Vision and Leadership Dear Members This Fall the NETWORK Act Justly, Love Tenderly NETW RK Staff Has Been All Over the and Walk Humbly with Your God

PEOPLE LOBBYING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008

Vision and Leadership dear members This fall the NETWORK Act justly, love tenderly NETW RK staff has been all over the and walk humbly with your God. A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby country speaking on vot- NETWORK—a Catholic leader ing for the common good. Micah 6:8 in the global movement We are so heartened by for justice and peace— educates, organizes and the response that we have lobbies for economic received. Everywhere we go and social transformation. we meet committed indi- NETWORK Board of Directors viduals, families and groups Mary Ann Brenden Marie Lucey, OSF Marie Clarke Brill Rhonda Meister working together to make Simone Campbell, SSS Kateri Mitchell, SSA Joan Carey, SSJ Mary Ann Nestel, CSJ sense of our world by put- Advent Blessings to All Cathleen Crayton Judith Braitmayer Sharpe ting our faith into action. Mary Ann Gaido Sandra Thibodeux, MMB Linda Howell-Perrin, LSW Mary T. Yelenick Also, all over the country Barbara Lange Peter J. Zografos more people are signing up NETWORK Education Program Board of Directors to be part of our e-advocacy Contents Elizabeth Dahlman Kit Hinga, SSJ program. This is great as we Katherine Feely, SND Dorothy Jackson, SCN envisioning Jennifer Haut Kathleen Phelan, OP get ready to participate in Our World Hungers for New NETWORK Staff the 111th Congress. We are 3 Communications Coordinator/Editor— Leadership Stephanie Niedringhaus poised to be more effective Simone Campbell, SSS, sees the economic Coordinator of Annual Giving—Hanna Rutz than ever. crisis as yet another call for new ways of Executive Director—Simone Campbell, SSS leading. Field Coordinator—Jean Sammon So at this time of IT Coordinator—Joy Wigwe Thanksgiving and Advent, cover story Lobbyists—Marge Clark, BVM; I want to express my per- Leadership: More Integrity Catherine Pinkerton, CSJ 4 than Politics Major GIfts Coordinator—John R. Price, D.Min. sonal gratitude to you for NETWORK Associates—Katrine Herrick, Joan Chittister, OSB, calls our nation’s Stephanie Riccobene, Kelly Trout helping to make NET- leaders—and each of us in turn—to rebel Office/Membership Coordinator—Ann Dunn WORK the wonderful orga- against injustice and to move our nation and world into a hopeful future. NETWORK Education Program Staff nization that it is. I am so Coordinator—Sara Dwyer, ASC proud and grateful to know focus on the hill Articles in NETWORK Connection may be that I lobby with all of you As the 110th Congress reprinted. Please include the following on 8 the reprints: “Reprinted with permission around the country who Draws to a Close from NETWORK, a National Catholic So- care about the common Congress grapples with an unprecedented cial Justice Lobby, 25 E Street NW, Suite economic crisis and much unfinished business. 200, Washington, DC 20001, www.net- good. It gives such mean- worklobby.org.” Please send us a copy of ing to my life and prayer toward a global community the reprinted article. I Teach about Women in November/December 2008—Vol. 36, No. 6 to know that we are in this 10 NETWORK Connection together. THANKS! This Global Economy ISSN 0199-5723 Dr. Shyamala Raman teaches her college Published bimonthly by NETWORK And now, let us embrace students to question traditional views of ph o n e 202-347-9797 fa x 202-347-9864 women in this evolving world. e-m a i l : [email protected] in this Advent of 2008 a we b s i t e : www.networklobby.org sense of waiting and act- Postmaster: Send address changes to highlighting people ing. We are waiting for the NETWORK • 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 Justice in this New Millennium Washington, DC 20001 new Congress and Admin- 12 Dr. Bernard J. Offerman helps us understand Annual dues: $50/$60 international. istration, but we are also the meaning of social justice. Copyright © 2008 NETWORK. striving to embrace our Cover: sunset by Joseph Helfenberger, others spread the word by NETWORK. L–R: Convention for the Common faith more fully. We await Good delegates; Senator Robert Casey (D-PA) Advent Reflection: and Rep. Nancy Kaptur (D-OH) address the the birth of God in our 13 Leadership Starts With Us Convention; Common Good Choir. lives too. Let us celebrate Copy, distribute and reflect on this look at how we can all become leaders for justice. together this renewal of our SAVE THE DATE ! willingness together to be making a differencee Join NETWORK at the one Body of God. Your Vision and Action for Advent faith sustains us! 15 The Rev. John Price, an Episcopal priest and Ecumenical NETWORK’s Major Gifts Coordinator, tells us May we be support for how the season of Advent invites us to support Advocacy Days each other during the chal- NETWORK in new ways. THEME: lenging days ahead! ENOUGH FOR ALL Comments on this issue? Ideas for future issues of March 13–16, 2009 Connection? Let us hear from you! Washington DC [email protected] www.advocacydays.org

2 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org envisioning Our World Hungers

