What a week at The New Agenda….
January 24, 2009
by Amy Siskind
|What a week for our 5 month-old organization! I want to personally thank all of our members for their hard work and continued support. Here’s some exciting accomplishments of TNA:
Thank you, Gov. Paterson!
Kirsten Gillibrand takes the open NY senate seat: we are just thrilled! TNA had vocally advocated for Sen Gillibrand. Having met Sen Gillibrand, I can attest that she is a real feminist and the “real deal.” This is a woman who is presidential material. Sen Gillibrand is grateful for our organization’s support and she knows we have her back! We want to also commend Gov Paterson and offer him our full support for making a courageous pick.
Chris Matthews is gonzo: a confidential source,who is “in the know,” informed us that the reason that Matthews did not run for the PA senate seat was as follows: his advisors were concerned that he would get smoked by two strong opponents: TNA (womens group) and the PUMAs – yes this is true. So, if you think that our work together isn’t making an impact, think again!
Grassroots Meeting: today TNA held its second grassroots meeting in the NYC area (thanks to Anne Marie for setting it up). Karen Gerringer, a co-founder of TNA and I were able to attend. We had a wonderful discussion about our organization and the way forward. We are planning to reconvene in one month and each bring a bunch of friends and grow a NYC area group. Sally had a wonderful notion of why TNA: “women deserve respect!” I say amen to that.
College Chapters: in addition to our charter chapter on the campus of Ohio University (which already has 25 members), we started another chapter at West Texas A&M University this week.
TNA Turns up the heat in Ohio: co-founder Cynthia Ruccia is making waves in Ohio, where a senate seat is opening in 2010 and neither party has a candidate as of yet. TNA has met with the head of the DNC in Ohio this past week, and will be meeting with the head of the RNC next week to urge both parties to run a woman candidate. We will also be meeting with the first lady of Ohio. The press is all over Cynthia – one newspaper told her how glad they were to get our press release as they had not heard a word from any other womens right group.
TNA meets with The Wish List: co-founder Jenn Lee will be meeting in DC with the head of The Wish List. For those of you that unaware of this organization, this is the Republican’s version of Emily’s List. TNA plans to promote women on both sides of the aisle.
Media: TNA was all over the media this week. We are becoming the “go to” experts on women’s rights. We were in several newspapers, as well as on CNN again. The good news is that there does seem to be a national dialogue starting on women’s rights. And our organization is front and center for this important discussion.
Ophelia heats up: Ophelia is thrilled to be hosting Rosa Clemente, VP candidate for the Green Party in 2008, as well as Jenn Lee, co-founder of TNA. Join us for an exciting discussion on promoting women in politics.
Dybul is gonzo: co-founder Nina Miller did tremendous investigative reporting on Mark Dybul, who up until this week, would have remained as President Obama’s AID’s Czar. Thanks to Nina and other voices, we can wave bye-bye this known misogynist. Nina’s pieces are a must read on our blog.
Once again, hats off to TNA and all of our members. We all have so much work to do together to advance women’s rights in this country. We’re just getting warmed up!!!
Great Post!!!! It’s exciting to see all of the accomplishments and milestones!!!!
I wouldn’t know who is and who isn’t, so I’m asking; will TNA back women of colour, assertively looking to also give them the TNA advantage?
I don’t completely understand the question Sis – but, I will tell you this: The New Agenda is here for ALL the women of this country. We are a big tent. We don’t care about who you voted for, what color your skin is, what religion you practice (if any), etc. , etc. We want to be a brave and bold voice to speak out for ALL women. Period.
Picking up from a prior post, it would be great for someone to play “detective” and find Naomi’s email.
At the very least, I think as a writer she would get a kick out of Violet’s piece My LIfe as a Mole!
The question is, are you backing women of colour too? Which women because I don’t know who they would be. I was not implying you weren’t just not seeing anyone who was, so far. And as I said, I don’t know who those women would be. Some of the names I can put faces to. Most I can’t. Some, I can’t even google an image.
Absolutely, yes we are backing ALL women!
So, who are they?
Who is who?
Sis, why wouldn’t we be backing women of color? I don’t understand the question. We’re for women’s rights, period.
I must not have phrased my question very well. WHO are the women of colour who are in positions that would allow them to move up such as Caroline Kennedy was trying to.
Yes. You are backing women’s right’s. Period. I get that, admire that, cheer you on, send out links to MEDIA and rave about you, generally.
Remember, I’m Canadian, and I don’t know the names or the possibilities. It’s a simply question–are you backing ‘particular’ women of colour? And who are they? And for what positions?
I’m sorry if this is too dumb. Just drop it then.
Sis,
Correct me if I am wrong, but you are asking if we are backing specific candidates of color rather than the list of qualified women like we usually do?
