IWY... one to grow on

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By Mary Strassmeyer The Greater Cleveland International Women's Year Congress. months in the making and most successful in terms of numbers attending, is over.

Now, where do we go from here?

In closing ceremonies Monday night, Congress planners talked about the future. Chairman Gwill York repeated the phrase she had used many times during the past months:

We don't know where we're going. We haven't been there yet." Then she added. "But what a beginning...

The beginning was, in many ways, beautiful. The three-day meeting attracted 45.000 men and women to the Cleveland Convention Center, one-third more than planners had anticipated.

Most of those who attended went home with a feeling of warmth about the whole thing. They had learned something about

themselves as persons. whether

men or women.

They are encouraged about themselves and about women's role in today's society. They have learned that women are persons and don't want to remain in the background of the mainstream of life.

The person entrusted with the job of what happens next is Evelyn Bonder. Mrs. Bonder, director of Project EVE (Education, Voluntarism and Employment) at Cleveland Community College, is the Congress' "godmother."

It was she who dreamed of an IWY congress in Cleveland. It was she who gathered together a nucleus of 40 women and approached the Cleveland Foundation for financial support.

She got the support. The Congress became a reality. And, along the way, it became the largest and most significant celebration of IWY in the country.

Now Mrs. Bonder is charged

NOW strike in low gear

Today has been proclaimed as "Alice Doesn't" day, a nationwide women's strike sponsored by the National Organization for Women to call attention to women's civil rights.

Although many Ohio women symphathize with the idea, few actually contemplate participating by walking off their jobs. according to an Associated Press story.

Cleveland's NOW chapter is urging a consumer boycott as its only

activity. “We just physically couldn't do anything more after the IWY Congress," said Jean Jordan, community coordinator.

No one in Mayor Ralph J. Perk's office has heard about the strike, and Cleveland personnel director Maurice Moffat said he expected women to be on the job.

A spokesman for the IWY Congress said she hadn't heard about the strike either.

with making the Congress meaningful in the future lives of Greater Clevelanders.

For a beginning. her follow-up committee plans a summary of Congress proceedings. Next comes a council of the committees working for women and a place where women can go for help and respite, a place local planners are calling WomenSpace.

So far, WomenSpace is just another idea that is being talked about and explored. WomenSpace needs money. It needs a permanent headquarters. Planners are hoping for some foundation support.

"I believe WomenSpace will become a reality," Mrs. York said.

Mrs. Bonder and her committee have their work cut out for them.

There has been talk about another women's congress. but no definite plans have been discussed. There is pressure to do it again soon. like within the next year or two.

They agree that there is too much follow-up work to be done out of the recent Congress without formulating plans for another one right away.

In summing up the weekend activities, words like "warm." "informative" and "something for everybody" keep cropping up. But there is another one, too. It is "conservative."

The Congress was planned by women in traditional organizations. Its chairman. Gwill York, a past president of the Junior League of Cleveland, Inc.. was chosen because, for one reason. she was not associated with any militant women's group.

Although anybody who wanted to participate in the Congress was encouraged to do so. few radical feminist groups appeared interested.

Invitations were sent to Gloria Steinem. Bella Abzug and other feminists to speak. All refused.

One which really emerged is the DYKE (Dykes You Know Everywhere group. Members had a booth with their sign, but people got it confused with Dyke College. so they added Lesbian-Feminists under the word DYKE.

Volunteer Cindy Enright said response to the booth was "favorable. We have about 70 members. Miss Enright said. "And we are in contact with about 200 more."

The DYKES meet in various homes in Cleveland Heights and are planning a Radical Feminist Lesbian Conference Nov. 14 to 16 at Hiram House Camp.

They regard lesbian-feminists as women who know their personal situations as lesbians and, as women, are related to the oppression of all women in male culture.

Next to the DYKES, the National Health Care Services volunteers disseminated birth control information, including a total of 5.000 free colored condoms.

Probably more abortion and' birth-control information was made available to the public through the Congress than ever before in Cleveland history.