
Click to download The Constitution is Not the Problem brochure.
Click to download The Constitution is Not the Problem brochure.
Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Missouri has scheduled Critical Race Theory Exposed (CRT) events in Missouri. The CRT event is an important educational presentation presented by Mary Bryne, Ed.D.
Dr. Byrne’s presentation explains how current events, most notably the recent violence ignited by claims of systemic racism, are grounded in critical race theory; and how critical race theory is grounded in Karl Marx’s writing instructing followers how to start a revolution in a nation.
Dr. Byrne’s will reveal how almost two centuries of Marxism have infiltrated the U.S. government, the law, churches, the military, and education. She will explain how there is a current concerted effort to indoctrinate Missouri school children by instilling the Critical Race Theory curriculum into the public school system.
Dr. Byrne is a national speaker and co-founding member of the Missouri Coalition Against Common Core. She has an M.A. in special education and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instructional design, and a doctorate in special education from Teachers College at Columbia University.
Plan to attend to find out what Critical Race Theory (CRT) is, why it’s very concerning for our public schools, and what you can do to protect the children in your community.
Click here for the CRT events listing.
Bev Ehlen
State Director
At Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, we encourage governmental action—federal or state—that counters the harmful Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda. In short, ESG is a metric system being used by actors in the private sector to bring about ends like
Those who have advanced this agenda include our federal government, certain state governments, asset managers, banks, proxy advisory firms, and activist investors and shareholders. We are supportive of three model policies that counter ESG.
#1. Backing Responsible State Officials
Legislation like the “State Pension Fiduciary Act” would strengthen the hand of government officers—most likely pension officers—who are pressured by the private sector to consider ESG. The legislation would require a primary focus on pecuniary (financial) interests rather than nonpecuniary interests in managing state pensions. That does not mean ignoring benefits to society. The law would be okay with considerations like benefits to society—as long as the financial return is about equivalent.
Investment management companies own about 75% of shares of publicly traded corporations in America. These companies thus have an oversized impact on retirements and savings. According to a new study by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity study “Putting Politics Over Pensions,” “a majority of the largest firms are routinely violating that fiduciary duty and letting political biases interfere with sound business practices.” Strengthening the fiduciary duty requirement pushes back against this damaging trend.
#2. Averting or Exiting Harmful State Contracts
Legislation like the “Eliminate Economic Boycotts Act” would enable states to avert or exit contracts with companies that discriminate based on ESG. The state would be able to demand assurance that no part of the business seeking to work with the state is engaged in ESG discrimination. This protects states from unintentionally supporting companies engaged in the above-described objectionable activity.
BlackRock is an investment management company that holds 7.2% ownership of PetroChina and increased its ownership earlier this year. BlackRock’s ESG policies pressured Exxon to divest in energy assets only for PetroChina to purchase those very assets. ESG thus presents significant national security concerns by creating a means for our adversary, the Chinese Communist Party, to obtain key energy resources at America’s expense. Empowering states to avert or exit contracts with ESG fanatics is the most appropriate response.
#3. Fighting Banking Discrimination
Legislation like Florida’s law to protect viewpoint diversity in banking prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against customers for their religious, political, or social beliefs in order to prevent politically disfavored people or businesses from obtaining loans, lines of credit, and bank accounts.
JPMorgan Chase is the biggest bank in America. Unfortunately, it used its clout to deny a religious liberty organization access to its banking services. According to reporting, the bank conditioned access on a demand for a list of donors from whom the organization received contributions and the political candidates whom the organization intended to support. This action points to viewpoint discrimination, and comments from JPMorgan Chase in February 2023 have not dispelled this concern. Legislation to prohibit such action would put in place stronger protections against hostility towards customers’ beliefs.
The most important means to counter ESG is public opposition. These model policies are an important tool in the overall response to eliminate ESG dogmatism.
The title speaks for itself – “Biden’s Title IX debacle is so horrible even education secretary admits rules result in sex harassment.” Concerned Women for America Senior Advisor Doreen Denny’s latest op-ed was just posted on FOX News. According to Denny, the Administration had to delay finalizing a new rule on Title IX because of the 400,000 comments it received reflecting strong opposition to Biden’s plan to rewrite the meaning of sex as “gender identity” and erase protections for women and women’s sports.
