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The Montana Women’s Resource, 1975-1986 University of Montana Publications

1-2-1975

The Montana Women's Resource, circa 1975

University of Montana (Missoula, Mont. : 1965-1994). Women's Resource Center

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Recommended Citation University of Montana (Missoula, Mont. : 1965-1994). Women's Resource Center, "The Montana Women's Resource, circa 1975" (1975). The Montana Women’s Resource, 1975-1986. 36. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/womensresourcecenter/36

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The Montana New Rural Feminist

It is important to define tally, emotionally, and physical­ the above terms and explain why ly­ I so carefully chose them for a As strange as it may seem, title. I believe that what I am the physical aspect is the reason about to discuss is very unique many of us have moved to rural to the state of Montana because settings. We get pleasures in Montana is a very unique state. various ways which may sound There are few places left in this pecular to our city sisters. country which allow for such pri­ Some of us really enjoy carrying vacy. This is primarily due to a fifty pound pack up a steep the small number of people and mountain, just to look off into the great distances between cities. the distance at the top. Others This, combined with the fact that prefer a warm comfortable house Montanans do not tend to be very with the knowledge that they accepting of newcomers, can quick­ helped build it from beginning to ly turn privacy into isolation. end; from the pouring of the first When speaking of Rural, I am re­ yard of concrete for the foundation, out with lots of aches, and are ferring to women living more than to nailing the last soffit on always finding new muscles, most twenty miles from a good sized the roof. Others endure the of us feel better for all of the city (Havre, Billings, Helena etc.) long days and tight restrictions experiences. The real harm is and living on a farm or ranch of having a milking animal, to that the physical drain leaves or developing a small parcel of be rewarded by the taste of cool, us less strength to deal with the land. The word New carries with fresh milk and rich creamy butter. mental/emotional aspects of our it two meanings. In part I am Many spend days and nights garden­ lifestyle. speaking of the people who have ing (which isn't easy in Montana), A significant drain on the chosen to move to Montana from harvesting, canning and preserving, woman is the sheer stress of other areas and are not living in order to experience the pure learning to live in the new life­ here because of birth or marriage. joy of sitting down to meals all style. The multitude of knowledge New also implies that these wo­ winter with the knowledge that required, which is taken for grant­ men are experimenting with life­ everything before them was pro­ ed by the person who has done it styles and are attempting to com­ duced by them and their loved all of their life, is just over­ bine the old traditional values ones. whelming. From the very "simple" into their lives along with learn­ There are many more physical question of the different water­ ing new skills and developing aspects that don’t have such clear ing troughs and feeders required new role patterns. For the pur­ cut rewards but must be accepted for sheep, horses, cows, chickens, pose of this paper I will define as part of the lifestyle. Put and pigs; to the correct temper­ a Feminist as someone who is very simply, it is a fact that atures for canning fruits and actively working for the equality you cannot buy services in the making cheese (cottage,colby,etc.); of the sexes and views this as a country. Even if one could to learning the correct way to primary aspect of her life. afford it, there is usually no tamp a fence post and stretch a With the above definition in one to do the work. When the fence; to the more complex aspects mind I would like you to stop and septic system backs-up, it is of building, wiring, and plumbing think of all the women you know you who dig down to the tank and a house; right on out to figuring who would fall into that cate­ then cheerfully (?) shovel the why that chicken died or how to gory. If you come up with more shit. When your water line freezes butcher that rabbit. (Test your­ than ten, please go back and check you either figure out how to selves; How many words or ideas my qualifications. Better yet, thaw it or you carry water for about country living that I have please send me their names and the rest of the winter. When a mentioned do you know anything addresses. As I have travelled flood washes out your driveway, about?) The means of acquiring around the state for the past two you get a shovel and haul loads the knowledge is often by trial years to various feminist functions, of gravel and then and error because the books are I find very few women who can re­ be prepared to have some means of not written for the real novice late to my life. I consider my­ clearing the snow in winter be­ (even if they say they are) or self extremely lucky to have some cause the county doesn't do pri­ they are inaccurate or incomplete. very meaningful relationships in vate driveways. It is one thing Combined with the entire process this little town which didn't to feed hay to your animals in the of attempting to acquire the skills even make it onto the state map the winter, but quite another to which we have been deprived of due this year. Seriously though, the buck 80 pound bales onto a truck to our sex, is the necessary and fact of the matter is that there and then again into your barn. very difficult procedure of estab­ are a scant few of us. The rea­ The problem with this physical lishing new ways of sharing our son, stated very simply, is that aspect is not that it harms the knowledge. it is a very difficult life; men­ body. Although we generally start continued on next page page 1 continued from page 1 If one is experimenting with joyable, providing them as a base To begin this process, anyone who new manners of life* the woman support for our sisters in the city. is interested, write me with your is ultimately subjected to in­ Needless to say, our methods, ideas. We could begin a letter/ sult and hurt from the people with tactics and manner of behaving are literature/idea exchange and de- whom she comes in contact. The very different from the traditional velope a chain visitation program. man who laughs in your face when view of a feminist. We cannot If there is enough response we you are the only one there when he start luncheon seminars and we may be able to get a little room comes to make the concrete pour. cannot negotiate with the legisla­ in this paper for a column or The electric repair man who quotes ture. We can provide new role mo­ develope our own newsletter. you a price, takes a check from dels for the women around us. The We are all doing what we are your hands signed by you, and then small town living allows them to doing because that is what makes makes out a receipt and hands it to see how a different lifestyle op­ us most happy. That is reason any man present. The family who erates and shows them what it is enough that we should share our will not let their child come out like to live in a mutually respect­ energies and help each other over to your home to play with your child ful relationship. We cannot open the difficult spots. because there is a male at home women’s centers, but we can monitor One final sobering thought preparing the evening meal. The the local press which is the major about this matter. From my ex­ men who visually undress and rape means of misinformation to the peo­ perience, all evidence indicates you because you have chosen to ple. We can counteract the sexist that women who move to the rural have your body free to bend and (and every other ”ist”) articles, Montana areas as feminists and lift. Any deviation from the norm and try to get accurate informa­ then are frustrated and demoral­ of marriage, children, pies for tion to the women. We could not ized by their role, do not leave every sale and regular volunteer­ have a rape crisis line, even if the country. Rather, they remain ing for 4H is grounds for isola­ only for rape, because the “local” in the country and cease being tion. A veteran of twenty years police are 50 miles away and there active feminists. . or more may get by with supporting is so much fear. We can speak to -Kayla Weiner equal pay for equal work (but could the women on a one to one basis, Route 3, Box 4 never voice support of reproduc­ but that is a long, slow, difficult Heron, Montana 59844 tive freedom) but the newcomer is process requiring very creative suspect if she is not married. The techniques. To women without chil­ woman who views herself as a fem­ dren, the usual meeting place for inist and attempts to raise the women, the PTA, is out. Others awareness of those around her is find the county extension meetings viewed as a life threat by the to frustating to attend. So, many community and is isolated and oft- have worked into local fire depart­ times maligned. ments, some others have started All of this leads to the major food buying cooperatives, others reason why there are so few femin­ have started women ambulance squads, ists who remain in rural settings. all with the purpose of reaching We are people who generally come our sisters. We cannot establish from intellectual surroundings and battered women's shelters, but we want and need intellectual stim­ many of us view our places as re­ ulation. So many of the people treats for our feminist sisters around us are just not from that and as possible havens in times of way of life and the enforced com­ backlash. Finally, the skills we munity isolation ofttimes prevents are learning would be essential them from sharing even if they so for survival in the event of a chose. This lack of stimulation national breakdown. leads a feminist to a great deal The problem with all of this of self-questioning and self-doubt. is that there are not often any As with all people, the feminist immediate, tangible gains and it is in need of support. For a is a draining process when com­ large variety of reasons this is bined with the rest of the life­ not forthcoming. First is the style and the lack of support. small number of people with whom There are two suggestions I she can relate in the local sit­ would like to make which would uation. Second is the isolation go a long way to providing the from the feminists in the city. support needed and to help along There is a lot of love expressed the women in the field and hope­ but not much understanding. There fully encourage more to join us. does not seem to be much apprecia­ One is the hope that our city tion of what the country woman is sisters would try to consider us trying to do. more. Be sure newsletters get to The feminist movement needs us in time for us to make plans more women in order to bring about to travel to events. Plan events the changes desired. We need a with our travelling time in mind. strong base all over the state in Filter new information and ideas order to make our demands heard. and literature to us. By all means Many of us ’’out here” consider plan visits and go out of your ourselves “front line” organizers. way when you are in the general We see ourselves as educating and area of one of the rural feminists. informing our sisters around us and, Secondly, I would like to suggest in addition to hopefully making that the sisters in the field their lives more meaningful and en­ should get to know one another. page 2 Resource Center. Sexual harassment in the workplace is another area which adversely effects women's work performance, From sexual jokes to rape, harassment of Montana women is a fact of life which often makes a work situation hell. More infor­ mation on the Montana woman's sit­ uation needs to be collected and a plan of action determined to end harassment. For a question- aire if you have been hassled, or to work on this important pro­ ject, contact the Women's Resource Center. Public education is an impor­ tant key for creating new employ­ opportunities for women. Many people operate under outdated ideas, which often never reflected reality concerning proper work roles for men and women. Who