When there is an opening to be filled, as with the Cabinet appointments or with Clinton’s Senate seat, we urge the decision-makers to consider qualified women — of all ethnic backgrounds. If you look at our press releases on the Cabinet and the New York Senate appointment, for example, you’ll see the names of non-white women on the list of qualified candidates.
wow. just wow. that is an incredible list of accomplishments in so short a period of time.
and wow that Chris Matthews finally got something right, because I would have driven to PA every weekend to go door to door to campaign against him, and I bet a lot of other women would have done the same. all we would have had to do was distribute copies of Media Matters’ list of his greatest hits (against women). what Media Matters has compiled on CM reads like a list of charges in a sexual discrimination complaint.
I also loved the “this is what a feminist looks like” t-shirt on Governor Paterson.
KayJL
I would have driven to PA too! It would have been more than I could stand!
Thanks Governor Paterson! Go Gillibrand!!!!
No I’m not asking if you are backing none qualified women of colour. I’m asking who are the qualified women of colour who might be in positions to be put forth. I don’t know apart from the two who were the Green party candidates for president. And I don’t know from a name if a woman is a woman of colour. But I’ll continue to try to find out.
I can’t understand why my question isn’t understood. If that makes sense. And why I’ve upset you.
Anyway, congratulations. I think you’ve done so much. My mind just kind of travels, and I thought that, and then thought to ask about women of colour. Not meaning to imply anything, just asking for an answer. “Jane Doe” some position in Idaho. Whatever.
Sis, you are repeatedly challenging Amy and Violet to produce names of women of color whom we’re supporting. I’m not buying the “I don’t know why you won’t answer my simple question” thing. Disingenuous tactics don’t really have a place here. If you have an opinion, I invite you to state it.
My opinion: issues of ethnic diversity naturally arise in feminist organizations, but like issues of reproductive rights and issues of partisanship, we ought to avoid allowing ourselves to be divided by them. The New Agenda does not have a policy on the representation of women of color in government, and I’d like to see it remain that way.
Sis, TNA is featuring Rosa Clemente, above, and has voiced praise for the choices of Valerie Jarrett and Susan Rice. All are WOC. Additionally, there were names of WOC on the list TNA provided to Patterson.
Sis, if you just want to know who are the women of color on the lists we’ve submitted, these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head:
Yvette Clarke
Nydia Velazquez
Lisa Jackson
Susan Rice
Jackson and Rice were both appointed to the Cabinet. Clarke and Velazquez were on the list we submitted to Gov. Paterson for the Senate seat.
What is confusing to me is that you’re asking about who we’re backing, present tense, as if we have an ongoing sponsorship of certain candidates. But we don’t, really — so far our practice has just been to push a list of qualified women for each opening.
I meant, who do you like, who are you watching, what did they do to get your attention. As with others I’ve seen touted, like Gillebrand. Thanks you’ve answered my question. I apologize for the confusion. I think I’m not making myself clear so I’m sure it’s my fault.
Sorry Amy.
It’s not a stupid question, Sis, and I too apologize for the confusion. The answer is that we’re not actively watching particular women or promoting them; instead, we’ve just responded to each opening that has come up since our young organization started. So far that’s been Obama’s cabinet, the New York Senate seat, and the Colorado appointment. In each case we just put our heads together, did some digging, and collectively came up with a list of women who were good candidates for the various positions.
“backing women of colour too?”
What country are you from, Sis? Amy answered the question, but I’m curious who’s asking. It’s nice that women from other countries are interested, but we can handle our own affairs, thanks, anyway.
So, what is it….Canada? England? Elsewhere?
Ah, you answered my question later…Canadian. Give it a rest.
deleted by administrator
deleted by administrator
Sheryl, I’m not being disingenuous. I am not challenging anyone. I am asking. Violet answered me.
Zee, I don’t know how to answer your hostility and rudeness. I have no desire to remain posting here.
Jesus! Zee, that’s out of line. Sis is a real person and not some spy — she’s been a commenter at my own blog for years. This thread is getting ridiculous.
Sis, I apologize if I misread you. I’m used to some rough forum behaviour, and I was being too harsh to you.
I’m Canadian, too.
Well, I really don’t have any reason to be here so I think I will give it a rest. Just followed Vi in one day several months ago.
I sometimes have difficulty making myself clear. I’m tired, or something, but I finally got it out, and Vi answered.
There are lurkers smirking now, reading our exchange They know what I’ve restrained myself from delivering back at you, so don’t apologize for your postings.
Carry on.
Congrats to TNA for becoming the “go-to experts” in such a short time.
It’s proof for the pudding that there was truly a void to be filled!
For the first time in many months, I have hope. Our movement is making major progress in a very short period of time. Thanks to TNA for filling a void in a relevant, necessary and important movement!
mamabroad – ditto!
TNA – Just curious, Is that photo of Paterson for real or is it one that was created via computer technology? If real, that is so cool! If manipulated, I would not use it.
