Our Newsletter is available to
see and download at the
Newsletter tab
on the top menu.
Happy February to all!
1.
On January 18th, we had a very successful and well-attended
vigil in downtown Sebastopol. There were about 100 who
attended plus a lot of interested passersby. We even sang
the newly-written verses by Joan Starker, "My Body Lies
Under Injustice" (sung to the tune of My Bonnie Lies Over
the Ocean, lyrics shown below). We published it in last
month's newsletter and it was a hit. Attendees at all four
corners of the streets sang it several times over the course
of the hour+ we were there. We made our voices known! Some
photos are shown below. More photos can be foundby
Clicking Here. They were taken by Leah Halper. See
www.probonophoto.org .
****************************************
2. February is Black
History Month and we are still putting together a program—we
will either have a speaker or we will watch a short video on
the topic. Stay tuned for more information. We hope you will
join us!
****************************************
February 17, 2025 NOW Monthly Meeting Zoom Details
. We were
horrified to read of all of the degree and academic areas
being considered for elimination from Sonoma State
University and SRJC in the coming year, particularly Women
and Gender Studies! We understand that SSU is facing a $23.9
million deficit due to declining enrollment, but cutting
degree programs is a terrible way to go about fixing it.
Administration perhaps could use some pay cuts instead of
cutting faculty and discouraging even more students to avoid
the school!
Click Here for an article from the SSU Star (student
newspaper). Show your displeasure by contacting the SSU
President or other administrators! You can contact the
school by phone or a comment form here.
It's not too late to get your historical calendars (with
local women heroes) for 2025 and if you would like one,
please contact us at
info@nowsonoma.org . Now for a $10 or more donation to
our chapter
****************************************
5. Our March Women's History
Month meeting will feature local author Elaine Rock. She
will discuss her book on Dusty Roads, who lived many years
in Sonoma County. Dusty began her career as a flight
attendant (or "stewardess") and became a leading figure in
the fight for women's equality. See the box below for full
information on how you can get this at Amazon. We encourage
you to purchase this book because it's a fascinating piece
of history, but you'll enjoy Elaine's presentation
nonetheless.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
—Amy Nykamp,
President
***************************************
6. Women's Rights Vigil of January 18,
2025 Photos by Leah Harper
If you are not yet a NOW member or need to renew your membership,
please join our
growing organization! Our chapter's ID is CA0660 and you can select it when
you sign
up here. If you prefer to write a check, here is a form you can clip and
mail. You can
also pay for membership or donate to us anytime by using the QR code
****************************************
Visit our Sonoma County NOW site for news, links,
and
information:
www.nowsonoma.org
Above: Our Chapter celebrating the 50th Anniversary of NOW with the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, October 2016.
----
August 26, 2020, the 19th Amendment Centennial and
Women's Equality Day was celebrated in Sebastopol with the Women's Suffrage
Banners.
----
The 2020 Rose Parade featured the We Heart float
commemorating the Women's Suffrage Centennial and won the Theme Trophy.
See video clip below for the passage of the float and the Women Suffragist
marchers in front of KTLA cameras January 1, 2020.