Over 250 women state legislators signed on to the WiLL letter to Congress. The letter was delivered on Wednesday, March 10th and encouraged Congress to "trim the fat" in the Pentagon budget. The letter urges that the money saved could be redirected towards areas in the economy that generate more, and better, jobs- jobs that address the most pressing issues we face today (climate change and education).

You can check out the final letter with the list of signers by clicking here.

Check back in a few days for more resources on sending letters to the editor and press releases regarding
the WiLL letter.
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Congratulations to Utah Representatives and Will Members Seelig, Beck, and Edwards! Their dedication along with the support of the Utah House and Heal Utah has led to the passing of a resolution urging Congress to ratify the CTBT.

The resolution passed on unanimously on Monday, March 8th. Present at the hearings were 'downwinders' who have been affected by the nuclear testing in Nevada. Winds carried fallout from the weapons testing facility over into Utah, causing devastating health problems

The passage of this resolution in the Utah state legislature is further proof that we have bipartisan support for the ratification of the CTBT. Once people learn the facts, they realize this treaty will make us safer and prevent tragedies like the ones experienced by families all over Utah who were victims of downwinder effects from testing. We’re proud to report that three WiLL members were so closely involved in this effort, and Representative Trisha Beck stated that the training and information she received at the WiLL conference helped ensure she was prepared to present all the facts her colleagues needed to be convinced to vote for the resolution.

How did they do it? WiLL members Rep. Beck and Rep Edwards issued a statement on the effects of the nuclear testing in support of the resolution. Check out their statement here.

For more information on the resolution, access to the bill language, vote count, and more- go here

Welcome to new Congresswomen committed to change!

WAND PAC is excited to announce that five of our candidates were elected to Congress in November!

Rep. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11) | Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15)
Rep. Betsy Markey (CO-4) | Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-1)
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH)

They join five other new WAND/WiLL Congresswomen who were won special elections in the last year:

Rep. Donna Edwards (MD-4) | Rep. Marcia Fudge (OH-11)
Rep. Laura Richardson (CA-37) | Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-12)
Rep. Niki Tsongas (MA-5)

This brings the number of WAND/WiLL women in the 111th Congress to 48. The WAND/WiLL reception on February 3, 2009 was an electric moment to welcome, educate, empower -- and celebrate! More info here.

We're especially pleased that TEN women from the ranks of WiLL ran for Congress this year. We've been working for years to establish a pipeline of progressive, pragmatic, skilled women who will run for higher office during their careers. It's a major step toward fundamental and lasting change!

Security and climate change: We need a new concept of "climate security" rather than military security. WiLL/WAND has a new action guide about Climate Security; we encourage you to take action.

While the federal government fails to take meaningful steps to address climate change, state legislators across the country are passing innovative bills to deal with the issue. We urge state legislators to go even further and encourage their Congressional delegations to address climate change through the lens of the military budget.

The U.S. military contributes to the problem of climate change more than any other single institution worldwide. We spend billions of dollars every year on outmoded weapons systems that do not make us any safer. That money instead could fund programs to promote climate security—an investment that would truly keep us safer.

Use our action guide and contact the WiLL office for steps you can take to protect our climate! We have provided sample letters to the editor and a sample op-ed to help you educate fellow policymakers and the public. Please contact the WiLL office to assist you in media placement.

Click here to see the women in the 111th Congress who come from the ranks of WAND and WiLL.

WiLL Trailblazers is a network of former women state legislators who are working together to influence national policy to reduce violence and militarism and promote human and environmental well-being.