The March to Fight the Right was a blast! Not only did we send a full
busload of feminists to the event, we also had 2 local events occur almost
on the eve of it. On Thursday, the UCSC campus hosted Rosemary Dempsey,
Vice-President of NOW. The chapter and other local groups helped sponsor
this event, but the actual organizing credit goes to the Affirmative Action
Coalition. (Photo) I know it is uncomfortable to dive right in. That's why we always
try to work in pairs at a minimum. And that's why this month's meeting is
an orientation to new members and an action "work party." We will:
I expect that action will be accompanied by great feminist
discussion on all sorts of issues as well. Please be there at 141 Harvey
West Park at Kids Klub, May 02, 7-9pm. A reminder to parents: We do have
child care available without cost to you.
One last bit of business. Our chapter elections fall on 06/06/96.
The nominations for the '96/'97 SCCNOW Board are as follows:
Nominations stay open until the actual election, We still need nominations
for the other Coordinator position, for Fundraising, for Program, and for
Consciousness Raising Chairs. The commitment is one year, one evening
meeting per month, (General meetings are optional except for Program
Chair.) plus the time you choose to give to the office, As an outgoing
Co-coordinator, I am really proud of this year. I hope you all understand
and appreciate the work and spirit of those who make up our board. It is
often the thing that keeps me going!
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As you may know, CA NOW registered a Title IX complaint against the Pajaro
Valley Unified School district with the Office of Civil Rights. Since that
time, members of the task force have met with a representative from the
OCR, who gave us some disappointing news. First of all, there is a six
month statute of limitations on events that one can make a complaint on.
This means that while people who were concerned about violations were
attempting to work their way through the administrative system to address
their concerns and try to create positive changes, their time to complain
to the OCR was running out. The other disappointment, and possibly the
biggest as far was we are concerned, is that the OCR will provide the
district with a list of areas where the district is out of compliance
before the OCR writes up its findings. This means that the district has a
chance to fix the problem before the final report goes out to the public.
On the one hand, this is great, because the district will have to change
things to get itself a good report. On the other hand, its lousy in that
it makes the complainant (us) look like our complaint was unfounded.
Although the OCR made visits in December, the report is not yet complete.
Stay tuned...
In addition to following up on the complaint, members of the task
force visited Aptos High School's principal, David Hare on April 1. The
purpose of the visit was to bring him up to speed on the problems he has
inherited. (He is a first-year principal at Aptos HS.) The main topics
discussed were the 2:1 ratio of boy to girl opportunities in athletics, the
effects that has on the opportunities for girls to take 6th period athletic
P.E., whether 6th period athletic P.E. is good for the student body as a
whole, written policies and procedures for athletic directors to follow to
ensure their program is in compliance, the representation of women teachers
in nontraditional subject areas (at Aptos, they have had one woman science
teacher and no women teaching shop, etc.), and the lack of representation
of people of color on the faculty and staff.
Mr. Hare seemed to agree with us in some areas of concern, but had
difficulties in others. He felt that statistics were not the problem with
athletics, but that they represented some underlying problem. The problem
of 6th period athletic P.E. was for him a problem affecting girls and boys
equally, in that most of the college prep classes are offered 6th period.
There are currently no written policies and procedures which can provide an
athletic director with guidance for compliance with Title IX. We agreed
that such policies and procedures should perhaps come from the district.
Finally, in the area of representation, Mr. Hare informed the task force
that "he would not hire a lesser qualified woman or minority to simply meet
proportional representation" desires. ( Mr. Hare needs some education
regarding equal representation and affirmative action...any volunteers?).
We had a discussion about the availability of highly qualified women and
people of color, although one may need to publicize the opening more
broadly or for a longer period of time. Mr. Hare indicated that he expects
help from community groups like ourselves to help him find these qualified
women and people of color. We agreed to do whatever was necessary to
accomplish the goal of balanced representation. All in all, it was a good
first meeting, and we expect to meet with Mr. Hare again soon.
Our next meeting will be scheduled with Clem Donaldson, the Title
IX officer at the district level. We will be raising many of the same
issues.
