CASSANDRA radical feminist nurses newsjournal

Vol. 3 No. 3 September 1985

3 CASSANDRA Gathering in Ann Arbor 21 More Reading, T-Shirts and Calendars from EMMA 13 Feminist Analysis: Illinois Nurse Midwife 23 Re-sources 15 Poem: Gathering, 1985 24 Cassie's Dollars 16 Book Review: Nursing Care of Victims of Domestic Violence 25 Budget Report

17 Book Review: Feminism for the Health of It 26 Web Reports

18 National Women's Political Caucus 27 Coordinating Crones

19 Classified 28 Announcements

20 Message from a Friend 30 Contact Women

In Wilma's view, the principle of sisterhood enables us to acknowledge both our commitment to other women and the relativity of our own insights. It does not deny differences of interest and need among individual women or among groups, nor does it deny the legacy of centuries of classism, racism, and sexual privilege that continue to distort our perceptions and/or engender suspicion and hostility. Sisterhood calls us to honor diversity and correct our own myopia. The principle of sisterhood functions to enlarge the context within which a particular grroup's decision is to be made, to seek real understanding about what divides us, and to re-examine our own priorities to include or allow space for the priorities of other women. - Eleanor Humes Haney, writing of Wilma Scott Heide 41,•••• CASSANDRA: RADICAL FEMINIST NURSES NEWSJOURNAL CONTRIBUTION GUIDELINES A publication of Cassandra: Radical We welcome the contribution of articles, information, and Feminist Nurses Network letters that are of interest to women who are feminist nurses. P.O. Box 341 Our regular features include nursing history, feminist research, Williamsville, NY 14221 myths influencing women's lives, reviews of books and journal c1985 All rights reserved articles, resource information, and notes that promote net- working. Published 3 times each year. Available to Articles should be original work that has not been pre- websters, friends and institutions. Limited num- viously published; preference is given to articles written by bers of back issues are available for $4.00/issue. women who are members of CASSANDRA. The suggested Use the above address for: length of articles, commentaries and reviews is 2-4 pages, - change of address typed double-spaced, Manuscripts of articles and book reviews - membership/subscription information are reviewed and selected by members of the Web that produ- - permission to quote over 50 words ces the Newsjournal. Manuscripts are evaluated in relation to - ordering back issues consistency with CASSANDRA's purposes and philosophy, con- ciseness, readability, and strength of presentation of ideas and BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE analyses of issues. CASSANDRA: RADICAL FEMINIST NURSES NEWSJOURNAL We welcome letters, notes and resource information from anyone interested in sharing information with members of is published at the time of the full moon in September, January and May. There are no editors or review board members; the CASSANDRA. Letters should be no longer than one page in length, typed doubled-spaced. Notes and resource information material for each issue is reviewed, selected, and the issue prepared by a local Web which assumes responsibility for three need to be very brief, approximately 12 double-spaced typed lines. sequential issues. The name of the Web producing each issue and the names of women who contribute to the production of All material must be accompanied by the author's name the issue are printed in the "Thrums" section. and address in order to be published. We prefer to publish names and addresses, but we will withhold your name and/or The name CASSANDRA is a tribute to Florence Nightingale who wrote an essay titled Cassandra two years before her ser- address if requested. vice in the Crimean War. In it she states: "Why have women Please mail your contribution so that it reaches us by the passion, intellect, moral activity - these three - and a place in following lifeline dates: society where no one of the three can be exercised?" Like If you have something you wish to contribute, please mail the mythical Cassandra, Nightingale possessed the gift of it so that it reaches us by the following dates: prophesy and despaired at not being heard. CASSANDRA: January issue: November 15 RADICAL FEMINIST NURSES NEWSJOURNAL is dedicated to May issue: March 15 re-creating the Cassandra myth by providing a place where the September issue: July 15 passion, intellect and moral activity of women who are nurses can be voiced and heard. The newsjournal is a means for Our mailing address is: CASSANDRA actively preserving and passing on written materials coming P.O. Box 341 from a woman-defined perspective. Our hearing one another is critical to establishing a network among feminist nurses who Williamsville, NY 14221 need to be heard in nursing practice, education, research, administration and health care.

MAILING LIST CASSANDRA's mailing list is confidential and will not be sold or given to any other group. Names and addresses of women who join CASSANDRA are provided to Contact Women OUR PURPOSES. • in their geographic area; only the names and addresses of CASSANDRA; RADICAL FEMINIST NURSES NETWORK is a Contact Women and Coordinating Crones (women responsible for specific tasks) are published in the Newsjourrial. The gathering of women in nursing practice, education, research and Newsjournal is distributed to members and friends of administration. Our primary commitment is to end the oppression of women in all aspects of nursing and health care. CASSANDRA, and to institutions or groups that subscribe to the NewsjournaL We believe that oppression of women is fundamental to all oppressions and affects all women. PHILOSOPH Our primary purposes are to: - Develop and communicate radical feminist, woman-centered Y CASSANDRA: RADICAL FEMINIST NURSES NEWSJOURNAL analyses of issues in nursing and health care. publishes original works coming from a feminist perspective and - Nurture local, regional, and national networks of women in encourages exploration of issues that radically affect nurses nursing who are committed to a radical-feminist perspective. and women. While opinions expressed are those of the authors - Provide an environment for communication, support and safety and not necessarily those of CASSANDRA as a whole, we do among nurses regardless of race, class, creed, ability, or sexual accept responsibility for what we print. We will not inten- preference. tionally print material that is harmful to women because of - Share and pass on skills of leadership, analysis and com- color, sexuality, religious or cultural background, physical disa- munication. bility or economic situation. We reserve the right to edit - Take strong public actions on nursing and health care issues. material submitted, with the intent of remaining true to the - Preserve and publish past and present significant works of author's original material. Insofar as possible, edited material nurses. will be made available to the author prior to publication. - Publish writings on women's health that are rooted in femi- ADVERTISING nist analysis. - Support nursing research using a feminist approach. Display ads will be published for businesses offering pro- - Develop feminist educational material for nursing programs. ducts that are consistent with CASSANDRA'S philosophy and - Establish a feminist nursing journal. purposes. Write to CASSANDRA for rates. Judgments about the suitability of ads for the Newsjournal will be made by the Web responsible for producing the Newsiourneli

2 REPORT OF THE 1985 CASSANDRA CONTINENTAL GATHERING

Websters at the Gathering August 3 - Saturday Afternoon Jackie Campbell - MI Peggy L. Chinn - NY Check-in of Websters and catching each Dolores Dawn - WI other up on all the spinouts of the intervening Sheila Bunting - IL years. DeAnn Wegwert IL Setting the agenda for the Gathering Sue Huether - UT Sharing of the news of the death of Judith Carr - OH Cassandran Wilma Scott Heide on May 8, 1985 Mae Jacobs - UT of a heart attack. The current research fund Charlene Eldridge Wheeler - NY which Cassandra has been setting aside from Alice Lind - WA Webstership contributions was re-named The Jeanne F. DeJoseph - CA Wilma Scott Heide Research Fund in her honor. Sue Dibble - CA Merrie Kaas - CA Evening Spinning Bee Kay Rousseau - CA Overview of Feminist Process, convened by Elizabeth Manley - NC Peggy L. Chinn and Charlene Eldridge Wheeler. Carol Ashton - UT How feminist process differs from traditional Ann Voda - UT patriarchal power processes. Review of guide- Ann Chase - MO lines for feminist process as presented in Anne Montes NY Peace and Power: A Handbook of Feminist Patrice McCarthy - OH Process (Margaretdaughters, the, 1984). The Kirste Carlson - OH issue of Friends of Cassandra participating in Helen Ramirez - IL Continental Gatherings emerged and the femi- Elizabeth Washak IL nist process was used to resolve the issue. Joe Delores Kukla - WI Wegwert, a Friend of Cassandra, became a personal friend to many of us that night as he worked with us in confronting some difficult issues. There was consensus that only Websters Cassandra's image; and the value of self defi- participate in the Continental Gatherings. nition (see Principles of Unity).

August 4 - Sunday Noon Music and healing by Mindy from Earth Morning and Afternoon Wisdom Music, 314 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor MI Discussion of the Bylaws of Cassandra as 48104 (313/769-0969). An hour demonstration presented to the Attorney General of and discussion of music for healing, meditation, California for incorporation (see Bylaws Issues) learning, and relaxation considering sound fre- The purposes of public, non-profit incorporation quency, rhythm and beat, and tonal qualities. and Articles of the Bylaws were analyzed and discussed until consensus was reached. Afternoon Gratitude and hugs were accorded to the San The Illinois Web Issue: Harrassment of Francisco Web for their work on the Articles Kathleen Regester, Certified Nurse Midwife. A of Incorporation. report from the Illinois Web regarding the Identification and discussion of principles harassment of a CNM by the Illinois which unify Cassandra. The Principles of Unity Department of Registration and Education (see proposed during this session were integrated, Feminist Analysis: Illinois Midwife Situation). during the Monday afternoon session, into the Principles of Unity - discussion continued Purposes of Cassandra as published in the using the Principles as presented in the N ewsjournal. Newsjournal under Statement of Purposes. Evolving from this session and the Tuesday Evening Spinning Bees session were behaviors or a "job description" Update on Battering: Violence against for Cassandrans Women, a discussion led by Jackie Campbell. She discussed some of the issues emerging in Evening Spinning Bees the recent funding debates surrounding battered Feminist Ethics in Nursing - Alice Lind women's shelters, shared the history of the presented a framework for feminist analysis of development of shelters and the current need ethical dilemmas, drawing upon the work of for feminist analyses in relation to research, Starhawk and Carol Gilligan. theory and services. The Selling of Misogny - Charlene Eldridge Dilemmas in the Workplace, facilitated by Wheeler presented analysis and a slide series Sue Dibble and Jeanne F. DeJoseph. Discussion of advertisements from lay and professional and sharing by Cassandrans regarding journals which exploit and degrade women and experiences of discrimination; confronting our perpetuate pornographic images of women and own homophobia; as well as risk and safety of nurses. issues in expressing feminism, sexual preference August 6 - Tuesday and integrity in the workplace. Morning August 5 - Monday Principles of Unity: continuation of the discussion from Monday Afternoon (see Morning Principles of Unity). Cassandra Finances - presentation of current status and issues needing to be con- Noon sidered (see Finance Issues and Budget Report). A Model for Managing Internalized The berstory, financial status, and financial Oppression, presented by Elizabeth Manley. A issues were reported and discussed. description of internalized oppression - what it Appreciation was extended to the Utah Web is, where it comes from, what it does - for the development of financial planning and followed by a demonstration for managing the management of Cassandra's finances. internalized oppression within a dyad. Principles of Unity - a continuation of Sunday's discussion with a focus on the rela- Afternoon tionship between Websters, local Webs and the Principles of Unity: continuation from Coordinating Council including: the issue of Tuesday Morning (see Principles of Unity). growth and recruitment; the issue of

