Just in time for Memorial Day honoring those who serve their country, the House voted this week to require gender-segregated training and housing in the Army, Navy and Air Force (the Marines already train separately). Despite heroic efforts by the bipartisan women's caucus to offer an amendment striking the segregation requirement, Rules Committee Chair Gerald Solomon (R-NY, 202-225-5614; fax 202-225-6234) used his position to block any debate on resegregation of the military. Military chiefs oppose separate training, and separate barracks will cost $159 million. Both Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC; 202-225-8050; fax 202-225-3002), and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY; (202) 225-7944; fax 202-225-4709; E-mail) spoke strongly against this outrage on the floor, and promised further action as the defense authorization goes to conference committee. Send your support to Norton and Maloney today, and voice your opposition to women being sent to the back of the military bus to your own House member ar 202-224-3121 (or e-mail your Representative ).

NOW ex-prez Molly Yard was fond of saying, "open any door, and a man will walk through it" - meaning when so-called women's work starts to pay, men take the jobs (case in point: coaching women's college sports teams). Let's help open some doors at home for men (kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, baby's room) by supporting the International Women Count Network, coordinated by the Wages for Housework Campaign. Knowing the value of unwaged work can be critical in divorce, injury, or wrongful death litigation, and it will help get some respect from men for all those extra hours. Recognizing the economic value of women's unwaged work in the Gross Domestic Product was part of the U.N. platform for action at the World Conference on Women in 1995. Many countries are already valuing unpaid work (most recently Britain), but the U.S. is dragging its feet. Help get our government moving by signing a petition from the Women Count Network; 610-668-9886; fax 610-664-8556.

STAND UP FOR CHILD CARE

The tobacco settlement, which some conservative groups and members of Congress are calling an unfair "tax increase," will be voted on in the Senate next week. Working Assets long distance and the Child Care Now! Campaign are funding free calls to the Senate in behalf of a $20 billion dollar increase for child care from the tobacco bill. Call 1-888-38-STAND UP (888-387-8263) to deliver your message to the Senators - stand up FOR kids, AGAINST big tobacco. And while you're on the telephone, make another call to the While House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles to urge the administration support for this child-care set-aside. Word has it that the administration is wavering on strong support, so call in some starch at 202-456-6796 or fax your message to 202-456-2883.

If Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has his way, there will be very little money for child care or anything else from his tobacco bill. S.1415 caps damages on tobacco companies at 2 cents per year per cigarette, contains weak cigarette tax increases, and generally lets big tobacco off the hook. According to former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, the liability portion of the bill looks like the tobacco industry wrote it. An amendment to eliminate this immunity from liability for cancer-pushers will be offered by Senators Gregg (R-NH) and Conrad (D-ND). Lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cancer killer of American women, increasing 500% since 1950. Granting immunity to corporations has implications for other products -- remember the Dalkon shield and silicone breast implants. Call in Monday as the debate begins (see first item) in support of the Greggs-Conrad no immunity amendment.

THANKS to WFF activists who called and faxed urging members of Congress to defeat HR. 6, which would have instituted a national ban on affirmative action in colleges and universities (WFF 4/24). The measure was voted down 171-249. And thanks to activists who called to oppose S.1301 and HR 3150, which would elevate credit card debt to the same status of child support in bankruptcy proceedings (WFF 4/24). President Clinton has joined the fight, lashing out against these bills in his Mother's Day radio broadcast last week. Thank him at 202-456-1414; fax 202-456-2461; [email protected]

Mother's Day is Sunday, so support working moms by asking your member of Congress (202-225-3141) to support after school care for kids. The America After School Act (HR 3400, S1697) introduced by Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) would increase availability of before and after school care for kids 5-15 using public school resources so moms (and dads) nationwide can worry a little less at work. Ask your member to co-sponsor at 202-225-3121 (or e-mail your Representative or Senator in Congress).

The Equal Rights Amendment "three state strategy" is alive and kicking. Not only Illinois (WFF, 5/1/98); now Missouri is moving forward. A Missouri House committee just passed out a ratification bill by a vote of 17 to 2; Mel Carnahan has endorsed it, and the House Speaker Steve Gaw has promised a floor vote before the session ends May 15. Now is the time to mobilize Missouri friends for a "yes" vote for equality. For more info call ERA Summit chair Roberta Francis, 973-765-0102.

No one disputes that breast milk is good for babies, but not all employers support a woman's right to breast feed or express milk. The New Mother's Breastfeeding Promotion and Protection Act (HR 3531) introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) will see that moms have the support they need at work. The Act will assure working women up to 1 hour per day (unpaid) for up to one year to breastfeed or express milk -- and clarify the Pregnancy Discrimination Act so that employers know a woman cannot be fired for these activities. The bill also calls for minimum quality standards for breast pumps and for expanding public awareness of the benefits of mother's milk. Tell your member (202-224-3121 or e-mail your Representative or Senator in Congress) to honor mothers everywhere by signing on as a co-sponsor. Check bill details at Maloney's web site.

Senate Republicans are playing games with women's lives the world over by inserting anti-abortion provisions into any and all bills dealing with international issues. Latest is a ban on funds to international family planning organizations stuck in a bill (HR 1757) to pay our back dues to the United Nations. President Clinton has promised a veto, even though U.N. dues are a priority. BUT he is being openly threatened with "dire consequences" on other legislation if he does veto. The Prez needs our support and encouragement for his principled stand. Do a Hillary (stand by the man) at 202-456-1414; fax 202-456-2461; [email protected].

Thirty-eight states are needed for a constitutional amendment. Thirty-five ratified the Equal Rights Amendment before the (some believe irrelevant) time limit ran out in 1982. The national ERA summit, a coalition of women's groups pushing for the amendment, has done legal research indicating that if 3 more states ratify, the ERA will become part of the U.S. constitution. (Some powerful constitutional scholars say it's an open question, but acknowledge the Summit could be correct.) ERA ratification has been reported out favorably from the judiciary committee in Illinois, but House Speaker Michael J. Madigan is sitting on it and hasn't scheduled a vote. If Illinois ratifies, ERA would need only two more states. Lean on Madigan (and ask your Illinois contacts to lean even harder) at 773-581-8000; fax 773-581-9494.