New Career Information Service Opens for Montana Women A woman forester? Electrician? job- hunting stage, and for those doesn't remember hearing that Mill worker? Owner and operator women who already have jobs in non- working mothers cause juvenial of her own print shop? It is hap­ traditional areas. delinquency? I heard it from a pening in Montana! Women are invited to come in state official just last month. In a rural state such as and explore various traditionally Who hasn't been asked by a poten­ Montana a major source of jobs "male" careers, especially the tial employer, "How does your are those fields which have trad­ skilled trades, science or envir­ husband feel about your working?" itionally excluded women. While onmental fields, and small woman- Or, often heard in times of high women comprise about 40% of the owned businesses. Help is avail­ unemployment, "Do you think it is labor force, we are concentrated able from the start of the process­ fair for a woman to take a job in low paying, low status jobs. accessing a woman's background and from a man who has a family to In Mt., women hold 57% of jobs interests—to referral for approp­ support?"; or "This equal oppor­ and only 1% of jobs are in the riate training or placement. While tunity stuff has gone to far. crafts, [others are in clerical some job openings are posted at Reverse discrimination is giving and service] fhe combined pressures the WRC, this service is not an women jobs they aren't qualified of affirmative action on employ­ employment agency. for when a man who is qualified ers and changing work expections by Job-hunting itself is the can't even get a job." Education women are transforming the tradi­ hardest work a woman will ever do. can arm people with the facts tional world of work. A recogni­ Assistance available includes rather than myths about changing tion of women's need for economic developing a resume, filling out work roles for Both men and women independence, the rewards of per­ application forms, learning inter­ The history of work in America, sonal growth in a demanding field, viewing skills, building confidence the law and women's work, super­ and the realities of a 25 year fu­ and looking for a job [where and vising women in non-traditional ture at work for the average mar­ how). All of these are an impor­ jobs, and career options for ried woman (45 years for the sin­ tant part of selling yourself to high school girls are among the gle woman) have resulted in move­ an employer. programs that have been presented ment toward new careers, non-trad- For women already on the job, to schools, organizations and em­ itional jobs for women. Sands offers support services in ployers . As part of this changing work several areas. Beginning in Jan., For more information or an world a new free service has been she and Kate Campbell, switchper­ appointment, call or write Diane created for Missoula area women son for BN Railroad, will be Sands, Women's Resource Center, and, to a limited extent, Montana teaching Assertiveness Training Women's Non-Traditional Employ­ women. In September, a Women's focxised on work situations, espec­ ment Counselor, U.M. UN. Center, Non-Traditional Employment Coun­ ially problems arising from work University of Montana. [Phone 243­ selor, Diane Sands, was hired by in traditionally male-dominated 4153 or 243-6724. A wats line the Women's Resource Center, Mis­ fields. Assertiveness training is available to return Montana soula, to assist individual women developes skills in the areas of calls.) as well as community organizations, saying no, dealing constructively P.S. What Color is Your Par­ schools, and employers. with anger, giving and taking com­ achute by R. Bolles is a very prac. For individual women help is pliments and criticisms, and non­ tical and entertaining job-hunters available for those who are just verbal communication. Those in­ manual for anyone. It is the best beginning to think or rethink a terested in taking the 6 week thing readily available on a career, for those who are at the course should call the Women's glutted market and will save job­ seekers a lot of mistakes, -Diane Sands- page 3 Holly Near/fDary Watkins Concert

