In this issue, we spotlight Rep. Anna Eshoo's innovative use of the internet to support legislation benefiting women. There are also 1) a list of Bay Area events being offered specifically for girls, 2) an invitation to an important symposium at Stanford sponsored by several international women's organizations--called "Toward a Compassionate Society"--and two web sites to add to your action list.
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) is launching an online petition drive in favor of hearings for breast cancer legislation. The petition calls on the House Commerce Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee to hold hearings on two pieces of legislation. The first bill is the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, designed to end the practice of "drive-through mastectomies." The second bill requires insurance companies that provide coverage for mastectomies to also cover reconstructive surgery. The petition is located at http://breastcare.shn.net.
Science Camp for Girls--June 1998
California AAUW has received a grant to hold a science/math/computer camp for seventh and eighth girls in June 1998. CA AAUW Program VP Marie Wolbach of Palo Alto says "This year we expect to have 100-150 young women attending the five-day camp. In the future, we hope to have thousands of California girls enjoy the benefits of local AAUW science camps each year." The first camp will be located at Stanford University. For more information or to offer assistance, contact Marie Wolbach at 650-494-7091.
Girls Summit--Fall 1998
AAUW--Palo Alto is planning a Girls Summit for the fall of 1998. The purpose is to bring together 80 Midpeninsula girls of diverse backgrounds so that they can talk about things that are not usually discussed at home or in the classroom. They will generate the agenda and an action plan. AAUW welcomes members to work on this effort and wants to collaborate with other organizations. Contact Summit Committee chair Anne Saldich at 650-327-8620 or anne@ricochet.net
"This conference begins a process of defining the concept and practices of the 'compassionate society' of tomorrow. It seeks to explore the questions: What is a compassionate society? Why is it important to us? Who will determine the ways and means of achieving it? What role will and should women play? How will regions, religions, and cultures share in it?"
An international group of speakers includes Mahnaz Afkhami, Executive Director of the Sisterhood is Global Institute; Charlotte Bunch, Center for Women's Global Leadership; Yael Dayan, Member of the Knesset, Israel; Nadhu Kishvar, Editor, Manushi, India; Frances Kissling, Executive Director, Catholics for a Free Choice; Navanethem Pillay, South Africa Supreme Court; and Aruna Rao, President, Association of Women in Development.
This online update, published weekly in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, covers events, resources, and information related to follow-up to the UN Fourth World Conference on Women and the issues covered in the Platform for Action document. You are encouraged to send in information and news to Judy Kramer at jahkramer@aol.com. Past updates are available on the web at http://womenswork.org/beijing-sf/