November 2016 Newsletter: Ten Ways to Fight Hate
A NOTE FROM EMILY
Hi everyone,
As I reflect on the results of last week's election, my thoughts keep returning to those who are likely to be most negatively affected during the next four years. Already nationwide, there have been more than 400 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation targeting immigrants, Black people, LGBTQ folks, Muslim people, Jewish people, and women. As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of all women and girls in our state, the Women's Foundation is committed to a just, inclusive, anti-racist, nonviolent Oregon. We refuse to normalize hate. No matter your current feelings about the election, we ask you to stand up for an Oregon where all people are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. This Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide and these three tips for white people to open conversations with other white people about racism are good places to start.
The theme of our November newsletter is leadership. Although we did not see America's first woman president elected this month, we celebrate several victories regarding women's leadership, at both the national and state level. There will be more women of color serving in the U.S. Senate than ever before. In Oregon, we elected our second female governor and the first openly LGBTQ governor in the history of the United States. Next year, the majority of Democrats in the Oregon House will be women, marking the first time the party controlling that chamber has more female than male lawmakers. Oregon continues its legacy of extraordinary women, who not only serve as examples of strong leaders, but who also use their power and influence to make Oregon a great place for women and girls. November is a month of gratitude, and we are deeply thankful for our strong women leaders and their service.
With much gratitude,
Emily Evans
Executive Director, Women’s Foundation of Oregon
STAT OF THE MONTH
Nearly 40% of Oregon’s tribal leaders are women.
Native American women leaders in Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribal governments are outpacing both state and local leadership rates. For more on this topic, download the report at CountHerIn.org (page 76).
FOUNDATION UPDATES
INVESTMENT UPDATE
In October, we launched our Eight That Can't Wait community discussion series (series schedule here), highlighting the urgent issues from our Count Her In report. Our first discussion was on violence against women. Check out a recap here, including five things every Oregonian can do to address domestic and sexual violence.
In the new year, we'll pick up with a community discussion on January 10 about the cost of caregiving. Mark your 2017 calendar for each of these events!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Name: Jeanne Atkins
Age: 67
Occupation: Secretary of State (for now!)
Member of the Women's Foundation since: 2015
What’s your favorite spot in Oregon?
Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast.
What quality do you most admire in others?
I can’t admire anyone who doesn’t display empathy.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be a drummer in a rock band.
What was your first volunteer experience?
The summer before high school, a friend and I were candy-stripers at a nursing home. The combination of sadness and laughter in that experience I remember to this day.
What’s the best place to eat in our great state?
At my own table. Not that my husband and I are such extraordinary cooks, but we are good enough, and that’s where I am most content.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I have had the privilege of leading teams in implementing two major state projects in Oregon. One was the Medicaid expansion of the state’s family planning services – initiating a program now called “C-Care." The other is the Oregon Motor Voter program, which has added 230,000 Oregonians to the voter rolls.
Which woman (living or dead) do you most admire?
It’s a tie between Ruth Bader Ginsberg (whose work inspired me to go to law school so many years ago) and Alice Munro, recent Nobel Prize author, who so elegantly mined the inner lives of a certain segment of Canadian women who lived the generation just before mine. Both represent quiet consistency in their work. And a little bit of wild in their personal style.
What’s your most treasured possession?
I have a one-issue-shy-of-complete collection of Ms. Magazines. That, and a picture I have of myself with a group of friends from many years ago.
What is your personal motto?
I don’t think I have one, or maybe it’s that I change it all the time. This week it’s, “Let’s go back and watch all those Eric Clapton concerts; I need to clear my head."
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Sitting next to my husband, watching and listening to music that we both love.
What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
A Night at the Opera with the Marx Brothers. Also Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Why are you a member of the Women’s Foundation?
My whole adult life has been tied up in the women’s movement. Having control of my own life and trying to see that other women have that power as well has been the reason I get up in the morning. I love that the Women’s Foundation is taking a whole-state, whole-population approach and relying on data and analytics to make decisions.
Throughout her service, her women's advocacy has been a constant theme. Thank you, Secretary!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Tuesday, November 29, is Giving Tuesday!
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Join millions of people around the world by giving to your favorite nonprofit.
Check out the #OregoniansGive nonprofits here.
Make a gift on Giving Tuesday!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Saturday, Nov. 19: Winona LaDuke - Rights of Nature, Eugene
Community Rights Lane County along with UO Ethnic Studies, Native American Studies, and the UO Tribal Climate Change Project is hosting a presentation by Winona LaDuke in the EMU Ballroom at 7pm.
Monday, Nov. 21: LGBTQ Depression & Bipolar Support Group, Portland
Drop-in weekly support group for LGBTQ people with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD or related illnesses. 7pm at Q Center.
Tuesday, Nov. 22: Black Lives Matter Weekly Meeting, Portland
Meets at In Other Words feminist community center every Tuesday evening from 7-9pm. Black folks only.
Monday, Nov. 28: You And Your Racist Brain: The Neuroscience Of Prejudice, Portland
Explains how our brains react to people who are “different” and explores possible ways to overcome the automatic prejudice that contributes to racism in our society.
Tuesday, Nov. 29: Safety Planning and Advocacy Skills, Portland
Attendees will learn and practice advocacy skills vital to supporting survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault.
If you would like your event added to our calendar, please email info@w-for.org.
OREGON NEWS TO KNOW
Oregonian: Oregon House Democrats Look Ahead to Female Majority in 2017
A majority of Democrats in the Oregon House will be women next year, marking the first time the party controlling that chamber has more female than male lawmakers.
Bend Bulletin: Striving to Thrive
"Count Her In" report summarizes the struggle: Oregon women are giving more, but getting less.
Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs: 2016 Oregon Women Veterans Health Study
Access to immediate care and urgent care within the VHA system is virtually nonexistent for women outside the Portland area.
Oregonian: How a Young Woman Declared Martial Law in an Oregon Town and Struck a Blow for Gender Equality
In 1914, Fern Hobbs declared martial law in a remote eastern Oregon town, sparking a national fascination with the goings-on there.
Oregon Business: Gendered Ventures
A Q&A with Mara Zepeda, the CEO and co-founder of Switchboard.
SOCIAL MEDIA
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
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