Tobias Helbig Tobias for New Leadership By Si m o n e Ca m p b e l l , SSS

the spread of free market capi- society and toward a sustainable society talism as the way to shared for all. We are challenged to step away prosperity. This “liberal” eco- from militaristic nationalism and toward nomic policy is favored by the a sense of nation that embraces diplo- economic conservatives in the macy and cooperation. In short, we are U.S. and demonized by the left. challenged to be the leaders we need. There is no middle ground. There It will not be easy. It requires quiet is no institution or policy that pro- listening hearts to hear the suffering vides leadership for an integrated around us and the nudges to respond world that can balance trade and in new ways. It also requires the brazen- development, peacekeeping and open ness to speak out for new policies and markets. All of this polarization works a new balanced economy that includes effectively as long as there is cooperation new regulation. But most important of and expanding markets. No one needs a all, this call to leadership means that we We have just come through a grueling leader…until there is a crisis. must let our lives proclaim our faith and two-year election process to choose a Now we face a crisis of huge propor- solidarity with the whole human family. Wleader for our country. We are in peril- tions. In the 1990s and the early part of This is what it means to live our faith ous economic times where the question this decade, we instituted policies that in the twenty-first century. The time is often is, “Whose leadership should we dismantled the U.S. market’s oversight now. Let us together make this an Advent follow?” The public skepticism of the mechanisms. We urged other nations practice—our nation and our world are Bush Administration has made it more through the G-7 to embrace a “free mar- hungry for our presence. difficult to believe that Secretary of the ket” approach (meaning no restraints). Treasury Paulson has an effective anti- We ensured that the IMF and the World Simone Campbell, SSS, is NETWORK’s dote to the economic crisis. It is chal- Bank required nations to open their Executive Director. lenging domestically to find a leader we markets and remove constraints in order can trust. to participate in the global economy. But there is an added complexity to Now we wonder: where are the leaders this search for leadership. When I was in to bring us out of this chaos? the Middle East in January of this year, As I ponder this dilemma, I real- many people urged us to remember that ize that something new is called when we elect a president of our coun- for. It is what we at NETWORK try we are also electing a leader for the have been working for over world. They begged us to remember the the last few years. We need world when we vote. This insight was more than smart politicians heightened when the world economic and economists who are markets responded so quickly to the willing to blend formerly U.S. economic troubles. Europe had dif- polarized views. Instead, ficulty responding because while they we need smart, engaged had an integrated economy, their system people who are willing to of governance was separate. chart a new course. We An additional complexity emerges are being called to come when we think of the existing global together to insist on the structures. The United Nations has seen common good and create its greatest policy successes in health something new. We are chal- and development as well as peacekeep- lenged to step away from our A RTZ ing activities. It is the institution favored fear-based individualism and

by progressives in the U.S. and not sup- toward a sense of society as a A S CHW ported by conservatives. The Interna- whole. We are challenged to step DR tional Monetary Fund (IMF) and the away from measuring success as per- World Bank have as their policy agenda sonal wealth in a consumption-based

www.networklobby.org November/December 2008 Connection 3 Leadership: More Integrity than Politics

By Jo a n Ch i t t i s t e r , OSB

At the end of WWII, the dark time The world for which we seek leaders It is a cruel, unkind, glorious and grand Aremembered everywhere still—a time now is unbelievably affluent for some world. of defeated peoples, and destroyed but unmercifully impoverished for One right step and the whole world nations—commentator Walter Lippman others. can become new again. One more said: “The final test of a leader is It is a world reeling with new galaxies wrong step and the globe itself is in someone who leaves behind themselves and pulsing with the possibility of irreversible danger. in others the conviction and the will to extraterrestrial life. carry on.” And it needs leaders who will lead it It is a world that holds quarks in one through what Paul Kennedy describes Today we are attempting to choose hand and clones in another. as the six major problems facing the leaders in an era when we have never 21st century: needed leadership more. It is a world tethered by computers, but disjointed by political conflicts. 1. The population explosion and its There are fewer wars now than in strain on resources. generations past–but more deaths. It is a world dependent on one another economically, but suspicious of one 2. The communication revolution There are a greater number of another politically; more powerful and its power to drain money from independent nations–but fewer technologically, and more endangered one nation in order to deposit it economically developed ones. militarily; never more strong and never instantaneously into the coffers of more weak. another. What new leaders inherit now is a world dying of AIDS, starving from desertification and sucked dry of resources in one part of the world in order to create wealth for another part of the world.

It is a world where women are There is more international commerce bought and sold, where men become 3. The biotechnological revolution, but still more grinding poverty than soldiers as children, where women’s which now promises the west and ever before in history. bodies are men’s latest weapon of mass its laboratories a monopoly even on destruction; where, in the richest time world food supplies. What will we and our leaders inspire in in history, young men join armies this kind of world? What convictions because there are no other jobs. 4. Robotics and its effect on the will we ourselves leave behind? laboring class. 5. Environmental degradation and its all photos istockphoto.com. Page 4: Composite–E. Kim, Earth courtesy NASA, sun composite–Manuela miller, cracked earth–dale effect on the sustainability of the robins; india–narvikk, oc photo; donkey–klaas lingbeek-van kranen. Page 5: flood–pattie steib; iraq–craig debourbon; african children–peeter viisimaa. Page 6: child playing near dump, mexico–milan klusacek; Myammar monk–b. trenkel; incense–damien planet itself. gill. Page 7: homeless–phil augustavo; hands–ruchos; elder care–anne de haas; composite–e. kim, archway–jeffrey smith.

