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September 2006 | July 2006 | June 2006 | May 2006
June 2006
Claire Cole, Associate National Director of the YWTF
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Each month, a member of the Younger Women's Task Force (YWTF) interviews a woman member of Congress to ask questions about issues that are impacting young women across the country. This month, Claire Cole, the former Director of the NYC Metro Chapter of the YWTF and the Associate National Director of the YWTF, interviewed Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney from New York.
About Claire and Congresswoman Maloney
 Claire Cole served as the Chapter Director for the NYC Metro Chapter of YWTF from November 2005 to June 2006. She now serves as the Associate National Director in the National Office of YWTF. Claire is an active member of the social justice community in New York City through a variety of volunteer activities. Claire’s background includes serving as volunteer director of Women’s Community Outreach for Advocates for Rasiej during the 2005 NYC race for Public Advocate; serving as the Reproductive Rights Research and Advocacy Group of Democracy for New York City; working as a grant writer for The White House Project and, later, the Lower Eastside Girls Club; and serving on the YWCA NYC’s Young Women’s Leadership Board. Claire remains a dedicated volunteer for the Young Women’s Leadership Board Alumni Association.
Claire graduated cum laude, receiving her B.A. from New York University in English literature with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies and a specialization in creative writing. While at NYU, Claire co-founded Voices for Choice, the only reproductive rights activist organization on campus. Claire is the first-generation daughter of a hard-working single immigrant mother. She is originally from Houston, Texas, and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.
 Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney represents the 14th district in New York City. Her district contains many of the city's most historic and well-known neighborhoods, including most of the East Side, Astoria and Long Island City, Queens.
As the former co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, Maloney is a nationally-recognized advocate for women’s and family issues, with special emphasis on funding for women’s health needs, reproductive freedom, and international family planning. As the Member of Congress who has spearheaded the Debbie Smith Act in numerous sessions of Congress, Maloney took the lead in the effort to erase the backlog of rape DNA testing kits that could put rapists behind bars. In 2004, the Debbie Smith Act was attached to two broader pieces legislation on DNA technology, which each had wide bipartisan support in the House and Senate. After passing the House and Senate, the Justice for All Act, containing the Debbie Smith legislation, was signed into law in October 2004. Maloney has also been an outspoken authority against the persistent problem of sexual assault in the military. She successfully attached an amendment to the Defense Authorization legislation in 2004 that will ensure the American military has ample rape DNA testing kits and that the use of those kits is properly expedited.
Maloney has fought vigorously to restore the Untied States’s contribution to UNFPA, the United Nation’s Population Fund, since the Bush Administration first withheld it in 2002. Maloney succeeded in increasing funding for UNFPA in the FY 2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill to $34 million, a $12.5 million increase from the previous fiscal year. Additionally, she introduced the Saving Women's Lives Act of 2002, to try to spur the Bush Administration to release the $34 million budgeted for the United Nations Population Fund. In 2004, Maloney proposed compromise legislation to restore the U.S.’s contribution to combat the horrific condition obstetric fistula. In November 2002, Maloney was recognized for ‘Carrying the Weight of the World’ by United Nations Family Planning and received their Women’s Leadership Award.
Questions for Congresswoman Maloney
CLAIRE COLE: First we want to thank you for your continued support of the reproductive rights and sexual health of women. We understand that you recently received an award from Planned Parenthood for your legislative efforts to support women’s health. We applaud your efforts on this front.
We are particularly concerned about access to emergency contraception (EC) for women in New York and all over the U.S. We know you share our deep concerns over the FDA’s continued decision to delay approval of EC for over-the-counter status. Then last year we saw Governor Pataki veto a bill to make emergency contraception available over the counter in NY State. What are your future plans to increase access to EC in NY? What can we (and other New Yorkers) do to increase access to emergency contraception in our state, and in the U.S.?
CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY: Thank you very much for the compliment. I think reproductive rights and women’s health are tremendously important. In this particular political climate, women should take notice of how many in Washington and the states are gradually chipping away at women’s health protections and women’s rights.
One of the most disturbing developments of the past five years is the attack on birth control. This issue has been crystalized by President Bush’s unwillingness to answer the simple “Yes-no” question about whether or not he opposes birth control. I, along with colleagues, have written five letters hoping for an answer about his position, but have yet to receive one. Additionally, there have been increasing reports of pharmacists across the country, including some here in New York, refusing to fill legal prescriptions for birth control because of personal beliefs. I have introduced legislation that requires pharmacies to fill all legal prescriptions (H.R. 1652), and I am hoping to see it advance.
