URGENT: Keep Women's Voices at the Table in DC!!!

Did you know that 80% of homeless households in Washington, DC are headed by single WOMEN? With a 25% increase in homeless in the city this past year and domestic violence on the rise, the female residents of DC deserve a strong voice to advocate for them in city government. Unfortunately, Mayor Fenty's 2010 budget reduces the Office of Women's Policy Initiatives (OWPI) to just one full time employee. Not only does the OWPI staff cut reduce the representation that some of the DC's most vulnerable citizens will have on DC City Council for important budget and program decisions, but it also undermines the vital role that women play in the local community.

Why does the Mayor's 2010 budget appropriate funding for every constituent services office to have at least 2 full time employees, while reducing the Office of Women's Policy Initiatives to only one? President Obama prioritized the voices of women and the issues that affect families with the formation for The White House Council on Women and Girls, and we need to help ensure that local government reflects similar priorities.

Please join our colleagues at The DC Women's Agenda (SEE ACTION ALERT BELOW) to call Mayor Fenty and your DC City Council Members today. Additionally, the DC Women's Agenda will be forwarding on a sign-on letter for local organizations to support tomorrow in preparation for an IMPORTANT DC BUDGET HEARING on Friday, April 24 at 10am (1350 Penn Ave NW). If your organization is interested in supporting a sign-in letter, please email Debbie at dbroumell@wowonline.org, or check back tomorrow.

Thank you in advance for keeping women's voices and issues at the table in DC.

Ellie
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date Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 9:06 PM
subject FW: [DCWA] Mayor Fenty's Cut to the Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives

We need your help! The Mayor’s FY 2010 Budget proposed cuts to the OWPI leave it with only 1 Full Time Employee while all other offices in constituent affairs have at least 2 Full Time Employees (FTEs).
Other offices are:
Ex-Offender Affairs (3 FTEs)
Veterans Affairs (3 FTEs)
Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (3 FTEs)
African Affairs (2 FTEs)
Youth Advisory Council (2 FTEs)
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs (2 FTEs)

Call or email the Council Members below and tell them that women still need our support in DC!
Please include the following points:

1. The FY 2010 proposed cuts would leave the OWPI with only 1 FTE while all other offices under constituent affairs have at least 2 FTE.

2. Women make up 53% of the DC population.

3. There are many important issues facing women in DC such as homelessness and domestic violence. The number of homeless families rose nearly 25% in DC over the past year. 80% of these households are headed by single women. Many organizations are reporting that domestic violence has been on the rise in recent months due to the economic down-turn.

4. OWPI is an important liaison between the Mayor’s office and non-profits.

Call and email Yvette Alexander- Chair of Office of Aging and Community Affairs- today!
yalexander@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8068

Call and email Michael Brown-Member of Aging and Community Affairs- today!
mbrown@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8105

Call and email Mary Cheh- Member of Office of Aging and Community Affairs- today!
mcheh@dccouncil.us, (202) 724-8118

THANK YOU! Together we can make a difference!

If you need additional information call:

Debbie Billet-Roumell
Coordinator, DC Women's Agenda
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
DBRoumell@wowonline.org
202-464-1596 ext. 117