4 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org 6. The future of the nation-state in a • Shipping non-biodegradable disregard of most of the people of the world where nation-states now lack materials and toxic waste by garbage world? the capacity even to control their barge from New York to Mexico has If the leaders want to lead a world own fate and power is more and become big business because weak such as this down a different path than more vested in the hands of a few. nations have no way to combat leaders before now, there are three becoming the garbage dumps of the The implications of those things are stories we and they must remember, I capitalist world. already among us, eating away at the think. They may say more about what foundations of our lives: • Chemicals which once activated it takes to lead a people beyond such the soil are now depleting it and madness than anything leadership • 200 million animals a year are being fertilizers used to energize our land manuals like to talk about. wantonly destroyed–for “research.” are now polluting our rivers and m • 2/3 of the hungry of the world are lakes. women. 2/3 of the illiterate of the In the first story, a village is awaiting a • Nuclear weaponry threatens the world are women. 2/3 of the poor of visit from the emperor: every year he very existence of the planet and the world are women. came regally dressed, resplendent in they have the effrontery to call it velvet and gold, to demonstrate how • The ozone layer–the placenta of “defense.” great an emperor he was. the earth–has been ruptured, the The question is, then, How shall these polar ice cap is melting and raising People lined the streets for miles and new leaders lead so that the errors of the water levels of the world while, shouted as the emperor strode by. the last generation do not simply become even more death- “You are the greatest emperor of all.” dealing? But one year a small child in the crowd, What will they need to do, to shocked by what he saw, shouted even be, to stop this breakneck rush louder: “No. No,” he said. “Look! The to exploitation of the globe, emperor has no clothes at all.” economic disaster for the masses, medical disregard of the Then the farce was over. Then the many, the new control of the crowd went silent. Then everyone poor of all nations by the rich snuck away ashamed of what they had of all nations and the political allowed to go unchallenged. And then the emperor resigned the throne.

at the same time, the lands of the poor are turning to dust and stone while the industrialized world goes on choosing short-term profits over long-term global warming treaties.

www.networklobby.org November/December 2008 Connection 5 m translate the scriptures into Japanese. When the scriptures were finally He spent years begging for the money published they were enshrined for all Point: if we want to lead this world it would take to print them. Just as to see. But, they say, when the people through bad times to good, we must be he was about to begin, however, a take their children to view the books, truth-tellers. great flood came that left thousands they tell them that the first two editions “If you want to save the age,” the poet homeless. of those scriptures–the new houses and Brenda Kennelly writes, “betray it. the well-fed people–were even more So the monk took the money given Expose its conceits, its foibles and its beautiful than the third. him to publish the scriptures and built phony moral certitudes.” houses for the homeless. m There will be those among the powerful Then he collected the money again. The second lesson of leadership, then, who try to make us say what we know This time, before he could start the is that no personal passion must come is clearly not true because, if everyone printing a great famine came and between the leader and the needs of the agrees to believe the lie, the lie can go thousands of people faced starvation. people. on forever. This time, the monk took the money People are the subject matter of The lie that there is: and bought food for the hungry. leadership. Not personal ambitions. Not nothing we can do about AIDS, personal passions. Not personal profit. Then, he collected the money again. Not personal power. nothing we can do about world And began his printing project all over. poverty, nothing we can do about fair trade, nothing we can do to end war,

nothing we can do about equality and justice, nothing we can do to provide education and health care, and housing and food, and roads and water and just wages for everyone in the world. m If we want to lead this world, we, The third lesson of leadership comes too, must refuse to tell the old lies. from the Sufi master who says, “If you want to smell sweet, stay close to the We must learn to say with certainty seller of perfumes.” and clarity: those emperors have no clothes! m We must, like the child in the The people we follow are the measure story, see what we’re looking at of our own test of character. They and say what we see! demonstrate and concretize, they manifest and institutionalize our m own ideals of leadership, our own The second story is about a commitment to leadership, our own Buddhist monk who wanted to legacy to the world.

6 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org If we want to lead the world to always, always see what we’re looking We must choose leaders who will lead compassion, we must choose for at and say what we’re seeing. If we us and the world back to our best ourselves leaders who embody the ourselves become the compassion we selves. And inspire us again! compassionate, rather than the talk about. If we want to lead now we must uncaring face of the power. The great leaders of history have always foreswear the past. We must rebel, If we want to lead the world to been those who refused to barter their rebel, rebel. wholeness, we must follow the ideals for the sake of their personal peacemakers, not the warmongers. interests and who rebelled against the m lies of their times. If we want to lead the world to freedom, equality must mean more Real leaders don’t live to get to the to us than domination, than control, top of a system. They live to save the than double standards that treat men soul of it–and they will go on doing one way, women another, the rich one that whether they are elected or not. way, the poor another, whites one way, “As long as the world shall last there people of color another, majorities one will be wrongs,” Clarence Darrow way, minorities another. warns us. “And if no leader objects and no leader rebels, those wrongs will last forever.” If we really want to lead, we must inspire the world to go on

Justice must mean more to us than Joan Chittister, struggling to rebel so that what power. a Benedictine obstructs us from being fully Sister of Erie, Ideals must mean more to us than human together may be seen Pennsylvania public approval. for what it is, be converted into is an award- good, and become the sweet If we want to inspire those we leave winning author sound of justice heard in every behind with the conviction and the and international corner of the world. will to go on doing good, doing justice, lecturer on behalf doing right, like the child in the village, To save the age we must choose of peace, human like the wise old monk, like the Sufi leaders who will rebel–rebel rights, women’s saint: We choose leaders who are more against the lies, rebel against the issues, justice, and real than their image. Who choose violence, rebel against anyone church renewal. Her latest book, The Gift of people over projects. or anything that leads us to Years, has been a bestseller since its release believe that either self-service or last spring. She is the founder and executive But that can only happen if we choose force can save us now. director of Benetvision. (benetvision.org). our own heroes wisely. If we always, Article © Joan Chittister, OSB.

