Hundreds Speak Out at NCJW's Premier Public Policy Event

Washington Institute Highlights Include Congressional Visits and Expert Briefings

March 21, 2007, Washington, DC -- Washington Institute 2007, the premier public policy event of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), culminated on March 20 with some 200 congressional visits by more than 400 NCJW activists representing 31 states.

During the opening session on March 18, NCJW President Phyllis Snyder previewed a new initiative to safeguard reproductive freedom, Plan A: NCJW's Campaign for Contraceptive Access. Said Snyder: "Access to contraception can no longer be taken for granted. NCJW's involvement in the fight to secure women's reproductive health and rights is critical. NCJW is certainly not new to this... Our 1930 national convention approved a resolution in support of confidential family planning, making us the first organization in the United States to publicly demand the legalization of birth control." During her speech, Snyder stressed the links between religious liberty and access to contraception.

Held from March 18 to March 20, Washington Institute drew NCJW members from 75 sections -- and eight countries -- for leadership and advocacy training as well as issue briefings from coalition partners, political experts, awardees, and members of Congress, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA).

On Tuesday's Hill visits, activists advocated for congressional support on three pieces of pending legislation: strengthening hate crimes law, enacting the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act to provide federal funding for comprehensive sexuality education, and reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) with $60 billion.

Also speaking on the importance of contraceptive access was NCJW Woman Who Dared awardee Dr. Susan Wood, the former commissioner for women's health and director of the FDA's Office of Women's Health who resigned her post in protest over the FDA's years-long delay in approving over-the-counter emergency contraception.

Other highlights included international perspectives shared by International Council of Jewish Women President Leah Aharonov and Middle East policy expert and former ambassador Martin Indyk; a briefing on NCJW's ongoing work in a changing Israel; the presentation of NCJW's Social Action Award to the National Women's Law Center; and a strong endorsement of NCJW's commitment to action by political commentator Donna Brazile.

NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.

Contact:
Erica Brody
212 645 4048 x165; ebrody@ncjw.org