PA NOW
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My name is Michele Lockman, and President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of National Organization for Women (NOW). I also served as Treasurer for both Pennsylvania NOW’s Executive Board and for the Political Action Committee. I have been a part of the feminist fight for equality since high school, when despite being attacked because of my gender, I was elected Student President during my junior and senior years. Never shying away from advocating for equal rights for all, attending undergrad at George Washington University, situated five blocks from the U.S. Capitol, afforded me the opportunity to participate in many equal rights marches and to attend congressional hearings, where I realized the value of expressing my opinions and the power of organizing in order to get things done. This led me to believe that WE CAN CREATE CHANGE if we work together, and I have continued to work to that end. These early experiences fueled my activism in the feminist struggle, and I am particularly proud to be part of the National Organization of Women, where we recognize the importance of fighting for equality since the struggle for women's equality mirrors the struggles of many other communities. My "We Can Do It!" feeling has been borne out in my lifelong involvement in politics and advocacy. As a committee person and then Chairwoman of the Springfield Democrats, I had the opportunity to work within our political system to push for positive change, interviewing and endorsing candidates who supported the agenda of equality for all. To that end, I organized a rally on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown to show support for same sex marriage. The event was a spectacular success, resulting in statewide media coverage and support. In addition, for the past nine years I have served as a staff member for Congressman Brendan Boyle, working to help provide vital services to underserved communities. As a member of Pennsylvania NOW, I helped to plan the "We Stand with Her" rally in response to a sexual assault event on SEPTA. I believe in uniting through grassroots advocacy to facilitate change. I appreciate the importance of the responsibilities of serving as President having served as both President of Sisterhood of my synagogue and President of the Springfield Township Democratic Committee. It has been both alarming and disheartening to witness the recent erosion of women’s rights, but I understand as President I can help lead the charge for change and advocate towards a more equitable future by empowering this diverse coalition.
My name is Janet Diaz Temin and I am Vice President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of National Organization for Women (NOW). I've spent the last 18 years as a health care professional. As a member of the Lancaster City Council, I'm an advocate for our community. And throughout my life, I've been a voice for those in need. I ran for Vice President of PA NOW because women across the nation and in Pennsylvania are worth fighting for... when it comes to the fights that affect all of us, I have been on your side. Women are amongst the lowest paying frontline workers. We must also ensure that resources and funding are dispersed equitably. The pandemic has worsened inequality highlighting injustices already struggling families, minority businesses, and underrepresented communities are facing. I was raised in Lancaster. Growing up, my family faced many hardships and barriers. My mother struggled to find work, affordable housing, and affordable childcare. We experienced homelessness and poverty. I overcame those obstacles to establish a successful 19-year career in healthcare where I currently works as a medical analyst at Lancaster General Health. Throughout my career, I sought opportunities to serve my community. As a sexual assault counselor for six years at the YWCA, I taught Sunday school at a local church, and served the elderly regularly at a local nursing home. In 2017, I was elected to the Lancaster City Council and made history as the first Latina to be elected to city council. Today I am running to be re- elected to City Council. I currently chair the Personnel Committee and member of the Public Works and Finance Committees. During my term, I'm proud of creating legislation to support small business, protecting the environment, and celebrating the diverse communities of Lancaster. Throughout my political career, I have been an independent voice. In all of my past campaigns, I was not endorsed by the local Democratic Party this did not deter me. In 2020, I ran for the Pennsylvania State Senate position and made history as the first Latina woman to run for the State Senate. I raised the most money for a Democrat in Lancaster County because people believe and trust her. I received endorsements from multiple leaders and organizations including President Barack Obama, President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Human Rights Campaign, the Latino Victory Project, Emily's List, CASA in Action, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, many Pennsylvania Labor Unions including SEIU, AFSCME, PA Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, and Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association. I remain steadfast in my loyalty and dedication to those who call Pennsylvania home and look forward to representing all women of all walks of life as a delegate with Pennsylvania Chapter of NOW. Currently I serve as the Corresponding Secretary of the PA Democratic Party. I'm also a member of the PA Dems Latino Caucus, NALEO Education Fund, the National Federation of Democratic Women, Farmers Union, African American Society, Advocacy Council for the Pennsylvania of Human Relation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Municipal League. I am a proud graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School, Thompson Institute, Lancaster Bible College, and the Citizens' Police Academy of Lancaster City.
My name is Janet Hill, and I am Secretary of the Pennsylvania Chapter of National Organization for Women (NOW). I am also Acting President of the Southwestern PA chapter of NOW as well as being the Corresponding Secretary for the national board of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and am also a trustee for the local Southwestern PA chapter of CLUW. I am employed by the United Steelworkers Union and participate with my local union’s Women of Steel and Health and Safety committee and was elected as Democratic Committee Woman. I am passionate about women’s rights after a company I worked for laid off all but one of the women who had been pregnant or were recently pregnant in a supposedly unbiased peer review layoff. It was a clear example of implicit bias. I have been fortunate to have had a number of opportunities to participate in forums on women’s issues and reproductive rights. The most recent of these was being on a Reproductive Rights panel at the CLUW Convention. This experience has led to lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and my participation in Coalition of Labor Union Women as well as being a 20+ year member of NOW. I have a BA and BS from University of Pittsburgh as well as an MBA from Duquesne University.
