as president.

"NOW is the organization that fights for the rights of all women no matter the circumstances of their birth, their race or sexual orientation, no matter if they live in poverty or are trying to escape violence," said NOW President-Elect Terry O'Neill.

"My experience with domestic violence as an abused wife left me humiliated and embarrassed. I only began to talk about this publically five years ago as I realized that to keep quiet was to continue the abuse. I want to empower women and telling my story does just that. Women are fed up with persistent inequality and are ready for change. I am honored and eager to lead NOW in making that change."

O'Neill cut her political teeth working to defeat David Duke's gubernatorial campaign in Louisiana. She also served as the president of New Orleans NOW from 1998-2001 and as the president of Louisiana NOW from 1996-1998.

As an attorney, she served a clerkship at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago before practicing law in New Orleans. She taught at the University of California Davis Law School and Tulane Law School. Currently, she is chief of staff to a Montgomery County (Md.) councilmember whose successes include a transgender equality law and Maryland's first Family Justice Center for survivors of domestic violence. O'Neill's national positions also include executive director of the National Council of Women's Organizations.

NOW-LA and NOW-NOLA Congratulates Terry O'Neill!

The busy month of....March, April & May!

We are entering our less active time of the year for New Orleans NOW, but not for all of you, of course. Everyone is finishing classes, going to festivals and getting ready for the humidity. That's why we take a break for a few months while everyone gets their "ya yas" out.

Last month was Women's History Month and New Orleans was lucky to have national NOW president Kim Gandy in town to give this year's D'Orlando Lecture at the First Unitarian Church on Claiborne. This is her final few months in office and we have been lucky to have her visit us many times in the past 4 years.

She spoke about the new administration and how we have about a year, realistically, to get as much progressive stuff done for women's issues before that will be set aside for the 2010 mid-term elections. Sobering, but we have accomplished so much thus far: passage of the Lily Ledbetter Law for pay equity and dismissing the Global Gag Rule to name a few wins. Gandy reminded us that we still have a long way to go , but this is encouraging. President Obama seems willing to give women's rights a huge boost after 8 years of horrible setbacks.

Our feminist potlucks this year have been enjoyable and we're lucky that both Mary Griggs (February) and, most recently, Beth Deitch (April) opened their lovely homes to host us. We had good feminist energy, excellent conversations and great food. We also had several new people each time and we hope that they become part of our regular crew. You are always welcomed to join us and to meet interesting women for women-centric conversations...it may not fit your calendar every month, but when it does, don't be shy!

In March, we joined forces with Wine & Women on Wednesdays at Ralph's On The Park for a lively happy hour and we hope to be part of their social networking efforts for women in the year to come.

Stay tuned for our summer ideas and let us know if we can add you to our email list for monthly events. If you are interested in serving a more active role as a chapter officer or would like to involve our members in an event of interest to NOW women, please let us know.

"Roe"bama Happy Hour

Join us during this historic week to toast the anniversary of Roe vs.Wade!

While January 2009 will be most remembered for the inauguration ofPresident Barack Obama, women's rights supporters should cometogether to remember another historic moment that took place on Jan.22, 1973 -- the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.

The National Organization for Women has been on the front lines ofthe fight for reproductive justice since its founding in 1966, andNOW activists have been fiercely defending Roe, one of the mostcritical legal decisions of our time, since it was issued 36 yearsago.

This will be unfussy social outing and a great opportunity to meetother progressive women in New Orleans!

Friday, January 23
6:00 PM

Helix Wine Bar
936 St. Charles Ave.
On Lee Circle in Hotel La Cirque