We have heard much about the need for more women’s voices and perspectives in the blogosphere. But you may not have heard of Womens eNews an award-winning daily news service “covering issues of concern to women and their allies” domestically and internationally. I am proud to be a contributor to Women’s eNews and in the good company of the fine journalists who write for it. I think you will find it a refreshing antidote to the low visibility of women and women’s concerns in the media and politics.
According to its mission statement “Women’s eNews is the definitive source of substantive news — unavailable anywhere else — covering issues of particular concern to women and providing women’s perspectives on public policy. It enhances women’s ability to define their own lives and to participate fully in every sector of human endeavor.”
Its daily stories are e-mailed to subscribers — subscriptions are free — and posted on their web site. Here are two stories currently on the Women’s eNews web site:
A woman’s right to choose abortion figures into Rhode Island house and Senate races this year. Both parties are seeing interesting primary challenges in which choice will be a defining issue. “On the Democratic side in Rhode Island,” writes Washington Bureau Chief, Alison Stevens, “Jennifer Lawless, a pro-choice political science professor at Brown University, is gearing up for her party’s nomination to the House of Representatives. She is taking on Rep. James Langevin, a three-term lawmaker who opposes abortion rights… Within the Democratic Party, conservatives like Langevin are pushing leaders to ease their support for abortion rights, arguing that it is a political loser among religious and rural voters.”
And in a blatant run around the wall of separation between church and state, the Department of Health and Human Services is bankrolling the Pennsylvania-based John Guest Evangelistic Team’s religiously oriented chastity program The ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit. And Cynthia Cooper has a detailed report.
“The Silver Ring Thing,” writes Cooper, “is a live three-hour, high-tech sound, light and video show complete with actors and comedy sketches with a stated mission to impress teens to promote teen chastity and so-called Christian values.”
“The mobile shows — set up in churches, conference centers and other venues around the country–culminate with teens pledging abstinence until they present a silver ring that symbolizes their celibacy to their spouse on their wedding day… The $15 silver rings that teens are encouraged to buy for the ceremony are inscribed with a biblical reference of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, which reads ‘God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honor.'”
The Silver Ring Thing newsletter, Cooper reports, “mentions Jesus Christ 17 times in 8 pages. ‘Who would have ever thought we would see the day when promoting sexual abstinence among students would become an opportunity to communicate the Good News of the Gospel?’ the newsletter asks.”
Oh yeah. Women’s eNews is a non-profit tax-exempt organization. The news is free — but they can always use your help.