Holly Near and Mary Watkins from male-identification. Woman- to attack other women than the appeared in concert in Missoula identified is music not only by patriarchy.” Watkins and Near on Oct. 15, as part of the Vio­ and for women, but music that both agreed that the ability of lence Against Women Conference. speaks to our changing lives, to music to reach all kinds of women Holly Near has been a political our struggles and our strengths. is one of its most valuable attri>- activist for some time, but re­ It is a positive force that deals butes. cently she has been turning her with women and their relationships The Saturday night concert energies more and more towards with each other in new ways. This was an excellent example of how creating woman-identified music is radically different from non­ many people can be reached with and culture. She and Mary Wat­ feminist music by women musicians music. The University Center kins met in a workshop on women’s who sing about men and their re­ ballroom was packed with people music in Los Angeles on Labor Day lationships with men, ("You treat even though the concert didn’t 1976 and have been performing to­ me so mean, but it is a woman's begin until almost 10:30 p.m. gether since then. fate) or about women as competi­ The barriers between "performers” Although a woman musician, tors for men ("You were my best and "audience" were broken down Near does not feel that she has friend until you stole my man "? ■ as woman-energy filled the room always been making women's music. Near has not only been deal­ and the audience sang along on She commented on her changing ing with her male-identification choruses, even singing parts on consciousness, and why and how in her music, but also her hetero­ the chorus to "The Rock Will Wear her music reflects reflects it. sexism. During the concert she Away". The music showed women in Several years ago she was writing spoke about her growing realiza­ various roles, as mothers, organ­ what she considered "feminist” tion of the king of oppression izers, fighters, daughters, sisters music. Someone pointed out to Lesbians face in our society. and lovers but always it spoke to her that although the women in She said earlier, in an interview women loving other women on all her songs were strong, they were that to sing "I love you, I love these levels. Near definitely always shown in relation to a man. you in a monotone is radical if had the stronger voice of the This was the beginning of her it is being sung by a woman to a two, but Watkins plays a mean "conscious understanding that we woman”. She can no longer diff­ piano and her piano solos were need to figure out our own lives erentiate between the personal among the highlights of the even­ apart from male identification". and the political and she feels ing, particularly "The Sword That Near finds women’s music very that in order to make political Heals", a piece she wrote about revolutionary and exciting in the changes in your life, you have to the Black struggle for liberation. way it is being presented as a (’change your insides to carry it The music of both these fine part of how women are learning to through". Near has been using musicians is unfortunately rarely, express themselves independently her music as an organizing tool if ever, heard on the radio, nor for some time, but now she is are their records available in focusing her energies on organiz­ local stores. Watkins has record­ ing herself, to discover her own ed on the Olivia label,, and her oppression as a woman. work can be heard on a number of A frequently heard criticism their records, including a vocal of women's music is that it is number on "Lesbian Concentrate”. "boring” or "too personal”. Wat­ Near records on her own Redwood kins answered this by saying that label. These records are avail­ she finds just the music itself able in Montana through Artemis is excellent harmonically. In Productions in Helena. reference to popular rock music The success of the concert she said, "I got tired of listen­ was due in large part to the ex­ ing to the personal that didn't cellent job of the women who pro­ validate reality for me. These duced it and made all the necessary things (Lesbianism and women's arrangements. Particular thanks lives in patriarchal culture) are to Artemis and the Women's Resource painful to deal with, but they Center and in particular to Linda, must be.” Watkins finds commer­ Merrye, Jane, and Sheila. Having cial music alienating and feels worked on womens concerts before, that the way women’s music can I was extremely appreciative of avoid this alienation is to have their attention to the myriad of Call women writing, singing and details necessary for bringing the distributing it.” women of Montana such a wonderful Both women talked about the evening. relationship between women's mu­ sic and the women's movement. Watkins believes that the power of music is that it acts as a re­ energizing tool. Near expanded on this idea by describing women’s music as a "healing force". It can be a reason to cone together, focus our energy even though outr: side forces try to get us to focus -Kathleen Coyne- on our differences." She feels that in a pecking order of who you page 4 can "get to”, that it is "easier "Distributors of fine women's music and producers of 602 N. Warren cultural events for the Montana women's community." Helena, MT. 59^01

