M arch & A pril 2006

Educate • Enlighten • Empower Volume XXI, Number 2

Art by Alyson LeBlanc

Inside: Local Perspectives

pages 5-7, 10-11
page 4
Community
Women’s Community Center Bulletin Board
page 3 pages 13-14
Women’s Press
Fundraiser Retreat Women’s Stories Community Resources
page 9 page 8 page 15

Kathleen’s
Quill
Kathleen Deragon
Managing Editor, Women’s Press
managing-editor@womenspress-slo.org
Dear Readers,
These are exciting times for the Women’s Press. Our
first fundraiser, a retreat, is planned for Saturday, April 29.
It is an opportunity to gather and empower ourselves from
within, as we commit to making a significant difference
in our world. An incredible group of women presenters,
offering a variety of breakout sessions, will assist us in be-
coming involved and effective women in today’s complex
world. The day will begin with a Native American and
African-based traditional opening ceremony and end with
a Sacred Circle led by Beverly Engel and closing ceremony
featuring Native American Ceremony Holder Janise Ren-
nie. See page 9 for all the details.
You can go to www.womenspress-slo.org to download
and print registration documents (pre-registration is
required) or call 805-801-8168 with contact information
and we will send them to you.
The money earned in this fundraiser will help us with
printing and layout costs, the cost of racks that will enable
us to distribute the paper in locations where it will be
more visible, and maybe even paying some of the staff for
all the hours they spend bringing the paper to you.
In my own personal journey to live a meaningful life, I
made a decision to give up TV. For too many evenings the
past few years have I surfed through hundreds of channels
only to find nothing I wanted to watch. News is propa-
ganda not journalism; most of the popular dramas have
violence and the potential for human degradation as the
foundation for their stories; and even nature programs like
Animal Planet and National Geographic have succumbed
to our culture’s need to be entertained by events or ani-
mals that are “Extreme” or “Worst” or “Scariest.”
The older I get, the more precious time is to me: there
are so many other meaningful things I can do with that
TV time: writing, reading, meeting with friends, or even
just sitting in silence. And I seem to have become more
sensitive with age to the fearful, negative, or mindless
messages that come out at me from the tube. I so often feel
bombarded and even violated, certainly not entertained or
inspired.
However, I do love film, so I have subscribed to Netflix
and between that and our local library’s collection of
videos and DVD’s, I will watch what I want when I want.
I’ll get my news online.
I want to paint the canvas of my life with colors I
choose and the palette of commercial TV is missing too
many of the colors I need.
See you on April 29!
Women’s Press
Dear Editors,
Based on the first article of the Spirituality Matters
series, I would suggest that theology involves our talking
about God, as Martin Buber would suggest, in an I-It
dialogue, while spirituality is the experience of being in
relation with God. This becomes an I-Thou experience.
— Hilda Heifitz of Morro Bay
Dear Readers,
Enhancement, Inc. would like to thank all those who
attended and participated in the success of our Dessert
Extravaganza fundraiser held at the Inn at Morro Bay on
Sunday, January 29th.Dr. Jason Leroux of Palm Dental
Care in San Luis Obispo was our sponsor and Dr. George
E. Janeway of Los Osos, another dentist, was the co-spon-
sor. We appreciate their support and their humor!Live clas-
sical music, provided by Duo Vivo added to the elegant
atmosphere along with orchids on the tables from Baron’s
Orchids of Morro Bay.Dessert wines were poured by Eos
Estate Winery, Halter Ranch Vineyard, Justin Winery and
Mastantuono Winery.Joanne Ruggles was our wonderul
auctioneer for the winning entries and also for all the
leftovers.
Caryn Maddalena won the Amateur Baker award for
Join Us!
Have content?
We’d love more of your ideas and contributions.
Poetry! Drawings! Personal stories! Funny stories!
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Political comment!
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Women’s Community Center Board
Angie King, President
Dawn Williams, Secretary
Kathleen Deragon
Susan Howe
Sue McMeans
Andy McMeans
Jan Potter
Renee Sanpei
the second year in row, this time for her Fresh Lemon
Bars. Patty Mena of the Truffle Garden won the Profes-
sional award for her melt-in-your-mouth truffles, and
Cassie Hunt of Cassie’s Custom Cakes won the prize for
the Best Artistic Presentation with her Hogs and Kisses
entry.The prizes were overnight stays including breakfast
donated by Chanticleer Vineyard Bed & Breakfast of Paso
Robles, Oak Hill Manor of Atascadero and The J. Patrick
House of Cambria.
This year’s event raised almost double the amount from
last year and Enhancement wishes to thank the Inn at
Morro Bay, and all the volunteers, bakers and attendees
for their continued support. The funds raised from this
event will help Enhancement continue working to improve
the quality of life for Breast Cancer Survivors.If you are
interested in further information, you can visit our website
at www.enhancementinc.com or call 771-8640.We will
be holding our 5th Annual Spring Dinner at Edna Valley
Vineyard on Friday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) so save the
date and call soon because seating is limited.
Sincerely,
Shoosh Crotzer, Executive Director
Enhancement, Inc.
Have time?
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Call 805-544-9313.
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Page  E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Women’s Press March/April 2006

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Thanks for supporting Family Law Action Committee

Women’s Press!
Temptress
Dealing With Divorce
3rd Wednesday of each month – 7 PM
Kaye Tift, Susan Rodriguez, Upcoming: March 15, April 19, May 17
Pat Soulliere-Ochylski Our mission is: Talk with other women who have been there, done that in a

Chanteuse
• TO maintain an accessible center to collect and supportive, non-judgmental environment. $5 donation
exchange information of interest and concern to Self-Represented Litigants’ Clinic
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Wonder Woman x2
• TO organize and facilitate workshops, clinics, Upcoming: March 28, April 25, May 23
seminars, classes and support groups on subjects of Get family law advice from local attorneys and/or paralegals.
Chris Neiburger

Diva
interest and need Reservations required $25 donation
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websites are now up and running!
Money Management
Conducted by Carmela Vignocchi
Co-sponsored by the Women’s Community Center
Wednesdays in March
SESLOC building, 1303 West Grand Avenue, Arroyo Grande
$20 per session or $75 for the series (Scholarships available)
Session 1 – Getting Financially Organized:
Where are you now? Where do you want to be?
Session 2 – Banking and Credit:
Tools for your cash-flow system.
www.wccslo.org www.womenspress-slo.org Session 3 – How Does Your Cash Flow?
Developing a spending plan
Session 4 – Managing Your Risks:
Insurance, record keeping, and estate planning
Session 5 – The Basics of Saving and Investing

Reservations required.
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Come to the Women’s Press April 29 Fundraiser, a nonde-

The Prado Day Center family sponsored by the Women’s Community Center receives nominational retreat honoring women’s spirituality.
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call 805 786.0617

Wanted: Volunteer counselor

Cover Art
If you would like to see the women’s community served by a vital drop-in group for support and
discussion, call us.
The Women’s Community Center would like to offer such a group weekly at no cost so that
women with a need to be listened to by other women have a place to do that. It is a volunteer Alyson LeBlanc created our cover art for this issue.
evening spot, and may be shared by two women counselors who could rotate the responsibility. New to the Central Coast, Alyson LeBlanc is a fine
Please phone 544 9313 if you are interested. artist/designer/writer whose work focuses on reveal-
ing the ineffable inside of the ‘ordinary.’ She works
with publishers, interior designers, and galleries
in the creation of visionary and applied art with a
Mark your calendar! Join us for some fun! difference. She may be contacted at LeBlanc Studios,
805-708-0978 and at neodiva@gmail.com.
On Saturday, June 10, Sunset Car Wash on Broad Street in SLO will donate 15% of its proceeds
for the day to the Women’s Community Center.
We need people to make signs and be there for two-hour shifts between 8 and 5:30.
Call us to sign up: 544-9313.

Women’s Press March/April 2006 E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Page 

Coordinator’s
Corner
By Angie King
Beginning around the turn of the last
century, women garment trade workers
began agitating for safer working condi-
tions, in what were appalling sweatshop
“prisons.” Not much progress was made,
however, until the disastrous Triangle
Shirt Factory fire in March 1911 when
women were burned alive trying to get out
of the building. The doors had been locked
from the outside, there were inadequate
ventilation and no fire escapes. Since
then, International Women’s Day, March
8, has become the occasion worldwide to
push for women’s equality in political and
economic systems.
March 8 is celebrated around the world,
including in China, as a way to remember
women’s achievements. In designating
March as Women’s History Month in the
US, Congress acknowledged in 1987 that
the role of American women in history
has been “consistently overlooked and
undervalued in the literature, teaching,
and study of American history.”
Women’s History Month affords us a
chance to reflect on the past and ponder
the future – how much has actually
changed. The recent deaths of a num-
ber of iconic women from the women’s
movement of the 1960’s marks a shift in
leadership. These women and their cohorts
changed the culture of the US and of the
world in a short 40-year span. Consider
just a few improvements: no more sex-seg-
regated want ads in newspapers or ques-
tions in a job interview about your plans
for pregnancy; an explicit acknowledge-
ment by government that sexual harass-
ment is wrong and that domestic violence
is no longer “just a family matter.”
Women’s wages have increased from 58%
of men’s to 71% and more women are in
the boardrooms and executive suites than
ever. Women are viable candidates and of-
fice holders at all levels of government and,
although the US has declined so far to sign
on, 185 nations in the world have agreed to
adhere to the Convention to Eliminate all
forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), which admonishes govern-
ments to pass laws to end economic and
social discrimination against women.
What can we expect in the next 40
years from the current wave of leaders for
women’s rights? Parity in pay? Parity in
electoral politics? Full civil rights for les-
bians, including the right to marry? What
about overcoming that invisible double op-
pression of being an “old woman,” which
many of us are becoming?
The future is us – you and me and all of
us together, making a difference, one per-
son and one issue at a time. No one said
it would be easy, but do we really have any
other choice? Happy Women’s History
Month. Celebrate our achievements while
we strive for even more.
NOW Chapter # CA 565
PO Box 1306, SLO, CA 93406
SLONOW @ kcbx.net
Page 
National Organization for Women
The purpose of NOW is to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society NOW !
History and Structure of NOW
In June 1966, the national Commission on the birth of the National Organization for NOW is non-partisan and does not
the Status of Women, convened by President Women, officially founded on June 30, 1966. endorse specific candidates. The parallel or-
John F. Kennedy soon after he became The mission then, and still, is “to take action ganization, NOW Political Action Commit-
president, had completed its work. Five years to bring women into full participation in tee (PAC), however, does. San Luis Obispo
of discussion and debate about what was the the mainstream of American society, NOW, chapter does not have its own PAC.
status of women in the United States, and assuming all the privileges and responsibili- NOW also has a Legal Defense and Edu-
what measures to recommend the President ties thereof in fully equal partnership with cation Fund, a 501c(3) organization, which
take to remedy the inequities had ensued men.” provides litigation support in cases which
and final resolutions were being introduced NOW is a grassroots membership further NOW’s policies, and publishes
and approved. All except those submitted organization, where local chapters and state research and educational material on the
by a committed group of feminist women, chapters and at-large members all have a issues. It was the NOWLDEF that took
who wanted resolutions demanding action voice in the governing policies of the na- Operation Rescue to court to force it to stop
to remedy the past discrimination. The tional organization. It is the largest feminist its illegal terrorist tactics against abortion
rules under which the Commission was organization in the country and is open to clinics.
established apparently prohibited any calls all. There is an annual Conference at which But it is the grass-roots membership or-
for action. national officers are elected and policies ganization that sets the policies for all of us.
And the rest, as they say, is history. The adopted for the coming year. Each state and San Luis Obispo chapter was founded in the
history of NOW that is. These 28 women local chapter may set their own agendas early 1980’s and now comprises well over 100
from the Commission met informally and within these general policies and are encour- members. We encourage you to join NOW
decided the time was right to start their aged to take action to further that agenda. and take action for women’s rights!
own group – a group committed to taking We are non-partisan, multi-issue and open
action, not just talking about it. This was to all – men and women both.
Action Shorts fashioning labor policies; it is vital that the authorization Act of 2005 was signed
specific statistics on female workers be kept by President Bush on Jan. 5, 2006, after
a distinct category. BLS wanted to stop passing with overwhelming support in the
Last year in April, we reported the VAWA
collecting this data because “it is a burden House and Senate. It reauthorizes existing
re-authorization bill was in jeopardy, and
on employers.” On Dec. 30, 2005, President programs and creates new ones, expands
the US Department of Labor announced
Bush signed the Health/Labor/Educa- programs and services, and deals with
it was discontinuing collection of statistics
tion appropriations bill that included an emerging issues in the areas of housing,
on women’s wages and jobs. A year later,
amendment requiring the Bureau of Labor dating violence, and other needs. Over the
thanks to the efforts of activists nationwide,
Statistics to reinstate its program of col- next five years, the bill authorizes nearly $4
both are firmly back in place!
lecting data on women workers. Thank you billion for violence against women pro-
Statistics on workers collected by the
to the amendment’s co-sponsors, Senator grams, a 21 percent increase in funding from
Bureau of Labor Statistics provide hard
Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Senator the 2000 version.  NOW activists signed
evidence of the gains made by US working
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and their colleagues over 10,000 petitions that were presented
women and areas where women are losing
in the House, Rosa DeLauro (D-N.Y.) and to the House and Senate leadership. Still,
ground. Statistics record the yearly changes
Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who helped there were many important items that did
in pay disparities. Because of these statis-
preserve it in the final bill, so that data on not make it into the reauthorization bill, so
tics, we know that since 1964, non-farm
women’s employment patterns will continue we continue to advocate for those proposals,
payroll jobs held by women have increased
to be available. including increased protections for battered
from 1/3 to 1/2 of all jobs. Statistics from
The Violence Against Women Re- immigrant women.
BLS are used by Congress and the states in
NOW Calendar Reproductive Rights Update
March is Women’s History Month Plan B still held hostage to politics: constituted Supreme Court may look at
Mar 5: Two years after the FDA’s expert advisory “states’ rights” versus women’s rights in
Birthday of Jerrie Cobb, 1931, first female panel determined Plan B was safe enough deciding.
astronaut to sell over the counter with no prescrip- New challenge to Roe: South Da-
Mar 8: tion needed, the FDA has yet to approve, kota has passed a bill to ban all abortions,
International Women’s Day citing concerns about teen age use. Dr. making it a criminal act, period, with no
Mar 12: Susan Wood, director of the FDA Office on exception for the life of the woman. The
Juliette Low establishes Girl Scouts, 1912 Women’s Health, resigned in protest over bill is called the Woman’s Health and Life
Mar 15: the FDA commissioner’s announcement he Protection Act and is headed ultimately to
Birthday of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, was holding yet another public comment the US Supreme Court as a way to overturn
1933 period on the drug. The controversy over Roe v. Wade. The bill’s supporters used
Mar 21: that decision prompted his own resignation findings from a controversial abortion task
NOW regular meeting, 6 PM 2 months later. The Feminist Majority is force report recently given to the legislature,
Mar 24: collecting petition signatures in support of which concluded “DNA testing now can
League of Women Voters established, 1919 immediate approval for OTC use of Plan establish the unborn child has a separate
B. Visit OvertheCounterEC.org for more and distinct personality from the mother.”
April is Pay Equity Month and Sexual Assault information. The National Organization They also used the argument of post-abor-
Awareness Month for Women believes that sexually-active tion harm to the mother as a reason to ban
Apr 4: teens must have the same EC access that the procedure.
Birthday of Maya Angelou, 1928 older women would have. It is also critical Federal bill would expand access to
Apr 10: to note that sexual assault survivors need Women’s Health Care: S. 20 and H.R.
Birthday of Dolores Huerta, co-founder quick access to the morning-after pill and 1709, the “Prevention First Act,” proposes
United Farm Workers, 1930 many rape survivors are adolescents. Nearly to improve reproductive health care services
Apr 18: 40 countries make emergency contraception provided to girls and women. It expands
NOW regular meeting, 6 PM available without prescription. access to family planning services, ends
Apr 25: Supreme Court to hear Scheidler v. insurance discrimination against women,
Pay Equity Day NOW appeal: The issue is whether to provides sexual assault survivors with access
Apr 25: uphold the nation-wide ban on violence to emergency contraception and improves
Birthday of Ella Fitzgerald, 1918 against health clinics under federal rack- medically accurate awareness about con-
Apr 28: eteering statutes. This case originated with traception -- all with the goal of improving
Take Your Daughter to Work Day NOWLDEF and has been supported by women’s health and reducing unintended,
Apr 28: a coalition of women’s groups, health care unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.
Birthday of Coretta Scott King, 1927 providers, legislators, and others. The newly
Every woman doesn’t have to join NOW, just the 125 million who are discriminated against!
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Women’s Press March/April 2006

