Monserrate’s History of Mental Health Problems

A former marine and NYC police officer, in 1999, Monserrate filed for a disability pension from the NYPD, “citing mental problems, including post-traumatic stress syndrome”, as well as depression and anxiety;
Police seized Monserrate’s guns after a psychological assessment, ordered as a result of the claim, was completed;
On Sept. 10, 2001, Monserrate was reportedly arrested for running over the leg of a tow-truck driver who was attempting to tow his vehicle;
Perhaps owing to the date of the incident, the case was never processed.

Facts Surrounding the Indictment …

This weekend, The New Agenda’s Amy Siskind was one of four panelist on Bonnie Erbe’s weekly television show, To the Contrary.
Other panelist included Republican Strategist Nancy Pfotenhauer; Former Clinton Appointee Patricia Sosa; and Conservative Commentator Tara Setmayer.
*The clip below is a ten minute version of the segments edited.  The entire show is available in three parts here.

The New Agenda will be hosting a Violence Against Women Forum on April 18th from 3-5 p.m. at the Benjamin Hotel in New York City.  A cocktail hour will follow from 5-6 p.m.  RSVP to tnavawforum@yahoo.com.
Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Executive Director of My Sister's Place
The Violence Against Women Forum will feature four of the New York area’s preeminent experts on domestic violence. Each expert will speak about a specific topic that she feels is currently noteworthy.
One expert is Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Executive Director of My Sister’s Place, a domestic abuse shelter in …

Universal female suffrage is still a goal for many American women, generations of whom have worked for elective franchise for women beginning with the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention in 1848. The women’s movement was once a strong force to be reckoned with in the United States, but along the way something went terribly wrong. The history of their pursuit is worthy of analysis because it can reveal how American women can streamline their strategies and avoid the mistakes of the past. Today, women still can’t vote in states like …

Joan Wages at the future site of the National Women's History Museum
The New Agenda is thrilled to announce our guest for Monday’s March 30th Ophelia show. Joan Wages, the President of the National Women’s History Museum, has some great news to share with Ophelia’s listeners. The legislation to provide the museum a home next to the national mall has just been reintroduced! What better way to celebrate the end of National Women’s History Month than to find out how we can help get that legislation passed this year?
Although women constitute …

MELANIE BURFORD/DMN
On Friday March 27th, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Republican Senior Senator from Texas Kay Bailey Hutchison joined forces to present Stories from the Top; Their Odyssey at the Women’s Museum in Dallas Texas.  This was the sixth annual event of it’s kind held at the Women’s Museum in honor of Women’s History Month.  Designed to feature women who have stories of success, failure, life lessons, and encouragement to share with young women, the event attracted more than 400 people at $175 per ticket. 
The Dallas Morning News reported
The highlight of …

Editor’s note: We’re pleased to present this guest post by Liz of The Liz Library, an online compendium of information on law, women’s issues, and women’s history.

What is single payer health care?
“Medicare” for all Americans. No medical insurance industry, period. No middleman profiting from sickness. The government already pays for medical care for this country’s sick, disabled, poor and elderly. We need to add the healthy work force.
What makes it specifically a women’s issue?

Medical insurance has a big impact on whether women can …

Donna Brazile invited to speak at Department of Justice for Women’s History Month
Open Forum.  We invite your comments.
Donna Brazile will be making remarks at a Women’s History Month event at the Department of Justice on March 31.  She was invited by Attorney General Eric Holder.  A flyer sent to employees of the DOJ said that “Supervisors are encouraged to grant official time to employees to attend the event.”
Ms. Brazile made the following statement:

During my remarks, I will pay tribute to women who dare, women of courage and the many milestones …

Born and Bair
This week two women who have been frequently featured on this blog were finally given their due (or at part of their due).
Brooksley Born and Sheila Bair were amongst this year’s recipients of this year’s John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage awards. The award is presented by the foundation every year to public servants who have taken courageous stands without regard for personal or professional consequences. Born and Bair were both oracles who had bravely spoken out about factors that lead to our current economic meltdown – …

As sexism in public discourse ran rampant during the past election, many of us wondered who was going to stop it. Writing in the Huffington Post on February 15, 2008, Kathleen Reardon asked, “Where are the senior Democrats calling for civility at least from their own members?” Writing in the Lakeland, FL, Ledger on Oct. 15, Douglas Wilson asked, “Where is NOW now?” (I’m sure there are countless other examples and would love to hear about them.)
As a Christian, I kept waiting for my church to step up …