women’s rights

The Best Lady GOTV Video of 2012

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The Atlantic Oct 23 2012, 4:24 PM ET

The Best Lady GOTV Video of 2012, Starring Lena Dunham and Lesley Gore
By Garance Franke-Ruta

A bunch of gorgeous young women revive an old message: “You Don’t Own Me.”

If you followed the amazing outpouring of citizen-generated political content during the 2008 presidential contest, 2012 has been rather disappointing. Sure, there was the anonymously recorded 47 percent video released by Mother Jones, and there have been some fun videos by the Gregory Brothers. But it feels like there’s been much less artist-created content this cycle — and much more put together by people involved with campaigns for either politicians or web companies, many of which are entering the political marketplace as part of a broader branding play rather than because they have strong belief systems.

So how exciting is this new video from a bunch of gals who look like they just stepped off the set of HBO’s Girls — including that show’s creator, Lena Dunham?

The ladies lip-sync and vamp to the 1964 hit “You Don’t Own Me” in this get out the vote PSA released Monday by Sarah Sophie Flicker, a New York-based performer with the The Citizen’s Band, and others in the clip.

“A bunch of us gals, including Maximilla Lukacs, Tavi Gevinson, Alia Penner, Tennessee Thomas, Alexa Chung, Rebecca Fernandez, Leith Clark, Erika Spring, Karen Elson and I had all been horrified by the news, the repeated attacks on women’s rights, and the anti-women sentiment pouring out from the GOP generally,” Flicker told Paper magazine. “We decided we wanted to make a PSA.

“Personally, I’m struck by the fact that we are teetering dangerously close to a situation where my daughter won’t have the same rights I’ve enjoyed my entire life and that scares the heck out of me. Women constituted 60% of last elections voters. We can win this thing. We just have to agitate, motivate, and get out the darn vote!”

Lesley Gore herself joined the video project and ends it with this message: “I recorded ‘You Don’t Own Me’ in 1964. It’s hard for me to believe, but we’re still fighting for the same things we were then. Yes, ladies, we’ve got to come together, get out there and vote and protect our bodies. They’re ours. Please vote.”

The list of ladies in the video, via The Cut and Paper, follows this video of Gore singing her song the year it came out:

Alexa Chung
Alia Shawkat
Amy Rose Spiegel
Ana Calderon
Anna Fitzpatrick
Arrow and Ada
Barb Morrison
Becky Stark
Brodie Lancaster
Brooke Williams
Carlen Altman
Carrie Brownstein
Cassie Carello
Chapin Sisters
Courtney Hall
Courtney Martin
Elle Wagner
Erika Spring
Hannah Johnson
India Menuez
Judith Iocovozzi
Kate Nash
Kate Urcioli
Katy Goodman
Kime Buzzelli
Krista Bachmeier
Kristina Uriegas
Leah Siegel
Lena Dunham
Lesley Gore
Lisa Mayock
Lucy Moffatt
Madelyne Beckles
Mae Whitman
Mallyce
Maria Valencia
Meg Olsen
Melissa Coker
Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe
Mia Lidofsky
Miranda July
Natalia Czajkiewicz
Natasha Lyonne
Petra Collins
Rachel Antonoff
Rain Phoenix
Ruby Karp
Ryan Roche
Sarah Sophie Flicker
Shae Detar
Sia
Sophie Buhai
Tavi
Tracee Ellis Ross

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To all married women voters

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[Submitted to the Daily Local and Inquirer newspapers on September 12, 2012]

Dear Editor:

As the Chair of the West Chester Democratic Committee, I have written to you on many issues, usually along political lines. Today, however, I write on behalf of all women in Pennsylvania. It has come to my attention that the Voter ID law is going to have a profound effect on married women in this Commonwealth. If a young woman applied for and received her voter registration card when she turned 18 (or shortly thereafter), got married later, and changed her driver’s license to her married name, she will be unable to vote in this year’s election unless she changes her registration by October 9. Most women don’t think to change the name on their voter registration card, and until this law was passed, it didn’t matter anyway. Now, it is a problem.

