Title XI is the most commonly used name for the federal civil rights law in the United States of America that was passed as part (Title IX) of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government.  

"No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Though Title IX is widely understood to address gender discrimination in sport, the law applies to any education program.  

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, and calls for the fulfillment of its promise for women and girls at every level of education.  An in-depth look at gender inequality by USA Today illustrates the work that remains.

We must resist attempts to violate Title IX by excluding trans women and girls from school sports.  We underscore the need for girls, women, femme-identifying people, and gender expansive folks–particularly those of color– to be seen, welcomed, and supported in education, be it sport or STEM. We call on educational institutions to protect the rights of women (whether trans or not), girls (whether trans or not), and gender expansive people.  

This curriculum is a sequel to Cakes for the Queen of Heaven and Rise Up and Call Her Name.  The purpose is to teach about women, both cis and trans, and non-binary and genderqueer people who dared to dream of a better way, who devised a method or pathway that would support needed change, and who – through their actions – contributed to the betterment of our society. The curriculum also includes anti-racist activities intended to engage people in ways to dismantle systemic racism. This curriculum can be downloaded at no cost here.

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation is outraged that the United States Supreme Court is poised to set aside Roe v. Wade. We endorse our denominational leadership at Side With Love, who state: “Our Unitarian Universalist faith affirms that all of our bodies are sacred, and that we are each endowed with the twin gifts of agency and conscience. Each of us should have the power to decide what does and doesn’t happen to our bodies at every moment of our lives because consent and bodily autonomy are holy. And when disparities in resources or freedoms make it more difficult for certain groups of people to exercise autonomy over their own bodies, our faith compels us to take liberatory action.”

Roe has been a cornerstone of American law that has protected the rights of women for fifty years. A pregnant person’s right to make their own reproductive choices is a basic human freedom protected by the Bill of Rights, notwithstanding the absence of specific references to abortion in the text. This was decided by the court in Roe fifty years ago.

The draft opinion penned by Justice Alito claims that Roe and its progeny, Casey, were wrongly decided by the judges that decided them. The impact of the court’s action will not only cause unjust and irreparable harm to millions of women—the overwhelming majority of whom are black, brown, and low-income—but will endanger other existing American jurisprudence that protects constitutionally guaranteed civil and human rights.

The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation stands firmly beside those who are tirelessly working to defend reproductive freedom. We call on Congress and President Biden to move swiftly to codify Roe into law. We urge state governments to ensure uninterrupted access to comprehensive reproductive health care for women, including abortion services. We call on the majority of Americans who support reproductive justice and abortion access to join Election Protection efforts in their communities, and vote, vote, vote.  

For more information on how to get involved in reproductive justice:

• Side With Love
• SisterSong
• Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
• Re-Ad-Just Coalition
• National Network of Abortion Funds

For more information on Election Protection and Get Out the Vote:  

• UU The Vote
• Common Cause
• States United Democracy Center
• Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Election Protection

UUWF is hiring a fulltime grassroots organizer to organize and help manage and implement existing and new justice advocacy programs. We’re seeking women, femme-identifying, or gender expansive people (UU or not) who have experiences, expertise, and/or passion about building power for women and girls. For more information, click here.

The Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation strongly opposes the new limitations upheld in the Texas legal system. This law bans abortion after 6 weeks, even in the case of rape or incest, and offers a $10,000 bounty to private citizens who sue anyone who has, performs, or "aids and abets" an abortion after 6 weeks. For more details on this egregiously unconstitutional law, see this NPR article. To learn more about attacks on reproductive justice and women's health across the country, visit the Planned Parenthood website.

We urge Unitarian Universalists of all gender expressions to be part of efforts to challenge this law and ensure that safe abortions remain available. You can give your time and money at local clinics, or get give to national advocacy groups working to protect reproductive justice. A few resources:

• Pro-Choice Public Education Project
  
• National Network of Abortion Funds 
  
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund 
  
• Watch a video that explains the impact of legislation that limits access. Share it with friends or congregations
  

The 2021 UU Women's Breakfast was held virtually on Wednesday, June 23rd, just as GA was opening. Watch the video here. Highlights include an introduction to recent Clara Barton honorees, information about the newly formed Elandria Williams Leadership Circle, and an interview with Rev. Qiyamah Rahman about her work collecting stories of Black UU Women.

This year's UUWF Annual Breakfast will be held virtually on Wednesday, June 23rd from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. Central time. The program will include:

• Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman discussing her research on the voices and stories of Black Unitarian Universalist women.
• Interviews with members of the Clara Barton Sisterhood, women aged 80 and over who have been honored for their contributions to their congregations and communities.
• Delicious table topics and small group discussion.
• And much more!

Register now!

"As organizations committed to ensuring all people can access reproductive health care, including abortion, however much money they make, no matter where they’re from, or whatever their race or gender, we believe that each of us should be able to make decisions about pregnancy and parenting that are best for our families without political interference. However, policymakers have enacted bans on insurance coverage of abortion that push this decision out of reach for many, particularly those working to make ends meet. To this end, we urge our legislators to put forth appropriations legislation for Fiscal Year 2022 that does not include bans or restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion."

Read full letter here. 

UUWF challenges UU women to explore feminism through an anti-racist lens and join us in seeking deeper understanding of the harm of White Feminism and the wisdom and leadership of women of color in the women’s movement. To do this work, we need to understand our roles in upholding white patriarchy and, in the case of white women, do so without depending on the labor of BIPOC women. We also need to embrace the wisdom and leadership of women of color for a more intersectional, inclusive, and just approach to women’s liberation.

The deadline for entries is March 22, 2021. Full details available here.

Dear Friends,

Sadly, it has come to our attention that former UUWF Executive Administrator Ellen Spencer passed away earlier this month. Ellen was a vital and consistent part of the UUWF leadership team for almost four decades.

During an interview in 2007, she said that she worked with the UUWF because, “I need to feel that what I am doing with my life is somehow helping make some small part or parts of the world ‘better’ … closer to a place where the innate worth and dignity of every person is not only recognized and celebrated, but nurtured and helped to flourish.”