FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2022

All National Organization for Women of New Jersey Officers resign effective immediately

Racism and patriarchy exist everywhere and are often internalized in progressive spaces, especially where white and/or male voices are allowed to dominate. Since January 2019, the officers of National Organization for Women of New Jersey have been working in an anti-racist intersectional manner to call out and break down those systems of oppression wherever they exist.

We are proud of our many accomplishments in legislation and policy; using our voice to raise awareness of the gender and racial equity issues faced by New Jerseyans. In less than four years, we have succeeded in putting NOW New Jersey on the map, returning it to the force it once was, one that is given a seat at the tables of power where policy decisions are made in the state. Though we have tried, our attempts to root out the internalized patriarchy and white feminism that has long been at the core of our own organization have not been met with the same success.  

In recent months, our officers, some of whom are young women and women of color have been repeatedly subjected to name-calling, bullying and harassment by long time members and leaders within this organization. No longer can we remain silent, or we will be complicit. Our work towards creating a more equitable New Jersey must continue and it requires an organization that will live up to the values it espouses.  

Immediate and intentional action is needed to reset the organization and its governing structure. In order to build a more equitable, feminist organization, we need to pause operations in the state. Therefore, all eight of the elected officers of NOW New Jersey submit our resignations effective immediately.