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Dr. Toni DeLancey

NECESSARY – A Change in Virginia’s Emergency Powers Act

By | Virginia | No Comments

It has been over 100 days and 18 executive orders (and numerous amendments) since Gov. Ralph Northam (Democrat) declared a state of emergency on March 12, 2020. The governor has now called a special session of the General Assembly for August 18, 2020.

If Virginia is to continue as a Commonwealth with a constitutional government and not by executive orders of a governor, it is imperative that we limit the timeframe a future governor (regardless of party) can dictate how Virginians live their lives, without input from our General Assembly. When a prolonged crisis occurs, our Commonwealth needs to be governed by the laws our elected officials debate and vote on, and not one individual or party that is in power. For these reasons, Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Virginia is supporting SB5001, which could be voted on during the August 18 special session.

SB5001, sponsored by Sen. Steven Newman (R-District 23), limits the governor’s emergency powers to 60 days total on any rule, regulation, or order. The language would amend the Emergency Services and Disaster Law to include, “No rule, regulation, or order issued under this section shall have any effect beyond 30 days after the date of issuance. If, however, the General Assembly does not take any action on the rule, regulation, or order within the 30 days during which the rule, regulation, or order is effective, the Governor may once again issue the same rule, regulation, or order but shall thereafter be prohibited from issuing the same or a similar rule, regulation, or order relating to the same emergency.”

Please take action! 

  1. Call your state senator and ask that he/she co-sponsor the bill and then vote YES on SB5001. Click here to locate your senator. Be sure to let them know you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Virginia.
  2. Forward this email to family and friends.

Please join me in prayer that

  • Self-interest will be laid aside for the common good.
  • Discernment between truth and falsehood will be clear.
  • Legislators will take brave stands for righteousness.

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure.” Proverbs 11:14

Toni DeLancey
State Director

Heritage Foundation and Concerned Women for America Unite to Reach Young Women

By | Blog, News and Events, Press Releases, YWA | No Comments

Heritage and CWA presidents announce collaboration effort to grow Young Women for America

WASHINGTON—Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James and Concerned Women for America CEO and President Penny Young Nance announced today that the two organizations have launched a combined effort to energize young women to advocate for fundamental American principles—freedom, faith, and strong families and communities—on college campuses across America.

Concerned Women for America began Young Women for America in 2011 in response to a growing need to invest in young women leaders on campus. Young Women for America has grown to 36 chapters across the nation, but the leaders of Concerned Women for America and Heritage don’t think it is enough. The two organizations have joined together to serve as a force multiplier for the conservative movement to reach even more young women.

“We are at a pivotal point in our nation’s history and for the future of freedom in America. The Heritage Foundation has the intellectual firepower and resources for training and developing this new generation of young women,” said James. “Working together, Heritage and Concerned Women for America will empower and activate thousands of women to do the hard but necessary work of keeping our republic.”

recent survey by Gallup found that 52% of young adults have a favorable view of socialism compared to 47% who have a favorable view of capitalism. This alarming trend is being played out on the national stage with the rise of political leaders who espouse socialist policies. This follows the last 40 or more years during which billions of dollars have been poured into women’s studies programs on campuses.

“The Heritage Foundation is the nation’s premier conservative research and educational institution,” said Nance. “Concerned Women for America is humbled and grateful for the support from Heritage under the leadership of Kay James. With the incredible support of this great institution, our current and future Young Women for America chapters and women will gain invaluable exposure to your scholars and resources that will equip them to be better informed and engaged citizens and leaders throughout their lives. Thank you, Heritage Foundation, for your incredible collaborative support.”

The partnership will help Concerned Women for America expand its reach to bring young women from around the country to Washington, D.C., to give them access to mentors, elected officials, and learn the true history of our great nation. Creating a more robust presence of Young Women for America leaders on America’s campuses will answer the careful and patient cultivation and indoctrination by the political and institutional Left which allows no dissent from radical dogma such as intersectionality.

Young Women for America leaders not only engage in rich and meaningful discussions with fellow students, hold outreach events, and invite top thinkers to campus, but also volunteer in their local communities, hold fundraisers, and build deep friendships.

Click here to learn more about Young Women for America and locate a campus chapter to get involved.