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
You are likely aware of the abortion petition being circulated in South Dakota by abortion radicals. They are seeking signatures on a petition to get unfettered abortion on the ballot to be voted on by the people in the 2024 election. If passed, it would allow abortion up to and including at birth to be in our South Dakota Constitution. You can learn more about the petition at LifeDefenseFund.com and in our CWA of South Dakota Spring Newsletter.
As can be expected, the media is spreading lies about the South Dakota trigger statute that prohibits abortion except to save the life of the mother. Former South Dakota abortionist Dr. Patti Giebink wrote an excellent article to combat those lies titled “Yes, Abortion Laws Protect the Life of the Mother.”
I encourage you to read the entire article here so you are armored with the truth and are ready to bring the truth to people in your sphere of influence and encourage people to “Decline to Sign” the abortion petition. I have also included the entire article below my signature.
Linda Schauer
State Director
“Yes, Abortion Laws Protect The Life Of The Mother”
Author: Dr. Pattie Giebink
Source: https://thefederalist.com/2023/06/05/YES-ABORTION-LAWS-PROTECT-THE-LIFE-OF-THE-MOTHER/
The media are lying about state trigger laws and treating women with ectopic pregnancies and other life-threatening conditions.
I knew media bias runs rampant across our nation, but it runs equally as biased in my home state of South Dakota. South Dakota Searchlight published a recent hit piece by business reporter Makenzie Huber titled, “Physicians feel ‘trapped’ by SD’s abortion trigger law. They’re hoping to change it.”
As you can imagine, she pushed the left’s abortion narrative, taking cheap shots at pro-life policies and being dishonest about key facts. I wrote a rebuttal to her skewed piece expecting this small-town paper, a publication that prides itself on “accuracy” and “fairness,” to run it, but it refused and so did two other South Dakota publications.
This reporter started out her story (published above the fold) with a South Dakota family physician, Dr. Laura Hoefert, as her marionette, recounting Hoefert feeling “trapped” by South Dakota’s abortion trigger law. Hoefert wasn’t sure if her third miscarriage was an ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube). That ended up not being the case, but with South Dakota’s trigger law in full effect after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, reporter Huber asks her readers the question, “Who would help her?”
As a former abortionist and having over 30 years of experience delivering babies, I can tell you Huber got this piece all wrong. It is more opinion than reporting. Publications like The New York Times, Washington Post, and Harvard Gazette tout the myth that mothers are no longer protected in a post-Roe world and that states’ trigger laws will not allow doctors to help women with ectopic pregnancies and other life-threatening conditions. This is a blatant lie.
Treating ectopic pregnancies is not the same thing as getting an abortion; even Planned Parenthood admitted as much on its website. Ectopic pregnancies threaten the life of a mother, and it’s extremely rare that babies survive these pregnancies.
Huber reached out to me while writing her article and asked me about ectopic pregnancies, among many other medical questions relating to the protection of the mother. I clearly explained that abortion in South Dakota law refers to the elective termination of an unborn human life, for no other reason than the mother’s choice. This does not refer to the premature separation of the preborn life due to any life-threatening medical condition of the mother. But of course, she disregarded these facts and published her slanted piece anyway.
Another falsehood pushed by the media is that pregnant women who have “cancer, epilepsy, kidney disease, or another chronic illness” (which Huber covered as well) cannot be helped. Not all chronic illnesses are life-threatening, but when they are, doctors like me treat each unique scenario first and foremost to protect the mother. As medical professionals, we don’t take life-altering decisions lightly. In South Dakota, our trigger law is clear: Doctors must use their best “judgment” in deciding what is the best medical route for safeguarding the life of the mother. This is not a disputable point.
I sent Huber two articles from the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, listing many of these life-threatening medical conditions that would necessitate an early baby delivery. It is misleading and an outright lie to confuse these two very different situations. No doctor in South Dakota or any pro-life state needs to fear a felony when it comes to saving the life of the mother. But again, reporters choose to turn a blind eye.
