Apartment Restorers’ Post

Today in history, August 28, 1917 — women acquired the right to vote. Additionally, many other historical moments took place on 8/28. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/evCWUdsy #civilrights #humanrights #equitymatters

YW Boston is proud to lead the Parity on Board work, especially today, as we see the bill voted favorably out of Committee and on its way through the legislative process. We thank the committee chairs, Rep Cabral and Sen Collins for taking purposeful action as well as our bill leads and champions, Reps Shand and Nguyen and Sen Miranda. The time for equity is now, this is an important first step towards better representation in the Commonwealth. Learn more at parityonboard.org #YWBoston #ParityOnBoard #mapoli

Explore books about the history of suffrage, the women’s movement, and the ongoing struggle for equal rights for all, including books that tell the story of the women excluded from voting and other gains due to racial discrimination. #WomensEqualityDay https://lnkd.in/gAr_6gtP

As we appreciate the freedoms and democracy that come with Independence Day, it’s worth recognizing how long women and people of color have had to fight for equal rights, equal protection, equal justice, and equal opportunity–and still do. Our latest blog shares more about this important topic, below.

I have been diving into the history of #women’s suffrage (right to vote) in the United States hoping to learn more about past social movement building and organizing strategies. I am embarrassed that I had never known the extent to which #Black, #Native, and #immigrant women were excluded and erased. It was not only by men - prominent women’s suffrage leaders specifically rejected the priorities and even the presence of non-White suffragists in movement activities. The “Southern Strategy” went even further, arguing that support for White women’s right to vote would counterbalance the votes of Black men - a compelling motivation in the American South at the time. Black women such as Mary Church Terrell, Alice Dunbar Nelson, and Ida B. Wells did not back down and continued to organize, but even now, we see the impact of structural racism and other discrimination against #BIPOC, #LBTIQ+, #undocumented, and low-income women - still often perpetuated by other women. I can’t stop thinking about this. As so many of my friends and colleagues are at The Hague right now for the Shaping #FeministForeignPolicy conference and as the wider community of #genderjustice advocates continues our push for social reform, let’s not repeat history’s injustices. #Intersectionality, #inclusion, and #decolonization belong at the center of the FFP movement - it is not feminist if we fail on this. Short, interesting summary from the Atlanta History Center, written by Lois Carlisle: https://lnkd.in/eydGFw26

The necessity of the discussion underscores its importance. Merv, thanks for your leadership in facilitating such a relevant and timely discussion.

🏛️Women in the U.S. House: :1965-2023 🎉On the first day of the 118th Congress, a historic moment unfolded as 124 women took their seats as voting members in the U.S. House of Representatives, constituting an impressive 28% of the chamber's voting membership. Additionally, four women proudly served as non-voting delegates, representing American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 🌐Breaking down the composition of the women voting representatives sworn in on that momentous day provides a snapshot of diversity within the House: 👩💼Party Affiliation: 📌91 were Democrats 📌33 were Republicans 📌Ethnic and Racial Diversity: ➡️26 were Black ➡️18 were Hispanic ➡️7 were Asian American ➡️2 were Native American ➡️1 was multiracial The journey of women in the U.S. House dates back to 1917 when Jeannette Rankin, a Republican from Montana, made history as the first woman elected to Congress. Her groundbreaking achievement paved the way for future generations of women to actively participate in shaping the nation's laws. The presence of women in the U.S. House of Representatives continues to evolve, demonstrating a growing recognition of the importance of diverse voices in shaping policies that impact the lives of all Americans. Read more: Pew Research Center https://ow.ly/o1o450Qy9x3 #WomenInPolitics #CongressionalHistory #DiverseVoices #HouseOfRepresentatives #PoliticalMilestones #EmpoweredWomen #LeadershipLegacy #InclusiveGovernment #BreakingBarriers #HerStoryContinues #118thCongress #NancyPelosi #HistoricRepresentation #USPoliticalEvolution #ProgressiveLeadership

