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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2015)
Page 6 September 16, 2015 New Prices Effective May 1, 2014 Martin Cleaning Service O pinion Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG. $45.00 A small distance/travel charge may be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area (Hallway Extra) Stairs (12-16 stairs - With Other Services) : $25.00 Area/Oriental Rugs: $25.00 Minimum Area/Oriental Rugs (Wool) : $40.00 Minimum Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 each area (Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying) UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $69.00 Loveseat: $49.00 Sectional: $109 - $139 Chair or Recliner: $25 - $49 Throw Pillows (With Other Services) : $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services SEE CURRENT FLYER FOR ADDITIONAL PRICES & SERVICES Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949 Women’s Equality Still Not a Reality for Many The litany of challenges is daunting K athy H awken S tacey Y. A brams On Aug. 26, 1920 the 19th Amendment, which guaran- teed women the right to vote, officially became part of the United States Constitution. The anniversary of this historic achievement deserves recogni- tion, celebration, and a tremen- dous ”thank you” to those brave women who faced ridicule, beatings, starvation, torture and false imprisonment so that women today could exercise their right to cast a ballot. Yet, 95 years later, equality contin- ues to elude many women. The right to vote armed wom- en with a critical weapon in the fight for equality. However, the persistence of economic poli- cies that degrade the value of by and women’s work, damages the ac- cess to fair labor and cripple ca- reer promotion undermines that promise of equality. The litany of challenges is daunting: low wages, cuts in public services, pregnancy dis- crimination and access to health care remain substantial obsta- cles to women, particularly women of color and working class women. We must work harder to en- sure equality for all women. State legislatures are often the first line of access – for it was there that the women in the U.S. first received the right to vote. We must leverage these bodies of justice to ensure that women and their families continue to improve their opportunities. We can pass real policies that will improve the lives of wom- en and their families and make meaningful progress toward equality, but it won’t happen unless everybody – elected of- ficials, voters, men and wom- en, demand change. We need not debate whether one party or another has done more to help or harm women. If we work together, across party lines and towards a common good, we can take the actions necessary to advance policies that will make women’s lives better. By standing united to ad- dress the barriers in the areas of economic policy and wom- en’s health, women across our country will benefit every day. Adopting paid leave policies, ending pregnancy discrimina- tion and expanding Medicaid for the working poor reflect the core value of women’s contribu- tion to our economy and to our success. We don’t have to wait for Congress to act. In legisla- tures everywhere, we can deliv- er our own victories. Progress has been stalled for far too long. The millions of women who are working both in- side and outside the home to sup- port themselves and their fam- ilies should demand action and not rest until changes are made. With their voices raised, women can show that they care much more about the concrete actions that legislators take than about fruitless political debates and restrictive policies that stand in the way of women making prog- ress in our state, leaving families worse off than they are now. When we talk to the women in our districts, the issues they care most about vary; but the message is loud and clear: they want to see an end to the parti- san bickering and political bank shots. They want to see policies that reflect our values, an econ- omy that works for all families, and real progress for everyone in our state. It took 72 years of campaign- ing for women to win the right to vote. Since then, 95 years have passed. The new gender gap is not in voting. It lies in pay, promotions, healthcare and retirement. Too few women hold leadership roles in elected offic- es, the courts and boardrooms. We need to pick up the pace of change substantially, if we want to reach parity in the near future. We not only need leaders who will do the right thing, we need them to take action now to build a more equitable future. Ultimately, fulfilling the prom- ise of the 19th Amendment will take more voices and votes from women and men, asking each elected official to stop focusing on wedge issues that divide us. It’s time for us all to stand with women and demand that they take action on policies that will help ensure equality for all. Stacey Y. Abrams is the Geor- gia House Minority Leader and Kathy Hawken is a Republican member of the North Dakota House of Representatives.
