A Message from FC Co-Chairs 2012-2013

Welcome to our reinvigorated Feminist Caucus!

These pages contain discussion of the universal, moral, legal, and humanist principles that inspire the work of the Feminist Caucus and detail a number of our intiatives and projects.  As Hillary Clinton has stated (Beijing, China: 5 September 1995): "Human rights are women's rights - and women's rights are human rights."

There is tremendous work to be done on both fronts, and in recent years we have actually seen a reversal in advances that had been achieved for human rights, and in particular for women's rights here in the U.S. 

We are therefore focusing our activism on two principal efforts:

1) Passing the ERA in the U.S. and
2) Promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

At this moment, the top priority action issue for AHA FC is passage of the U.S. Equal Rights Amendment, which states: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." It was passed by Congress in 1972, but fell 3 states short of the 38 states needed for full ratification under the U.S. Constitution. Our effort is being led by Sylvia M. Ramos, M.D, Feminist Caucus Chair for the Humanist Society of NM Chapter. To volunteer for organizing or outreach tasks,  please contact Sylvia at FeministCaucusChair@humanistsocietyofnm.org. Pass the ERA information and Action tools have been compiled here.

The formation of the FC-HSNM represents a new approach to organizing and mobilizing the AHA Feminist Caucus. We are working toward nesting FC leadership within a local/regional chapter that administers the national organization for a period and then passes national leadership to another chapter. We are seeking more hands-on participation from our members to achieve our ambitious goals, and at the same time we will be helping our members build leadership and organizational skills by providing opportunities for involvement in the FC at all levels of time commitment and responsibility.  Look for more news on these fronts in the coming months, and drop us a line if you would like to help.

Thank you for your support of the AHA Feminist Caucus, we look forward to hearing from you!

Stephanie and Zelda
AHA Feminist Caucus Co-Chairs

Stephanie Downs Hughes and Zelda Gatuskin
e-mail us: femcaucus@americanhumanist.org

 Join today and help our voice be heard ever louder—ever stronger!

The Feminist Caucus of the American Humanist Association was established in 1977 as a coalition of both women and men within the AHA to work toward the advancement of women's rights and equality between the sexes in all aspects of society. Originally called the Women's Caucus, the new name was adopted in 1985 as more representative of all the members of the caucus and of the caucus' goals.

The Feminist Caucus continues to be the active feminist arm of the Association. Over the years, members of the Caucus have worked hard fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment and participating in various public demonstrations, including marches for women's and civil rights. In 1982, the Caucus established its annual Humanist Heroine Award, with the initial award being presented to Sonia Johnson. Other Humanist Heroines have been Tish Sommers, Christine Craft, Anne N. Gaylor, Patricia Maginnis, Fran Hosken, Cleo Kocol, Carolyn McDade, Sherry Matulis, and Sally Roesch Wagner. See a full list of Humanist Heroines from 1982 to the present.  View Guidelines for the Humanist Heroine Award here.

While the Feminist Caucus has continued to be in the forefront of actions promoting equality and rights, strength comes in numbers. And the strength of the Caucus can only increase as its numbers increase. In other words, the Caucus need you! With your support, the effectiveness of the Feminist Caucus will increase and its goals will be achieved. Membership is only $15 a year for individuals, $25 a year for organizations.