Women Breaking Through in Business
MIND YOUR BUSINESS
By Andrea Zeller
One hundred and ninety-
three individuals have completed
entrepreneurial training courses
with Mission Community Services
in collaboration with Women’s
Economic Ventures and the
Small Business Development
Center since 2003. Most of these
graduates are women and about
75% are low-income. Three out of
four graduates completed busi-
ness plans. About a fourth of
our graduates broke through the
proverbial glass ceiling and earns a
good income through self-employ-
ment.
A “can-do” attitude, more than
any other single factor, opens the
glass ceiling to success for women.
Those who break through carry
a powerful persona of persistence:
nothing blocks their progress.
They can do anything! They find
a way around, under, over, or
through every barrier that rises in
their path. Passion fuels energy
and determination. When open
to possibilities, amazing things
happen.
Barriers continually pop in
front of all of us as we pursue our
vision, mission, and goals. Life
circumstances can drain our
energy, pull our focus off target,
and in severe situations, can even
knock us totally off our feet.
The Freedom of Age
By Barbara Atkinson
Truth is not dictated by fashion,
Nor grace embellished by ads.
Creativity is non-conforming,
Love never dull and drab.
We are not our bodies,
A lesson of middle age.
We are in our bodies,
Dressed up and underage.
You can find us dancing,
Laughing on a breeze,
Singing from our wisdom,
Of doors that need no keys.
Women’s Press March/April 2006
Local Perspectives
We have a choice at that point
–simply choose to focus on the
barrier OR choose to go over,
around ,or through it. If we focus
on possibilities, the barriers of
today that limit us will eventu-
ally dissolve and become faint
memories. If we focus on the
barriers, they grow larger, blocking
any view of possibilities, and like
a magnet, suck us into a collision
with failure and/or pain. Choosing
positive thoughts is the first step to
breaking through.
When you choose to start or
grow your own small business, a
“can-do” attitude is essential. Pos-
itive attitudes are contagious; oth-
ers will want to support you and
help you flourish. The Women’s
Business Partners’ Mentor Circle
is an incredible resource of ac-
complished seasoned professional
local women who coach problem
solving skills and offer expertise in
all areas of business management
to help our community’s new busi-
ness owner protégés refocus and
succeed. With positive attitudes,
women-owned businesses start
and/or grow and contribute to the
Central Coast economy.
“You are what you think and
with your thoughts you make the
world.” -- Buddha
Andrea Zeller, Executive
Director of Mission Community
Services, coordinates Women’s
Business Partners (WBP), which
serves everyone interested in es-
tablishing self-sufficiency through
small business ownership while
primarily focusing assistance to-
wards socially and economically
disadvantaged women. WBP
can take you step by step towards
success and can help those who
speak only Spanish. Visit www.
MCSCorp.org or call 595-1357 to
find out more.
You can find us swimming,
In a lake on a mountain’s girth.
You can find us singing,
To an Icon from the Earth.
You can find us loving,
Knowing our own Truth.
We may be housed in aging bodies,
But we care not a howling hoot!
Cynic's Corner
By Jacqueline Turner
With my very ‘mature’ birthday
looming on the horizon (and
threatening to reawaken panic
in me), I decided to make a list
of Lessons to Live By … Les-
sons I am Still Learning. One
might think that after almost five
decades (plus nine years) of life,
most of life’s lessons would become
apparent to me. However, the
truth is that Lessons are not always
apparent …even to those seek-
ing wisdom. So, while pondering
the fate of my life and that of the
world around me, I decided that
there are some lessons that must
be put down on paper and shared
with others.
 
• Do not waste emotional en-
ergy, time or money on people
and situations that do not
warrant it. Be careful where
my affections go.
• Do not attach myself to people
or projects that do not require
my help, or who do not give
any indication that my help is
welcome.
• Do not pick up stray people
SLO Code Pink Update for March 2006
By Dian Sousa
I just finished reading John
Perkins’ Best Selling Autobiog-
raphy, Confessions of an Economic
Hit Man. Unfortunately, I started
reading it on a crowded flight
back from New York and had to
be reminded several times by the
person sitting next to me that I
was probably going to get kicked
off the plane if I kept yelling a
certain satisfyingly plosive word
and moaning like someone being
eviscerated by the poisoned edge
of an empires dollar.
I bring this up because
although I am not Oprah, I would
like as many people as possible to
read this frightening, but ulti-
mately hopeful book. In listing
the actions that people can take
to help return our country to a
humane path of justice, equality,
compassion, and environmental
stewardship, Perkins’ quotes the
Shuar tribe of Ecuador, “The world
is as you dream it.”
Our local SLO Chapter of
Code Pink: Women for Peace is
currently taking the following ac-
tions to help end the nightmare of
illegal occupation in Iraq and con-
sequently all of the local, national,
and global misery it has caused to
everyone who isn’t a heart-clogged,
oil-glutted billionaire.
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org
Lessons I Am Learning
and try to save them unless
they directly ask for my help
- and only if providing it will
not harm me.
• Mind my own business. My
advice is not always taken
the right way and in the end,
may not be helpful to me or
anyone else.
• Be aware of bullshit, lack of
appreciation, and insincerity.
• Do not allow anyone or
anything to zap my emotional
strength, my $$, my energy
- with or without my permis-
sion. Concentrate on healthy
detachment.
• The above list includes my
friends, my kids, my family,
and strangers, too.
• Work on my own behalf. Be
good to me first (at least in
addition to my loved ones).
Do not act mean to anyone,
but do not love anyone more
than I love myself.
• Kindness, fairness and justness
for me; fairness, justness and
kindness for others.
• Cut off people or events quick-
In the hope of stimulating
creative and philosophical thought
and dialogue within the younger
community, we are sponsoring an
essay contest.
“WHAT CAN YOU SAY
‘YES!’ TO WHEN YOU
SAY ‘NO!’ TO WAR?”
First Place: $350
Second Place: $100
Third Place: $50
The contest is open to graduat-
ing seniors attending either a
public, private, or home school
in San Luis Obispo County. The
essay is to be between 1000 and
1500 words.
Awards will be given on May
14th at the annual Code Pink
Mother’s Day celebration. For
further information or questions;
please contact: Vivian Longacre at
(805)801-0466 or email: cpinkviv@
sbcglobal.net
***
Beginning, Thursday night
February 23, Code Pink will be
having its own booth at the SLO
Farmers Market. The booth will be
located at the corner of Broad and
Higuera, in front of Phone and
Wireless. Please come by and join
the dream.
ly that show signs of depleting
my strength, destroying my
soul, or stealing my integrity.
I do not plan to grow older
without growing wiser. I do
not plan to grow wiser without
growing more compassionate. I do
not plan to grow more compas-
sionate without growing stronger.
I do not plan to grow stronger
without growing healthier in body
and soul. I do not plan to grow
healthier in body and soul without
giving more to others. I do not
plan to be more giving to others
without giving to myself also!
Ultimately, these are the Les-
sons I am learning, and these are
the Lessons that I want to take out
into the world with me. Care to
join me?
Jacquline Turner is a real estate
agent with Century 21 San Luis
Properties; an astrologer; and a
woman on a Journey. Care to join
me? Email: jackiemagic322@yahoo.
com
As always Code Pink welcomes
everyone to join us at our meetings
and to take part in any or all of
our actions. We realize that people
lead crazy, busy lives, but that
most of you are not heart-clogged,
oil-glutted billionaires, but rather,
compassionate human beings with
a desire for justice, peace, and
every now and then just a good,
sweet, piece of pie. Dream big and
“Let Love Rule.”
To be added to our mailing
list or for meeting and all other
information, e-mail me @
ososousaville@aol.com
This land is the house we’ve
always lived in. The women,
their bones are holding up the
earth.
– Linda Hogan (Chickasaw)
Page 