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Supreme Court Rewrites Law to Appease PC Police, Again

By | Blog, Culture, News and Events, Press Releases, Religious Liberty, SCOTUS, Social / Cultural Issues | No Comments

Washington, D.C. — The United States Supreme Court has released its decision in the Title VII cases Harris v. EEOCBostock v. Clayton County, and Altitude Express v. Zarda. Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) made the following comments:

“The majority of the Court has effectively destabilized protections for women in federal law with this ruling. Today they invite federal lawsuits in every other area of federal law where the word ‘sex’ appears. Women will need to redouble their efforts to retain the protections that have cost us so much throughout the years. And that is exactly what we will do.

“The protections based on ‘sex’ in federal law were specifically enacted to protect women and strengthen justice, not threaten it because of the beautiful differences between males and females. But today, the Court erases that and envisions a world where fundamental truths can be twisted to mean whatever the ‘woke’ culture of the times dictates.

“Worse, the Court majority diminishes what it means to be a woman and the status and dignity of being female. This is not a left or right issue. Concerned Women for America rallied in front of the Supreme Court alongside radical feminists who boldly stood to ask the Court to stand strong for women and not deviate from the truthful application of the word ‘sex’ in federal law.”

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Justice, Not Chaos Needed for a More Perfect Union

By | Blog, Culture, National Sovereignty, News and Events, Politics/National Sovereignty, Social / Cultural Issues | No Comments

CWA has signed onto the below Conservative Action Project’s (CAP) Memo for the Movement entitled “Justice, Not Chaos Needed for a More Perfect Union.”

“Conservatives are confronting a country at unrest. Peaceful demonstrations over the unjustified murder of George Floyd have turned violent, exploited by individuals and organizations using Floyd’s death to pursue their own agenda of social conflict and destruction.
Some of the videos of the unrest all over America during the last ten days clearly show some protesters breaking the law by looting, for their own gain and, apparently, their own great amusement. Are we to condemn all protesters because of the few arsonists and looters?”

CWALAC Endorses Tina Ramirez for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 7th District of Virginia

By | Blog, News and Events, Politics/National Sovereignty, Press Releases, Virginia | No Comments

Washington, D.C.Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC), the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization, has endorsed Tina Ramirez for U.S. House of Representatives for the 7th District of Virginia.

Penny Nance, CEO and President of CWALAC, said:

“The 2020 election will be a defining moment in American history at the pinnacle of intense political division.  The choice before voters is clear: support the bedrock freedoms of our Constitution and conservative values that make America great or threaten our future with a bankrupt leftist agenda that undermines religious freedom, denies life, erases female dignity, and embraces government socialism that will lead to economic and social collapse.

“Conservative women will not concede the fundamental values that strengthen families and promote individual flourishing to the left’s destructive agenda.  That is why Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee is proud today to endorse Tina Ramirez for U.S. House of Representatives for the 7th District of Virginia.

“Tina is a champion of the pro-family conservative values that make Virginia and America great.  Tina will bring her passion for religious freedom, the dignity of women, and the sanctity of human life to Congress and fight to preserve American sovereignty at home and abroad.

“Our members are honored to stand with Tina Ramirez in this election, confident that she will stand up for conservative values and American families with courage and integrity.”

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Print Press Release Here. 

Heritage President Kay James on Race in America after George Floyd

By | Blog, News and Events, Politics/National Sovereignty, Social / Cultural Issues, Tennessee, Use Your Voice, Wisconsin | No Comments

In late May, the nation went from Coronavirus lock-down to racial unrest in a matter of moments. After George Floyd’s tragic death by a white policeman, we watched in horror as day after day peaceful protests turned to violent riots and looting. CWA’s CEO and President Penny Nance speaks to Kay Cole James, the President of Heritage Foundation and an African American woman leader in government, academia and the conservative movement on the senseless killing of George Floyd.

Listen as she delivers a message of healing and hope that is centered in Christ.

Listen to the Podcast with Kay Coles James Here (Episode 25):

Conservative Leaders Offer Principles to Counter Biased Social Media

By | Blog, Culture, News and Events, Social / Cultural Issues, Tennessee, Wisconsin | No Comments

 

The Free Speech Alliance (FSA), a coalition in which CWA participates, responded to President Donald Trump’s executive order addressing social media platforms’ bias against conservatives by releasing the following statement setting out four principles these platforms need to adopt.

