Brooklyn, NY —Independent Women’s Network (IWN), the national grassroots membership arm of Independent Women’s Voice and Independent Women’s Forum, announces a new chapter launch in Brooklyn, New York. This chapter joins 32 chapters around the country and an online community of more than 44,000 members.
Irina Edelstein, the IWN chapter leader in New York, has already taken bold steps to make a difference in her community. She bravely spoke out about a crisis in her Brooklyn neighborhood as a result of the illegal migrant influx. Edelstein discussed the all-male migrant shelter near her home and her children’s school, which caused her to fear for the safety of her children. IW Features, the new storytelling platform for Independent Women’s Forum, highlighted Irina’s story and the negative impacts of the unprecedented border crisis.
“IWN has been a tremendous source of encouragement and has empowered me to speak out on behalf of our school,” said Irina Edelstein, IWN Brooklyn Chapter Leader. “As a conservative mom, I understand the challenges of raising children in New York City’s fast-paced liberal culture. It’s clear that local government needs to do more to ensure our children’s safety, and my fight for transparency and protection is just beginning. As an IWN chapter leader, I am dedicated to providing information and support to fellow moms who believe that children deserve to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment, both physically and mentally.”
IWN was created to build a supportive community for women and to give them the tools they need to make a positive difference in their neighborhoods and our country.
“Our movement of like-minded women across the country continues to make positive, high-impact on a local level,” said Christy Narsi, national chapter director for IWN. “In just a few short months Irina has already engaged her local schools, restaurants, and small businesses to promote the safety and dignity of Brooklyn families who love their city. We are thrilled to support such an inspiring and passionate leader!”
An engaging and growing community of independently-minded women work together to advance shared principles through chapter gatherings and the IWN online movement. Membership to IWN opens access to message boards, curated news, smart content, a resource center, exclusive events, and an action center.
“Irina Edelstein is exactly the type of leader we look for at IWN. Irina had the courage to speak up and fight for her community,” said IWN Director Julie Gunlock. “She’s an inspiration to so many women and we’re thrilled she’s launching this new chapter in Brooklyn!”
Members of the community who are interested in joining Independent Women’s Network should email IWN Membership Manager Kiara Kincaid ([email protected]) or visit iwnetwork.com for more information.
Independent Women’s Network, a project of Independent Women’s Voice, in partnership with Independent Women’s Forum, is a positive, supportive community of engaged, informed, and activated women working together to inspire, interact, influence, and have impact.
BROOKLYN, NY — Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) today announced its latest exclusive documentary for IW Features,titled “Brooklyn’s Border Crisis: Male Migrant Shelter Opens Steps From a Children’s School.” The documentary brings to life the story of Irina Edelstein, an immigrant and mother of three, and school principal Jeffrey Reed, who are speaking out to expose Brooklyn’s callous coverup of its plan to house hundreds of undocumented men just steps away from a children’s K-12 school—a dangerous reality of the unprecedented border crisis.
Edelstein and her husband bought a home in a presumably safe Brooklyn neighborhood with the intention of living close to a good school for their children. So Edelstein was blindsided when, in April 2024, city officials gave residents a two-month notice that they would be opening a 400-bed all-male shelter just steps away from their children’s school.
Beyond its flagrant disregard for meaningful input from local community members, to open the shelter, the City allegedly bypassed public health protocols for environmental testing and violated zoning and building codes.
“We wanted to know when is going to happen, what are the logistics, what are the safety measures? We were not given any transparency,” Jeffrey Reed tells IW Features in the documentary. “They knew there would be pushback, and they knew if they had gone through the correct channels or the proper channels, that probably never would’ve opened.”
“I didn’t know about the shelter until two months before that meeting,” Irina Edelstein tells IW Features in the documentary. “And it had been in the works for almost a year.”
“I think as an immigrant, I get it,” Edelstein added. “I am not against immigration, and I think many of these people who are here legally, they will make a life for themselves; they will be positive, good contributors to this country. However, there is a difference between immigration and invasion.”
IW Features Manager and producer of the documentary, Andrea Mew, said, “Brooklyn sits thousands of miles away from the southern border, and yet, mothers like Irina have been blindsided by an unprecedented border crisis in their own backyards. After Irina showed us the fallout of migrant shelters opening within a thousand feet of her children’s elementary school and explained the utter lack of transparency from city leaders, we knew it was of utmost importance to document the adverse impacts on her community. Irina, coming from a place of compassion as an immigrant herself, speaks to the truth that blurred boundaries pose immense safety threats –– but they certainly don’t break a mother’s resolve.”