Jewish View on Choice
In the Talmud, we find the following par-
adoxical statement: “Everything is foreseen,
yet freedom of choice is given.” Enjoying
limited freewill, we need to balance that
freedom with personal responsibility that
honors this privilege. Judaism, like other
religious traditions, honors life. It is specious
to suggest that some in society are “pro-
life” and others are not. Everyone, healthy
in body and mind, honors life. Judaism
respects each individual and the personal
choices they make.
The concept of choice has been politi-
cized in the American arena around the
issue of when a woman becomes a mother.
The real debate is not whether we honor life
but rather whether we respect the choice of
any individual woman as to when she can
and should become a parent. Mothering
requires far more than giving birth to a
child. Mothering demands a woman to be
the best parent she can be from the moment
of the child’s birth and for all the years that
are to follow.
Judaism teaches that when the newborn
baby draws its first breath to sustain its own
life, it is considered a viable human being.
Before this point, the fetus remains a fetus
and not a child, rather a child in poten-
tial. Other traditions may hold different
beliefs as to when life begins. No matter
how loudly or emotionally these beliefs are
expressed, they are merely beliefs – just that,
and no more. We cannot prove any belief to
be demonstrably factual.
From a Jewish perspective, in the present
political debate, we more correctly identify
with either a “pro-choice” or an “anti-
choice” agenda. The real underlying issue is
whether we consider women as autonomous
individuals who are capable of making the
decisions that are right for them, or not. The
patriarchal paradigm that placed women in
subservient and powerless positions is crum-
bling, and we welcome the breakthrough
of egalitarianism that honors all members
of society, women and men, as equal in
their abilities to make choices on their own
behalf.
Freedom of choice allows us to decide
what is right for ourselves, and not to
impose our views on others. Whatever we
believe about these issues, let us hear each
other’s viewpoints and if we cannot find
common ground, agree to disagree with
respect.
— Heather Mendel
Women cannot be equal citizens in
society without the ability to control their
reproduction. We have the right to vote,
but we must also have the right to choose
when and if to reproduce. We cannot be
equal citizens without this choice. Does a
man have a right to a woman’s uterus for
reproduction purposes? Do marriage vows
give men this right? If women are equal to
men then neither sex should have control
over the other’s body. Certain rights of body,
must be left to that body.
Growing up in the 60’s, I embraced the
new social freedoms of choices my mother’s
generation never had. I could enjoy sex
without undo risk of reproducing. I could
actually have a career and children. No
more keep her barefoot and pregnant, as
the old theory of wife management stated.
Reproductive choice has given women the
means to be independent. In a world where
most problems stem from overpopulation,
reproductive options should be supported,
not limited.
— 58 yr old pro-choice Republican
mother
Page 
Local Perspectives
I believe choice is the primary function
of our free will—an incredibly generous gift
bestowed upon humanity by a Creator of
immeasurable compassion and faith.  No
stranger to irony, This Creator spoke us into
co-existence with a cosmos with which we
could cooperate and steward, or pillage and
destroy. 
 According to the oldest spiritual
traditions around our globe, humans were
somehow created in the image and likeness
of their Creator—something of the artist re-
mains in the art form.  And yet, with choice,
humans may preserve their presence or turn
against it.  Still, the Creator believed—had
What are your
faith—that humankind would, ultimately,
be kind…and co-create.
 I believe these things because the tiny
French woman who was my Grandmother
lived her life modeling these ideas.  Always
her actions spoke louder than her professed
Catholic Faith, showing me that she chose to
believe and act faithfully. 
 I believe these things because my crusty
and often cantankerous Dad never lost his
awe of Nature, humbly (and Dad was rarely
humble) professing his awe of a Creator who
would trust humans with so much natural
Mystery and Beauty.
 I believe these things because over 50
years of making choices and living their
aftermaths have taught me that it is not
so much that I inherently have a right to
choose, as it is that I am gifted with choice. 
And with this gift I am invited to respond—
to be responsible—with my choice(s). New feature:
 For me, the idea that choice is a right Each month we will solicit answers to a
somehow diminishes the Gift, placing it in question on a timely topic.
a litany of entitlements—things for which
I’ve done nothing to earn, and by virtue of a
number of circumstances that never actually
define my person.
 To paraphrase Martin Luther King, the
contents of our character are ascertained by
the choices that we make.  Or, as Richard
Harris’ Dumbledore consoles Harry Potter,
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we
truly are, far more than our abilities.”
 Well said, Gentlemen.
— AnnE Lorenzen
Choice, I believe, is all in the timing.
While I do think abortion should be legal, I
believe we have allowed too many women to
It is essential that women have the choice
use it as a method of birth control. We have
to have an abortion or not. Although I do
stopped teaching consequence in our soci-
not agree it should be used as a form of birth
ety. Everyone wants the easy way out. Cer-
control, a woman must be able to listen
tainly there are circumstances that warrant
freely to her body’s wisdom without the
termination such as rape, severe medical
government interfering. I came to this belief
abnormalities, health threats to the mother, As a young girl, I wasn’t given a choice
through personal experience. On Valentine’s
but to believe there is no consequence to about anything. When I was 10 years old,
Day 1996 when I was a senior in college, I
an “oops” is the wrong message. What has my parents divorced and my Mother mar-
had an abortion. Despite the many voices
happened to personal responsibility?
of criticism including a nurse who told me ried a monster. From that age to when I left
I was adopted as an infant. A few years
this “decision would haunt me for the rest home at 19, I had absolutely no choice in
ago, I had the opportunity to meet my birth
of my life,” there was a voice inside of me anything. I was subjected to every kind of
mother. She told me all about the day she
screaming that it wasn’t the right time for abuse possible. I have had issues and chal-
sought out someone to perform what was
me to give birth, for I was too much of child lenges my entire life. It has taken me many
then a very illegal abortion. She waited for
myself to be a mother.” I couldn’t not listen years to develop confidence about making
hours until they called her name and then
to this voice, for I believe the Divine was choices.
she ran. She said she knew she had to take
speaking through me telling me that it’s ok I believe that girls and women need to be
responsibility for what she had done and she
if I let this spirit go. It will be born into a encouraged to make choices at a very early
chose to give me up for adoption. So when
body when the time is right. Although I’ve age. It builds confidence and self esteem. It
I think of how I came within minutes of
felt sadness for many years on Valentine’s takes confidence to be able to make choices
not experiencing the life that I have had,
Day, from what medical intuitive Caroline because they might be the wrong choices.
the many lives I have touched and that have
Myss refers to as a “cellular or (body) memo- Only by being strong enough to make a
touched mine, I have gained a new perspec-
ry,” I have never regretted this decision. I got choice can you be strong enough to accept
tive.
pregnant because I didn’t initially listen and when your choice is not the right one.
So I am definitely Pro-Choice…when
trust that voice within that was giving me Choice is everything. Choice is what
the timing is right. Choose right from the
guidance to use protection. That voice be- makes life worth living, whether it’s a flavor
beginning. Choose to practice safe sex,
came louder when I became pregnant, and I of ice cream or a life style. Choice is what
choose the pill, choose a diaphragm, choose
listened. It is my hope that through honest constitutes a free and equal society. Choice
a condom, choose to say No. Choose to
open communication and education that involves respect for others and for oneself.
educate yourself. Choose to protect yourself
girls will learn not only their sexual anatomy Choice is everything.
and to respect yourself. And then you won’t
but how to assert and protect themselves — 58-year-old lesbian
have to make the hardest choice of all.
so that they can make good clear conscious
— A childless 48 yr. old
decisions when they engage sexually.
— 31-year-old white woman
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Women’s Press March/April 2006

beliefs about choice?
Q: What is your belief about choice and
how did you come to that belief?
A: I don’t believe in abortion. The Lord
gave and the Lord takes away. Blessed be
the name of the Lord. Job 1: 21. I think a
woman has a choice before she gets preg-
nant, when she decides to have intercourse
or not.
Q: Even pregnancy from rape?
A: I have a grand daughter that was ad-
opted as a baby. She was a child of rape but
she was first a child of God. Sometimes she’s
a trial but she’s a joy as well, like all kids.
Q: In the case of the mother’s life being
in danger, what do you believe?
A: The day that you are born, let God
choose. When my son was born, he almost
died. I delivered him at seven months. He
was three pounds, had transfusions and
was in the incubator for two months. It was
God’s choice that he lived. God had a plan.
Jimmy’s always been active in his church
and he’s been the special father my grand
daughter needed. We’re creations of God: we
don’t have the right to choose life or death.
Q: What made you come to this belief?
A: I was raised in the Lord’s Word. God
wants us to protect life like it was our own,
not throw it away like it was nothing special.
— Mary Duncan
Women’s Press March/April 2006
Local Perspectives
Today, in the United States, acceptance
of family planning is so profound and
widespread that it is difficult to comprehend
how short a time has passed since those who
fought for access to family planning services
were publicly ridiculed and even jailed.
In the decades since safe and legal family
planning services became available in the
United States, maternal and infant health
have improved dramatically, the infant
death rate has plummeted; and the gap
between the number of children desired and
the number born has narrowed for couples
in every income bracket. There have been
similar improvements in the health and
welfare of individuals in other nations in
which there is widespread access to family
planning services.
As a result, most individuals and govern-
ments worldwide recognize that family
planning services are vital to the elevation
of human existence. Such services are the
means by which individuals may exercise
their fundamental right to make informed,
independent decisions about reproduc-
tion. An individual to must have access to
information and services related to sexuality,
reproduction, methods of contraception,
fertility control, and parenthood in order to
make an informed decision.
Reproductive freedom—the fundamental
right of every individual to decide freely
and responsibly when and whether to have a
child—is a reaffirmation of the principle of
individual liberty cherished by most people
worldwide. It helps ensure that children
will be wanted and loved, that families
will be strong and secure, and that choice
rather than chance will guide the future of
humanity.
Reasonable people everywhere agree that
no woman should be forced to bear chil-
dren; no family should be threatened with
economic ruin as a result of unintended
pregnancy; and no person should ignore the
consequences of unwanted pregnancies.
— Planned Parenthood
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org
My father was raised in a family of
boys,and wanted boys, so when he got girls
instead, he raised us as boys. That is to say,
he expected us to be independent and self
sufficient from the very beginning. I was
always taught girls were equal to boys.
But, it is only girls who get pregnant.
And then things are no longer so equal.
So early on, I learned how to make sure
I didn’t get pregnant. When birth control
failed, I got an abortion.When I was finally
able to find a doctor who didn’t pass judg-
ment on my opinions, I got a tubal ligation.
My choice was to be child free.
I’ve always believed in the right to
choose. The right to choose doesn’t just
mean the right to have an abortion. The
right to choose means a woman can choose
to abstain from sex altogether, she can
choose to carry her fetus to term if she gets
pregnant and then choose to keep it or
adopt it out. The basic tenet of choice is that
it is the woman’s decision to make, not that
of the government.
Restricting access to health care, requir-
ing someone else’s consent before I can have
a procedure performed on my own body,
telling me when and who I can see for my
reproductive health care are all morality
judgments imposed on women by govern-
ment, denying us the equality to make our
own decisions.
Choice means just that. Let me be the
one who decides for myself.
— Angie King
Choices: an intergenerational dialogue
“Grandma, I hear women talking about
“choice,” and I see the word in newspapers
and magazines. What do they mean by
‘choice’?”
“Well, my darling, it means that a
woman should have the right to decide
whether to have a child or not.”
“Sometimes a woman is pregnant when
she is not ready to have a child because she is
too young or too poor, or already has more
children than she can care for well.”
“But how did she get pregnant?”
“She may have forgotten to take birth
control pills or can’t get them where she
lives because she is too young or because
the pharmacist in her area refuses to fill the
prescription that her doctor wrote. She may
have drunk too many alcoholic drinks and
made a mistake or someone forced her.”
“But aren’t there things a man can use to
prevent a pregnancy?”
“Yes, but some men won’t use them.”
“But that’s not fair!”
“I agree, but there are people who think
that if a woman is pregnant, she must have
a baby--ready or not, however dangerous it
may be.”
“Why is it anyone’s business except for
the woman or her doctor?”
“Many people believe that it is in the
government’s interest to have more citizens,
but not to feed, clothe, house and educate
children. In the words of a song I once
heard ‘…and if that pretty little woman gets
pregnant, then she’s on her own.”
“But that is cruel! It’s like condemning
a woman to eighteen or more years under
house arrest, and for the rest of her life
as concerned with the welfare of another
person.
Grandma, did my mother want me?”
“You bet she did! You are a much loved
and wanted child, as every child has the
right to be.”
— Dawn Williams
I didn’t think much about choice until I
had to make one.
If abortion had not been legal in the
1980s when I became pregnant, I would have
been a suicide statistic. Before abortions
were legal, women killed themselves rather
than tell anyone they were pregnant, and I
know that would have been me.
I loved my parents, adored them, but I
couldn’t have told my mother I was pregnant
over a cup of coffee. We just didn’t have that
kind of relationship. I grew up feeling that I
needed to protect my mother from life more
than feeling that she was there to protect
me.
My husband remarks that what first
attracts people to each other often later
becomes the relationship’s undoing. My
boyfriend was the eldest son in a Jewish
family. In other words, his post-WWII
parents pinned their dreams on him. His
grandparents insisted that he keep kosher.
His younger sister adored him. He met his
Dad for lunch every week. He went home
on weekends to wash the car. That’s what I
liked about him.
Of course, I wasn’t Jewish, which meant
that our baby wouldn’t be either. When my
boyfriend heard I was pregnant, he offered
to pay for an abortion. That was all.
In the waiting room of the Center for
Reproductive Health, I read an article
about abortion that said that the majority of
couples who decide to end pregnancies break
up within six months afterwards. That is
what happened to us.
Afterwards, the dreams began. I had two.
In one, I saw a little girl lying on my former
boyfriend’s chest. In the second I opened an
abandoned refrigerator and saw a little girl,
with bruises all over inside.
I never dreamed of her again, but I know
she was our child. That’s why although I will
always fight for choice, I recognize that it is
the taking of a life. If we don’t think it is,
we’re kidding ourselves. It may be the lesser
of two evils, but it is not without conse-
quences.
Today, when my husband and I visit his
children and their spouses and all four of
us sit around and watch the grandbabies for
hours, fascinated by every burb and grin, I
am so thankful to know the joy of loving
healthy, happy wanted children.
So, whenever I see that bumper sticker
that says, “It’s not a choice it’s a child,” I
think, there must be always be a choice, and
there must always be children.
— Anne Ashley
When I was in high school, in 1958, a
classmate’s body was found on the grass
outside of a local hospital.  She had been
to Mexico to get her unwanted pregnancy
“taken care of ” and things went terribly
wrong.  This experience taught me the
importance of being able to take care of
our own bodies, and be able to go to a safe
and medically approved facility for such a
procedure.
 — Roberta Youtan Kay
Page 

