Green Party Accredits Women's Caucus
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-487-0693, mclarty@greens.org
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator, 207-326-4576, nallen@acadia.net
Nan Garrett, National Women's Caucus Spokesperson, 770-216-8632,
404-229-0626, ngarrett@greens.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the United States announced the
accreditation of the National Women's Caucus today, after the party's
national Coordinating Committee granted the caucus a voting seat.
"The National Women's Caucus is the first national organized effort
for women in the history of the Green Party," said Maya O'Connor,
Green Party Co-chair. "We are proud to announce and celebrate the
overwhelming vote to seat the caucus and a great victory for women in
the Party."
The accreditation vote caps over two years of organizing to qualify for
affiliation with the Green Party. Along with a vote on the National
Committee, the National Women's Caucus will be able to send delegates to
Green Party committees and enjoy access to many party resources.
"Now that we're accredited, we have the fastest growing political
party in the United States solidly behind us, as well as a platform that
is bold for women," said Morgen D'Arc, co-founder and Co-chair of
the caucus. The Green Party platform section on women's rights can be
read at <http://www.gp.org/platform/2004/socjustice.html#998980>.
"We will reach into the party to represent the needs and interests
of women and reach outside to attract greater participation and
collaboration," added Ms. D'Arc.
"The Green Party recognizes the need to give voice, a vote, and the
ability to affect policy to communities that have been historically
oppressed, underrepresented, and disenfranchised," said Holly Hart,
National Women's Caucus delegate to the Coordinating Committee and
Co-chair of the party's Platform Committee. "Conditions for women
are declining. We will bring issues to the table that aren't getting
enough attention, such as the staggering poverty of single mothers,
violence against women, equal pay, a living wage, and the continuing
reality that women live without the security of constitutional equal
rights."
Caucus members have also spoken out for the rights and welfare of women
in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other nations where women have been under
threat of violence and repression. The Green Party of the United States
includes feminism among its Ten Key Values <http://www.gp.org/tenkey.html>.
"Many Americans identify the Green Party with environmental
issues," said Ms. D'Arc. "However, the National Women's
Caucus, in emphasizing social justice and women's rights with an
electoral imperative, will help to define the Green Party for people as
well and as the only party that prioritizes and cares about women."
The Black Caucus and Lavender Green Caucus (representing gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer Greens) have already been
accredited by the Green Party.
MORE INFORMATION
The Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1711 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
National Women's Caucus
http://www.gp.org/committees/women/index.html
natlwomens-caucus@gp-us.org
2004 Green candidates and election results
http://www.gp.org/patience.html
http://gp.org/2004election/president2004.html
