wfn.org | [ENS] Committee on the Status of Women panel stresses equality

["Mika Larson" <mini_mika@earthlink.net>]

August 4, 2003

Committee on the Status of Women panel stresses equality

Alice Medcof
Triennial Today 
 
[ENS] It is possible for men and women to become the true counterparts
God intended them to be, a panel affiliated with the Committee on the
Status of Women told those gathered for their convention luncheon
Friday. 
The discussion, sponsored by CSW and centered on the topic "Women,
Power, Authority," was conducted by the Rt. Rev. Jane Holmes Dixon,
bishop suffragan (retired); Diane B. Pollard, CSW executive committee
member; the Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Cleveland cathedral dean; and Sally
Bucklee, CSW president and panel moderator.

Panelists discussed traditional and nontraditional roles for women in
the world today and stressed that women's struggles for equality must
never be forgotten. They also said those who hold power have the ability
to effect changeor to keep things the same.

Despite progress, the panelists agreed women cannot "go it alone" in the
world today. Women still need financial and emotional backing of those
surrounding them, they said. And, the panelists said, women who have
achieved status should use their power wisely. They offered the
following points: 

-- Remember where you came from and whom you represent. 
-- Never lose touch with the edge. 
-- Keep up with the caucuses and advocacy groups. 
-- Change the church from within. 
-- Be mndful that other people's sturggles got you there. 
-- Never become arrogant. 
-- Keep up the vision. 
-- Do not despair because despair is never the place for a responsible
Christian to be. 
-- When you are rejected, do not take it personally: it's not about you,
but about that which you represent.