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Omni Health Center Reproductive Services for Women & Men abortions, vasectomies, tubal ligations wellwoman GYN care and reproductive planning, counselling, free pregnancy testing, outpatient surgical unit.

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Severance Medical Arts Bldg. Suite 616, 5 Severance Circle Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 382-6050'

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C

OVENTRY BOOKS

"Melody, scores of new

women's

records

are at the bookstore.

932-8111

Open 10 to 10 Weekdays, 10 to 7 Sat., Noon to 6 Sun. 1824 Coventry Road 932-8111

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Food £888

ADDRESS:

11628 Euclid Avenue PHONE: 721-3047 OUR HOURS:

Mon thru Fri noon-7:30pm Saturday 10am-4pm

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OFF MY

BREAST Getting On the Road

By Barbara Kramer

On August 24, 1980, my mother and I drove from our house near Cedar Center to a clothing store in Willoughby, Ohio. The trip took 30 minutes and was smooth and uneventful. The same journey, traveled one month earlier, however, was of far greater consequence.

The clothing store was some distance away by freeway, in unfamiliar territory. When Mom suggested that Dad drive us, I protested. I believed we could make it to the place ourselves. Eventually we compromised: Dad drove us the first time so that Mom could accustom herself to the route.

When we decided to return to the store, however, I found Mom soliciting Dad's driving services once again. Again I protested-"I thought we were going to make it by ourselves." Mom replied that she was still unsure of the route. This time fate intervened when my father abruptly decided that he had something else to do.

As we left the house, Mom still appeared tense, so I decided to confront the problem head-on. Gently I asked her which aspect of the trip bothered her the most and what she thought was the worst thing that might happen to us. She admitted that she didn't care for the rapid pace of freeway driving. She worried that we might miss our turn-off or get lost. We joked a little about the glamorous places we might wind up if we did lose our way.

Eventually, when the first crisis arose, it took only seconds for us to realize it. We had left the freeway and were in the righ' lane when suddenly a "Right Lane Must Turn" sign materialized. I directed her to turn right, and then pull into the first driveway so that we could get back on course.

I told Mom that I was glad that had happened; even when something did go wrong, we had been able to correct it. When we arrived at the store, we hugged each other. We had made it-by ourselves!

My mother is by no means a timid or clinging woman. Her example has been one of quiet assertiveness, striving to meet goals, and self-reliance. She learned to drive a car in the carly 1950's so that she

could take her child to weekly physical therapy sessions, after having had to fight to secure that therapy in the first place. When my father developed heart trouble 25 years ago, she began mowing the lawn and doing other tasks which were a "man's work".

In 1964 my mother returned to work. This was 5 years before the Women's Movement had re-emerged to support and make acceptable career aspirations for women. She started as a secretary and worked her way up to an administrative capacity.

Mom has always emphasized the importance of college and career for my sister and me. Moreover, she has frequently reminded us of the need for female as well as male friends, whatever our marital status. I love and admire her. Anything that I have ever achieved, I owe to her unflagging support and encouragement.

Mom's and my "adventure" on the freeway served to crystallize some thoughts I've had recently about Women's Liberation and its meaning for the individual. For one thing, Mom's initial reaction to undertaking the trip was normal apprehension of the untried and unknown. Censure and humiliation would surely have turned her off. So would have selfrighteous questioning and arrogant commands. Encouragement and a sense of humor literally got her on the road. This approach will prove one of the best by which involved feminists may reach and teach others.

Even then, not every woman will become political or active. We need people who are willing and able to march, meet, demonstrate, organize, write, etc. Every viable movement does. But an authentic, living movement will have relevance to the life of each person it purports to represent. Every woman and man can incorporate the ideals of the movement, like independence or self-determination, into her or his life in a concrete, meaningful way. Each individual action builds a solid foundation for future accomplishments.

Finally, and most importantly, Mom and I were partners in our little endeavor. We cach contributed an individual strength and skill and achieved our success through teamwork. Cooperation, not competition, paved our way, and will for the entire Women's Movement, too.

BOOKSTORE

ON WEST 25TH

THE NEAR WEST SIDE MARKET POETS

High Noon at Market Park

(weather permitting; otherwise in Bookstore)

BOOKS FOR FALL:

Home Energy-Saving Guides

Insulation

-

Alternative Energy

How to Make Auto Fuel

1921 West 25th Street

(1⁄2 block N. of West Side MKL) Cleveland, Ohio 44113

(216) 566-8897 Monday thru Saturday 10-6

Like two cats,

Cats

we curl ourselves around each other and purr softly;

you lick my shoulder

and I rub your back with my paw. We have no claws,

only whiskers that tickle as our noses gently touch.

It is so easy to stay, and sleep. wrapped up this way.

When morning comes we stretch, still cats,

yawning with content;

your eyes reflect my green cats' eyes and silent as a lioness

you rise,

stalking Thursday.

"Sisters"

Now that the ice has cleared, disappeared from Bare Hill Pond, you will go fishing again.

Early, early on a weekend morning when the water stretches before you motionless,

you will ready the canoe called Skookum, slide it out the back of Cindy's pickup and fill it with all you need: tackle box and poles, worms in dirt

dug from what will be the garden,

buckets to keep the fish

—

bluegills, white perch, maybe a hornpout

then, with jesting accusations, some cushions, and of course a box of Cheez-its,

two cans of root beer.

Page 8/What She Wants/October, 1980

-Carol F. Harley