Read the Entire Response and Four Principles Here

Recent Dept. of Educ. Ruling: CT Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s (CIAC) Policy Allowing Biological Males to Compete in Women’s Sports Violates Title IX

By | Blog, Connecticut, Education, Feminist / Women's Issues, Legislative Updates, News and Events, Sexual Exploitation, Women's Sports | No Comments

CWA’s Vice President of Government Relations appeared on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins to discuss the recent Department of Education ruling that the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s (CIAC) policy allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports violates Title IX. She was featured along with Christiana Holcomb, Legal Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom.

Listen to the Entire Show Here and Hear Doreen Beginning at 36:30:

Why I Am a Prayer/Action Chapter Leader

By | Virginia | No Comments

Cathy Tankersley is a Prayer/Action Chapter Leader for CWA of Virginia. Cathy wrote an inspiring piece on why she wanted to be a leader with CWA. Please contact State Director Toni DeLancey to learn how you can get involved with CWA of Virginia. Phone: 571-317-1735 or e-mail.


Serving with Concerned Women for America of Virginia
By Cathy Tankersley

 If you are a watchman on the wall and not an ostrich with your head in the sand, you might find yourself discouraged as you see evil seemingly winning and good people suffering calamity. This age-old dilemma has caused some to complain to God and some to walk away from God, such as Charles Templeton, who once evangelized with Billy Graham.

As a watchman, I am very aware of the injustices and evil prevailing in the land. Recently, as I was lamenting the depravity of this world, God took me to Habakkuk, an Old Testament prophet who wrestled with God questioning why God would let evil go unpunished and then why He would bring calamity on His own people (Habakkuk 3:18).  God reminds Habakkuk that He is working in his day. And so, He is working likewise in our day whether we understand or not. Habakkuk learned to trust God, understanding that God is not accountable to any man and not obligated to handle situations the way we would, and yet He is completely wise and sovereign in all His dealings. We likewise need to trust that God is moving as a result of our prayers even when we don’t see it. We should not get discouraged in continuing to intercede when we don’t see results. But, oh the joy to answered prayers.

The Lord also took me to Isaiah 33:7-9 recently, reminding me that I need to not only pray but to act. Isaiah 33 speaks to the fact that we need to warn those doing evil and try to dissuade them from their evil ways, and if we don’t, we will be held accountable for their blood. What a sobering thought.

I was that ostrich with my head in the sand, too busy to know the issues before I was introduced to Concerned Women for America (CWA), the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization with a rich history of over four decades of helping its members bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy. CWA’s policy experts focus on seven core worldview issues where they can have the greatest impact. CWA protects and promotes Biblical values and Constitutional principles through prayer, education, and advocacy utilizing an activist network.

I discovered my destiny as a watchman on the wall when I joined CWA and received education on legislative issues needing prayer along with great prayer points and actions to increase my influence with God and man. When lobbying, CWA provides great talking points on the issues and other prayer warrior lobbyists with whom to lobby, and we represent hundreds of thousands of women nationally and several thousand statewide giving us greater influence. I take a stand for righteousness regarding legislation even when I know the legislator will likely not be persuaded. I am only responsible for my actions and not theirs. I was lobbying on an issue at the state level with a conservative legislator who bemoaned, “Where is the silent majority?” which made me realize that even those who are like-minded in righteousness need to hear from us to help them stand strong and be encouraged.

Serving along women united in purpose allows us to celebrate the victories, commiserate over the setbacks, and help each other to have the right perspective during the losses and stay informed in order to do battle. I have formed lasting, trustworthy friendships through CWA that have enriched my life. We laugh together, cry together, and share life together. Our lives are richer as we serve together with a common purpose. Together we are better. Satan trembles when we meet in faith. Together we are a formidable force.

 

Sign the Petition to the International Olympic Committee to Keep Males out of Women’s Sports!

By | Blog, Feminist / Women's Issues, News and Events, Social / Cultural Issues | No Comments
Let your voice be heard! Click here to read and have your name added to the petition to the International Olympic Committee to keep males out of women’s Olympic sports.

As we shared earlier, CWA’s Vice President of Government Relations Doreen Denny was featured in a Daily Caller article about the coalition of international women’s groups urging the International Olympic Committee to suspend their current guidelines which allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. See entire article here.

And, over the last year, Concerned Women for America has been very active in working to protect women and girls from the injustice of allowing males to participate in female sports.