I started my work experience working for District Justice Dominick Spadaccino and then as the Court Administrator for District Justice Joseph Basile. I then was the Human Resources Executive Assistant to the VP of Human Resources at Edgcomb Metals and during the acquisition by Usinor, provided assistance also to the President and Chief Financial Officer. In 1991, I was the Executive Assistant to the Division President of Frito-Lay in Princeton NJ.
Politically I got involved while working for Judge Spadaccino with the Middletown Dems and then also ran/fundraised for his campaigns. I became the Deputy Chair of the Bucks County Democratic Committee and then the Vice Chair of the Party while also being at some point the Upper 1 Committeeperson, Vice Chair and now Chair of the Middletown Democratic Party and was the 142 nd Assembly District Chair. During this time, I had been a volunteer for Bill Clinton’s race for President, a volunteer/delegate for Hillary Clinton both times she ran as well as being involved with the Clinton Foundation. I’ve served on numerous boards including Have a Heart, Middletown Township Parks and Recreation, SEPA Knights, Woods Services, BCPUSH, Chair of the PA NOW PAC board for over 10 years as well as the SEPA NOW PAC board, the PA NOW Executive including being the Vice President of PA NOW and on the PA NOW Educational fund board.
It is an honor to be a Member-at-Large for Pennsylvania NOW. I am a retired special educator of 25 years and the creator of the annual Autism Expo for the School District of Philadelphia. The mission of this program is to empower families of underserved and socially ostracized communities to have access to necessary services. I have been active in working with women’s groups in the digital coalition of Women for Biden/Harris as an administrator in the national and Pennsylvania groups. As a lifelong advocate for women and all marginalized communities, I understand that it is essential to work together to be a voice for women in all arenas. It was a distinct honor to have been a Biden delegate in 2020. I am active in local politics, including but not limited to; serving on Democratic State Committee and serving as Chair of The Democratic Senior Leadership Council. I am active in advocating for continued green space in collaboration with local civic associations.
Member-at-Large Jeannette Geter is a Member at Large of Pennsylvania Chapter of National Organization for Women (NOW). She is a lifelong resident of Philadelphia. She graduated from the Baldwin School in Montgomery County, and then earned a B.A. in Sociology from Haverford College and a M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago. She is currently in law school. Ms.Geter began her social work career in PA as a Beacon Director at Bok High School for United Communities SE Phila, and spent time as a phone crisis counselor for Ceridian's Military One Source, and Women Organized Against Rape. In 2012, Ms. Geter transitioned to the Department of Children & Youth Services in County of Delaware, PA where she specialized in foster care. Her work in child welfare led to advocacy efforts with the Field Center at the Univ. of Pennsylvania, The Phila. Anti- Human Trafficking Coalition and Covenant House PA. Ms. Geter was first appointed to SEIU 668's Child Welfare Committee in 2017, and then elected to the position in 2018. In this role, not only was she able to work with the PA Auditor General's Office around child welfare issues across the Commonwealth, but she also served as a member of the SEIU 668 State-wide Executive Board where she played a role in governing union operations. Ms. Geter joined the Coalition of Labor Union Women, CLUW, in 2017 as an extension of her advocacy work with her union, SEIU 668. She has served as an executive board member of Philly CLUW since 2018, and is currently executive vice president. Through her work with Philly CLUW, Ms. Geter became aware of NOW and the longstanding partnership that exists between the two chapters in Philadelphia. Ms. Geter joined Philly NOW in 2019 and was invited to sit on the Executive Board for PA NOW. As a career social worker and the product of single sex education, Ms. Geter has always been passionate about ensuring that all women are empowered to speak up for equity. She is interested in women in the workforce and how to build bridges between the labor community and NOW across the Commonwealth. Ms. Geter was also a 2019 candidate for Philadelphia City Council and intends to continue a career in politics advocating for women and children.
Mary Jo Daley has a longtime commitment to women’s issues, community service, the environment, and social justice. She served on Narberth Borough Council for 20 years and is in her 6th term as the State Representative for the 148th District, comprising parts of Lower Merion Township, Narberth Borough and Whitemarsh Township. She is the Majority Chair of the House Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development Committee, a co-chair of the bicameral Women’s Health Caucus and co-chair of the American Irish Caucus. Prior to serving as a state representative, Daley worked at the University of Pennsylvania for 20 years and Hahnemann University for 12 years. She has an Associates degree from Gwynedd Mercy College and two degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelors in business administration from Penn’s Wharton School and a Masters in Government Administration from the Fels Center of Government. Raised in a union household in Narberth, her dad was a proud member of IBEW, Local 98 while her mom volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, participant in the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and who always had an open mind as she proudly raised seven kids. Daley still lives in Narberth with her husband, Bob Winkelman and their cat, Patsy. She is delighted that her daughter, Jessie, and daughter-in-law, Rosemary, live nearby.