National Organization for Women Co-Presidents Make Their Mark on The Community
Women advocacy is an important role in the lives of many female survivors. Survivors come in all forms, whether it be from domestic abuse, rape, reproductive health issues, or even human trafficking. NOW or National Organization for Women is not only a safe haven for women but an organization that fights for their rights.
NOW was established on June 30, 1966 in Washington, D.C., by people attending the Third National Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women.
Betty Friedan, the author of Feminine Mystique, was the first president.
Sheila Jaffe, 66, from Philadelphia, one of the current co-presidents for NOW got involved in 1989 when two women walked into her printing shop and wanted print outs for the NOW organization. Upon research, she felt a heavy need to join.
“I was involved in some women’s groups kind of, but they didn’t really set me on fire and make me passionate,” stated Jaffe.
Upon joining NOW, “Operation Rescue” was one of the first major series of events that changed the course of Sheila’s life.
Operation Rescue is a pro-life activist organization and they used to set up in front of abortion clinics to protest. A big demonstration came to Boca to protest and that's when Sheila sprung to action.
“Our chapter sued them and we won,” said Jaffe. This prevented them from going to other parts of the country and inflicting their ignorant propaganda. It clicked in Sheila that she could actually get “big things done” as she called it.
After Sheila graduated high school she did not want to enter the workforce quite yet and opted for a college degree. “My parents weren’t that encouraging,” laughed Sheila reminiscing over the older traditions that women were held to.
Back in the 1970s women weren’t supposed to go get an education. They were expected to get married and start a family Sheila explained.
Sheila had two kids before she decided to get her college education at Temple University night school in Philadelphia, her hometown. As a single mother, she faced many challenges, including her ability to integrate into a male dominant work-force.
During the 1970s many women like Sheila were starting to go back to college and get their education. There was a program enacted called “Continuing Education For Women” where there were all sorts of support groups for young and ambitious women.
“I always had a knack for women’s studies, but didn’t fully emerge myself in it until 1989 when I joined NOW,” says Jaffe.
In 1995, a woman joined their chapter at the age of 87 years old and passed away a couple of years after that leaving a huge sum of money of $100,000. With this money they created the “Feminist Scholarship Fund” and it is now affiliated with FAU.
“Florida Atlantic University has funded over one hundred students with these scholarships,” said Jaffe.
A relationship with one of the scholarship winners really touched Sheila profoundly. The young 16-year-old girl that she met was shy and timid from a very poor Mexican family that had immigrated to America.
With six siblings, the young student had no way of attending a university and getting the education that she dreamed of. The scholarship paid for the majority of the college costs and her mother cleaned houses to help with the rest of the expenses.
She ended up getting her doctorate and going to medical school, graduating and becoming a licensed physician.
“Making a difference in someone's life so drastically is a reward for me,” stated Jaffe.
Other co-president Jennifer Cunha, 32, from Indiana, started with NOW through her work in law. An Indianapolis native, she has always had a passion for helping troubled kids. As a teen, she tutored and volunteered at many inner-city school and shelters.
Jennifer and Sheila share the same passion for women’s rights. Even with their vastly different backgrounds, they find common ground concerning their commitment to this organization.
“These young women encourage me every day to continue on women’s rights issues,” stated Cunha.
With her law degree from The University of Florida, she has been able to use her power for good, by working for Florida Rural Legal Services, advocating for low-income tenants.
Most of her cases are women that are often battered with no resources to provide for their children.
She believes education and resources are the most important ways to advocate for women’s rights. Jennifer is now the managing partner of her own successful Condo and HOA law practice
NOW has a board meeting once a month at The Compass Center in Lake Worth. They also have program meetings to help promote issues. Next Saturday they will be discussing climate change because it affects women as well as all living things.
With over 1,000 members in their chapter, most of there funding come from donations. They hold big luncheons where they receive the majority of their money. Most of their expenses go towards communications, such as their website or marketing.
“I can't really take any of the credit, my life has been forever affected by every single story I’ve come across and I’ve always strived to make a difference.”