4 Resolution of Illinois Web Issue Continental Gathering in Ann Arbor. First, there was a spontaneous brainstorming that led Evening to the identification of a number of principles. Site for the 1986 Gathering: the 1986 As we started to discuss the principles, the "mini-gathering" will be one day prior to the group realized they were similar to the ANA Convention in Anaheim, CA. Cassandra Purposes as stated in the Newsjournal. will have a booth at ANA Convention if Therefore, we completed our discussion by con- finances permit. Dates for the ANA sidering the statements of Purpose as the Convention are June 13-19, dates for the booth Principles of Unity. Since we "changed boats in would be June 14-16. The theme for the midstream", each of the principles was not Convention is "Planning for Tomorrow: Securing fully discussed. Presented here are the prin- Nursing's Future" ciples with a summary of the discussion Site for the 1987 Gathering: the 1987 followed by the Principles of Unity as con- Continental Gathering will be in Salt Lake tained in the statements of Purpose. City for a duration of 4 days near the end of June. The Utah Web will coordinate planning. 1. We all value nursing. Bylaws: a reaching of consensus regarding bylaws issues with selection of individuals for 2. Cassandra is a non-hierarchical group. the Coordinating Council (see Bylaws Issues). - Alternative graphic models were proposed as a way of depicting that power within August 7 - Wednesday Cassandra is equally distributed among all Websters. For example, local Webs select coor- Morning dinators and the coordinators serve on the Tribute to Wilma Scott Heide: a brief sum- Continental Coordinating Council; local Webs mary of Wilma Scott Heide's life-long efforts can establish bank accounts with the Cassandra to emancipate women and nurses followed by a tax identification number; and local Websters moment of silent meditation. share reports of activities with other Finances: a reaching of consensus Cassandrans through the Newsjournal. regarding financial issues (see Finance Issues). 3. Cassandra functions as a whole. Afternoon - We do not have our power vested in an An affirmation of each Cassandran's unique executive body. contribution to the 1985 Gathering followed by singing. The farewell song was inspired by 4. Cassandrans trust each other. Holly Near's West Virginia Friend from her - We want to be free to be our genuine album Watch Out!, sung to the tune of the selves in the presence of other Cassandrans. chorus and modified to the following: We don't want to say goodbye to you 5. Cassandra's actions are a balanced To think we may not ever meet again response to the internal self-care needs of the Think of us someday when you're lonely group and external demands. Self-care may be And know that you have everlasting the highest priority. friends. - Focusing on nurturing and networking may be more important than meeting external PRINCIPLES OF UNITY demands. However, some Webs started as a nurturing group with a significant emphasis on The principles of unity unite Cassandra in self care. Now they are changing their focus purpose and organizational structure. Principles with a need to take strong public action, par- are value statements and Principles guide what ticularly in relation to changing laws which are we do and help clarify the whole of what we oppressive to women and to nurses. The are. They provide the basis for our operating question was raised, how will our size effect Policies and Procedures and the framework what we are and do; and do we want to focus from which the bylaws for incorporation have on growth in numbers? been derived for legal functioning within a patriarchal system. A two-part approach was 6. We all value a radical feminist used to process the Principles of Unity at the perspective and analyses.

5 7. Cassandra recognizes and values the recognition of the value of self definition as a diversity of nurses. Principle of Unity. - The value of growth is related to our increased financial base and increased diver- 10. We share a commitment to discussion sity. Do we want to have as much diversity as and exchange of ideas and information in our we can? Do we need to recruit to sustain our local Webs, at our Continental Gathering, and diversity? There is no particular value for through exchanges in the Newsjournal. "bigness". Some Webs have enlarged the size of their group but find that a small number of 11. We share a commitment to internalize Websters are still doing all of the work. Most feminist process and to utilize that process in of the other Websters participate in Cassandra other relationships with people and structures. by supporting the Newsjournal. Reading the Newsjournal for some nurses may be the only 12. We are committed to providing every link to Cassandra, especially for those Webster an opportunity to be heard and to be Websters who are geographically isolated from taken seriously. other Webster& The Newsjournal serves as an important means to reach out to people who 13. Each individual has a responsibility to aren't aware of Cassandra. It also, and perhaps communicate directly to other Cassandrans; to more importantly, provides a means of com- establish mutual accessability; and to nurture munication of or about our actions among our- trust and confidence in one another by imple- selves and to others both within and without menting the feminist process. the mainstream of nursing.

8. Cassandra is committed to ending the Cassandra's Purposes as Principles of Unity oppression of women in all aspects of nursing and health care. We discussed Cassandra's purposes as principles of unity by attempting to develop statements 9. Cassandra is committed to creating a of specific action priorities (or Webster safe space for Cassandrans to work and responsibilities) that they imply. Not all the interact regardless of race, class, creed, abi- purposes were discussed in detail, but we made lity, or sexual preference. good progress in processing most of them. - Safety can be provided whenever two Cassandrans gather together. As a group, we 1. Communicate radical feminist, women- need to clarify: our self-definition, our pur- centered analyses of issues in nursing and poses, the issues central to our purposes, the health care. personal values critical to creating a safe - Maintain the newsjournal by each space within our group. Cassandran making a commitment to write - How do we create a safe environment material for sharing in the Newsjournal. for all Cassandrans? A focus for discussion - Communicate with one another at around safety was the perception by some that gatherings (local, regional or continental) Cassandra is a lesbian organization. Not all regarding feminist nursing issues. Websters at the Gathering shared this percep- - Take Cassandra pamphlets to other con- tion. To the extent that we are viewed as a ferences we attend, and be known as lesbian group, Cassandra may be perceived as Cassandrans when presenting at other con- unsafe for some lesbians who fear being known ferences and conventions. as a lesbian, as well as for some non-lesbians. - Link with other feminist organizations, As a group we agreed that we do not eg, NWSA, NWPC. necessarily want to encourage an image as a - Make the Newsjournal available in lesbian organization, but also we felt it is libraries. We specifically need to know how to important to acknowledge the presence of les- get the Newsjournal indexed in library services. bians in Cassandra, as everywhere else, and to examine the dynamics of oppression that les- 2. Nurture local, regional, and national bians experience — dynamics that effect all of networks of women in nursing who are com- us as women regardless of sexuality. We need mitted to a radical feminist perspective. internal self care around this issue with

6 Local: - Consistent use of feminist process for - Develop a packet of information con- support and confidentiality and for safety. taining material related to feminist process and - Self education regarding internalized feminist analysis of issues to promote Web oppression. development. - Deprogramming ourselves of partiarchial - Critique of one another's feminist wri- habits. tings. - Provide a gathering space that is safe - Collect and print in the Newsjournal and accessible for differently-abled women. names of people who are willing to read and - A Webster is responsible to speak for critique other Cassandran's work. herself. She must be careful not to speak for - Encourage Webs to identify tasks they others. can do to nourish the organization. An impor- tant task we all need to participate in is pro- 4. Share and pass on skills of leadership, viding material for the newsjournal. analysis, and communication. - At the end of the gathering, Kirste - Use of feminist analysis. Carlson volunteered to be our public relations - Peer review of feminist analysis of an coordinator, and her primary focus will be issue. assisting with and encouraging the development - Publication of feminist analyses in the of local webs. Newsjournal. - Comment in the Newsjournal about Regional: published articles. - Webs within accessible geographic areas - Do feminist analyses of local issues in could plan gatherings for discussion or sharing each web. of skills, or simply to cross country ski For those who are unsure about doing a together! feminist analysis, we may need to consider two - Support and acknowledge one another's approaches for writing for the newsjournal: 1) work through other organizations. write something and send it in and have the - Contact women could write a piece for newsjournal become an open forum for the the newsjournal about the work they are doing exchange of ideas and suggestions; 2) send the so we can all develop more awareness about written matter to someone who would help the explicit role of the contact women. critique it arid then publish it in the newsjour- nal. Continental: - Share feminist process through use in - Acknowledge in-kind work. other situations. - We need to examine when we can begin - Share in the newsjournal how Websters paying women for work related to conducting have attempted to use the guidelines for femi- Cassandra business. nist process. - Our financial base and priorities will - Perhaps when someone joins, she should determine if continental Cassandra can help receive Peace and Power in addition to support local Web growth, and how local Webs Nightingale's Cassandra. can support continental Cassandra. - Look at the leadership skills we want to - Explore ways to provide financial support develop over the next year or so. for travel to Cassandra gatherings for students - Acknowledge that the feminist process and other websters who are financially disad- helps develop leadership skills. vantaged. - If skills are needed to do something new, - Outreach to other radical feminist nur- there could be options available for appren- ses. ticeships. - Establish a central location for - Develop a directory of alternative skills; educational materials. finding the powers within each other. - Cherish diversity. We need to know whdt 3. Provide an environment for com- diversity there is among us. Maybe more munication, support and safety among nurses disclosure at check-in, or possibly a "Know regardless of race, class, creed, ability, or Your Cassandrans" colums where individuals sexual preference. could share who they are.

7 5. Take action on nursing and health care What we want to do as our central focus is to issues through education. gather information regarding an event, analyze - There was much discussion about how we the event from a feminist perspective, identify define "issue" and "strong public action". and name the fundamental and basic issues Peggy suggested that we use a framework of involved, and educate ourselves and others oppression as a basis for defining issues from a regarding the issues. This education is "strong feminist perspective, and shared some questions public action". The definition of an issue to ask based on Friere's theory of oppression arrived at by a local, regional, or continental (Pedagogy of the oppressed, Seabury Press, tr. gathering evolves through a process of analysis by Myra Bergman Ramos, 1970). The questions and then consensus. While responding to an were: 1. How is divisiveness among women issue through feminist process is self care, occuring? Where is the external source of taking public action is responding to the tug of divisiveness located and how is the divisiveness external demands. There was consensus that being reinforced internal to our group? 2. strong public action is education and education What aspects of the oppressor's consciousness is strong public action. We agreed that the have we internalized? 3. How is tokenism term "education" as we use it is consistent functioning? How are women being with the IRS definition of education in relation treated/portrayed in this situation? How is to our decisions about the By-Laws. The women's behavior being controlled? Whose question arose as to whether Cassandra should approval is being sought? 4. What would true deal with issues serendipitously or through freedom look/feel like and what fears are deliberate planning. Can we identify and stopping us from seeking freedom? address issues at continental gatherings? The - Use of an oppression framework provides response was "yes, we can" and "yes, we a means to begin to identify fundamental issues already have"; and that we can deal with and to name issues from a feminist perspective. issues both serendipitously and through Oppression of women is a criterion for our planning. action on issues. - An issue is something identified by a 6. Preserve and publish past and present Cassandran related to the oppression of women. significant works of nurses. Strong public action is considered to be educa- tion based on feminist analysis and critique and 7. Publish writings on women's health that consensus formation. are rooted in feminist analysis. - It was suggested that individual Webs - Because of time constraints, purposes 6 could make consensual decisions about whether and 7 were considered to be similar to purpose they will address a particular issue for that 1, and we did not deal with them further here. Web to take action on; that the decision- We will need to consider the priority of these making process by consensus was a significant two purposes at another continental gathering. action. It is important to keep consensual decision-making consistent with our philosophy. 8. Support nursing research using a femi- - Does this mean that if a Web addresses nist approach. an issue it can do so in the name of - We re-affirmed our commitment to this Cassandra? No; the group who participates in purpose, and decided to name the research forming an analysis can only speak for itself. fund the Wilma Scott Heide Memorial Fund. We The group decided that the use of Cassandra's are not ready to begin using the fund yet, but name, per se, is not what we are all about — want to begin to plan for using at least a we are not focused on patriarchal politics, and portion of it. Ann Voda will contact Violet we do not have or particularly seek "clout" in Malinski (research fund coordinator) to explore that arena. We also do not disagree with an ideas; these will be discussed at a future con- approach that works within the patriarchal tinental gathering and/or in the newsjournal. political scene, but do not see that as central for Cassandra. 9. Develop feminist educational material - We are concerned and deal with issues for nursing programs. not causes or events. We do not take up - Denise Connors and Margaret Crowley fighting causes; rather we take up the task of have volunteered to be our coordinators for analysis to create new ways of responding. educational material. We decided that the

