}

advertisements

Rape Crisis (continued from page 1)

understand. There is little contact between the Board and the volunteer advocates, despite five volunteer representatives on the 23-person Board. The usual attendance at Board meetings is approximately 10 members. Board and committee meetings are open, but they are not posted; one learns of them only by word of mouth or by calling the Center.

Other volunteers complain that they are looked down upon by the staff and Board alike, and so have little interest in the workings of the Center. At the present time, there are only 39 volunteer advocates, rather than the 70 needed to do the direct service work for which the Center was founded. According to Lynn Clark, many volunteers have left not because of the work, but because of the organization. Further, the staff is spread too thin, with too few staff members trying to do everything-direct service, education, outreach, fundraising and counseling.

Some progress was made at a special meeting called by the volunteers on September 29. This meeting, attended by about 25 members of the volunteers, Board and staff, adopted several proposals, including posting a calendar of meetings and letting volunteers participate in interviewing for the new volunteer coordinator.

There is currently much internal friction on all levels at the Center, and its functions have been seriously disrupted as a result. According to Marie Hasek, former Volunteer Coordinator,

The Rape Crisis Center was once a place that existed so that all women could have a voice and a place to go where they could tell their stories and feel safe and strong. We are now be-

Luxury (continued from page 7)

resource that they seemed to be afraid or unwilling to utilize, I knew that I could not be on all the battlefields at once, so I sacrificed the women's movement. I felt that as a black woman I had always been liberated.

The dichotomy that exists between white feminists and black women is inherent in the roles each of us is forced to play. The scenario thus far is just a dull replica of the white male power structure. Black women are invited to participate as a matter of courtesy, but seldom are given a chance to plan, lead or direct. Until the feminist movement can recognize and offer us some viable alternatives to the current structure, I feel that our efforts should be focused in other areas that benefit not just women, but all of our people.

ing told that this is a business-that the logo and what it symbolizes is for the victims of rape, not for the women who work here. How can you counsel a rape survivor and help her believe in herself, to become stronger, when we ourselves are not "allowed" that "privilege?". Those who are in power positions at the Center have rationalized what they have done. They say, "We are only doing what's best for the Center and the rape survivors. The persons who went through grievance are burned out or being influenced by others and really don't know what they are talking about". We on staff have been told to conform, not to speak out, or make waves. Those in power positions will take care of the Center. They know what's best. Sound familiar? Men telling us "girls" not to worry our pretty little heads about it. But these aren't men. They are women doing this to other'

women.

tou

Trilby Blockum-N'goma agrees: "Little boy games played by women in power only help to ensure the demise of the women's movement. [Feminism] is big business to some, but to others it's unity, commitment and freedom of expression".

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is obviously at one of the lowest ebbs in its history. Lynn Clark is optimistic, however, that with increased communication, both the business structure and the feminist viewpoint can be maintained. Ways must be found within the organization to coordinate the undoubted commitment to women which exists on all its levels so that its primary function, direct service to victims of rape, is not further impaired. It is also a time for local feminists to rally to the support of this muchneeded service by volunteering as advocates, and by attending meetings so that the feminist viewpoint with which the Center was founded continues to be the underlying philosophy upon which the Center operates.

Coil (continued from page 9)

simplest, most moving poems in the book, tells of an extraordinary act of generosity:

The harmless people live close to the ground

Nothing is extra, leftover They have no word for gift Still, she gives me one Carrying her baby

she touches my breast

teaches me their word for woman.

Finally, the poet finds a way to live; a place to be, in "Truro:"

This land makes hollows I lean into

It custs this net over me saying

This is who you are

star-bone and night daybreak

singer of songs

Mary Ann Larkin, formerly of the Big Mama Poetry Troupe, has been living in. Washington, D.C. for five years, working as a freelance writer and publishing poems in journals and literary magazines. The Coil of the Skin is available from The Washington Writers' Publishing. House," P.O. Box 50068, Washington; D.G. ***

الله

ALL FUN...... ALL NIGHT!

THE WOMEN'S WHOLISTIC CENTER formerly the Women's Growth Cooperative presents

it's eighth annual women only

HALLOWEEN PARTY!

SATURDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 30th,

at the Civic, 3130 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights

*$5.00 donation at the door

Doors open at 9:30 pm

Disco Dancing begins at 10 pm

Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages available

Costume Prizes

1st PRIZE Paid registration for the Women's Wholistic Center group of your choice, a complete series, value $100.00. 2nd PRIZE One Integration Massage, value $35.00. 3rd PRIZE One Body Massage, value $15.00.

*A bargain, our way of thanking you for helping us become the WOMEN'S WHOLISTIC CENTER... come help us celebrate!

Women's Wholistic Center

CALL FOR OUR FREE BROCHURE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND FALL/WINTER ACTIVITIES.

The Civic / 3130 Mayfield RD/Cleveland Heights Ohio/44118 / (216) 321-8582

Office Hours: Monday thru Friday / 10 am to 8 pm Saturday / 9 am to 12 o'clock noon

Tell Them You Saw Their Ad in What She Wants

PRETERM

LICENSED

NON-PROFIT, TAX EXEMPT

ABORTION SERVICES THRU 14 WEEKS VOLUNTARY FEMALE STERILIZATION BY MINI-LAP COUNSELING, INDIVIDUAL AND FOR PARTNERS FREE PREGNANCY TESTS SPEAKERS BUREAU

CALL 368-1000

PRETERM

10900 CARNEGIE AVENUE CLEVELAND, OHIO 44106

Oci