[Herstory] Jan-Feb 2006 CWLU Herstory E-Zine

[herstory at cwluherstory.org]

Welcome to the January-February 2006 issue of the CWLU Herstory
E-Zine.

Explore the CWLU Herstory website at
http://www.cwluherstory.org

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A Herstory Project event --

SLIDE SHOW HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO WOMEN'S HEALTH MOVEMENT
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at Women and Children First Bookstore
Presented by Coral Norris and Mardge Cohen

In the 1970's women in the Chicago Women's Liberation Union (CWLU)
organized around a variety of women's health issues. This work
included Jane, which provided abortions to women before legalization
and the struggle to save the Chicago Maternity Center and the low
cost, home births it provided.

Recently, Jenny Knauss, Estelle Carol, Mardge Cohen, Lauren Crawford,
Diane Horowitz, Kathy Mallin and Coral Norris -- all former members of
the CWLU, assembled an impressive collection of photos, leaflets,
graphics and other documents from the Chicago women's health movement.

The women took a selection of this material and wrote a PowerPoint
presentation of this history entitled: "The Roots, History, and
Legacy of the Women's Health Movement within the Chicago Women's
Liberation Union (CWLU)"

Don't miss this opportunity to experience some inspiring Chicago
feminist history.

When - Tuesday, January 10, 7:30
Where- Women and Children First Bookstore
5233 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60640,  773-769-9299 (bookstore)
http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com


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POET AND FORMER "JANE" JUDITH ARCANA GAVE A GREAT READING AT WOMEN
AND CHILDREN FIRST

Former Abortion Counseling Service member Judith Arcana presented a
wonderful program at Women and Children First Bookstore in early
November.

After reading from her new collection of poetry "What if your
mother...", Judith led a lively discussion about literature and
reproductive freedom. When the bookstore closed at 9 pm, a number of
people adjourned to a local coffee job for a reunion of former
"Janes" accompanied by friends and supporters.

If you missed the November reading, Judith will be back in town March
2006 during UIC's Women's History Month activities. We'll keep you
posted.

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POOL YOUR RESOURCES TO SUPPORT HIV+ WOMEN IN RWANDA

Eleven years after the genocide in Rwanda, many of the women who were
raped during the conflict, are now seriously ill with AIDS.

On December 4, 2005 Frank Mugisha, Naila Munginyinka, Felicite
Rwemalika from Rwanda joined Chicago's own Dr. Mardge Cohen for an
evening fundraiser to collect money for WE-ACTx (Women's Equity In
Access To Care and Treatment). Former CWLU health activist Mardge
Cohen has been working in Rwanda with women who are living with HIV
and AIDS.

Held on Chicago's Northside at the home of union leader Roberta
Lynch, the fundraiser helped to support the vital work of WE-ACTx.
Mary M. Robinson was there selling her hand-knit scarves to support
WE-ACTx Rwanda's projects. Special thanks to Diane Horwitz for her
organizing efforts.

WE-ACTx began working in Rwanda in early 2004 to provide accelerated
HIV care and access to antiretroviral medicine to genocide rape
survivors very ill with AIDS, in active partnership with the Rwandan
government and five initial non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
serving genocide and rape survivors, widows and orphans.

Please visit http://www.we-actx.org/ and
http://www.ribbonsforrwanda.org for more info about how you can help.

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HERSTORY PROJECT RECEIVES MAJOR DONATION FROM JENNY KNAUSS

Former CWLU health activist Jenny Knauss recently donated a about 200
of her feminist books to the Herstory Project along with the
bookshelves to store them on.

Jenny's generous gift will really help us when we expand the website
and recruit interns for the project.

Thanks Jenny!

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NAOMI WEISSTEIN'S 'HOSPITAL ADVENTURE' IS POSTED ON THE HERSTORY SITE

Three years ago, former CWLU member Naomi Weisstein had a terrible
experience with our so-called "healthcare system" while hospitalized
in New York City. She has since written a memoir of her experience
that should be required reading for both medical practitioners and
patients alike.

You may find it at http://www.cwluherstory.com/CWLUMemoir/naomi-hospital.html

Read it and weep. Then go out and organize.

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HILDIE CARNEY TO RUN FOR FAIRFAX CITY COUNCIL IN VIRGINIA

Hildie Carney, the longtime assistant to feminist leader Betty
Friedan, has announced her candidacy for the City of Fairfax(Va)
Council. Her official campaign kickoff is planned for January 2006.

As a member of the City of Fairfax Council, she plans to support:

-Continued involvement in maintaining the historical integrity of the
City of Fairfax throughout the redevelopment process

-Affordable housing, particularly for seniors

-Helping to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in Northern Virginia

-Continued excellence in education

If you would like to support her candidacy, you may send checks to:
Treasurer Friends of Hildie Carney, 10537 Cedar Ave. Fairfax, VA 22030

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BOOKS!

"Out of the Sea and Into the Fire" by Kari Lydersen. From the misty
highlands of Chiapas or the idyllic coast of Honduras; to the harsh
dry desert of the U.S.-Mexico border; to a frozen street corner in
Chicago or a sweltering tomato field in Florida; these are the
stories of Latin American migrants in the age of globalization.

"Liberation, Imagination and the Black Panther Party" edited by
Kathleen Cleaver. The former Black Panther Party communications
secretary explores the reality behind the mass media image of the
Panthers.

Humor's Edge: Cartoons by Ann Telnaes Acidic political art from the
Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist of Women's eNews.

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WEB SURFIN' WITH THE HERSTORY PROJECT

http://southern.feministblogs.org/ Independent feminist voices from
the land of Dixie

http://www.girlgeeks.org/ Calling all techie gals

http://www.thefword.org.uk Find out the true meaning of the "F" word

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THAT'S IT FOR THIS ISSUE

Please send us any news about former CWLUers, upcoming events and
feminist happenings. We depend on you to be our eyes and ears. Do you
need research assistance? Do you provide a service? Do you need a
service? Do you have a cool project you need help with? Are you
looking for a job? Do you have a job to offer? Let us know and we'll
try to include it. Feminist networking is part of what we are about.
E-mail infogal at cwluherstory.org with your contribution.

-- 



CWLU Herstory Website Project
http://www.cwluherstory.org
infogal at cwluherstory.org
PO Box 548
Oak Park, IL 60303-0548
708-386-7197

A Project of the University of Illinois
Center for Research on Women and Gender
http://www.uic.edu/depts/crwg/

"We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert 
Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have 
long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on 
which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster." - 
Rachel Carson