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BCTGM Women’s AdvisoryCommittee Meets for a Day of ActionIInternational women’s rights,quality child care and protectingSocial Security were among theimportant topics addressed byBCTGM women and hundreds ofactivists during the Women’sEquality Summit and CongressionalDay of Action held inWashington D.C. April 7-9.Members of the BCTGMWomen’s Advisory Committeewere among more than sixtynational women’s groups withinthe National Council of Women’sOrganizations (NCWO) that participatedin the summit. NCWOis a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalitionof women’s organizationsacross the nation collectivelyrepresenting over six million menand women.The event featured hundredsof grassroots’ activists and leadersof the women’s movement.BCTGM women attended plenarysessions with national leaders,advocacy skills training workshops,and issue briefings withpolitical activists. The womenalso met face-to-face withMembers of Congress and theirstaffs to advance a positive agendafor women and their families.Topics covered at this meetinginclude:➣ Advancing InternationalWomen’s Rights➣ Defending Women’sHealth➣ Protecting Social Security➣ Fighting for EconomicSecurityAdditionally, BCTGMWomen’s Advisory Committeemembers met to review organizing,political and educationalMembers of the BCTGM Women’s Advisory Committee pose for aphoto following their Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill duringthe Congressional Day of Action in April.activities in 2001 and draft resolutionsto submit for considerationat the BCTGM’s 36thConstitutional Convention in July.“It was a very productive andinspiring meeting,” notedInternational Vice PresidentJeanne Graham who chairs thecommittee. “We were able to networkwith women leaders inlabor, politics and numerousactivist organizations from allover the country. Based on whatwe learned, we wrote three resolutionsfor submission to theConstitutional Convention thissummer.”One of those resolutions concernsextending the benefits ofthe Family Medical Leave Act(FMLA) to include time off forparents who must care for a sickchild. For example, Grahamnoted that the child care needsof American women and theirfamilies have increased dramaticallynow that the majority ofwomen with children are in thepaid labor force. “According tothe Department of Labor, over70 percent of all women withchildren under 18 work outsidethe home. Because the majorityof working women need to workin order to support their families,access to paid time off to carefor a sick child is essential.Without it, women riskunplanned disruptions in theiremployment which can affectjob performance, restrict opportunitiesfor their advancementand result in lower wages oreven job loss.”May/June 2002www.bctgm.org11