Timeline: 1998

The National Rifle Association and police organizations continue to work against the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban enacted in September of 1996. Representative Bob Barr (R-GA) proposes a bill to weaken this important legislation by eliminating its retroactivity, allowing those who were convicted of domestic violence crimes before September 30, 1996 to continue to have access to guns. The Feminist Majority, along with the National Network to End Domestic Violence and other domestic violence groups, lobbies against this bill, and works to prevent police organizations from using it to exempt as many police officers as possible from the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban.

The Feminist Majority marks International Women's Day, March 8, with continued efforts to restore women's rights in Afghanistan. Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal travels to Brussels to join Emma Bonino, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, other members of the European Parliament, international non-governmental organizations, and women from Afghanistan in launching an international campaign against gender apartheid. FM Board member Mavis Leno testifies at a Capitol Hill forum held by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on the violations of women's human rights in Afghanistan.

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the first womens right convention, held in 1848 in Seneca Falls, NY, the National Council of Women's Organizations announced guiding principles for a National Women's Equality Act for the 21st Century. Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal and Director of Policy and Research Jennifer Jackman, PhD, led the drafting of the Act, which would set forth standards of equality for all women in all spheres of life, including employment, education, retirement security, health care, and care giving and family responsibilities.

Pro-choice activists defeat an amendment to the Agricultural Appropriations Bill introduced by Tom Coburn (R-OK) that would have prevented Food and Drug Administration approval of mifepristone. The amendment failed during joint Conference Committee negotiations, where Senators refused the House version of the bill, which included the amendment. The Feminist Majority galvanized the scientific and medical community to oppose the amendment.

As Republicans in Congress and leaders in the Religious Right push for the impeachment of President Clinton, the feminist movement takes a stand against impeachment and calls women across America to action. The Feminist Majority, Black Leadership Forum, National Council of Negro Women, National Organization for Women, NOW Legal Defense and Action Fund, National Coalition of Women's Organizations, AFL-CIO, Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press, Business and Professional Women Clubs Inc., USA, National Association of Colo0red Women's Clubs, National Women's Political Caucus, African-American Women's Clergy Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, United Farm Workers, Wider Opportunities for Women, Center for the Advancement of Public Policy, and National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League join the majority of women in America in opposing the impeachment or resignation of President Clinton in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Major women's groups, including the Feminist Majority, issue the first call to action on September 24, 1998, before the elections, to ensure that women vote out those Republican and right-wing politicians who, while calling for impeachment and calling the Lewinsky scandal "sexual harassment," continue to vote for anti-woman and anti-choice measures.

The gender gap continues to favor Clinton throughout the long scandal, with women overwhelmingly opposing impeachment. As the scandal unfolds, many pro-impeachment Congressmen are revealed to have had extramarital sexual affairs, revealing the hypocrisy of this Republican-led campaign.

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