Legislative exchange

In November 1979, 33 popular women’s magazines included articles on the importance of the Equal Rights Amendment. The editors agreed that as the extended deadline of June 30, 1982 draws closer, they would add their support and attempt to persuade the millions of women who read women’s magazines to agitate to get the needed ratification by three more states. The amendment itself is a simple, clear assertion that American women are adults capable of making responsible decisions and of enjoying the full benefits of citizenship. It states:

The 15 states which have not yet ratified the amendment are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. CNMs living in those states are strongly urged to get involved in the ERA struggle. The national clearinghouse on ERA information is ERAmerica, 1525 M Street, Suite 602, Washington DC 20005.

1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

The National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) is an organization of 40,000 members dedicated to increasing women’s voice in government. It is not a political party, but a caucus within each party, within Congress, and within state legislatures. The NWPC is trying to:

The Equal Rights Amendment was first submitted to the states for ratification in 1972-eight years have passed and primarily male legislatures have still not added the amendment to the Constitution. Better late than never, the editors of JNM want to add their support in the ERA struggle. The ACNM membership in 1978 decided not to hold annual meetings in unratified states and an open forum on the ERA was held at the 1979 annual meeting.

Journal of Nurse-Midwifery

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Recruit and train women candidates for public office. 2. Lobby Congress on issues of special interest to women, such as programs for displaced homemakers, Medicaid funding for abortions, family planning policy, etc. 3. Lobby for appointment of women to the judiciary (there are only 16 women among 529 federal judges) and to policy-making federal positions. 4. Work within the major national political parties to remove barriers to women’s full participation.

s Vol. 25. No. 2, March/April 1980

In 1980, American will not only elect a new president, but the entire house, of Representatives and % of the Senate. CNMs have the opportunity to elect politicians who are committed to improved maternalchild health. By joining the NWPC, CNMs can increase the chances that sympathetic legislators will be elected. Associate Membership in the NWPC is $15. The Caucus is located at 1411 K Street NW #lllO, Washington DC 20005. *

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In October 1979, representatives of the baby-food industry met in Geneva, Switzerland, at a conference sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The International Council of Infant Food Industries agreed that direct sales promotion of formula would be stopped. The conference participants agreed that breast-feeding should be “protected and encouraged” everywhere. The Nestle boycott is being continued “for the time being” by INFACT (Infant Formula Action Coalition) until it is determined if Nestle follows the WHO recommendations. *

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Anyone wishingto contribute

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or short articles on legislatiue or regulaactions affecting CNMs on the state or fedeml leuels should contact Nancy Kraus, CNM, 277 West 10th Street, New toy

York. NY 10014.

33 C&rtght 0 1980 by the AmericanCollege of Nurse-M&Ives