EqualityQuilt

Blog for Choice

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade the Minnesota Women's Consortium would like to express our gratitude to all of the individuals who fight to protect a woman's right to choose. Thirty-six years ago the United Supreme Court made a decision that overturned all state and federal laws outlawing or restricting abortion that were inconsistent with its holdings. With a new political era ahead of us and a president supportive of women's reproductive rights, many of us can take comfort that our rights will remain protected. However, due to events that took place at the Planned Parenthood in St. Paul early this morning, it is apparent that we still need to fight to protect a woman's right to choose. Around 7:30 AM this morning a man intentionally drove his SUV into the front doors of the Planned Parenthood in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. Fortunately, nobody was harmed due to this man's violent actions. The Consortium staff encourages you to take a moment and thank the providers, activists, and lobbyists who work hard to protect our right to choose.

Women Connect Across States, Issues

Women from California, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wyoming gathered in Sheridan, Wyoming in October 2008 to plan the future for US Women Connect, including development of a new women's agenda for each state and the nation.  Here's a pic and a short movie to give you the flavor!

L-R:  Ann Ford, Kay Wallick, and Mickey Babcock of Wyoming, Silvia Ontaneda of Minnesota, Marilyn Fowler of California, Rosemary Smithson of Missouri, Kathy Wan Povi of New Mexico, and Jackie Weatherspoon of New Hampshire.

In the one-minute movie below, Kathy explains the sacred objects she brought for the Indigenous Women's blessing.  Just before this clip she explained that the water she brought was saved from an earlier gathering.  At that time women brought water from their home places all over the world and they were mingled.  Bonnie was delighted to add small frogs made by the Hmong women of Minnesota, Native Americans of the southwest US, and a hematite frog that reminds her of the mines of northern Minnesota. 

Obama asked to put "Women & Children First"

Last fall, US Women Connect prepared this message for the new administration.  They continue to circulate and promote the message, and hope to expand the U.S. women's agenda as their network grows and as we expand our contact with women internationally. 

US Women Connect Seeks Attention to Women's Issues

At the U.S. Women Connect summit meeting of six states, convened in Sheridan, Wyoming in October 2008, women leaders prepared a message to both the major candidates for U.S. President.  The cover letter is reproduced below.  The message has since been distributed to members of President Obama's transition team, key women senators, and others, and USWC will continue to urge attention to women's needs as high priorities for the new administration. 

In Memoriam: Margaret

One of the wonderful things about the Consortium's having been around for 29 years is that we - the staff, board, members, friends, readers, the whole community - have been privileged to have some extra special long-time friends.  Margaret Revoir, who volunteered here for 25 years, was one such.  Her commitment, and our delight in her, was from the heart, through thick and thin.  Here's what Bharti Wahi - who always made sure Margaret got to the bus without falling - has to say about her:

  For my first blog since departing (as a staff only – I’ll always be a friend) from the Consortium I would like to tell you about an extraordinary woman I had the privilege of meeting during my time at the Consortium.  Her name was Margaret Revoir and she was not only a long time volunteer for the MN Women’s Consortium, she was a long-time advocate for women’s equality here in Minnesota.  She passed away this past December and I have to say that I will miss Margaret. 

When I met Margaret in 2004, I was so struck by her commitment to the Consortium and to women’s equality and rights.  For those of you who did not know, in the 1980’s Margaret suffered from a stroke and was involved in a car accident that not only made it difficult for her to get around, but also continued to cause her health problems.  However, this did not stop her from trying to stay as active as she could and help.  Margaret was our Tuesday volunteer.  She came almost every Tuesday and sorted the labels for our newsletter (the hi you would sometimes see on your newsletter came from her).  She did everything from calling people about events to sending out newsletters noting “your name inside” for people and groups featured.  Margaret was an important part of the Consortium and an important part of our women’s community.