Watch “Brooklyn’s Border Crisis: Male Migrant Shelter Opens Steps From a Children’s School”HERE.
Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.
PHOENIX, AZ — Independent Women’s Network(IWN) Phoenix, Arizona chapters applaud the Dysart Unified School District Governing Board (DUSD) for its unanimous decision to reject the Biden-Harris administration’s illegal Title IX rewrite. IWN Phoenix chapters celebrate DUSD Governing Board President Dawn Densmore for her commitment to honor the original intent of Title IX and protect children and faith communities from government overreach in Arizona.
In April, the Biden-Harris administration unilaterally issued the final administrative rule unlawfully altering the meaning of Title IX from its original purpose of prohibiting discrimination “on the basis of sex” in any aspect of education to on the basis of “gender identity.” These new regulations undermine women’s rights, and require schools to allow males to self-identify into women’s spaces and opportunities, including athletics.
DUSD’s unanimous vote to advance a resolution to reject the Biden-Harris Title IX rules reflect its commitment to protecting women and girls. IWN, the national grassroots community activist arm of Independent Women’s Voice (IWV), has four chapters in the Phoenix area. Leaders include Christy Narsi, IWN National Chapter Director and Phoenix, AZ Chapter Chair; Noél Roberts, Phoenix, AZ Chapter Co-Chair; Stacey Brown, Phoenix, AZ Education Freedom Chapter Chair; Sami Keddington, Chandler, AZ Chapter Leader; Denise Cebellos-Viner, El Capítulo de Phoenix, AZ Chapter Chair; and Pamela McDonald, West Valley Arizona Chapter Chair.
“The administration’s Title IX regulations will obliterate protections for women and girls and deny our equal opportunity,” said Christy Narsi.“In a time of tyrannical rule and government overreach, we must have strong leaders like DUSD President Densmore who stand up for women and safeguard our rights.”
The IWN Phoenix Chapters say school officials, staff, teachers or others within the education system have no right to demand parents or guardians compel the speech of their children, or force faculty to speak in a way that contradicts the religious freedoms or values of families.
“More strong women like DUSD President Densmore are needed in elected positions to stand up for what is right, fair, and just,” said Sami Keddington.
“Arizona knows what a woman is. And we will continue to advocate for state and federal legislation that protects Arizonan women,” said Noel Roberts.
The Arizona Chapters of IWN are resolved in their mission to stand against misogyny and discrimination and stand in full agreement with DUSD’s Governing Board to defy the Biden-Harris Title IX changes
Independent Women’s Network represents 31 chapters and more than 39,000 members nationwide who are passionately advocating for solutions to the issues that matter most to women, including protecting women’s spaces, safety, and opportunities and guaranteeing parents school transparency across America.
Independent Women’s Network, a project of Independent Women’s Voice, in partnership with Independent Women’s Forum, is a positive, supportive community of engaged, informed, and activated women working together to inspire, interact, influence, and have impact.
PHOENIX, AZ — Today, Independent Women’s Network (IWN), the national grassroots community activist arm of Independent Women’s Voice, proudly celebrates its momentum and growth in the state of Arizona with the addition of three new chapters. Events took place this summer launching IWN chapters in Chandler, the West Valley,anda Spanish-speaking chapter in Phoenix. These chapters join the original Arizona chapter of the women’s membership organization, 30 other chapters around the country, and an online community of more than 39,000 IWN members.
“IWN Chandler serves to educate women on legislation at a local level to create big change. We vow to learn, help protect women’s rights, children and stay connected to promote a healthy community for Chandler. Join us and get involved!” said Chandler Chapter Leader Sami Keddington. Keddington is a dedicated wife, mother, and professional disc golfer who is passionate about the issue of preserving women’s sports. Keddington has directed and assisted numerous disc golf tournaments and leagues, including the prestigious Phoenix Ladies Open.
Bella Denise Ceballos-Viner, leader of El Capítulo de Phoenix, AZ, is motivated by her faith and a focus on enhancing parental rights by providing resources to enable informed decisions to benefit children’s futures.