www.networklobby.org November/December 2008 Connection 7 focus on the hill As the 110th Congress Draws to a Close

By Ma r g e Cl a r k , BVM, Ca t h e r i n e Pi n k e r t o n , CSJ, Si m o n e Ca m p b e l l , SSS

The 110th Congress has succeeded in president signed into law the “Emergen- income housing tax credits, an increased Tpassing some legislation for the common cy Economic Stabilization Act of 2008” rehabilitation tax credit, and education good, including bills that raised the min- (H.R.1424). The law creates the Trou- and housing tax benefits. imum wage, increased funding for such bled Assets Relief Program (TARP), which The Mental Health Parity and Addic- domestic human needs as home energy includes efforts to stabilize the financial tion and Equity Act section provides assistance and nutrition programs, and system and a provision for mental health parity in coverage for mental health and offered some relief to victims of natu- and substance abuse parity. TARP pro- substance abuse with other medical con- ral disasters. Congressional efforts to vides the U.S. Treasury Department with ditions. expand the State Children’s Health up to $700 billion and the authority to Insurance Program (SCHIP) failed, how- purchase from banks and other financial Economic Stimulus ever, and many other important tasks institutions troubled mortgage-relat- On September 26, the House passed remain unfinished. ed securities. It also requires a plan to a $60.8 billion economic stimulus pack- As this issue of Connection went to mitigate foreclosures and to encourage age, but a companion $56.2 billion Sen- press, congressional leaders were still mortgage lenders to modify loans via the ate measure failed to get the 60 votes considering another package of spend- HOPE for Homeowners Program, and necessary for floor consideration. Both ing intended to spur the economy. It is it raises FDIC coverage on deposits to bills would provide additional fund- possible that such a package would be $250,000 per account. It further limits ing for food stamps and state Medic- considered during a lame-duck session the amount CEOs of participating com- aid programs, money for infrastructure after the election. panies can deduct from their taxes for projects, and additional unemployment As we prepare for the 111th Congress, income over $500,000. insurance benefits. NETWORK will continue to advocate for Tax provisions include extensions of The House version (H.R. 7110) that the most vulnerable people at home and credits for renewable energy and ener- passed includes such job-creating and around the world by supporting legisla- gy-efficient buildings and appliances; a common good provisions as the follow- tion that serves the common good. reduction in the income threshold for ing: those eligible for the child tax credit to • Transportation funding, including Addressing the Economic Crisis $8,500; and tax relief for areas affected money for highway infrastructure The 110th Congress passed and the by floods and hurricanes, including low projects, public transportation and

Need up-to-date information about legislation in Congress? Check out NETWORK’s Legislative Action Center at http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/bills/. ★ To learn what happened to legislation you followed in the past, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/votes/ and enter your zip code in the “Key Votes” field.

8 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org Amtrak upgrades and funding for Housing Trust Fund for a review of all existing agreements, water resource infrastructure such as The source of funding for the Hous- including the North American Free drinking water and sewer projects ing Trust Fund (HTF), established to Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Central • Grants for “green” modernization, ren- increase and preserve the supply of America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) ovation and repair of public schools. housing for extremely low and very low and the various agreements negoti- • Additional funding for the Public income families, was based on the vol- ated by the Bush Administration under Housing Capital Fund, and energy ume of new business done by the Gov- Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), now efficiency and renewable energy ernment Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) expired. • Extension of Unemployment Insur- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Now that ance benefits and funding for job both are in federal conservatorship, the The Colombia Free Trade Agreement training and employment services funding source for the trust fund is in The administration hopes for passage • Temporary increase in the federal peril. A bill (H.R. 6955) was introduced of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement Medicaid matching rate to states and in the House to suspend contributions by before the president leaves office. Should temporary increase in food assistance. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the trust Congress return for an expected “lame NETWORK is urging the Senate to fund and to the HOPE for Homeowners duck” session after the election, a vote act on an economic stimulus bill when Program while they are in governmental on the Colombia FTA could be called, they briefly reconvene in November, as conservatorship. It was referred to the thus disposing of the last big item on is currently expected. Should it pass, the House Financial Services Committee. this president’s trade agenda. president has threatened to veto both the President Uribe of Colombia would Senate and House versions. We urge the Iraq welcome such a development. Presi- administration to reconsider this threat We were pleased that the United dent Uribe in mid-September launched for the good of the country. States met its very low goal of admit- a strong lobbying effort in Washington. ting Iraqi refugees to our country. We Seventy representatives from various Budget accepted slightly more sectors of Colombian society—business The 110th Congress passed than 12,000 refugees in leaders, elected officials, students, trade none of the 12 regular appro- great part thanks to the unionists and Afro-indigenous represen- priations bills for fiscal year advocacy and pressure tatives—descended on Congress to meet 2009, and instead passed H.R. from our members and with members of both parties and pres- 2638, which provides full fis- other concerned citi- sure them to approve the U.S.–Colombia cal 2009 funding for military zens around the coun- FTA. construction and the Depart- try. Congratulations on Colombia’s major trade unions were ments of Defense, Homeland this success. not represented in the delegation, indic- Security and Veterans Affairs; There is an increas- ative of the fact that 17 unionists were contains a Continuing Reso- ing awareness of the murdered in Colombia in the first quar- lution to keep the rest of the magnitude of the Iraq ter of 2008—double the number mur- government funded through war refugee crisis. In the dered during the first quarter of 2007. March 6, 2009, largely at fis- coming months, NET- Four hundred thirty-four unionists have cal 2008 levels; and provides WORK will be working been murdered in the first six years of disaster relief to the victims of floods, on developing policies and programs Uribe’s presidency, maintaining Colom- wildfires and hurricanes. Common good that will support the admission of refu- bia’s record of murdering more trade highlights from the massive spending gees to our country and for Iraqis who unionists annually than any other nation bill include: wish to return to Iraq. in the world. • $5.1 billion to fund the Low Income Across Colombia, there is significant Home Energy Assistance Program— The Trade Act opposition to the trade agreement from $2.5 billion more than in 2008 The “Trade Reform, Accountabil- business groups, agricultural workers, • $22.9 billion supplement to 2008 ity, Development and Employment Act” the country’s largest unions, and others. funding for families and communi- (TRADE) introduced by Senator Sher- Meanwhile, the Panama and South ties devastated by natural disasters, rod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Michael Korea Free Trade Agreements languish including disaster relief, and commu- Michaud (D-ME) aims to reexamine and without a vote, pending action on the nity development and social services reshape U.S trade policy. The Interfaith Colombia trade agreement. block grants Working Group, of which NETWORK is • Increased funding for the Women, an active member, is in the process of Marge Clark, BVM, and Catherine Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition submitting a critique of the legislation Pinkerton, CSJ, are NETWORK lobbyists. program and for Pell Grants for higher to the bill’s authors. We welcome the Simone Campbell, SSS, is NETWORK’s education. opportunity because the legislation calls Executive Director.