This is a crucial time in women’s sports. The 2020 Olympic games have been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and this gives them valued time to examine transgender participation guidelines. Fill out the form, and we will submit your name on behalf of CWA. Our thanks to Save Women’s Sports for their leadership in launching the petition.

 

Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ Call for a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting & Prayer

By | Blog, Covid-19, News and Events | No Comments

[Editor’s note: on April 30, 2020, as we finished our 30 Days of Prayer and Fasting in the Midst of Covid-19, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) sent out this inspiring prayer call that we knew you must see. It is a powerful reminder of who we are as Americans. Enjoy!]

(Just this week, I came across two prayers from April 30, 1863 and April 30, 1974 – see below. These prayers are as powerful and relevant to our current situation as they were many years ago.)

On April 30, 1863, during the very depths of the Civil War, three months after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and three months before the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln proclaimed a Proclamation for Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer:

“Whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord . . .

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness. Amen.”

 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Senate Joint Resolution 183, proclaimed April 30, 1974 as a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer.

“Whereas, we have made such an idol out of our pursuit of ‘national security’ that we have forgotten that only God can by the ultimate guardian of our true livelihood and safety; and

Whereas, we have failed to respond, personally and collectively, with sacrifice and uncompromised commitment to the unmet needs of our fellow man, both at home and abroad; as a people, we have become so absorbed with the selfish pursuits of pleasure and profit that we have blinded ourselves to God’s standard of justice and righteousness for this society; and

Whereas, it therefore behooves us to humble ourselves before Almighty God, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness: Now, therefore be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, that the Congress hereby proclaims that April 30, 1974, be a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; and calls upon the people of our nation to humble ourselves as we see fit, before our Creator to acknowledge our final dependence upon Him and to repent of our national sins.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

On March 23, 2020 Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Lau called on the public to fast. In his letter, he wrote that difficult days are affecting all of Israel and the entire world . . . it is on us to do some soul-searching. He called for everyone to better their ways concerning commandments which determine behavior between each person and their fellow and concerning commandments between man and God. He encouraged prayers for FORGIVENESS.

Chief Rabbi of Safed Shmuel Eliyahu posted: “In our days, man thinks he is God, that he is the master and can decide what is good and bad, something which is called moral relativism or postmodernism. If this is the case, that mankind is proud, mankind knows everything, understands everything, let him fight the smallest of God’s creations. This creation is called corona, a crown,” he continued.

Coronavirus is so named because of the crown-like arrangement of proteins on the virus when viewed under a microscope. “In man’s heart he must restore the crown to God.” he concluded.

“If my people who are called by my name
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,
I, the Lord God, will hear from heaven and will
forgive their sins and heal their land.”
II Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name — if we as Christians humble ourselves and pray and seek forgiveness from a living, loving God then God will heal our land – may it begin with me. Don’t harden our hearts – may we in humility confess our sins. We live in a time filled with moral confusion, spiritual chaos, and political divisions — Lord God, heal our bodies, our minds, and our souls. May God reveal His ways in this new day and may we embrace God’s wisdom and move with Him in obedience to His Word.

On May 24, 2017, Becky Tirabassi as guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives prayed:

“Father, I pray for the immediate outpouring of Your Holy Spirit on our Nation and leaders.
I pray that not one of us will miss hearing Your voice today.
I pray that we would not neglect to ask for Your wisdom.
I pray that we would not make decisions without asking Your guidance.
Will You go before and behind us?
Will You give us our marching orders?
In this hour of our great need, begin again to help us, as You have in years gone by.
Father, You are the God who does immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.
Today, give us the humility to ask for Your help, and the grand moral courage to be agents of change for the good of others and the honor of Your name.
In Your powerful name we ask these things. Amen.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Father, FORGIVE us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us!
We pray for FORGIVENESS.
We ask for God’s FORGIVENESS and confess our national sins so our country can regain its national purpose and unity.
We pray to FORGIVE each other, stop tearing each other down, stop the finger pointing and blame game.
We pray to FORGIVE ourselves and embrace our uniqueness and potential.
We pray for Godly strategies to bring FORGIVENESS and healing in our land.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Many have quoted Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention when they had come to the end of themselves and couldn’t reach an agreement on the wording of our Constitution. The outcome of the convention looked grim, and that’s when Benjamin Franklin called on the delegates to pray. After weeks of negotiation at the 1787 Constitutional Convention delegates began returning home. Here’s what Benjamin Franklin said:

“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?”