8 term "nursing programs" is to be broadly and changes made. Some of the changes interpreted. Suggestions were made regarding needed still required legal consultation, and materials that we need for our own education, there was consensus that the San Francisco and preserving our own history within Web would exercise good judgment in making Cassandra. final decisions regarding the exact wording in several areas. The by-laws have been sub- 10. Establish a feminist nursing journal. mitted to the California Attorney General in - Discussion regarding this purpose was order to meet the time requirements for deferred until the 1986 gathering in Anaheim. becoming incorporated by October 1, 1985. The by-laws as officially filed will be distri- BY-LAWS/ISSUES buted in a future issue of the Newsjournal. There were several details and three major Herstory issues which required resolution during the The decision for Cassandra to become gathering. The major issues were: incorporated as a non-profit organization was 1) Defining a procedure for conflict reso- reached by consensus at the 1983 San lution. An earlier draft of the by-laws con- Francisco Gathering. The major rationale tained lengthy and complex voting procedures. underlying the consensus was the opportunity These were deleted because we have made a to exercise tax exemptions and deductions commitment to resolve conflict through the accorded by the IRS to non-profit corporations. process of consensus. However, the State does The financial advantages of public, non-profit not believe in consensus and we still must incorporation will assist us to fulfill the pur- describe how we will resolve conflict if con- poses of our organization. California was cho- sensus cannot be achieved. We agreed that if sen as the state within which to incorporate a conflict is not resolved by consensus within because the requirements are relatively four months, a mediatro will be reamed to uncomplicated and not too costly. The pro- achieve conflict resolution within a reasonable cess, however, has been arduous and long for period of time. the Bay area Web, and it has been a real 2) Procedures for selecting the coor- challenge to try to remain consistent with our dinating council. The major issue is how to purposes and still meet the legal requirements select a coordinating council or board of of the state of California. There are areas trustees (some legally liable group), without where the wording of the By-laws is in con- having a hierarchical structure, and assuring siderable conflict with what we really want, or that power is distributed among all where what we really want is not clearly Cassandrans. We agreed that the coordinating expressed. We will be depending on our council will be selected from those who "policies and procedures" to clarify most of volunteer at each annual gathering. these areas, and will plan to amend the by- 3) Definitions of membership. We agreed laws in the future as needed. that there shall be no members within the cor- The Bay Area Web brought another draft poration. All Cassandrans will be Websters. of the by-laws to the gathering that we all Websters will be recognized and function as reviewed in some detail. These are not dexcribed in the bylaws with all information included in this issue of the newsjournal, as going to all Websters. they were similar in most respects to the draft we published in the May Newsjournal. If The details that were discussed included: anyone would like to see this draft, please 1) Our purpose "Nurture local, regional, send a self-addressed, stamped (39) envelope and national networks of women in nursing who to Sue Dibble, 141 Leslie Drive, San Carlos, are committed to a radical feminist CA 94070. The Bay Area Web will be fina- perspective", was inadvertantly omitted and lizing the exact wording of the by-laws con- will be included. sistent with our gathering discussion, and the 2) The objective "take action on nursing final draft will be distributed to all Websters and health care issues through education" is in a future newsjournal. worded differently than the statement of Most of the by-laws were reviewed by Purpose in the Newsjournal, which states "take Article and Section; some specific wording strong public action on nursing and health care changes and typographical errors were noted issues." If we are a non-profit, public benefit

9 corporation, there are limits on the type of the concept of "trustees," we decided that the action that we can take. After reading the coordinating council will be the Board of IRS definition of "education" (see excerpt from Trustees. The requirement for a Board of the IRS code in this issue of the Newsjournal) Trustees, according to California law, is to we agreed that this definition is consistent have individuals specifically identified who with what we want to do. assume legal liability for the corporation. The 3) There was discussion related to the members of the Board will not be personally meaning of phrases that appear in this draft of liable, but they represent the corporation as a the by-laws that are required to demonstrate separate entity. limits on our activities to qualify as a non- 8) We decided that the coordinating coun- profit group, specifically limitations against cil will be selected at each annual gathering "influencing legislation" and "intervene in any as women volunteer to take responsbility for political campaign on behalf of any candidate the various tasks of Cassandra (which is what for public office or for or against any cause we have been doing already). All Websters or measure being submitted to the people for a will have the opportunity to become a member vote." It was recognized that there are of the coordinating council by volunteering to varying interpretations of this type of limita- be involved in this way. The following indi- tion, and that if we find them restrictive in viduals volunteered to serve on the coor- the future we will need to specifically deal dinating council for the 1985-86 fiscal year: with the problems then. Meanwhile, the group - Convening Coordinator: Sheila Bunting was comfortable with going ahead with this - Archivist: Kay Rousseau limitation, since the type of action this implies - Finance: Maeona Jacobs we cannot do is not likely to be something we - Webster Coordinator: Peggy Chinn would be able or want to do - such as contri- - Publications: Charlene Eldridge Wheeler buting financially to a particular candidate's - Public Relations: Kirste Carlson campaign as Cassandra. - Planning Coordinator: Jeanne DeJoseph 4) The word "quorum" is problematic given Other Websters who have assumed or will our process of decision-making; we may need assume responsibilities for Cassandra tasks will to indicate a precise percentage of members as be part of the functioning coordinating council a quorum. Specific terminology was left to if they so desire. the judgement of the Bay Area Web in con- The word "administrative" appeared in the sultation with their legal advisor. draft of the by-laws where "convening" coor- 5) The word "officers" should be replaced dinator should appear; that correction in ter- with the word "coordinators" whenever possible. minology will be made. 6) Discussion also centered around the 9) There was discussion as to how concepts of "trustees," and "board of trustees." frequently the Coordinating Council should be These ideas are necessary to identify a legally rotated and it was agreed that volunteers will liable group for Cassandra. However, the be selected at Continental Gatherings. How language defining the requirements of a legally long women will serve as coordinators will responsible group also imply a decision-making need to evolve as we experience the process hierarchy. We agreed that we still want and of incorporation. need the legal liability protection that incor- 10) There was consensus that each coor- porating provides for individuals who are doing dinator will submit an annual report by our work, and the tax-deduction benefits for November 15th for publication in the following the group through non-profit status. There January Newsjournal. was considerable discussion about how we might approach the wording and/or the The Bay Area Web will continue to report "structure" of Cassandra in the by-laws to progress toward incorporation in the satisfy both our own desire to be non- Newsjournal and will advise us regarding any heirarchical and meet the StateIs expectations recommended changes that may require the in relation to legal liability and responsibility. implementation of a formal procedure as indi- There was concern about becoming the very cated in the by-laws. institution that we seek to provide an alter- native to. Development of Policies and Procedures 7) As a result of the discussions around Whereas the bylaws provide a legal description, the policies and procedures provide

1 0 an operational bridge between the bylaws and Margaretdaughters. A formal agreement bet- the principles of unity. During the coming ween Margaretdaughters and Cassandra needs year, the women on the coordinating council to be developed regarding the expenses we are will work with associated Websters to develop reimbursing to Margaretdaughters. The Utah policies and procedures which will then be accountant has questioned the matter of discussed at the 1986 gathering in Anaheim. "conflict of interest" in this regard, and those who are concerned will pursue advice on this matter further. Meanwhile, Margaretdaughters FINANCIAL ISSUES will continue to provide membership services for Cassandra, with only expenses reimbursed. Herstory However, Peggy and Charlene are eager to Prior to the 1984 Gathering in New pass along the responsibility for the newsjour- Orleans, the Utah Web agreed to assume nal, and it was agreed that within the next responsibility for the management of year we will actively seek some other place Cassandra's finances. An accounting procedure for production of the newsjournal. An announ- was developed and the McBee System was cement seeking interested Websters to produce implemented to document disbursement of the newsjournal will begin to appear in each funds. A budget was projected based on the issue of the newsjournal. purposes of Cassandra, past expenditures, and anticipated expenditures as projected by Accountability for local fundraising: In Websters. The financial status has been order to meet the requirements for the IRS reported in the Newsjournal and a report is audit of our accounts, there will need to be contained in this issue. The fiscal year report documentation of local Web fundraising activi- will be included in the annual report of the ties. This will require a brief report sent to Finance Coordinator following close of the the Finance Coordinator, Maeona Jacobs. fiscal year Sept. 30. Expenses will not need to be summarized, but the amount raised and the general use of the Budget issues funds will need to be included in our overall As the Utah Websters deliberated over the budget. various budget categories, several issues arose and they were presented for discussion at the Reimbursement of funds: Expenses will be Continental Gathering. The issues included: reimbursed to Websters for work on behalf of Continental Cassandra. These expenses need Paying women for work performed for to be summarized on a reimbursement form and Cassandra: The concerns related to this issue returned to the Finance coordinator for action. is that we believe women should be reimbursed Forms will be made available to all Websters and recognized for the work they do. Some who need them. expenses incurred by the contact women are now being paid out of pocket. There was con- Utilization of the Wilma Scott Heide Fund: sensus that expenses for local Web activities This issue was resolved during the discussion of will be dealt with by local Webs, and that Principles of Unity. Ann Voda will contact some expenses related to Continental activities Violet Malinski, Coordinator of the Research will be reimbursed by Continental Cassandra to Fund, to help begin work on a proposal for the extent that we can. using this fund. A report will discussed at the 1986 Gathering. Costs of production of the Newsjournal: The current arrangement for producing the Reimbursement for travel expenses: It was newsjournal was discussed and clarified. recognized that we have limited funds available Margaretdaughters, Inc. is the newly formed for travel. There was consensus that we publishing, education and communications com- should establish a contribution fund for travel pany of Peggy Chinn and Charlene Eldridge expenses. The money could be used to assist Wheeler. All expenses formerly reimbursed to Websters with travel expenses to Continental Peggy personally for these activities are now Gatherings and other meetings where they will reimbursed to Margaretdaughters, since the represent Cassandra. There was also consensus equipment and resources now legally belong to that money in the travel fund from this year

