Zonta Club of North Puget Sound Leads Advocacy to End Child Marriage in WA state

Zonta Clubs in Washington Chain-in in Olympia to End Child Marriage Jan. 18th.

January 18th, Zonta Clubs of North Puget Sound, South Puget Sound and Olympia met with Unchained at Last to Chain-in for a Press event to support the passage of HB1455, the bill to EndChildMarriage in Washington State.  The first week of the session, HB 1455 was passed unanimously by the House as one of only 3 bills on the first day of Session.   January 17th, Zonta District 8 Advocacy Chair Katherine Cleland lobbied key Senators on the Law and Justice committee the day prior with Unchained at Last, the AHA Foundation and Survivors.  The group was buoyed by the strong support they heard from both sides of the aisle.  The testimony of our survivors present, Sara, married at 16, and Kate married at age 12 in Washington were essential to the impact of our visits, and to the resulting press.  If you see coverage in the news, please contact Katherine.  The Seattle Times wrote an impactful article on the event: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/protesters-urge-wa-lawmakers-to-end-child-marriage/ The Senate Hearing, led by Chair Senator Manka Dhingra (in bottom photo), will be January 30th, when we will return to Olympia to provide testimony, and show our support.  All are welcome, no bridal attire required. Advocacy timeline          

• January, Session starts Jan 9, Chain In Jan 18th and House bill 1455 is revived and passed Jan 8th, and sent to the Senate Law and Judiciary committee
• January 30  Committee Hearing – Passed out of committee to floor vote. 
• First week of February All coaliition members contact state Senators to pass.     Floor vote
• Legislative Session Ends March 9.   Governor signs.

Lets Get this done.  We need everyone to refer an organization.