Having worked at Planned Parenthood, I know this game and I’ve seen time and again how the abortion lobby plays into it. In addition, they’ve been disparaging our South Dakota pregnancy resource centers. In fact, more than 80 pregnancy centers across the nation have been vandalized, with a number of those firebombed. Don’t believe the media lies and accusations of pregnancy center workers coercing and manipulating women, when in fact, it’s pure projection.
Corporate media are not our friends. They rarely portray the truth and are hardly interested in publishing the other side of the story. Don’t believe their lies about mothers not being protected — the life of the mother will always be a doctor’s first priority.
Dr. Patti Giebink is a former abortion doctor, MD, Author of “Unexpected Choice,” an abortion doctor’s journey to pro-life, and a South Dakota native.
After a long South Dakota winter, we welcome summer’s warm and sunny days. With the month of June, however, brings the unwelcomed “Gay Pride Month.” Those celebrating the sin described in Romans 1 cheer and flout their degeneration with parades, speeches, and Drag Shows, including Drag Queen Story Hour.
You may recall that last year we alerted you to the Drag Queen Story Hour in the Vermillion Public Library. This followed a so-called “kid-friendly” drag show at South Dakota State University. As a result, the legislature brought a good bill to prohibit state resources from hosting lewd and lascivious events. HB1116 passed in the House but failed in the Senate Education Committee.
So here we are again: Gay Pride Month 2023. As Christians, we cannot tolerate such activity that degrades our culture and values.
Below are some suggested activities you might consider initiating in your local community where such “celebration” is occurring.
Prayer is our best weapon against the real enemy.
#1. Organize a peaceful prayer walk around locations where “Gay Pride” activities are occurring. You can even make and carry a sign with a message like “Protect the Children,” “Protect Kids’ Innocence,” or “Drag Degrades Women.”
Always be kind and respectful. Speak the truth in love.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12.
#2. Pray for the protection of children, that they will not be exposed to this behavior. Pray that parents will protect their children from this sin.
“Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3
“Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds; …Teach them to your children … Deuteronomy 11: 18-19
#3. Pray that local citizens will not tolerate this activity. Pray that those organizing and participating in these events will be convicted and come to the Lord.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16
Action:
Long-Term Actions:
In Christ,
Linda Schauer
State Director
Please join me in thanking Ginger Yoak, Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Missouri Encourage-A-Legislator (EAL) Program Coordinator, for 13 years of faithful service. Ginger has done an incredible job over the years coordinating and growing the CWA of Missouri EAL program. We will miss her greatly!
Encourage a Legislator Program
The EAL program focuses solely on prayer and encouragement for our state legislators. EAL Encouragers regularly send cards (provided by CWA) and pray for their legislators. Legislators are contacted regardless of whether they are conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Christian, or non-Christian; they all need both our prayers and encouragement.
Through her personal commitment, follow-up, and tenacity as the EAL Coordinator since 2010, she has built the number of Missouri Encouragers to 141!
The Legislators
We have received feedback from many legislators over the years commenting on how the notes and prayers lifted them up in the middle of a battle and were exactly what they needed to hear at exactly the right time.
The EAL Program was a ministry to Ginger and her late husband Jim. Ginger and Jim were also faithful to deliver gifts to legislators at the Missouri State Capitol during the CWA of Missouri annual Easter and U.S. Constitution Day Projects.
We want to take this time to thank and honor Ginger for her excellent work as our EAL Coordinator. It is hard to say farewell to such a joyful, dedicated, and passionate leader, but we know God will bless her future endeavors. She certainly has been a blessing to CWA, our legislators, and the State of Missouri.