“We are thrilled to launch the first Spanish-speaking Chapter, El Capítulo de Phoenix, AZ, with IWN to expand our message to the Hispanic community. By doing so, our voice will become stronger despite the language barrier,” said Denise Ceballos-Viner. “IWN and the Hispanic community have multiple shared-values such as school choice, worker freedom, job flexibility for women and healthcare transparency. Our Chapter looks forward to educating and raising awareness about critical women’s issues to support our hardworking families who benefit so much from conservative values.”
The West Valley Chapter Leader Pamela McDonald isa pastor, wife, mom, wealth and life strategist, and entrepreneur. McDonald is also the founder of Pamela McDonald Ministries, The Irresistible Woman and Gorgeous Godly Girlfriends.
“Our Chapter is dedicated to raising awareness about issues that threaten faith, family, and the nation. We empower women to make a positive impact by advocating for policies that support conservative values while fostering a strong sense of community. Our goal, priority and commitment is to ensure every woman’s voice is heard and valued,” said McDonald.
IWN was created to build a supportive community for women and to give them the tools they need to make a positive difference in their neighborhoods and our country.
“We heard from thousands of women from across the country who said they wanted a community where they could connect, share ideas, and take action,” said IWN Director, Julie Gunlock. “We launched the Independent Women’s Network to stand shoulder to shoulder with women who are ready to turn our economy around and fight to save our freedoms by countering the woke mob and standing up to cancel culture and out-of-touch bureaucrats.”
An engaging and growing community of independently-minded women work together to advance shared principles through chapter gatherings and the IWN online movement. Membership to IWN opens access to message boards, curated news, smart content, a resource center, exclusive events, and an action center.
“IWN members are happy warriors who stand up to bullies – bullies with positions in school boards; bullies on social media; bullies in corporations and in politics,” said IWN National Chapter Director, Christy Narsi. “Our Chapters are communities of women who form lasting bonds and are ready to take local action. We support one another, and our members are not alone when they stand up to lead on issues critical to our country.”
Members of the community who are interested in joining Independent Women’s Network should email IWN Membership Coordinator Kiara Kincaid ([email protected]) or visit iwnetwork.com for more information. To learn more about starting a chapter, please visit [email protected].
Independent Women’s Network, a project of Independent Women’s Voice, in partnership with Independent Women’s Forum, is a positive, supportive community of engaged, informed, and activated women working together to inspire, interact, influence, and have impact.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Independent Women (IW) today issued the following statement in response to the attempted assassination of former President Trump:
“There is nothing more undemocratic than using violence to try to prevent democracy from happening. Independent Women wishes President Trump a speedy recovery — he exemplifies true grit and strength. The extreme language of claiming Trump is worse than Hitler and a threat to democracy has to stop – that is extremist, manipulative rhetoric that those who generate it know will spur exactly this sort of event. Our hearts go out to the families of those in the audience who per reports have been either killed or seriously wounded. And we are grateful there are patriotic and selfless men and women willing to give their lives for our president.”
Independent Women’s Law Center director and former legal advisor to President Donald J. Trump, May Mailman, said: “President Biden, his party, and certain media outlet’s magnification of the threat posed by President Trump has created a violent and untenable situation. I’m unspeakably sad. I hope that in the immediate future we can debate the issues without inventing a MAGA monster, which will lead to more of this.”
Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.
Independent Women’s Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.
Independent Women’s Network, a project of Independent Women’s Voice, in partnership with Independent Women’s Forum, is a positive, supportive community of engaged, informed, and activated women working together to inspire, interact, influence, and have impact.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Independent Women’s Voice (IWV) applauds Members of Congress for preserving equal opportunity in advancing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution (H.J. Res. 165) to overturn the Biden administration’s unlawful Title IX “Omnibus” rule. Today’s congressional action is the first step in striking down the Biden administration’s illegal administrative rewrite of Title IX, which dismantled the landmark sex equality law to undermine women’s rights, free speech, and due process.
By interpreting Title IX’s sex-based protections to apply to “gender identity,” the Biden administration’s rewrite would force schools to let males who identify as women take women’s scholarships and enter women’s spaces — including women’s locker rooms. This new Omnibus Rule goes into effect on August 1.
Carrie Lukas, Independent Women’s Forum President, said: “Today, we saw clearly who stands with women, and who doesn’t. Title IX is a law that has been essential for women’s flourishing. Now, the Biden administration is pushing women aside to make way for any man willing to say he is a woman. It is shameful and it is wrong. Anyone who cares about women’s rights — and plain old common sense — should take notice.”
