Wednesday, November 14, 2012- VAWA National Day of Action
Dear Honorable Members of Congress:
We contact you today, both individually and as a group to urge you to attend to a matter that has gone untended and requires your swift and serious attention. That matter is the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Since its first passage in 1994, this measure has received overwhelming bi-partisan support in both chambers of Congress. The need for it has been so clearly understood and accepted that it has never failed to be re-authorized- until this past year. In this last year, the Violence Against Women Act has become victim to the worst kind of bickering and dissension and that simply must come to an end.
The version of VAWA that is a true and full measure of protection (S1925), includes provisions for those who may be vulnerable due to grey areas of the law, such as: immigrants, the LGBT community, Native Americans and college students living on campus. S1925 passed by a super-majority in the Senate, while the response to this measure in the House of Representatives passed by a narrow margin. The House version of VAWA (HR4970) does not include the much-needed provisions cited above. Why are these provisions important? The following facts are compelling:
These facts are but a sampling of the reasons that comprehensive measures must be included and the Violence Against Women Act must be reauthorized. It is the right and just thing to do. Equal protection under the law is one of the basic tenets citizens of this country expect from their government on every level. Please consider our request with the gravity and respect with which it was made.
Respectfully,
Directors and Members of UniteWomen.org:
Executive Board:
Karen Teegarden – CEO/Founder
Executive Directors:
Anita Doll Fiouris – Executive Director of Fundraising
Renee Davis – Executive Director of Development
Patricia Gil – Executive Director of Operations
Leslie Neidig – Executive Director of Programs
Regional Directors:
Wendy Trager – Director Region 1
Donna Brusoski – Director Region 2
Krystal Ransome – Director Region 3
Stephanie Maguire – Director Region 4
Michelle Mayer – Director Region 5
Cathy Herman – Director Region 6
Nikki Casey – Director Region 7
National Campus Board
Heather Betts – National Campus Director
Amanda LaShau – National Campus Membership Director
Erin Sands – Regional Campus Director
Lori Wright – Regional Campus Director
Nikki Pike – Regional Campus Director
Alyssa McClenning – Regional Campus Director
State Directors: ( # of members by state)
Rebekah Wills Crice – State Director AL (304)
Jennifer Moser – State Director AR (64)
Colleen Jousma – State Director CA ( 616)
Sandie Reed – State Director CA
Michelle Mayer – State Director CO (146)
Sarah Ward Gaer – State Director CT (110)
Jodi L. Ochstein – State Director DC (114)
Kristina B. Lynn – State Director DE (75)
Diane Wilson – Co-State Director FL (610)
Jan Buckley Lella – Co-State Director FL
April Lausier – State Director IA (103)
Kristi Austin – State Director IN (141)
Lisa DiAlberto – State Director KS (116)
Grace Chambers – State Director KY (248)
Emily Sawyer Chance – State Director LA (167)
Penelope Duby – State Director MA (300)
Victoria Bragunier – State Director MD (205)
Jackie Worthington – State Director ME (117)
Jennifer Leigh – State Director MI (338)
Christen Richardson – State Director NC (278)
Nikki Casey – State Director NH (112)
Wendy Trager – State Director NJ (126)
Marisa Silva Dunbar – State Director NM (101)
Harriet Schutsch – State Director NV (174)
Tara Glynn – State Director NY (169)
Brittany Mays – State Director OK (109)
Teressa Raiford – State Director OR (332)
Melissa A. Keen – State Director PA (186)
Ariel Guinn – State Director SC (161)
Kim Kasey – Co-State Director UT (202)
Maureen Boose – Co-State Director UT
Brenda Seward – State Director VA (313)
E. K. Narey – State Director VT (30)
Crystalline Ly – State Director WI (124)
Sarah Zacharias – State Director WY (148)
** Number of members represented in states not having a State Director currently in place : 3417
TO CONTACT YOU CONGRESSWOMAN/MAN PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK
info@unitewomen.org
1221 Bowers Street #2225
Birmingham, Michigan 48012-2225