Women’s Issues Group

A Subgroup of the Human Rights Committee

“The world has never yet seen a truly great and virtuous nation because in the degradation of woman the fountains of life are poisoned at their source.” 
-- Lucretia Mott

Last October, the Women’s Issues Group surveyed the members of the congregation to find out which women’s rights issues are most important to all of you.  The categories of global education for girls, women’s health and global access to reproductive health services, and economic justice for women received the most votes on the survey.  Since the Economic Justice Committee at FUS is starting a microcredit program, the Women’s Issues group will focus our resources on global education for girls and women’s health.

Upcoming Events

• As part of our commitment to focus on the health and education of women and girls around the world, the Human Rights Committee, will host a Congo Sabbath session on February 14 from 3 to 5 PM in Courtyard AB to raise awareness within our congregation and community of the atrocities that women, their children and families have endured in the DRC.  Our guest speaker with be Dr. Diana Lardy, an obstetrician/gynecologist from Madison who has traveled to Africa to provide medical care. Please join us for this event.

• For a brief history of the conflict in the congo, please go to our Congo page.

Women's Rights at FUS

• The FUS Human Rights’ Committee has been at the forefront of our work to protect women’s reproductive rights since its was founded in 2000
• In 2002, FUS received grant money and helped convene an interfaith group to re-establish The Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), after a nine year absence from this state
• Today, the Wisconsin RCRC is an independent, not for profit enterprise that is organizing religious leaders and congregations to speak out for the protection of women’s access to contraceptives and reproductive health services and abortion in the state
• FUS played a role in the Wisconsin Women’s Network Reproductive Rights Task Force
• The task force is made up of members from the ACLU, Audubon Society, NARAL Pro Choice Wisconsin, League of Women Voters and other community groups and clinics across the state.
• This group works on state legislation for reproductive rights
• From 2002 through 2006, FUS was involved in the “Compassionate Care for Rape Victims” legislation.
• In 2002, NARAL Pro Choice Wisconsin conducted a two part survey to gather data about specific services offered to rape victims - a formal survey was sent to hospital administrators and a phone survey was conducted with hospital emergency rooms
• The survey revealed that less than 50% of hospitals in Wisconsin provided emergency contraception to rape victims
• In response, “Compassionate Care for Rape Victims” was passed in 2006.

• NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin

How to Get involved with Women's Rights

• Join the Human Rights Committee at FUS – men and women are welcome to join the women’s issues team!
• Contact
• Wendy Cooper, FUS Social Justice Coordinator, at 233-9774 ext. 125 or wendyc@fusmadison.org
• Colleen Filtz at 219-4513 or colleen.filtz@gmail.com
• Volunteer to help with a NARAL Pro Choice Wisconsin campaign or event
• NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin - Volunteer
• Join Wisconsin Women’s Network and receive their e-Bulletin for events, news and volunteer opportunities
• Wisconsin Women's Network
• Support the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
• Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice