Independent Women's Forum

Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Documentary of Former Inmate Exposes Sex Discrimination & The Dangers of Housing Men in Women's Prisons

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024
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WASHINGTON, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Forum (IWF) released the first episode in its exclusive documentary series, Cruel & Unusual Punishment: The Male Takeover of Female Prisons. The series exposes the fallout of policies that allow male offenders—including convicted sex offenders—to declare themselves "women" and be housed with females, as told by female inmates who detail the untold, grim realities about what's been happening to female inmates behind closed doors.

Key Points: 
  • Gavin Newsom signed into law State Senate Bill 132 – legislation that opened the door for male prisoners to transfer into women's prisons.
  • "What little rights that we did have as inmates have been diminished with the 'trans men' who've come in.
  • The trauma and abuse Jennifer faced by being forced to share her intimate living space with violent, predatory men, is nothing short of cruel and unusual punishment.
  • As more states allow biological men who identify as women into women's prisons, few are aware of the ugly fallout.

Independent Women's Voice Testifies Before Alabama Legislature in Support of HB 111 & SB 92 to Establish Legal Definitions of Sex-Based Words

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
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MONTGOMERY, Ala., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Voice (IWV) Ambassador Paula Scanlan testified in support of Alabama House Bill 111, which, if passed, would codify definitions of common sex-based words such as 'woman,' 'man,' 'male,' and 'female.' The legislation, introduced by Representative Susan DuBose which has a Senate companion (SB 92) introduced by Senator April Weaver, would define words already in use throughout state statutes and offer courts and agencies clarity on what these words mean.

Key Points: 
  • MONTGOMERY, Ala., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Voice (IWV) Ambassador Paula Scanlan testified in support of Alabama House Bill 111, which, if passed, would codify definitions of common sex-based words such as 'woman,' 'man,' 'male,' and 'female.'
  • If passed, HB 111 and SB 92 would:
    Define sex-based terms already used across Alabama code;
    Declare Alabama's interest in protecting certain single-sex spaces; and,
    Ensure the accuracy of public data collection.
  • "I share my experience today to qualify why it is so important for the Alabama legislature to pass House Bill 111.
  • Jennifer Braceras, vice president for legal affairs at Independent Women's Voice and founder of Independent Women's Law Center, explained, "I want to be clear about something: HB 111 and SB 92 do not create any special rights for women.

Independent Women's Law Center Files Final Brief in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Law Center (IWLC) filed its final brief in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals demanding that Kappa Kappa Gamma leadership adhere to Kappa's governing documents, which limit membership to women.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Law Center (IWLC) filed its final brief in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals demanding that Kappa Kappa Gamma leadership adhere to Kappa's governing documents, which limit membership to women.
  • Final brief in Tenth Circuit demands Kappa Kappa Gamma adheres to its governing documents—limiting membership to women.
  • Last month, IWLC filed its opening brief in this case, representing six women in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority who were forced to initiate a man into their chapter.
  • Follow Independent Women's Forum's Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma case page to track developments here .

Breaking Their Silence: Roanoke Women's Swim Event Supported by Independent Women's Forum and Independent Council on Women's Sports

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
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ROANOKE, Va., Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow, on Thursday, October 5, members of the media are invited to cover a press conference and rally led by the Roanoke Women's Swim Team, where they will break their silence over a biological male joining their Division III women's swim team.

Key Points: 
  • Members of the Roanoke Women's Swim Team, the organizations in support of the team, and other special guest speakers will be available for pull asides at the conclusion of the press conference.
  • This event is an independent event organized by members of the Roanoke Women's Swim Team, not an official Roanoke College event.
  • Independent Women's Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren't just well intended but actually enhance people's freedom, choices, and opportunities.
  • Independent Council on Women's Sports (ICONS) is a network and advocacy group comprised of current and former collegiate and professional women athletes and their families and supporters.

Independent Women's Law Center Joins the Fight to Keep Sororities Female

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 25, 2023
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --  Independent Women's Forum and Independent Women's Law Center (IWLC) are supporting the appeal of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority women who were denied the all-female sisterhood they were promised. On Monday, the plaintiff sorority members in Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma filed a notice to appeal in the District of Wyoming, which moves the case to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Wyoming court ruled that the plaintiff sorority members were not entitled to a women's-only sorority, even though Kappa Kappa Gamma's bylaws require a women's only sorority, because the word "woman" is subject to interpretation.

Key Points: 
  • "With their support, we can continue to fight for the women that deserve respect in the present and in the future."
  • Sororities were founded to provide a single-sex space for women, and Kappa Kappa Gamma's board members cannot eliminate that promise simply by redefining the word.
  • "Independent Women's Law Center will always fight for women when those in power warp the English language to remove the same opportunities that have benefited women for decades," said Independent Women's Law Center attorney appealing the case, May Mailman.
  • Over the decades, sororities have heralded the benefits and values of a single sex environment to develop women's life and leadership skills.

