U.S. Section WILPF Congress, San Francisco, August 1-14, 2005: Cape Cod WILPF members Laurie Gates and Elenita Muniz, program chairs of the Congress, received accolades for their superb planning and facilitation of this four-day event. They will report in more detail at the September 13 branch meeting -- along with Mia and Emma Mitchell, who attended the Leadership Institute.
Grassroots fundraiser Kim Klein gave a rousing talk, and $50,000 was raised at WILPF’s 90th birthday party, to exceed a $45,000 matching grant. Many people became life members ($500). WILPF has come of cyberage, with a blog at wilpf.blogspot.com. Those who want to write less than every two weeks can send their contribution to cjminster@gmail.com.
The two new national campaigns, decided on early this year by WILPF members, were launched. Women Challenge US Policy: Building Peace in the Middle East will begin with education and outreach, using the Listening Project as a way to talk with people about the issues. Save the Water features the nine-session curriculum designed by the Cape Cod WILPF WaterWomen, which was very well received. Additional materials are being developed, including a rights-based workshop and a tapestry portraying “the Commons.” See the calendar for information on an upcoming meeting for those interested in a fall study group on water. Plans are underway for a Northeast WILPF gathering in the spring.
Human Rights Commission: Jackie Fields presented at Congress a case study on the process of establishing a Human Rights Commission on Cape Cod. Many people, including Jackie, Helen Helfer and other WILPFers, have worked hard on this effort, and the Commission is now part of county government. However, the work goes on as our branch continues to support this evolving and critical project. We are also supporting the work of Boston WILPF on CEDAW, the still-unratified U.N. Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