An Interview with Judge Ginger Garrett
By Anne Quinn
When Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
appointed Ginger E. Garrettto a judgeship
in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court
on Dec. 1, 2005, she joined a very prestigious
minority.
As of Jan. 26, 2006, only 374 women are
listed among the ranks of the state’s 1,492
Superior Court judges
Garrett, 53, is comfortable with such
odds. In the 1970s when she attended Uni-
versity of Alabama law school she was one of
only 10 women in a class of 160.
“Today it’s closer to 50-50,” Garrett said.
As judicial appointments are more
difficult to achieve for either gender, the
percentage of women sitting on the bench
in California remains small. But that too is
changing. A decade ago, only 13-percentof
Superior Court Judges were women, accord-
ing to a 1995 study by the California League
of Women Voters.
Garrett is part of that change.
“I come from a background where I
didn’t really realize people were treated dif-
ferently,” said Garrett.
She describes her parents as “absolutely
supportive.”
“They had no strict rules that girls do
this and can’t do that. I remember my moth-
er bought me a chemistry set when I was
young. I didn’t realize that was unusual.”
She attended an all-girls high school
where competition was encouraged and
she felt free to exercise her abilities both in
sports and in the classroom.
Yet Garrett has a feel for the underdog.
She served as director of the Tuscaloosa
Legal Aid Society mental health project and
as a staff attorney for the Alabama Disabili-
ties Advocacy Program. She was managing
attorney for the Legal Services Corporation
of Tuscaloosa from 1980 to 1982 and staff
attorney for Alabama Legal Aid from 1978
to 1980.
Garrett always thought that she’d
become an English teacher. She received
both a Bachelor’s degree in English and a
Master’s in Educationfrom the University of
Alabama.But a stint of student teaching in
a seventh grade classroom changed all that.
The judge who will preside over criminal
Page 
Women’s Stories
cases this spring found a classroom of
unruly seventh graders not to be her calling.
Her love of language drew her to the
practice of law where using words precisely
is of paramount importance.
“Writing is the best part.I also like to
analyze the cases and the facts. I’ve probably
written over 500 decisions.”
After 24 years of general practice, which
included criminal and civil case loads,
Garrett was sworn in as a San Luis Obispo
County Court Commissioner in 2002 to
preside over family matters, juvenile cases,
and misdemeanors related to child support.
She was one of three judges who received
the highest ranking of “exceptional” by local
attorneys in a San Luis Obispo County Bar
Association poll last year. Her professional-
ism is based in her belief in the role of the
law.
“Law allows for the peaceful resolution
of differences,” said Garrett. “It sets down
expectations and defines boundaries.”
She encourages people to step into a
courtroom to observe what’s going on.
“Most people have never set foot in a court-
room. They know what they know about it
from watching TV shows like Judge Judy.
It’s not like tthat,” said Judge Garrett.
She frequently appears before judges, but
outside the court room. Her hobby is breed-
ing and showing Golden Retrievers.
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org
Breaking Barriers: A Woman at West Point
By Roberta Youtan Kay
with Karen Vidya Cicchini
Karen Vidya Cicchini grew up in a large
family, the eldest of seven children. Her
father, who is a major presence and influ-
ence in her life, is an Italian immigrant. He
served with distinction as a US Air Force
JAG officer, achieving the rank of colonel.
Karen was a role model for her younger
siblings and excelled in academics, music,
athletics, church and hospital volunteer-
ing, scouting, and student government. It
seemed to a young Karen that she could
accomplish anything she set her mind to,
and she set the bar very high for herself.
Karen was inspired to apply to West
Point in her junior hear in high school. It
seemed natural to apply:she was familiar
with military culture, it was a four-year full
scholarship, she could do what came natu-
rally to her, and it was an enticing challenge.
At that time, in 1973, laws like Title IX were
being passed giving women greater oppor-
tunities to grow and develop. She began the
complex application process.
The passing of the Defense Bill on Octo-
ber 7, 1975, by Congress allowed women to
enter all five federal service academies. West
Point had very high acceptance criteria, and
Karen was offered an appointment on April
1, 1976, no fooling.
Karen was one of 119 women to enter
West Point on July 5, 1976, joining a Corps
of Cadets of 4. 400. She remembers being
awestruck seeing for the first time this
imposing gray fortress overlooking the west
bend of the Hudson River, and a lone, erect,
cadet striding with red sash and saber along
the front apron of the parade ground. Karen
had no idea what she had gotten herself into,
nor had a sense of the immensity of doing
something ahead of her time: changing at-
titudes that were not ready to be changed.
Three months of fast paced, grueling
cadet basic training commenced. Karen
excelled, and was accepted into the Corps of
Cadets as a fourth classman in September.
Then began the grinding, monotonous
routine of an 18- to 22-credit academic
regimen, athletics, drill and parade, and the
Fourth Class System (a cadet-run character
building program for first year cadets).
More subtly, the hidden, daily stressors of
being an unwelcome woman in a male-only
military fraternity ensued. Naturally, the
cadets, especially Karen’s own classmates,
were resentful. Karen was not given claim to
the unspoken privilege of male bonding and
male entitlement. (No cadet is expected to
graduate without the aid of collaboration. )
There was no privacy: no locks on
barracks doors, a paper shade to cover the
window, and her room was strategically
placed across from the company business fo-
cal point: the Orderly Room. Cadets would
systematically knock on this convenient
women’s room for a pencil, a quick shirt
tuck, a request for recitation of the dinner
menu, or simply an unannounced room
inspection. The goal: we didn’t ask them to
come here, but we can do everything we can
to make them leave.
Karen endured daily pull-up sessions
after taps (11 pm) in her squad leader’s
latrine for “remedial physical training,” i.
e. , increase deficient upper body strength;
fist-to-nose feints from her Golden Gloves
boxer champion from New York assistant
squad leader; refusals to join study sessions
from her classmates; being silenced in the
company day room (the only place to relax
and watch TV); and always a sense of con-
stant fear and no safety. She coped by going
to daily chapel at 6 am and joining Varsity
athletics (all four years) in order to spend as
little time as possible in the barracks with
her company. Karen was sexually assaulted
while coming home from the Army-Navy
game (Army lost) in November and while
sleeping in her bed in April. It was dark,
there was no reporting system or permission
to report, and silence was the only way to
survive. Karen persevered as she watched
every other woman leave her company at the
end of her first year.
Of the original 119 women, 62 gradu-
ated in May 1980. Karen graduated with a
Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in
International Relations, General Engineer-
ing, and Liberal Arts (she learned to speak
Russian). She was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant in the US Army and served in
Bremerhaven, Germany leading a platoon of
men and women mechanics as an Ordnance
Officer for her first assignment.
This year, in April 2006, West Point will
officially celebrate 30 years of integration
of women at West Point. How have women
changed the face of West Point? Karen feels
the presence of women has humanized an
institution that was at its lowest point in
1976 after the Vietnam War and a cheating
scandal. Cadets are being taught more hu-
mane styles of leadership and the academy
has a more college-like atmosphere. Have
things really changed? Karen questions
whether or not attitudes and behavior have
truly changed over the years.
Today, 15% of the Corps of Cadets are
women, which is about 600 women. If she
had to do it over again, she would. She was
born to help wake up humanity, and suffer-
ing has given her inner strength and insight
beyond her years.
Women’s Press March/April 2006

Workshops Offered at
Gather the Women, Save the World
The Contemplative, Responsive
Woman
Lorie Adoff • A variety of
exercises and guided imagery that
explore one’s spiritual core and
reveal the contemplative spirit in
every woman.
Lorie Adoff MA is a spiritual
advisor and director in private
practice on the central coast,
where she works with dying
inmates through CMC.
The Dialogue Room
Barbara Atkinson • A drop-in
discussion room will be open to
Retreat participants during the
afternoon, where concepts and
ideas may be explored, experiences
processed, and guidance given.
A contemplative for the last
10 years and author of The Bliss
Papers, Barbara Atkinson is a
spiritual director and healer.
1. The Body’s Search for Spirit
(AM) &
2. Dropping into Source (PM)
Kate Czekala • Two separate
but related sessions employ the
technique of Focusing to discover
the awareness that encompasses
mind, body and spirit (am), and
processes from Brandon Bays’ The
Journey to empower healing and
wholeness (pm).
Kate Czekala MA is an accred-
ited practitioner of Focusing, The
Journey and Dreamwork.
Creatively Filling Our Inner
Spaces
Olivia Doko • The physical
anatomy of a woman creates the
sense of inner spaces waiting to be
filled. Learn how to become the
co-creator of beauty and well-be-
ing by creatively filling the inner
spaces of your heart and your life .
Theologist Merlene Olivia
Doko MA is the founder of Olive
Tree Ministries, a provider of
spiritual guidance for individuals
and groups.
Embodied Sexuality
Bailey Drechsler • Through the
practice of mindfulness, a greater
appreciation for and connection
between sexuality and the body/
mind/soul is fostered.
Professor of Developmental
Psychology at Cuesta College,
Bailey Drechsler has been leading
women’s workshops since 1987.
Experiencing A Sacred Circle
Beverly Engel • Come together
to create a sanctuary for ourselves,
a place where we can sink into
deeper self-acceptance, dropping
the roles and masks we wear in the
outside world and experiencing
instead the positive energy, power
and healing a Sacred Circle can
provide.
Author of Women Circling the
Earth, Beverly Engel is a founder
of The Millionth Circle as well as
a practicing shaman and psycho-
therapist who has appeared on
numerous television shows.
Women’s Press March/April 2006
Women’s Press
Creating A Soulful Relationship
with Yourself
Laura Hyde • In our fast-paced
world, taking care of ourselves can
seem like just another added stress
and frustration. Let Laura share
with you her realistic, life-affirm-
ing and heart-centered approach to
self-care and a healthier and more
balanced life.
Laura V. Hyde is Spiritual
Leader of Unity Church - 5 Cities as
well as a nationally known author
and speaker whose focus is awaken-
ing heart and spirit.
The Changing Face of the Aging
Woman
Roberta Youtan Kay • Aging
in our culture today can present
many challenges. Find out how we
can become wiser, more centered
spiritual beings who have much to
contribute to the world at large.
Roberta Youtan Kay MA is a
licensed psychotherapist and author
who has been leading groups inter-
nationally for over two decades.
Gentle Yoga with Quartz Crystal
Singing Bowls
Bonnie Sandecki and Bar-
bara Perry • Open and tune your
body’s seven energy centers via
Gentle Yoga, enhanced by the clear
vibration of crystal bowl therapy.
This integrative technique brings
harmony and clarity to cellular
memory in body, mind and spirit.
Bonnie Sandecki CYT, and Bar-
bara Perry, Sound and Color Light
Therapist, are certified, accredited
practitioners in their respective
fields.
Reinventing Eve
Heather Mendel Saturday, April 29, 2006
This workshop focuses on imagin-
ing the Divine from a feminist 10 AM - 5 PM
perspective in which the biblical
account of Creation presents a posi- Pre-registration required
tive role model for all women.
Heather Mendel, author of Old Pacheco Elementary School
Towards Freedom: a Feminist Hag-
gada for Men and Women, has led 165 Grand Avenue
women’s spirituality groups for over
15 years. San Luis Obispo
Ritual: Transitions to Personal
Power Keynote address • Three break-out sessions with eight workshops from which to choose
Janise Rennie and Alyson
LeBlanc • Ancient ritual is a deep
Native American and African ceremonial opening and Sacred Circle closing
and powerful experience all its Noted authors, speakers, and practitioners • Boxed lunch
own. Join Native American Holder
of Ceremonies Janise Rennie and
African sangoma Alyson LeBlanc
on an authentic journey through Join us for this exciting, meaningful, first-of-its-kind event in SLO!
the portals of ritual in celebration See workshop descriptions on this page.
of the sacred feminine.
Janise Rennie is a Massage For full details of presenters, workshops, and pre-registration form:
Therapist and hospice volunteer as
well as a Native American trained 805 801.8168
by native elders to hold and carry
women’s ceremonies.
www.womenspress-slo.org
Alyson LeBlanc left her former
life in 2003 when she was called to
the ancient African healing tradi-
tion of Sangoma and initiated in
Botswana, Africa.
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Page 