Sincerely,
Tracy Dougan
State Director
A sermon by Pastor Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia
June 4, 2023
Based on Romans 1
SERMON NOTES:
Introduction
I. We must hold the line on truth.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV, emphasis added)
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
II. Offering the right cure requires, first, the right diagnosis.
The Madness of the culture:
“Being called a demon is something I can cope with, and the idea of a trans demon is pretty d**n cool, most of my work focusses [sic] on gothic or dark and satanic imagery juxtaposed with bright colours and LGBT+ positive messages.” – Eric Carnell, Satanist and Founder of Abprallen
Thank goodness for Christian Pitcher Blake Training who wrote a letter in protest. He said:
“I am disappointed to see the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence being honored as heroes at Dodger’s Stadium. Many of their performances are blasphemous, and their work only displays hate and mockery of Catholics and the Christian faith. …
“I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I believe the word of God is true, and in Galatians 6:7 it says, ‘Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked; a man reaps what he sows.’ This group openly mocks Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of my faith, and I want to make it clear that I do not agree with nor support the decision of the Dodger’s to ‘honor’ the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.”
None of this should surprise us.
III. This is what happens when a society rejects, removes, or replaces God.
Romans 1:18-28 (NIV, emphasis added)
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
When a society rejects, removes, or replaces God:
God gives them over to a “depraved” or “debased” mind.
“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” Romans 1:28 (NIV)
People become deceived and delusional.
“9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie …” – Thessalonians 2:9-11 (NIV, emphasis added)
It unleashes the demonic.
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)
Depraved, Deceived, Delusional, Demonic
IV. Satan’s attempt to pervert and curse what God has blessed.
He goes after God’s design:
There is great evil and deception.
Adolf Hitler was committed to indoctrination. He said, “I want to raise a generation of young people devoid of conscience — imperious, relentless, and cruel.”
Why would companies go along with this? They are willing to suffer short-term financial losses for long-term cultural gains.
Christians understand this for we hold something as more valuable than money— Christ, our God. The world will now do it for its god.
They are more interested in a high CEI Score than customer satisfaction.
TARGET’s largest stockholders are Vanguard, State Street, and BlackRock; these corporations support the CEI.
V. Consequences—what can we do?
2 Peter 3:10-12 (NIV, emphasis added)
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
Four things we must do:
Six truths from God’s Word that counter the most current lies of the culture:
4. Have a Tender Heart
Conclusion
Though cut out from the broadcast, Pastor Hamrick closed with Ephesians 6:10-15 (NIV):
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
—
Pastor Hamrick is the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia. For more information on his ministry and church, visit: CornerstoneChapel.net.
Concerned Women for America of North Dakota and Independent Women’s Network of North Dakota are hosting a Recognition Luncheon with Riley Gaines at the Memorial Hall at the State Capitol on Thursday, June 8, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Riley Gaines, a spokeswoman for Independent Women’s Network, was the 2022 Southeastern Conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a 12-time All-American swimmer at the University of Kentucky who was forced to share a locker room and compete against a biological male, Lia Thomas, for the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship. The experience of being denied a rightfully earned trophy when she and Thomas tied at the event led her to speak out about the negative impact on women when male athletes are allowed to compete on women’s teams.
Riley’s unwavering determination to protect women’s sports for female athletes has inspired strong policy and has helped lead the way for the successful passage of legislation allowing only biological females to compete on women’s sports teams in North Dakota.
Join us this Thursday, June 8, for the Recognition Luncheon! Luncheon tickets are sold out, but standing-room tickets are still available here. We would love to have you! It will be a time to encourage Riley and the North Dakota legislators who sponsored the successful passage of laws in North Dakota that prevent biological men from using women’s locker rooms or competing on women’s sports teams.
We are so excited to welcome, thank and encourage Riley Gaines for what she has done for women!
I hope to see you Thursday!
