The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.62/No.29           August 10, 1998 
 
 
National Organization For Women Meets  

BY SUSAN ANMUTH
ROCHESTER, New York - More than 700 people attended the National Organization for Women's conference July 10-12. It was held here to commemorate the first gathering of women's rights activists in 1848, and delegates drafted a "Declaration of Sentiments 1998."

The declaration states, "We are committed to a feminist ideology and reaffirm our historic commitment to gaining equality for women, assuring safe, legal and accessible abortion and full reproductive freedom, combating racism, stopping violence against women, ending bigotry based on sexual orientation, and ending discrimination based on color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, size, childbearing capacity or choices, or parental or marital status."

Eleanor Smeal, past president of NOW and founder of the Feminist Majority, as well as current NOW president Patricia Ireland were keynote speakers.

The NOW leadership emphasized its orientation to electing feminist candidates, overwhelmingly from the Democratic Party. Geraldine Ferraro, Democratic Party candidate for Senate in New York and 1984 vice presidential candidate, and Lieutenant-Governor Betsy McDonough Ross, Democratic contender for New York governor, both addressed the gathering.

A number of women who want to press for visible street actions for women's rights participated in the conference. Several dozen young women came to the conference, many attending their first NOW gathering. There was interest in the general strike in Puerto Rico and upcoming July 25 rallies for Puerto Rican independence and freeing political prisoners. In discussion numerous participants raised the need to ally with other fighters, particularly around the question of racism.

Susan Anmuth is a member of the United Auto Workers in Edison, New Jersey.  
 
 
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