Margaret was tenacious of spirit and independent.  Whenever I thought about how hard or busy my life was – too busy to volunteer places or attend meetings - I would see Margaret and how much work it was for her just to be at the Consortium.  She took the Metro Mobility bus here for many years and used a cane and/or walker for years, but she was here, rain or snow or shine.  She kept working though her hands and feet were not cooperative much of the time. It would inspire me to get up off of my butt and do something.  She was funny and warm and kind, as well as bright and committed.  She loved learning and books and we spent many a lunch discussing books we had read.  I learned much from her during these past four years.  One of the great joys of being part of the women’s community is the opportunity to meet women of all generations, abilities, backgrounds and life experiences.  The opportunity to sit quietly, learn about others and in turn learn more about oneself.  I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity I had to fight the good/important fight alongside Margaret Revoir.  And I am really going to miss her hi’s on my newsletter.  – Bharti Wahi

A bit more from Bonnie: Margaret was also the founding staff member for the Minnesota Displaced Homemaker Program, created in the early 1980s to help women enter or re-enter the labor force after a period of time unemployed or under-employed.  This program is still doing vital work!  For more info on what you can do to support them, please visit our member groups, the Life-Work Planning Center in Mankato and the META 5 Program in Brainerd. 

Margaret was part of the feminist tumult of the 1970s, supporting women’s right to love and enjoy raising families and making homes – and fighting the dominant culture which paid lots of lip service but set up barriers to earning a decent living after the homemaking years.  Other important projects to help older women, women doing “traditional women’s work,” and all who need economic support:  the Elder Economic Security Initiative (write Marie Nelson for more info) the Pay Equity Coalition, Older Women's League, and Jobs NOW Coalition.  Margaret was also a consociate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet whose Justice Commission is doing great work on human rights and the environment.  Because Margaret would want you to get involved.  We will miss her gentle spirit.

Valuing the Invaluable: The Economic Value of Family Caregiving

According to AARP, the 34 million caregivers provided care at any given point in time in 2007, and about 52 million provided care at some point during the year.  The estimated economic value of their unpaid contributions was approximately $375 billion in 2007.

How much is $375 billion?

• More than total Medicaid spending in 2007, including both federal and state contributions for both medical and long-term care.
• As much as the total sales of the world's largest companies, including Wal-Mart Stores ($379 billion) and ExxonMobil ($359 billion).
• Approaching total expenditures for the Medicare program ($432 billion).
• More than $1000 for every person in the United States.
• About 2.7 percent of the US gross domestic product.

To become involved in caregiving and other issues of aging, contact the Minnesota Elder Economic Security Initiative project coordinator, Marie Nelson, at eesi@mnwomen.org or 651-228-0338.

Women Hard Hit by the Worsening Economy

According to the National Women's Law Center, women were already in a more precarious economic position than men, and the economic downturn is hitting them especially hard.  The soaring prices of energy, food, and other basics take a bigger bite out of women's limited family budgets.  Women are less likely to receive unemployment insurance benefits, more likely to have a subprime mortgage loan, and more reliant on public services that are facing cuts and shortfalls.  Congress can do much more to help women and families through tough times and get the economy moving.

Women are particularly vulnerable in this economic downturn.

• Women's greater economic insecurity makes them more vulnerable to job loss and the rising costs.
• Women who lose their jobs are less likely to receive unemployment benefits.
• Women are over-represented in the subprime housing market.
• Women disproportionately rely on Medicad for health care coverage.

To become involved in helping elderly women (and men) secure economic self-sufficiency, contact the Minnesota Elder Economic Security Initiative project coordinator, Marie Nelson, at eesi@mnwomen.org or 651-228-0338.

You're Invited!

Here's an opportunity to reach 8,000 Minnesota leaders & show your support for all women’s issues!  We will celebrate a birthday in January and you are invited to co-sponsor. Note the deadline is January 22 to be listed in the program!

The Minnesota Women's Consortium is the nation's largest network of organizations committed to women's equality, with 175 member groups reaching 300,000 Minnesotans.  MWC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501c3 charitable organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible (less the $25 food cost for attendees).

The annual Celebration fundraising event is promoted in hard copy and electronic publications sent weekly and biweekly, so your name will be viewed by more than 8,000 people multiple times in January.