SELECT FROM OUR GROWING LIST OF ALBUMS.,,

OLIVIA RECORDS REDWOOD RECORDS

"Face the Music" — "You Meg CanChristian. Know All I Am" — Holly Near At lastt Her concert favorites + About women in prison, organizing, "Mountain Sons", "The Rock Will in relationships. Includes "Nicolia", Wear Away". "Sister-Woman-S ister".

"Linda Tillery" — Linda speaks of "A Live Album" — Holly Near. the passion, pain, struggles of Includes many of her best-loved songs. black women. "Hang in There" — Holly Near "Oregon Mountains" Songs— Woody about Simmons war and social change.

"Live Dream" — Cris Williamson's second album. WISE WOMEN ENTERPRISES "Foxglove Woman" — Trish Nugent "Debutante" — Willie Tyson, a singer "Virgo Rising" — one of the first you'll enjoy. Blues/jazz/ country. all woman-produced albums. Strong, satirical lyrics, Malvina Reynolds, Janet Smith, Kit Miller, etc. "Three Gypsies" — Casse Culver Country/folk "Lesbian Concentrate" — anthology of upfront lesbian material. "Mooncircles" — Kay Gardner Classical, mostly flute. "The Ways a Woman Can Be" — Teresa Trull

"Be Be Roche"*K — latin/rockWOMEN'S WAX band WORKS

"Berkeley Women's Music Collective" "Living with Lesbians" — Alix Dobkin Includes Montana favorite, "Mary B". "Where Would I Be Without You" — Poetry of Pat Parker & Judy Grahn "Lavender Jane Loves Women" — Alix Dobkin, Kay Gardner, Patches Attorn "The Changer and the Changed" — Cris Williamson, A classic.

"I Know You Know" — Meg Christian PLEIADES RECORDS A "must" for your collection. "Songwriter" — Margie Adam Beautiful vocals & piano compositions

Check the albums you want to receive and Name . _ enclose $6,00 for each album (Redwood Records* releases *50$5 each), Artemis Address wi3A_£ay_the_postage_andJ)and]Jjig_costs. Make check or money order payable to City .... State^__Zip Artemis Productions. page 5 Women and Work Divorce Survival Lesbian Column

