Friday, April 3, 2015

Women's Power Hour: Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Event with Author Cynthia Drew NOW April 8, 6 p.m., Avenue M on Merrimon Avenue


Did 123 Women Die in Vain? Join us for the riveting issue of the historic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire with Asheville Author Cynthia Drew.

Examining A Woman's Worth: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Workplace Conditions, and NC's Unresolved Issues

On April 8, we'll gather to take a closer look at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, New York's deadliest workplace accident, which marked its 104th anniversary on March 25.

Nearly 150 individuals perished in the avoidable tragedy - rendered all the more poignant in light of North Carolina's own industrial past. The exploited workers killed that day were mostly young women, recent immigrants of Jewish and Italian descent.

President Obama referred to the fire as " The Triangle factory fire was a galvanizing moment, calling American leaders to reexamine their approach to workplace conditions and the purpose of unions." The current Fair Wages debates regarding women and workplace conditions make this a particularly relevant look at this unresolved issue in our nation's and state's present labor challenges.


FEATURED GUEST OF HONOR: CYNTHIA DREW

At the event, women will meet and greet Asheville author Cynthia Drew, www.cynthiadrew.com, who will talk about her novel, "City of Slaughter," which is set against the dramatic backdrop of this historic event.

Drew teaches Creative Writing at UNC-Asheville's Reuter Center and her award-winning short stories have appeared in numerous literary journals
and anthologies.

The author worked for several years in New York City's garment
district. She will answer questions following the screening of a respected History Channel documentary on this critical event.

Avenue M PARKING: For convenience, our members have been invited to park at one of the banks across the street from the venue free of charge.

Avenue M SPECIALS: Wednesdays feature one-half price wine specials at Avenue M. Members and friends are encouraged to order food and drinks before, during or after the event.

Avenue M INFO & MAP: http://www.avenuemavl.com/


Meeting Reminders! Watch your email in-box for our announcements.

Come to our 2nd Sunday monthly MEETING 2:30 p.m. YWCA, S. French Broad Street, and bring a friend. Newcomers may attend two meetings prior to joining, and we encourage all voices to be heard whether a member or not. (Note: Executive Committee meets at 2 p.m. prior to the membership meeting.) All current members are invited to attend.

Mark your calendar monthly for the Asheville Women's Power Hour for a one-of-a-kind meeting to network, build relationships, and create transformation in our public, professional, and private lives. Sponsored by Asheville NOW.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

North Carolina's 'Commitment' to Women's Civil Rights Marked by ERA Introduction 2015

By Marena Groll
Guest Commentator
NC4ERA

The introduction of the ERA will mark North Carolina’s commitment to civil rights, which was supposed to create equal economic opportunity.  Women are 51.3% of the North Carolina population, according to the latest U.S. Census figures. 
Groll, June 2014 Bennett College, Greensboro

As recent history has shown, pay equity for women remains a significant problem. Although there are laws on the books against discrimination in pay, the U.S. Constitution does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, effectively relegating women to an unequal or lower class of citizen.  This inequality compromises women by affording them lesser redress and a lower standard of judicial scrutiny under the Constitution to challenge sex discrimination.

Women continue to be targets of sex discrimination due to systemic failings threatening our very survival. We are physically injured, abused and raped in epidemic numbers and yet this violence is not taken as a serious, egregious violation of our constitutional rights, resulting in further threats to survival and that of our spouses and children.


These are not the only forms of injustice we endure. Moreover, existing laws designed to protect us from the injustice of sex discrimination are not comprehensive or fully inclusive and can be rolled back by a simple congressional vote. Therefore, women cannot continue to be asked to wait for their civil right to equal constitutional protection to become a priority. It must be a priority now.