Want timely information about key issues in Congress? NETWORK members can sign up for our weekly email legislative hotline. Send your name, zip code and email address to [email protected]. www.networklobby.org November/December 2008 Connection 9 toward a global community

I Teach about Women in this Global Economy By Sh y a m a l a Ra m a n

The sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Connecticut’s only women’s college and in an integrated global economy. Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is New England’s only Catholic women’s The changing nature of work, new Ta fitting occasion for reflecting not only college. family configurations, and the related on the document per se, but also the My doctoral degree is in economics, issues of economic empowerment of extent to which it reminds us to keep and during my early years of teaching, women are some of the challenging con- up the perpetual, urgent task of raising I was awakened by my students to the sequences of the integrated global econo- world consciousness about issues con- cognitive dissonance in this discipline. my. The changing nature of work created cerning women’s rights and wellbeing. The questions they asked forced me to by the transition from industrialism to As activists and scholars, we need to examine how economics studies women, “post-industrial informationalism” has have ongoing public dialogue in order work and families. That led me to focus led to new occupational structures, flex- to keep these issues in the forefront. on the role of women in the economy, ible employment, and the “end of work” Given that the leading light of the UDHR and to design courses on women in the as we knew it. While these changes pro- was a marvelous woman leader, Eleanor global economy as well as women, work vide many opportunities, it is important Roosevelt, what can we do to maintain a and family in the Global South. In short, to explore those issues that lead to fis- focus on women’s issues? I set out to demystify economics and sures and fractures. Some of these are: Let me briefly introduce my vantage economistic thinking for my students. • The extent of the global division point, which I consider to be simultane- Questions were planted in their of labor and its encroachment into ously a point of mission and a vocation. minds, which is “mission accomplished” employment opportunities for U.S. All of my education from kindergarten in a small way. It is this mission that I women just entering the labor force; through my Master’s degree was at wom- would like to share—how one can build • Access issues in education and tech- en’s institutions. The palpable need to a global community through questioning nology as women seek to integrate inquire, interrogate and examine wom- and understanding the roles of women themselves into the information econ- en’s lives has become second nature to in the global economy. omy; me because of the inspiration and val- • Public policy issues related to educa- ues inculcated in me by my teachers and How I Teach tion and training; parents. I will begin by sharing how I teach • The extent of women’s participation Today, I am grateful for my involve- about women’s roles in our domestic in new occupational structures. For ment in the ministry of education at economy and the challenges women face example, what is the percentage of women involved in the burgeoning International biotechnology industry in Connecti- Studies students cut? Are they in low-skill jobs or in conduct workshop research and managerial positions? on genocide for high How do we address the multiple issues school students. of earnings and racial/ethnic and gender segmentation in the industries of the “new economy”? The conceptualization of the family and household must take into consideration new realities. The imaginary family of Ozzie and Harriet has been replaced by single parent families, same sex partners, blended families, grand- parenting and extended families. Economic necessity fostered by global competition has made it mandatory for women to work in waged jobs while non-waged work such as that in the household or informal economy has

