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Common Ills,
While we are still dissecting the election results, there were some remarkable victories you and the thousands of Feminist Majority activists, supporters, and volunteers helped make possible in the mid-term elections.
Before I share a detailed update on what your dedication and activism made possible, I ask you to consider what your role in sustaining this fight might be – consider becoming a Champion for Victory.
Persistence & Preparation Matters a Lot
Clearly – given the inspiring results of the mid-terms – our movement is more alive and active today than ever! Despite the prognostications of the pundits and doomsayers; despite Republican voter suppression, intimidation, and gerrymandering; Abortion rights, women’s rights, the ERA, and democracy won at the ballot box.
Thanks to your help in spreading the word and the financial support of special friends, Feminist Majority saw dramatic accomplishments in key battleground states and in those states where Democratic control of the U.S. Senate, abortion, and the Equal Rights Amendment were on the ballot. Efforts included:
- Fielding 115 paid organizers and coordinators on campuses in Nevada, Arizona, New Hampshire, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. In four of these states, the turnout of young voters in record numbers was higher than in other states and made the winning difference.
- In Kentucky, our sister organization - Feminist Majority Foundation – fielded Student Action Teams and organized women and younger voters on campuses to beat back a vicious, right-wing ballot initiative that would have imposed new abortion restrictions. It was again young voters who led the opposition to this right wing measure.
- In Nevada, the Feminist Majority not only helped re-elect Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto and save three House seats, voters also overwhelmingly passed a state Equal Rights Amendment making that state the 21st to ensure equal rights regardless of gender.
All of these are monumental victories for women and every American who cares deeply about equality, personal freedom, and democracy. Victories you helped make possible. It is why I ask you today to become a Champion for Victory with your sustained monthly gift. We Can’t Rest. We Can’t Stop Here. We must prepare for danger ahead. |
If there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that women win when they’re both persistent and prepared. This year we were both!
However, we can’t rest. Victories don’t stay won without constant pressure and persistence. Our victory in helping to turn the right-wing Republicans’ much-touted “Red Wave” into a pathetic puddle has the crazies up in arms. And believe me, they’ll come at us with all the anti-women, anti-democracy tactics possible.
In short, our victories won’t stay won unless we’re prepared to continue the fight. And there will be big fights in Virginia, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Mississippi in 2023 and of course, with Trump’s announcement, the presidential campaigns are already underway for 2024.
Frankly, there is no better way to protect the victories we’ve won than to start right now to begin building the resources we’ll need to organize state-by-state, district-by-district.
We call this select group of monthly donors the Champions for Victory. These are special folks like you who help provide the resources needed so we can plan and budget to keep on track with our efforts to protect abortion rights, personal freedoms, democracy, and women’s rights, including finally enshrining the Equal Rights Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.
You helped turn the “Red Wave” into a Red Puddle because you are part of a movement that successfully overcame Republican gerrymandering, voter suppression, lies, and intimidation.
You and I both know that feminists are the majority. A very strong majority. And thanks to active friends like you, we elected a record number of women at all levels of government from New Hampshire to Nevada and Arizona to Pennsylvania.
To sustain these victories, we must be prepared for the right-wing Republican backlash. That means building and growing our Champions for Victory now.
Again, thank you for your support. Thank you for continuing to stand with us. Together we win.
For equality,
 | Eleanor Smeal |
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Feminist Majority
1600 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22209
United States
