Older Women's League
Encyclopedia
OWL - The Voice of Midlife and Older Women was founded in 1980 (as the Older Women’s League) after a White House mini-conference on aging in Des Moines, Iowa. It was founded by Tish Sommers
and Laurie Shields.
OWL leaders and members undertake national public education and advocacy campaigns, and work through forums, campaigns, and coalitions to put those issues in the public spotlight and on the legislative agenda. OWL works closely with the National Council of Women's Organizations
(NCWO)http://www.womensorganizations.org/, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO).
OWL’s Mother’s Day Reports, which spotlight issues of critical importance to midlife and older women, have focused on such issues as the health care coverage needs of midlife and older women, Social Security, pension reform, retirement security for women, caregiving, long term care, housing, elder abuse and domestic violence.
National campaigns on key health issues like prescription drugs, Medicare as a women’s health plan, and managed care’s effect on midlife and older women, as well as materials on mental health, osteoporosis, nutrition, and medication interaction, provide women with tools to negotiate the health care system effectively. In 1981 OWL shaped legislation in Oregon which required group health insurance policies to allow former dependents to continue coverage if they paid premiums. This legislation laid the groundwork for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
(COBRA) law. OWL has testified at congressional hearings on Social Security, the Equal Rights Amendment
, end-of-life issues and long-term care.
Tish Sommers
Letitia "Tish" Sommers was an author, a women's rights activist, and the co-founder and first President of the Older Women's League. Sommers was raised in Los Angeles and was originally a dancer...
and Laurie Shields.
Founding
The foundation for all future activism by OWL followed from these issues: a recognition of the value of women's work, paid or unpaid; a focus on the economic plight of women in later years; and an attack on inequities inherent in public policy.Mission
As the only national grassroots membership organization to focus solely on issues unique to women as they age, the Older Women’s League (OWL) strives to improve the status and quality of life for midlife and older women. OWL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that accomplishes its work through research, education, and advocacy activities conducted through a chapter network. Now in its 31st year, OWL provides a strong and effective voice for the more than 70 million women age 40 and over in America.Education and Advocacy
OWL has created a powerful and effective grassroots network of over 30 chapters nationwide composed of women and men of all ages dedicated to winning economic, health, and social equity for midlife and older women . OWL's current Executive Director is Bobbie Ann Brinegar. Brinegar has a strong background in voting rights and worked for the Florida League of Women Voters. Prior to Bobbie, Ashley Carson led the organization and had a background in advocating on behalf of disadvantaged women and older adults. In 2010, OWL made when one of the co-chairs of President Obama's Fiscal Commission, former Senator Alan Simpson, e-mailed Carson a distasteful e-mail regarding her position to protect Social Security .OWL leaders and members undertake national public education and advocacy campaigns, and work through forums, campaigns, and coalitions to put those issues in the public spotlight and on the legislative agenda. OWL works closely with the National Council of Women's Organizations
National Council of Women's Organizations
The National Council of Women's Organizations is an American non-profit umbrella organization of women's organizations. Formerly headed by Martha Burk, it has a membership of 11 million women through its 215 member organizations...
(NCWO)http://www.womensorganizations.org/, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO).
OWL’s Mother’s Day Reports, which spotlight issues of critical importance to midlife and older women, have focused on such issues as the health care coverage needs of midlife and older women, Social Security, pension reform, retirement security for women, caregiving, long term care, housing, elder abuse and domestic violence.
National campaigns on key health issues like prescription drugs, Medicare as a women’s health plan, and managed care’s effect on midlife and older women, as well as materials on mental health, osteoporosis, nutrition, and medication interaction, provide women with tools to negotiate the health care system effectively. In 1981 OWL shaped legislation in Oregon which required group health insurance policies to allow former dependents to continue coverage if they paid premiums. This legislation laid the groundwork for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 is a law passed by the U.S. Congress on a reconciliation basis and signed by President Reagan that, among other things, mandates an insurance program giving some employees the ability to continue health insurance coverage after leaving...
(COBRA) law. OWL has testified at congressional hearings on Social Security, the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
, end-of-life issues and long-term care.