"Believe it or Not" About Women Women's Place is now offering A group of gay women meet and Work Divorce Survival Counseling for every Friday night of each academic women and men. quarter at 7;30 in the Women's 1. A man with an 8th grade WHAT IS DIVORCE SURVIVAL Resource Center. This rap group education makes about the same COUNSELING? provides an opportunity for gay salary as a woman with a college IT IS : women who are new to the commun­ degree. Talking about how you feel ity, women who are just realizing 2. 90% of all women will work for about ending a long term rela­ their gay identity, and women who wages at some point in their tionship; support to rediscover, are straight but who would like lives. or discover for the first time to know more about their gay sis­ 3. For full time work: the male who you are-by yourself; learning ters, to come and meet with us. median income is $11,4000 different ways to cope with stress, The meeting itself is unstructured today, the median income for confusion, anger; working in and ranges from serious discussions, women is $6,400. (57% of groups or individually with the to the faint beginnings of some men's income) purpose of personal growth. political action, to badly needed 4. This income gap has widened A referral service: how to socializing, joking, supporting since 1956. In 1956 fully find a lawyer; where to go for each other, and blowing off some employed women's earnings help with taxes, financial aide, steam. Members within the group were 63% of men’s; in 1970 credit, and other social services; are currently working on setting they were 59%; in 1975 they were where to find child care; where up a gay coffee house in conjunction 57%. to look for housing; where to with gay men in town, putting 5. In Montana, 1975, there were get counseling. energy into women-only functions, 173 men in apprenticeship WHO IS IT FOR? checking out the possibility of training programs and only All workshops, groups and in­ starting up an MCC church in 6 women. dividual counseling are for people Missoula, building better means 6. Occupations and % of women married or unmarried, dealing with of letting other gay women in in each: the termination of a relationship. Missoula know of our existence, 1. clerical-34.5% WHERE IS IT? and of getting a gay women's 2. service—20.3% Women's Place is located in assertiveness training group off 3. professional/technical—15.6% the YWCA building on West Broadway the ground for winter quarter. 4. operatives—13% behind the Black Angus Restaurant. If you are shy about coming to a 5. sales—6.8% WHEN? big group but would like to talk 6. managers/administrators— My office hours are: to someone about being gay, or if 5% MWF 11-12, 1-2 you just don't like meetings'but 7. craft and kindred—1.4% T Th 9-12, 1-2 would like to know some folks, 8. laborers—1.0% Appointments only after 2 p.m. call the Women's Resource Center 9. farm workers—1.4% In November and December, work­ and one of us will be happy to Statistics from Handbook on shops are being presented on set up a time to talk with you. Women Workers, Women’s Bureau, five areas of divorce: Children On the state level, the Mont­ Dept, of Labor, Washington,DC, of Divorce, Emotional Aspects, ana Lesbian Coalition has just 1975 Living Alone, Financial Aspects, gotten itself formalized enough to A discussion group for women who start a newsletter. It will come are not staying with their chil­ out bimonthly, starting in mid­ dren after divorce is now being January, and include articles, formed. news, announcements of events, Starting in January, a Support poetry, listings of women-owned Sound and Personal Growth Group for businesses in Montana, book reviews, divorcing people will meet. The etc. Besides having a newsletter Reinforcement group will include exercises in to improve communication among communication skills, assertive Montana Lesbians, the coalition & Recording ness, values clarification, and is planning to sponsor Lesbian setting goals, as well as group events, set up a speaker's bureau, CONCERTS, MEETINGS, discussions of different aspects and organize politically at a state­ DEMONSTRATIONS of divorce. Other activities be­ wide level. This organization is ing considered are: Assertiveness a good way to find out what's al­ training for women and men, and ready happening, who some of the Parent Effectiveness workshops. gay women are outside of your own Anyone interested in these ac­ home town, and to make a lot more tivities should contact Women's positive things happen by and for Place. Lesbians. There is a $5/year don­ Currently I am assessing the ation to join, including a subscrip­ needs of divorcing people in order tion to the newsletter. To get to develop a program to meet those your name on the mailing list or Contacti needs. All interested people are to send in information for the Artemis Productions encouraged to contact Women's Place. newsletter, write: 602 N. Warren Montana Amazons Unlimited Helena, MT. 59601 Marti Adrian P.O. Box 523 443-5464 Divorce Survival Counselor Helena, Mt. 59601 page 6 Poetry Page For a few days a Nest is my Womb, SEX SYMBOLS ON CHARTS of Red, dear, not White like our Relative; Male is Mine lies full, like grandma up represented by there . a square and Female by Yours too will fill with vast a circle. nourishments Chart makers were to empty Life's Bright Red not the first River to notice this: trickling toward the Light of good women are Sun. nice and round but they don't roll Then the quiet time, while other away. Oh! Four square growings carry on, city of God, even when Roots grow Strong and Kings wore square the Egg grows silently and crowns. Moon goes Invisably on her Path. But Boadicea queen of the Iceni Smoke with me, Child, there is more wore none. She come. and her shaggy pony people smashed Rome. . What stops this great Silent They never should Rhythm? have raped her daughters. How does it Cease, then to resume? Or in charts man is the same as woman Circles, child, two circles (but for his precious pointer becoming One Circle to grow directed at God) (and to two, alike yet so unlike her filled up with it to grow to four and eight and to the hilt) on and on, Can I go to the to Fill the Nest. toilet with the Nine moons filling the great flower on the door? Circle The little stick Then to push on Out, Another of person has a skirt Life's Rivers on: see? And I Meeting the glare of Sun and don't. Growing on the Air and Soil of Mother Blythe Earth. The Red River trickles on, cleans­ ing the now-stretched sphere; and Ceases, for the other grow­ ing to begin MOON PERIODS again, and again, and again. Child of Mine, let us sit to­ Forever you ask? Hush Child, the gether in a Circle of Two Loon calls. 