11 be applied toward covering the expense for the Gathering one way in which they support, booth at the ANA next year. Further deci- financially, the reality of a Continental sions regarding use of the travel fund will be Gathering. discussed at the Gathering in Anaheim. THE ILLINOIS ISSUE Should there be a change in the amount of contributions? At the present time, the annual Cassandrans from the Illinois Web, Helen contribution for students, unemployed, retired Ramirez and Elizabeth Washak, described a and differently abled nurses is $15; for Friends situation of harassment regarding Kathleen of Cassandra $25; and for Websters (women Regester, a certified nurse midwife. (See the who are nurses and participate in decision- article in this issue of the Newsjournal). making) is $35 - $50. There was consensus There was much discussion as to how to sup- that we need to identify specific additional port Kathleen and her colleagues in overcoming funds to which interested individuals can make the oprressive acts that she has been subjected contributions, since our current contribution to, as well as how we can most effectively income is just meeting the expenses of mem- respond as Cassandra to other similar incidents. bership, the newsjournal, Cassandra's Action Much of the outcome of this discussion is Network, and partial Gathering expenses. reflected in the Webster responsibilities and There was consensus that the contributions for our Principles of Unity discussion. Anne Websters have a range of $35 to $75. Mantes met with Helen and Elizabeth to begin There was some discussion about moving to working on a feminist analysis of this issue a separate subscription fee for the that can be published in the Newsjournal. In Newsjournal. The details and ramifications of addition, Websters present shared many specific this proposal required more deliberation than suggestions regarding resources and actions there was time available at this Gathering. that might be taken on behalf of Kathleen There was consensus that we do need to Regester. charge international Cassandrans an overseas Helen and Elizabeth had initially asked for postage fee for international mailing. the group to agree to the use of Cassandra's name in relation to the work they and other Payment of meeting room expense for this Cassandra's were doing on Kathleen's behalf. gathering: There was consensus that we pay There was consensus among all present that for the meeting room expense ($175) from the Cassandra's name in this and other similar Continental Cassandra account. Each situations was not necessarily a constructive or Cassandran attending the Gathering paid her useful approach, since we do not have nor do own expenses to attend the gathering, and our we anticipate having a great deal of political time together was devoted to work that bene- clout. We agreed that our approach of fits the whole of Cassandra. This plan provi- discussion and analysis of similar situations will des Cassandrans who cannot attend the open avenues for new kinds of actions and support.

The following information is quoted directly from section 501(c)(3) of the Federal tax code, and was helpful in resolving issues around incorporation:

(3) Educational defined--(i) In general. The term "educational", as used in section 501(c)(3), relates to-- (a) The instruction or training of the individual for the purpose of improving or developing his [sic) capacities; or (b) The instruction of the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community.

An organization may be educational even though it advocates a particular position or viewpoint so long as it presents a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts as to permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion or conclusion. On the other hand, an organization is not educational if its principal function is the mere presentation of unsupported opinion. (ii) Examples of educational organizations. The following are examples of organizations which, if they otherwise meet the requirements of this section, are educational: Example (1). An organization, such as a primary or secondary school, a college, or a professional or trade school Example (2). An organization whose activities consist of presenting public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar programs. Such programs may be an radio or television. Example (3). An organization which presents a course of instruction by means of correspondence or through the utilization of television or radio. Example (4). Museums, zoos, planetariums, symphony orchestras, and other similar organizations.

12 FEMINIST ANALYSIS: ILLINOIS NURSE MIDWIFE SITUATION by Helen Ramirez and Elizabeth Washak

Cassandra's primary commitment is to end was to warn women not to use Regester's pro- the oppression of women in all aspects of fessional service and to make an example of nursing and health care. To understand our her to other nurses lest they attempt to open oppression it is helpful to use the process of their own businesses. Bullying tactics are fre- feminist analysis to examine the issues quently used to keep women in their place. affecting us. This was done at the Patriarchal need to control all aspects of Continental Gathering in Ann Arbor in August women's reproduction is also a major factor 1985 when Illinois Websters presented the issue here. Women have been viewed as breeders and of the Illinois nurse midwife whose situation men have determined that the manner in which was described in the January 1985 Newsjournal. women give birth is to be controlled by the Kathy Regester is a certified nurse mid- state. Home births do not provide men with wife in a state which has a newly amended sufficient control over the birth process nor Nurse Practice Act recognizing nursing spe- with the same economic rewards as institu- cialties. She has helped hundreds of women tional birth; therefore, homebirths are give birth to healthy infants. None of the discouraged as much as possible. Kathy was women have filed any complaints against her. singled out for harrassment because her econo- But it was discovered that her name was on mic success was threatening. Regester also some birth certificates rather than a physi- exhibited "undesirable" female traits of cian's name and she was accused of practicing intelligence, initiative and independence. She medicine without a license. The lllinois encouraged birthing women to share these Department of Registration and Education held traits and to choose whomever they wanted to hearings last April resulting in the Board of help them in the birth process in a place Nurse Examiners recommending that the alle- where they were comfortable and in control, gations against Kathy be dismissed. However, their own home. This is the antithesis of the the head of the Department of Registration birth process in a hospital. and Education refused to drop the case and so In dealing with Regester the Department far has refused to recognize her professional of Registration and Education chose to ignore practice as legal. the recommendations of the Board of Nurse In applying feminist analysis to this nurse's Examiners that charges against her be situation, the patriarchal state as represented dismissed. The director of the Department of by the Department of Registration is viewed as Registration and Education decided he knew an agent of the oppressor. The nurse midwife what was best for the nursing profession and is victimized by the rules under which the for pregnant women. Male oppressors custo- patriarchy works and the manipulation of those marily regard what women say as trivial. rules. In attempting to resolve the case the state In Regester's case the state has decided mandated that Regester adhere to rigid rules to use its power to protect women from nurse of practice which were spelled out in detail. midwives. Under the guise of protectionism, the However, she was already operating according state legitimized all the actions that they have to similar standards established by the taken against her, including a raid on her American College of Nurse Midwives. The office, an indictment, refusing to dismiss state mandate called for her to do what she charges, or cease harassment, and refusing to had been doing all along, but gave the recognize her practice as legal under the sta- impression that she had been remiss in this. te's own laws. By spelling out rigid rules the state In the raid on her office client records, demonstrated its control over every aspect of equipment, supplies, and personal belongings nurse midwives practice. In the predominently were seized. Yet Kathy's office was permitted male profession of medicine, such rigid guide- to remain open while the Department of lines are not spelled out. In its determination Registration and Education continued its to control women who dare to be independent, investigation. The state declared that it was the state demonstrates a double standard for acting to protect society, when in fact its monitoring professional practice. actions belie that intent. Not only was Kathy Finally, by refusing to declare that violated by this act but the care of her clients Regester's nursing practice is legal under the was jeopardized when all of their records sud- Illinois Nurse Practice Act, the state denly disappeared. The outcome of such action demonstrated its ability to use the legal system

13 against women. One Illinois county will not Nurses Assocation. The INA selected the mem- allow Regester to practice there at all unless bers of the Board of Nurse Examiners which her practice is declared legal. The amended heard Kathy's case. However, the nursing Nurse Practice Act was intended to address board has no authority except to make recom- the expanded role of nurses. It is not enough mendations. to pass laws designed to end discrimination In understanding oppression we must not against women if these laws are not applied to blame the victims, but gain knowledge of how the situations for which they are intended. oppression creates victims to maintain power. The problems of this nurse midwife prac- Feminist support, expecially from nurses, is tice have been imposed externally by the state. empowering in overcoming oppression. You However, it is characteristic of oppressed may wish to send Kathy Regester a letter of groups to develop a false internal perception support at West Suburban Women's Health care, of what the problems are all about. Part of 1159 Westgate, Oak Park, IL 60301. She is the false internal oppression is that a nurse grateful to those who have sent contributions must have done something wrong if she is before. Her legal fees are close to $20,000. being harassed or punished. The concept that All Websters with any knowledge in dealing she is receiving this treatment even though she with situations like Regester's are urged to has practiced within the guidelines of the share your strategies with us. And all College of Nurse Midwives is frightening. If Websters are urged to send letters to the this could happen to her it could happen to Newsjournal in response to this commentary. the rest of us. This is a concept we would rather deny than confront. At the same time, none of us are perfect in practicing our pro- fession. Minor disagreements over professional practice may be incorrectly viewed as the central issue and may prevent us from openly supporting a colleague. Not all nurses agree that homebirths are appropriate for women. This is not the central issue although false internal perceptions of external oppression have given some nurses the impression that it is. This issue has been used to divide nurses when the real issue is to have the practice of nurse midwifery recognized as legal under Illinois law. Fear of freedom is another factor operating in oppression. Fear affects all nur- ses who dream of opening an independent Want to share something with practice. Kathy's situation and that of other us? Have a response or idea nurses in similar situations show that we are about something in this issue? all vulnerable when we take risks. If we Original illustration? Send practice what we believe is right, we may be your letter, news, views, and punished and set apart from other nurses by articles for the next issue! the patriarchy as an example of an undesirable nurse who does not conduct herself properly. LIFELINE DATE FOR JANUARY Although some Illinois nurses have felt NEWSJOURNAL that professional nurse organizations should be November 15, 1985 more aggressive, our main concern is that divisiveness is harmful and should be viewed in the context of the oppression model. The state nursing association and other professional nursing organizations are also victims of an oppressive system. In this case the amended Nurse Practice Act was passed with sustained effort and political activity by the lllinois

14 GATHERING, 19 85 by Jeanne F. DeJoseph

Weaving . . . working Caring enough to get clear Teaching peace, and power

Talking . . . touching Caring enough to risk Teaching safety

Swaying . . . singing Caring enough to grow Teaching old connections, new friends

Nurturing . . . nursing Caring enough to laugh/cry Teaching healing

Giving . . . getting Caring enough to share Teaching community . . •

This is my gift of thanks and abiding love for you who are part of me now — next year in Anaheim.

Delphinium

15 BOOK REVIEW by Kirste L. Carlson

Nursing Care of Victims of Domestic Violence by Jacquelyn Campbell and Janice Humphreys. Reston Publishing Co., Reston, VA. 1984. ISBN 0-8359-5042-5 hardcover 0-8359-5041-7 paper- back.

