Gov. Perdue warns women that passage of Amendment One could harm them CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT Uov. bev Perdue urged state residents to vote "no" on Amendnent One on May 8. The Republican-backed Amendment would add a ban of same sex marriage to the state's Constitution, although such unions arc already illegal in North Carolina. Perdue "Our constitution is for guaranteeing rights, not taking them away. Gov. Perdue said last week at a women's conference in Charlotte. "And no ? matter what reli gious or moral back ground you come horn, no one has the right to put discrim ination of any kind into our constitu tion." In her remarks, she empha sized how Amendnent One could erase domestic violence protections for all women in North Carolina and that this move follows the General Assembly's intrusion into women's rights by passing a law, over the Governor's veto, dictating what doctors will tell their patients. Republican legislative leaders also have trampled on North Carolina's constitutional guarantee to a sound education by making deep and unnecessary cuts to schools, community colleges and universities. Instead of using the Constitution to protect rights and values, the legislature is trying to strip them away through Amendment One, Gov. Perdue said. The amend ment will hurt businesses and families through a cascade of unintended consequences, she said. "It could change the laws that determine outcomes like emergency financial decisions, hospital visitation rights and child custody laws," Gov. Perdue said. "And it could take away domestic violence protec tions for all unmarried women in the state of North Carolina. So on May 8th, I'll be voting against Amendnent One and I hope you'll join me." I Photos by Lay la Farmer The judges pose with contest final ists from left: Nadia Wisley, L i a j a h Jackson, M y a s i s a Hunter, N i I e y a h Mason, Mackayla Parker and J a ' H a u n McConnell Alexander. Cook from page AT the opportunity to compete in the contest's finale on April 11 at Wake's Law School. Law School Dean Blake Morant was among the judges who listened to the students' presentations. \ "It felt so shocking and weird," Nadia said of winning the contest, which challenged the students to assume the identity of one of the history makers they learned about during a field trip to the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh that the law firm sponsored earlier this year. Nadia, who won a $50 Target gift card, chose Dr. Ben Carson, the first surgeon to successfully separate Siamese twins conjoined at the back of the head. "I really like how he inspires people to go to their dreams and goals and don't act like you can't do anything in life," she said of Carson, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President George W. Bush in 2008. Almost 30 Cook fourth graders traveled to the WFU campus to cheer on their classmates during the con test. Kilpatrick Townsend began sponsoring the contest at Cook last year. WFU Law signed on as a sponsor this year. "We hope thai you will continue to do this," Morant told the youngsters. "One of the things that's really important as you progress and as you go through life is Nadia holds one of the books she read about Dr. Ben Carson for the contest. being able to communicate with people. That's one of the most wonderful gifts you can have." Beth Hopkins, director of Outreach for the law school, said the contest was part of a greater push the university is making to get students think ing about attending college as part of a national effort known as the Pipeline Project. The national project focuses primarily on high school students, but WFU is taking it one step further, by reaching out to even younger students, Hopkins said "The purpose is to get them thinking about a cur riculum that will lead them into a successful college career and ultimately, into law school," she explained "...The dean has a special interest in young, school aged children. He doesn't want to wait until they get deeply into high school to decide they want to go to col lege. He wants that fire burn ing in them at an early age." Julie Carter, one of two fourth grade teachers at Cook, a predominantly African American school, said visit ing a college campus made a big impression on the stu dents. 'This made it a little more real to them like, 'Wow, this is possible,"' Carter said. "It's not that far away from where they live." Carter said the contest has benefitted the students in a variety of ways, from improving their verbal and written communication skills, to giving them a plat form where they are heard and recognized for their efforts. "I hope that they got a sense of accomplishment (from the experience)," said Carter, who is in her second year as an educator. "I really hope that they took away confidence in themselves that they can be successful." The Chronicle (USPS 067-910) was established by Ernest H. Pitt and Ndubisi Egemonye in 1974 and is published every Thursday by Winston-Salem Chronicle Publishing Co. Inc., 617 N. Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101. Periodicals postage paidat Winston-Salem, N.C. Annual sub scription price is $30.72. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Chronicle, P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1636 Now is the Time for Proven Leadership nT. ^nrTFIlYluHrliff RipnjMtftM EbcUm Pmimm is ncnM^ jibi IB Ftnytk Cmitfl Endorsed and Supported By Senator Unda Garrou. ^ggj^ye Larry W Wombto, UdiansUst The North Carolina Advocates for Justic*. and Stj^KKKKkAssooaton of North Carofns Early Voting Timas fr Locations Bafnimoa Thnriday, April lltk Kwnaravida Fire Slada* #2 Rurel HalLArary Fortytfi County Board of Elections 13^ South Part Drrea-Karnwvida 7125 Bread Smai-Aarti Had Fjf iyth County Government pH || I 201 HOtireii Street. - WinatmKliiiij Uwuvida library Southwda Ufcrery ii n.rrr P" Shaitowrford Road - Immv* 3181 BdMBi i Stmt - Wiaaha filan A t in ii- amiiidm. -allti I { I ; J ul :m. Caraat School RaadL^B P.tof%i?oawwoCoiWor IT ' ' 1 IBTSljns^-Winj^J 18yjiy^.;^Sdaai W|j ?|| Forsyth County Department of PuNk Health Promoting Health, Improving Lives Be smart. Be ready. f ( fVre you ready to\ \^ea momor