Governor Tate Reeves Announces Commitment to Stand with Mississippi Women

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 25, 2023
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JACKSON, Miss., Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a meeting to discuss model legislation developed by Independent Women's Voice (IWV) to reinforce the definition of sex-based words used in Mississippi law and to help protect women-only spaces from legal attack, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced his commitment to stand with Mississippi women.

Key Points: 
  • JACKSON, Miss., Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a meeting to discuss model legislation developed by Independent Women's Voice (IWV) to reinforce the definition of sex-based words used in Mississippi law and to help protect women-only spaces from legal attack, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced his commitment to stand with Mississippi women.
  • "Independent Women's Voice Spokeswomen Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan have been on the frontlines of fighting to protect women and girls across America," said Governor Tate Reeves.
  • As an Independent Women's Voice advisor, I could not be more proud of Mississippi for pushing back against a radical agenda to erase women."
  • The commitment that Mississippi Governor Reeves has taken today to stand with women is invaluable to our privacy and opportunities.'"

72 Female Athletes Sign Letter in Support of the Protect Women & Girls in Sports Act

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 27, 2023
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"Forcing female athletes, like ourselves, to compete against biological males is not only unfair, it is discriminatory and illegal.

Key Points: 
  • "Forcing female athletes, like ourselves, to compete against biological males is not only unfair, it is discriminatory and illegal.
  • The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act will help preserve equal athletic opportunity for both sexes.
  • IWV is thankful for Speaker Kevin McCarthy's outstanding leadership on this important issue and for standing up for women and girls across the country.
  • Independent Women's Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren't just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.

Attorney for the Plaintiffs in Kappa Case Weighs In: KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA SISTERS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST SORORITY TO DEFEND WOMEN'S RIGHTS TO SINGLE-SEX CLUBS

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
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LARAMIE, Wyo., April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, seven "Jane Doe" plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in Wyoming Federal Court, seeking to keep their Kappa Kappa Gamma (Kappa) chapter at the University of Wyoming female.

Key Points: 
  • LARAMIE, Wyo., April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, seven "Jane Doe" plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in Wyoming Federal Court, seeking to keep their Kappa Kappa Gamma (Kappa) chapter at the University of Wyoming female.
  • The attorney representing the plaintiffs, and member of Independent Women's Network, weighs in on the case.
  • The Kappa Kappa Gamma (Kappa) Women's Fraternity was founded in 1870 by six college women who bravely stood together to create a supportive and safe place for women to live, learn and together face the challenges of their university experience.
  • Patsy Levang, member of Independent Women's Network's North Dakota Chapter and former Kappa Kappa Gamma National Foundation president said, "I am so grateful for my lifetime of Kappa experiences.

Independent Women's Forum Announces Launch of Center for Energy and Conservation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Forum (IWF), the leading national women's organization advancing policy that enhances people's freedom, opportunities, and well-being, announced the launch of its Center for Energy and Conservation. 

Key Points: 
  • - Center Director Mandy Gunasekara
    WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Independent Women's Forum (IWF), the leading national women's organization advancing policy that enhances people's freedom, opportunities, and well-being, announced the launch of its Center for Energy and Conservation.
  • IWF's Center for Energy and Conservation will reshape the conversation about American energy and the women and men who work in the energy sector.
  • IWF's Center for Energy and Conservation will be led by energy and environment policy expert Mandy Gunasekara.
  • I'm glad the Independent Women's Forum is opening the Center for Energy Prosperity to help push back on the anti-American energy rhetoric created by the left."

Inaugural National Women's Sports Week to Celebrate Female Athletes

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 17, 2022
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WASHINGTON, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Women's Forum (IWF), the leading national women's organization advocating for better policies and more freedom for women, together with its grassroots membership arm Independent Women's Network, has registered an official National Women's Sports Week observed annually during the week of June 23 to recognize female athletes — past, present, and future — for their athletic participation and achievement in sport.

Key Points: 
  • The inaugural 2022 National Women's Sports Week takes place June 20-26 and coincides with the 50th anniversary of Title IX, landmark legislation passed in 1972.
  • How to observe National Women's Sports Week:
    Champion female athletes for their teamwork, resilience, and success.
  • To celebrate 2022 National Women's Sports Week, IWF along with female athletes, parents, advocates, and fourteen organizations from across the political spectrum will rally for "Our Body, Our Sports" on Thursday, June 23, at 11 a.m.
  • In a zero-sum competition, the inclusion of male-bodied athletes in women's sport inevitably denies opportunities to female athletes.