'round the Fire, Grandmother Moon peeks at us You are to soon have your Beginn­ rising up from the wilderness, ings: gliding 'round Beyond the The end of your childhood of Mountains. freedom. I am soon to have my endings It is a Good Night, the Loon Wails The beginning of my final Freedoms. We shall talk of the Womb, Little Sister, Small cycles, making larger ones, it is Time you should Know Circles, child of mine, circles how it Comes and Goes, rising 'round the Fire. and emptying X Artemis Productions has a Q for the Little Ones yet to be Glasgow, August 1976 ? representative here in Bom. Missoula who is selling Q Morning Star records! Her name is Kathy t Small as your fist: circular, small Q Byrnes and she can be reached/^ tight sphere, *2* at 728-0001. If you want to zc glistening in the deep dark Q hear women's music in your never yet prepared for Landings, T home, call her! X nor shed itself in the Absence of them, Yours is empty and quiet as yet. page 7 Women’s Studies Newspage will include Virginia Carter, V. Pres, of Norman Lear Productions and Suzanne Renton, metal sculp­ National Women’s Studies Association tor. The conference will be pro­ ceeded by a 2 day professional seminar for women in business and The NWSA has a new, national ourselves of what programs, cour­ management. It will be led by coordinator, our 1st, to carry ses, funding sources, and innova­ Philomena Warihay, Take Charge out the vision of women’s studies tive ideas have been tried in Consultants, Philadephia. For as set out by the founding con­ our 4 state area. It will be a more information contact: Focus vention held one year ago. Elaine good chance to meet others and on Women, 211 Montana Hall, MSU, Reuben, past director of Women's determine what support we can Bozeman, Mt. 59717. Studies at George Washington give each other as the Northwest TABS: A new journal. University, Wash. D.C., has the Region of the National Women's "A new journal of aids for ending amazon task of setting up a nat­ Studies Association. Films, books, sexism in classroom and school" ional office at the University of and periodicals, brochures etc. is available. TABS focus is very Maryland, raising funds, and act­ will be available. Again, stud­ practical and badly needed: ideas, ing to support women's studies ents, K-12 teachers, community materials, lesson plans for use across the country. We wish her and university people are wel­ in K-12 to stimulate non-sexist and our new national office our come. A regional meeting of teaching. Order a preview copy best. National Women's Studies Associa­ for yourself and your teaching NWSA has had an exciting first tion will be held at this time. friends: TABS, 744 Carroll St., year forming regional networks The meeting which will be at Brooklyn, NY. 11215. of women's studies persons and Eastern Montana College, Billings programs from universitys, K-12, Mt., will be free and housing and the community. The task of will be provided. For more in­ information exchange, program formation please write or call National Women’s support and defense of women's Diane Sands, Women's Resource studies requires our active sup­ Center, U. of M., Missoula. Studies Association port. That support can be given May 4,5,6. "The Women's by becoming an active member of Studies Challenge to Tradition" our regional Northwest/National conference will be held on the Membership in NWSA is open to Women's Studies Association, and Eastern Washington University all individuals and programs in­ by joining the NWSA, which also campus, Cheney, Wa. 99004. Pat terested or involved in feminist includes a subscription to the Coontz, Coordinator of Women’s education on any level and in any excellent "Women's Studies News­ Studies has called for papers, setting. letter". reviews, and outlines of talks Membership includes a sub­ If you are a member of NWSA presenting new research or cur­ scription to the Women's Studies or wish to be on the mailing list rent scholarship in Women's Stu­ Newsletter. for our region (North and South dies. Feel free to suggest topics Individual Memberships are Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana) in which you would be interested open to students, teachers at eve­ please drop the regional address or would like to present a paper. ry educational level, program a card. It looks like an exciting confer­ staff and administrators, and peo­ ence and we hope to see a number ple involved in any aspect of fem­ Addresses: of women’s studies people from inist education and organization National Women's Studies Association our area there. If there is any­ in the community. 4102 Foreign Languages Building one who would like to join a car Individual dues have been e.