10 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org not decreased significantly. Means-tested transfer programs of recent years (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Fami- lies or “TANF”) have led low-income women to assume more responsibility for generating their own incomes while creating their own family-based care and/or local infrastructure. Examples include arranging for the care of their children while they are working, whether by extended family or in affordable child care centers. The bargaining power of women in College students attend the 52nd Meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women held at the UN in February 2008. (Visit arranged by Sr. Ann Howard.) the workplace has weakened in a neo- liberalist, “stockholder capitalistic” should not forget some of the underlying ally. In some cases, the movements are environment. The responsibility of the systemic causes and issues that affect the advocating voluntary delinking from the nation state to provide care and educa- roles of women in the global economy. corporate ethic of profit and promoting tion services has suffered in the name of As shown in the schematic, these can be “provisioning” that can be defined as privatization. This trend is worldwide summarized as the impact of globaliza- thinking of economic activity enveloped although its various manifestations in tion on women, the ongoing discussion in humanity, ethics and sustainability. the Global North are very different than of the Millennium Development Goals One fine example of this activity is the in the Global South. and their treatment of gender issues, growth of local currency systems, which When integrating issues faced by the and the role of women in bringing use local instead of national currency to women in the U.S. with those of the about environmental change that might pay for goods and services in a limited women in the Global South, it is impor- address some of the damaging effects of area. tant to disaggregate the issues. I make it globalization. All three topics as well as In other cases, where globalization has clear to my students that “essentialism” the systemic issues are interconnected, forced the loss of jobs, women’s groups in thinking about the “two-thirds” world with feedback loops. have worked to provide education and uses the perspective of “othering” those training. Our task is to build solidarity about whom we do not know while exo- Looking to the Future that addresses public policies linked to tifying and objectifying them into cat- We, as women, may “hold up half the these momentous changes. egories of scholarship in the West. sky,” to use the phrase of the late Chi- While all of us know that we cannot nese revolutionary leader, Mao Tse Tung. completely change the world and rid How It All Connects It is better, however, to use Maria Mies’s it of its injustices and asymmetries, we expression: “Women can still wipe away a tear from a woman are the last colony.” who has been affected by injustice and TRAFFICKING We are still colonized inequity; we can still educate one more CARE ISSUES FACTORY WORK WORK in the palpable pres- student and one more grassroots activist ence of patriarchy, by about the impact of human trafficking, public policy, and by migration, and horrors of war; and we many more inequities. can still tell the world, every minute of Does this mean that the day, that we are in this together via the future for working our circles of connections, without ever MILLENNIUM women in the emerg- forgetting that we walk in the footsteps SUSTAINABLE GLOBALIZATION DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT ing global economy of our pioneering foremothers. GOALS is dismal? I do not believe it is so. If this Dr. Shyamala period of globalization Raman is a professor I try to build an overarching sche- is symbolic of the “rise of the network of economics and matic in my classes and fill in the con- society” (Manuel Castells, 1996), the international studies tent with not only the latest scholarship very metaphor of the network catalyzed and Director of but also with multiple perspectives. The by information technology has the abil- International Studies schematic illustrates major issues relat- ity to mobilize women towards weaving and Programs at ing to women by looking at three sec- a quilt of a women-centered, equitable Saint Joseph College, tors—care work, human trafficking, and and sustainable economy. West Hartford, factory work. I give my students multi- It is heartening to note the rise of Connecticut. All ple perspectives on each of these sectors formal and informal networks created photos courtesy of the and then tell them that in our study we by women locally, regionally and glob- author. www.networklobby.org November/December 2008 Connection 11 highlighting people

Justice in the New Millennium By Be r n a r d J. Of f e r m a n

Justice often is thought of in Old Testa- ment terms as a stubbornly just and “no Jnonsense” God calling the people back to fidelity—faithfulness to the original cov- enant and fairness and equity in dealings among the people. This Biblical justice is expressed eloquently in Exodus: You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. (Ex 22:20-22) It is often difficult to write of an earlier society of mainly personal relationships and individual acts of justice and make a useful transition to the structured and may well live in a future generation. A successful act of Social Justice, more complex society of today. Herein They may live in a distant country or then, removes a condition that con- lies the value of the distinction between continent. Because there are usually no tradicts the God-given dignity of the person-to-person justice in a simpler era final victories on the road to “justice,” person—whether the condition is pov- and the virtue of “Social Justice” in our you will often not see the fruits of your erty, unemployment, lack of affordable time. handiwork or witness the gratitude of a housing, discrimination, educational Social Justice today has been defined people helped or empowered. deficiency, environmental harm, or an as the virtue of “organizing or re-orga- Social Justice can be called the “pub- unfair or inadequate healthcare deliv- nizing systems or institutions with the lic form of love” in that it reaches beyond ery system. In removing the dependen- goal of advancing the common good”— personal relationships and the familiar- cy that often accompanies these social i.e., the temporal welfare and preserva- ity of friends and associates who would or economic conditions, Social Justice tion of individual dignity within the be there to thank you. enables people to claim and live the network and moral reach of individuals, These are examples of activities that dignity inherent in being a creature of organizations, civic life in general, or the represent acts of Social Justice: God. overall society. • Work for a just law or a morally Justice is foundational to the virtue of Quite often, “justice” is thought of as responsible budget; Charity. Charity responds to and treats giving a person what is his or her due—a • Promoting a public or private policy breakdowns in society, often on an cold arms-length virtue of being fair in that includes people in the shaping individual basis. Social Justice coalesc- our dealings—no more, no less. In this of their own lives and screening them es people to organize and change the vein, it has been called “the primary reg- into (instead of out of) participation more basic condition or causes of the ulator of human activity.” and opportunity in the workings of breakdowns. But it is much more than that, and it society; is warmed by a movement of the heart as • Work for solidarity and just relations Bernard J. Offerman, well as the mind. within our community and our neigh- Ph.D. is a retired borhoods; and, Duke Professor at The Act of Social Justice • Advocacy of a living, family wage in Johnson C. Smith The act of Social Justice can mean our worklife, or a more equitable dis- University in that you care deeply about people whom tribution of wealth and income in our Charlotte, North you may not know or ever meet. They society. Carolina.

