On the road to the Miami Symposium 2013 - Newsletter No. 1

NEWSLETTER No. 1                                                                                Miami, March 23, 2013

 …ON THE ROAD TO THE MIAMI SYMPOSIUM 2013…

There is a trend of turbulence in women’s issues in the United States. Abortion, contraception, equal pay, scandals about military sexual harassment and rape and lesbian marriage are among the issues in discussion that are affecting women’s rights and choices nowadays.

In this first issue we will address the misleading position and statements that intend to dismiss the grounds implicit in the pro-choice position. 

Last year, former Missouri Republican Representative Todd Akin , candidate for state senator, coined a new legal concept “Legitimate Rape,” in defense of the pro-life position. Don’t miss it these three links, because you won’t believe it:

In this first link, you will find an article from the New York Times with the statements and an audio clip of the state representative in the moment in which makes a statement describing what he believes constitutes “Legitimate Rape”: Rep. Todd Akin - ‘Legitimate Rape’ Statement and Reaction - NYTimes.com

Additionally, Republican Rep. Phil Gingrey from Georgia -a former OB/GYN and co-chair of the House GOP Doctors caucus- made a statement in support of Todd Akin’s statement, indicating that he was “partially right” on his remarks about “legitimate rape.” Read about this on the following link: http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/11/gop-rep-todd-akin-partially-right-on-legitimate-rape/ 

Rachel Maddow shares a lesson in history with the audience during one of her shows Rachel Maddow - Can Republicans shut down Akin? 

Despite the Federal Law that granting abortion’s rights in the United States, states laws set limitations on abortion. States such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Arkansas & Mississippi each have just one clinic that provides Women Health Services. Nonetheless, many people are advocating and speaking up against these arbitrary actions. In this sense, Rachel Maddow reported: “Despite murder threats by anti-abortion extremists, clinic plans persist; new clinic aims to serve Kansas women despite threats and intimidation.” (From the 01.18.2013 edition of MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show) Don’t miss the Special-Report-on-Abortion-Rights-Under-Attack

Don’t miss the next issue: We’ll discuss the scandal and concern that is shaking-up the integrity of the US Military and its ability to protect the women in service. Recently, several women spoke up and have come together to denounce that they were raped and harassed in the military. They publicly reported this to police and it was publicized in the media. Still, nothing happens!!! Seriously?! 

Encore… A treat: 

Currently, a record number of women are serving in the United States Congress: 17 women serve in the Senate and 74 in the House of Representatives; This includes 21 women of color. The inclusion of Sonia Sotomayor as the first Latina Supreme Court justice added a much-needed voice of diversity in the judicial branch.

In addition, right now 61 women are members of the House Democratic Caucus. This institution makes history by reaching the highest number of women ever in a party Caucus in the United States Congress.” House Democratic Women of the 113th Congress | Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi