Global Gals Gathering took place on Thursday night, June 19.  Now that I am sitting here writing the blog, I wish I would have taken better notes!  I will do my best to document the highlights of the evening's discussion.

First off, a BIG thank you to Mary Ellen for joining us at our Gathering #2!  As guest speaker, Mary Ellen opened up the discussion quite easily.  We found out that she was the Publisher and Editor of the newspaper "Women's Times" back in the early 90's.  (Heather met Mary Ellen while working for the newspaper.)  When the newspaper proved not to be a successful ongoing business, Mary Ellen became the Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood San Diego/Riverside Counties.  She worked there until about a year ago when she retired to move to San Francisco to be closer to her grandchildren.

We each introduced ourselves and mentioned one or two hot topics that interest us regarding women's issues.  Some hot topics:
Have a positive affect on grandchildren
Inform woman on latest health topics (i.e. HPV)
Assist battered women (Rachel's Women's Center)
Spending research dollars on women’s health
Healthcare overall
Breaking the pink/blue barrier
Educating ourselves on how to take care of our children
"Dress Angels" (non-profit)
"ARTS" (non-profit)
Teaching good values - being conscious of others
Education - public schools

I really liked a couple of Mary Ellen's quotes right away.  She said, "The biggest changes we ever make are the ones we make within ourselves."  So just by getting together as a group, we are already making changes within ourselves.  She added that "making an impact doesn't have to be large and splashy.  You have a small impact all the time."  You just never know when or how your actions will influence another life.  That is why it is important to make even the smallest efforts.  What is insignificant in your mind may be highly influential in someone else's mind.

As far as becoming activists, she suggested picking a local issue and writing letters, talking to local officials; starting with City Council members working our way up to California Representatives and US Representatives.  At a future gathering, we can pick issues that we would like to tackle and discuss ways to do it.  I don't want to scare anyone away from our group, though, and remember to only participate when you are willing and able!

We learned a bit more about Planned Parenthood and their desire to have all children wanted and loved.  They give information to woman about their bodies and give access to birth control.  International Aid for Family Planning has been cut starting back in the Reagan years.  Pres Clinton brought back some of the aid only to have it cut again by Pres Bush.  Basically, the US will stop providing monetary aid to countries that discuss family planning (birth control) and abortion.  Does this mean the US is not supporting a country’s freedom of speech as we supposedly protect in our own country?  Quite hypocritical to me.

While at Planned Parenthood, Mary Ellen lobbied against the Parental Notification act.  (The bill requires parents to be notified of a girl's wish for an abortion.)  She met most of the local SD politicians and traveled to Sacramento to meet with other representatives.  She feels that men in general do not want the woman to have rights because then it puts the woman in control of herself.  One representative, a male, said that he did not want his wife and daughter to have easy access to birth control because that meant that they could have sexual relationships safely and they wouldn’t be scared of the consequences.  Most of us didn't quite get that logic! 

Mary Ellen also traveled to the Philippines as a Planned Parenthood representative.  She said that she saw intense poverty, battered women, and children living in shacks.  She went there hoping to learn something from the Filipinos, and she did.

One of our gals, Suzanne, asked if Mary Ellen was aware of London's new law specifying that the woman has to provide the fathers name when giving birth.   According to the London Times, the women's rights activists are up in arms because that takes away the woman's right to privacy.  There could be numerous reasons why a woman didn't want to or couldn't provide the father's name.  Maybe she doesn't even know who the father is!  Suzanne suggested linking to the London Times to gather more info. 

Another thing to keep in mind, just because a woman is "pro-choice" does not mean that she would choose an abortion for herself.  It means that she supports women making their own decisions about their bodies, not the government. 

I could go on and on...   I will wrap up with a thought that I took away from our discussion: even a small action can make a difference.  You just never know how/who you will affect.

Thanks to Heather for hosting, providing fine wine and chocolate chunk cookies, and for introducing us to Mary Ellen.

-- Julie