N.Y. NOW gears up

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NEW YORK-Since the 1985 national convention of the National Organization for Women (NOW), the New York City chapter has increased its activism on many issues. As the largest NOW chapter, it played a major role at the convention in developing the national strategy. Most noticeably, it proposed three resolutions that overwhelmingly passed the hearings and plenary session.

As one of two chapters with a special committee on older women's issues, the chapter has played a leading role in fighting ageism. New York NOW successfully championed the resolution that demanded an end to sexism in the Social Security system. NOW recommended credit for unpaid housework and increased benefits for all the elderly.

Another resolution urged NOW to have greater consciousness of older women's concerns. Since women over 65 have a poverty rate 60 percent higher than older men, these problems affect millions of women. After the convention, the chapter held a forum that addressed the pressing needs of older minority women.

The anti-intervention resolution origDiane Phillips is an activist in the New York City chapter of NOW and an independent socialist. inated in the chapter's Task Force on Minority Women's Issues and Combatting Racism and was endorsed by the board representing the chapter. New York NOW members and Central American women eloquently motivated this position.

National NOW finally opposed U.S. intervention in Central America. NOW's position stems from its admiration of Nicaragua's feminist advances (i.e. inexpensive childcare and childsupport laws).

NOW members are also aware that women are common victims of murder and rape by the Salvadoran government and the contras. Additionally, NOW realizes that the Pentagon budget represents an obstacle to domestic social programs for women such as childcare, job development, and food stamps. NOW's resolution does not include implementation proposals.

Due to the small amount of time allotted, discussion was rather perfunctory. However, NOW's open-ended policy allows national NOW, or any subunit, to act on this question.

New York NOW has not yet fully discussed how the chapter can proceed on this issue. Some members are concerned that other issues will suffer. Most believe that although NOW's primary focus must be women's rights, it cannot weapons on its territory. A "yes" vote would weaken Navy attempts to intervene in Central America. Passage of the referendum would be a gain for women.

Mass action

Perhaps the most publicized result of the convention was the call for mass actions. While this call was originally seen by supporters of former NOW President Judy Goldsmith as a "Smeal issue" the convention ended on a unified note. Some local NOW leaders have counterposed building local actions to national mass actions.

However, both candidates' delegates voted for a national march for reproductive rights in 1986 in Washington, D.C., and on the West Coast. This action has the potential to mobilize tens of thousands. With increased outrage over right-wing attacks and NOW's orientation toward the campuses, the outlook is brighter than before.

Many New York NOW members favor a national coalition around reproductive rights for this action. Eleanor Smeal, the president of NOW, is considered less likely than her predecessor to become involved in coalitions. However, with encouragement from NOW members, a coalition could be formed.

Sharing responsibilities would allay the fears that NOW can't invest money or time in large demonstrations. (If publicized adequately, mass actions increase activism and funds, including transportation subsidies.) New York City has a responsibility to send a sizeable contingent.

The chapter has recently held several reproductive rights events. A forum discussed the obstacles poor and minority women face by the lack of prenatal Closing news date: October 20, 1985 Editor: ALAN BENJAMIN Assistant Editor: MICHAEL SCHREIBER Staff: Amanda Chapman, Paul Colvin, Suzanne Forsyth, May May Gong, Millie Gonzalez, Mark Harris, David Kirschner, Joe Ryan, Carole Seligman, Kwame M.A. Somburu, Marion Syrek, Sylvia Weinstein.

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care. The chapter picketed TV stations that refused to air contraceptive commercials aimed at teenagers. It participated in national October abortion actions and a national petition drive.

The chapter also organizes around other issues, including lesbian rights, affirmative action and pay equity, as well as its electoral diversions. New York NOW plans to hold activities for the Civil Rights Restoration Act at the New York City Marathon.

On Nov. 14 there will be a program on "How Unions Can Combat Racism and Sexism" at NOW's Manhattan headquarters. These activities are the result of a deepening discussion within NOW.