Michigan Women's Groups Speak Out in Support of Affirmative Action
Feature Story by civilrights.org staff - 7/7/2004
Leaders from eleven of Michigan's most distinguished women's organizations came together on July 6 to proclaim support for affirmative action and denounce Ward Connerly's so-called "Michigan Civil Rights Initiative" that aims to ban affirmative action in the state."We believe that this amendment would be bad for Michigan, particularly for Michigan's women, and we stand united with women and men from across the state to make people aware of the devastating effects of the Connerly proposal," said Jessica Reiser of the Michigan League of Women Voters.
Reiser was joined by representatives from the National Women's Political Caucus, Michigan Women's Commission, the National Association of Women Business Owners, Michigan Business and Professional Women (BPW/MI), the YWCA, Michigan American Association of University Women, Michigan National Council of Jewish Women, Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Michigan Conference - National Organization for Women, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
"Oftentimes, affirmative action is viewed as a tool that solely benefits people of color. However, it is important to remember that affirmative action benefits women as well -- regardless of race or color," said Anita Bowden of the Michigan Council of the YWCA. "In fact, women are the most frequent beneficiaries of, and will lose most, if affirmative action is lost."
Veronica Weaver, president of BPW/MI, pointed out that Connerly's efforts go against the Supreme Court.
"Connerly's actions purposely undermine last year's Supreme Court decision in the University of Michigan affirmative action cases," she said.
Fern Ettinger of the National Council of Jewish Women emphasized the importance of diversity.
"The case for diversity in higher education is indeed compelling," she said. "Our country cannot afford to ignore equal opportunity and access for women in education. Our future leaders must be educated in a classroom as diverse as the challenges we face."
Leaders from all of the groups vowed to fight efforts to qualify the anti-affirmative action measure for the 2006 ballot. Michigan AAUW's Director of Public Policy Diane Neth Covel endorsed continued efforts to thwart attacks on affirmative action.
"We will continue to support policies that increase the diversity of Michigan's educational institutions and workplaces," she said.