“We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel . . . I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”
Benjamin Franklin July 28, 1787 When they returned, America was birthed — out of fervent prayer.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

President John Adams said:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Pray for the humiliation to restore the crown in our lives to God. Join me for a day of fasting and prayer and humiliation. Ask God to speak to you. I’d love to hear from you after April 30. May God be as original with us as He has been with others!

“Your road led through the sea,
Your pathway through the mighty waters —
a pathway no one knew was there.” Psalm 77:19

Warmly,

Cathy

Together We Stand for Pro-Life and Pro-Family Issues – Save The Date!

By | Blog, News and Events, Social / Cultural Issues | No Comments

In this time of uncertainty, there’s a fundamental truth that gives us hope – that together we can do extraordinary things. Over the past few weeks and months, the entire world has been coming together to stand up, help out, give back, and heal. Whether that’s through donations to community organizations, celebrating doctors and nurses at shift changes, or reaching out to a neighbor to help with groceries, generosity has been helping the entire world get through this global pandemic.

On May 5, 2020, Concerned Women for America is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of unity and giving. As you know, CWA has been vigilantly fighting the liberal left’s anti-family and pro-abortion plans to exploit the coronavirus pandemic through relief legislation.

#GivingTuesdayNow will ask for support, and for everyone for help spreading the word. Tell your friends and family why you believe in our work and encourage them to support us, too!

Join the movement on May 5, 2020! Click Here to Donate to CWA.

Christian Conservative Group Targets Suburban Women in PA

By | Blog, News and Events, Pennsylvania | No Comments

CWA’s Chief Administrative Officer Kenda Bartlett was interviewed by John Cole, Managing Editor of PoliticsPA, about the upcoming 2020 election and CWA’s efforts in the state of Pennsylvania.

“A number of conservative organizations have their sights set on Pennsylvania for the upcoming general election. This conservative group is narrowing their focus to turning out the vote for suburban women in several key regions in the keystone state in 2020.

“’I think that as we looked at the states … you always have to gauge where we can be successful, where can we best put our effort so that we can see success,’ Kenda Bartlett, Chief Administrative Officer of CWA said in an interview with PoliticsPA. ‘Success for us is gauged by engaging conservative women … women of faith, who will hopefully our message will resonate with them.’

“’Our national campaign is really going to be geared towards just getting people out to vote,’ Bartlett said. ‘We try to keep our focus on as much as we possibly can on the voter education, the voter motivation, the voter turnout.’”

Read the Entire Piece Featuring Kenda Bartlett, here:

4 Things You Should Know about Mrs. America, Hulu’s Series on Phyllis Schlafly

By | Blog, Culture, Defense of Family, Feminist / Women's Issues, News and Events | No Comments

The Television Network FX/Hulu has released a series called “Mrs. America,” a dramatization about the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) fight. This series has offensive and often inaccurate depictions of Phyllis Schafly, Eagle Forum’s beloved founder. CWA’s  founder, Mrs. Beverly LaHaye, also worked hard to fight against the ERA in the early years of our organization and along with Phyllis Schlafly, our side won!

We at CWA are working alongside our friends at Eagle Forum to see that the truth is spoken about Phyllis Schlafly’s legacy. An attack on Phyllis is an attack on the conservative movement, and we must fight back! Recently, our CEO and President Penny Nance was interviewed by Crosswalk about this series and Phyllis Schlafly. Here’s what Penny told reporter, Michael Foust:

“She was such a bright woman – really one of the most intelligent women I’ve ever met … She was brilliant, astute and strong. She was often the only woman in a group of men and certainly the smartest person in the room.”

Read Michael Fousts’s Entire Piece Here about Phyllis Schlafly:

Our Latest Podcast is Out! Listen as Penny Nance Hosts a Program on COVID19

By | Blog, News and Events | No Comments

CWA’s CEO & President Penny Nance hosts our latest podcast and speaks to key guests on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Hear from Dr. Paul Teller, Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Vice President and Dr. Peter Brookes, who leads the effort at Heritage Foundation for their global health emergency task force and is one of the pre-eminent authorities on COVID-19. Listen as our Chief Advancement Officer Sara Olson prays for our leaders and our country as we live through this crisis.

Click Orange Circle with White Arrow below to Listen!

To Hear all of CWA’s Podcasts and to Subscribe Monthly – Click Here.