At press time, there was no information available regarding California NOW PAC recommendations for ballot propositions. The election is sooner that you may think! Be there on March 26th to help elect the candidates who will best serve our interests. ~Submitted by Liz Taylor-Selling, PAC Co-chair

This task force will follow the current Title IX complaints with the OCR and will contact school districts to find out how they plan to bring their districts into compliance and help the districts to do so, if needed. In addition, this task force will work with other groups, such as those working to assure compliance of Title VII, to get the most support for student civil rights. This will allow our chapter to be more supportive of our allies in the Latino and other communities by working with them against racism in education, as evidenced by the current move for Aptos succession.

Domestic Violence Task Force

This task force will lobby public officials, continue to administer the Clothesline Project, and make connections with other local anti-violence groups in our community.

Karin Strasser Kauffman, candidate for the 27th Assembly District, has provided courageous and independent leadership both as a public servant and community activist for over two decades on the Central California Coast. Karin, a nationally recognized environmentalist, is the current Chair of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. Prior to her current appointment, she served as Monterey County Supervisor from 1985 to 1993.

Karin is a qualified candidate to represent the 27th Assembly District because of her vast experience on the issues of concern to the district and her commitment to developing programs and policies rather than rhetoric and letters to the editor. Karin helped pioneer some of the first affirmative action suits 25 years ago as the first Affirmative Action Coordinator for NOW in Los Angeles and worked to assure equal treatment for gays, lesbians and bisexuals. She has also been a strong supporter of labor, having founded the California Teachers Association (CTA) Chapter at Monterey Peninsula College. Over the years Karin has implemented major programs and policies that have expanded affordable housing and protected the environment on the Central California Coast.

Fred Keeley~

Over the last 15 years, Fred Keeley has carved out a reputation as a community leader and a member of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors who takes on special interests - and wins. The tougher the task, the harder he fights. Fred Keeley knows that when the stakes are high, giving in is not an option. Fred has quite a record of success on high stakes issues like the environment, education, reproductive rights, comparable worth, affirmative action, lesbian and gay rights, and public health and safety.

Fred also has a very positive history with the local NOW chapter. He was the first candidate their Political Action Committee endorsed. He has been a leader and worked with the PAC on local issues such as the Dominican Hospital takeover that left Santa Cruz without health care options including tubal ligation. He also has placed local NOW members on County commissions and is a member of the local chapter.

Prior to his election to the Board of Supervisors in 1988, Keeley held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors. He worked in private industry as a manager for TransAmerica financial services and later as staff to Santa Cruz Supervisor Joe Cucchiara and Chief-of-Staff to then Assemblymember Sam Farr. He has also been active in Democratic party campaigns, and has a national reputation for his advance work on behalf of Bruce Babbitt, President Clinton, and Kathleen Brown.

Anita Rufus~

Anita Rufus is a candidate for the 44th Congressional District seat now occupied by Sonny Bono.

Making her first run for public office, Rufus, 54, was born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California. A mother of twins, Anita shouldered the responsibilities of a single mother as the sole support of her children due to a "deadbeat dad." In the 1970's she worked her way up the corporate ladder, starting as a welfare recipient and becoming a successful business owner. Living in Dallas, Texas, Rufus was a co-founder of U.S. Telephone, Inc., a predecessor to the well-known telecommunications firm, Sprint.

A ten year resident of Palm Springs, Rufus has been a popular radio-talk show host. She has also served on the Boards of the Desert Rape Crisis Center, the planning Committee of the Martin Luther King Day Commemoration and the Desert Press Club. She serves as the President of Americans for Death with Dignity, on the National Board of the National Organization for Women and past president of the Palm Springs Chapter. She was appointed by the Mayor to the Palm Springs Human Rights Task Force.

The S.C. County NOW Clothesline Project seems to be making a name for itself. Since my last report, the Project has been to Santa Clara University, the Walnut Avenue Women's Center, Santa Cruz High School, Cabrillo College and Mission College. At every location, the project was requested by non-NOW members who had learned of it by seeing it presented somewhere or by word of mouth.

The Project was presented at Santa Clara University in October of 1994 and 1995. As usual, it sparked lively discussion among viewers. Many women came to the information table to report the Project had taught them they were not alone; some of them told their own stories; some stayed to make a shirt. The reaction among men was more varied. I was surprised at the number who stayed to make a shirt for their mothers, sisters and cousins. I was not surprised to be approached by men who felt the Project unfairly blamed them for something they felt they did not do. I learned how difficult (but possible) it is to get the slogan "Men Can Stop Violence Against Women" across to them in a way they either could accept, or to keep them from becoming violent themselves.