12 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org spread the word Advent Reflection: Leadership Starts With Us This Advent season coincides with a critical transition in our country’s political leadership. It is a perfect time to resolve anew to bring our own visionary leadership to the communal challenge of forging a more just world. Sr. Joan Chittister describes truth-telling as a illuminate what is wrong with the current social, foundation of visionary leadership: “The great political, and economic order, we must also leaders of history have always been those who present an alternative vision and work toward refused to barter their ideals for the sake of their its fulfillment. To be true to this call to action, we personal interests and who rebelled against the lies must challenge ourselves to ground our critiques of their times.” (“Leadership: More Integrity than in a clear understanding of the nature of the Politics,” Connection, Nov.-Dec. 2008) “good” we seek. We must faithfully consider the A visionary leader speaks frankly about ingredients we need for transformations and injustices overlooked in popular discourse the instruments we have around us—or and perpetuated by the status quo. As may need to fashion—in order to see our Sr. Joan says, we speak truth about vision realized. the ills of our world “so that what What possibilities for pursuing justice obstructs us from being fully human do we see in the next year and together may be seen for what it is, be beyond? How can we hold ourselves converted into good, and become the and our political leaders accountable sweet sound of justice heard in every to that vision? On the back of this page, corner of the world.” (ibid.) we present a basic blueprint each of us Speaking truth to power is integral to can use to reflect upon our own visions of visionary leadership, but our mission does justice and what we can do to make them a not end at naming the injustices. As we reality.

“If tackling critical problems seems a “It would appear that this country is adrift fool’s errand, it’s only because we’re right now; that the Ship of State is bobbing looking at life through too narrow a and weaving, and the words of Seneca lens. History shows that the proverbial come to mind: If a man does not know to rock can be rolled, if not to the top what port he sails, no wind is favorable. of the mountain, then at least to You ought to know where you are going; the successive plateaus and, more you ought to know to what port you sail, important, simply pushing the rock and perhaps the winds will favor your in the right direction is cause for direction. You must know that. It is the celebration. History also shows that confidence of your knowledge; it is the even seemingly miraculous advances sureness of your knowledge which may are in fact the result of many people perchance nudge this country in the right taking small steps together over a long direction.” —Barbara Jordan, Commencement period of time” —Paul Rogat Loeb Speech, Howard University, 1974

“Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lay defeat and death” —Nelson Mandela

We encourage the reproduction and distribution of this back-to-back fact sheet.

NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 • Washington DC 20001 202-347-9797 • www.networklobby.org

November/December 2008 Connection 13 spread the word AnAdvent Calendar to Ignite Your Own Visionary Leadership

Week 1 — Reflect Week 2 — Brainstorm What are your desires for the future of your What needs to change in order for that piece family, your community, our country, our world? of your justice vision to become a reality? What is your vision of a just world? Based on your What effects would that change have on the personal experiences and interests, what piece of surrounding institutions and people? Is the piece that vision most ignites your passion? too big to change at once? Which pieces can be Do you feel most strongly about… changed now? • achieving broader access to a particular need, Which people, communities and/or institutions like quality and affordable health care? hold keys to advancing your vision? What kinds of coalitions already exist or could be constructed to • supporting the struggle for social and work toward it? economic justice of a particular community or group? Can you think of people whose perspectives are missing from your own vision? How might you • transforming a system or institution such as connect with them in order to strengthen your “free” trade policies or immigration laws that, own vision and advance common goals? in their current form, impede the construction of a more just world?

Week 3 — Gather Your Resources Week 4 — Take Action What specific steps can you take to move your How and when can you implement your vision forward? Are you focusing on change in plan? your community, in your state, in national policy? • How and when will you connect with What resources do you have or can you find… those who will create justice? • to help you understand the issue? • When are the best windows for action? • to help you make a plan? (organizational skills, How can you spread the word about your toolkits and materials from other groups) action/event? • to help you spread your message? (networks • How can you communicate your vision to you are involved with, upcoming meetings or different people? events, media skills) Gather materials to make your action/ • to support and encourage you? (friends, event successful. And now, live your faith cohorts, organizations) by acting for justice in the weeks and the months to come! How can your resources help you to lead others along with your vision?

As you begin to ignite your own visionary leadership, remember that NETWORK is here to be a resource to you. We are here for emotional as well as educational support, and we are anxious to see how you will continue to lead us to the better world we all envision. By Katrine Herrick and Kelly Trout, NETWORK Associates We encourage the reproduction and distribution of this back-to-back fact sheet.

NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 • Washington DC 20001 202-347-9797 • www.networklobby.org

14 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org making a difference

By Jo h n Pr i c e , D.Mi n .

