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Volume
10
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Issue
1
Celebrating 31 years in San Diego (1970-2001)
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
NOW NEWS
National
Organization for Women—San Diego County Chapter
Message
from the President by
Linda Cianciolo
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had
a happy and safe holiday season. I cannot believe that another year has
passed — they seem to go by faster and faster!
The year 2001 heralded many changes.
Certainly, the tragedy of September 11th overshadows the entire year. We
have all been overwhelmed by sadness from the events of that day and all
that has followed. Our prayers continue to go out to all those
personally affected. As the new year begins, I hope it signals the
beginning of healing. We cannot, and should not, ever forget this
attack, but we must move forward. It is important that we continue our fight and
renew our dedication to the personal freedom of women all over the
world.
As 2001 began, the presidential election
was finally decided and George W. Bush took office as president on
January 22, 2001. As feminists, and especially as members of the
pro-choice community, this signaled a renewed commitment to protecting our hard won rights. On his
first day in office, George W. reinstated the global gag rule. This,
along with the Cabinet appointments of Ashcroft and Thompson, set the
tone for his anti-abortion administration. Chipping away at our
reproductive freedoms has continued throughout the year. At the end of
the year, there were rumors that Justice Sandra Day O’Connor would
retire, upsetting the already precarious balance for reproductive rights on the
Supreme Court.
As 2002 begins, and as we make our new
year resolutions, I ask that each of you resolve to do whatever you can
in the new year to help protect our personal freedoms. On a local level,
one way to help is to get involved with SDC-NOW — join a committee, attend the state conference in
April, help write the newsletter, update the website, plan a fundraiser!
Best wishes to all that the new year
brings peace, contentment, prosperity, and a renewed sense of joy and
determination for each new day!
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