Thanks go to the Battered Women's Task Force, to Judith Krieger and Women on the Move, and to Nikki White for their interest and energy in bringing the Project to the Walnut Avenue Women's Center, to Santa Cruz High, and to Cabrillo College respectively. They also brought more messages to the Project. Thanks to these women, the Santa Cruz County Clothesline Project is now over 150 messages strong, after starting with just one shirt in 1993.

The project is currently being presented at Mission College in San Jose, thanks to the unflagging energy of Rosalin Chan, who kept calling me even though I had disappeared into "bar-review land." The Project will be at Mission College until the third week of April.

If you know of some place the Project should be next, you can reach Shannon at 728-3988. ~Submitted by Shannon S

1. The President's Interagency Council On Women: Charged with furthering women's progress through outreach, public education, coordinating and implementing U.S. commitments and holding public meetings (202) 663-3070.

2. The Women's Bureau of the Dept. of Labor: To develop an "Honor Roll" of organizations and companies pledged to improve the lives of working women. Follow up to begin in Spring of '96. (202) 219-6611.

3. The Violence Against Women Office of the Dept. of Justice: Will implement programs to heighten awareness of the problem and educate Federal employees about sexual and domestic violence against women. (202) 616-8894.

4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): The administration considers the ratification a top priority. It awaits Senate action. (202) 647-9358.

5. Women and Economic Security: The Department of the Treasury, through the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund is establishing a Presidential Awards Program to honor outstanding micro-lending organizations, publicize and provide benchmarks for assessing the efforts. USAID has agreed to launch microenterprise programs in 15 counties which will enable low income women to gain access to credit. The Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise (ICWBE) and the National Women's Business Council (NWBC) will submit to the President and Congress a report and review of Federal programs and policies that foster women's business ownership (202) 622-8232, 663-2360.

6. Health: The Dept. of Health and Human Services is taking action on a range of programs of concern to women throughout the life cycle including reproductive rights, recognizing problems faced by low income and minority women. (202) 690-5400.

7. International Development usaid: is to work on initiatives concerning women's political participation and legal rights as well as girl's and women's voter and civic rights. It will help in USAID-assisted countries. (202) 736-7979.

8. Education: The Dept. of Education will take action to remove barriers facing girls and women and launch a public awareness campaign to change gender discriminatory policies and practices. (202) 401-1000.

Fact Sheet

To bring together women, men and children from across the country to send a clear message to policy makers: the majority of people denounce the divisive hate-mongering of the right-wing: and will - with our time, money and votes - actively support affirmative action; economic justice; abortion rights and reproductive freedom; civil rights for people of color; lesbian, gay and bisexual rights; and efforts to end violence against women.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1996

Assemble: 11 a.m. on Bay Street in San Francisco, California (Between Franklin and Laguna Streets)

Step-off: 1 p.m. (The March route is approximately 1.7 miles.)

Rally: 2 p.m. at Crissy Field (Located in the Presidio)

Any group having 20 or more participants may be classified as an official delegation. Two members of this delegation should be designated as facilitators. All delegations must register no later than March 15, 1996 to receive special recognition at the Fight the Right March. Delegations are encouraged to order tri-color banners designed to resemble those used by the suffragists. Individual participants are of course welcome and encouraged to attend.

Seating will be available for people with disabilities. The fight the right march program will be sign interpreted. The site and route will be wheelchair accessible.

If you have special needs, please call the March Team at 415-436-9390.

For hotel information, call San Francisco Reservations at 1-800-677-1550 and tell them you are coming to the fight the right march. Blocks of rooms have been reserved at special rates, which range from $79.00 to $119.00 per night, double occupancy.

Alternative housing is also available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call the March Team at 415-436-9390.

All buses must be pre-registered. To register your bus(es), please call the March Team at 415-436-9390.

For information about special airline rates, call International Travel Associates at 1-800-741-4384.

An interdenominational religious service will be held at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, 1996. The location will be announced.

Busses leaving Santa Cruz County Courthouse at 8 a.m. (back at 8 p.m.) Comfort-oriented "BINGO" tour bus $25 - $17* Budget-oriented "Rabble-Rousing" school bus $15 - $12* Sponsorships available, trade for phone calling possible. North County 426-1397 Seats Limited so call today! South County 728-3988

*Special Note: If you are unable to attend, consider offering support by buying a ticket for someone who can't afford to go. Ticket money is due by April 4.

Jennifer Pitino, Julie Skilton, and Christian Selling attended Lobby Day held February 25 and 26 in Sacramento. The program, an annual event sponsored by the California State NOW organization in conjunction with its quarterly board meeting, was developed to train and encourage participants to use lobbying as an effective local tool. That goal was accomplished through a combination of lectures, discussions, lobby training, and actual lobbying experiences. The Santa Cruz County delegates met with State Representatives Peter Frusetta and Bruce McPherson as well as a member of State Senator Henry Mello's staff. The meetings provided an opportunity for the lobbyists to clarify their positions on three bills currently pending in the legislature. Each bill proposes changes to current laws which would significantly impact the lives of women.

