Why Not? A Women's Center
contributed by Judy Bigelow of
Cleveland Women's Counseling
There have been some beginning movements within the Cleveland women's community to work towards establishing a women's center. (There is a women's center on the CWRU campus for university women, primarily, though they have been as responsive to the wider community as their budget and staff allowed.)
Such movements towards establishing a center have raised some questions, like, why should we have such a center? And what should it involve?
The question of "why?" may be better answered by asking "why not?" Ask any woman who is in a divorce process or recently widowed or even recently graduated with an advanced degree in a "male" field such as engineering. It is clear that the battles are just now beginning, the forces just now becoming mobilized, the victims just now becoming aware. So why not have a women's center?
Why not have a place where any woman can go and be welcome, whether she is young or old, black or white, working or not working, in crisis or just curious?
Why not have a place that will act as an advocate for women in obtaining the services and the help that she needs?
INTRODUCING: The Feminist Forum
contributed by Susan Woodworth
One of the few open meeting places for women in Cleveland has been the Feminist Forum. It has functioned since November 1973 as a Friday night get-together for women to get acquainted. Women attending the Forum have come to meet other women as well as have the opportunity to discuss various feminist issues. Starting in the fall of 1974, the Feminist Forum will begin to offer a more structured approach to discus-
sions. One basic topic of discussion for Friday nights is "what is feminism." Dis cussion of feminism has generated other ideas for topics such as collectivity, empowerment of women, class analysis, and women and violence. Previously, the Feminist Forum had been an informal rap-discussion format. With the introduction of specific topics, we hope to encourage women to think about their participation in an ongoing process in the definition of feminist analysis and theory. We welcome any woman who is interested in sharing her perspective on feminism to join us.
Discussions of feminist ideas and analysis have been only a part of the Feminist
Forum. Ideas for small project groups have been suggested. Some of these groups might be: a photography group, nutrition and body work, a literature center, a group responsible for programs for Forum nights, and a reading group. Participation in and responsibility for the development of these groups lies in the hands of women who are interested in learning and sharing their skills. Again, we welcome women who have skills to share in specific areas of interest and who are interested in working with small groups of women to join us.
The purpose of the Feminist Forum is to provide space for women who share a feminist commitment to meet and work together in self-defined ways. In the future we would hope that women who choose to participate would bring their experience and wisdom as women to the Forum as space for its full
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expression. We are interested in the development of strength, courage, initiative and joy in women through a format such as the Forum which is still only an experimental form. We plan to use space in What She Wants to announce future topics of discussion and programs which the Forum will sponsor. If you are interested in joining us, please call 932-2074.
in Cleveland
Why not have a place where a woman could come, angry from being insulted, put down, discriminated against, and have that anger channeled into some constructive actions to prevent future occurrences, rather than having her turn back this anger against herself?
Why not have a place that would link up women interested in a particular problem with women who could be effective resources and with other women who are experiencing that problem?
Why not have a place where women artists, writers, musicians, actresses and play. wrights could have a forum for the presentation of their work, learn of each other's existence and support each other's growth?
The bonding that is sisterhood cannot occur if we are scattered and separated. The strength that is needed, to gather together to support ourselves against the pressure that would keep change from happening, cannot occur if we are scattered and separated.
There must be a unifying link in C'eveland, one place where a woman can get all the information about what is happening with women in Cleveland and who is doing what. Cleveland needs a women's center!
The Tipsy Grape Inn Wine & Cheese
PHONE: 421-2444
Cafe
NEWEST INN-OLD EUROPEAN ATMOSPHERE 12112 MAYFIELD ROAD FIN THE HEART OF LITTLE ITALY) OPEN TUESDAY THEY SATURDAY 6 P.M. UNTIL 1 A.0. FIE WIES •
fem
the Phant
ropical Plans
FORGE
Shanging Plants
cactus
Gallery 144.33 Cedar at Green 381-5151
page 9/What She Wants/September 1974