The task force is open to anyone interested in equality of
treatment of female and male students, and between students of color and
anglos. If you would like to participate, please contact Shannon. We
would especially appreciate any contacts with staff and students at other
schools and other levels in this district or in other districts. If we have
no contact with a school, we have nothing to speak with a principal or the
district about, so please help us stay informed.
Women thronged the streets claiming April 14th their day as they shouted to
preserve women's rights. Shoulder to shoulder, they marched with caring men
and children down to Crissey Field. Thousands who joined the walk on this
sunny day in San Francisco waved slogans, chanted, inspired a spirit of
sisterhood that touched each of us. Fortunately, many probably will vote
against the California Civil Rights Initiative, (CCRI). Unfortunately, too
many will in the next few months shop at Macy's, Walmarts, J.C. Penney,
Sears, K Mart-a partial list of bargain retailers. Although the thread
connecting these two issues, affirmative action and consumer shopping, may
seem very remote, there is a deep connection-the bond of sisterhood. As we
keep the spotlight on the affirmative action cause, let it also shine and
expose the subhuman conditions under which women work in the garment
industry.
In the last decade, shocking stories have surfaced publicizing the
exploitation and physical abuse heaped on women whose labors provide retail
giants with inventory. The harsh treatment of women and children finally
hit the front pages in 1995. Two Thai women escaped by scaling the wall
surrounding the compound in El Monte, CA. They blew the whistle on the
captivity of 72 workers producing garments for Macy's, Mervyn's, Montgomery
Ward, Nieman Marcus, Victoria's Secret and other retailers who contracted
with sweatshop owners.
The Sweatshop Watch reported on the pre-dawn raid on an apartment
complex enclosed in barbed wire: "For up to seven years, 67 women and 5
men, forbidden to leave the guarded compound, had been forced to sew
garments for U.S. brand-name mfrs. and retailers for $1.60/hour. They were
forced to work from 7:00 a.m. to midnight, six days a week to pay off the
smugglers for their cost of passage. Even after they had paid back their
captors, the workers were unable to leave and were forced to continue
working...with threats of rape and retribution against family members in
Thailand."
As the stench of exploitation began to spread in the '80's,
organizations sprang up in response, demanding codes of conduct from both
manufacturers and retailers. In addition to the Sweatshop Watch, the
Guatemala Labor Education Project (GLEP), and the National Labor Committee
(NLC) have entered the fray. The NLC sponsored two young women, workers
from El Salvador garment maquiladora, a factory sewing for GAP. These
workers spoke for half a million garment workers, many as young as 13 who
are employed in the Central American Free Trade Zones. Claudia and Judith
described the humiliation and abuse. "Workers were allowed only two 5
minute bathroom breaks during their 14 hour days. To force them to work
faster, supervisors hit them. To retain their jobs, the girls must take
birth control pills. Those who get pregnant are given pills to induce
miscarriages." GAP was petitioned at its headquarters in S.F. to demand
contractors provide decent working conditions. When managers failed to
conform, GAP withdrew contracts throwing hundreds out of work. Hardly a
solution! In December, 1995, GAP agreed to renew the contract, becoming the
first retailer to do independent monitoring for compliance with codes of
conduct.
This is one success story among many failures especially in
Guatemala where Wal-Mart is one of the giant retailers contracting with
Korean managers of the maquilladoras. When I traveled to Guatemala on a
Habitat for Humanity dedication in December, I met my friend and union
organizer. Flor looked awful, recently recovering from a hysterectomy
operation. It was painful to hear her story. A few months ago, when she had
began organizing maquilladora women, intimidating phone calls began. One
day, while riding a bus, she was forced off by two gunmen, and savagely
raped. Her work continues in spite of threats and her own fears. Support
from the Chicago-based organization, GLEP, has stiffened her resolve to
fight.
However, we can put our inspiration from the march into consumer
awareness. Public pressure is a stunning message to retailers that profits
and greed need to be balanced against human needs.
Ruth Hunter is a monthly contributor to LaGazette and is a freelance writer
for Santa Cruz SCAN and other publications. She is also on the Steering
Committees for WILPF and RCNV.