One of the bills which the lobbyists discussed was AB1982, a bill which introduces an amendment to California's current law regarding marriages performed in other states. At this time California, like other states in the union, has reciprocal recognition of out-of-state marriages. However, AB1982 targets same-gender marriages performed in other states by proposing that they NOT be recognized as legal in California. It anticipates legislation pending in Hawaii which would legally sanction same-gender marriages. The lobbyists urged opposition to this bill which has passed in the Assembly.

A second bill which was discussed was AB999. This bill, which was introduced by "father's rights" organizations, provides a subtle but significant alteration to the current child custody laws in California. Existing law provides that custody decisions be based on the "best interests" of the child following a proscribed order of custody preference. That order treats joint custody by both parents or single custody by either parent as equally preferable options depending upon which would best serve the child in a specific situation. AB999 places joint custody ahead of single custody in the order of preference. The lobbyists voiced their clear disapproval of this bill and their belief that the measure threatens to inflict additional suffering on children in high-conflict divorces by forcing hostile parents into continuing contact. Since AB999 will be heard in committee on March 29, there is still time to call Senator Mello and voice your opinion.

The third bill addressed during these lobbying sessions was AB2665, a bill affecting abortion funding. Currently abortion funding is provided to people receiving public assistance. AB2665 would attempt to set limits on this funding by prohibiting state funds from being used to perform, assist or encourage abortion except to the extent required by federal law. Because of the detrimental effect this legislation would have on women seeking abortions, the lobbyists also urged the defeat of this bill.

The two-day lobbying event concluded with a reception honoring the work of some legislators. Sheila Kuehl and Tom Hayden were both honored for their legislative records in the area of women's rights and for their leadership roles.

The reactions of all three members of the local NOW chapter were extremely enthusiastic. According to Jennifer Pitino, "Lobby Day was a terrific experience! The biggest thing I learned is how much of a difference I can make." Christian Selling was also impressed with that fact. He said, "I was amazed at how much of an impact one person can have on the legislative process." Julie Skilton echoed those sentiments: "After lobby day you are completely empowered. You really know that these politicians are your employees and you are the boss!"

General membership meetings are held the first Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The first half hour often includes some social time and announcements/business with presentations and action components beginning at 7:30. You do not have to be a member of the Chapter or of NOW to be welcome.

Meetings are held at Kid's Klub, Harvey West Blvd, Santa Cruz. The meeting place is bus and wheelchair accessible. SCCNOW provides vouchers for childcare at Kid's Klub. Call the chapter phone for information: 408-335-7704.

4 7-9pm. Thurs. SCCNOW General Meeting. Kid's Klub, Harvey West Blvd. 335-7704.

12 Fri. Patricia Ireland. UCSC. Call Wanda Allston @ National NOW for more info: 202-331-0066.

14 Sun. March and Rally to Fight the Right. San Francisco. For info, call Julie at 728-3988 or Jeanette at 454-0894.

18 7-9pm. Thurs. SCCNOW Board Meeting. Kid's Klub, Harvey West Blvd. 335-7704.

MAY

2 7-9pm. Thurs. SCCNOW General Meeting. Kid's Klub, Harvey West Blvd. 335-7704.

JUNE

6 7-9pm. Thurs. SCCNOW General Meeting/Elections. Kid's Klub, Harvey West Blvd. 335-7704.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

(not sponsored or endorsed by NOW)

APRIL

01 April Fool's Day

04 Day Without Violence For info, call 317-983-1305.

04 Passover begins

06 Daylight Savings Time begins

07 Easter

16 Holocaust Remembrance Day

22 Earth Day

24 World Children's Day

30 Beltane (Wiccan/Pagan)

MAY

2-3 Thurs/Fri. 8:30-5:30. Building Bridges Across Differences. Watsonville Community Center. Call YWCA for info. 724-6078.

15 Wed. 8:00-3:00. 1st Annual Teen Women's Conference. Veteran's Hall. Watsonville. For info: 408-763-2310 or 477-4244.

Thursday, April 25, is Take Our Daughters to Work Day which is sponsored by the Ms. Foundation for Women. Millions of girls will again accompany adult mentors - parents, relatives, teachers, and friends of the family - to workplaces around the country. They will learn about their life options and what it takes to succeed in the world of work.

Coordinator ~ Shannon Sullivan

Membership ~ Julie Skilton

Recorder ~ Diane Lamotte

Legislative Action ~ Christian Selling

* Senator Barbara Boxer, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-0501

* Senator Dianne Feinstein, Hart Senate Office Building, Room 331, Washington DC 20510 Congressmembers: