r u 4 choice?

Can Big Telecom Block "Unsavory" Messages?

Tell the FCC to outlaw content-based discrimination by text-messaging providers like Verizon. Actions speak louder than words. That's what I was thinking when I heard that Verizon, the second-largest U.S. mobile company, rejected NARAL Pro-Choice America's application for a "short-code" to send opt-in text messages to its members (then reversed its decision after a storm of criticism). We've been working to make sure that kind of censorship can't happen -- and now there's something you can do to help. You can speak up today to support free speech by posting a comment with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to end the practice of discrimination in setting up text-messaging services. Click here to send your comment. Don't delay -- the comment period ends March 14. In initially turning down the program, Verizon had told NARAL Pro-Choice America that it does not accept programs from any group "that seeks to promote an agenda or distribute content that, in its discretion, may be seen as controversial or unsavory to any of our users." Unsavory? How's this for unsavory: Verizon believes it can quash an organization's communications to its own members. It was only because of enormous public outcry that Verizon changed its tune. The fact that Verizon feels it can reject or block politically motivated messages should leave us all very worried. After all, how would you feel if Verizon decided to drop your phone calls the minute you started discussing a "controversial" issue like reproductive freedom? Please submit a comment today to help stop discrimination in text-messaging services. As CEO of CREDO Mobile, I don't just call for choice: I marched for choice on Washington, D.C. in 2004. I advocated for family planning in Ethiopia, where I saw how, thanks to the Bush administration's global gag rule, families have no more access to reproductive services. And I run a proudly pro-choice phone company. The good news is, as consumers, we still have a voice -- and we still have a choice. We can speak out against text-messaging censorship by posting a comment with the FCC today. And we can choose to be a part of a pro-choice company, like CREDO Mobile, which has donated more than two million dollars to women's organizations -- $267,000 to the NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation alone. If you agree with us on this issue, we hope you visit our website and take action today. Thank you for your continued commitment. Laura Scher, CEO CREDO Mobile

Take the Dollar-a-Day Challenge!

Take the Dollar-a-Day Challenge to change women's lives!

One billion people - 1 out of every 6 human beings -live in extreme poverty, struggling to survive on less than $1 a day. Most Americans can't imagine trying to support their families on only a dollar a day. But millions of women around the world are forced to do exactly that. In honor of International Women's Day (March 8) and Women's History Month (March), Ritu Sharma Fox, Women Thrive's president and co-founder, traveled to Nicaragua to try to live on a dollar a day. Read Ritu's diary, see pics, and watch videos of her experience and join her in committing to donate one dollar a day for the next year to Women Thrive's efforts to end poverty for women and their families.

Read More:
http://www.womenthrive.org

Join Ritu in taking the Dollar-a-Day Challenge and make your dollars change women's lives! Make a gift or pledge to Women Thrive for $365 - only $30.50 per month. Share the challenge with your friends, and join with us as we create transformative change for $1 a day.

As a challenge-taker, you will get a badge to display on your website, blog, or emails to let your friends and family know about your generosity and commitment. If you decide to recruit your friends, you will get the chance to win a beautiful color print, personally autographed by award-winning photojournalist Paola Gianturco (learn more).

Most of all though, you will get the knowledge that your dollars are going as far as they can go to reducing world poverty - by empowering women, and their families, to escape it.

Make your dollars count! Take the Dollar a Day Challenge!

Thank you.

Women Thrive Worldwide
www.womenthrive.org

FREE Surgeries for Victims of Domestic Violence

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary R.O.S.E. Partnership funds six surgeries each year for facial reconstruction to women who have suffered injury to the face due to violence. Assistance includes pre- and post-operative care deemed necessary to patients selected by The R.O.S.E. Fund. Contact: The R.O.S.E. Fund, Inc., 175 Federal St., Ste. 455, Boston, MA 02110; 800-253-6425; 617-482-5400; Fax: 617-482-3443; www.rosefund.org/programs/ReconSurgery.asp
Income Eligibility: Need determined on a case-by-case basis

Financial Help for Abortion

Some of the 850 Planned Parenthood clinics will help women seeking an abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy starting at $350 for those not covered by health insurance. In some cases they even have special funds to help women pay for services.

