NOW Denounces Democratic Convention for Discrimination Against Mothers

The following is a press release from the National Organization of Women, Southern California chapters.

The sisterhood of National Organization for Women chapters in Southern California - Hollywood, Long Beach-South Bay, Pacific Shore, and Palm Springs - join together in denouncing the Democratic National Committee's practice of discrimination against mothers with young children. 

Feminist activist and spokeswoman on issues of equality, Gloria Steinem said, "Women are the key to a Democratic victory, and sometimes, children are the key to women. It's both right and smart for the Democratic Convention to behave as if children exist."

“When the Democratic Party refuses to provide childcare at the convention and denies automatic access for young children to join their moms who serve as delegates on the Convention floor, an entire group of women are disenfranchised,” states Susie Shannon, a delegate to the 2012 DNC Convention and mother of a young child.  “Moms with young children 6 years of age and under who cannot be left at home, some of whom are breastfeeding, are relegated to second-class status within the Democratic Convention, unable to participate as a delegate due to antiquated policies and inadequate accommodations that were apparently in place before Women’s suffrage.”

“This policy creates an insurmountable barrier for mothers with young children to participate in the process of choosing a Presidential candidate at the Democratic Convention,” stated Lindsey Horvath, President of Hollywood NOW.  “The DNC requires children and babies to have a credential to enter the Convention, and then denies these credential requests from moms.  The DNC credentialing process is being used as a tool to prevent mothers from participating at the Convention and is nothing short of discriminatory.”

“We believe this practice of discrimination needs to end in 2012,” stated Zoe Nicholson, President of Pacific Shore NOW.  “This is the year for the Democratic Leadership to demonstrate comprehensive support of women, ending this outdated practice and to state publicly that it supports true family values.”