November 2008

The election is over and I am thrilled about the results.
Analysis of preliminary CNN exit poll data shows that the gender gap in voting helped to bring President-Elect Obama to victory. Nationally, 56 percent of women (who were 53 percent of voters) voted for Barack Obama compared with 49 percent of men (who were 47 percent of voters.) Nationwide, it is estimated that Senator Obama received 35,900,000 votes from women and 27,800,000 votes from men. In 2004, the gender gap was 7 percentage points, with 55 percent of men versus 48 percent of women voting for President Bush (44 percent of men and 51 percent of women voted for John Kerry).

The exciting part is that the women’s vote made a difference of over 8 million votes. I was complaining about the woman’s vote in 2004 because 20 million women did not come out to vote? How empowering it is to realize that we can make a difference when we choose to stand up, get informed and vote! I believe Obama will be one of the best leaders we have seen in a very long time. There was such joy on election night with people celebrating all over the world. How wonderful to see nations in chaos, famine and war celebrate a man who they believe will help to change the world and bring an end to all wars!

I am hopeful that this new regime we can bring forth the long awaited CEDAW and ERA to be put on the agenda for ratification. CEDAW is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

The Equal Rights Amendment, first proposed in 1923, is still not part of the U.S. Constitution. The ERA has been ratified by 35 of the necessary 38 states. When three more states vote yes, the ERA might become the 28th Amendment. Remember the word “Woman” does not appear anywhere in our Constitution.

I am disappointed about Proposition 8 and losing it to the Mormons. I can’t believe they cannot stop religious organizations from participating in our elections. I also believe religion is the most destructive force on our planet. I am so happy about Prop 4, the parental notification issue, it was defeated overwhelming again for the third time. This is another example of religion trying to dominate people’s personal lives.

I want to say thank you to all of you women who voted and helped to make a difference. In my next column I will be talking about the Supreme Court and that important balance that would have been lost if the election was won by the other side.

Melinda Tremaglio
President, PSNOW

PO Box 1219-ps 92263, Palm Springs, CA 92263  Phone:(760) 333-8304  Email: mail@psnow.org