After waiting patiently for Nursing Care multidisciplinery care of violent families as of Victims of Domestic Violence to appear in well as deliver care that emphasizes strengths my bookstore, I finally special ordered it. If I and health potentials." Theories are discussed had known what I was missing I would have in detail and criticized rigorously. Particular done so much sooner! Serendipitously the book attention is paid to the underlying assumptions arrived the day before I had to go to juvenile and to whether they have borne up under court to testify on behalf of a young sex empirical research. I was personally overjoyed abuse survivor. I took the book to court to see "Limitations of the Psychoanalytic knowing I could have a four hour wait in store Perspective" so concisely expressed by for me. Unbelievably I was sustained, Campbell. enlightened, heartened and reaffirmed by a Nursing Care of Victims of Domestic nursing textbook during what became a day- Violence stresses the need for research on long ordeal with the patriarchy! family violence using nursing theory as a basis Campbell and Humphreys have done a tre- and suggests avenues for accomplishing this. mendous job of compiling and distilling in one Nursing care plans and interventions are pre- volume much of the thought and information sented as starting points for further explora- currently available on domestic violence. They tion of the nursing perspective on the problem. have developed an extensive bibliography of One must read between the lines to nursing, sociology, anthropology and legal discover the unmistakably feminist publications. In addition they have enlisted consciousness of Nursing Care of Victims of D contributors, including Ann Burgess, two omestic Violence. The title belies the authors' lawyers, and two police officers, to lend their respect for the strength of abuse survivors and many years of experience and expertise to the a belief that people are much more than any project. Nursing Care of Victims of Domestic label can suggest. Patriarchal power structures, Violence discusses physical, sexual and psycho- laws, and attitudes are relentlessly cited as logical abuse of women, children and the impediments to the health of all. Machismo elderly in theory and in practice. The legal and its surrounding mythology are seen as the system is thoroughly demystified. link between the patriarchy and violent indi- This book provides a sharp contrast to viduals. Sexist theories about women are other nursing texts that cover theories and refuted brilliantly and then dismissed. The vic- knowledge generated largely by other fields. tim is never blamed. Finally, the survivors Many such books present the material in speak first on each topic through their poems simplified form, "dumbed down" if you will, as which head the chapters. if nurses could not understand it otherwise. I was surprised to learn that a woman is These books often fail to identify how true more likely to experience a beating than nursing theory can be developed around the gestational diabetes during her pregnancy. Of concepts presented preferring to borrow ver- course this phenomenon is rarely discussed in batim from other disciplines' theory base. This maternity nursing classes. As Campbell and is definitely not the case with Nursing Care of Humphreys point out nurses must be aware of Victims of Domestic Violence. domestic violence to intervene around it. Now Humphreys and Campbell are explicit in that this book has been written, awareness will their respect for nurses' intelligence. Their be much easier to develop and discussions that stated expectation is that nurse generalists can were formerly unheard of will be heard. Read and should "initiate, coordinate, and evaluate it and start one!

16 BOOK REVIEW by Barbara Schutt

Feminism for the Health of It by Wilma Scott Heide. Margaretdaughters, Inc., Buffalo, NY, 19 85.

This book has at least two major audiences words when there are none to say what she — those who enjoy having their feminist con- means. Modifying our male-oriented language victions reinforced, and those who haven't yet is as appropriate for Congressmen as it is for taken seriously the awesome implications of an women. Both need consciousness raising groups, emerging feminist society. Then there are all she believes. She obviously enjoys turns of those others in between. phrase as much as new words, however, In these lively 159 pages, Dr. Heide takes repeating several times the kernel of her phi- to task the leaders of today's society for their losophy — to adopt feminist thinking univer- failure to bring humanistic solutions to most of sally "so that the power of love [feminism] our major social problems. Educators, can exceed the love of power to control others researchers, health care providers, legislators, [masculinism]." economists, broadcasters, historians — whoever It is unfortunate that this book is being — are socially illiterate about women. They published posthumously, for Dr. Heide died must learn to think as feminists, Heide is con- suddenly this past May, just as the book had vinced, if they are to deal effectively with gone to press. This means we are being society's ills. deprived of more of this kind of refreshing and She speaks with authority from a rich and revolutionary thinking and acting during a time varied perspective as a nurse, a human rights when we are all too cautious about what we activist, an educator, a scholar and a president say or do. She, too, has been deprived of that of the National Organization for Women during feedback — whether harsh or generous — its formative years. Having been involved in which she always relished, and which always most of the significant national and inter- sent her on other rounds of thought. However, national feminist activities of the past 20 this book alone will help us in our (and her) years, she is able to draw on these experiences "quest for humanity." to diagnose the real problems and prescribe solutions. Dr. Heide reminds us "...that people find feminist perspectives variously exciting, provo- cative, visionary, dynamic, educational, prophe- tic, or threatening. Seldom, if ever, is a feminist perspective found to be dull, or unre- lated to the human interest." Certainly hers is not. She brings to her writing all of the Barbara Schutt is a former editor of the above, plus wit, humor, and warmth, sometimes American Journal of Nursing. During the early outrageousness, always great imagination, and 1970's she worked with Wilma to influence the large and unfettered thinking. She also brings American Nurses Association in taking a stand a refreshing compulsion to affect her philo- of support for the Equal Rights Amendment. sophical criticisms with concrete suggestions For more information about Wilma's visions for for what to do about it all. Would that all nursing, see her chapter titled "Feminist acti- other philosophers were such activists! vism in nursing and health care" in A constant activist theme of Heide's is to Socialization, Sexism, and Stereotyping edited change or correct the language, for, "Language by Janet Muff (C.V. Mosby, 1982). is a tool of thought, a powerful method to create or exclude images." She asserts that the usage of male-only referents in our laws violates civil rights laws, and she creates

17 • c • ••••-•0,-4.

The trip to Atlanta in June to attend the They said they were and that we needed to National Women's Political Caucus was my first get together. I said "Sure," thinking maybe experience with the caucus. I did not officially we'd run into each other at the hotel. become a member of the NWPC until I went to Because I had carried my luggage onto the Atlanta. plane, I was almost the last person getting off. I had become interested in politics last When I stepped off, the two women were spring when I was doing volunteer work for a waiting for me to go with them to the hotel, Nurse delegate from Kanawha County, WV plus three other women. They had waited (Barbara Hatfield, RN). I was amazed at the until the entire plane unloaded so we could number of health care related bills that were share rides and conversation on the way to the introduced and sometimes passed into law. Bills hotel. Their kindness set the mood for the that affected health care and nurses were entire four-day conference. introduced not only in the Health and Welfare I arrived one day prior to the official Committee, but also in the Judiciary commit- opening of the NWPC to attend an advanced tee, the Education committee, and the political seminar. I had agreed to be campaign Constitutional Revision committee. manager so therefore, I - a novice - attended I was alarmed at the lack of help that the this advanced seminar designed especially for State's delegates have to aide them in women with political experience. Each understanding the bills introduced. It is workshop was led by a Republican and a impossible for a delegate to be aware of the Democrat and covered topics such as research impact or even the content of all the bills on women candidates, observations by women when they come up for a vote. I believe nurses officials, campaign strategies, the women's need to be aware of proposed legislation and vote, the male opponent, and how to get your aggressively educate elected officials in candidate known. The workshop leaders advised understanding the impact health related bills the group attending to take advantage of the have on people. uneasiness men feel in campaigns against Because of my work with Bobbie Hatfield, women. and since her first campaign manager was The official opening of the NWPC was the moving out of the state, Bobbie asked me to next morning. The main speakers were: be her campaign manager when she runs for Astronaut Sally Ride, former Vice-President re-election to the State's Legislature. I knew candidate Geraldine Ferraro, Mayor of Atlanta Bobbie had done an outstanding job as a Andrew Young, Civil Rights Activist Coretta Freshman delegate, not only for the people in Scott King, Olympian Volley Ball Champion Flo her district but for nurses in the entire state, Hyman, and Atlanta Businesswoman Betty and I wanted to help her win re-election. I Smulian. They each focused their talks on per- agreed to be her campaign manager and she sonal experiences that dealt with making and her former manager, Sheila Truby (another choices. Cassandra Webster), set up a mini-course for The remaining first day was divided into me on how to be a campaign manager. Included many workshops that covered politics, lobbying, in the course preparation was the suggestion getting appointed to public office, developing a that I attend the NWPC. I did. campaign image and message, maximizing After waking up at 4:00 a.m. to catch my money, dealing with caucuses and issues, pay plane, I arrived in Atlanta at 9:10. As the equity, politics and religion, the politics of plane was coming to a stop at the airport, I health and aging, environmental protection and heard two women four rows ahead of me hazardous waste, and child care and reproduc- talking about going to a meeting and com- tion. menting that there were probably other women I found many of the workshops geared on the plane going to the same meeting. I toward areas that affect health and therefore interrupted their conversation and asked them, are the concerns of nurses. Policy makers, if by chance, they were going to the NWPC. whether elected or appointed, often are

18 unaware of the effects their laws have on women elected to offices, nationally known people's everyday life. Nurses need to run for women and — women! office, work for elected or appointed officials, The list of nationally-known people or help other nurses run for office. attending this conference was prestigious. More The second day's program was similar to impressive, however, were the people whose the first. A Dialogue on Feminism was pre- names I don't know — — a woman who had sented by Gloria Steinem, Editor of Ms. maga- run for local office on a budget of less than zine and Jean Young, Chair of the Mayor's $500.00 who was told there was no way she Task Force on Public Education. Before reading could possibly win, but won anyway... Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman", Jean — a Black woman who was elected to City Young pointed out to the crowd of over 2000 Council in a town with a male, Black Mayor women that yesterday's Atlanta newspapers had who thought she would always vote with him run two pictures of the NWPC, both pictures and was surprised to learn that this woman of men. Of all the dynamic women attending voted her own mind... the conference, the papers chose to run pic- — two women who came very close to tures of two of the handful of men attending. winning seats in the Senate. The women The next day's paper did print a picture of attending the caucus all had experiences that Gloria Steinem and Jean Young. they were willing to share to aide other One highlight of the caucus for me was women in their own campaigns. I was promised the showing of the film "One Fine Day." This articles from two of the presenters after they film with only a musical accompaniment returned to their offices in Washington; both depicted a series of pictures of women who articles were sent to me at my home. had begun the movement for equality or who The National Women's Political Caucus was were now carrying on the movement. The film formed in 1971 to help women win an started out with pictures of women marching increased share of political representation as for the right to vote, women pulling up long elected or appointed officials. The national skirts in the ocean so that their dresses didn't conference is held bi-annually, and I plan to be get wet, women astronauts, women runners, there in 1987! zE7;- 10-er- ••• 4 jç Iricl p ' C a - , - CLASSIFIED ) 1 _ t • e - it*" i • •-• Position available: • i . ' Full-time Healthworker/Counselor._ Responsibilities- will involve a combinationt of the following:y answering phones, pregnancy testing and abortion counseling, reception and medical assisting.A Compensation will be per- manent, salaried position with training and benefits. Qualifications: spanish bi-lingual and = bi-cultural, previous, relevant experience and knowledge in women's health, able to work evenings and/or Saturdays on a regular basis. -,-- _ -r Application process: send resume to Assistant 1 7 Er,a Director, Women's Health Services, 314 mtri Prospect Street, New Haven, CT. 06511 Phone: . • s *Ape z 203/789-1272. , - z - „ikocc' 2 7-,.:Nta 1tz:7:14 VIKAW T k I e--* 1 s crii -.: v - I 1 4 11 •4e.v_s p — _qI _ e t _4. 1 4 . L e 1p-Apit . - , 19 0 1 7 7 t A MESSAGE FROM A FRIEND

Dear CASSANDRA:

