International Women's Health: How Much Do You Know?

Take the Poll and
Test Your Knowledge of International Women's Health Issues

In some countries, maternal health has improved significantly. A key to success is government leadership.

Around the world, women lack access to health care. This struggle is both a cause -- and a result -- of their status in society.

Test your knowledge of global women's health and rights»

For example, did you know that complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death among young women aged 15 to 19 in low income countries?

By any measure, this situation is unacceptable -- particularly when the vast majority of these lives could be saved with interventions that have been proven to work.

But the challenges are not insurmountable. Knowledge is power - and together we can help women across the globe.

Expand your power: Take our quick poll and see what you learn about global women's health and rights»

Thank you, Natasha Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

FedUp with FedEx

"I don't intend to recognize any unions at Federal Express."

- FedEx CEO Fred Smith1

Stop Unionbusting at FedEx

Stop unionbusting at
FedEx Ground!

Deliver your message at FedUpwithFedEx.org You'll never look at that bright white delivery truck outside your window the same way again.

FedEx Ground advertises efficiency and professionalism. But a new report shows that when drivers try to form unions, they're met with intimidation and propaganda – even firing.

Tell FedEx you're FedUp with its nasty anti-union tactics!

Deliver your message at www.FedUpwithFedEx.org

To fatten its bottom line, FedEx has strived for years to keep its company union-free. More than 15,000 FedEx Ground drivers have neither a voice at work nor the ability to stand up to the company.

FedEx Ground drivers—who work long hours, often without benefits—are frequently harassed and even fired for supporting a union. According to federal charges and interviews with drivers, here's the complete unionbusting "package" delivered by FedEx Ground management:

* Propaganda: Anti-union posters plastered all over worksites, and a threatening anti-union video distributed to drivers.
* Persuasion: Steak dinners and sudden attempts to address grievances ignored for years, all to discourage workers from supporting union efforts.
* Intimidation: Where persuasion fails, there's outright bullying. High-level management arrive on the scene to harass, isolate, retaliate against, and even terminate union supporters.

So why don't these drivers just quit if they don't like their jobs? FedEx makes them lease their own trucks—which cost around $40,000—so quitting can mean losing a major personal investment. Unions are often their only recourse.

Tell FedEx Ground to shape up or ship out! www.FedUpwithFedEx.org

Stay tuned for more ways to get involved in the coming weeks. And please forward this message to friends and family.

Thank you for helping make sure FedEx Ground drivers get a fair deal.

Liz Cattaneo,
American Rights at Work
www.americanrightsatwork.org

1. The Wall Street Journal, August 4, 1989

Tell Congress: Workers Deserve Paid Sick Days

Nearly half of our nation's workers have no paid sick days to care for themselves or their loved ones when they are ill.

Forward to a friend >>
Read the petition >>

It's unthinkable that 145 countries provide paid sick days and the United States -- the wealthiest nation in the world -- is not one of them. In fact, half of our nation's workers don't have a single paid sick day.

Join me in telling Congress to support the Healthy Families Act now»

Currently, there are no state or federal laws that require workplaces to provide paid sick days. But the Healthy Families Act would provide a guarantee of seven paid sick days a year to full-time employees -- to help them get well or to care for a sick loved one.

Nine in 10 voters polled by Lake Research Partners support a basic workplace standard of paid sick days to care for themselves or sick family members.

Working women shouldn't be forced to risk their jobs to take care of their health or their families.
Tell Congress that we need updated laws that support our nation's workers»

Sincerely, Natasha Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

What is liberation for women today?

Stop Violence Against Women Month: What You Can Do

October is Violence Against Women Awareness Month: Here's What You Can Do

Photo: Boaz Rottem

October is violence against women awareness month. In addition to being a massive human rights violation, violence against women is a major cause of poverty - it keeps women in poor countries from getting an education, working, and earning the income they need to lift their families out of poverty. For the past year and a half Edge has led a nation-wide campaign with Amnesty International USA

and the Family Violence Prevention Fund to end violence against women worldwide. The centerpiece of this campaign: The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), a bill, expected to be introduced in the Senate this fall, that would include solutions for reducing violence against women into all U.S. foreign assistance programs. Now we need your support to get it passed!

This October, join the thousands of Americans who have taken a stand for women worldwide: Sign the petition to make the I-VAWA a reality for women worldwide!

Read more about the I-VAWA

Tell Congress to Stand Up for Working Women's Rights

Every day, millions of working women are forced to choose between a paycheck and caring for their health or their sick child.

Tell Congress that working women need paid sick days»

Robbie from Wisconsin was fired when she left her job to take care of her son -- who had just been hit by a car:

"When a car hit my son, he didn't tell me right away, because he was worried I would lose my job. My older child called me at work and said, 'Mom, Eric's crying. He got hit by a car. You have to come home.' I told my boss, who said I'd be fired if I left. I knew my child had to go to the emergency room, so I left anyway -- and I was fired. The x-ray showed Eric had a broken arm."

Currently, there are no state or federal laws that require workplaces to provide paid sick days. In fact, half of our nation's workers don't have a single paid sick day. But the Healthy Families Act would provide a guarantee of seven paid sick days a year to full-time employees -- to help them get well or to care for a sick loved one.

In a country that prides itself on family values, we need to do a better job of valuing our families. Join me in telling Congress to support the Healthy Families Act now»

Sincerely, Natasha Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

Which Way Are You Headed?

I need your help to convince members of Congress who seem to have lost their direction to do the right thing.

In a matter of weeks - possibly days - Congress will decide whether to put an end to George W. Bush's devastating global gag rule. For seven years, this immoral policy has forced family-planning groups to cut staff, close health centers, raise fees, and stop supplying birth control to some of the world’s poorest women.

My staff and I are working day and night to ensure that Congress abolishes this dangerous rule, and here’s how you can help:

Make your contribution right now, and we’ll send a moral compass to key lawmakers on your behalf – symbolizing your hope that they find their way back on this moral choice.

Your contribution will help NARAL Pro-Choice America:

• Educate lawmakers about how harmful Bush's policy is to the world's poorest women.
• Coordinate a National Call in day to Congress.
• Fund phone banks, robo calls, and online action alerts to motivate pro-choice activists.

Our goal is to flood key lawmakers with hundreds of moral compasses to make this critical point: It is morally wrong to deny the world's poorest women and their families basic health services! You can point these lawmakers back in the right direction today by donating.

For the first time in recent memory both chambers voted to do away with Bush's misguided policy. However, anti-choice politicians on Capitol Hill and in the White House are trying to derail this opportunity. But you can help ensure that lawmakers are pointed in the right direction by sending a moral compass today.

Help point these critical members of Congress in the right direction with an urgent donation. Help end Bush’s global gag rule.

But please don't hesitate. Take action now to help restore funding for contraception and other basic health needs for the world's poorest women.

Thank you,

Nancy Keenan
President
NARAL Pro-Choice America