Sex Offender Public Policy: Is It Time to Change Course?
By Jay Adams, Ph.D.
Our community recently experienced the
tragic suicide of a young police officer facing
charges of child sexual abuse. So many
reactions raced through my mind when I
read about his death. How will his family
be affected? What about his alleged victims?
Will they carry guilt about his death? Do
they feel robbed of the chance for closure?
What things in that officer’s life led him to
that place of desperation? Did he feel that
death was preferable to the experience of
being a child molester in our prison system?
It is my hope that we can learn from this
senseless loss of life and can join together to
re-assess our attitudes and policies regarding
sex offenders.
It was feminists who forced child sexual
abuse out of the closet in the late ’70’s and
early ‘80’s, compelling us to recognize its ex-
tent and its harmful consequences. A recent
study conducted by Kaiser Permanente in
San Diego is now verifying feminists’ claims
that sexual abuse and other forms of child
abuse are much more common at all levels
of our society than the scientific literature
indicates (visit www.ACEstudy.org for infor-
mation on this study). How we deal with
sexual offenders should be of concern to
feminists for the simple reason that the vast
majority of sexual offenders are themselves
untreated victims of abuse.
Fortunately the vast majority of those
abused as children (85-90%) do not become
perpetrators of either physical or sexual
abuse. However, most people who beat their
children were themselves beaten as children,
Local Chapter of Younger Women’s
Task Force Forms
By Jaymi Heimbuch
The Younger Women’s Task Force
(YWTF)--a project of the National Council
for Women’s Organizations (NCWO)--is
launching its Central Coast CA chapter.
YWTF is the only national grassroots
movement organizing younger women in
their 20s and 30s. YWTF hopes to empower
the younger women of the Central Coast of
California to create change in their commu-
nities, thereby growing the next generation
of women’s leadership in the area.
YWTF is a nationwide, diverse, and
inclusive grassroots movement dedicated to
organizing younger women and their allies
to take action on issues that matter most to
them. By and for younger women, YWTF
works both within and beyond the women’s
movement, engaging all who are invested
in advancing the rights of younger women.
YWTF emerged from a January 2005 Meet-
Up in Washington, DC that brought 130
younger women from 42 states to Washing-
ton, DC to draft a Younger Women’s Issues
Agenda.
“I can’t believe the change we’ve seen over
the past year,” said Alison Stein, national
founder and director. “I feel like we’re really
creating a new movement, which is excit-
ing.”
The chapter director, Jaymi Heimbuch,
noticed a distinct silence on the Central
Coast in discussion and activism among and
about younger women. She decided the best
way to address this need was to work with
YWTF to form a chapter on the Central
Coast.
“There aren’t a lot of political activities
that are well known for young women
to get involved in on the Central Coast,”
Heimbuch said. “This chapter will provide
Page 10
Local Perspectives
and many who become sexual offenders were
sexually abused as children. The reasons
why a sub-group becomes perpetrators are
complicated and are likely related to early
influences on brain development. Children
exposed to early violence, unpredictability,
serious maternal stress or severe neglect are
likely to be damaged with respect to their
ability to modulate their emotions, control
their impulses, cope with stress, and form
attachments with others. (For a wealth of
information on this, visit www.childtrauma.
org, the website of Dr. Bruce Perry.) NO
AMOUNT OF PUNISHMENT WILL
CHANGE THIS, and most sex offenders
will eventually parole back into our com-
munities.
Sexual abuse is widespread: there are
more than 100,000 registered sex offend-
ers in California Obviously protection of
the public is of paramount concern, but
we are headed down a path which seems
guaranteed not to protect the public and not
to help sex offenders change their behav-
ior. More repressive laws are driving sex
offenders underground. A recent newspaper
article (Des Moines Register, January 23,
2006) reported that since Iowa extended
its residency restrictions on sex offenders,
twice as many have failed to register. Sex
offenders who are transient and unregistered
cannot be supervised and monitored, and
therefore become more dangerous. Although
substance abuse does not cause sex offenses,
many offenders commit their offenses while
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Residency restrictions have made it impos-
a networking community and get women
involved.”
Jaymi is a fourth generation Central
Coast resident and an advocate for local
social change. She is a graduate of Cal Poly,
San Luis Obispo with a BA in English
Literature and a Minor in Women’s Stud-
ies. Jaymi has worked towards local social
change through a variety of outlets.
Some of the goals of the YWTF Central
Coast CA chapter are to develop younger
women’s leadership, business and financial
skills, and to provide and create local artis-
tic, activist and political outlets for younger
women in the area. YWTF Central Coast
CA also plans to create an intergenerational
networking system among women, thereby
advancing younger women in their work-
places and providing a forum for discussion
on a wide range of topics.
“I am very excited about our new chap-
ter,” Stein said. “I am just thrilled that Jaymi
felt inspired to take the call to action.”
Future meetings for YWTF’s Central
Coast chapter will be held the last Wednes-
day of each month at 6:30 pm at El Taco
Loco on Branch Street in Arroyo Grande.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 29.
With over 2,000 members in ten local
chapters across the country, YWTF has
registered thousands of younger women to
vote, trained hundreds of younger women
in financial and professional advocacy skills,
and lobbied on behalf of dozens of issues
that are critical to the safety and well-being
of younger women across the nation. YWTF
Central Coast CA is honored to be its
eleventh chapter. Learn more about or join
YWTF by visiting us at www.ywtf.org.
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org
sible for sex offenders to get badly needed
substance treatment in residential programs.
Stress triggers many sex offenses and we
have now created a society where an offender
faces stress in virtually every aspect of his
life. Research has dispelled the myth that
children have the most to fear from ominous
strangers in trench coats. We know that
more than 90% of sexual offenses against
children are committed by family members
or other adults known to the child, and that
only 14% of rapes are committed by strang-
ers. Yet the primary focus of current public
policy, including residency restrictions and
proposed GPS monitoring, has been on the
small percentage of stranger offenders.
There are no winners in the contest to
see which state can pass the most restrictive
laws against sex offenders. As we begin a
public debate on “Jessica’s Law,” let’s not
forget that the man who murdered Jessica
Ludsford begged for help for many years
while he was in prison. So did Rex Krebs.
We have no way of knowing if they could
have been helped, but we didn‘t try. We
failed them, and we failed their victims,
just as we failed that young police officer
who didn’t need to die. In order to address
the problem of sex offenders, and indeed
the more general problem of violence in our
society, our prisons and parole outpatient
clinics must become “houses of healing.”
Providing offenders with meaningful treat-
ment instead of just wasting the time that
they are incarcerated is not being “soft on
crime.” It’s cheaper in the long run, and it
will make us safer. If we really are a society
Homeschooling-Part 2
By Elizabeth McGregor
“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty
mind with an open one.”
-Malcolm Forbes
The homeschooling industry is huge and
growing larger everyday. Parents are pulling
their children out of our public schools in
droves, believing, for a variety of reasons,
that our public education systems are failing
us. And as a parent of two, the homeschool
movement affects me. And if you have kids,
or are planning a future on this planet, it
affects you, too.
Why? Because like it or not, the majority
of the children who will someday lead this
country are being educated in our imperfect
public schools. And it is up to us as parents
to decide whether we are going to work with
the schools to improve them, or abandon
them and educate our kids behind closed
doors.
I researched homeschooling primarily
online, and initially it surprised me that
the types of websites I found seem to fall
almost exclusively into one of two groups:
Extremely conservative and/or religious
or very liberal and/or secular. I found very
few organizations that I would consider
unbiased or middle-of-the-road, and I think
that is unfortunate.
However, this polarization of the home-
schooling industry makes sense in its con-
text. For obvious reasons, our public school
programs attempt to remain (relatively)
neutral on matters of politics and religion,
so some families are discarding them in
favor of a custom-made home education.
Is that really what is best for our kids?
Whether we like it or not, we all pass along
our belief systems to our children. But in-
that believes in redemption, it‘s the right
thing to do.
Jay Adams is a clinical psychologist
who has treated sex offenders since 1978
and is retired from the California De-
partment of Corrections and Rehabilita-
tion. She is particularly interested in the
dynamics through which victims become
perpetrators, and made this the focus of
much of her work at the California Men’s
Colony. She can be reached at jayklaus@
msn.com.
The Myth of Sex Offender Recidivism
The assertion that “sex offenders can-
not change” and that all or most of them
re-offend is widely repeated, but is far from
the truth. Sex offenders actually re-offend
at a much lower rate than the general prison
population. Canadian sex offender re-
searcher R. Karl Hanson reviewed 61 studies
which looked at recidivism among a total
of 28,972 sex offenders who were followed
for an average of 4-5 years. He states that
his findings “contradict the popular view
that sexual offenders inevitably re-offend.
Only a minority of the total sample (13.4%)
were known to have committed a new
sexual offense within the follow-up period.”
Re-offense rates increase somewhat with
longer follow up periods, especially for some
sub-groups of offenders, and may be reduced
somewhat with treatment. If you interested
in obtaining accurate, research-based infor-
mation about sex offender recidivism, search
the web for R. Karl Hanson, or e-mail him
at hansonk@sgc.gc.ca.
stead of forsaking our schools in the process,
shouldn’t we be exposing our children to a
variety of ideas and letting them form their
own opinions? Shouldn’t we be initiating
change where needed and creating a more
comfortable environment for all students?
Shouldn’t we be offering our children diver-
sity to teach them acceptance and challenges
in hopes of making them stronger and more
resourceful?
I hope that in the next issue I will be
much more educated on this topic, because
I will have considered your viewpoints.
I know some of you have strong feelings
about this – let me hear them! E-mail me at
finelines05@sbcglobal.net and tell me your
thoughts.
7 minutes a day. That’s
how long teens read
newspapers, magazines,
and books. Persons 45-
54 read for 18 minutes.
Women’s Press March/April 2006

An Interview with Judy Vick
Part 2 of 2
Los Osos woman will run for District 2 Board of Supervisors seat
By Renee Sanpei
As Judy Vick considered whether to run
for the supervisor’s seat, she found there
were resources for potential candidates. The
Emily’s List Training for women running
for office helped her demystify the idea.
She also went to the Paul Wellstone Action
Camp. He had run a grassroots, principled
campaign which spoke up for the less-privi-
leged and he prevailed. She liked that he
was instilled with compassion and idea of
holding the government accountable to care
for the more vulnerable. While she was in
this camp in North Carolina, she noted that
there were 18 men and 8 women. She won-
dered why women aren’t as likely to pursue
this path. She observed that men just dive
in because they want to, whereas women
have concerns about certain needs being met “ there are social problems when we don’t
before they can do so.
I asked Judy what has motivated her to
take this on, aside from the encouragement
of friends. She said, “I love my community,
which I have lived in for 18 years. I want to
preserve our way of life. “ She thinks it’s
important to have a woman’s voice on the
Board. What does that imply, I wondered.
She spoke of compassion, of believing in
people’s strengths. She studied Virginia
Satir in college and admired Satir’s attitude
of always finding hope and believing it
possible that we all can grow and change.
She taught that while we may not always
see the growth and change we’d like to, the
potential outcome is certainly better if we
seek the beauty in ourselves and others.
Being an artist herself, Judy has culti-
vated a sensitivity to her surroundings and
the people in her life. She said “listening,
being still and pausing long enough to see
if someone has the answer” was something
she’s learned to do. She feels solutions can
come from “non-experts” and that valuing
and encouraging one another can bring
them forth. “If you want to have meaning-
ful solutions then you go to the people who
access the services, pay the taxes. make up
the community.” It is important to her to
be inclusive rather than exclusive; otherwise
Reprinted with the permission of Women’s eNews and Ann Telnaes in conjunction with the Cartoonist Group.
Women’s Press March/April 2006
Local Perspectives
photo by Lynda Roeller
care for the less advantaged.”
The political trail is inundated with
broken promises so what is her safeguard
from falling prey to the same temptations?
“Dignity is precious. When you have grown
up with scarcity and been degraded as I was,
you develop grit and courage. I am aware
that I have every resource there for me now.
All things are possible. I don’t need to com-
promise my dignity.” Judy also mentioned
that she doesn’t need to win in order to feel
that this has been a worthwhile endeavor. “I her move to the smoking section. She was
get joy from challenging myself and helping
people.”
After speaking with her at length, I am
convinced that she is well-qualified to take
on just about anything. She is gift to this
community.
Affordable housing, environmental
impact, making decisions based on the long
view are priorities. She is “holding out the
hope for change”. If you would like to know refused to use the word “obey” in her vows.
more about Judy Vick and her campaign she
can be reached at 441-8644. Her e-mail is
venturemind@hotmail.com and website is
www.votevick.com.
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org
March is Women’s History Month
Glimpsing the Feminist
Compiled by Charlene Huggins
“You need only look at the way in which
she is formed, to see that woman is not meant
to under go great labor, whether of the mind
or the body.” Arthur Schopenhauer, “On
Women,” 1851.
Phyllis Wheatley was the first African-
American poet. Her only book, Poems on
Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was
published posthumously in 1786. She died
penniless in 1784.
Mary Wollstonecraft wrote the first
major tract, A Vindication of the Rights of
Woman (1792), which proposes that mar-
riage should be a partnership of intellectual
equals. It also attacks inequality of women’s
education and social conventions which
oppress women. She is also the mother of
Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein (1818).
Considered one of the greatest minds of
her time, Margaret Fuller authored Women
in the Nineteenth Century (1845). She be-
lieved in the cultivation of women’s intellect. Mary
With her neighbors threatening her with
arson, Myrtilla Miner, a white teacher,
opened the Miner Normal School in 1851.
Their anger was ignited because Miner
taught African-American women for teach-
ing careers.
The daughter of former slaves, Ida Wells
Barnett bought a first class ticket to travel
by train in 1884. White passengers offended
by her presence insisted the conductor have
forcibly moved by conductors, sued the
railroad and won her case. She went on to
create the National Association of Colored
Women to work for racial equality and
women’s rights.
In 1848, two women, Elizabeth Cady
Stanton and Lucretia Mott, called the first
Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca
Falls, New York. At her wedding Stanton
After the passage of the Nineteenth
Amendment, only one woman who had
attended the Women’s Rights Convention,
Charlotte Woodward lived to vote. She
was 19 at the convention and 91 when she
voted in 1920.
Famous for exposing prison conditions,
political corruption, slum squalor, and facto- society would have to be changed.”
ry abuses, Nellie Bly developed a reformist
style of journalism known as muckraking
(1890’s).
In 1904, with only $1.50, five students and
a rented house, Mary Mcleod Bethune,
opened the Industrial Institute for Negro
Girls. She was the 17th child of former
slaves and saw education as the key to
improving African American women’s lives.
Margaret Sanger coined the term “birth
control” after witnessing the effects of back-
street abortions and her mother weakened
by multiple pregnancies. She worked to
inform women on contraception. (1914-27)
A role model for black women, Madame
C.J. Walker (d. 1919) became the first
African-American woman to become a
millionaire. She invented and sold products,
which straightened black women’s hair. She
taught them they could abandon domestic
work and become successful.
Before the creation of Women’s Studies,
Ritter Beard wrote of women’s his-
tory in On Understanding Women (1931) and
Women as a Force in History. She exposed
the inequality of the traditional ownership,
by a husband, of all the wife’s property and
legal rights.
“I killed a sea otter today… with an
ax, dragged him home and skinned him.”
Martha Martin wrote this journal entry in
1950 after being trapped by an avalanche.
She was pregnant. She delivered her child
herself and wrapped her in otter’s skin.
After months alone, proving to be a skilled
survivor, she was rescued by Native Ameri-
cans.
Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta
organized United Farm Workers in the
1960’s. She was pregnant with her 7th child.
The Union’s boycott of California grapes
led to increased wages for Hispanic migrant
workers and improvement in housing and
working conditions.
Written by Betty Friedan, The Femi-
nine Mystique (1963) triggered the women’s
movement of the late 20th century; it was
one of the most important books of its time.
Friedan later wrote, “If women were really
people –no more, no less- then all the things
that kept them from being full people in our
Radical feminist Kate Millet linked
Freudian psychology, which she considered
anti-women, with literature by men whom
she perceived as women haters. She believed
all human adversity stemmed from male
domination of civilization (Sexual Politics,
1970).
In 1983, Sally Ride became the first
American woman in space. She was part
of the Challenger crew that spent 6 days in
orbit around the earth. Only 10% of Ameri-
can astronauts have been women.
After graduating from Stanford with a
dual degree in Afro-American Studies and
Chemical Engineering, Mae Jemison was
selected in 1987 as the first African-Ameri-
can woman astronaut.
Emerging in the 1990’s, the Guerrilla
Girls launched a campaign to end gender
inequities in the art world. They seek to
call attention to discrimination against and
underrepresentation of women and minori-
ties in museums and galleries.
In 1993, Toni Morrison became the first
African-American to receive the Nobel Prize
for Literature. After the publication of
her second novel, Sula, a New York Times
review stated she’d never become a key liter-
ary author if she kept focusing on the black
women’s experience.
Womanist: a term coined by Alice
Walker to identify the African-American
feminist.
Page 11