I do not know if you have policies con- individual male nurse, I may support feminism, cerning contributions by men, but I think the treat women with respect and not be physically attached essay raises some issues that require violent. But whether I exercise it or not, I an organized response, for they are symp- still carry male privilege with me; if only in tomatic of the backlash against feminism both being free of fear of rape or sexual within nursing and without. Further, it points harrassment or in knowing the options open to to a realm of action open to men who are me that are closed to women. Certainly some supportive of feminism and wish to express women (apparently Ann Landers, for example) that support without reproducing patriarchal may not be bothered by the male power I relations by speaking for women (as do the represent when I nurse them. Others may men who describe themselves as "feminists"). object in some circumstances (mastectomy) but Whether you print it or not (I would not others (appendectomy). strongly support a decision to keep the pages An often employed - and bogus - counter of Cassandra as separatist space), I would be argument is that we don't give men patients interested in your reactions if you have a the choice not to have women nurses after moment to jot them down. urologic surgery. This is a false symmetry. The argument would hold only if men were sub- Sincerely, jected to the same abuse by women outside the hospital that women are by men. Since power David Allen, Friend of Cassandra relations are not symmetrical outside, they cannot be inside. While it would be nice to provide that choice, the lack of it does not A recent letter to Ann Landers from a raise issues of the same magnitude. male nursing student raises some issues that We must support the principle of choice should concern all feminist nurses and men for those who are least powerful in any system (including male nurses) who support them. Like - including patients in the health care system. the male nurse who sued a hospital for pre- If a hospital can guarantee choice, then male venting him from practicing in OB/GYN units nurses should be allowed to practice in (see American Nurse 1982), this student claimed socially-politicized areas such as OB/GYN he was being discriminated against because he units. If that choice cannot be granted, women wasn't allowed to work with obstetrical patients should not be unwillingly subjected to patients. Ann Landers accepted this as an care by the gender that oppresses them outside instance of discrimination and said as long as a the hospital. (Incidentally, there is growing nurse was competent, the gender of her pro- evidence that when women do have a choice, vider was unimportant to her. they select female gynecologists or female This view of discrimination is politically nurse practitioners). reactionary and as nurses we must be prepared We can be sorry that these relations of to speak against it. The issue, it seems to me, domination may limit the choices of some is not competence. To banish male nurses on men. But men need to be sensitive to why the grounds of competence would be difficult these limitations are historically necessary and to defend. To reduce the problem to con- keep in perspective the number of limitations fidence, however, removes the gender of the women live with daily that men do not. The nurse from the sexist social relationships that responsible action is not to force ourselves constitute our daily lives, including our working into more positions of domination, but to work lives. As long as nursing is practiced in a to change those conditions that create the society in which men rape women, abuse wives problem in the first place: the domination of and limit women's choices, then men nurses women by men in our society. will represent those same relations of domina- tion to their women patients. Since sexuality is * David is an RN and Friend of Cassandra. politicized in the culture, it cannot but be politicized in nursing. We cannot allow these relationships to be reduced to a problem of individuals. As an

20 MORE READING T-SHIRTS AND CALENDARS FROM EMMA

The Buffalo Web in cooperation with Margaretdaughters, Inc., 1985. 176 pp. 8.95. EMMA: WNY WOMEN'S RESOURCE AND Weaving together her unique humor, word CULTURAL CENTER is once again offering an creations, and astute analysis, Heide offers exciting mail-order opportunity. We are espe- tantalizing visions for a future that is not only cially pleased to be featuring works by and thinkable, but possible. With sharp realism and about Cassandrans: Susan E. Browne and Wilma passion, Heide challenges the reader with femi- Scott Heide. We have selected a group of wall nism as a values transformation that will revo- calendars and engagement calendars that all lutionize language, higher education, research celebrate women. Any of these selections and activism, health care, economics, the would make wonderful, thoughtful, and thought media, and international policy. She says: "This provoking gifts for yourself and/or loved ones. task is not for sunshine matriots, careerists, All of the books listed here are paperback. fairweather faddists or ladylike leeches A brief description of each item listed on the Passion if necessary to empower courage, order form is provided to assist you in making prophetic vision, intellectual originality, psychic your selection(s). We are also including a list energy and commitment to create and sustain of selections from the previous issues that are change movements." This is an essential book still available; there is space on the order for the 80's and beyond - it is a vision of form to fill in any of these titles that you possibilities for a future of health, peace and wish to order. justice.

CASSANDRA T-SHIRTS A Feminist Legacy: The Ethics of Wilma Scott We have a supply of Cassandra t-shirts Heide and Company. Eleanor Humes Haney. from the Gathering in Ann Arbor; if you wish Foreword by Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, to order one use the EMMA order form. The Margaretdaughters, Inc. 1985. 198 pp. 12.95. shirts are 50% polyester/cotton blend. At the An intriguing account of the life and work of end of the gathering, there were small sizes in Wilma Scott Heide, incorporating a history of navy blue only; medium, large and x-large in the National Organization for Women prior to gray, navy blue and red. Let us know what and during Wilma's presidency in the 70's, and you prefer; if we cannot provide what you an exploration of feminist ethics as reflected want we will refund your money. in Wilma's life and actions. The stories of Wilma's life and NOW are traced from exten- ABOUT THE BOOKS sive interviews, letters, and published and unpublished papers. Wilma's ethic of freedom, With The Power of Each Breath: A Disabled humaneness, and personal and political Women's Anthology. Edited by Susan E. excellence is told in context with the ordinary Browne, Debra Connors, and Nanci Stern, Cleis events of her life. Haney's unique approach of Press, 1985. 354 pp. 9.95 One of the most "ethics as story" creates an intimate portrait powerful books to be published this year, and of this impassioned and eloquent leader of the the first book to comprehensively document the feminist movement - a visionary and activist lives of disabled women. With the publication who "lived her values." of this book, Cleis Press continues their tra- dition of publishing the writings of women The Nutrition Detective: A Woman's Guide to speaking of their own realities in their own Treating Your Health Problems Through The voices. All of the contributions in this volume Foods You Eat. Nan Kathryn Fuchs, Tarcher, speak clearly in challenging the cultural norm Inc., 1985. 183 pp. 9.95. One of the most of "able-ism"; reading it creates an acute refreshing nutrition books that we have seen - awareness for the non-disabled woman, and this is not just another diet book. Fuchts bridges the gulf that seperates disabled women basic philosophy is "You are not what you eat, from one another. With The Power of Each what you eat is how you feel." Her approach Breath is a collection of writings from over is direct and practical, presenting a collection fifty disabled women and represents a range of of knowledge from various fields to better disabilities, age, race, class, sexual preference enable the reader to make an informed decision and personal background. about what foods may or may not be healthful. Including a health assessment questionnaire, she Feminism for the Health of It. Wilma Scott guides the reader in interpreting that Heide. Foreword by Jessie Bernard,

21 questionnaire and suggests ways in which the some yet to become known. Each 5i" x 8i" reader actually becomes the "detective" in weekly page includes a "month at a glance", selecting foods for various health related con- holidays, solstices and equinoxes. cerns. Whether you are concerned about food allergies, fatigue, headaches, bulimia, candida, The Women Writers Desk Calendar. $7.95, menopause, menstural cramps, osteoporosis, Crossing Press. Spiral bound, each week's social drinking or smoking you will find engagements are available at a glance. Each interesting and usable information in The month has a photograph of a writer plus two Nutrition Detective. pages of prose and/or poetry. Writers for this year include Ursula LeGuin, Joanna Russ, Maya ABOUT THE CALENDARS Angelou, Margaret Laurance, Emma Goldman, Annie Dillard, Jean Rhys, Audre Lorde and Wall calendars: Gabriela Mistral. The Woman's Health Calendar. $7.00, the Family Planning Council of Western Massachusetts. An 81" x 11" format, this TITLES PREVIOUSLY LISTED AND STILL calendar features black and white photographs AVAILABLE of women, circa late nineteenth and early twentieth century. This year's photos focus Peace and Power: A Handbook of Feminist primarily on black, white and American Indian Process, $4.95 women as researchers, nurses, physicians, and midwives. Each page is marked by the The Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist inspirational words and deeds of some of Theory, $7.95 America's most remarkable women. Look Me In the Eye: Old Women, Aging and The Lunar Calendar. $10.00, Luna Press. Ageism, $5.95 The 10th annual edition of this women's favorite depicts the 13 lunations of the year A New View of Woman's Body, $9.50 and contains graphics, prose and poetry by various artists. The Lunar calendar includes Shadow on a Tight Rope: Writings l_r_)y Women phases of the moon, the moon rise and set on Fat Oppression, $8.95. times, astronomical and astrological data and complete instruction on how to use all this The Single Mother's Survival Manual, $12.95 wonderful information. No Fairy Godmothers, No Magic Wands: The Ever'Woman's Calendar. MOO, Morning Healing Process after Rape, $8.95 Glory Collective. A Full-color 11" x 17" poster, useable for a full year, beginning in Voices in the Night: Women Speaking about any month. Includes a special place for a Incest, $7.95 woman to record menstrual cycles and body rythms, menstrual and lunar symbols, herbal Lesbian Sex, $9.95 remedies and menstrual lore. Includes complete instructions. Dreaming the Dark: Magic, Sex and Politics, $8.95 Engagement calendars: Eastern Her Story Engagement Calendar. $8.95, Planned Parenthood of Northwest New Jersey, Inc. Featuring the lives and accomplishments of women from the Northeast, each "week at a glance" facing page highlights the biography of a different historical or con- temporary woman from New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or New Jersey. There are 53 women in all, some well-known,

22 Hypatia was launched in 1983 as a "journal The Animals' Agenda, P.O. Box 5234, within a journal," published as special issues of Westport, CT. 06881. Recently we received a Women's Studies International Forum and has complimentary issue of The Animals' Agenda at set a standard for publication of research at the Cassandra post office box. This journal has the intersection of philosophy and women's been around for awhile, since the issue we studies. In 1986, Hypatia will emerge as an most recently received was Vol. V, #5. independent, autonomous journal. The first issue Containing a good balance of articles, reviews, will contain articles on a range of topics in analysis and criticism, and suggestions for feminist philosophy. The second will be a spe- activism, the journal reflects a consistent phi- cial issue on Motherhood and Sexuality. Hypatia losophy and ethic. is named in honor of Hypatia, an Egyptian From the copyright page: "THE ANIMALS' woman philosopher, mathematician, and astro- AGENDA is published by Animal Rights nomer who lived in Alexandria from her birth Network, Inc., as one of its efforts to promote in about 370 A.D. until her death in 415, and communication and cooperation within the ani- whose works were presumably lost in the mal welfare/rights/liberation movement. We destruction of the library at Alexandria in 640. offer a broad range of materials and infor- Hypatia was created by members of the Society mation about animal and environmental issues for Women in Philosophy as a forum for dialo- and provide a forum for the discussion of gue within the women's movement on such issues, problems and ideas. We try to reach issues as: What are the distinctively feminist people at all levels of consciousness and com- methodologies, ethics, aesthetics, political mitment to inspire a deep regard for, and a theories? What are feminist analyses of anger, greater activism on behalf of, animals and racism, spirituality, friendship, sociobology, nature." reproduction? Subscriptions are $15 per year in the U.S., Estimated subscription rates: $20/year for Canada and Mexico; $25 per year in all other individuals and $40/year for institutions. For countries. The Animals' Agenda is published full subscription information write to Margaret monthly (expect for combined issues in A. Simons, Editor, Hypatia, Department of January/February and July/August. Philosophical Studies, Southern University at Edwardwille, Edwardsville, IL. HOT WIRE: A Journal of Women's Music 62026-1001. and Culture, reports on women's music vals, interviews with women performers and The Feminist Writers Guild is a national distributors of women's music, reviews of new non-profit organization founded in 1977, and releases, and a variety of informative and is dedicated to furthering writing and net- inspiring articles. working by women who identify themselves as Published three time per year (March, July feminists. Members receive national newslet- and November). Subscriptions: $14/year U.S., ters, a yearly Directory of Members, and the $17/ year Canada, $19/year institutions. HOT Guild sponsors a number of literary and poli- WIRE, 1321 Rosedale, Chicage, IL 60660. tical projects. For more information and mem- bership rates, write to : The Feminist Writers Guild, P.O. Box 14055, Chicago, IL. 60614. NEED CASSANDRA BROCHURES??