To investigate what your local clinic offers, call 1-800-230-PLAN. Contact Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 434 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001; 800-230-7526 or 212-541-7800; Fax: 212-245-1845; www.plannedparenthood.org. There is another consumer hotline that can also handle your abortion-related questions: Contact The National Abortion Federation, 1755 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036; 800-772-9100 or in Canada 800-424-2282; www.prochoice.org/
Income Eligibility: None

Super Wednesday

Super Tuesday is behind us, and what do we know? We know one thing for certain. When all the dust settles, when the party nominees are finally decided, there will be two candidates left standing -- one who is pro-choice and one who is anti-choice.

As I watched the results late into the night, I was once again reminded that we have a big job ahead of us. We cannot afford another four years of Bush-style, anti-choice politics from the White House. We can’t afford John McCain and we cannot take anything for granted. That’s why I turn to you, Dottye.

There is no time to waste --please donate now to defeat the anti-choice presidential candidate.

We cannot get caught up in the excitement and forget what is at stake. Some are talking as if this election is a foregone conclusion -- that Americans will elect a pro-choice president in 2008. But know this: Most Americans don’t know that John McCain is extremely anti-choice.

We cannot sit back and assume that this important truth will come out. It didn’t in 2000. Voters thought that Bush was pro-choice -- and look where that got us.

Just this past weekend, NPR covered this very issue and hit the nail on the head: “Many Republican voters … seem to believe, incorrectly, that the current Republican front-runner, Arizona Sen. John McCain, supports abortion rights.” But we know that Independent and Republican pro-choice women are more likely to vote pro-choice, regardless of party affiliation, when educated on candidates’ records. That is why it is vital to reach and educate this important voting bloc about McCain’s long-held hostility to a woman’s right to choose.

And NARAL Pro-Choice America© is the organization that can get this done.

Donate now to set the record straight with voters on where McCain stands on choice.

You and I know the truth. But we cannot assume that others know just how extreme John McCain is. I need your help to expose his anti-choice record. Need convincing?

On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Sen. McCain stated:

“If I am fortunate enough to be elected as the next president of the United States, I pledge to you to be a loyal and unswerving friend of the right-to-life movement.”

It is worth repeating that most Americans don’t know John McCain is anti-choice. Pro-choice supporters like you and I cannot let the fate of a woman’s right to choose rest in the hands of this man. Do your part - donate right now.

Sincerely,

Nancy Keenan, President
NARAL Pro-Choice America

Get Out Of Paying IRS Bills From A Tax Cheating Husband

Many married taxpayers choose to file a joint tax return because of certain benefits this filing status allows. Both taxpayers are jointly and individually responsible for the tax and any interest or penalty due on the joint return even if they later divorce. This is true even if a divorce decree states that a former spouse will be responsible for any amounts due on previously filed joint returns. One spouse may be held responsible for all the tax due even if all the income was earned by the other spouse. In some cases, a spouse (or former spouse) will be relieved of the tax, interest, and penalties on a joint tax return. Three types of relief are available: 1) Innocent spouse relief; 2) Relief by separation of liability; 3) Equitable relief. Publication 971, Innocent Spouse Relief, explains these types of relief, who may qualify for them, and how to get them. You can also use the Innocent Spouse Tax Relief Eligibility explorer at www.irs.gov to see if you qualify for innocent spouse relief. Click on "Individuals,” “Innocent Spouses,” and “Explore if you are an Eligible Innocent Spouse.” For more information contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 or go to http://www.irs.gov/publications/p971/index.html
Income Eligibility: None

Achievement Award + Cash Award for Charity

The Heinz Family Foundation R.O.S.E. Achievement Award recognizes a woman survivor of violence for her work and achievements in the area of ending violence against women. The recipient’s choice of nonprofit organization receives the cash award. Contact: The R.O.S.E. Fund, Inc. (formerly Ryka Rose Foundation), 175 Federal St., Ste.455, Boston, MA 02110; (617) 482-5400; Fax:(617) 482-3443; http://www.rosefund.org; E-mail: info@rosefund.org
Application: To nominate someone, go to: http://www.rosefund.org/events/events.asp
Income Eligibility: None