Saturday, February 7, 2015

February 2014 Action Opportunities for Asheville Women

Asheville NOW Chapter Meeting Feb. 8

 The Asheville NOW chapter's second Sunday meeting is tomorrow, February 8, at the YWCA on South French Broad. Chapter officers and members of the executive committee will meet at 2 p.m. Current dues paying members are welcome to attend. The general membership meeting is open to members, supporters, and friends. It convenes at 2:30 p.m. Networking will follow the meeting.

Women Civil Rights March in Raleigh Feb. 14

Marena Groll with NC4ERA has invited Asheville NOW women and supporters to a civil rights march in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. The organization champions the soon-to-be introduced legislation to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in this session of the General Assembly. The march at HKonJ is Feb. 14, in Raleigh. Supporters will join this historical step forward gathering at 9:00 am near the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts at the corner of 2 East South and Wilmington Streets. For more information and directions, email NC4ERA@gmail.com, or follow @NC4ERANOW on Twitter. Use these hash tags freely to help with topic trending: #equality #ERA #women #ncnaacp #HKonJ

Women's Power Hour, at Avenue M, Asheville, Feb. 19

The Asheville NOW hosts its first Women's Power Hour at Avenue M, on Merrimon Avenue, at 6 p.m. on Feb. 19. This issue-based meeting offers opportunity for women leaders to network, build relationships, and create transformation in our public, professional, and private lives. The guest of honor will be author Cynthia Drew. The event is sponsored by Asheville NOW. February's topic will be: Examining A Woman's Worth: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Workplace Conditions, and NC's Unresolved Issues . 

In honor of February as Women's History Month, and in advance of International Women's Day on March 8, we'll take a closer look at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, New York's deadliest workplace accident, on the threshold of its 104th anniversary of 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.


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. For more details, please sign up on our website to receive our communications in your in-box.

Women's Advocacy Day Legislative Action, Raleigh, Feb. 24.

Make plans NOW to attend Women's Advocacy Day in Raleigh with the local chapter. For this event, non-member supporters are welcome to participate in the event alongside our members. Please review the information here and at right, following the instructions to join us in Raleigh.




























Saturday, January 24, 2015

ROAD TRIP: WOMEN'S ADVOCACY DAY EVENT FEB 44 AND REGISTRATION INFO

Women's Advocacy Day in Raleigh is Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Raleigh. Representatives from your chapter are going to knock on doors in the State Capital. You can, too. Here's how.

A. Register IN ADVANCE. Here is the registration form. 
 Please preview it, as you may wish to check in with the NOW Chapter before completing it. 



B. Let the Asheville NOW Chapter know you're coming. Email AshevilleNOW@live.com. Tell us if you need a ride, want to room with Asheville women, or wish to meet with a particular legislator or represent a specific issue.

C. Identify your legislative representatives. (1) Go to NC Public Voter Search and look up your personal information. (2) Go to the NCGA Representation page, and enter the results from step (1).

D. Familiarize yourself with your issue and what you can expect during your visit to the State Capital. Asheville Chapter officers will likely choose to talk about the ERA, but you can choose a different focus area.

For more information on this year's Women's Advocacy Agenda priorities and training sessions you can attend prior to meeting with legislators, visit the NC Women United event page. It's chock full of great "INTEL."

E. Check in  on the FaceBook event page. (1) Click "Going." (2) See if you have friends headed to Raleigh that day. (3) Network and think about forming coalitions for future action. Bring that thinking back to the chapter. (4) Share the heck out of the invitation and encourage other women to attend.
 

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Asheville NOW chapter officers will room at the Red Roof Plus, 1813 S. Saunders St., Raleigh.  If you make your own reservations, we got a great rate through www.booking.com.

As each person is responsible for the cost of her/his accommodations, currently estimated to be in the $50 range for the two night stay, we recommend the "stack and pack" approach. If funds or availability of specific types of food are needed, please pack snacks. Breakfast is included with the room reservation.

CARPOOLING

Individuals who are driving will be able to provide transportation for some women who'd rather not. Only the driver will be able to charge her phone in the car, so please remember your wall chargers. We're going to need fully charged cell batteries.
 

ATTIRE & PACKING

Essential attire may be limited to 2 casual wear outfits, 1 "corporate" professional outfit/suit, your PJs, and an outer layer. Please limit yourself to one small case or duffel including your electronic devices, and your handbag.

You may need comfortable shoes that fit in your bag if you plan to wear heels Tuesday. We don't know how much walking or standing is involved. Those who do not wish to carry a handbag may want to bring a travel belt to wear under their clothes, as lunch will be on our own.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

The Asheville NOW Chapter may choose to meet up for dinner on Monday, Feb. 24, to discuss our plan of action for the next day. Here's what we know.



Sound like fun? Then let's get going!