Linda Thorson
State Director
For Your Name’s sake Lord, attend to our prayer
Let us not be put to shame
For none who trust in the LORD, our God
Will ever regret, even through trials or pain, being loved
To be loved is to know a comfort—a protection
That cannot be explained with words
But only felt in the deepest sense
It fills the heart and soul with song
That ancient song of Thanksgiving
Echoing through the walls of Time
Since the beginning, when You
Made man, in Your image—male and female
The whole world may forget
Yea, even my closest friends may turn and walk away
But not I, not we, who, by grace,
Have seen the beauty of art, and silence, of a child embraced
We who see the good, nay the privilege
Of giving all for man or woman of any race
Of suffering unjustly for a cause—a Man
Some think dead, though by Him we pray
Help us to stand, Lord
Help us endure, and thrive
Help us to shine Your light, Your Truth
In every heart— pierce the soul, penetrate the mind
We need You, we so desperately need You
At this point in time, as in all of life
Renew the vision You gave our Forefathers
Rekindle the fear, not of man, but of Your righteous judgments
Let them come if they must
To Your plan, we only say, “amen”
But for mercy for our people, we pray
For an outpouring of Your Spirit
Give us this day our daily bread
And help us to repent, and
Turn from our wicked ways
To the eternal joy that awaits.
In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen.
Celebration of Life Day
“Keep Missouri Pro-Life”
Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Missouri recommends attending the Celebration of Life Day – “Keep Missouri Pro-Life,” on Saturday, June 24, in Jefferson City. This event is hosted by Missouri Right to Life.
June 24, 2022, was a momentous day for our nation with a pro-life victory in the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health case. With the Court’s decision, Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the power to protect life was handed back to the states. CWA of Missouri is proud to say our state was the first in the nation to ban abortion upon the overturn of Roe v. Wade. However, strong pro-life efforts must continue in our state. We will always work to keep Missouri pro-life as well as celebrate lives that have been saved.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Missouri State Capitol, 204 W. Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Meet in the first-floor rotunda.
Contact: For additional information, call 573-635-5110, or visit missourilife.org/events/.
More about the event: There will be meet and greet opportunities with pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes. Local pastors will be leading in prayer as we continue to pray for the protection of the unborn and to pray in support of the mothers and fathers of these children. There will also be an optional prayer walk through the halls of the State Capitol.
Please join us. Your presence truly makes a difference when we stand and pray together.
Tracy Dougan
State Director
CWA of Missouri St. Louis Prayer/Action Chapter
Guest Speakers Rep. Keathley and Rep. Oehlerking
The Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Missouri St. Louis Prayer/Action Chapter invites you to their Saturday, June 10, meeting in Ellisville. Men, women, and teens are welcome to attend.
Our special guest speakers will be Missouri State Representatives Ben Keathley (R-District 100) and Philip Oehlerking (R-District 101). The Representatives will share their experiences during the 2023 Missouri General Assembly session.
Details:
When: Saturday, June 10
Time: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: The Pillar Foundation, 15820 Clayton Road, Ellisville, MO 63011
Contact: For additional information, contact CWA of Missouri St. Louis Prayer/Action Chapter Leader Stephanie Rubach Marshall at 314-717-2694 or [email protected].
I hope you can attend.
Tracy Dougan
State Director
About Rep. Keathley
State Representative Ben Keathley, a Republican, represents part of St. Louis County (District 101) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2022.
In addition to his legislative service, Keathley is an attorney with a law practice in Chesterfield. Prior to his time in the legislature, he completed two terms on the Chesterfield City Council. While on the City Council, Keathley was elected to serve two terms as chairman of the Public Health and Safety Committee.
About Rep. Oehlerking
Representative Philip Oehlerking, a Republican, represents part of St. Louis County (District 100) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2022.
Prior to his service in the legislature, Oehlerking worked at the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA). He also spent two years working for the Show-Me Institute.
Branson Prayer/Action Chapter
Principle 23: The Importance of an Educated Electorate
The Concerned Women (CWA) for America of Missouri Branson Prayer/Action Chapter invites you to their Tuesday, June 20, meeting in Branson, MO. They will spend time in prayer for our state and country and continue their book study of The 5,000 Year Leap – (A Miracle that Changed the World).
This month the chapter discussion will be on Principle 23 – The Importance of an Educated Electorate: A free people should be governed by law and not by the whims of men.
Details
Date: Tuesday, June 20
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Covenant Life Church, 120 N. 3rd St., Branson, MO
Contact: For additional information, contact Haven Howard at 417-263-0425, or via email at [email protected]
We hope to see you there!