My Menopause, Part 2
By Lee Clark
In my last article, after being
on the Wiley Protocol for almost
two months, I reported that I felt
wonderful. The Wiley Protocol is
a program of applying bio-identi-
cal natural hormones daily as a
cream on your skin. I perhaps
spoke a little too soon. December
was a pretty rough month for
me. The physician’s office that I
first went to when I began the
Wiley Protocol stopped being
a provider. I found another
provider, but couldn’t get an ap-
pointment until almost January.
Hence I had no doctor to discuss
with what was going on with me.
After being on the WP for a
couple of months, I decided to
taper off my anti-depressant. I
did so slowly and was feeling
fine. I found out from my new
physician that the Zoloft takes
about two full weeks to be
completely out of your system
after your last dose. Well “that”
two weeks hit me right about
Christmas Eve. That combined
with the holiday blahs, a virus
I caught, too many parties and
socializing, too much sugar, not
enough sleep, and the winter
solstice, which is the longest
night of the year, I crashed and
burned. I felt as if everything in
my life was horrible, the world
was an awful place to live, no
one loved me, and my life was
crappy. I went to bed around
8pm Christmas Eve and just
prayed for sleep. My significant
other stood over the bed shaking
a Zoloft at me and screaming,
“Take this!” With trembling
hands and feeling like a big fat
failure, I swallowed it. I vaguely
remembered before I drifted
off to sleep, having many of the
same dark thoughts in my PMS
days. My zest and bravado for
the Wiley Protocol was turning
into a disaster.
After the holidays, I was able
Naming God
By Heather Mendel
Years ago, Merlin Stone wrote
a book entitled When God Was a
Woman. The title certainly still
catches the attention of anyone
who sees it. God? A woman? Was
God a woman? Does that mean
that God is now a man? And why
does it matter?
An adaptation of Ralph Waldo
Emerson’s statement gives us
pause to consider: “The gods we
worship write their names on our
faces, be sure of that. And we will
worship something, have no doubt
of that either. We may think that
tribute is paid in secret, in the
dark recesses of the heart— but
it will out. That which dominates
our imagination and thoughts will
determine our life and character.
Therefore it behooves us to be
careful what we are worshipping,
for what we are worshipping we
Page 12
Body and Soul
to contact my pharmacy and a
Wiley Protocol support group
member who both agreed that I
had stopped my anti-depressant
way too early. The end of Decem-
ber, I saw my new doctor who
confirmed the same. She ordered
all kinds of blood tests and was
very supportive. I liked her espe-
cially when I found out she is on
the Wiley Protocol also.
Skeptical and weak, I attended
the next Wiley Protocol support
group in January 2006. Mentally, I
was returning to normal, but I was
experiencing some new physical
symptoms. For several days, I had
extremely sore breasts. I found out
this was perfectly normal as my
body and breasts were adjusting to
having hormones again. I was told
about an old fashioned remedy of
putting large cabbage leaves on
my breasts. I’m not kidding! You
soften them in warm water and
then place them on your breasts. I
don’t know if it was the cabbage or
the warmth, but it did work.
January is over and I am feeling
more and more normal. I never
doubted the Wiley Protocol and I
never stopped using the hormones.
Like I said, there were many
factors that contributed to what I
experienced in December. In fact,
I don’t think the hormones had
anything to do with any of it.
It’s been interesting to see the
reaction of some of my friends
about having “periods” again. And
it has been really interesting to me
to have “cramps” again and that
low down pressure pain and bright
red blood. But as I begin my 4th
month on the WP, I am “going for
it.” I’m feeling better and better
now that I am back on track. I
even experienced and “acted” on
some sexual feelings and that was
fantastic! It’s just like riding a bike.
Until next time, peace. I’d love to
hear from you. I can be reached at
wileyuserSLO@aol.com.
Spirituality Matters
are becoming.”
Do we seriously believe that
God is gendered – male or female?
It certainly would appear from
biblical text and from the prayers
books that we use, that Divinity
is understood as male. Not only
are we familiar with the pronouns
He, His, and Him for God, but
we have terms like Father, King,
Master, Ruler as well – all leaving
little doubt that Western religious
traditions foster the image of God
as male.
It could be said that Hebrew as
a language gendered Divinity. Like
Spanish, Hebrew is a language
that divides everything into mas-
culine or feminine terms. How-
ever, the way Divinity self-identi-
fies in Exodus is intriguing, as this
name is completely ungendered.
When Moses asks for God’s name,
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org
The Authentic Life
By Laura Hyde
The snow goose need not bathe to
make itself white. Neither need you
do anything but be yourself.
— Lao-Tse
You are meant to live an
intimate and authentic life, a life
that nourishes your heart and
expands your mind, a life that is
unencumbered with what others
think, a life that empowers you
to be who you really are.And yet,
with the pressure we feel from
others and life in general, the
question may remain, “How can I
live such a life?” “What steps can
I take toward being just ‘me’?” In
my own life, I have found the fol-
lowing practices to be invaluable
components in experiencing an
authentic life:
Take care of yourself
Nurturing your body, mind,
and spirit must be a priority in
your life. Accept that you can only
give to others to the extent you are
taking care of yourself. Putting
yourself first is not “selfish,” but
“Self-full” and will provide you
with the energy you need to be
fully present for others.
Dare to be yourself
Strip away the mask and let
yourself just “be.” Take time to
have fun and allow yourself to
find humor in being human. Your
purpose is to discover your true
self and live from that awareness.
If you resonate to the color violet,
then be violet, not brown.I once
read a quote from Rabindranath
Tagore who wisely asked, “That
which oppresses me, is it my soul
trying to come out in the open, or
the soul of the world knocking at
my heart for its entrance?”
Give only from the heart
Doing anything out of obliga-
tion dishonors both you and the
other person, and will only leave
you feeling resentful. Do an “inner
check” before you say “yes” to
he is told ‘ehyer asher ehyer’- often
translated as ‘I am that I am’. I
prefer the translation ‘I shall be
that I shall be.’
The brilliance of this phrase
never ceases to amaze. Not only
is it ungendered but the idea of a
Divinity that is continually un-
folding is remarkable. Divinity is
without limits. Words, by nature,
limit. How then can we name
the Limitless? “I shall be that I
shall be” suggests that Divinity is
constantly present and continually
changing. The more we mature
in a spiritual sense, the more of
Divinity we come to appreci-
ate— and the process is ongoing
and without end.
With such an understanding
of God, we begin to see that the
labels we use for God do nothing
to affect the Presence of God. The
names and labels we use, how-
anyone. If resistance surfaces, do
another inner check. If heaviness
or resistance occurs again, trust
what you feel and do not commit
to something that is not in align-
ment with your heart.
Look inward for your fulfill-
ment, not outward
Within you resides a wellspring
of creativity and love. Turn within
to become aware of what is driving
your needs. Is it because you are
feeling unloved, scared, or lonely?
Practice giving what you want to
receive. Extending love, from the
heart, is the fastest way to fill any
emptiness you may feel.
Appreciate yourself
Take time to appreciate how far
you have come on your journey.
Notice what you have worked
through and your commitment
to growth and healing. Doing so
builds both an inner and outer
abundance over time. It will help
you to see the glass, or your life,
half full rather than half empty.
Let go of guilt!
No one is harder on us than
we are on ourselves. And many
of us feel guilty for taking care of
ourselves, setting healthy boundar-
ies and saying, “No.” Having been
programmed to feel responsible
for others, we often find it hard to
recognize our own needs. Practice
dropping any guilt you feel for
honoring yourself. Guilt is limit-
ing and crippling and does not
serve you. Living an authentic life
means being free from what others
think. It requires giving yourself
permission to live life according to
what your heart and soul desires.
Become aware of your intentions
If your intention is to be real
and congruent, then everything
that is not authentically you will
reveal itself so you can choose to
release it. Spirit will illuminate
anything in need of releasing when
ever, do tell us a great deal about
ourselves. The way we conceptual-
ize Divinity tells us about our
spiritual goals and aspirations.
If we believe we are all cre-
ated in God’s image, and that we
accept an ‘image’ of God that is
masculine, where does that leave
us as women? As we mature, we
refuse to accept a position of ‘oth-
erness.’ We claim our birthright as
women.
Some choose to rename
Divinity in the feminine. For
me, this keeps us trapped in the
patriarchal paradigm or ‘either/or.’
By renaming God in a totally non-
gendered way, such as Divinity,
The Eternal, the Holy One, we
allow our creative energies to flow
and find ways to relate to God in
personal and meaningful ways.
This liberating process opens up
exciting possibilities for ourselves
you set your intention to grow.Yet
if your intention is split: pleasing
others, your life will never be com-
pletely fulfilling.Practice purifying
your intention.
Ask, listen, and follow
We need only ask and we
will find that our relationships,
finances, work, and relationship
with our self begin to transform.
How many times per day do you
ask for guidance from your deeper
self? And, how often do you listen
to it and follow what you hear?
The amount of inner peace and
happiness you experience in your
life is directly proportionate to the
amount of energy you expend on
asking, listening, and following
your authentic self.
Be willing, right now, to ask for
guidance in developing an authen-
tic relationship with yourself.Ask
for guidance in releasing beliefs,
thoughts and behaviors that do
not honor your true essence. Start
with, “Who am I, really? For so
long I’ve based my perception of
myself on what others think that
I’ve forgotten who I am. So, who
am I, truly?” and, “What steps can
I take to live an authentic life?”
Finally, be willing to have faith
and trust that your life is unfold-
ing just the way it needs to.
Such is the life of the authentic
soul….
Laura V. Hyde is the Spiri-
tual Leader of the Unity Church
- Five Cities, and offers numer-
ous workshops and retreats
for awakening the heart and
spirit. She is the host of the show
“Relationship Wisdom” on local
public television. Please visit her
at www.laurahyde.com.
and the world we help to create for
ourselves and our children.
Heather Mendel has focalized
women’s spirituality groups
for the past 15 years. She can be
contacted through her website at
www.wordartist.com, e-mailed
at heathermendel@charter.net
or called at 544-4933 or 201-2932.
Women’s Press March/April 2006

