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PITTSBURG —
Groundwork is being laid for a southeast Kansas chapter of the National Organization for Women, and the new group got a pep talk during a meeting Sunday at Pittsburg Public Library from Kari Ann Rinker, Wichita, state coordinator and lobbyist for Kansas NOW.
A graduate of Friends University, Wichita, with a degree in organizational management and leadership, she is in her second term as state coordinator.
“I thought I would come as a source of encouragement and support,” she said. “We’re excited to have a chapter in the southeast corner of the state where we haven’t had much action before.”
Women are faced with numerous issues now, Rinker said.
"It doesn't have to be about abortion," she said. "We are a multi-issue organization."
Other issues include changes in laws that would de-criminalize domestic violence and increasing difficulty in access to contraception.
“In Miami County they decided not to accept Title 10 money that would have enabled women to obtain contraception from the Miami County Health Department,” Rinker said.
She added that even some of those undecided about or opposed to abortion are becoming concerned about the growing lack of access to contraception.
“I do believe there are a lot of pro-choice supporters in Kansas,” she said. “We do have a history of progressive women, of progressive people, in this state.”
Rinker also stressed the importance of the upcoming election and supporting candidates, regardless of party, who sympathetic to women’s issues.
“Adopt some candidates and start supporting them now,” she said. “NOW is a non-partisan organization, and we have a lot of wonderful Republican friends as well as Democrats and independents.”
Rinker said that, in 2010, Kansas NOW had $10,000 to use as political contributions to state legislative candidates.
“We do not have the money to support candidates in this election as we did in the last because donations are down,” she said. “I do think we have a great chance to regain some House seats in Kansas, but that’s up to each and every one of you. Encourage everyone to find out how the candidates stand on the issues, then get out and vote.”
Those present discussed ways to get involved, and Laura Washburn suggested that the chapter might become involved with poverty issues.
“I read that the Wesley House food pantry is almost empty,” Washburn said. “Poverty is such an issue in this area that I don’t see how we can ignore it.”
Groundwork is being laid for a southeast Kansas chapter of the National Organization for Women, and the new group got a pep talk during a meeting Sunday at Pittsburg Public Library from Kari Ann Rinker, Wichita, state coordinator and lobbyist for Kansas NOW.
A graduate of Friends University, Wichita, with a degree in organizational management and leadership, she is in her second term as state coordinator.
“I thought I would come as a source of encouragement and support,” she said. “We’re excited to have a chapter in the southeast corner of the state where we haven’t had much action before.”
Women are faced with numerous issues now, Rinker said.
"It doesn't have to be about abortion," she said. "We are a multi-issue organization."
Other issues include changes in laws that would de-criminalize domestic violence and increasing difficulty in access to contraception.
“In Miami County they decided not to accept Title 10 money that would have enabled women to obtain contraception from the Miami County Health Department,” Rinker said.
She added that even some of those undecided about or opposed to abortion are becoming concerned about the growing lack of access to contraception.
“I do believe there are a lot of pro-choice supporters in Kansas,” she said. “We do have a history of progressive women, of progressive people, in this state.”
Rinker also stressed the importance of the upcoming election and supporting candidates, regardless of party, who sympathetic to women’s issues.
“Adopt some candidates and start supporting them now,” she said. “NOW is a non-partisan organization, and we have a lot of wonderful Republican friends as well as Democrats and independents.”
Rinker said that, in 2010, Kansas NOW had $10,000 to use as political contributions to state legislative candidates.
“We do not have the money to support candidates in this election as we did in the last because donations are down,” she said. “I do think we have a great chance to regain some House seats in Kansas, but that’s up to each and every one of you. Encourage everyone to find out how the candidates stand on the issues, then get out and vote.”
Those present discussed ways to get involved, and Laura Washburn suggested that the chapter might become involved with poverty issues.
“I read that the Wesley House food pantry is almost empty,” Washburn said. “Poverty is such an issue in this area that I don’t see how we can ignore it.”
Rinker said that Kansas NOW is also concerned about this, and that in one town when pro-life supporters were having a chain of life event, Now conducted a food drive.
“We said that we cared for the living,” she said.
Rinker noted that Kansas ranks 40th among the states for infant mortality, with more than seven deaths for every 1,000 live births. The state’s death rate for black infants is the worst in the nation, at 19.6 per 1,000. Each year, approximately 300 Kansas babies die before their first birthday.
“This is the travesty of it, and one of the contradictions that abound in our opponents,” Rinker said. “They are concerned about the unborn child, but cut funds for programs that serve low-income infants and their families.”
The needs of children strike a personal note with her. Rinker is a mother, and her family encompasses four children.
“My trip to Pittsburg is part of a family vacation,” she said. “My fiance took two of the children to see Big Brutus this afternoon, and the other two are here in the children’s section of the library.”
The Southeast Kansas Chapter is new and just getting started, but Rinker said members could still make a difference.
“A lot of change comes at the local level, and the state,” she said. “You on the local level should do what you’re comfortable with.”