Heather R. Higgins, Independent Women’s Voice CEO, said: “The Biden administration, with their Alice in Wonderland redefinition of Title IX, is telling the American public ‘Who are you gonna believe, us or your lying eyes?’ We say, believe your eyes, they are not who’s lying. While the administration disingenuously claims that the new rule doesn’t apply to sports, they’ve established the default position that school activities limited to biological women or biological men are presumptively discriminatory. The administration has repeatedly insisted, in court filings and in public pronouncements, that Title IX requires schools to allow trans-identified males to play women’s sports. They can’t have it both ways. Either they use Title IX to force schools to allow men on women’s sports teams, or if they are not, then schools should stop the madness right now.”
Riley Gaines, Independent Women’s Forum Ambassador, said: “Anti-woman vitriol embraced by radicals who seek to erase women’s sex-based rights and misogynists who support stealing opportunities from women and giving them to men must be challenged and stopped. The coordinated attempt to replace ‘sex’ with ‘gender’ rejects reality and denies objective truth. That is precisely what we’re seeing play out from the Biden administration. In the most anti-woman, anti-reality pursuit we have seen from the administration, 52 years of federal protections under Title IX on the ‘basis of sex’ that have safeguarded women’s equal opportunities are being eliminated.”
May Mailman, Independent Women’s Law Center Director, said: “The Biden administration is forcing girls to shower with men and ripping scholarships away from hard-working young women. Instead of forcing women to litigate their rights court-by-court across the nation, the House has an opportunity to stop this damaging Title IX rewrite.”
Julie Gunlock, Independent Women’s Network Director, said: “On behalf of the 38,977 members of Independent Women’s Network, many of whom are athletes and/or the parents of female athletes, we are grateful for this congressional action to overturn the unjust changes to Title IX and protect girls and women. Women across the country are enormously disappointed in the Biden administration’s cruel indifference to the safety and security of female athletes. We applaud Congress’s efforts to restore Title IX to its original intent—to ensure women and girls receive the same academic and athletic opportunities as their male peers.”
The CRA comes as a growing nationwide movement, including a diverse swath of female athletes, coaches, and women’s rights advocates, fight to return Title IX and stop the new changes from taking effect. Independent Women’s Forum spearheaded the Our Bodies, Our Sports“Take Back Title IX” Summer 2024 Bus Tour, which traveled throughout 30 states in 30 days in June, informing the public about the consequences of the illegal changes to Title IX and holding rallies to build upon widespread bipartisan support to protect women’s sports. Just this week, Our Bodies, Our Sports, the nation’s first and only coalition of women’s advocacy organizations fighting for fairness in women’s sports, delivered two open letters – one letter to the Biden administration and one letter to congressional leadership – signed by its 12 member organizations from across the political spectrum, including prominent and decorated female athletes Martina Navratilova, Riley Gaines, Donna de Varona, and Nancy Hogshead. The letters demand the war on women be stopped, the illegal Title IX rewrite be reversed, and women’s sports be protected for women only. “American women and girls deserve no less,” the letter states.
The administration’s draft rules, released on June 23, 2022, “in celebration” of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, generated overwhelming public opposition, with citizens filing a record number of comments with the Department of Education.
Immediately following the Biden administration’s illegal rewrite of Title IX, Independent Women’s Law Center filed a blockbuster lawsuit – Alabama vs. Cardona – against the Biden administration’s illegal Title IX regulation. National Law Journal said IWF’s lawsuit stands out for its comprehensive challenge to multiple aspects of the regulation.
IWV now calls on Senators to support the CRA, advance this legislation to President Biden’s desk, and preserve Title IX and women’s rights across the nation.
IW is leading efforts against the Title IX rewrite:
Independent Women’s Law Center is challenging the illegal rewrite in court.
IWF joined a panel discussion on Capitol Hill, led by U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, on the importance of protecting Title IX and the threat posed to women’s equal opportunity and spaces – including sports – by the Biden administration’s illegal Title IX rewrite.
IWV drove more than 20,000 public comments to the Department of Education opposing the Biden administration’s plan to gut Title IX.
Independent Women’s Forum ambassadors recently joined the “Take Back Title IX” roundtable, hosted by U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill, to advocate fairness in women’s sports. Read their written testimonies here.
Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.
Independent Women’s Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.
Independent Women’s Network, a project of Independent Women’s Voice, in partnership with Independent Women’s Forum, is a positive, supportive community of engaged, informed, and activated women working together to inspire, interact, influence, and have impact
