Middlesex-Somerset NOW
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March, 2018
March is Women’s History Month, and
March 8this International Women’s Day
Middlesex-Somerset NOW
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Officers
President – Peggy Farrelly
Vice President – Skip Drumm
Secretary – Alan Gross
Treasurer – Ronnie Traktman
State Board Rep – Mary McGinley
Newsletter Editor – Peggy Farrelly
Newsletter Asst Editor – Alan Gross
Local ChapterInformation:
Our Next Meeting
Our next chapter meeting will be Tuesday, March 13th, at 7 pm at the home of Skip and Alan. Dinner will be served, courtesy of our hosts. Let us know if you're planning to attend, so we can plan food. The 2018 schedule of meetings is posted on our web site, Middlesex.nownj.org.
Chapter Name Change
We have started calling ourselves Middlesex-Somerset NOW. Discussion at the last two chapter meetings brought into focus that our name is misleading, as many of our members actually live in Somerset County, and new Somerset County NOW members are sometimes uncertain as to where they can find a home. So, we decided to use the inclusive “Middlesex-Somerset”, rather than just “Middlesex County”. We have changed our name on our Facebook page (to “Middlesex-Somerset NOW – NJ”), and we are looking into other details, such as our website.
The Original Nasty Woman
Carol Simon Levin, chapter member, renowned storyteller, and historical reenactor, will be telling the story of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman to hold federal office. Her free presentation will be Thursday, March 15th at 6:30 at the Clarence Dillon Public Library, and is sponsored by the Bedminster Democrats. The event flier is on the last page of this newsletter.
Information submitted by Kathryn Riss:
Trump ‘global gag rule’ revival is set to hit Planned Parenthood hard by E. A. Crunden, February 8, 2018. A rule revived by the Trump administration gutting funding for organizations that perform or promote abortions abroad could cost the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) around $100 million in funding, according to analysis by the New York Times. It’s the latest indication that White House efforts to hinder reproductive justice work are hitting the well-known non-profit health organization. More
Songs to Celebrate the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage NOW-NJ isco-sponsoring this eventon March 11th at 2 pm at the Ethical Culture Society, 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck. Click here for more details and to register. Donations appreciated.
The NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking’s spring summit, Maximizing Our Impact: Engagement, Collaboration & Your Organization, will be March 18th, 1 – 4 pm at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville. Click here for more information and to Register. (free)
Take Back The Night
As they have for the past several years, the Rutgers group WOAH (Women Organizing Against Harassment) is planning a Take Back The Night rally and march. This year’s event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, with activities starting at 7:00. Our chapter has co-sponsored this event in past years, and we expect to co-sponsor and participate again this year.
From the National office:
National NOW Press Releases:
The Humane Society Has No Humanity; NOW Calls For Firing of Humane Society CEO Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt, February 2, 2018. In a shocking abdication of moral authority, The Humane Society has voted to keep CEO Wayne Pacelle in his job even after an internal investigation corroborated three complaints of sexual harassment against him. The group also offered settlements to three other workers who spoke out about Pacelle’s misconduct and were demoted or dismissed. More
John Kelly Must ResignStatement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt, February 8, 2018. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly must resign. His pathetic defense of staff secretary Rob Porter reveals his true nature—an enabler of sexual abusers, a betrayer of trust and an avoider of responsibility. More
Hold the Abuser in Chief AccountableStatement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt, February 12, 2018. In public, Donald Trump has nothing but praise for Rob Porter, calling him “wonderful,” “strong” and “innocent.” This is Donald Trump’s pattern. From Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly to Roy Moore and Mike Tyson, Trump ignores the accuser and portrays the accused as the real victim. More
House Oversight Committee Must Investigate John Kelly and Don McGahnStatement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt, February 14, 2018. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) has announced that his House Oversight Committee has opened an investigation into the Trump Administration’s employment of Rob Porter, seeking to discover when the FBI told the White House about the allegations of domestic violence against him. That’s not nearly good enough. We already know the answer to that question. More
News and discussion from womensenews.org:
“Where Are The Men?” – Hiding in Plain Sight for 40 Years Almost entirely absent from the global conversation is an examination of the system that allowed men like Weinstein to thrive—a system that is male-dominated, male-identified, and male-centered.
Being a Woman Will Always Matter in Medicine Defining their role also means standing up against a field replete with hierarchy and tradition.
Can #MentorHer Solve #MeToo? It’s really about whether the leadership of any organization is willing to hold people accountable for their behavior.
From the Feminist News Digest (feminist.org):
Feminist Jobs
The Feminist Majority Foundation has a jobs listing service which can be accessed from their web site or directly at jobs.feminist.org.
General Information
“Like” Us on Facebook
Our chapter has a Facebook page, which you can see here. If you have not already “liked” us, please do so!
Do you receive National NOW’s emails and action alerts? If you enjoy this newsletter and don’t already receive e-mail from National NOW, consider going to their web site, To the right, below the banner picture, is a section labeled “Email Sign-Up” and a box where you enter your e-mail address. Then press the “Sign-up” button. It’s as easy as that! The box below that says “Join NOW”. If you’re not already a member, click there and be sure to sign up for our chapter, NJ0225, at no extra cost.
Guest Contributors to our Newsletter are welcome!
Send articles, poetry, and other items of interest to the chapter at .
What issues would you like to see our chapter address?
Please reply to .
How to Contact your State and National Legislators:
Find your New Jersey Assembly and Senate representatives at
For the U.S. House and Senate, go to and enter your zip code to find your legislators and their contact information.
Our friends in the Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County (GAAMC) publish a monthly newsletter with interesting articles, opinions, and event announcements. You can read it here:
Middlesex-Somerset NOW
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