OneWorld.net (U.S.)

WASHINGTON, Sep 17 (OneWorld) - Several women's advocacy groups have publicly declared their support for Barack Obama and Joseph Biden in the U.S. presidential election, citing the senators' support for issues of particular importance to women and expectations that they will keep their promises to promote women's rights if elected.

From left to right are: Deborah Frett (Business and Professional Women PAC), Eleanor Smeal (Feminist Majority PAC), Kim Gandy (Nation Organization of Women PAC), Faye Williams (National Congress of Black Women), and Betsy Clark (National Association of Social Workers PAC). © C-SPAN"Although it is very unusual for us to endorse in a presidential election, this is an unprecedented candidate and an unprecedented time for our country," said Kim Gandy, president of the political action committee of the National Organization for Women (NOW), the United States' oldest and largest women's rights organization.

Gandy joined representatives from the Feminist Majority, the Business and Professional Women Foundation, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Congress of Black Women, and the Women's Information Network to make the announcement Tuesday.

As senators, Obama and Biden's voting records have received a 100-percent rating on women's rights issues, according to the Feminist Majority.

The groups cited key women's issues that Obama has recognized and McCain has opposed, presenting a stark list of yes's for the Obama-Biden ticket and consistent no's for McCain.

Obama is a co-sponsor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act, an act to end wage discrimination against women. He is also a co-sponsor of the Prevention First Act, aimed to strengthen access to contraception and reproductive health care, and prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Click here to view the whole press conferenceThe groups also cited Obama's support for the continued reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, of which Biden is the chief sponsor, as well as the Security and Financial Empowerment Act, which would provide legal, medical, and financial support to victims of domestic violence, according to Gandy.

The groups also praised Biden's long-time record of supporting women's rights issues over more than three decades in the U.S. Senate. 


The Business and Professional Women Foundation aligned itself with Obama in large part because of his initiative to improve health care for veterans and defend the G.I. Education Bill, according to Deborah L. Frett, CEO of the Foundation.

Betsy Clark, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers, said Obama is an ally to social workers -- more than 80 percent of whom are women -- and is committed to serving children and families.

The groups were not impressed by the potential to elect a woman to the vice-president position, despite the sudden surge of interest created by Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate.

"John McCain just doesn't get it," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority and a long-time leader in the women's rights movement. "Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton. You can't attract Hillary voters and women voters with a woman opposed to what Hillary stands for."

Added Dr. E. Faye Williams, national chair of the National Congress of Black Women: "When we elect a woman as vice-president, we want one who wins on honesty, and on a campaign that represents issues that make the lives of all women better. Sure, we often support women in campaigns, but not a woman who runs on deception and distortions and against the best interests of progress for women."

This article is part of OneWorld.net's continuing coverage of Campaign '08, where you can find more on where the candidates stand on the issues, what everyday Americans are saying about what matters to them, and share your thoughts on the political system, the campaigns, the candidates, and your rights.

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