Progressive Women 7: Wrapping Up

Well, at least for me, the past few days have been enlightening and mind-clearing. I had a sense when I started this little project that I would commit many mortal sins of omission, and I sure have done.

I have to admit that I am overwhelmed by the number of progressive women bloggers, writers, and leaders trying to make, and making, a difference. I have no hope of mentioning even a tiny fraction here.

Before I'm done with this post, I will mention a couple of other leaders I respect and follow.

First, another of my little stories . . .

In the 60s, I dropped out of college to "explore other interests" (yuh, rIgHT). I went back much later as an "adult" (uh, yeh, RIIIIIgHT) and completed undergraduate, then graduate, degree programs. My studies were very politically oriented and required much community practice. Most (80%?) of my teachers and advisors were women who themselves had been out on the line . . . in Guatemala, Chile, Africa, Detroit, Watts, and Washington, DC. They picked up where Bo left off.

Their most important lesson was about how to always keep asking questions and never pass up an opportunity to challenge "the Party Line".

That's enough outta me. Let me leave you with a smidgeon more:

Barbara Lee - http://www.house.gov/lee/ , US Congresswoman in Oakland. She was among the very few to oppose giving The Doubleduh-Cheney Gang's support for their rush to war. http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0923-04.htm some of what she had to say:

It was a blank check to the president to attack anyone involved in the Sept. 11 events -- anywhere, in any country, without regard to our nation's long-term foreign policy, economic and national security interests, and without time limit.

In granting these overly broad powers, the Congress failed its responsibility to understand the dimensions of its declaration. I could not support such a grant of war-making authority to the president; I believe it would put more innocent lives at risk.

The president has the constitutional authority to protect the nation from further attack and he has mobilized the armed forces to do just that. The Congress should have waited for the facts to be presented and then acted with fuller knowledge of the consequences of our action.

I have heard from thousands of my constituents in the wake of this vote. Many -- a majority -- have counseled restraint and caution, demanding that we ascertain the facts and ensure that violence does not beget violence. They understand the boundless consequences of proceeding hastily to war, and I thank them for their support.

Hilda Solis - http://solis.house.gov/HoR/CA32/English/Home+Page.htm , Congresswoman representing the 32nd Congressional District in California. http://solis.house.gov/HoR/CA32/English/Issues/Women%27s+Issues.htm just some of the stuff she's done:

Congressional briefing on women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, March 25, 2003

Viewing of Señorita Extraviada by Lourdes Portillo, a documentary of on the killings of girls and women in Ciudad Juarez, July 30, 2003

Panel discussion on Latina Health Issues as part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Dia de los Niños, April 30, 2003

Meetings to ensure that at least five percent of the subcontracts for the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter are held by women owned business, May and July 2003

Wreath laying ceremony at the Womens' Memorial at Arlington Cemetery to honor women who have served in the military, May 22, 2003

Congressional briefing on Amnesty International's report, "Mexico-Intolerable Killings, Ten Years of Abductions and Murders in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuaha", September 17, 2003

Meetings with the FBI and State Justice Department to discuss the murders of women occurring in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, September and October 2003

Congressional delegation trip to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, October 11-13, 2003

Congressional briefing on YWCA's, "Week Without Violence", October 21, 2003

Congressional briefing on sexual offenses occurring against women in the military

Ani Difranco - http://www.righteousbabe.com/ani/. From fierce flawless - http://www.righteousbabe.com/news/l_fierceflawless.asp

. . . there was light and then there was darkness but there was no line in between and asking her heart for guidance was like pleading with a machine cuz joy, it has its own justice and dreams are languid and lawless and everything bows to beauty when it is fierce and when it is flawless . . .

Just see what some women have achieved online Ultimate 100 Women. . .
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Be at peace