- Un. of Maryland/College Park pool leaving Missoula, please stablished according to the foll­ College Park, Maryland 20742 drop us a line. Housing will be owing schedule: (301-454-3757) provided in Cheney. June 14-16. "Women in Sports" INCOME ANNUAL DUES Diane Sands will be the annual conference of Under $5,000 $5.00 Northwest/NWSA the Women's Resource Center, $5,000 - 9,999 10.00 Women's Resource Center Missoula. Plans are still being 10,000 - 14,999 15.00 Un. Center, Un. of Montana made but it is anticipated that 15,000 - 19,999 20.00 Missoula, Montana 59812 the major audience will be K-12 Over $19,999 25.00 (406-243-4153, we have a Wats line teachers. Workshops being plan­ and will return Montana calls.) ned include Title IX, the future Program memberships ($50.00 Conferences: of women’s sports, sociobiology, annually) are available to women’s Plans are being finalized for the history of women in athletics, studies programs and community a number of exciting spring con­ etc. A national woman sports women's centers and organizations. ferences in the Northwest area figure, such as Billie Jean King, Unfunded community groups should which are of interest to Women's is being sought. The U.of M. will use the dues scale for individual Studies. Plan now to set aside also be offering a week long members. these dates. If you know of course on Women in Sports in con­ No person or program shall be others please let us know so that junction with the conference. excluded from membership because word can be spread. Stay tuned for further develop­ of inability to pay dues. May 12-13: All persons in­ ments . terested in Women's Studies ac­ April 20-22. "Women Aware" tivities in North and South Dak­ annual conference in Bozeman, Mt. Continued on next page... ota, Wyoming and Montana will be will have three themes: Women in the Arts, Women in Health, and getting together for an informal page 8 day and a half. We will inform Women in Economics. Speakers Continued from page 8; NWSA to problems in their lives, we at and destructive, encouraging de­ the Women's Center have been or­ pendency rather than fostering a ganizing support groups, starting woman's sense of her own power. with an initial series of five In sharing the experiences of NWSA members from North and meetings, and with five to ten each others lives, however, we South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana women in each group. Each weekly find we are helping each other automatically belong to the North session includes structured'exer­ integrate the personal and polit­ West subregion of NWSA. For fur­ cises and "process facilitation". ical aspects of ourselves. Many ther information, contact Diane The exercises are designed to dev- of us, for example, are exploring Sands, NWSA Coordinating Council elope specific skills that will new ways of defining our love re­ member. Women’s Resource Center, help the participants express them lationships in non-oppressive U of M, Missoula MT 59821. selves clearly and learn to trust terms. We are learning by shar­ each other. Exercises in self-dis ing, listening, trying on new Individual Program closure come first, while learning attitudes, different behaviors... Membership toMembership recognize how power is gained absorbing positive messages about and given away within the group being a woman (being ourselves). NAME (and within our lives) comes later We are finding that breaking down the barriers between our indivi­ AFFILIATION dual lives begins a growing pro­ cess with potential for many pos­ ADDRESS itive changes. And feminism, be­ cause it brings us together, pro­ vides the vehicle through which City State Zip Code we learn and grow. With new groups to begin in January, we are now in the process Are you interested in receiv­ of gathering feedback from women ing information about one or more who have already completed the of the following caucuses? initial five sessions. Two groups have done so...one continues to Community College Staff meet and the other has disbanded. Third World . Student In the new groups, as before, to PreK - 12 Lesbian encourage trust-building we limit membership to those who partici­ Other: pate in the first meeting. The (please describe) fee which includes membership in the Woman's Center, has been $20 Send this form, with a check (or an equivalent barter). All made out to the National Women’s monetary proceeds go toward the Studies Association, to: Woman's Center operating, funds. Barbara Hi1Iyer Davis, Treas. Judi and I would appreciate reac­ National Women’s Studies Ass. tions and/or criticisms from any­ Women's Studies Program one who cares to comment. We Univ, of Oklahoma can be reached through the Helena Norman, OK 73019 Woman's Center, 107 W. Lawrence, Helena MT 59601. Liz Manley Helena Women’s Goings On Center Group Women's Place is currently working on a grant to fund a I’ve been asked to share in­ "Rape Awareness Week" to be held formation about the women's support in the fall of 1978. The Missou­ groups which are being facilitated la program will be held in con­ by Judi Pollard and myself at the Process facilitation means that junction with a state-wide pro­ Helena Women's Center. These groups we are constantly looking at the gram organized by Rape Crisis are being formed in response to a dynamics within the group, with Centers around the state. Focus demonstrable need for women to get the objective of the group learn­ of the week will be rape educa­ in touch with each other's lives. ing how to function effectively on tion with an emphasis on rural The rape crisis line, for example, a continuing basis without Judi out-reach. The program is in the has put us in touch with many in­ or myself. preliminary planning stages. dividual women who were feeling The emphasis on our own abil­ Women interested in working on it alone and in need of support through ity to help ourselves grow and should contact Women's Place, a crisis or transition. Seeking learn problem-solving is, in my 543-7606 in Missoula. help from one or more of the var­ view, an important departure from YWCA JCB p’XP WORKSHOPS F1 R WOMEN ious local human service agencies— the usual process, in which women which ignored or aggravated their relinquish responsibility to an A series of workshops designed feelings of powerlessness—these authority figure. I have observed for women looking fcr work. Di*.