LETTERS

I have been reading What She Wants for a number of years, and want to congratulate all of you on a fine paper, one that has grown and improved steadily.

I was disturbed, however, to read in your November issue the letter from Susan E. Wilson extolling the virtues of Mary Rose Oakar. Ms. Wilson does not identify herself except as "a resident of Mary Rose Oakar's Congressional district," but if she is not on Oakar's PR staff, she should be.

After listing some of Oakar's positions on various issues, including sponsorship of the Susan B. Anthony coin-a dubious achievement at best—, Ms. Wilson states that “No other Congressional office or campaign staff in the area achieves anywhere near the respect and admiration which is shown to Mary Rose and her employees." I am glad Oakar has a good staff; without them her deficiencies as a legislator would no doubt be even more apparent.

Ms. Wilson finally gets to the heart of the matter Oakar's stand on abortion. As every feminist knows, Oakar opposes abortion, and does so publicly in her capacity as Congresswoman. Ms. Wilson states that "we should recognize that abortion as a concept has been well accepted by the American people, which is the most important aspect of this issue, and every national poll bears this fact out." That is true; how then can Oakar oppose abortion, as a concept, and still claim to represent the people of her district?

Finally, concludes Ms. Wilson, "Women who call themselves feminists should be supportive of all

1980 Pro-Choice March

Since January 1979, pro-choice supporters in Cleveland have participated in half a dozen demonstrations in support of reproductive rights. Why another, and why in January, of all times?

The initial answer is fairly simple. January 22 commemorates the seventh anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. The anniversary is a time for remembering what was and, with the current political climate, what could be again. But demonstrating in the cold and dark of January has proven to do more than refresh the memory of already dedicated pro-choice supporters. Last year's march had powerful results. Although we were outnumbered by right-to-lifers, it was quite obvious in the media and to our opposition as we met them face to face, that we were a force to be reckoned with.

Anti-choice fanatics aren't accustomed to being confronted. And although we were only 200 to their 20 busloads, my guess is that there will be fewer participants at their “memorial service" this year.

Seeing the enemy face to face is exhilarating for us and, I'm sure, a taste of reality for them! Join us at 7:00 p.m. on January 22 in front of Public Auditorium. You can be sure they'll be there! For further information, call 621-8224.

women as that is how the feminist movement will advance." No! With that kind of political analysis, we would all be on the Phyllis Schlafly bandwagon when she makes her bid for a Congressional seat.

Abortion is perhaps the most important women's issue, representing as it does not only the physical operation itself, but the whole range of reproductive rights, and ultimately the right of women to selfdetermination in all areas. A feminist can choose against abortion for herself personally, but opposition from a person in Oakar's powerful position

denies the right to choose for all women. Since she is opposed to free choice on the issue of abortion, Oakar is not a feminist and does not deserve feminist support.

It is the duty of a feminist to oppose anyone who wants to limit women's rights. For this reason, I hope and trust that WSW will in the future refuse to print such public relations flak as Ms. Wilson's letter.

-A Disgusted Reader

Introducing WSW/Network!

Are you concerned with the isolation of women from each other and/or the media tendency to encourage non-participation? Would you like to help .create a personal community of women? Then you may want to join in an experiment.

Networking on a regional, national, and even international level is a growing movement to promote community. Everyone networks in the different spheres of her life. Friendships and contacts expand and contract, fulfilling needs and growing as our lives change. An intentional Network complements our everyday personal exchange and adds a new dimension of decreased randomness and increased openness. This strictly person-to-person venture facilitates cooperation and generates questions, answers, ideas, and dreams in a circular, greater return fashion. Each member of a Network is a "weaver" whose designs are interwoven by choice and increase resource access.

Unlike traditional organizations, an open network need not endorse any one particular ideology, and expresses non-competitive non-hierarchical action. The decision-making arena of the locker room and the business fraternity is private turf. Rather than imitate these institutions, we need to resist the pressure to exclude and compartmentalize. Networking is a promising alterative to the "men's room" for women to bond and share information.

Each month WSW prints a "What's Happening"

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page. Included are specific group and personal queries. But have women now relaxed enough to extend friendship to each other in an open atmosphere? Are we serious about linking together-individually-to pool knowledge and support each other? Help answer yes to these questions and create a grassroots, women's community in Ohio. Send to Nerwork/WSW 50 to 100 words identifying your explorations, talents, abilities-anything you would like to share about yourself. For example, are you a "closet" poet who would like to share your work with other women? Or do you have an obsession with feminist Etruscan art which you would like company satisfying? Or do you want to learn how to skydive but are afraid to take your first jump alone?

Include your name, address, telephone number, and $I. WSW will make the Network visible by printing your passage and first name, and by compiling the names and addresses and mailing this information to each Network participant. Take the time to invite and encourage women you know to participate.

Then, it'll be up to you to initiate further connec tions and respond to cooperators who are interested in you.

All are welcome to enrich the array of resources and possibilities. The only expectation of the Networker is a willingness to participate actively with autonomy and initiative. There are no guaranteed results and no obligations.

Network

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Please limit your passage to 50-100 words.

The February issue of WSW will feature women and aging.

We are interested in original articles on such topics as ageism, health care, sexuality, housing, employment, legal rights and benefits, or any other relevant topic.

Deadline for manuscripts is January 22, 1980.

Page 2/What She Wants/December, 1979

Send to:

NETWORK/WSW P.O. Box 18465

Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

Please include a check for $1.00 payable to What She Wants and a self-addressed stamped envelope.