Archives: Our Impact

Our work to #StopKavanaugh

There’s no way to sugarcoat it–Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court was a heartbreaking moment of betrayal for survivors and women. His views on issues that impact women will harm millions, and yet it would be a mistake to think of this as purely a defeat. UltraViolet members and our allies are a part of a groundswell to end rape culture and expand women’s rights. Learn more about our work to #StopKavanaugh.

The Senate Allows Newborns on the Senate Floor

The Senate voted unanimously for Senator Duckworth‘s bill that modernizes the Senate’s anti-mother rules and will allow new parents to bring their infants to the Senate floor. More than 80,000 UltraViolet members joined MomsRising to support Senator Duckworth’s fight, thousands called their senators, and members delivered petition signatures and jumbo baby bottles to seven Senate Rules Committee members. This historic win sets a precedent for working parents, especially mothers–from now on, new parents in the Senate won’t have to miss votes to care for their babies.

The Atlantic’s new racist, sexist writer–Kevin Williamson–is fired

Let’s be clear: This is due to UltraViolet members speaking out, along with writer Jessica Valenti and our allies at NARAL Pro-Choice America and Media Matters for America. That includes the more than 25,000 UltraViolet members who signed a petition for him to be fired and more than 1,000 members who wrote a letter to editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who made the final decision to terminate Williamson on April 5, 2018. UltraViolet members also tweeted at him and The Atlantic‘s president and executive editor to pour on even more pressure. When we refuse to stand for a media that normalizes abortion stigma, racism, rape culture, and transphobia, we can win.

Steve Wynn resigns as CEO and Chairman of Wynn Resorts

Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon Resigns

Under pressure from Michigan State University (MSU) students, Michigan leaders, survivors, and tens of thousands of UltraViolet members, MSU President Lou Anna Simon resigned for her complicity in Larry Nassar’s abuse.

Former USA gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar worked at MSU when he sexually abused 150 girls over three decades, and at least 14 university officials knew and ignored reports of his abuse. Tens of thousands of UltraViolet members signed a petition demanding Simon’s resignation, and hundreds called and tweeted at the university in a matter of days. In advance of a planned demonstration, Simon resigned. When we work together, we can hold enablers of a abuse accountable. 

Access Hollywood: One Year Later

In October 2016, we heard Donald Trump brag about sexually assaulting women on the leaked Access Hollywood tape. One year later, UltraViolet members marked the anniversary with #WeGrabBack. Women will keep resisting the sexual predator and white supremacist in the White House.  Read more about #WeGrabBack.

UltraViolet members just defeated Trumpcare. Again.

On September 26, Senate Republican leaders conceded defeat on the “Graham-Cassidy” bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act! Because of pressure from UltraViolet members and allies, every single Senate Democrat and enough Republicans refused to vote to take away our care. UltraViolet members signed petitions; tweeted; made calls; shared graphics; showed up at local Senate offices for sit-ins, vigils, and speakouts; wrote letters to the editor; and more. For the time being, the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. Read more.

UltraViolet members helped save the Affordable Care Act!

In July 2017, the Senate voted down the bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act! Senate Republicans were inches away from stealing care from millions of people, but they were no match for tireless UltraViolet members who showed up, again and again, month after month. You held sit-ins and speak-outs, letter-writing and call Congress house parties, and even spur-of-the-moment rallies. Your work was integral to ensuring senators didn’t vote to rob millions of their health care. Read more

We confronted Trump at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open

Donald Trump is a sexual predator, but the U.S. Golf Association still decided to host the most prestigious women’s golf tournament at Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, N.J. On behalf of more than 100,000 UltraViolet members who’ve been pushing the U.S. Golf Association to move the 2017 Women’s Open from Trump‘s Bedminster golf course, we protested at the event. He saw us, and he was mad. Read more about how it went down here.

Signet Jewelers CEO and sexual harasser Mark Light retires

Signet Jewelers–parent company of Kay Jewelers and Jared Galleria–CEO, Mark Light will start an early retirement at the end of July 2017. Over 44,000 UltraViolet members called on Signet to fire Light after news broke that hundreds of women who worked for the jewelry company reported being demeaned, groped, or forced into sex to get a raise or promotion, including by Light himself. Now that Light is gone, Signet can finally start the work of reforming their disturbing sexual harassment problem in earnest.