- women had very often been encour­ a "dominance/submission archtype" cussion and exercises will have aged to adjust to their situation;, being repeated in various helping particular emphasis on women rather than to work for positive relationships between women and re-entering or entering the job personal or social changes. health care professionals, teachers, market after extensive homemaking In an effort to create the social workers, and therapists. experience. opportunity for women to work to­ Help-seeking behavior under these Continued on next page... gether to find lasting solutions circumstances can become habitual pagr 9 How to Save lour Own Lite she re­ to have feminist pretensions. At Continued from page 9 lentlessly exposes her weaknesses. one point Isadora "confesses" All workshops are on Thursday The novel opens with the that despite all her feminism, evenings 7:0C - 9:00. line: "I left my husband on Thanks­ what she really wants is a man Feb. 2 Eow To Write a Good giving day." The remainder of to tell her what to do with her Resume the novel deals with the trauma life. Feb. 9 Interviewing for a Job of leaving her husband, her myr­ At a time when many women Feb. 16 Career Exploration iad lovers (including a woman), arc struggling to change their Feb. 23 Training Opportunities and the man she finally meets, lives, questioning traditional March 2 Part-Time Jobs/Creat- coming to the conclusion that she values and roles, Jong has writt­ ing Your Cwn Job needs a man around whom she can en a novel about a woman who is center her life. searching for her prince in shin­ There is a $1.50 fee per session The novel is bad on so many ing armour, who will rescue her for the- whole series. The Y op­ levels that it is difficult to from her failing marriage. The erates on a sliding scale. know where to begin. If, as she answer to Isadora’s discontent is For more information call Tracy states at one point, "A poem is too easy - if Bennett doesn't Bier or Jo Waldbiliig. 543-6768 a one-night stand, a short story make her happy, then what she an affair and a novel a marriage" needs is a different man. I have FEMALE SEXUALITY GROUP this novel has convinced me that little faith in such happily­ the institution of marriage is ever-after endings, and I can not The group workshop is designed indeed doomed. The copyright in­ help but wonder how long it will for women who have never or rarely formation reveals "Parts of this he before her relationship with had orgasms. Previous group par­ book first appeared in Playboy, the perfect man, Josh, becomes as ticipants have been *95 success­ New Dawn, Family Circle, Vogue, oppressive as the marriage to ful in attaining orgasm by the and Mademoiselle magazines." Bennett. Rather than examining end of the sessions. The discus­ This helps explain the stylistic her life and making fundamental sion Group meets twice weekly with failings of the novel; it lacks co changes, Jong's heroine has found some daily honework exercises as­ continuity,, moving awkwardly a new man on whom to'depend. signed. The groups will be small from one chapter to the next. How to Save Your Own Life including 6 to 8 raembrrs and two But the individual chapters are is a misnomer. Rather than sav­ female group leaders. We stress not tightly enough written to ing her own life, Isadora is confidentiality. Only the cthei succeed as a series of vignettes. only getting more of the same in group members will know you. The They are mostly character sketch­ her new relationship. Many women meetings are held in a private es of the great and near-great are writing about the new ways Montana Room in the University and their groupies who all admire we are learning to make our lives. Center. The group is called a Isadora's frankness. The only These don't always have the 'discussion of female sexuality’1, thing about the novel which I en­ stereotypical happy endings, but the content of which will only be joyed was figuring out who the they are presenting women strugg­ available tc group members. various characters are in real ling in realistic ways to change Groups begin when enough wo­ life. their lives. It angers me that men have signed up. The)' will meet If the style leaves something Jong can get such a poor novel Monday and Wednesday nights 7-8:30. to he desired, the plot is even published and get the media cov­ Fcr more detailed information more disappointing. Jong fear­ erage necessary to make it a best cal 1: lessly exposes all her weaknesses seller. The myth of the man who Betry McQuirk 728 -7134 evenings and vulnerabilities as she goes can instantly solve all of a Jo Fiarne:. 549-1212 evenings through all her friends and lov­ woman's problems and provide ers. To be able to admit one's total fulfillment and happiness weaknesses does take a certain s is just that - a myth. Book Review strength, and if the novel dealt Kathleen Coyne with the ways in which the heroine How to Save Your Own Life by overcame them, it might have some potential. Rather than dealing The Montana Women1s Resource is put Erica Jong, published by Holt, with Isadora's working through out 4 times a year through the Rinehart and Winston. her feelings about fame, love, Women's Resource Center, University How to Save Your Own Life is marriage, and personal fulfill­ Center, University of Montana, Erica Jong's thinly disguised Missoula, Mt. Staff: Sheila Evans, autobiographical sequel to Fear ment, she merely runs through a series of lovers, none of whom Kathleen Coyne of Flying. IVhile Fear of Flying can satisfy her needs. It is the was at least mildly amusing as classic story of a woman looking The Montana Women's Resource is soft-core porn without many femi- for fulfillment in a lover and open to input from any women nist/political implications, How she, of course, finds one who around the state. Please write to Save Your Own Life has few (if has all the requisite qualities, any) redeeming qualities. If us I and who especially is totally un­ page 10 Jong was exploring her (Isadora's) like her husband. How to Save Strengths in Fear of Flying, in Your Own Life doesn't even bother

Montana Women's Resource University Center University of Montana Missoula, Montana S9812