Tracy Dougan
State Director
Please mark your calendar to attend the Springfield Prayer/Action Chapter meeting on Saturday, June 17, 2023. We will be discussing the book Feisty & Feminine by Concerned Women for America CEO and President Penny Nance and taking time to join in conversation over some thought-provoking questions relevant to our study.
Our time together will also include discussions surrounding Title IX and Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee’s support of the federal Women’s Bill of Rights introduced by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona). The Women’s Bill of Rights resolution* is a definitive statement on the definition of sex and the legal protections women should have because of their sex.
We will be comparing the resolution to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), whose supporters make the radical and extreme demand to eliminate the distinctions in law that are necessary to protect women.
Our meeting will be a time of education and discussion you will not want to miss.
Details:
Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: The Baked Bean, 1860 N. Commerce Road, Nixa, MO (formerly the Walkabout Coffee Shop). Please arrive early if you would like to order coffee and a pastry.
Contact: For additional information, contact CWA of Missouri Springfield Prayer/Action Chapter Leader Tracy Dougan at 417-766-2281 or by email at [email protected].
Tracy Dougan
State Director
417-766-2281
*A resolution is an expression of the sentiment of the Congress, and unlike a bill, is not binding in law if passed.
By now, you are probably familiar with Concerned Women for America’s (CWA) “Toss Target” campaign. Recently, CWA CEO and President Penny Nance recorded a very popular social media video encouraging all our members to Toss Target for the month of June. I hope you are joining in the campaign!
I understand many of you think you might miss Target, but I want to reassure you that your small sacrifice in this matter is well worth it. This year, Target is not only “missing the target” on issues of LGBTQ+ indoctrination; they have also suddenly aligned themselves with Satanist themes in their efforts to promote PRIDE Month.
You read that right. For this year’s PRIDE campaign, Target knocked on the door of the Abprallen brand, fully aware of the designer’s “Satanist-inspired merchandise.” The designer has a unique style that includes Satanist imagery and glorified violence against all “transphobes.”
Though Target did not sell the designer’s popular pins featuring a goat head and the phrase “Satan Respects Pronouns,” or the “We Bash Back” medieval mace one, or the “Transphobe Collector” death skull, or the “Homophobe Headrest” guillotine one, it commissioned some items in the similar style. They included the “Cure Transphobia, Not Trans People” sweatshirt and the “Too Queer for Here” tote bag. They’ve tried to walk it back, while still supporting it.
The marriage of LGBTQ+ ideology and Satanism is not new. We saw it in full display at Sam Smith’s most recent Grammy performance of “Unholy,” where he donned a full devil suit with horns coming out of his top hat.
The ideologies share a common enemy: Christ, which is why Christians, the Church, the body of Christ on Earth are prime targets of its disdain.
What should, then, be our response?
I look at David’s indignation before Goliath, asking who is this that “he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26). I think of the disciples and how they were threatened and ordered “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18) and how boldly they responded lifting the name of the Lord. I think of Paul’s bold declaration that he is “not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Is it too much to ask of us to “Toss Target” for a month? Surely not.
So let us stand and be counted. Earthly suffering is no disincentive to lifting the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ. With the apostles, let us rejoice at the thought of being counted worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41). Yes, let there be no doubt; those who hate Jesus and His holy precepts should know they are to hate us too. For with Him we stand.
We should love our enemies still, as we are commanded. But we should not assist in the mocking our Lord. May it never be!
It took a U.S. Senator’s clear message of exclusion and religious bigotry to prompt Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers to confront its unforced error. But rather than sticking with a decision to walk away from the profane Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, owners of the LA Dodgers, including Billie Jean King who some believe worthy of a Congressional Medal of Honor, chose instead to hit foul balls in the faces of people of faith and vainly promote these sacrilegious drag queens.
The Dodgers’ decision to re-invite a parody group that mocks women and spiritual mothers for “Pride Month” promotion only shows how shameful and shallow its values. What happened to Mom, apple pie, and America’s favorite pastime? This spectacle of perversion insulting women and religious virtue is a double gut punch for a Christian women’s organization.
