Dear Mass NOW family,
We hope you are finding pockets of rest and rejuvenation this summer. We’ve spent the beginning of our summer in community and action with the Trans Resistance movement. Thousands of people filled Franklin Park in June to celebrate and uplift our BIPOC queer community, helping to raise over $100,000 for the Transgender Emergency Fund! In July, the Boston Pride board announced its decision to dissolve instead of transitioning leadership. We joined the chorus of organizations disappointed in this decision to dissolve the formal organization but we know: pride belongs to the people. Period. We remain hopeful and steadfast in our support for working through what an inclusive future of Pride in Boston will look like.
The National NOW Conference just ended this past weekend! This was National NOW’s first ever virtual election and an important one: the National NOW President and Vice President for the next four years. This comes just a year after two thirds of the NOW State Presidents called for the removal of the National NOW President, Toni Van Pelt, for her racist leadership and toxic work culture. Since then, 5 National Board members have resigned citing a toxic and unproductive Nunes-Atwood administration. Learn about why we’re joining chapter leaders from across the country in voting no confidence for either slate.
Despite the challenges, we remain committed and energized by our work on the ground here in Massachusetts and growing our own organizing capacity. Check out the incredible feminist movements underway right now and join us online – and in person at our upcoming Feminist Affair!
In solidarity,
Bria & Sasha
Mass NOW Co-Directors
Join the Feminist Affair Planning Team!
Mass NOW hasn’t celebrated our annual fundraiser in almost 24 months! But now, fingers crossed, we’ll be back together again in person this fall for our annual Feminist Affair on Thursday, October 14th at Hibernian Hall! We will livestream for virtual attendees and will be ready to pivot to be completely virtual if needed. One way or another, we are so excited to be reconvening our feminist community from across the state to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished over the last two years. Join the Planning Committee at our next meeting on Tuesday, August 17th at 5:00PM.
Mass NOW PAC Announces Endorsed Candidates for Municipal Elections
Last week, the Mass NOW PAC announced its endorsement of the following candidates.
Sam Montaño, Mass NOW PAC chair says, “We are excited to endorse this history-making group of candidates for municipal seats in Somerville and Boston. These candidates speak to the work being done to bridge gaps in political representation that have long impacted communities oppressed by patriarchy and white supremacy.”
Mass NOW PAC will be volunteering time and power to these candidates throughout the election cycle. Please reach out to Sam Montaño if you are interested in joining us! We look forward to building coalition and community based power with these candidates and to helping create an engaged and equitable Commonwealth. Join the PAC at their next meeting on August 17th at 7PM to learn more about the endorsed candidates and how you can get involved in their campaigns!
MA Menstrual Equity Coalition
Join our next Massachusetts Menstrual Equity coalition meeting on Tuesday, August 10th at 6PM. We’ll be talking about planning for a youth-led rally to end period poverty at the State House, collaborating with menstrual activists from around the country and our strategy for building pressure to bring the I AM bill to the finish line this legislative session!
Learn all about the MA Menstrual Equity Coalition, our partners, the latest research and how to take action and join at mmecoalition.com.
August 25th Chapter Meeting
We took a break from chapter meetings in July for a little summer break, but will be reconvening Wednesday, August 25th 6-7:30PM for our next Chapter Meeting! This month we’ll be talking about the need to increase voting access here in Massachusetts and across the country. Mass NOW has endorsed the Votes Act to expand and improve mail-in-voting, and lengthen in person-voting as well as Act to Protect the Voting Rights of Eligible Incarcerated People. Register now and meet us online to learn more about these two bills and how to take action.
We have three more monthly chapter meetings between now and our Annual State Conference in December. What would you like to see us focus on in the Fall? Share your feedback in our survey here!
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