The "Fight the Right" weekend had an appropriate and thought provoking
kickoff on Thursday and Friday nights right here in Santa Cruz.
On Thursday, April 11, Rosemary Dempsey, Action Vice-President for
NOW spoke at Oakes College at UCSC about "Fighting the Politics of Hate."
She stressed the importance of joining the fight against impending
encroachments on rights which we now take for granted and which other
people have died for. She said, "Often we don't appreciate how quickly we
can lose our civil rights."
Dempsey defined Affirmative Action as "a very gentle implementation
of federal law," specifically the 1964 Civil Rights Act. She sees it as a
compromise which sets goals and time tables, but is not really law in
itself.
She cited the findings of the Glass Ceiling Commission as evidence
of the need for such policies. This commission, which was mandated by
President Bush, found that 97% of upper level jobs in Fortune 500 companies
were held by white men. When men holding these jobs were asked their
theories about why these statistics are true, many suggested very negative
explanations such as the laziness of Latinos and the fact that women "won't
work full time."
Dempsey also addressed the upcoming vote on the California Civil
Rights Initiative which she said would change California's sex
discrimination law from the strongest in the nation to the weakest. She
noted the frustrating use of "doublespeak" by the writers of the proposal
who use the same language as the words used in the Civil Rights Law. The
proposal says that "race and sex" can not be used to correct inequalities
of race and sex.
Dempsey views California as a "trial state." She feels that if CCRI
can be passed in California, it will then be "rolled across the entire
country."
One of the major effects of this proposal would be felt on college
campuses where the last hired would be the first to let go. Generally
speaking, these people tend to be women and people of color.
Dempsey's speech was particularly effective and heartfelt because
it was punctuated with personal anecdotes about her own experiences with
discrimination. In 1979 her ex-husband challenged the custody of her
children by using her sexual orientation. In fact, however, she says that
the issue turned out to be money and not the well-being of their children.
She also battled discrimination when she moved to Florida with her
partner to start a business. They were harassed, and the business was
actually burned down. That issue, too, turned out to be economic as the
people who owned the land her business was on wanted to sell it to the
Hilton and make a lot more money.
Dempsey's impassioned plea for action ended with a memorable
reminder that, "Whenever we divide ourselves by issue, we do the work of
the fundamentalist right for them."
The Santa Cruz preliminary events continued on Friday night at the
Light and Life Community Church on Brommer Street where Ted Jefferson
hosted his nightly radio show for KSCO AM as an open public forum.
At this forum Patricia Ireland, the President of NOW, debated Rev.
John Rankin from the Theological Education Institute in Hartford,
Connecticut on the topic of Affirmative Action.
Ireland began with an 18 minute statement of her views. She said
that she likes to define feminism as she saw it defined on a tee shirt as,
"the radical notion that women are people." She also said that she herself
has been the "proud beneficiary of Affirmative Action."
She argued that the economic disparities in this country can not be
ignored and quoted the depressing statistic that 1% of the country controls
40% of the wealth.
Rev. Rankin then was given the same amount of time to explain his
views. He noted that his Christian world view demands that any policies he
supports be "consistently affirmative" for everyone involved. He explained
that because some people are denigrated by Affirmative Action policies, he
is opposed to them.
Following the presentation of both sides of the issue, audience
members were invited to participate by asking questions on air.
The atmosphere was charged with tension during the question/answer
period as both sides grappled with understanding and listening to the
opposing views.
People stayed on to talk to both participants in the debate even
after the two hour time period was over. The evening ended was many, many
"mini-debates."
The March in April
by Julie Skilton
The March was great! The weather was perfect. The speakers were diverse and
inspiring and the entertainment was no less. Even the food was fabulous. We
had paid tickets and/or sponsorships to fill 2 busses 2/3 full. The biggest
thanks for that effort goes to Ms Hines and other board members who
assisted in selling tickets. Several individual NOW members also helped in
getting the word out to the various media and various parts of the county.
