July 8, 1995 - Episode 344 - Women of Achievement and Herstory

           > Continued from July 5, Point 8 addresses the mechanism
     necessary to promote the advancement of women in WOA's continuing
     presentation of the proposals for The Platform for Action: 12 Critical
     Areas of Concern,to be adopted at the Fourth World Conference on
     Women.<

           8. INSUFFICIENT MECHANISM AT ALL LEVELS TO PROMOTE THE
     ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

           Though national institutions (e.g. ministries, statistical offices,
     research units etc.) for the advancement of women have been created
     in most countries, they often lack financial and human resources to
     perform adequately. Similar problems exist at the international level.
     Mechanisms to promote the advancement of women as an integral part
     of mainstream political, developmental or human rights initiatives are
     similarly weak, due to lack of commitment at the highest levels.
           The UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) provides direct
     technical and financial support to help improve the living standards
     of women in developing countries. The International Research and
     Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) of the
     UN carries out research, training and information activities to
     promote women as key agents for sustainable development.
           Actions proposed: Create national machineries for women's
     advancement at the highest possible level. Carry out gender analysis
     before making policy decisions. Establish direct links with national,
     regional and international bodies dealing with women's advancement.
     Promote better collection and analysis of data related to human rights
     of women.
           << Continued July 15, Part 9, Lack of Awareness of, and
     Commitment to, Internationally and Nationally recognized Women's
     Human Rights.>>

     07-08 .................................................

           B. July 8, 1844, Mary Johnson Bailey Lincoln, teacher at the
     Boston Cooking School. Authored the great _Boston Cook Book_, which
     was daringly innovative for its recipe measurement methods as well
     as explaining the hows of cooking, hygiene, and nutrition. 

           B. July 8, 1867, Kathe (Schmidt) Kollwitz, first woman elected to
     Prussian Academy of Arts.  Artist of great social conscience.

           B. July 8, 1912, Olive Dennis who said, "I do not claim credit
     for doing things - I only make suggestions."  With her civil
     engineering degree, she went to work for the railroads. It was
     through her suggestions that air conditioning, reclining seats, lights
     that dimmed at night, and many of the refinements of rail travel
     occurred. "Probably the most important phase of a job like mine is
     developing tact...men who have been running the railroads for years
     tend to resent criticism or even suggestions from women."

           B. July 8, 1926, Elisabeth Kubler-Rose, physician, author. Her
     studies on dying have revolutionized treatment of terminally ill
     people.

           B. July 8, 1928, Shirley Ann Grau, novelist and short story
     writer. Her _The Keeper of the House_ won 1965 Pulitzer Prize.

           B. July 8, 1935, Maria Bonomi, Italian-born Brazilian woodcut
     artist of extraordinary talent.

           B. July 8, 1951, Evonne Goolagong, Australian Aborigine tennis
     player, won Wimbledon 1971 and 1980.

     Quotes du jour ................................................

            "Let every woman ask herself: `Why am I the slave of man? 
     Why is my brain said not to be the equal of his brain?  Why is my
     work not paid equally with his?  Why must my body be controlled by
     my husband?  Why may he take my labor in the household, giving me
     in exchange what he deems fit?  Why may he take my children from
     me?  Will them away while yet unborn?  Let every woman ask."  
                  --Voltaraine de Cleyre (1866-1912) as written in 1890.

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