Announce Launch of #WomenWant2Know Campaign

“Women want to know if Donald Trump is Profiting from the Exploitation of Women and Young Girls!”

September 22, 2016

WASHINGTON–The National Organization for Women (NOW) and Feminist Majority are calling on Donald Trump to shut down Trump Model Management until disturbing allegations that the Republican presidential candidate’s modeling agency engaged in labor exploitation of girls and young women have been thoroughly investigated.

Members of NOW and Feminist Majority will protest today from 12:30- 1:30 p.m. at Trump Tower, 725 Fifth Avenue, between 56^th and 57^th Streets.

“Reportedly, women and young girls from around the globe—some as young as 14 years old—were promised fame and fortune, but instead, Trump Model Management exploited them, overcharged them for rent and professional services, and compelled them to work for no pay at Donald Trump’s product launches,” says Terry O’Neill, President of NOW. “Attention must be paid to these disturbing allegations—because women’s lives and well-being are at stake.”

This protest will kick off the #WomenWant2Know campaign to raise questions that need to be answered by Donald Trump and examined by the media.

“So much is at stake in this election for women. In light of these allegations against Trump Model Management, a key question is, will Trump turn the clock back on women’s rights and the rights of women workers?” says Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal. “We need a thorough investigation of these allegations because of their potentially far-reaching impact on women. Trump Model Management should close until the public knows what in the world is going on.”

“New York is the hub of the fashion industry, and we don’t want to let Donald Trump turn a point of pride into a blot on our conscience,” says Sonia Ossorio, NOW-New York President. “New Yorkers won’t remain silent–we demand to know whether Trump Model Management has exploited young women and violated immigration laws.”

In a statement, Terry O’Neill, Eleanor Smeal and Sonia Ossorio cited the call by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor to investigate Trump Model Management’s employment practices and allegations that the company violated immigration laws.

“We agree a federal inquiry is necessary to get to the bottom of these extremely troubling allegations,” they said. “But in the meantime, Donald Trump must close Trump Model Management until we can figure out what is going on.”

For more information please contact:

Feminist Majority: Beth Rader, [email protected] or 703-522-2214

NOW New York: Jean Bucaria, [email protected] or

National NOW: M.E. Ficarra at [email protected] or 951-547-1241

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