We have them available for all Websters who need them. Kay Rousseau is the woman to contact — see the Coordinating Crones column in this and every newsjournal for information.

23 A COMMENT ON OUR FINANCES by Maeona Jacobs

Yes, we do have to be concerned about incurred on behalf of continental Cassandra but money. How can we generate more income? not for expenses incurred by webs for local Do we even want to? Can we realistically activities. We have agreed to pay plan for beginning a feminist nursing journal? Margaretdaughters, Inc. $10.00/hour for equip- When might we begin to pay women for their ment usage related to production of the news- work? What kind of investments could we journal and membership tasks with a ceiling of consider for the Wilma Scott Heide Research $2400/year. This fee covers only a fraction of Fund? These are just a few of the questions the equipment costs to Margaretdaughters. the Utah Web has considered over the past Other expenses being reimbursed to individual year. Many issues related to finances were Websters are for travel (mileage) at 230/mile, considered in Ann Arbor and a summary of phone calls, supplies, and printing. We are that discussion can be found in the gathering paying for such things as legal services related report in this Newsjournal. The comment here to our incorporation and we will have some is meant to provide Cassandrans with a general expenses related to our presence at the ANA picture of our financial status. convention in June 1986. Currently we are Our income is generated almost exclusively not paying Cassandran's for their work. from membership contributions. Only 4% comes With the incorpoation of Cassandra pending from other sources such as Newsjournal and we need to begin some new formalities to advertising sales and interest on our bank insure that our records are in order for tax accounts. To date, membership income is purposes. If you need to be reimbursed for evenly distributed between new Websters and expesnse it will be necessary to fill out a form renewals. and provide receipts for certain items. If you Currently we have 9 expense accounts: need forms and instructions for reimbursement, check charges, membership, newsjournal, please write to me (see address in Coordinating 1 Cassandra's Action Network, gatherings, public Crones column). We also need to have an relations, finance, archives, and coordination. accounting of rund raising activities by local Within each of these categories we are webs. This accounting is simple and involves accounting for the following expenses: supplies, only: 1) a statement of what the activity was; postage, printing/xeroxing, equipment, person- 2) a listing of income and expenses; and 3) a nel, travel, phone and space. notation of what the money will be or was Our major expenses are for the used for. Newsjournal (53%) and membership (27%). The In the next few months we will be busy remaining 20% of our expenses are pretty with several tasks related to finances. In evenly distributed over the remaining budget September, budget projections for the 85-86 categories. For all budget categories, the fiscal year need to be done. This means that major expense to date is for equipment we will be in touch with each of the coor- (approximately $3200), namely the use of a dinators and working with them to plan a word processor for production of the newsjour- budget for the coming year. We will also be nal and membership tasks. We have also spent considering finance "policies and procedures" around $1500 for postage and about the same consistent with our principles of unity and our amount for printing/xeroxing. We have also by-laws. had some expenditures for personnel (legal As always, we welcome your suggestions fees), travel (mileage reimbursement), phone, and input. Let us hear from you. and space (gatherings). Our draft account has had a balance bet- ween $2200 and $3500 over the past year, and we seem to be able to adequately support our current expenses. Currently we are reim- bursing women for some out of pocket expenses

24 BUDGET REPORT: April 1 - August 1, 1985

ASSETS: Draft Account (available for operations) Balance forwarded $3225.33 Income: Membership (gross) $3877.00 Transfer: %SR Fund -509.11 Net membership 3367.89

Newsjournal reprints 16.78 Promotional sales 24.50 Donations -0- Check Interest 69.07 Total income 3478.24 3478.24 Total usable assets: 6703.57

Research fund (not available for operations) Balance forwarded: $1645.97 13% new contributions: 509.11 Bank dividend: 63.59 Total: 2218.67

EXPENSES: Supplies 617.11 Postage 614.70 Printing/Xeroxing 831.91 Equipment rental 775.50 Personnel 75.00 Travel 6.50 Phone 83.46 Space 50.00 Total expenses: 3054.18 -3054.18 CLOSING BALANCE: $3649.39 WEB REPORTS

The New Haven Area Web is beginning to struggle that followed, Mr. Smith was fatally take off. We have had four meetings through wounded. the spring and summer. We floundered a bit at Although Ms. Faulk has been charged with first, but our purpose is becoming clearer. murder, we think the issues in this case have Besides providing support to each other we to do with a woman's right to defend herself have been reading and discussing Mary Daly's and her children against battering and abusive Gyn/Ecology and plan to read/discuss other behavior. feminist and feminist nursing material. The New Haven Web has decided to join We have also identified a few projects to many hospital workers and community members work on. As the enclosed letter indicates, we in their efforts to support her. Members of our are working on The Defense Committee for group are working with the Defense Committee Gladys Faulk and hope this letter can be for Gladys Faulk to raise money for her legal published as soon as possible either in the defense and to generate support and publicity Newsjournal or Action Network. for her case within the New Haven community One other project which we have a lot of and beyond. The Defense Committee is working interest in, is in compiling an annotated with the media to develop a community educa- bibliography of writings from or about a femi- tion program, helping with research in pre- nist perspective within nursing literature. If paration for the case, and publicizing this issue others in Cassandra have thought about or in the national media. We are writing this I have begun doing something like this we would letter in the hope that other Cassandra Webs like to know so we can work together. Any can help to generate support and community suggestions about this from other Cassandrans awareness, as well as raise contributions for are most welcome. We will be discussing it this important issue. more at our future meetings. To make contributions, write to the Also, we are working to remove homopho- Defense Committee for Gladys Faulk, C/O bic and other offensive language from the Health Workers Group, P.O.Box 856, New health form for prospective employees at Haven, CT. 06504, or telephone 203/562-1471. Yale-New Haven Hospital. If other Cassandrans have had experience with this sort of thing we New Haven Web would love to hear from them. Now that we are meeting on a regular basis, we will try to keep you informed of our activities.

In Peace, Annie Teitelman

Dear Cassandrans, On May 18, 1985, Gladys Faulk, an LPN at Yale-New Haven Hospital, was arrested for the murder of Jackson Smith. Ms. Faulk had been sexually harassed and physically assaulted over a three year period by Mr. Smith after she tried to break off a relationship with him. The police were called on numerous ocassions, but they never arrested him, and often they did not come at all. On May 18, Mr. Smith had forced entry into Ms. Faulk's apartment while she was gone and began to harass and attack her when she arrived home. During the fight that ensued, Mr. Smith reached for his knife and verbally threatened Ms. Faulk and her children. To protect herself, Ms. Faulk picked up a kitchen knife and attempted to call the police. In the

26 COORDINATING CRONES

If you want to get INVOLVED - this is the Cassandra's Action Network: Penny information you need! This column contains Bresnick and Muffy Eastman, 53 Middle St., the names and addresses of women who are Orono, ME 04473. Send material for the next coordinating our major tasks, and they need issue directly to Penny and Muffy. support, assistance and participation. Feminist Educational Materials: Denise Connors and Margaret Crowley, 101-A Stark Convening Coordinator: Sheila Bunting from Ave., Dover, NH 03820. Illinois. This is a new area of responsibility, Finance: Maeona Jacobs, 9855 South 3100 the details of which will emerge as we go. East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84092. Watch for more information in future news- Archivist: Kay Rousseau, 1506 10th Ave., journals. Sheila can be contacted through the San Francisco, CA 94122. If you take an Williamsville P.O. Box. action based on any of the items included in ANA 1986: P.K. Scheerle, 3012 19th the Newsjournal or Cassandra's Action Network, Street, Metairie, LA 70002; and Sheila Bunting please send a copy of your letter or an (see Convening Coordinator). This is a large account of your action for our archives. If task, and P.K. and Sheila would appreciate you have media coverage of your Web in your hearing from you if you are willing to contri- local area or any other information that would bute some time and energy to making our pre- be valuable for our archives, send it to Kay. sence known at Anaheim. Jewelry: Sue Dibble, 3998 Duncan Pl., Palo Brochure: Kay Rousseau, 1506 10th Ave., Alto, CA 94306. San Francisco, CA 94122. If you need a Publications Coordinator: Charlene Eldridge supply of brochures for any purpose, write to Wheeler, cio P.O. Box 341, Williamsville, NY Kay. They are available now and they look 14221. wonderful. Webster coordinator: Peggy L. Chinn, cio Public Relations: Kirste L. Carlson, 3085 P.O. Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221. E. Overlook Rd., Cleveland Hts., Ohio 44118. Newsjournal: Charlene Eldridge Wheeler, This is a new responsibility formed at the 1985 c/o CASSANDRA, P.O. Box 341, Williamsville, Gathering. Kirste will be focusing on working NY 14221. Remember the lifeline date for with women who want to form an active web contributions to the September issue is July 15, — sharing ideas, resources, and encouragement! 1985. Contact her if you are interested. Research Fund: Violet Malinski, 3382 Planning Coordinator: Jeanne F. DeJoseph Colwyn Rd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120. Watch from the Bay Area. This is a new role also; for more details next issue. contact Jeanne through the Williamsville P.O. Box if you have ideas related to planning!

Are you reading this newsjournal? The women who produce it often feel like nobody is. We need some response, even if simply a postcard saying you read this note!

