Information

Caucus History

National Women's Political Caucus
Statement of Purpose
Adopted July 11, 1971

The NWPC hopes to reach out to women across the country:

To every woman whose abilities have been wasted by second class, subservient, underpaid, or powerless positions to which female human beings are consigned.

To every woman who sits at home with little control over her own life, much less the powerful instituions of this country, wondering if there isn't more to life than this.

To every woman who must go on welfare because, even when she can get a job, she makes about half the money paid to a man for the same work.

To every minority woman who has endured the stigma of being twice-different from the white male ruling class.

To every woman who has experienced the ridicule or hostility reserved by this country -- for women who dare to express the hopes and ambitions that are natural to every human being.

We believe that women must take action to unite against sexism, racism, institutional violence, and poverty.

We will:

Rally national and local support for the campaigns of women candidates federal, state, and local -- who declare themselves ready to fight for the rights and needs of women, and of all under-represented groups.

Confront our own party structures and, when necessary, cross party lines or work outside formal political parties in support of such women.

Train women to organize caucuses on a state and local level.

Reform party structure to assure women of all ages, races, and socio-economic groups equal voice in decision-making and selection of candidates at all levels -- federal, state, county, and precinct.

Raise women's issues in every election and publicize the records on such issues of all male and female candidates, so that they shall be amde to rise or fall on their position and action for human equality.

Give active support only to those candidates for public or party office, whether male or female, who support women's issues and employ women in decision-making positions on their administrative and campaign staffs.

Monitor the selection of delegates to the presidential nominating conventions for the purpose of chanllenging those delegations where the number of qualifications of the women delegates are unacceptable.

Insist that there be no token female representation, that the women selected to give equal voice to women actually represent the views of women, and not merely to echo the unacceptable view of men.

Draft and support legislation to meet the needs of women.

Form coalitions with other oppressed groups and all humane groups which share goals of fighting against racism, sexism, and violence and poverty.