The Basics of
Money Management
Conducted by Carmela Vignocchi
Co-sponsored by the Women’s Commu-
nity Center
Wednesdays in March;
SESLOC building, 1303 West Grand
Avenue, Arroyo Grande.
$20 per session or $75 for the seires
Learn the very basics of personal financial
literacy including banking, credit, cash flow,
budgeting, savings, and insurance.
Call 805-544-9313 to save a space.
How to Meditate Class
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Time: 2 hour class beginning 10:00 a.m.
Cost: Class is offered on a free will dona-
tion basis - suggested offering $10
Location: AWAKENING Interfaith
Spiritual Community Sanctuary at 1130
Napa
St., Morro Bay (Old Morro Elementary
campus)
If you have an ad or a listing you would like to
appear in Workshops, call 805-544-9313
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
By Jennifer Adams, Executive Director
Sexual Assault Recovery and Preven-
tion Center of San Luis Obispo County
Over 30 years ago, California’s first rape
crisis centers were organized by a small
group of people outraged by the treatment
of rape victims. The problem of sexual vio-
lence was narrowly defined – the rape of an
adult woman by a stranger – and perceived
only as a woman’s issue.
Defining sexual violence. Today, we
know that sexual violence must be more
broadly defined. It not only includes the
rape of adult women but also the sexual
victimization of young girls and boys and
of adult men. It is estimated that one out of
every four girls and one out of every six boys
will be sexually victimized before their eigh-
teenth birthday. As many as 80% of these
children will be victimized by someone they
know and trust – a parent, grandparent,
uncle, brother, family friend, teacher, etc.
Risk of rape. A woman’s risk of being
raped by someone she knows is at least
four times greater than of being raped by
a stranger. One out of every four college
Women’s Press March/April 006
Community Bulletin Board
Women’s Empowerment &
Self Defense Workshop
Maximize your chances of surviving a
sexual assault! The Sexual Assault Recovery
and Prevention Center proudly offers this
four-hour workshop to help empower and
protect the women in our community. This
workshop will focus on improving your
awareness and assertiveness skills, and will
teach physical techniques that can help you
escape a dangerous situation. Remember
– your best weapon is yourself: your mind,
your voice, and your body! This class is open
to women of all athletic abilities, ages 12 and
up.
Call the SARP Center at (805)545-8888 to
sign up.
women has been raped or has been the
victim of an attempted rape by a boyfriend,
date, or acquaintance. Seven to ten percent
of all adult rape victims are male. Contrary
to popular belief, male rape is not confined
to prisons. It can happen to any man regard-
less of size, strength, appearance, or sexual
orientation.
The price of sexual violence. Sexual
violence exacts a high price that is paid by
everyone in our community. Physical viola-
tion and emotional anguish are immediate
after an assault. However, the long-term
consequences can be as devastating and
destructive to the individual and to the
community. As awareness increases, the
price to society for continued sexual violence
becomes more evident. Research findings
are disturbing. Between 70% and 80% of
adult sex offenders were sexually abused
as children. Over 70% of prostitutes, teen
runaways and alcoholic women had been
a victim of incest or rape when they were
children. Over 50% of pregnant teens and
those in residential mental health treatment
were victims of child sexual abuse.
E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org
Long-Term Care
Ombudsman Services
provide monitoring visits and resident
advocacy for skilled nursing and residential
care facilities for the elderly throughout
SLO County.
Information and referral available for
families considering placing a loved one
in long term care.
Upcoming training for new volunteers in
North County: March-April 2006.
Please call Jess at (805) 785-0132 with any
questions.
EOC Health Services Clinics
provide low-income, uninsured, and un-
derserved women with access to lifesaving
screening programs for early detection of
breast and cervical cancers at low to no cost
Monday through Friday year-round at two
clinic locations. In addition to clinical breast
exams, mammograms and Pap tests, the San
Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande Clinics
ensure appropriate diagnostic follow-up, case
management and referral for medical treat-
ment when appropriate.
SLO Clinic, 705 Grand Ave.
South County Clinic, 1152 E. Grand Ave. in
Arroyo Grande
To make an appointment, call EOC Health
Services at 544-2478 for San Luis Obispo
or 489-402 for Arroyo Grande.
CASA –Court Appointed Special
Advocates of SLO County presents
The 8th Annual Light of Hope
April Child Abuse Prevention Month Opens With a Symbol of
Hope
Community members will participate in a candle lighting
ceremony to commemorate this county’s 650 abused and neglected
children.
When: Thursday, April 6, 7 PM
Where: On Garden Street during Kids Night at Farmers Market
For more information or to reserve a candle, call 541-6542.
SARP services. In 2002, at the Sexual
Assault Recovery and Prevention Center of
San Luis Obispo County (the SARP Cen-
ter), we provided Crisis Intervention Services
to 367 of survivors of sexual violence and
their significant others. We also accom-
panied 47 survivors to law enforcement
interviews and medical exams and provided
Individual and Group Clinical Counseling
to 90 clients. In addition, the Education
Team provided Sexual Assault Prevention
Presentations to over 3,300 students and
Self-Defense/Women’s Empowerment
Classes to 333 participants.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an
opportunity for our community to focus on
the problem of sexual violence and to com-
mit ourselves to those actions we can take
as individuals and as a community to end
sexual violence.
For more information on Sexual Assault
Awareness Month activities, call the SARP
Center at 805-545-8888 Monday – Friday,
8-5. If you or someone you know has been
sexually assaulted, help is available 24 hours
a day at 805-545-8888.
HOTLINE HAS URGENT
NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS
HOTLINE of San Luis Obispo County
provides free 24/7 hour information/referral
and crisis phone services to residents in our
area. There truly is no other resource in our
county like HOTLINE, yet most of us take
it for granted until we’re the ones needing
assistance. Our community is so much
better for having this free, accessible service
that anyone can utilize. But we need many
more people to get involved or this resource
may be in jeopardy.
There are many aspects about HOT-
LINE’s volunteer program that make it
unique. Anyone with the right attitude and
an open mind can be a volunteer. Unlike
other local volunteer opportunities, it is can
be a relatively low commitment per week
(as low as one 4-5 hour shift), depending on
your availability. In nearly all cases we can
schedule you at a mutually convenient time.
We also provide all of the training. Also, due
to the sedentary, “over the phone” nature of
the service provided, even individuals with
certain physical disabilities or other special
needs may be able to get involved as well.
This is a great opportunity to learn more
about local resources and make a BIG differ-
ence in our community!
For more information, call 805-544-6016
to talk to Volunteer Coordinator Mike
Bossenberry.
Events for SAAM 200:
April 3, 6:00-10:00 (Monday) – Women’s
Self Defense and Empowerment Class in Shell
Beach; call to register.
April 6 (Thursday) – A Day to End Sexual
Violence (call office for details)
April 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:00-9:00 pm
(Thursdays) – Booth at Farmers Market in
downtown SLO
April 12, 1:00-4:00 pm (Wednesday)
– Women’s Self Defense and Empowerment
Class at Cal Poly campus; call to register.
April 13, 6:00-9:00 pm (Thursday) – Take
Back the Night sponsored by Cal Poly
Women’s Center at Farmer’s Market on
Garden Street.
April 27 (Thursday) – Denim Day where
we make a social statement with our fashion
statement. Wear denim to bring awareness
to the issue that what a victim wears is
never an excuse for rape.
April 29, 11:00–2:00 pm (Saturday)
– Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: Men’s March
to End Sexual Violence. Please join as at
Mitchell Park for a one mile march through
downtown, lunch, a raffle and music. Men,
women and children are invited to speak out
against sexual violence.
Page 1
 Community Bulletin Board
Art Is For Everyone
By Evelyn Adams Ryal
“Art is for everyone” is a general
statement of fact made by many
artists. However, when Barbara
and “Rosey” Rosenthal named
their open studio and teaching
center “Art is For Everyone,” the
statement best defined their life-
long commitment to helping make
art accessible to more people.Lo-
cated at 1254 Second Street in Los
merry maids
Osos, it’s an inclusive community
arts outreach center for beginners
Relax. It’s done. through serious art students, with
classes designed for kids from age
Merry Maids of SLO 8 to adults.
85 Prado Road Ste A “Art is For Everyone” guides
San Luis Obispo CA 401 participants in relaxed, often
Phone: 805-54-400 playful introductory art lessons in
Email: merrymaidsofslo@yahoo.com a wide range of artistic mediums
for teens-adults: acrylic and oil
painting that includes fundamen-
tals of drawing, color theory, and
composition; watercolor; pastel;
figure drawing; folk art; weaving
and stitchery; with 3-D construc-
tion of cardboard, wire, clay, and
paper for 8-10 year olds.
Barbara expresses adamantly,
“Art can be part of everyone’s life,
whether it’s for creating or appre-
ciation. Everyone has something to
express, and everyone has abilities
at different levels. We all started
as beginners and it just feels good
to make something, whether it’s
a beautiful chair or painting. To
say, even if only to yourself— I
painted this or I knitted that, feels
good. Artistic expression begins on
a personal level. We’re all here for
the joy of it, not to be judged by
professional standards.”
Rosey shared, “Our main focus
for “Art is For Everyone” is for it
to be an art facility to our small
community – when people look
in the paper, see what’s going on,
and make time to begin exploring
the possibilities, here we are! And
we’re exploring, too. How can
we best support local artists? By
hosting “Artist and Patron Parties”
or “Art Aesthetic Appreciation” to
discuss how we look at art. By giv-
ing basic lectures for people who
want to develop their aesthetic
perception, offering ways to help
people gain confidence in their
reactions, develop their aesthetic
vocabulary.”
I met Barb and Rosey some
years ago, when they led a gallant
launch of SLO County artisans
in a cooperative effort to open
and maintain our own art gallery.
Later, we named this effort SLAG,
the San Luis Artist’s Gallery.
Rosey stepped up, ably serving as
our first president. The Rosenthals
often teach at the San Luis Obispo
Art Center. As Printmakers-in-
Residence for the Fundación Ro-
driquez-Acosta in Granada, Spain,
they reopened the foundation’s
printmaking atelier.
Receive their current class
brochure or discuss your creative
exploration at 528-4946 or www.
rosenthalart.com .

Public Health Department Offers Family Planning

N D  K
O T C
Individual Therapy /Sensorimotor Groups
for Children with Special Needs
Sande Rutstein, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
145B Bridge Street Arroyo Grande, CA
Phone 805-541-7628 • Fax 805-528-5069
“Holding the potential of each precious child”
and Sexually Transmitted Disease Treatment
by Janelle Gorman, R.N., N.P., M.S.N. Reproductive Facts:
The goal of the Public Health Department and Family Planning/STI • Half of all pregnancies are
unplanned.
programs are to:
• Assist individuals to plan the number and spacing of their children, • Eight of ten teen pregnancies
• Prevent unintended pregnancy, are unplanned.
• One in four people will get
• Prevent sexually transmitted disease infection, and
• Promote optimal reproductive health. a sexually transmitted infection
Personal reproductive health concerns and needs can vary over the (STI) in his or her lifetime.
lifespan. •Up to 85% of women and 40%
of men who have chlamydia do
Adolescents. Adolescent lifespan issues may involve not only preg-
not show symptoms.
nancy prevention, but also STI prevention and preservation of future
fertility. • Chlamydia is the main cause
Women 0-40. Issues for women in their 20’s and 30’s are preservation of infertility.
of future fertility, spacing children, pregnancy prevention, STI preven- • Emergency contraception
tion, the return to fertility after birth control method cessation, and the pills prevent unplanned pregnancy
reduction of reproductive cancers. when used within 72 hours after
Women 40+. Issues for women in their 40’s may also include preg- unprotected sex.
nancy prevention, cycle control/elimination, and cancer reduction. • In San Luis Obispo County
Men. Men, clearly, are half of the reproductive equation and their the number of chlamydia cases has
education in contraceptive methods, testicular cancer awareness, and STI increased by 24% in the last 5 years
education and prevention is equally important. among 15-25 year olds. Gonor-
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department Family rhea has increased by 40%, while
Planning and STI Clinics offer confidential low cost or no cost family syphilis has stayed constant.
planning and STI services for men and women who are low-income Cali- • Adolescent births among 15-17
fornia residents and do not have insurance that covers family planning or year olds decreased approximately
who have the need to keep family planning/STI services confidential. The 20%.
program fills a critical gap in health care for these county residents.
Services include:
• Basic reproductive health assessments,
• Prevention,
• Screening and treatment of STI’s,
• Pregnancy testing,
• Contraception methods including Emergency Contraception, Everything that gives birth
• Hepatitis B immunizations, is female. When men begin to
• HIV counseling, and understand the relationships of the
• Limited male and female cancer screening. universe that women have always
A confidential client-centered approach, focusing on personal re- known, the world will begin to
productive health concerns and choices, with a strong educational change for the better.
component, is available at each Family Planning Clinic site. Services and – Lorraine Canoe (Mohawk)
literature are provided in both English and Spanish. Appointments are
available at the following clinic sites, Paso Robles, 723 Walnut Street,
237-3050 and Morro Bay, 760 Morro Bay Blvd., 772-6380.
Janelle Gorman is the Family Planning/STD Program Manager
for the SLO County Public Health Department.

