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 March
2005 |
| Contents Words of inspiration Words of Inspiration
Emmeline B. Wells Source: “Why A Woman Should Desire To Be A Mormon,” Woman’s Exponent, 1 January 1908 Announcing Our "Women's Issues" Issue by John-Charles Duffy, Media Director
March is Women's History Month. It's also the month in which International Women's Day is celebrated, on March 8. Further, by a striking coincidence, March is the month in which the anniversary of the founding of the Relief Society is celebrated, on March 17. In a 1978 statement, the First Presidency wrote: "Women, as daughters of God, should have without discrimination every political, economic, and educational opportunity." A century earlier, Mormon women such as Emmeline B. Wells worked to advance the then-controversial causes of women's suffrage and equal access to higher education. While great advances have been made, women around the world still struggle in various ways to secure political, economic, and educational equality, as well as freedom from violence. This month's issue of Anxiously Engaged has a special focus on women's issues. Our newsletter this month includes:
International Women's Day Message Thoughts on women, justice, and development
The following remarks are excerpted from the 2005 International Women's Day message by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
. . . Sixty years have passed since the founders of the United Nations inscribed, on the first page of our Charter, the equal rights of women and men. Since then, study after study has taught us that there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, or to reduce infant and maternal mortality. No other policy is as sure to improve nutrition and promote health--including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation. And I would venture that no policy is more important in preventing conflict, or in achieving reconciliation after a conflict has ended. Whatever the very real benefits of investing in women, the most important
fact remains: women themselves have the right to live in dignity, in freedom
from want and freedom from fear. On this International Women’s Day,
let us rededicate ourselves to making that a reality. Connecting with the Community through Relief Society by Allyson Maughan
I have been a mom now for six and a half months. It has been a very interesting experience. I have enjoyed my time as a mother although adjusting to not having a job outside of my home has had some challenging moments. My baby came in August, so by the time I was feeling ready to be out and about, it was cold. My husband and I only have one car, so some days I never set foot outside. These days were the most trying for me. I feel a need to stay connected: to my community, to the church, yet there are days that I feel trapped in my house. In my conversations with women in the community and in the church about this struggle, I have noticed that I am not alone in my feelings. My solution has been to GET INVOLVED. My Relief Society in Caldwell, Idaho, offers many activities which help me to stay connected with other women. We organize cannery appointments, work in the ward orchard, buy toys for foster children at Christmas, take meals to women on bed rest in the community, make quilts for the humanitarian center, play volleyball together. All of this in addition to Visiting Teaching and Enrichment and being able to visit teach and be visit taught. I know that not everyone can be involved with everything, but this variety of activities has helped me feel included in my community. I have been able to share gifts with others and have fun with others. I enjoy being able to get out of my house to go to activities with other women. I enjoy being able to help with humanitarian activities. I am excited to meet people my own age and in my similar situation so we can discuss life. I learn many things from talking with people who are different from me in age or situation. I feel I have met many people in Relief Society who have taught me, and
I have met people who I was able to teach. I feel connected to a group,
and this gives me the support I need right now in my life. I feel able
to help and experience life through the activities that are had in Relief
Society and my ward. The Church Blesses and Empowers Women by Margot Dana
The most surprising thing about writing this was how hard it was to get started. I am an active woman, with, I think, a pretty strong testimony of the gospel. So, why was it so hard for me to express how the Church has blessed and empowered me as a woman? I think this is partly because I’ve never been a woman outside of the Church, so I don’t know from personal experience what I have that they don’t, and partly because although I have frequently thought about how the Church has blessed and empowered me as a person, I have never considered how it has blessed and empowered me as a woman. And after asking several friends who also had a difficult time thinking of anything, I realized that many of the women in my generation grew up noticing the difficulties of being a woman in the Church much more so than the blessings. After I did start thinking of several ways that I have been blessed and empowered as a woman in the Church, I found myself embarrassed by what I had written. I read it and thought, Oh no, I sound like, well . . . like my mother! I started getting nervous and thought, Have I been in Utah too long? Did my years at BYU change me more than I thought? Or have I finally come to terms with the many LDS women’s issues that have troubled me for so much of my life? I decided that it must be the latter, for what follows is what I sincerely feel. How are we blessed as women in the Church? As women in the Church, not only are we served by women in various capacities according to our needs, we are also given the ability to serve other women in that way as well. How does that bless us? By having the opportunity to love and serve another women, we become less self-centered and more Christ-like, and the bonds of sisterhood are strengthened. The bonds of sisterhood. I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but there is something about women united that strengthens us all individually. I like knowing that if something happens, good or bad, there will be women there to celebrate or mourn with me. I like knowing that we will be there for each other. I like having that safety net. I like being able to help hold that safety net for other women. It helps me remember that life is not always about me, that it is about helping and loving other people, too. As a woman in our church, I have an opportunity to help other people achieve the measure of their creation, and by so doing, reach greater heights myself. As part of that, I love that the Church gives me permission to be a woman. It tells me that I don’t have to be ashamed of the fact that I am a nurturer. I don’t have to hide that I want to love and take care of the people around me. I don’t have to be embarrassed that I would rather be a mother than an attorney. And at the same time, I am taught that I not only should, but must, develop myself to my full potential as a daughter of God. As women of the Church, we are able to fully realize and embrace our strengths as women. As women of the Church, we have other women to help us on the often hard path of life. As women of the Church, we have the truth about who we are and who we can be. These truths empower me. These truths bless me. These truths have changed me. And though it has taken me a while to recognize it, I am grateful that--as a woman--I am part of a Church which truly does bless and empower me. Remember in Your Prayers...
Pray for women who are or have been victims of violence. Pray for change in the cultural attitudes that perpetuate violence against women. Give thanks and pray for those who work in women's shelters and who provide legal aid and other services for girls and women at risk.
Pray for peace in the countries of the Middle East. More specifically, pray for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and for the success of Sharon's efforts to end Israeli occupation of the Gaza strip. Pray that the Iraqi National Assembly will be inspired with wisdom to create a just peace in that country.
News from Local Chapters
During the day, other events were also held: a panel discussion talking about the need to educate woman and girls around the world, a keynote speaker on woman's reproductive health/rights, a film about a matriarchal society in Mexico. Each event contributed to the overall celebration. MESJ, along with other women's groups from the community, tabled at the library. It was a enlightening day for all who attended.
Los Angeles: Plans are rolling forward to organize a Los Angeles chapter of MESJ. The first meeting will be held on Thursday March 17 at 7:00 pm near downtown. James and Debora Tobler are also putting together a California wide e-mail list. The hope is that all MESJ-connected folks in the state can be better connected and organized and be a more effective voice in our church and secular communities. For more information, contact James and Debora at the LA chapter email:
mesjla@yahoo.com.
Out of the Best Books by Robert Poort Editor's note: The scriptures encourage us to "seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom" (D&C 88:118). In that spirit, we invite readers to submit reviews of enlightening or inspiring books about the intersection of faith and social activism.
Highly relevant and highly recommended to individual members and chapters of MESJ! The Las Vegas chapter is using the study guide as the basis for discussions during March and April.
Sunday School Notebook
D&C 11:12 tells us to recognize the Spirit as that "which leadeth to do good--yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously." The Spirit leads us to do justice in a spirit of humility and righteous discernment. The baptismal covenant, as described in D&C 20:37, is "a determination to serve [Christ] to the end." How do I serve Christ as a citizen and an activist? How can I use the sacrament as an opportunity to reflect on the social dimensions of my Christian commitment?
Upcoming Events and Observances
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