27 ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Division of Nursing and the Division of environmental, workplace, household, and Continuing Education at the University of radiation causes of infertility. Massachusetts, Amherst are pleased to inform Personal testimonies of women who have you of our First Annual National Nursing been abused in relation to abortion, contracep- Conference on Violence Against Women. tion, sterilization, obstetrical practices, and The Conference will be held on the cam- medically-managed clitoridectomies will also be pus of the University of Massachusetts in presented. Amherst from Friday, November 1 through The Tribunal will be held in either Ireland Sunday, November 3, 1985. Ann Burgess, or in Costa Rica. D.N.Sc., van Ameringen Professor of Psychiatry, Evidence presented at the conference on Mental Health Nursing, University of the abuse of women through reproductive tech- Pennsylvania, will deliver the keynote address. nology made it clear to the 74 participants Our proposal Committee has chosen an that a forum for the public exposure of these outstanding group of presenters from a field of abuses was essential as a step in their eradi- 85 applicants. cation. Women reported: For further information, those interested in - Sterilization camps in Bangladesh. attending should contact Judy Wardlaw or - Experimentation and egg snatching under Robbie Ken at the Division of Continuing the guise of fertility research in the deve- Education, Health Sciences Program, Tower loping countries. Library, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, - Lack of access to contraception and MA 01002 (413/545-0312). abortion for women in Ireland. The Emergency Conference in Sweden has The National Women's Studies Association been called by the Feminist International Eighth Annual Convention will be June 11-15, Network on the New Reproductive Technologies 1986 at The University of Illinois at (FINNRET), a network formed in April 1984 at Urbana-Champaign. The theme for this the Second International Interdisciplinary gathering will be: Women Working for Change: Congress on Women in Groningen, the Health, Cultures and Societies. Proposals are Netherlands. In Sweden, conference participants being accepted for presentations, discussions, voted to change FINNET's name to: Feminist papers, performances and workshops. International Network of Resistance to For a complete descriptive flyer and pro- Reproductive and Genetic Engineering posal form, write to National Women's Studies (FINRRAGE), a name that acknowledges the Association, University of Maryland, College interrelationship of reproductive and genetic Park, Maryland 20742. technologies. At the conference, participants passed An International Tribunal of Medical and resolutions of resistance to reproductive and Scientific Crimes Against Women will take genetic engineering. FINRRAGE will send these place in 1987, according to plans made by resolutions to the European Parliament, to the women from 16 countries who met at the United Nations Conference on Women in Women's Emergency Conference on the New Nairobi, to the legislative bodies of a number Reproductive Technologies in Vallinge, Sweden, of countries, and to the international press. July 3-8, 1985. Sixteen women participating in the The crimes to be exposed will be in the Emergency Conference agreed to act as con- area of reproductive and biogenetic engi- tacts for an international network. They come neering. They will include abuses of women from the following countries: Australia, involved in such new technologies as in vitro Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, fertilization and embryo transfer, embryo Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Japan, flushing, sex predetermination, prenatal diagno- Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, sis and the rental of so-called "surrogate and West Germany. Each of these contacts mothers". Furthermore, women will expose the will coordinate a national resistance group in

28 her own country. The international coordinator - typing or entering the material on a is Renate DueIli Klein, a Swiss neurobiologist word processor. living in London. - proof-reading early drafts of the news- For further information and/or for press journal copy. interviews, please contact one of the following - correcting the copy and preparing final FINRRAGE members: copy for lay-out. Rita Arditti, 617/491-4038. Biologist, co- - planning and doing the lay-out. editor of Test Tube Women (Pandora Press, - arranging for printing, delivering and 1984 and Science and Liberation (South End picking up from the printer. Press, 1980). Faculty member of Union - packaging and mailing the newsjournal. Graduate School. The webster coordinator (still Peggy Chinn) Gena Corea, 617/729-1433. Author of The will provide a complete set of mailing labels Mother Machine:Reproductive Technologies from for each mailing. All expenses related to pro- Artificial Insemination to Artificial Wombs duction are reimbursed, but the time invested (Harper and Row, 1985) and The Hidden so far has been volunteered. There are Malpractice: How American Medicine Mistreats several components of production that we have Women (Harper and Row, 1985). not hired out that can be (such as typing or Shelley Minden, 617/776-5836. Co-editor of entering on the word processor - or Test Tube Women (Pandora Press, 1984). typesetter). Member of Women and Reproductive The primary consideration in relation to Technology group. Adjunct faculty member of doing the Newsjournal is the time involved (it the Adult Degree Option Program at Lesley takes about 80 to 100 womanhours to prepare College in Cambridge, Massachusets. and mail each newsjournal). Also consider the Janice Raymond, 413/367-2287. Professor resources you have for producing a good of women's studies and medical ethics in the quality of work, and the costs that would be women's studies program at the University of involved for you. Massachusetts. Widely published in the field of From our experience, we recommend that medical ethics and the new reproductive tech- at least two women need to have a primary nologies. Author of The Transsexual Empire: commitment to seeing that the work gets done, The Making of the She-Male (Beacon Press, even if it means you do it all or most of it 1979). yourself upon occasion. In addition, a support group of about 4 women are needed who can NEEDED: WOMEN TO PRODUCE help with any portion of the work, but espe- THE NEWSJOURNAL cially with review of material contributed, proofreading, typing, and mailing. On the more encouraging side, this is a Charlene, Peggy and the Buffalo Web are marvelous opportunity to learn some extremely eager to pass along the responsibility of pro- useful skills (we will share as much as we ducing the Newsjournal. At the Gathering, we possibly can in the transfer process), and it is agreed to accomplish this within the next year. interesting, challenging, and often even fun! If you are interested in exploring pro- If you want to explore this exciting clueing the Newsjournal, or even in possibility further, let us know ideas you have participating in a portion of the work, please for sharing the work-load among websters, let us know. We don't want to discourage what talents and resources you have available, you, but here is an overview of the tasks that how you imagine arranging for each of the need to be done: tasks involved, and what costs you project - review and selection of all materials would be involved for you. sent for possible publication. (So far this has If you have questions, write to any of the not been a remarkable task, but this is likely women who have been involved (Charlene and to change because women at the gathering Peggy in Buffalo, Maeona in Utah for finance made verbal commitments to help write and concerns). If you are ready to offer a propo- encourage others to write.) sal, write to Sheila Bunting, our convening - editing of articles to be published. coordinator, at P.O. Box 341, Wiliamsville, NY - composing material from the mail that 14221. Sheila will distribute your ideas among comes to Cassandra for columus such as the coordinating crones and others who want announcements, resources, etc. to help us all figure this out!

29 CONTACT WOMEN • . • •

Names and addresses of all Cassandran's are forwarded to their nearest contact woman; otherwise our mailing list is not distributed. This list is organized by zip code, so findl the zip code nearest you for the nearest contact woman! If you would like to be a contact woman for your area, please let us know. If you are a contact woman and you are not listed, or if the information given here is incorrect, please notify us. Write Cassandra, P.O. Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221.

Canada: MARGARET NIXON 1645 Broadmead Ave. Victoria V8P2V5 Massachusetts: KATHRYN J. FOLEY 13 Skehan St. Somerville 02143 DIANE PINGE TON 22 Brook St. Somerville 02145 New Hampshire: JANNETTE HOFSTEDE 38 South Main St. Concord 03310 DENISE D. CONNORS 101 -A Stark Ave. Dover 03820 (See also Maine) Maine: PENNY BRESNICK RD 2Box 4570 Canaan 04924 Connecticut: BEV YAEGER 48 Ravenwood Rd. W. Hartford 06107 ANNE TEITELMAN 26 Whittlesey Ave. New Haven 06511 New Jersey DOROTHY VERNA 70 Wittingham Place West Orange 07052 New York: ADRIENNE ROY P.O. Box 341 Williamsville 14221 Delaware: SHELIA A. McMAHON 9 Timber Creek Lane Newark 19711 Maryland ELIZABETH CALDERON 19561 Transhire Rd. Gaithersburg 20879 West Virginia: M.G. NAGAI-JACOBSON Rt. 9, Box 246 Beaver 25813 JINI MILLER 103 Ellen Lane Mbrgantown 26505 South Carolina: PAMELA CLARKE Rt. 1, Box 93 Irmo 29063 SHEILA REIHING TRUBY 11 Ashwicke Greenville 29615 Georgia: ESTHER E. WYNNE 1837 Wtightsboro Rd. 04 Augusta 30904 Kentucky: NATALIE C. GRAY Rt.4, Slaters Landing Harrodsburg 40330 Ohio: JUDITH A. CARR P.O. Box 5874 Pleasantville 43148 KIRSTE L. CARLSON 2062 East 115 St. Cleveland 44106 BRIGHID KELLY 9040 Spooky Ridge Lane Cincinnati 45242 Michigan: JACQUELYN CAMPBELL 1044 Western Ann Arbor 48103 Iowa: MARY HETTINGER 24008 Jennings Sioux City 51104 Wisconsin: DOLORES DAWN 1115 Millwood Ave. Waukesha 53186 Minnesota SHARON MCDONALD 4403 Cedar Ave. South Minneapolis 55407 Illinois: HELEN M. RAMIREZ 5615 N. Kimball Chicago 60659 Missouri: D. ANN CHASE 9021-0 Eager Rd. St. Louis 63144

1 30 Kansas: LOIS A. MOUSHEY 612 Tenny St. Kansas Ci 66101 JUDY SCHROCK Rt. 4, Box 24 Manhattanty 66502 Nebraska: L/NDY W1LKOWIAK 310 No. 48th St. Crnaha 69132 Lousiana: P.K. SCHEERLE 3012 19th St. Metairie 70002 CAROL COOK BLEAU 2840 April Zachary 70791 Texas: SUSAN GIBSON 1110 W. Saner Ave. Dallas 75224 Utah: CAROL A. ASHTON 3685 Palisade Dr. Salt Lake City 84109 Washington: ALICE LIND 9329 Lima Terrace S. Seattle 98118

THRUMS (Any loose end, fringe, or tuft of thread; the fringe of warp threads left on a loom after the cloth has been cut off).

This Newsjournal was produced by: The Buffalo Web. The women who were responsible for production of this issue were Charlene Eldridge Wheeler and Peggy Chinn. Anne Montes and Adrienne Roy assisted with proof-reading. Nouveau (1969 by E.V. Gillon). The illustration for the Report of the Appreciation to: Gathering is from a napkin contributed by - A special appreciation to the MJD. Cassandrans who recorded the processes of the 1985 Gathering. Your descriPtions will be pre- Quote: served as original documents in the files of the Eleanor Humes Haney's quote on the front Archivist. cover of this Newsjournal is from A Feminist Elizabeth Manley - North Carolina Legacy: The Ethics of Wilma Scott Heide and Alice Lind - Seattle Company, Margaretdaughters, Inc., P.O. Box 70, Merrie Kaas - Bay Area Buffalo, NY 14222, 1985, p. 167. This book Peggy L. Chinn - Buffalo appears on the EMMA order form in this issue Jeanne De Joseph - Bay Area of the Newsjournal, or ask your local - A special appreciation to Sue Huether bookstore. from Utah who worked with all of the handwritten minutes to compose the report of the Gathering contained in this issue. - The women of EMMA who assist with WANTED: WNEN TO CONTRIBUTE M1TERI4L planning and fulfilling the book orders. FOR THE PEWS JOURNAL - Frigid, the technological wonder, without which all of this would be infinitely more dif- ficult, if not impossible. This is the most important way that you can contribute to Cassandra's health Illustrations: and well-being. If you are shy about Unless otherwise specified, the illustrations writing, drawing, or sending material are from the following Dover publications: for the Newsjournal, let us know and we Women: A Pictorial Archive from will help find a way! There are Nineteenth-Century Sources, New York, Dover several women who are willing to help Publications, 1978; Treasury of Flower Designs polish ideas for publication, and we (1981 by Susan Gaber); Banners, Ribbons and provide editing assistance. So don't Scrolls (1983 ed. by Carol Belanger Grafton); delay — we want to hear from you. Treasury of Art Nouveau Design and Ornament (1980 by Carol Belanger Grafton); and Art

31 IT MAY BE TIME TO RENEW . . .

Check your mailing label - if your renewal date is circled in red, it is time for you to renew! Send your contribution, with your name and complete address to CASSANDRA, P.O. Box 341, Williamsville, NY 14221. Be sure to let us know if your address has changed. If you want to have your telephone number available for your contact woman, please include your phone number. The contribution for Websters is $35 to $75, (students, retired, unemployed and differently-abled nurses $15); Friends, $25; Institutions, $35.

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