WSW EDITORIAL

WSW has learned that the Cleveland NOW chapter was distressed by an implication in our article on the LERN (Labor for Equal Rights Now) March (December 1979 issue) that the local NOW is supporting that march. In fact, ClevelandNOW, as well as Ohio NOW, has not endorsed the march and

Features

More Strong Wimmin.....

Why Labor Supports the ERA....

will not support it.

We apologize to the local NOW chapter for any embarrassment we might have caused them by our statement (correct) that a local coordinator of the LERN March is also a member of the Cleveland NOW Labor Task Force. However, an obvious ques-

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Clio's Musings.

Letters....

The Perils of Feminist Publishing..

Bits & Pieces.

4-5

News

Women's Groups.

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Off My Breast...

.10

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back cover

President Asked to Support Gay Rights.. Homosexual Ban Affirmed.

What's Happening.

Cover photo by Janet Century

Family Violence Program..

Jane Fonda at CWW Celebration...

National

More Abortion Attacks..

What She Wants

14-15

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tion arises: Why isn't the local NOW chapter endorsing an event which has the support of national NOW-Eleanor Smeal is one of the speakers-the purpose of which is to push for ratification of the ERA?

According to Lynn Haziett, Chairperson of the local NOW chapter, nationa! NOW gave each chapter the option of whether or not to endorse the LERN March. Hazlett states that the local chapter didn't want to put money or energy into the event because they weren't sure who was sponsoring it or why. The inference would seem to be that the local chapter of NOW has decided that the LERN March is not a feminist event.

It is true that many endorsers of the march are groups not traditionally associated with women's rights. Nationally, the march is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, the national steel unions, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and NOW, among others. Local and state endorsers include WomenSpace, the Commission on Catholic Community Action, Cleveland Diocese, the Meatcutters Union Local 427, the Service, Hospital, Nursing Home & Public Employees Union Local 47, the Cleveland AFL-CIO and Cleveland Women's Committee of the AFL-CIO, and the Ohio Nurses Association.

If there is one issue on which all people who profess to support women's rights can agree without reservation, it is ratification of the ERA. WSW finds it difficult to understand the decision of the local and state chapters of NOW, the largest and best-known women's rights organization in the country, not to support the LERN March. It is all too reminiscent of the 1960's, when various anti-war and leftist groups, run by the boys, of course, spent more time and energy on divisive in-fighting and taking “I'm purer than you are politically" stances than in waging the common struggles.

The women's movement must not fall into that trap. We must preserve our unity, keeping our eyes on our goals and doing all we can to achieve them, including welcoming and working with allies whose motives may be other than purely and simply feminist. The LERN March will benefit organized labor in that the labor movement will presumably gain women adherents and union members-and is that bad? Does that fact negate the boost given to women by such powerful support? We think not. We appreciate labor's strong stand in support of the ERA and on behalf of women's rights, and note in passing that at least national NOW understands that it may, make NOW's goals a bit easier to attain. Unity in the women's movement is extremely important; we must not dissipate our power by internal struggles. On the other hand, our common sisterhood must not be used to isolate us from other forces who are willing to help us achieve our rights in society and under the law.

-Mary Walsh

WE ARE:

Terry Bullen, Carol Epstein, Linda Jane, Marycatherine Krause, Gail Powers, Mary Walsh

CONTRIBUTORS (articles, poetry, graphics): Shirley Aenne, Paula Copestick, Dolores Dempsey,

Joye Gulley, Lynn Hammond, Pat O'Malley, Bev Stamp

FRIENDS OF THIS ISSUE (production):

Linda Homuth, Jean Loria, Pat O'Malley, Michelle Vanderlip ADVERTISING, DISTRIBUTION:

Alana Clampitt, Dianne Fishman, Marcia Manwaring, Pat O'Malley

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.

January, 1980/What She Warts/Page 1