My advice to all married women is this: first, check to see if the name on your voter registration is identical to the one on your driver’s license (or whatever ID you will be using at the polls). If the last names do not match, the remedy is fairly simple. Go to Voter Services on Westtown Road, contact your local Committee Person, or go to either party’s campaign office to obtain a new registration card. Fill out the name change section and submit it in person, or by mail to Voter Services (attn: Jim Forsythe). You should receive a new voter registration card in less than a week.

Women who show up to the polls with a driver’s license that doesn’t match the name on their registration will have to vote by provisional ballot. These ballots will not be counted unless they return after the election with the proper documentation. Almost no one will do this if the presidential race is already decided, which means their votes for congressional and state races will be thrown out. The race for the president may be definitive enough that those votes won’t make a difference in the results. However, the state House race in the 156th was won by a mere 28 votes in 2006 and by about 200 votes in 2010. Therefore, these local elections can and will be affected by this law.

I hope that women in Pennsylvania are informed and get their registrations changed by October 9. Our democracy is counting on it.

Stephanie Markstein
Chair, West Chester Democratic Committee

Mayor Comitta to “Women Are Watching” bus tour rally

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Planned Parenthood Pink Bus Rally – County Courthouse Steps
August 20, 2012

Mayor’s Welcome:

Welcome everyone. I am Carolyn Comitta, Mayor of the Borough of West Chester.

We are here today to stand up for human rights – women’s rights: the right to choose and the right to reproductive privacy.

These rights were given to us in the Constitution – written by men who were aware of the dangers of bringing religion into politics.

It is my pleasure to introduce Dayle Steinberg, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, speaking today on behalf of Planned Parenthood Votes and Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC.

Let’s give a warm West Chester welcome to Dayle Steinberg!

(End Mayor’s comments)

Cassandra Jones for Bret Binder

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letter to West Chester Democrats

It is my honor and privilege to endorse Bret Binder, the Democratic Party candidate for State Representative in the 156th District. While Bret and I ran against one another in the Primary Election, we kept things civil, honest, and forthright, because that’s the only way Bret and I know how to live our lives. Although Bret won the primary, I did not lose heart, because I know Bret will make a fine State Representative.

Bret is a lifelong Pennsylvanian and Democrat, and he is committed to fighting for the people of the 156th District. For these reasons, I will be campaigning with Bret and knocking on doors leading up to the election on November 6th. Likewise, I hope that you will also join forces with Bret’s campaign.

This is an important election and a critical time for our country. While many of us may be focused on the presidential race, we must remember the impact of local elections. The recent budget cuts to public education and social services, attacks on women’s rights and on our civil liberties, and the environmental give-away of our Marcellus Shale natural gas deposits demonstrate the ways in which Harrisburg is failing to represent our best interests. This local election for State Representative is considered to be the most important House race in Pennsylvania. Consequently, Bret must win, and I am confident that he will win with the support of people like you.

Bret has pledged to protect women’s rights, and has spoken out strongly against the invasive ultrasound bill which his opponent co-sponsored. He is also committed to fighting against voter suppression laws that have been designed to disenfranchise minorities and the elderly voters.

As a product of Pennsylvania public schools, Bret is also a strong supporter of our public education system. In addition, he will sponsor legislation to protect the environment, ensuring that Marcellus Shale drillers give back to Pennsylvania through a fair severance tax and are held accountable for safe drilling practices. As a small business owner, Bret understands the importance of small businesses — they are the backbone of our local, state, and national economy. Bret understands the need to earn a sustainable and livable wage and is committed to helping Pennsylvanians get back to work. I know Bret to be a creative and intelligent thinker. It’s time to bring a problem solver to Harrisburg, a problem solver like Bret Binder.

Please visit Bret’s website at www.bretbinderforpa.com; visit and like Bret’s Facebook page through the website; or give the campaign a call at (610)-696-5904 to find out how you can help. And, most importantly, vote for Bret Binder on November 6th.

Sincerely,

Cassandra Jones,
Ward 2E Democratic Committeeperson