Not everyone showed for the busses, though, so we all packed into the
"BINGO" bus. In our group were more men and more children than I have seen
at a NOW event. Our "BINGO" fund-raiser had some very nice prizes donated
by Herland Book Cafe, Eco Goods, and some individuals. We arrived in San
Francisco in time to hear the opening speakers. We marched immediately
behind the CA NOW banner - pretty close to the front of the parade. As we
walked onto Crissey Field, 1.7 miles away, we heard that the end of the
march had not yet left the starting point. Park officials estimated the
crowd at 13,000 but NOW officials estimated 50,000 to 60,000. That's a good
turnout for an organizing effort in a new location but not nearly as many
as attend these events in DC. Chances are this was your big chance to
attend a national NOW event in your own backyard. Sorry so many missed it.
Hope to see you on the campaign trail instead!
Along with maintaining the clothesline project (which will be at Caņada
College and Foothill College next month,) the task force is investigating
rumors that the sheriffs office is using children to translate on domestic
violence calls and that officers are treating women and their advocates
insensitively. If you or someone you know has had a domestic violence
interaction with law enforcement that you felt was handled inappropriately,
or if there are any other issues you think the task force should be aware
of, please contact Shannon at 408/728-3988.
MAY
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
MAY
Asian-American Awareness Month
Complete Mailing Service
Direct mail service for advertising,
promotion and fund raising
Santa Cruz 425-5556
Watsonville 724-5559
Martha Macambridge, General Manager
Joyce Nordquist, Attorney-at-Law
Wills, Living Agreements, Trusts &
Durable Powers of Attorney especially for
Lesbians/Gays & Unmarried Couples
Scotts Valley 408.439.8663
Karen Sommerfeld has joined Real Options Realty
Karen is a member of the prestigious "Champion Producers Circle" with 20
years experience as a successful Realtor. She views this move as a great
opportunity which will benefit both her clients and her career. For an
exciting adventure in buying or selling your home, call Karen. Karen
donates a portion of her commission to the non-profit organization of her
client's choice.
Karen Sommerfeld (408) 464-4014
Lori Streim, CMP
Soothing
Swedish
Massage
(408) 458-3453
Gift Certificates Available
Alison Harlow
Independent Mannatech Associate
Promoting physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial wellness.
P.O. Box 67273 Scotts Valley, CA 95067-7273
Phone: (408) 335-2609 E-mail Alison
Elisabeth Tatum
Licensed Bilingual Marriage, Family, & Child Counselor
Hypnotherapy * Stress Management
408/688-8789 * 408/728-1915
Pacific Publishing
* Full-Color Business, Event & Trade Publications
* Graphic Design & Layout Services
* Complete On-Line & E-Mail Services
Jennifer Pitino, Marketing & Sales Director
(408) 462-5700 ext. 22 FAX: (408) 462-2616
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
chapter provides free coffee and tea. The meeting place is bus and
wheelchair accessible. SCCNOW provides vouchers for childcare at Kid's
Klub. Call chapter phone for information: 335-7704.
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NEWSLETTER POLICY
This newsletter is put out with volunteer labor for members & friends of
Santa Cruz County NOW. (Special thanks go to Mandy T & Sally W.) The editor
reserves the right to print and/or edit articles based on either style,
size or content. Deadline for submission is the 2nd Friday of the month.
Please submit to SCCNOW Editor, 2571 Main St, Ste A, Soquel, CA 95073.
Advertising space is available. Ad rates are as follows~ Business
Card Ad: Member/3 month: $30, Member/6 month: $50; Non-member/3 month: $45,
Non-member/6 month: $75. 1/4-Page Ad: Member/3 month: $60, Member/6 month:
$100; Non-member/3 month: $90, Non-member/6 month: $150. Call 462.5700, ext
22, for more info. Send material on disk in Mac format or via e-mail to
jp@pacificpublishing.com. All material submitted should have one's name and
phone number on it. All items passed along from other printed sources or
organizations must have the source clearly indicated. More complete
explanation of newsletter policy is available upon request from chapter
address.
