Supreme Court Decision on Whole Women's Health v Hellerstedt
I’m sure you have heard of the Supreme Court’s decision on Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt by now, and I thought you would like to see what some of our UU organizations are saying about this decision.
UU Women’s Federation: http://www.uuwf.org
SouthWest UU Women: http://www.swuuw.org
Economic and Reproductive Justice Top Priorities for UU Women
In late summer of 2015, the UU Women's Federation (UUWF) invited UU women at GA and online to respond to nine survey questions. When asked which of the issues affecting women are most important to them, survey participants focused on economic and reproductive justice. Equal pay, abortion, and contraception were ranked the highest, followed closely by gender-based and domestic violence. Other issues that are front-of-mind currently include insurance, environment, and human rights. It is encouraging that the UUWF already has a broad focus on a wide range of issues that impact women and girls, and yet the survey also gives them scope for broadening their work.
Over 225 responses were received. They have summarized the results. The complete tabulation is also available. UUWF wishes to thank all those who participated.
General Assembly 2015 recap
General Assembly this year held some high points: the statement of conscience on Reproductive Justice was approved. Read the DRAFT. Ware lecturer Dr. Cornell West railed against not only white supremacy but male supremacy. He challenged us all to Integrity, Honesty, Decency and Virtue. Watch the VIDEO to get a fuller sense of what he means. It was an electrifying speech. Newly fellowshipped ministers included a large contingent of young women. As someone already past middle-age, this gives me a boost of hope for the future, and also a grand curiosity. How will this new wave change our denomination -- and the world -- yet again? What wil be the shape of their ministry?
In closer focus, this year marked evidence of a closer relationship with our sister organization, the UU Women's Federation. They sponsored two excellent workshops at GA and gave an annual report to the UUA. With a herstory going back at least 150 years, UUWF is the oldest women's organization in our denomination. UUWF is conducting a SURVEY to hear what UU women prioritize in social justice work. We had side-by-side booths in the GA Exhibit Hall, and learned a lot about each other, sometimes "working" each others' booths. It was a good opportunity to explain to many people what the differences in emphasis are between our two groups. UUWF board members were very focused and got into a lot of one-on-one conversations with GA-goers.
General Assembly 2015
UUW&R will be in Portland, OR for the 2015 General Assembly. We'll have an exhibit booth, #218, right next door to the UU Women's Federation! What a great opportunity for some cross-pollination of ideas. Be sure to come and see us, and find out what these national UU women's organizations have to offer.
Unfortunately we won't have room for a Red Tent this year... booth prices went up substantially in 2015 for the larger spaces. We will have new items for sale: hand-knit scarves and shawls created and donated by a long-time W&R supporter. New this year: we won't have much inventory in the booth so we'll offer FREE SHIPPING to anyone ordering curricula, books or CDs at GA.
Both groups are looking for members and friends to help staff the booths during the week of GA, June 24-28. If you are going and are interested in volunteering for UUW&R, please contact Gretchen at 877-342-0850. or info@uuwr.org. For UUWF, contact Kirstie Lewis at uuwf@uuwf.org.
UUWF will present two workshops at GA (details will be announced soon). UUW&R is looking for a location to have an off-site gathering. Maybe a Red Tent evening??
Stay tuned!
Women of We’Moon to Receive 2015 Brigit Award for Excellence in the Arts
The Association for Study of Women and Mythology Board of Directors has announced the Women of We’Moon as the 2015 recipients of the Brigit Award for the Arts. In so doing they recognize the artistic accomplishment and leadership of the many women who have contributed to and produced We’Moon and all it stands for through visionary art, poetry, and prose, offered in the form of empowering multicultural, earth spirited publications and projects.
From the 1980s to the present, and with the establishment of Mother Tongue Ink, We’Moon has produced an impressive stream of publications, including day and wall calendars, visually stimulating posters and art cards, and the impressive retrospective volume, In the Spirit of We’Moon: Celebrating Thirty Years (2010). More recently We’Moon has published Starhawk’s inspiring children’s book The Last Wild Witch: An Eco-Fable for Kids and Other Free Spirits! We’Moon has also created the We’Moon Land Communities in Oregon and We’Mooniversity, which trains women and girls to find their earth inspired creativity.
Revitalize UU Women's Groups
Revitalizing UU Women's Groups: A How-To Manual
compiled by the Association of Universalist Women at First Universalist Church in Minneapolis, MN
Subcategories
Reproductive Justice
If you have any questions, please contact UU Women and Religion, info@uuwr.org.
Main resources from the UUA: www.uua.org/reproductive
