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Dear Friends,

Cleveland Women's

Counsel

p.o. box 18472

cleve. hts., oh. 44118 321-8587

We want to inform you of a change that has recently taken place at Cleveland Women's Counsel. The telephone information, referral and counseling service for women that Cleveland Women's Counsel has been providing since November, 1971 now is operating at WomenSpace. Women may call there for help with their needs and problems relating to divorce, being battered, discrimination on the job, in housing or credit, therapy and legal referrals, ob-gyn care, support groups, and finding information about the women's movement. Phone advocates will be available at 696-3100 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

We at Cleveland Women's Counsel have as our new focus addressing the economic needs of divorcing women. This current emphasis grew out of our many years of experience in providing direct service through the phone service and in conducting groups.

We have talked with over 3,000 women in Cuyahoga County in the past 3 years about their divorces. We are struck with a picture of women and their children suffering great economic deprivation as a result of their divorces and of long-term bitterness because of unjust settlements. In addition, national statistics from the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor support our perception that female heads of household are increasingly falling into the poverty sector. Our goal is to insure the equitable division of the assets of the marriage at the time of divorce or dissolution. We have turned our attention (from the direct service we had been providing) to influencing policy that is generated in the legislative and judicial systems, such as the county and state governments, the legal profession, the Domestic Relations Court, and feminist advocacy organizations.

One of our current projects for which we are seeking funding is conducting research of domestic rela-

The Women's Growth Cooperative

p.o. box 18087, cleveland heights, ohio 44118 321-8585

tions court decisions in conjunction with the Federation for Community Planning. The results obtained by studying court documents will provide some relevant facts about divorce and dissolution in Cuyahoga County and its effects on women and children. Another endeavor of Cleveland Women's Counsel is to monitor and evaluate the functioning of the Bureau of Support. Information from both these projects will be made public and can be used by planners, advocates, and legislators. Also, we will continue to provide dissolution of marriage packets and distribute our booklet, entitled "Divorce: Suggestions, Observations, and Warnings for Women."

We thank you for the various kinds of support you have made available while Cleveland Women's Counsel was providing the information and referral service for women in Cuyahoga County. Our new telephone number is 321-8587. Please call us if you are interested in learning more about our new activities and plans.

Sincerely,

Cleveland Women's Counsel Ruth Brdar Merrily Kaplan Pearl Simon Betsy Tabac

The staff members of the Women's Growth Cooperative are: Iris Bishop, Rila E, C'oriell, Hetty Cowan, Pat Hoornstra, Mary Ann Huckabay, Marcia Kessler, Wegi Louise, Wendy Passov, Karen Quay.

WINTER WORKSHOPS

Anger: Buried anger is an unnecessary burden. Released anger enables us to re-experience warmth and pleasure. In a safe environment, we will work in practical ways to let our anger out and learn to use it as a tool.

2 Sundays, March 18 and 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Wednesday, March 21, 7:30-10:00 p.m.

Feminist Forums: Monthly discussions of books, issues, ideas, and controversies of feminist concern. On Friday, March 9, the topic will be Mothers &

Daughters. 8:00 p.m. at Labyris, 2420 S. Taylor, Cleveland Heights.

Women experiencing severe psychological/emotional stress. should not participate in a group or workshop.

Fees: Fees are based on a sliding scale depending on your income. A nonrefundable minimum deposit of $5 is required one week in advance to secure a place in a group. Your fees will be discussed when your registration is confirmed.

even productions

p.o. box 18175, cleveland heights, ohio 44118 (216) 321-0692

The First Annual Women's Community "Salute to Our Own" Dinner and Dance honoring Oven Productions was held February 3 at the downtown YWCA. Over one hundred women gathered that evening to pay tribute to Oven, and the event was a warm tribute indeed. An informal reception began the evening, with wine and cheese and much lively conversation. Just about all of the Oven Productions collective members who had contributed their time and energy through the years were present, including Judy Rainbrook, Lori Holmes, and Carolyn Morrissey, who flew in from Washington, D.C. for the occasion.

After a wonderful dinner of stroganoff and vegetable crepes, salad, warm homemade rolls, and cake, the program began. Sally Tatnall presented a herstory of Oven Productions, and introduced all of the collective members. She also read a moving note from Linda Preuss, a former Oven member, nbw living in California and working on the Dinner Party Project with Judy Chicago.

Hearing the herstory of an organization and seeing sixteen women seated together who have made it suc-

Page 12/What She Wants/March, 1979

cessful was quite a powerful experience. Rita Coriell, speaking on behalf of Oven, reminded us all that it is our sense of connection and family in the Cleveland community that helps us keep on working hard to create and maintain our own institutions. After the program, the tables were moved back and dancing began, with excellent music provided by Fran Washington.

Oven Productions would like to thank Sally Tatnall, once again, for her time, energy, and work in creating a beautiful tribute to us. And all of the women-Sharon, Kendra, Becky, SyrenSound, Anne Maric, Tish, Willow, Smokey and everyone else who contributed her time, and have supported us so staunchly.

HOLLY NEAR in concert Saturday, April 14, 1979 Cleveland Institute of Music

To register for a group or workshop, please fill out the form below and mail to The Women's Growth Cooperative, P.O. Box 18087, Cleveland His., OH 44118.

Name

Address

Phone:

Day.

I would like to register for:

Enclosed find check for $ of $5.00 required.)

Evening

(Minimum deposit

Phone: 321-8582. If we are not in, please leave a message on our answering machine. We will return your call. INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING ALSO AVAILABLE

We plan to have two concerts the same evening, one general admission, one for women only. Watch the April issue of WSW for more details. Advance tickets will be sold at the usual outlets, so check with your ticket outlet for ticket prices and concert times.

Women in Music (continued from page 3)

Women have succeeded in folk and popular music. "Women's music," and with it women-owned and/or operated recording and production companies, have grown appreciably in the last ten or so years. If these are any indication of women's interest and ability in music, it shouldn't be long before there is not only a more complete herstory of women in music, but another arca oper to women's influence and participation. And that can only lead to more humanizing forms of musical expression.

For more information on women in music (including Pool's extensive bibliography and discography, organizations of women composers, the First National Congress on Women in Music, etc.), contact Jeannie Pool at P.O. Box 436, Ansonia Station, New York, New York 10023.

-Marycatherine Krause