WOLDE joins the NCWO/IWPR Domestic Priorities Task Force

Last week two members of the WOLDE team went to Washington DC to join the National Council of Women's Organizations and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research in developing the 2008 agenda for their Domestic Priorities Task Force. The DPTF includes national organizations dedicated to women’s issues such as Wider Opportunities for Women, National Women’s Law Center, and the National Organization for Women. Issues addressed by these groups include social security, pay equity, welfare reform and others.

“These organizations effectively put today’s public policy under the microscope. They challenge policies and make powerful recommendations based on quantitative findings and best practices to our nation’s politicians”, says Executive Director Jennifer Rehm-Clark. “Too often the public policies that are put in place negatively affect women and are created around stereotypes, misplaced moral biases, and hidden agendas. Too many Americans are not aware of the damaging and detrimental conditions that come with these policies. Unfortunately, once a policy is in place, it takes a very long time to undo, or change,” adds Rehm-Clark.

“It was an inspiration to be in the company of such intelligent, forward-thinking women at the DPTF meeting. I am very excited to be involved with a group that gives so much hope to women across the country, and that has such a strong presence in our nation’s capital”, says Amanda Ganley, WOLDE’s Policy Advocate.

Rehm-Clark adds, “Joining the Domestic Priorities Task Force is a step in the right direction for WOLDE as we position ourselves to become a national organization, but more importantly our involvement will add our target market [working poor women] to the 2008 agenda.”