The journey towards women's suffrage was arduous, with years of resistance from cultural norms, lawmakers, and even some women. Despite the deeply ingrained societal attitudes and legal barriers, the women's suffrage movement persisted, using protests, lobbying, and legal challenges to gain momentum. It is important to acknowledge that the fight for suffrage was not a monolithic movement. The 15th Amendment granted African-Americans the right to vote decades earlier, highlighting the intersectionality of the struggle for civil rights. The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 marked a significant milestone in the fight for women's rights, granting women the legal right to vote and participate in the democratic process. As we celebrate Women's Suffrage Day, let us take a moment to honor the efforts of those who fought tirelessly for this fundamental right. #WomensSuffrage #EqualRights #Democracy

HAPPY BILL OF RIGHTS DAY! In 1791, Virginia became the last state to ratify the first 10 Amendments known as the Bill of Rights. President Biden issued "A Proclamation on Bill of Rights Day, 2023," ostensibly to honor the Bill of Rights. I say "ostensibly" because the proclamation seems to be at odds with the intent of the Bill of Rights. According to the Preamble of the Bill of Rights, "The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added..." Conversely, the President's proclamation reinforces a politically expedient misconstruction while ignoring the 10th Amendment. The first and last two paragraphs of the proclamation are on point. The third to last, taken out of context, would also be appropriate. In particular, it states, "This cause should unite every one of us, regardless of political affiliation." Unfortunately, that concept is undermined by the two paragraphs that proceed that precede it. The two paragraphs in question offer a "misconstruction" of the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, 595 US 215 (2022), ignore the 10th Amendment, and reference other political issues that are not addressed by the Constitution. These issues politicize a day that is reserved to honor the actual import of the Bill of Rights. According to the proclamation, "The Supreme Court took away a constitutional right from the American people, denying women across the Nation the right to choose, a right that had been enshrined in a half-century of precedent." The Court did no such thing. It overruled Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, but it did not deny women "the right to choose." It simply enforced the 10th Amendment rather than allowing the Supreme Court to legislate. In effect, it reinforced the Separation of Powers, which is fundamental to the Constitution. Interestingly, by citing "the right to choose" as "a right that had been enshrined in a half-century of precedent," the President implicitly stated that it was not a "right" at the time of the Constitution or within the Bill of Rights other than through an extrajudicial ruling by a conservative Court in the case of Roe v. Wade. Until the federal legislative branch chooses to address it, the law remains within the sole purview of the States. The other "rights" that are implied in the two paragraphs are similar. The degree to which they are "not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States," means they "are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people," as per the 10th Amendment. Many of the rights the President raises could be addressed at the federal level, but our representatives have not chosen to do so. In the interim, it would be nice to honor the day and leave the political rhetoric out of it. #politics #rights

The inaugural International Communities Organisation (ICO) General Assembly was held on December 12th 2023 and marked a major milestone in the global advocacy efforts for minority rights. Minority representatives from 18 countries attended, along with his excellency Mr Abdullah Shahid, President of the 76th UN General Assembly, and Dr Varenes, former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Rights, who enriched these critical discussions with their expertise. The General Assembly transcended mere discussion and served as a platform for community leaders to articulate the critical challenges facing their communities. Discussion topics ranged from women’s rights to self-determination and state violence, fostering an understanding among geographically diverse participants on their shared endeavour. As we enter the New Year, the ICO is committed to strengthening partnerships with these leaders and organisations dedicated to human rights and minority advocacy. This Assembly is emblematic of our dedication to amplify minority voices. These discussions, aimed at creating actionable solutions, will shape our 2024 agenda for minority rights. Our focus now shifts from awareness raising to targeted lobbying and policy formulation. Our key strategy involves aligning our efforts with significant events in the UN Calendar. This guarantees that the voices of the communities we represent are amplified during pivotal proceedings, such as Human Rights Council Sessions, to achieve maximum impact on the ground. The General Assembly set a promising foundation for our work in the New Year, marking the beginning of our journey towards lasting change. The lessons learned from the assembly will drive our efforts to ensure that the rights of minority communities are at the forefront of human rights discourse. Far more than an event, the Assembly represents a stepping stone towards making 2024 a landmark year in the pursuit of an equitable world for all minorities. #minorityrights #humanrights