Women’s election year issues subject of talk

ORONO – Election-year issues of special importance to women will be the focus of a talk scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the University of Maine.
The speaker is Danna Hayes, Public Policy Director for the Augusta-based Maine Women’s Lobby. Titled “How the Maine Legislature Matters for Women,” her talk will take place in the Bangor Room in the University’s Memorial Union. The talk is scheduled from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.
With women making up more than half of voters in Maine’s 2012 election, candidates are giving increased attention to issues that matter to women, and women voters are asking where candidates stand on such issues as equal pay, affordable childcare, flexible workplaces, earned sick leave, and access to health care—measures that increasing numbers of women say they need in order to manage their work and family responsibilities successfully. Hayes will discuss how such issues are addressed in the legislature and how citizens can play a part in the legislative process after election day.
Hayes’ talk is jointly sponsored by the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Program at the University of Maine and the Maine Women’s Lobby. It is free and open to the public.