Sis, I am sorry that you have encountered such reactive and, frankly, nasty comments here. I do hope you will continue to post. As for being from another country and apparently not welcome here (by some) I should like to point out that there was, and continues to be, an enormous contribution to our cause (for example working in support of Hillary) from our northern neighbors and probably elsewhere too.
What a great list! It makes me feel so optimistic which is kind of a nice feeling. I hadn’t felt it much during the election so this means a lot.
And a great meeting as well. What a wonderful, passionate and interesting group of women. I can’t wait to do it again.
Stray Yaller Dog,
I agree! TNA’s success has been very impressive. So I’m trying to remember that anything I say on this blog, the whole world may be reading.
Amy,
Thanks for the information. I was especially please to read that Chris Matthews decided that it wasn’t a good idea to run for the PA senate seat because of our push back against his sexism.
I’m trying to find out who is in line to take Gillibrand’s congressional seat in the 20th district. Are there any women’s names floating around? Is TNA supporting any candidates? We need to make sure this seat goes to a woman. We need to make sure that we don’t end up with a net loss following her promotion. We need to find someone like her to fill that seat. She is very popular upstate and it would be great if her seat were filled by another woman like her.
So what’s the buzz?
Re: Chris Matthews fearing us PUMA’s. I say YEAH for us! How appropriate!
As an upstater, I say Go Gov. Paterson! Good choice!
Congratulations to everyone.
[...] 26, 2009 · No Comments A confidential source, who is “in the know,” informed us that the reason that Matthews did not run for the PA senate seat was as follows: his [...]
[...] wanted to quickly point you over to Amy Siskind’s thread over at TNA. It’s an interesting little tidibt about the antijournalist Tweety. Chris Matthews is [...]
Amy, Violet and All,
What can one say, except a great big BRAVA!!!!!
Having been in attendance at Herr Matthews’s MSNBC kiosk performance in Denver, it is gratifying beyond words to see the fruits of our efforts in his decision not to run. I shall not soon forget that day, or this one either! We have completed our first circle in the endgame around sexism and misogyny!
A great big BEST to all!
tig;)
I am glad that the governor picked someone with bona fide credentials. I would have preferred Maloney, just because she is pro-gun control, but I think it’s good to have a upstate rep.
For those of you wanting to get rid of sexism and misogyny, I ask you to support Healthy Workplace Bills in your state. http://workplacebullyinglaw.org/ NY is one of the states with a law that needs to be passed, as is NJ, CT, VT and Ontario Canada. As a PUMA, I have witnessed all kinds of silencing and bullying, and many PUMAs have been bullied by bosses who supported different candidates who shall remain nameless.
Kendall,
I’ve seen several references to a special election immediately to fill vacated Congressional seats in NY.
Also there is talk of Gillibrand’s district being eliminated altogether – presumably merged with adjacent district/s.
Anyway, nothing has indicated that it will be another appointment situation.
[...] knowledgeable, politically savvy super-achiever, just like our beloved Secretary of State. As Amy Siskind said, “this is a woman who is presidential [...]
To whoever posted Paterson’s photo:
Did he really pose with a t-shirt like that? If so, wow, what a bold move – a bit in Obama’s face and the face of Ms. Magazine. I’m surprised he did it since I had the impression he was getting a lot of flack about his pick, etc.
fsteele,
I’m interested because if there is an election, we need to focus on helping a qualified woman get the seat. So I was wondering what names are floating around.
Kendall,
I agree, but I don’t recall seeing actual names mentioned for Kirsten’s House seat. Dunno if Randi Weingarten would be interested, some people were talking about her for the Senate seat. She is not presently in government (head of a big union iirc) so she would make a net gain for women.
[...] how recently Tweety withdrew from his projected Senate race in Pennsylvania, and did so out of fear of PUMA, I think he is definitely the go to guy for “winning at [...]
[...] The best karmic moment came a while ago when Tweety decided to forego his planned Senate run because of what PUMA would do to him [...]
Leave your Response Want an avatar? Get a gravatar!
Community Room
May 8, 2012 at 11:30 am
May 8, 2012 at 9:56 am
May 7, 2012 at 2:04 pm
May 7, 2012 at 1:37 pm
May 7, 2012 at 1:19 pm
April 20, 2012 at 12:57 pm
April 11, 2012 at 4:39 pm
April 6, 2012 at 1:18 pm
BUILD your NETWORK
Our Network of College Women
Protecting our Teenage Girls
We’re in the Media »
Click to see our latest stories in the media
More Stories »Recent Comments
The Latest from our Blog
Archives
Pioneer Mentors
Blogroll
Find us Online
Subscribe Entries (RSS) | Comments (RSS)
The New Agenda is a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls by bringing about systemic change in the media, at the workplace, at school and at home. More...