Of course, emergency contraception has been a primary target in the attack on birth control, as you mentioned. I have been fighting to ensure access to emergency contraception, especially in light of the FDA’s refusal to make it available without a prescription. I have introduced legislation that would direct the FDA to quickly make a decision, based on science, on the latest application to make emergency contraceptives available over-the-counter status (H.R. 4229).
It is unbelievable and alarming that the FDA – an agency charged with safeguarding the health of the American people – has become a political tool for the administration. It seems that politics has trumped science as the basis for the FDA’s decisions. For the sake of the health of women and all Americans, this cannot continue.
I plan to continue to push for my legislation that would ensure a sound decision on over-the-counter status, and I hope concerned women reading this will call their Member of Congress to support H.R. 4229. I also think that part of the problem is that, while most American women would be outraged if they knew the extent of the attack on birth control, not enough are aware of it. Anything you can do to get the word out – tell your friends, call your Member of Congress, work on a campaign – is important. After all, 98% of sexually-active American women have used birth control, and I don’t think many of them would stand for what’s going on to restrict women’s reproductive health choices.
CLAIRE COLE: YWTF is concerned about a recent piece of legislation popularly known as “The Balancing Act.” This bill would provide better benefits for child care workers, improve family medical leave to allow employees payment during time off from work to care for children, and provides a certain number of hours per year for parents’ leave to attend a child's extracurricular activities. In addition, the bill would make available sizeable funding at the state level for afterschool programming and child nutrition, as well as provide for mandatory, universal pre-kindergarten for children ages 3-5.
YWTF knows that the Balancing Act does not currently have bipartisan support, and is currently stuck in committee (where it has been since April 2005). We also know that you have not chosen to sign on to this bill and, as a representative with a long history of advocacy for women’s issues, our question to you is threefold:
1. How might this bill-- which stands to definitely improve the lives of working men and women, while simultaneously ensuring quality child care by providing incentives and benefits to underpaid, overworked providers—achieve bipartisan support? --How can we help legislators to see this issue as a priority?
2. Is this is a bill that you would consider sponsoring?
3. Is this a bill you feel has a real chance of passing?
CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY: I am glad to report that I am a co-sponsor of the Balancing Act, and I hope to see it pass. It addresses a very important issue for women and families in the 21st Century – making it easier for parents to balance their dual roles as earners and family care-givers. This is particularly helpful for single-parent households and dual-earner households. So many people in Washington talk about “family values,” but I think that supporting legislation like this shows true family values by helping build strong, tight-knit families.
I am also proud to let you know that I have recently reintroduced legislation to provide paid parental leave for federal workers, who currently have to use accrued vacation time to take care of newborns. It is important for the federal government to set an example for private companies, particularly when it comes to being family-friendly. In the case of family leave, the federal government currently lags behind many of the private sector leaders, and I hope to change that.
CLAIRE COLE: In light of the recent nationwide demonstrations-- with a sizeable one having taken place in New York City-- YWTF NYC members are increasingly interested in the state of U.S. immigration policies and the fate of immigrant younger women in NYC and across the nation. Since September 11th, our national news sources have identified the rift that occurs for human rights and civil liberties during times of economic and national instability. As a proven advocate for women, we are interested to know what you are doing to ensure fair and equitable treatment of documented and undocumented immigrant women in light of our current times? What mechanisms will you push for to ensure normalized health care, security, and economic opportunities to immigrant women during this time of policy transition?
CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY: Immigrant women sadly are frequent targets for abuse and sexual exploitation. But no person, whether they entered this country legally or not, should be subject to such inhumane treatment.
I am actually involved with two separate legislative initiatives to protect immigrant women, particularly from abuse. I have long worked on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which ever since it was first passed in 1994, has included language to give immigrants who are battered and were trafficked immigration relief. The most recent version we passed – the 2005 reauthorization of VAWA – removed some of the remaining obstacles for immigrants who are the victims of crimes to achieve legal status.
I have also co-sponsored the Immigrant Victims of Violence Protection Act, which further protects abused immigrants.