It may be impossible for those on the Left Coast, including the Dodgers, to rise above the polluted haze obscuring common decency, and their own hypocrisy. They can’t claim “comedy,” which they forfeited long ago because they can’t take a joke. In their view, anyone who questions queer ideology is part of a hate group. If making fun of queers is off limits, then people of faith should be equally respected.
The problem is they can no longer see straight. Every lens is clouded by intersectional identity politics and sexualized fantasy. The misogyny behind “pride” promoting men as the new women is bad enough with drag queens commanding center stage. But to have men mocking nuns being propped up for awards shows just how perverted this pride parade has become.
Dodgers players are pawns on the field. They don’t deserve to be in the center of the storm created by woke management. Pitcher Trevor Williams took a stand on Twitter with a statement defending his faith and his fans. He calls out the Dodgers’ organization for violating its own anti-discrimination policy by celebrating one group at the expense of another. To be sure, professional sports needs to get back to neutral and stick with the Bobbleheads.
Americans see the damage the pride agenda is causing, especially in targeting youth. Target has become a target again. Years ago, the retailer targeted women, thinking it could get away with allowing men claiming to be women in women’s restrooms and dressing rooms. This year, it is facing the backfire of targeting children. Target’s excessive promotion of rainbow products on every aisle and cross-dresser apparel for kids from a foreign supplier peddling satanic products has prompted boycotts costing billions. There is no pot of gold at the end of these counterfeit rainbows, nor should there be.
Let’s not forget where the rainbow originated following an epic flood that wiped out humankind except for a faithful few. As recorded in the book of Genesis, God said, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth … Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.”
In the month of June, Americans will be flooded with cheap imitations of rainbows by companies boasting their “pride” and pushing an agenda that deceives children about the reality of creation and the Creator.
As the Proverb says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Let’s hope consumer rejection of this destructive agenda will leave many of these products on the shelf.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) prefers being called Coach rather than Senator. This is largely because he is not a career politician and never planned on becoming one. Before being a senator, he was a football coach. In fact, he had been named “Coach of the Year” multiple times and ultimately retired in 2016 as one of the top 50 most-winning football coaches of all time. He went on to join ESPN as part of their broadcast staff. But Coach Tuberville was concerned about the way the country was headed. He saw how it was straying from the country his father served faithfully on the beaches of Normandy during World War II (WWII). He decided to compete in the new arena of politics and ran for the U.S. Senate. He became Alabama’s senior senator in 2021.
Throughout Coach’s campaign, he shared his conviction of protecting life in the womb by saying, “I will fight to protect the sanctity of every human life because future generations may very well look back at the current wave of infanticide sweeping across our nation as this generation’s holocaust.” Politicians often espouse such views. Coach Tuberville has been able to show his sincerity through recent circumstances.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the made-up “right” to an abortion, the Biden Administration has implemented its radical abortion policy through every means possible. In June 2022, the Department of Defense (DoD) claimed that the ruling would “have significant implications … for the readiness of the Force.” For months in the Senate, pro-life senators asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to further expound on the DoD’s claims. Their requests for further information went ignored.
Fast forward five months, and the Secretary finally decided to share with pro-life senators the DoD’s plan to fund extra time off, travel, and additional expenses for service members and dependents seeking elective abortions. It was in this very meeting that Coach Tuberville shared he would place a “hold” on all DoD nominees if it implemented this new rule. He made this commitment to rebuke the Administration’s attempt to circumvent the legislative branch to enact policy.
Unfortunately, Secretary Lloyd Austin did not heed Coach’s warning and went on to implement the policy. But Coach Tuberville has proven himself to be a man of his word as well as a man of his conviction. He has held every DoD nominee since. For a whopping eight times, Coach has had to stand on the Senate floor to hold the line while senators like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) deride him and try to advance the Administration’s abortion extremism.
