Around the Bend, Volume 4, Number 4, October 1989

              THE Beno
A Publication of the Peace Education Fund of Indiana, Inc.
Volume 4, Number 4 •AJt the news that fits we print.• October 1989
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bulletin Board
Central America Update
Disarmament Section
Feminist Focus
Up and Coming
WILPF Happenings
Page 6
Page 3
Page 8
Page 5
Page 9
Page 7
Around the Bend Is a forum for expression of
ideas, opinions, and Information from a coalition of
peace and justice organizations. The opinions ex­pressed
herein are those of the authors and are not
necessarily endorsed by all or any of the contribut­ing
organizations. Contributions from all perspec­tives
are invited.
Around the Bend will be mailed on the last day
of each month. It takes about two weeks to as­semble
and print each issue. Articles are due not
later than two weeks from the end of the month.
The deadline for copy for the November issue will
be October 15th. Please send or bring articles to
1036 Niles Ave., South Bend, 46617, care of the
appropriate editor.
Articles longer than 400 words will be conside­red
feature articles. Only one feature article will be
published each month. Articles about past events
should give a general overview of the event ar.d be
shorter than 400 words.
THE NATIONAL WILPF CONVENTION
By Carol McKiel
The beautiful campus of the University of Wisconsin
in Madison was the site of this year's National Con­gress
for WILPF. Ernie Dickson, Pat Bryan, and I
attended the Congress. There . was much to exper­ience
ilnd learn from the more than 300 women who
were present. The program brochure for the Con­gress
contained a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt,
which accurately described the essence of the wo­men
present: "It isn't enough to talk about peace.
One must believe in it. And it Isn't enough to be­lieve
in it. One must work at it.•
It was exciting to be among so many women
from around the world who •work at It.• These wo­men
were all there to appreciate, share and learn
from each other. One h~d the distinct feeling of
sitting with some of the great movers In the country.
There were stories of women who were arrested on
the White house lawn and those who created a
college course on the many issues of peace and
those who work In dangerous conditions in the
Philippines with women activists. The overall feeling
was that of women appreciating the talents and
contributions of other women. Furthermore, stories
about the early leaders of WILPF gave me a sense
of how extensive and longlasting this movement of
peace and freedom really is.
The speakers and all board members continually
reminded us about the energy and Integrity we all
bring Into WILPF. The keynote speaker, Linda Gor­don,
author and professor of Women's History at the
University of Wisconsin, set the mood for the Con­gress
by telling us in her address that women
should be proud of the leardership role they have
taken In a great many social causes. She stated
that women have led the way in Initiating and devel­oping
solutions for many human concerns. Many
workshops reinforced this theme by stressing the
need for cooperation, support, respect, and positive
Input.
The national level of WILPF, both board and
staff, stressed the important crossroads at which we
now stand with regard to the focus of undoing rac­ism.
They constantly Indicated to us the role WILPF
can play In the next stage of our country's battle
with racism.
The job of president for the National Board of
WILPF was given to Mary Zepernick from Cape Cod.
She went to work Immediately fielding questions by
members about proposed restructuring of WILPF. It
was suggested by the National Office to have the
cycle of issues and length of office run three years
before changing and to have the members vote
every other National Congress about focus issues.
This suggestion was not well received and after a
lengthy debate It was decided to send it back to the
National Board for revision. Some restructuring will
occur but It Is fairly certain that the present voting
system will remain In place. In the meantime the
same three Issues, racism, disarmament, and non­intervention
are still the focus of WILPF.
One got a sense of tradition and purpose when
meeting all those talented women, young and old,
from around the country. One such woman was
Jane Midgely, Executive Director of WILPF. In her
opening address to the National Congress "Carrying
the Vision Forward," she stated, "In celebrating
WILPF's 75th year, we need to reexamine the history