Another Successful Women Who Dared Event

Kina Collins and Kim Foxx Accept their Women Who Dared Award

Chicago NOW’s annual Women Who Dared fundraising event took place last week and was a resounding success! This year, CNOW honored Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx and the Chairwoman for the Illinois Council on Women and Girls Kina Collins.

Kina and Kim gave inspirational addresses, and the event was an empowering display of what women can do when we come together.

buy Lurasidone uk A huge thank you to our sponsors:

Silver: Alma and David Delgadillo

Bronze: Joel Kowsky, Jessica Scheller, Sue Straus

http://wargereavy.com/portfolios/school-leaders-enhanced-knowledge-and-skill-for-leading-diverse-learning-communities To our silent auction donors: Bella Voce, Hazel, Building Blocks Toy Store, Chicago Wolves, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, L&A Healing Studio, Women and Children First and Chicago A Cappella. Thank you so much for your generous donations!

Thank you to all that attended!

Stay tuned for information on our next events: March to the Polls on October 13th, and Hug Your Body & Embrace Your Vote on Monday Oct 29.

Feminist Happy Hour: NOW that’s what I call Galentine’s Day!

Title: Feminist Happy Hour: NOW that’s what I call Galentine’s Day!
Location: Beauty Bar Chicago, 1444 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622
Link out: Click here
Description: Chicago NOW is partnering with local artists to co-host a Galentine’s Day Feminist Happy Hour On February 14, 2017. We are excited to elevate the voices of local artists committed to intersectional feminism. Join us for a night of conversation and cocktails at Beauty Bar Chicago
Start Time: 19:00
Date: 2018-02-14
End Time: 21:00

City Finance Committee to vote today on TIF financing of Presence Health

Due to Presence Health’s restrictions on birth control and reproductive healthcare, the Chicago Chapter of the National Organization for Women continues to oppose granting the proposed $5.5 million TIF subsidy funded by city of Chicago taxpayer money. Subsidies for healthcare must affirm and protect all people’s right to bodily autonomy and as such should only be granted to healthcare providers that offer comprehensive reproductive services.

This proposal shows the incredible reach Presence Health already has in neighborhoods across the City of Chicago. As the largest nonprofit healthcare system in Illinois, Presence Health is responsible for the care of thousands of Chicagoans. As care providers like Presence, who do not provide contraceptives or other key health procedures, take up more and more space in our healthcare system, options for people seeking what is a natural and sometimes necessary part of their healthcare become fewer and fewer.

“If Presence receives more funding, access to women’s health services will decrease even more,” writes former Chicago NOW board member Christina Tanner. “I was director of midwifery and women’s health services for a federally qualified health center (FQHC) that had a partnership with a Catholic hospital in Evanston. We had to put up a separate clinic down the street to provide birth control.”

Chicago NOW respects the right of any person to choose Presence Health’s preferred method of Natural Family Planning, but we believe that healthcare providers should not present this as the sole available option. Especially in our current political climate in which access to basic health care is continuously being threatened, we believe our tax dollars should be invested in providing quality health care for all Chicagoans, and to providers that make all contraceptive and reproductive care options accessible and affordable for anyone who needs them.

We hope the City Council Finance Committee will consider the need for women—and all people—to have affordable, accessible and informed reproductive care access in making their decision whether or not to invest taxpayer dollars in Presence Health.

Member Spotlight: Board Member Kathleen Pointer!

Kathleen Pointer is a freelance journalist working mostly in the Midwest though she spends a significant amount of her time traveling all over. Her reporting topics include health care, local politics and spotlights on community leaders.

Although not originally from the area, Kathleen hails from Kansas City and has degrees in journalism and women’s studies from the University of Missouri, she made Chicago her home for the last five years. It was easy for her to fall in love with the vibrancy of this city and she has enjoyed finding ways to get involved with the local community, especially through social justice events and rallies.

Recently, she presented at the Chicago NOW’s Give Your Choice A Voice speak out and fundraiser. She also enjoys sharing other stories and essays at live lit reading events.

Kathleen is currently serving on Chicago NOW’s executive board as the organization’s secretary. She joined the board in 2015. She is particularly passionate about reproductive health issues, combating racism, and supporting LGBTQ rights. Her No. 1 goal at Chicago NOW is working to make sure all feminism is intersectional feminism.

Chicago NOW participates in Illinois Resistance Fair!

On Saturday, April 8, Chicago NOW participated in the Illinois Resistance Fair geared to engage individuals looking for that perfect volunteer experience. Five hundred-fifty future volunteers participated in the fair matching with over 30 chapters of national, state and local organizations who represented political interests, legal, environmental and equality issues.

Chicago NOW received interest from lots of new volunteers and we welcome them to our organization! Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events from our action team. Check our Facebook page for more.

Illinois Resistance Fair 2017

Chicago NOW Board Members Lindsay Eanet and Alexi Madon stand with State Representative Lou Lang (D – Skokie)