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Co-Coordinator Mary M 423.6683
Co-Coordinator Julie S 728.3988
Recorder Diane L 662.9562
Treasurer Joyce N 439.8663
Newsletter Jennifer P 462.5700
Membership Christian 335.7221
State Board Rep Christian 335.7221
Chapter Phone 335.7704
US Senators:
* 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:
* Representative Sam Farr, 1117 Longworth House Office Building,
Washington DC 20515-0510. E-mail
WWW page
State Senator:
* State Senator Henry Mello, State Capitol, Sacramento CA 95814
E-mail
Assemblymembers:
* 27th District: Bruce McPherson, 701 Ocean St, Santa Cruz CA 95060.
E-mail
* 28th District: Peter Frusetta, 321 First St, Ste A, Hollister CA 95023
Santa Cruz County Supervisors
* First District: Jan Beautz
* Second District: Walt Symons
* Third District: Mardi Wormhoudt
* Fourth District: Ray Belgard
* Fifth District: Fred Keeley
County Governmental Center, 701 Ocean St, Santa Cruz CA 95060
Contents:
Co-Coordinator's Report
by Julie Skilton
Then on Friday, Patricia Ireland, president of NOW, debated the
Reverend Rankin on affirmative action in Santa Cruz. Perhaps you heard it
simulcast on KSCO 1080. Then Sunday, the march...not as big as I had hoped,
but it was very well organized. I hope that if you couldn't attend you saw
it on CNN the following day. There is still time to wade in to the rest of
the '96 elections campaign for which this was a kick-off. As I've said
before - the Year of the Woman was a nice warm-up, but now I'm ready for
the Millennium of the Woman. WAKE UP! CALL FOLKS! WOMEN LOST GROUND IN THE
1994 ELECTIONS! YOU ARE THE ONLY THING THAT CAN KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING
AGAIN! (Editors Note: The Fundamentalist "Christian" Coalition ALWAYS
votes! Hitler was voted in with a low voter turnout, much like the
"right"-wing radicals in Congress. Your vote and your voice DO COUNT & are
VERY IMPORTANT!) We need your help, as much of it as you can give. We will
be working on campaigns, tabling at events, writing letters, visiting
representatives and doing actions throughout the summer and fall. If you
can give a few hours for any one of these activities, I guarantee you your
work will make a difference.
EDUCATION TASK FORCE
by Shannon Sullivan
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Connecting The Issues
by Ruth Hunter
For Information, Updates, and Action, contact:
*Sweatshop Watch
468 Bush St, 3rd Floor, San Francisco 94108 415/391-1655
*National Labor Committee
15 Union Square West, New York NY 10003 212/242-0700
*Guatemala Labor Education Project
333 S Ashland Ave, Chicago IL 60607
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Fight the Radical "Right"
by Sally Wing
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REPORT FROM THE ACTION AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TASK FORCE
by Shannon Sullivan
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CHAPTER CALENDAR
02 7-9pm. Thurs. SCCNOW General Meeting. Kid's Klub, Harvey West Blvd.
335-7704.
17 CA NOW State Conference. North Hollywood.
JUNE
Gay Pride Month
02 Gay Pride Parade
06 7-9pm. Thurs. SCCNOW General Meeting/Elections. Kid's Klub, Harvey
West Blvd. 335-7704.
(not sponsored or endorsed by NOW)
01 International Workers' Day
2-3 Thurs/Fri. 8:30-5:30. Building Bridges Across Differences.
Watsonville Community Center. Call YWCA for info. 724-6078.
05 Cinco de Mayo
12 Mothers' Day
15 International Conscientious Objectors Day
15 Wed. 8:00-3:00. 1st Annual Teen Women's Conference. Veteran's Hall,
Watsonville. For info: 408-763-2310 or 477-4244.
17 World Communications Day
19 Muharram (Islamic New Year)
20 Victoria Day (Canada)
24 Women's International Disarmament Day
25 African Freedom Day
27 Memorial Day Observed
31 The March for Social & Economic Justice begins with Rally at CA
State Capitol. For info, call 619/583-7347 or 619/594-6541
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JOIN NOW! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
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WRITE AN ARTICLE OR WRITE A CHECK! YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! THANKS!
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