EDITORIAL

Columnist Ellen Goodman, an "observer of social change," recently spoke in Cleveland to 400 women of the Mt. Sinai Women's Auxiliary, a 4000-member organization" committed to hospital fundraising. A recipient of the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in Journalism, Ms. Goodman spoke of the "internal process of change" which the women's liberation movement has fostered in most American womenhow on a most personal level women have responded

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to the values and goals of feminism.

In the early 1970's, the average American woman could not identify with either the radical feminists or the fervent reactionaries; neither position seemed to offer a palpable alternative to her life. Now, however, many women have emerged onto what Ms. Goodman calls "the new middle ground," taking cautious and hesitant steps toward sorting out what they want. Seeking change safely, they cherish the best in their traditional past while advancing toward an exciting revision of their lives, many still frightened of what they perceive as the "uncertain replacements" which women's liberation can offer.

CONTENTS

National

Letters.. Commentary.

EEOC Guidelines...

ERA March.....

Poetry....

.7, 11

Social Security Revisions Proposed.

Women's Health..

Local

Boos and Bravos...

Land Project Update....

Classified Ads.

Find It Fastest...

8-9

What's Happening..

Cover Photo by M B Camp

Features

What's New in S. 1722...

Profiles: Women-owned Businesses: ..

What She Wants

back cover

wes no. 1

14-15

What She Wants goes to production the first of the month. Copy should be submitted the third week of the month so that we can discuss it and edit collectively at our editorial meetings. Contact us for specific deadlines. Please print or type articles. Mail material to WSW, P. O. Box 18465, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118.

WHAT SHE WANTS IS:

A MONTHLY NEWS JOURNAL PRODUCED FOR ALL WOMEN. We always like mput from our readers in the form of articles, personal experiences, poetry, art, announcements, 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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DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS:

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Central; Barnes & Noble, Publix Book Mart, Rape Crisis Center, Something Different, WomenSpace West: CCC Bookstore, Plants Plus, Six Steps Down, Tish's Shoe Repair & Emporium

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Columbus: Fan the Flames Bookstore

Boston, MA: New Words Bookstore

WE ARE:

Terry Bullen, Carol Epstein, Linda Jane, Marycatherine Krause, Gail Powers, Mary Walsh CONTRIBUTORS (articles, poetry, graphics):

MB Camp, Loretta Feller, Wegi Louise, Amy Schuman, Jeanne Van Atta

FRIENDS OF THIS ISSUE (production);

Willow Bentley, Carol Braund, Loretta Feller, Jean Loria, Pat O'Malley

ADVERTISING, DISTRIBUTION:

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

Relying largely on the media's version of the typical feminist, the "new middle ground" woman fears that feminism tears people apart, disrupts the family, and may propel her life into total crisis, without meaning and without safeguards for the future.

For many the choices are risky and fraught with turmoil. These are the women who state, "I'm not a feminist, but...." The "buts" are endless: a belief in equal pay for equal work; sympathy for the displaced homemaker; a repulsion against violence against women, etc. Fear of change has caused many women to empathize with the women's liberation movement without calling themselves feminists and, more importantly, without taking steps to alter their lives. Ms. Goodman contends that most American women try to change without loss mainly by adding responsibilities. "Can we have it all?" she asks. "Yes," she replies derisively, "if we do it all."

Following the Russian model, a woman now chooses to work double time instead of sharing the load. Rather than demand that domestic chores be handled more fairly, that corporations create flexible working hours, or that government fund more day care centers, a woman will work partor full-time and still continue her family responsibilities as if nothing had changed. This choice is reassuring to the woman in conflict; she can manage personal achievement in the world and still care for others. Ms. Goodman reminds us of the stereotype of "supermom, who, a la Family Circle, sent her children to school with pumpkin-shaped cookies and handmade Halloween costumes., Another formidable stereotype has replaced "supermom, "again guaranteed to make you feel anxious and guilt-ridden if you don't live up to it: "superwoman!"

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Following the "new middle ground," according to Ms. Goodman, has produced "conflicted, ambivalent [women} looking for the nearest answers,' earnestly trying to appear "ambidextrous, yet symbolized by the image of clasping one's hands in prayer." The "new middle ground" woman is fearful of asking her husband of 20 years to change, afraid that if she shares her domestic sphere she will lose the only power she's ever been allowed to have and which provides her with a sense of importance. One source of this fear of change was revealed by a statement of a woman in the audience: "You know, I'm all for equal pay for equal work, but I still enjoy having the door opened for me. Women have been taught to value what men do for women, while what other women do somehow doesn't count. Recently, for instance, I was talking with a feininist friend at a picnic, both of us interested in what we were sharing. She abruptly left, however, when her husband came strolling by and motioned to her. At that moment 1 as a woman was unimportant; what mattered was the attention, security and comfort that flows from communication with a man.

As a feminist I reali.... "e women's movement has tapped fears which mot be smoothed away by ideology; they must be confronted in the light of our American heritage and cult. I upbringing. Perhaps the "new middle ground" is appealing in some ways to all of us, but we must be aware of the quicksand in that seemingly stable path.

Carol Epstein

Errata: Please note that last month's issue of WSW-Vol. 7, No. 12-was the May issue, not the June issue as indicated on the cover. We apologize for the confusion. Incidentally, if you haven't noticed, the real June issue (or, rather, the June/July issue) marks the beginning of our 8th year of publication.

On a similar note, WSW will not be publishing a separate July issue so that we can take time to reexamine and replenish ourselves. Please watch for the special August issue.

June, 1980/What She Wants/Page 1