CLAIRE COLE: Military action since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have taught the U.S. lessons about tactical diplomacy and international legitimacy. This issue is a national one—for younger women, older men, and all American citizens between. For the Younger Women’s Task Force, it translates as well into the health and safety of our sisters in Iran—as we’ve seen in Iraq, wartime hostilities and a national identify in flux have brought about increased suppression of women’s rights and freedoms. As Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Homeland Security since June 2003, what steps are you taking to advocate for smarter strategic policy towards Iran?
CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY: I believe that whenever we can defuse threats to our nation and the world through diplomacy, we should aggressively pursue that option - more aggressively than we did with Iraq. Substantive face-to-face talks can often help both sides calm fears and understand each other better.
I do believe that Iran's nuclear ambitions pose a threat, and that the current Iranian president is dangerously antagonistic. The situation deserves our highest attention, but I believe that it can and should be handled through diplomacy. I have signed onto my colleague Dennis Kucinich's letter to the president urging direct negotiations at the highest levels with the Iranian government - an approached espoused by former Secretaries of state Albright, Kissinger and Brzezinksi.
CLAIRE COLE: In 2005, the NYC Metro Younger Women's Task Force conducted a survey of our Mayoral Candidates about issues pertinent to younger women's lives in New York City. At that time, a young woman had recently been raped on a Brooklyn subway platform as MTA workers were present and aware of the assault, but did nothing because they felt unable to help for various reasons. During 2005, a conversation began about wiring the NYC subways so that passengers may have their own resources (such as cell phones) about them to protect themselves and communicate with authorities when in need. However, this conversation has not been continued publicly since.
Congresswoman Maloney, what methods do you suggest to improve transit safety in New York City and other major cities' transit systems? Do you support wiring of the subways? Do you see technology as playing a role in this developing discussion?
CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY: I support using available technology to improve safety. While many train stations have police call boxes on the platforms, they may not be in close proximity to the danger. As cell phones become ubiquitous, it makes sense to wire train stations so that cell phones can be used in case of emergency.
Additionally, places may exist where it makes sense to install additional security cameras. I was able to obtain funding for a camera at the Roosevelt Island stop when residents expressed concern about security at the station.
On the other hand, better use of technology alone isn't enough. In the horrific Brooklyn case, MTA workers were actually at the scene and failed to act. Clearly, MTA workers need better training so that they will know what to do if they witness an assault or other crime.
One recurrent concern is that our transit system could be a target of terrorists - as has happened in Japan, Spain, England and other systems elsewhere in the world. I believe that the Department of Homeland Security should take a larger role in addressing these concerns, and that federal funding should be available to localities to protect against the possibility of a terrorist attack.
CLAIRE COLE: The New York Younger Women's Task Force members are strong, smart, and active. In our efforts to improve the lives of younger women living in New York, we often ask ourselves, " What can we do to better the lives of all younger women living in New York?"
Congresswoman Maloney, in your opinion, how can younger women become more involved and make a difference in this city and in the lives of the younger women living here? Additionally, how can we help you represent this constituency?
CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY: One of the millions of reasons I love New York City is that you can make a difference at anything you do as long as you show a true interest and work hard. It doesn't matter if you are male or female, white or black, tall or short - this city rewards good work.
I would say that younger women, if they are committed and passionate about a particular issue, can absolutely make a difference. Pick a subject that interests you and that you care deeply about, whether it's women's rights, women's health, business or any other issue. Talk to some of the people already working in that field, and find out how they got involved and how the leaders in that issue got to where they are today. Then go to work.
If you want to help women keep their reproductive rights, you can volunteer at a place like Planned Parenthood. If you want to be CEO of General Electric, get started in the business world, at any level, work hard and meet people. If you want to help change the political landscape so that women have a louder voice, find a campaign you like, give your time and learn the process. Whatever you want to do, whatever interests you, commit yourself to it, bring your passion, and I guarantee that you will make a difference - especially in a place like New York.
As for helping me do my job, you already are. By getting interested in politics and issues that affect women specifically, you are educating yourself about the debates and challenges, and that helps you, whether you want to work in politics, or if you simply want to be informed at the ballot box. Either way, talk to your friends and tell them about what's going on in Washington, in Albany and in the city government so that more people know about these issues that affect us all.
I thank you so much for speaking with me, and I hope to speak with you again soon.
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