To our members,
We, the entire executive board of MSP NOW, resign our positions and our membership to the National Organization for Women, effective immediately.
Over the past month, numerous articles have been published exposing racist and transphobic behavior from top leaders at NOW, including President Toni Van Pelt. We condemn it, and we will not be complicit.
On June 16, after reading the first of these articles, MSP NOW called for Toni Van Pelt's immediate resignation. In doing so, MSP NOW joined an ever-growing list of chapters from around the country calling for the same.
Instead of acting swiftly to condemn and weed out racism and transphobia within NOW, much of the organization has worked to protect and defend this leadership. It is now clear that the problems within NOW are systemic and that the institution as a whole is unwilling to do the work to change. As such, the executive board of MSP NOW will no longer be affiliated with the organization. We cannot in good conscience allow our chapter dues to fund NOW, and we cannot continue to lend our time, our talents, and our energies to support this organization.
Walking away from MSP NOW is not a decision we made lightly. We are proud of the work we’ve done these past four years, the coalitions we’ve been part of, the relationships we’ve built, and the time we’ve spent electing pro-choice women throughout the state. We are honored by our members, those we have stood with, shoulder-to-shoulder, as we fought for a more just world. We often say that this work is the most impactful and the most joyful when we do it together, and we say it because it’s true – doing this work with our members, partners, and friends has been among the most challenging and rewarding of our lives.
We acknowledge our privilege. We acknowledge the work that each of us must do to become better allies and intersectional feminists. We will continue to work together to push for change. Right now, that means stepping back and lending our power to other organizations with proven track records of affecting progress. For the next four months, we will focus our efforts on electing BIPOC women to all levels of government in November – not as the board of MSP NOW, but as seven women who give a damn. If you are an organization or candidate in need of support, please reach out.
Through November 3, you can reach us at nowmsp@gmail.com.
In solidarity,
The Executive Board of MSP NOW
Bri Sharkey-Smith, Marquita Oleson, Grace Anderson, Sarah Mitchell Smith, Sarah Holland, Mara Brust, and Emma Willard
Over the past month, numerous articles have been published exposing racist and transphobic behavior from top leaders at NOW, including President Toni Van Pelt. We condemn it, and we will not be complicit.
- ‘Don’t Forget the White Women!’: Members Say Racism Ran Rampant at NOW
- NOW Board Members Demand President Toni Van Pelt Resign Amid Racism Claims
- Push to Oust NOW President Grows Amid New Racism Complaints
- ‘How many women of color have to cry?’: Top feminist organizations are plagued by racism, 20 former staffers say
On June 16, after reading the first of these articles, MSP NOW called for Toni Van Pelt's immediate resignation. In doing so, MSP NOW joined an ever-growing list of chapters from around the country calling for the same.
Instead of acting swiftly to condemn and weed out racism and transphobia within NOW, much of the organization has worked to protect and defend this leadership. It is now clear that the problems within NOW are systemic and that the institution as a whole is unwilling to do the work to change. As such, the executive board of MSP NOW will no longer be affiliated with the organization. We cannot in good conscience allow our chapter dues to fund NOW, and we cannot continue to lend our time, our talents, and our energies to support this organization.
Walking away from MSP NOW is not a decision we made lightly. We are proud of the work we’ve done these past four years, the coalitions we’ve been part of, the relationships we’ve built, and the time we’ve spent electing pro-choice women throughout the state. We are honored by our members, those we have stood with, shoulder-to-shoulder, as we fought for a more just world. We often say that this work is the most impactful and the most joyful when we do it together, and we say it because it’s true – doing this work with our members, partners, and friends has been among the most challenging and rewarding of our lives.
We acknowledge our privilege. We acknowledge the work that each of us must do to become better allies and intersectional feminists. We will continue to work together to push for change. Right now, that means stepping back and lending our power to other organizations with proven track records of affecting progress. For the next four months, we will focus our efforts on electing BIPOC women to all levels of government in November – not as the board of MSP NOW, but as seven women who give a damn. If you are an organization or candidate in need of support, please reach out.
Through November 3, you can reach us at nowmsp@gmail.com.
In solidarity,
The Executive Board of MSP NOW
Bri Sharkey-Smith, Marquita Oleson, Grace Anderson, Sarah Mitchell Smith, Sarah Holland, Mara Brust, and Emma Willard
