"WORD (Women Organized to Resist and Defend) is a new grassroots, feminist organization that is dedicated to building the struggle for women’s rights and equality for all. We formed because the last few years have seen a shocking number of attacks on the rights of women, through anti-abortion legislation, slashing of social services and new heights of misogyny in the rhetoric of the right wing. No
w more than ever, a new, fighting women’s movement is needed. We believe in organizing and taking to the streets, independent of the politicians of either major party. Throughout history, the gains that women have made have been won through militant struggle. We want to revive this kind of struggle by uniting all women to defend our rights. We fight for equality for all. We know that fighting racism, anti-LGBT bigotry and the oppression of the poor are part and parcel of our struggle. No woman can be free while others are oppressed. WORD is initiated by women who have been active in the anti-war movement and the fight against racism, police brutality and in support of immigrant rights. We want to thank the ANSWER coalition, which has provided invaluable organizational support and infrastructure for this effort. We are activists and organizers." (Written by the founding mothers in Los Angeles in 2012)
