President's Report
Luba Fineson, Co-President

IN MEMORIAM: IRMA KEAT
When I write my column for the quarterly newsletter, I’m never sure who my audience is. I’m surprised when someone responds to what they have read in the newsletter and I don’t know whom they might be. Perhaps it is someone I know, someone with a seemingly conventional lifestyle, someone active in the community, or in public life, such as Suzi Oppenheimer who graciously offered to speak at a meeting of the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility (BHCF) NOW chapter. Such a person was Irma Keat, who died last month at 77. Irma married, raised two sons in Westchester, became a grandmother and, in retirement, became a resident of Heritage Hills.

But the real Irma was a subversive, a revolutionary. She wanted to change society to give equal power and equal rights to women. Irma was a long-time member of Westchester NOW and a long-time feminist. She was a constant participant in our chapter’s Feminist Book Discussion Group and a dedicated member of the Prison Task Force. A white-haired firebrand of self-determination for women, Irma transmitted her understanding of the destructive aspects of our patriarchy to the women of BHCF and gave them hope that they could make changes for their own benefit and that of other women.

Irma was a Holocaust survivor who, despite her frail health, gave talks at public schools about her Holocaust experience and recorded her memories for the Spielberg project. At one series of BHCF meetings where we shared stories of our different ethnic backgrounds, Irma’s description of her experiences in Nazi Germany moved us all to tears.

We will miss Irma’s honesty and constancy. We were the better for knowing her.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH HILLARY
In June, Hillary met with local women leaders to explore how she could reach out to Westchester women. She spoke about her issues: educational standards, day care, universal health care for children, foster care and adoption. She sincerely wanted our input so she listened very carefully to each response and each idea. I was very impressed with her interest, intelligence, charm, and ability to reach out to people. I was energized.

Later I went to the mall and stopped into a store with a sale on body lotions. Despite a big “sale” sign on top of the pile of gel bottles, there was no reduction in the price. I asked first a sales woman and then a manager who came over to try to explain to me that the larger size bottle for a higher price was a bargain. The manager then pointed to my chest and said, “I like your button.” That was when I realized I was wearing my Hillary 2000 button. I offered it to her and she happily took it. All three of us talked of how much we liked Hillary and wanted to see her in the Senate from New York. Then the manager said “ I get a 50% discount on store products. If you want the bath gel, I could give you my discount for it.” The power of Hillary!

HATE CRIMES BILL PASSES STATE LEGISLATURE
After lobbying, letter writing, and phone calls, the State Legislature passed the Hate Crimes bill to provide stiffer sentencing on the basis of sexual orientation as well as gender, race, and disability. The same coalition that worked so hard for the Westchester Human Rights Commission worked on passage of the Hate Crimes bill and the same relentless foes of full citizenship for gays and lesbians were defeated once again. Yet the State defends its delays and denial of justice by the State Human Rights Commission (HRC) in NOW vs. Cuomo, Pataki et al. Together with his finding against the State in underfunding and understaffing the HRC, the judge ordered the state to immediately rectify the problem by using available money to hire more staff and cease rejecting new cases to decrease the caseload. Lamentably, State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer has obtained an injunction against the judge’s order while the State vigorously appeals the ruling. It is outrageous that one of the few times Democrat and Republican officials get together is to deny the citizens of New York State justice.

SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY
If you missed the Summer Solstice Party, let me tell you, you missed a good one.  Dr. Lynn V. Perry Bottinger, a cardiologist who specializes in women, spoke about greater risks to women heart patients and how women can help themselves maintain better health. Her remarks appear elsewhere in this newsletter.

Westchester NOW Chapter co-founder and long-time activist Audrey Poole was honored with a plaque for her long and devoted service to women’s rights over more than 25 years. Audrey served in many officer capacities and is an indefatigable demonstrator and advocate. Heartfelt thanks from all of us to Audrey for her strength and friendship.

Nancy Saunders expressed her gratitude for NOW’s support when she sued the Westchester Country Club for refusing her the right to play on weekends, despite the fact that her male business associates were playing at that time. NOW demonstrated outside the club against their discriminatory policies. Although she just lost the suit that took eight years to wend its way through the State HRC, she still appreciated the positive response of NOW.

BOOK GROUP
What is a feminist book discussion group? Westchester NOW’s group has been meeting monthly for almost 25 years. Our first and continuing rule, bypassed only once, was to discuss only books written by women authors. All our lives we have been assigned books written by men, criticized by men and quoted by men (with very few exceptions). In the book group we try to correct the balance. Books must be available widely in Westchester libraries and in paperback. Volunteers are lined up to host the group, others to lead the discussion. In consciousness-raising style, each participant responds in turn around a circle without interruptions. Does the book show sensitivity to feminist values? Are women abused? Are female characters assertive? Are women equal to men?  Are relationships equal? Muriel Weiss says the book group has spoiled her for Barbara Carhart books on airplane trips. She can no longer relax with a book without asking what the feminist values are.