I recently arrived at NETWORK to serve even a religious term, but a secular one? All of us are called to be leaders when as the Major Donor Coordinator, and I This civic gospel told of a good news that it comes to speaking the truth to power want to use this opportunity to explore impinges on life on a communal level, in our own generation. with you the relationship between the transforming not just individual life, but We are called to be leaders in the spirituality of giving and the call to lead- more importantly, transforming the char- ways we invest our resources of intellect, ership that is the focus of this issue of acter of the whole community. It is a word prayer, shared labor and our financial Connection. that speaks about the people’s welfare, the resources on behalf of the Good News. Joan Chittister suggests in her lead common good, a new vision that shapes And we are all called to a heart-felt article that leaders are those “who will all lives for the better. And in the person humility, for as Archbishop Romero once lead us and the world back to our best of Jesus, we see just how global is this call wrote, “Without poverty of spirit there selves.” This sounds very much like the for social and economic justice. can be no abundance of God.” Christian season of Advent, a time heav- As followers of Jesus, we are given an For Christians in every place and ily shaped by the clear-eyed vision of the invitation to new ways of using our pos- time, leadership is about following, fol- Hebrew prophets. sessions and power in a way that aligns life lowing the Christ as He leads us back to Advent’s anticipation of being led into with this Christian call to social justice. our best selves in our communities, in a time of dramatic social transformation I see this generosity of spirit in many our nation, and in the world. is deeply tied to the Hebrew writings we whose lives are shaped by the human It is in this Advent paradigm of vision associate with Isaiah, Jeremiah and and faithful action that I invite others from the 8th century BCE. you to imagine how you will sup- The vision of hope on which the port NETWORK in new and more Hebrew community staked its life generous ways. I also invite you to is a time when God’s love will scat- participate actively in our shared ter the proud, humble the mighty, advocacy through NETWORK. feed the hungry, send the rich Together, we will bring good away empty, and bring good news to all longing for justice of which Advent news to the oppressed, bind-up the bro- who suffer. And coupled with this hope speaks, and who then share what they ken hearted, feed the hungry and bring for the future is always a call to faithful have for the sake of the promised reign good news to all who suf- action toward the vision’s goal. This is the of God. Think of people like Francis of fer in God’s Creation. Biblical paradigm of faithful leadership. Assisi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Mother Tere- These same Scriptures also tell of a sa, Oscar Romero and countless others The Rev. John Price, leader whose coming is “good news” who have given generously of their lives, an Episcopal priest, is and whose self-giving will lead us and whether meager or great, so that the NETWORK’s Major our world back to our best selves, back coming of God’s shalom will be empow- Gifts Coordinator. to the shalom (peace or social whole- ered through their own acts of kindness, ness) of God. compassion and generosity. Did you know that originally, the Bibli- cal term for “good news” (gospel) was not S teven A llen

www.networklobby.org November/December 2008 Connection 15 NON-PROFIT calendar ORGANIZATION NETW RK U.S. POSTAGE A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby PAID November 6, Milwaukee, WI PERMIT NO. 6962 Jean Sammon and Marge Clark, BVM, 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 WASHINGTON, DC will facilitate a discussion on “Post- Washington, DC, 20001 election Work for the Common Good” p h o n e 202-347-9797 f a x 202-347-9864 with NETWORK members and friends www.networklobby.org at the Henke Lounge on Level Two of the Marquette Alumni Memorial Union located at 1442 W. Wisconsin Avenue, 7:30 to 9 PM. November 8, Milwaukee, WI Marge Clark, BVM, and Jean Sammon will facilitate a caucus on “A Platform for the Common Good & How We Can Hold Our Newly Elected Officials Accountable for Our Common Good.” 11:30 - 12:15 at the Call To Action Conference. November 13, 2008, Romeoville, IL Sara Dwyer, ASC, will facilitate a session on “Legislative Advocacy— network recommends Transforming Social Structures through Public Policy” at the St Charles Pastoral Center. November 18, Denver, CO Simone Campbell, SSS, will lead the LCWR workshop on “Canon and Civil Law 101” for new congregational leaders and treasurers. November 22-23, Columbus GA NETWORK staff and board will have a table on Ft. Benning Road during the School of Americas (SOA) Watch vigil.

I’d Rather Teach Peace The Sea Is So Wide and Holy Ground; A Gathering by Colman McCarthy, My Boat Is So Small; of Voices on Caring for Orbis Books. http:// Charting a Course for the Creation ed. by Lyndsay www.maryknollmall.org/ Next Generation by Marian Moseley and the staff of description.cfm? Wright Edelman, Hyperion. Sierra Club Books. ISBN=978-1-57075-762-4 http://www.hyperionbooks. https://secure2. com/titlepage.asp?ISBN= convio.net/sierra/site/ Enough for 9781401323332 Ecommerce? All Creation March 13-16, 2009 Washington, D.C. Looking for the perfect gift? Learn about the connections between climate change, Give the gift of justice! migration and poverty. Join us as we explore ways to bring Are you looking for socially responsible and meaningful gifts for loved ones this holiday season? Consider giving a NETWORK membership. about a world that is fair and Your recipient will receive a gift card as well as a full year of membership just, with Enough for All benefits (including six bimonthly issues of Connection). You’ll receive Creation. the satisfaction of knowing that you’re building the movement for social justice. Act before December 12 Ecumenical Advocacy Days c/o Justice and Witness Ministries and receive a special introductory rate of $35 for 100 Maryland Ave., Suite 330 each gift membership. Washington, DC 20002 202.386.6397 You can order gift memberships by [email protected] filling out the enclosed envelope, calling Ann Dunn Register Now! at 202-347-9797 ext. 200, or going online at www.networklobby.org. www.advocacydays.org

16 Connection November/December 2008 www.networklobby.org