NATIONAL NEWS

By Lorine M. Getz

NWSA Annual Convention

The Third Annual Convention of the National Women's Studies Association will be held at the

WOMEN'S STUDIES

THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

University of Connecticut at Storrs, CT, May 31-June 4, 1981. This year's theme is "Women and

Racism." It was decided upon unanimously in May, 1980, by the Delegate Assembly of NWSA at Indiana University, Bloomington, because of the interrelationships between racism and sexism, the divisive effects of racism on women and the women's movement, and the awareness within Women's Studies of the problems of racism in education and in society. The program is being designed to enable convention participants to explore the various forms of personal and institutional racism, both overt and covert, to devise strategies for combatting racism, and to seek ways to acknowledge the strengths and cultural diversities of women.

Sessions during the four-day program will fall into five main categories: (1) consciousness-raising and communication skills; (2) professional skill building through curriculum development; (3) critiques of research and present policy; (4) new research and conceptualization; and (5) practical application of

Gay Students Are Victorious

The United States Supreme Court on December 9 declined to review a decision of the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that Texas A&M University is not-immune from a civil rights suit brought by a gay student organization seeking official university recognition. Texas A&M had argued that recognition of Gay Student Services would imply "tacit ap-

Equal Rights Day

(HerSay)-More than fifty national women's groups are planning to bring thousands of their members to Washington, D.C. on February 4, to let their Congress members know how they feel about equal rights for women. Former Congress member Bella Abzug says the organizations are coordinating the show of support so that the new Congress will understand that women feel strongly about equal rights, abortion rights, and their economic rights.

Abzug says the purpose of the February 4 visit, "Equal Rights Day in Congress," is to let each member of the legislative body know that "We have no intention of giving up the gains that we have made and that we will fight for all steps necessary to achieve equality and justice for women and children."

Abzug reports that women who plan on attending Equal Rights Day are being encouraged to make an appointment in advance to pay à personal visit to their Congress member.

Hallelujah, Sisters!

By Lorine M. Getz

The Canadian Presbyterian Church of Canada, which has admitted women to ordination for a decade, responded to complaints about ordained women from male ministers by suggesting that such discontented men should leave the Church.

In the U.S., the United Methodists elected and consecrated Rev. Marjorie S. Matthews of Traverse City, Michigan, as their first woman bishop

And locally, the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland created an Office on Women. Catherine Lillis, a local high school teacher of religion, has been named to the part-time position. Her title is Diocesan Coordinator of Women's Roles in Ministry.

(395) Veluw * SUL DRAWNTB61 jaunat

Page 4/What She Wants/January, 1981

A sy

proval" of homosexuality by the university.

The National Gay Task Force entered the case before the Court of Appeals as a "friend of the court" on behalf of Gay Student Services. Gay Rights Advocates, a San Francisco-based public interest law firm, prepared the brief on behalf of NGTF.

"This is yet one more court victory for the gay rights movement," noted NGTF Co-Director Lucia Valeska. "It's importance rests in assuring that lesbian and gay student groups are entitled to fair access to the services, facilities, and funding extended to other student organizations. And we are pleased by the willingness of the courts to apply constitutional principles to the gay rights movement."

Don Knutson, legal director of Gay Rights Advocates, commented, "We are encouraged by the fact that the Fifth Circuit has joined three other U.S. Courts of Appeal in rejecting the notion that student organizations can be denied First Amendment rights simply because their members are gay or lesbian or their purpose is to promote gay rights. The Supreme Court's action means that these affirmative cases stand as the law of the land."

Disobedience Predicted

Sonia Johnson, president of Mormons for ERA and, before her excommunication, a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, is predicting that the Reagan Administration will become the target of a campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience carried out by women.

Johnson says that the Carter Administration was hard to protest against because "We knew they weren't doing anything [for women], but the rhetoric was so good." Now, however, "The situation is no longer ambiguous. It is quite clear that the enemies of women are in the White House."

Johnson was excommunicated from the Mormon Church last year because of her activities in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment. As a result of her actions, her 20-year marriage ended in divorce, her parents disowned her, and she was jailed for her protest actions. Nonetheless, Johnson thinks it has been the best year of her life; as she says, quoting Charles Dickens, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."

knowledge. They will include workshops and panel discussions on nonsexist curricula, community organizing, consciousness raising, development of women's centers, funding, sexism and racism in business, resources for women of color, and evaluation and development of women's studies programs. Cultural and athletic events, exhibits and regional rap sessions will also be organized.

The registration fee (non-refundable) is $40 for NWSA members and $50 for non-NWSA members if paid before May 1, 1980. Late registrations are $10 additional. Residence and commuter meal plans are $112 and $45 respectively, Childcare is free if arranged by April 15, 1981. Local transportation and special services for the physically impaired will be arranged individually.

Program inquiries should be addressed to Conference Co-ordinators Norma Cobbs or Pat Miller, Women's Studies, Box U-181A, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, or phone (203) 486-4310. Inquiries concerning transportation, registration and room and board should be addressed to NWSA Conferences and Institutes, Box U-56E, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, or phone (203) 486-3231.

Non-sexist Screening

(HerSay)-A woman's place is in the symphony-in St. Louis, at least. Thirty-two of the St. Louis Symphony's eighty musicians are female, the highest proportion of female performers in any of the country's twelve major orchestras.

The numbers of women may have something to do with the St. Louis Symphony's hiring practices. Music Director Leonard Slatkin says his organization works hard to make sure musicians are hired for their ability, and not their sex. Musicians audition for the orchestra by playing their instruments behind a screen set in a carpeted area, so that "you can't tell whether the job candidate is wearing high heels or sneakers,"

Reagan in Sexist Club

(HerSay)-A spokesperson for President-elect Ronald Reagan says he was "unaware" that California has charged the prestigious all-male Bohemian Club, of which he is a member, with sex discrimination. A male-only institution which conducts annual high jinks among the redwoods in Northern California, the Bohemian Club has refused to allow women to work at its Russian River retreat, or to join its membership.

The club, which historically has hosted men from both political parties, is believed to number not only Reagan himself, but also Vice President-elect George Bush and Cabinet-designates Casper Weinberger and William French Smith among its members. However, Reagan does not plan to quit the club merely because it is charged with sex discrimination. Spokesperson Joe Holmes says the former governor 'will "face the issue" only after the discrimination complaint is decided.

In the meantime, a spokesperson for Attorney General-designate William French Smith said Smith too was "not aware" the Bohemian Club faced a discrimination complaint from the State of California. The complaint, by the state's Fair Employment and Housing Department, is now under consideration by an administrative law judge.