Countless years ago I took over the then inactive NOW New York State Lesbian Task Force Chair from Ruth and Connie. We have been making progress, steadily, although sometimes not as fast as we wished. It took more than 10 years until Albany finally passed the Hate Crimes Bill. And while SONDA (sexual orientation nondiscrimination act) failed to pass by one vote on the federal level, it is passing the New York State Assembly with an ever-increasing margin. We need to give it a final push this year so it will pass the Senate too.

We celebrated Vermont's incredible success in gaining the rights for Gays and Lesbians to a second-class citizen's right to marriage, called Civil Union. It was, and is a bittersweet success. The courage of Vermont's elected officials was unbelievable, because many lacked the support of their constituents. However, with the support of NOW and many activist organizations in the state, they made it through the backlash and most were reelected.

At the Lesbian Summit appropriately held in Fairlee Vermont, November 2001, we celebrated the couples that brought the lawsuit that made history. The Women of Courage award was presented to their attorneys, Beth Robinson, Mary Bonauto and Susan Murray. The workshops and discussions following the award ceremony focused quickly on the "second class" status of Civil Unions. Massachusetts' Right to Marry Task Force announced that they are set to fight for it all, not civil union but all the rights and obligations that come with the legal status of "marriage." Get ready for another breakthrough for gay couples. I hope it will happen in my lifetime.

And finally, the complex and sad events of September 11th. As you recall, long before September 2001, NOW had raised the issue of the treatment of women under the Taliban. A regime can be judged on how it treats its women and children. History gives plenty of examples, from all parts of the world, not just Muslim countries. As Robin Morgan said so pointedly: "don't gag me with the flag!" In our workshops at the summit the desire to know and understand was telling. The need for a feminist solution and solidarity with the women in Afghanistan was expressed.

And now it is time for me to say goodbye to an activist life, although not forever. I have successfully found my way back into my Ph.D. program in Chemistry, where for the next 2-4 years I will do research and write my dissertation. I was 10 years old when I declared to a politely smiling audience of adults that I will be a doctor of Mathematics.... I am not going to tell you about the gender gap in science; I'd be here forever.

It is more productive to go and get what you want, live your dream no matter what, life is short, take it, enjoy it! Warmest regards to all! ¨