We are grateful for Coach Tuberville’s stand for the unborn. There are a few important things to remember here. Coach Tuberville did not—as Sen. Warren and other pro-abortion senators have claimed—radicalize the DoD. The Biden Administration threw the first blow by using the DoD to expand abortion access on demand. Coach warned the Secretary that he would hold DoD nominees if the DoD proceeded to violate the law, and the DoD decided to ignore his warning. Another accusation that has been thrown at the Senator is, “You are hurting the military by slowing down nominations.” However, when you look at the facts, there is little basis for this claim. Consider the ratio when Coach Tuberville’s father was serving in WWII—one general for every 6,000 troops. Now there is one general for every 1,400 troops. Moreover, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) can bring any DoD nomination to the floor for a vote. Coach Tuberville is doing nothing more than holding true to his word to protect the unborn and providing accountability to unelected bureaucrats who are trying to ram through radical abortion policy that could never pass through the legislature.
Action:
Editor’s Note: click here for original PDF version as sent to the company.
June 1, 2023
Mr. Brian Cornell
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Target Corporation
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Dear Mr. Cornell:
On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Concerned Women for America (CWA) supporters around the country, many of whom are moms with young children, I write to express our objections to Target’s continued effort to marginalize Christian, conservative women and their families through the aggressive promotion of the radical personal values of a few. In a pluralistic society, a multi-billion-dollar corporation like Target should respect its diverse customer base.
Instead, Target has chosen to become an agent for a radical ideology that views Christian, conservative women with disdain, simply for standing against the militant agenda that Target espouses. Target showed great disdain for our concerns about privacy and safety in women’s spaces a few years ago, when we were forced to boycott your retail outlets because of your insistence on allowing men who self-identify as women in women-only spaces.
To follow that sour experience with an ever-increasing, aggressive push for the most radical elements of LGBTQ+ ideology is mindboggling. This year’s partnership with a Satanist-inspired brand pushing gender transition on young children is particularly offensive. Why would you intentionally disparage the faith of millions or your loyal customers? This move exposes the fraudulent nature of the “inclusion” you purport to promote.
Is it necessary to put down one group of people to support another? Unfortunately, the answer from the radical elements with which Target has aligned itself is “yes.” And, as so many other times in our history, the particular group that ends up losing is women.
For example, your promotion of the bizarre concept of “tuck-friendly” swimwear has not occurred in a vacuum. It comes at a time when the debate over women’s sports is at its highest pitch. At the center of that debate was a swimmer for the University of Pennsylvania who soared from a mid-500s ranking at the start of his career in men’s competition to the top of the rankings after switching to the women’s competition. Some young women who lost in that injustice have been forced to speak out. These women have been under intense pressure from the culture and the media. One brave young woman was held against her will for hours by trans activists because she was standing up for women’s sports.
Unfortunately, Target has aligned itself with radical elements that are targeting women who are simply expressing their reasonable frustration with unfair competition. These extremists, such as the designer you sought to represent your brand, label these brave women “transphobes” for taking a principled stand in support of female athletes. You sought the designer precisely because of the pro-LGBTQ+ designs that included a guillotine with the words “Homophobe Headrest,” the death skull with the words “Transphobe Collector,” and the “Cure Transphobia, Not Trans People” sweatshirt.
We understand you tried to tamp down the designs to make the message palatable for a broader audience in your quest to move the culture to your side slowly, but this action shows the more sinister side of your agenda. You intentionally target children with extremist propaganda. From the children’s mannequins used to promote “pride”, to pro-LGBTQ+ baby clothing, to books urging children to “come out” or promoting the “ABCs” of deconstructing gender, your agenda is blatantly obvious.
At a time when so many countries worldwide are showing great hesitation to the current push for the early transition of minors, Target has moved full steam ahead with the reckless promotion of this controversial practice. Once again, the issue of early transition is disproportionally affecting young women. Does Target care about the damage it helps spread? To understand how your actions hurt young women, I would recommend Abigail Shrier’s “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters.”
So, we find ourselves, once again, calling on our hundreds of thousands of supporters to boycott Target for the month of June. Perhaps this action will encourage Target to respect all of its customers, rather than promoting extremist anti-Christian, anti-women, and anti-children policies that alienate a large segment of your corporation’s customer base. We hope you will reconsider the direction your company is taking.
Sincerely,
Penny Nance
CEO & President
Concerned Women for America
Editor’s Note: click here for original PDF version as sent to the company.