Apologies to advertosers who had ads that were omitted this issue, including Laura Hyde, Karen Hale, Connie
Winstead, Lisa Gonzales and HealthWorks. Communication error between myself and layout designer. Kathleen.

Page 14 E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Women’s Press March/April 006

 Resources
ABUSE
Adults Molested as Children Support Group (AMAC) Talk/Listen - Emotional support 544.1342 (SLO)
545.8888 489.5481 Planned Parenthood
Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence Transformations Counseling Center SLO 549.9446
781.6406 Free monthly workshops 541.7908 Stroke Support Group
North County Women’s Shelter & Resource Center, 471.8102 (SLO)
(inc. domestic violence support groups) FINANCE/BUSINESS Caregivers of Stroke Survivors
461.1338 Consumer Credit Counseling Services 544.2266 (SLO)
Rape Survivors Support Group, SLO 800.540.2227 Women’s Support/Therapy v (general)
545.8888 Mission Community Services Corporation 534.1101
SARP (Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention) Women’s Business Partners Women’s Healthcare Specialists
545.8888 595.1356 www.mcscorp.org 544.4883
Support Group for Sexual Assault Survivors
545.8888 GAY & LESBIAN POLITICAL
Women’s Shelter Program of SLO Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) Code Pink
781.6400 www.womensshelterslo.org mariemoore05@sbcglobal.net ososousaville@aol.com
PFLAG.Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays Commission on Status of Women
ADDICTIONS 438.3889 545.8412; Dawn Williams
AA Meeting SOL (Single Older Lesbians) Democratic Women United
541.3211 Mostly socializing! Call 474.9405 541.4252
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) League of Women Voters
595.2695 HOSPICE 543.2220
Cambria Connection (12 step support) AIDS Bereavement Group (Hospice) NOW (National Organization for Women)
927.1654 544.2266 slonow@kcbx.net
Casa Solana Hospice of SLO County SLO Green Party
Women’s Recovery Home 481.8555 544.2266 and 434.1164 http://www.slo.greens.org 544.1580
Compulsive eaters Anonymous, H.O.W.Concept Younger Women’s Task Force
546.1178 JOBS/CAREERS www.ywtf.org
Drug & Alcohol Services AARP 788.2643
781.4275 Cal Poly Foundation READERS/WRITERS
NA 800.549.7730 Jobline 756.7107 Adult Literacy
Overeaters Anonymous Cal Poly University 541-4219
541.3164 http://calpolyjobs.org 756.1533 Nightwriters
SCA, SLAA & SAA (Sex, Love & Romance Addictions) Cuesta College 549.9656; contact Shirley Powell
461.6084 http://www.cuesta.edu Jobline 546.3127 Sisters in Crime
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) The Creekside Career Center http://SinC-CCC.blogspot.com
929.1789 www.slocareers.org 788.2631 or 788.2690
Women for Sobriety Department of Rehabilitation SENIORS
http://www.womenforsobriety.org 549.3361 Adult Day Care
215.536.8026 Mission Community Services Corporation 544.1414 (SLO); 748.9070 (Arroyo Grande);
Women’s Business Partners 434.2081 (Templeton); 927.4290 (Cambria)
ARTS 595.1356 www.mcscorp.org Computerooters:
Mothertongue Feminist Theater Collective Private Industry Council (PIC) Computer help: elisehenderson@charter.net
For info call: 528.6827 www.jobhunt.org 788.2601 Department of Social Services:
In-Home Support to the Elderly/Homemakers
CHILDREN & FAMILIES LEGAL help with ADLs 781.1790
Childcare Resource Connection ACLU Helpline nursing help for the terminally ill 781.5540
541.2272 or 800.727.2272 544.0142 Equal Singles 60+ Meet Monthly
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Core Mediation Services 489.5481, dege1@juno.com
“A child’s voice in Court in SLO County” 544.6334 medeee8@aol.com Foster Grandparents.Senior Companions
541.6542 District Attorney’s Office – Victim Witness Center 782.9200
Children’s Services Network 781.5821 Senior Peer Counseling
781.1847 Family Law Facilitator free, trained in.home counseling for 60+
First 5: Children & Families Commission 546.3769 547.7025 ext. 105
781.4058; ask for Susan Hughs Lawyers Referral Services/Legal Aid Alternative
Homeschooling in SLO County (HSC) 788.2099
Pro Per Divorce Workshop
SPIRITUAL (OR NOT)
462.0726; ask for Barbara A Course in Miracles
La Leche League 544.9313 Mondays, 7 PM, Unity of SLO, 995.1390
489.9128 or 528.3242 Senior Legal Services Awakening Interfaith Spiritual Community
Migrant Childcare Program 543.5140 Sunday service, 10–11 AM; 772.0306
544.4355 and 466.3444 Central Coast Jewish Historical Society
MOMS Club of South SLO county MEDICAL SUPPORT/SERVICES 543.9452
489.6569 ALS Support Group (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Meditation Group
Partnership for Children 227.4785 Mondays, 7:30–8:30 PM; 772.0306
541.8666; ask for Beth Alzheimer’s Support New Beginnings Church
Real F.A.C.T.S. (Forum on Abused Children) 534.9234 (LO); 547.3830 (SLO); Every Sunday, Coalesce Bookstore, MB
460.9016 226.8669 (Templeton)
Social Services Caregivers of Early-Stage Alzheimer’s WOMEN’S CENTERS/SHELTERS
781.1600 547.3830, 534.9234 (SLO/Los Osos) Homeless Shelter
Support for Kids Coping with Domestic Violence American Cancer Society 781-3993
473.6507 Paso Robles 238.9657 Housing Authority
Anorexia Nervosa & Bulimia Support Group 543.4478
EMERGENCY/CRISIS 541.9113
Arthritis Foundation
North County Women’s Resource Center, Shelter
Hotline 461.1338
www.slohotline.org 892.5556 Prado Day Center
549.8989 or 800.549.8989 Cancer/ Breast Cancer Support Groups 786.0617
Sexual & Rape Prevention (SARP) 543.1481 ext. 3 for information Women’s Community Center, SLO
545.8888 or 800.656.HOPE (4673) Caregivers of Aging Parents 544.9313
Temporary Restraining Order & Victim Witness 547.3830 (AG); 927.4290 (Cambria); Women’s Shelter Program of SLO
Program 781.5821 226.8669 (PR); 547.3830 (SLO) 549.8989 (crises), 781.6401 (business)
Endometriosis Association www.womensshelterslo.org
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT www.endometriosisassn.org
A.D.A.P.T. (Aid in Divorce Adjustment Problems Today) Enhancement, Inc.
(for breast cancer survivors)
OTHER WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS
543.0388 Altrusa International, Inc.
Alzheimer/Dementia Resource Center 771.8640 www.enhancementinc.com 481.1039; Cici Wynn, President
434.3061 or 534.9234 or 800.443.1236 EOC Health Services Clinics Hadassah.SLO
CALL–Concerned Agoraphobics Learning to Live no or low cost reproductive health services 543.9452
543.3764 544.2478 (SLO); 489.4026 (Arroyo Grande) Women’s Network, SLO
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) Healthworks of the Central Coast 546.3727 www.womenslo.org
542.0577 (SLO) 481.5093 (Grover Beach) no or low cost reproductive health services
927.1654 (Cambria) 466.8600 (North County) 787.0100 (SLO); 773.4500 (Pismo); OTHER GROUPS & GATHERINGS
Community Counseling Center 610.8865 (Atascadero) Central Coast Peace and Environmental Council
543.7969 Long-term Care Ombudsman Services of SLO County 544.3399 or 783.2383
Eating Disorders Support Group 785.0132 Compassion & Choices (formerly Hemlock Society)
546-3774; free, meets weekly in SLO Lymphedema Education & Support Group 938.7853 or 458.5328
Hospice of SLO County (inc. miscarriage/stillbirth 2nd Monday, 4:00-5:00 pm
support) 544.2266 or 434.1164 782-9300 for info Please send additions, corrections or deletions to:
Senior Peer Counseling Parkinson’s Support Groups editors@womenspress-slo.org or leave a message
free, trained in-home counseling for 60+ 466.7226 (Atascadero/Templeton)
at the WCC: 805.544.9313. Last update 3/8/06.
547.7025, ext. 105 481.7424, 473.1714 (Arroyo Grande)
Women’s Press March/April 2006 E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Page 15
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Women’s Community Center

880 Industrial Way
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
805.544.9313
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 95
DATED MATERIAL — PLEASE DO NOT DELAY
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

Back talk Tell me about your Grandmother.

photos by Anne Skelton

Mary – Lenola Umfleet
Fiscus. She gave from her
heart and had compassion
for all. When hobos came
to her door she fed them.
She loved me uncondition-
ally as she loved all those
around her.
Nancy – My two grand-
mothers were Hazel and
Florence. They both came
from what we now call
dysfunctional families and
yet they were both very
loving and accepting.
Susan – Florence
Christiansen was my
grandmother’s name.
My favorite memory
of her is of her singing
“She Wore An Itsy
Bitsy Teeny Weeny
Yellow Polka Dot
Bikini”.
Collete’s grandmother
Rocchina Loffredo Lepore
from Italy was a “wise
woman” in her community.
She knew herbs, potions,
prayers and ceremonies and
all the old stories and legends.
She was very intuitive, what
people would call a “strega.”
Katie – I loved spending
childhood summers with my
Grandma Carroll on a ranch in
the Colorado mountains. I felt
very grown-up when she’d help
me lower the bucket into their
well and then “crank” it up
again so we could carry it into
the house.

Where to find Women’s Press

All SLO County Libraries
and the following exceptionally fine establishments!
NORTH COUNTY: Atascadero – Harvest Health Food Store, North
County Connection, Senior Center, Women’s Resource Center/Shelter Office;
Paso Robles – Community Thrift Shop, Paso Robles Health Foods; Temple-
ton –  Twin Cities Hospital
NORTHERN COAST: Baywood – Coffee & Things;

LONGEVITY
Cambria – Cambria Connection, Gym One, La Crema, 7 Sisters, Azevedo
Chiropractic; Cayucos – Cayucos Super Market, Kelley’s Espresso & Dessert,
Lily’s Coffee House, Ocean Front Pizza; Los Osos – Baywood Laundry, Cad’s,
Carlock’s Bakery, Chamber of Commerce, Copa de Oro, Garden Café, Los

HEALTHCARE CENTER Osos Deli, Valley Liquor, Volumes of Pleasure; Morro Bay – Backstage Salon,
Coalesce Bookstore, Coffee Pot Restaurant, The Rock, Southern Port Traders,
Sunshine Health Foods, Two Dogs Coffee
Peter J. Muran, MD SAN LUIS OBISPO: Cal Poly Library, Center for Alternatives to Vio-
Board Certified in Holistic Medicine lence, Chamber of Commerce, Cuesta College Library, EOC Health Services
Clinic, French Hospital, Garden St. Essentials, HealthWorks, Healing Alterna-
Integrated Medicine Specializing in Cardiac, Brain, tives, Jamaca You, Karen Hale Chiropractic, Laguna Laundry, Linnaea’s, Mon-
Digestive & Immune Disorders and Healthy-Aging terey Express, Natural Foods Coop, New Frontiers, Nautical Bean, Outspoken
Beverage Bistro, Panache, Phoenix Books, Planned Parenthood, Rudolph’s
Coffee & Tea, San Luis Obispo Housing Authority Office, SARP, The Secret
Sexual Vitality
Garden, Sierra Vista Hospital, SLO Perk Coffee, Spirit Winds Therapy, The
Menopause
Studio Fitness for Women, Two Dogs Coffee, Unitarian Universalist Church,
Natural Hormone Balancing for Men and Women
Uptown Cafe, Yoga Centre, Ahshe Hair Salon, Apropos Clothing, Soho Hair
Chronic Disease Care
Salon, Tom-Mel Beauty Center
Chelation, Detoxification and Nutritional Therapies
SOUTH COUNTY: Arroyo Grande – Act II Boutique,
Andreini’s, Central Coast Yoga, CJ’s Restaurant, Country Kitchen, Curves-
Reversing the Underlying Cause of Disease, AG, Cutting Edge, EOC Health Services Clinic, Family Chiropractic, Girls
Restaurant, Grande Whole Foods, Hunter’s Landing, Kennedy Club Fitness;
Not Just Symptom Management Grover Beach – Back Door Deli, Cindi’s Wash House, Nan’s Pre-owned
Books, Therapeutic Body Center, 20-minute Fitness; Halcyon – Halcyon
1405 Garden Street, San Luis Obispo Store; Nipomo – California Fresh; Pismo Beach – HealthWorks, Hon-
805-548-0987 eymoon Café, Pismo Athletic Club; Shell Beach – Seaside Cafe, Steaming
Subscribe to Our Complementary Lecture Series and Newsletter at Bean
www.longevityhealthcare.com SANTA MARIA: Café Monet, Hunter’s Landing, Library, Loading
Dock, Marian Medical Center

Page 16 E-mail the editors: editors@womenspress-slo.org Women’s Press March/April 2006