Women's Groups Plan Affirmative Action Campaign in Michigan
Feature Story by Ritu Kelotra - 9/3/2004
Michigan-based women's groups last week launched a two-year education campaign to inform Michigan women about the impact of affirmative action. The campaign is in response to an anti-affirmative action ballot initiative planned for 2006.The groups kicked off the campaign on Women's Equality Day -- August 26 -- through an event in Kalamazoo, Mich., and a simultaneous radio tour.
Group leaders vowed to continue to educate women and Michigan residents about the benefits of equal opportunity policies including affirmative action. They emphasized that women are the primary beneficiaries of affirmative action.
"Often times, affirmative action is viewed as a tool that solely benefits racial and ethnic minorities. However, it is important to remember that affirmative action benefits women as well -- regardless of race," said Jennifer Shoub of the Michigan Council of the YWCAs. "In fact, women are the most frequent beneficiaries of and will lose most if affirmative action is lost."
An anti-affirmative action ballot initiative campaign sponsored by California-based businessman Ward Connerly — the so-called "Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) — is planned for November 2006. MCRI gained attention in last week, when campaign finance reports revealed that all of the group's funding comes from sources outside of the state (see story).
Connerly successfully led similar efforts in California and Washington state.
"We stand in opposition to Ward Connerly's deceptively titled 'Michigan Civil Rights Initiative'," said Cheryl Sugerman of the Michigan Women's Commission. "The Michigan Women's Commission will continue to stand firm and take our special place in this debate making it absolutely clear that we as women voters will not take for granted all that we have achieved with assistance from affirmative action and other programs that promote equal opportunity for women and girls."
The groups' leaders also emphasized the importance of diversity.
"The last three decades of federal affirmative action programs have helped to promote diversity and correct patterns of discrimination," said Veronica Weaver, president of Michigan Business and Professional Women (BPW/MI). "Connerly's actions purposely undermine last year's Supreme Court decision in the University of Michigan affirmative action cases."
As part of their education campaign, the groups announced plans for a March 2005 "Women's Summit" in Michigan to focus on affirmative action and women.
Organizations involved in the two-year campaign include BPW/MI, Michigan League of Women Voters, the National Women's Political Caucus, Michigan Women's Commission, Michigan Council of the YWCAs, Michigan American Association of University Women, and Michigan National Organization for Women.
