Women's Rights Task Force
Leaders are needed for this task force. If you would like to
contribute your talents to organizing the work of this task
force please contact Jen
Gaber, Heather Mann or Wendy
Cooper.
History
Unitarians and Universalists have played a role in promoting and protecting
the rights of women in America since the 19th century. Some of the hardest
working advocates for a woman's right to vote were Unitarians and Universalists.
We were leaders in welcoming women to the pulpits of our churches as
ordained ministers. And we were religious leaders in the battle to secure
women's access to contraception and to safe and legal abortion.
These battles are not over, in fact, they are intensifying in our state, in our
nation, and throughout the world.
The Work Needed Today
The Human Rights Committee intends to continue working vigorously to oppose
efforts to limit women's access to family planning, contraception and abortion
services in Wisconsin, as we have done for the last four years. These issues are
actively being debated in our Wisconsin Legislature and demand ACTION.
There are other ways that women are struggling in our own community. Too
many women are failing to obtain the education they need to support
themselves and their children. The workplace continues to be a challenging
place for many women. Access to health care, support for women with chronic
illnesses (their own or their children's), affordable quality child care, and financial
security in retirement are critical economic issues still facing too many women.
The primary victims of violence both in the home and as a result of armed conflict
are women.
We can make a difference both through our individual actions and when we
work with other UUs and other people of religious conviction. The Women's Rights
Task Force will help prioritize projects for FUS and help engage members of this
community in this important justice area.
