June Bulletin

The War In Afghanistan

One May 27, the House of Representatives concluded its consideration of the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Despite many measures counter to WAND’s mission adopted in the NDAA, there were also signs of hope in the debate, including amendments on Afghanistan. Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) sponsored an amendment adopted by voice vote that ensures that Afghan women are part of the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. And though it did not pass, the amendment offered by Reps. McGovern (D-MA) and Jones (R-NC) which calls for a timeline for withdrawal garnered 204 votes, the strongest support yet for the President’s promised  “accelerated transition” out of Afghanistan. Please also see our summary of the House version NDAA.

In the Senate, a bipartisan letter urging the President to make a "sizeable and sustained" reduction in forces from Afghanistan beginning in July gained much support. The letter was circulated by Senators Merkley (D-OR), Udall (D-NM), and Lee (R-UT) and had the signatures of 27 Senators! The press advisory can be found here.

Thank you to all WAND members and supporters who joined with us in calling Congress to urge support of these important measures!

The President is expected to announce a decision on troop withdrawal this month. Stay tuned to our Action Center next week as we anticipate more debate on Afghanistan in the House and Senate.

Military Spending

Vote for the America you want! Tell Congress which budget you think is best for America. The Senate is writing next year’s budget now. Here’s your chance to weigh-in and share your budget priorities. WAND is partnering with the New Priorities Network to feature a web-based poll on three budget alternatives: President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget request, Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity GOP budget, and The People’s Budget released by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. To cast your vote for the federal budget of your choice, click here.

The Women Legislators' Lobby (WiLL)

This is a busy summer for WiLL, ending with our biennial conference in Washington(September 18-20)! We can’t wait for new and longtime members to join us for a great three days in our nation’s capitol. Hone your message skills, meet with your members of Congress, and network with other women legislators and activists! For more information about attending the conference, contact Maureen Campbell at will@wand.org or 202-544-5055 ext. 2603.

We’re also excited to expand our social media presence. Check out our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates about the conference and much more!!

2009 Conference Attendees

Conference

Planning for the 2011 WiLL/WAND conference is in full swing! This year’s conference will be held September 18-20 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel just minutes away from our capitol. Our biennial conference is an inspiring and empowering three-day event. Highly regarded media/message trainers will offer valuable skills-building sessions. Dynamic women speakers will discuss women’s political participation and our efforts to create a safer world for generations to come. On the final day, we’ll go to the capitol to lobby our Senators and Representatives! Please be on the lookout for more information in the coming months! Maureen Campbell and Elaina Ramsey are co-planning the conference. For more information, call 202-544-5055 or email  will@wand.org. Check out our website for more information or to register!

WAND PAC Update

WAND/WiLL has encouraged women to run for higher office for 30 years and we’re back at it for the 2012 election cycle! Ours is the only political action committee committed to educating and advancing women in the arena of national security.

We’re already excited about several races in 2012, including two in New Hampshire. Ann McLane Kuster, who was defeated by Republican Charlie Bass in 2010, is again running for a seat in New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District. Carol Shea Porter is also running again for the seat she held from 2006 to 2010.  Carol was defeated by Republican Frank Guinta in New Hampshire’s 1^st Congressional District. WAND PAC endorsed both Annie and Carol in the last cycle.

The 2010 elections brought the first drop in the number of women in Congress in over 20 years. With 42 WAND/WiLL women in Congress at the present, we are committed to improving that number in 2012.

WAND PAC will be keeping an eye on several other 2012 races. Among them are Susan Bysiewicz for Senate in Connecticut, Lois Frankel for FL-22, and WAND/WiLL woman Rep. Shelley Berkley, running for Senate in Nevada.  Stay tuned to our PAC website for the most up-to-date endorsement information!

WAND Member of the Month: Eileen Nittler

Congratulations to Eileen Nittler of Oregon WAND for being our first WAND Member of the Month! WAND honors Eileen for her incredible activism, especially for consistently submitting letters to the editor. She was published four times in the Eugene Register Guard in the last six months! Learn more about Eileen here.

Would you like to nominate an outstanding WAND member to be featured in the next E-bulletin? Simply send your nomination(s) with a brief statement about each candidate to WAND Field Coordinator Elaina Ramsey at eramsey@wand.org.

Chapter and Field News

Photo Chapter Challenge Ends June 30

We’re currently in the process of redesigning our WAND brochures and are in need of recent photos. To win one free registration to the upcoming September 18-20 WAND/WiLL National Conference for your chapter, simply send your pictures to WAND. The chapter that has the most pictures selected to be in our new brochure will win the Chapter Challenge! Please submit all pictures as email attachments to eramsey@wand.org by midnight on June 30.

Mother’s Day with Georgia WAND

In spectacular form, Georgia WAND hosted their annual Mother’s Day for Peace celebration and fundraiser on May 22. The event featured the Indigo Girls and a keynote address by Winona LaDuke, an internationally acclaimed author, orator, and activist. Winona spoke about the absurdity of nuclear power as a misuse of technology, and its devastating effects on the earth. WAND members Betsey Miklethun and Bob Farquhar were also honored for their years of service and activism. For more information, click here.

Upcoming Chapter and Field Events - find them here!

Fern Katz to Discuss the Human Cost of War

Southeast Michigan WAND chapter leader Fern Katz will give a presentation on June 18 to the Gray Panthers of Metro Detroit. She’ll be speaking about “Military Spending and the Human Cost of War.” Gray Panthers is an intergenerational social justice organization that works for peace and justice for people of all ages. Click here for more information about the event.

Upcoming Congressional Recesses

Your members of Congress are heading home soon for Independence Day (House recess: June 27-July 5; Senate recess: July 5-8). Now is the perfect time to schedule a meeting with your Senators and Representative to share your values! WAND will provide you with everything you need to plan a successful meeting. You can also check out our Congress Meets Community campaign for more tips about scheduling constituent meetings. For additional support or resources, contact Elaina eramsey@wand.org.

Vote for the America You Want

Don't forget to cast your vote in the New Priorities Network budget priorities poll.  WAND is partnering with the New Priorities Network to feature a web-based poll on three budget alternatives: President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget request, Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity GOP budget, and The People’s Budget released by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. To cast your vote for the federal budget of your choice, click here.