WSW EDITORIAL

Do you think you've learned everything you wanted to know about reproductive rights? Do you think you've done all you can to ensure women's reproductive rights?

Think again:

More anti-abortion legislation is being introduced on city (e.g., Boston Hts., Ohio), state (e.g., New Jersey), and federal (e.g., anti-abortion rider to Defense Appropriations Bill) levels.

Only four states now pay for all Medicaid abortions. (Prior to August 4, 1977, forty-seven states and the District of Columbia funded most abortions for Medicaid recipients).

-Only eight more state resolutions are necessary to convene a Constitutional Convention.

Con-Con

resolutions are aimed at attempting to deny abortion rights by constitutional amendment. (Incidentally, this may be a convenient time for the New Right to suggest disposing of the Bill of Rights.)

How are these things possible? Because "activist" women in Cleveland and elsewhere allow them to happen. One example -on October 7 at the abortion rights demonstration, there would not have been enough people to form a circle to walk around if it weren't for a group of interested Socialist women and men, and only a handful of women from the Cleveland women's community.

Feminists are at work on so many valid concerns that it seems as if there just isn't enough time and energy to go around. But if there are not enough women willing to make the time and energy to ensure reproductive freedom for all women, then we now must re-evaluate what it is we are working for. We demand equal and civil rights, educational

CONTENTS

and economic opportunity, personal growth and expression, and involvement in politics, art, science. industry and in every aspect of our society. We act to gain control over our lives and the world in which we live them. We know that only in taking our own independence do we effect real change in that world.

None of these rights actually means anything unless we recognize that the primary means of our subjection in society originates in being defined as biologically determined, i.e., to propagate and ensure the continuation of the species. As long as we allow this basic definition to continue, each particular right we win is but a concession granted by those who can retract or modify these opportunities at any time.

There is no one way, no easy way to make so profound a change. We must educate, demonstrate, legislate use every means available and imagin. able. We each must be willing to take more time and energy away from making our personal lives more comfortable to demand that others listen, understand, and join us.

You are the only one who can decide that you will take an hour on a Saturday morning to demonstrate for a woman's right to choose.

You are the only one who can decide that you will vote and lobby legislators for a woman's right to choose.

You are the only one who can decide that you will act to change the world for women.

You are the only one who can decide that you will be free not comfortable, or tired, or bored or uncaring -but free.

Features

Fate of S. 1437..

Divorce.

ERA Extension..

(third in a series of 5 articles reprinted from Getting Out: A Divorce Manual)

NARAL. vs. the House,

N.J. Anti-Abortion Bill.

Interview with Jeanne Sonville..

8-9

On Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

Bits & Pieces...

Review of For Her Own Good..

Boos, Bravos, and Tidbits..

News

Find It Fastest..

back cover

Local

Abortion Rights Update and Commentary. Report on Oct. 7 Pro-Choice Demonstration. CARAL. Re-Groups, ....

2-3

Cleveland Women's Groups.

10-11,12,13

What's Happening..

Vote For

National

Briggs/Prop 6..

Employment Opportunities..

Issue

Cover: Jeanne Sonville of the Free Medical Clinic, photo by Janet Century.

What She Wants

What She Wants goes to production the middle of the month. Copy should be submitted the first week of the month so that we can discuss and edit collectively at our editorial meetings. Contact us for specific deadlines. Please print or type articles. Leave material in our mailbox (second floor of the White House, 2420 S. Taylor Rd. at Scarborough, Cleveland Hts.) or mail to WSW, P.O. Box 18465, Cleveland Hts,, Ohio 44118.

WHAT SHE WANTS IS:

A MONTHLY NEWS JOURNAL PRODUCED FOR ALL WOMEN. We always like input from our readers in the form of articles, personal experiences, poetry, art, accouncements, and letters. We welcome women who are willing to help us in specific areas of the paper (writing, lay-out, advertising, distribution, publicity, etc.) and/or who are interested in our collective.

WHAT SHE WANTS ADVOCATES:

...equal and civil rights

...the right to earnings based on our need, merit, and interest ...access to job training, salaries, and promotions we choose

...the right to organize in unions and coalitions to advance our cause ...the right to decent health care and health information

...the right to safe, effective birth control and to safe, legal abortions ...the right to accept or reject motherhood

...the right to choose and express sexual preference without harassment ...access to quality education and freedom from prejudice in learning materials

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WE ARE:

Carol Epstein, Linda Jane, Marycatherine Krause Barbara Louise, Gail Powers, Barb Reusch, Mary Walsh

FRIENDS OF THIS ISSUE:

Beth Cagan, Janet Century, Gene Epstein, Meredith Holmes

Catherine Johns, Kalhan, Carole Paff and TDU, Carolyn Platt, Judy Rainbrook

What She Wants encourages you to take time to vote on November 7 for ISSUE 3. The $30 million that it earns each year brings back ten times that amount from state and federal matching programs to support many services such as:

* Treatment for emotionally disturbed children

• The Burn Treatment Center at CMGH

Community mental health centers

The Polson Control Center

•

Nutrition programs for the elderly

• Community Information Services

* Suicide Prevention

• Crisis Intervention Team

• Child Abuse Hotline

•

Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland

• Foster care for abused and abandoned children

• The Emergency Ambulance Dispatch Service

• Day Care Center

THE UNRATIFIED STATES

M4 $

November, 1978/What She Wants/Page 1