extracted text

Serving the womyn’s
community
since 1983

Herland Voice

volume thirty-two number two

www.herlandsisters.org

April 2014

Herland S p r i n g R e t r e a t

Roman Nose State Park, Watonga, OK

May 16-18, 2014

Push for
Minimum
Wage on
Ballot
Voters in Oklahoma City (OKC) may get the chance
to vote this year on increasing the minimum wage in
the city. After recent success in several states and
such cities as Albuquerque, organizers believe this is a
good time to bring the measure before a vote of the
people in OKC. A coalition of labor, churches, and
civic activists have joined forces to garner enough
signatures to get a minimum wage question on a City
ballot. The petition is limited to registered voters with a
physical address (no Post Office boxes) residing within
Oklahoma City municipal limits. The deadline for the
petition is June 1st.
The Albuquerque measure, passed in 2013 with 66
percent approval, increased that city’s minimum wage
to $8.50 in January and provides for automatic
increases to keep pace with inflation.
In 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that
3.6 million workers (or almost 3 percent of all workers)
in the US were paid wages at or below the federal
minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. While most people
think of minimum wage workers as teenagers, the
Economic Policy Institute found that the typical
minimum wage worker is a woman, 35 years old, and
working full time. In fact, one-third of minimum wage
workers are over 40 years of age, and the highest
percent of those workers graduated from high school
and have some college credit. On average, they earn
half of their family’s total income.
Continued on page 4.

Have you been diagnosed with a case of SPRING
FEVER? Been too long since you spent an entire
weekend RELAXING and HAVING FUN with
FRIENDS? Are you ready to do some Taking Care of
YOU? Well, You’re In Luck! The Herland Spring
Retreat will be at Roman Nose State Park (near
Watonga), Friday, May 16 until Sunday, May 18!
Check-in begins at 4:00 p.m., Friday.
For those of you that have never been to a Herland
retreat, or those that can’t remember the last retreat
they attended… come on and give it a try! Whether you
come solo or with a group of friends, the weekend is a
perfect, affordable opportunity to meet new friends,
catch up with old friends, explore nature, learn
something new at a workshop, or simply take it easy in
an incredibly supportive, women-only environment. You
will find a lot of details you’ll want to know at
www.herlandsisters.org under the “Retreat” Tab.
As usual, your registration includes lodging for both
nights, a weenie roast when you arrive Friday evening,
Saturday and Sunday scrumptious breakfasts, and our
famous potluck Saturday evening, campfires, and all
workshops and activities planned throughout the
weekend!
We have some really great activities planned for the
weekend, including: A Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament
and Introduction Games on Friday night, a Super Fun
Herland Family Game Night/Karaoke Experience
Saturday night where EVERYONE will
be able to participate in the Games,
designed after the popular game show
that Jane Lynch emcees, and
afterwards, everyone can Be A Star
singing Karaoke! On Saturday our full
day includes a Nature Hike, Cindy &
Continued on page 3.

The Herland Voice is a publication of Herland Sister Resources, 2312 NW 39th Street, OKC, OK 73112. Our bookstore/lending
library is open the second and fourth Saturdays from 1-5 p.m., but please call before you come by just to be sure we are open.
Call us at (405) 521-9696 or e-mail us at herland@herlandsisters.org. Visit us on the web at www.herlandsisters.org.

SUPPER CLUB DATES

EVENTS AT A GLANCE—

April 12—Lido at 2518 N Military Ave, OKC @ 5:30 p.m.
May 10—Cattleman’s Steakhouse at 1309 S Agnew,

April

OKC @ 5:30 p.m.
June 21—Pride picnic at Herland @ 5:30 p.m.
July 12—Los Vaqueros at 8966 S Western Ave, OKC

Saturday 12th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Supper Club at Lido
Sunday 13th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Thursday 22nd Earth Day
Saturday 26th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

@ 5:30 p.m.
August 9—Big Easy at 359 E Main St, Yukon @ 5:30

p.m.

May

September 13—Open House and Picnic Potluck @ Herland

Saturday 3rd The Welcoming Project Anniversary Party
Saturday 10th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Supper Club at Cattleman’s
Sunday 11th Mother’s Day
May 16-18th HSR Spring Retreat at Roman Nose State Park
Sunday 18th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Saturday 24th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

If you have a restaurant to suggest for a future Herland
Supper Club, please e-mail us at herland@
herlandsisters.org. We welcome your ideas.∆

Rediscover the Library
Did you know that the Herland Library contains
hundreds of books written by and for women, many of
which are not available in digital format? These
bookshelves contain fiction, history, and social
commentaries on issues important to women and
lesbian culture. Better still, these books are available
to be checked out free of charge?
Please take some time to visit your Herland library
this spring. We will be open on the second and fourth
Saturdays of each month from 1 to 5 p.m. In addition,
if you have a craft to share, a book you’d like to
discuss in a group, or just have something fun to share
with other women during those times, please feel free
to contact Christa Woods at chicamwoods@
gmail.com.
Remember, the library is one of Herland’s biggest
assets. Let’s really take advantage of it!∆

June
Sunday 8th Best Friends Day
Saturday 14th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Flag Day
Sunday 15th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Saturday 21st HSR Pride Picnic
Saturday 28th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

July
Friday 4th Independence Day
Saturday 12th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Supper Club at Los Vaqueros
Sunday 20th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Saturday 26th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

Upcoming Events:
Friendship Day—August 3
Fall Retreat 2014—late October or early November∆

Herland Pride Picnic

Dear Friends,
If you enjoy reading The Herland Voice but have not made a donation in
recent years, please consider doing so now. Because of the cost involved with
printing and mailing, we need to limit our mailing list to those who make some
contribution—even a small one. For those who would like to continue reading
The Voice but are unable to make a contribution, please send your e-mail
address (including your street address to simplify the process) to
herland@herlandsisters.org, and we would be happy to sign you up for the email version of The Voice.∆

Join us and our co-sponsor Cimarron Alliance
Foundation on Saturday, June 21, for the Herland
Pride Picnic. We’ll be serving burgers and dogs
starting at 5:30 p.m., and the music kicks off at 6:00
p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and a
side dish for the picnic is always welcome. We ask $7
donation per person. This is a family-friendly Pride
event.∆

The Voice is published quarterly by Herland Sister Resources,
Inc., 2312 NW 39th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, and is
offered as an open forum for community discourse. Articles reflect
the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Herland
Sister Resources. Unsolicited articles and letters to the editor are
welcomed and must be signed by the writer with full name and
address. Upon request, letters or articles may be printed under a
pseudonym or anonymously. Herland reserves the right to edit or
not publish any article. The submission deadline is the 20th of
every month. Subscriptions to The Voice are free upon request
although a donation is requested to meet publication and
distribution costs.∆

We're Turning 3!
Herland congratulates the Welcoming Project on its
3rd Anniversary. A party on May 3, 2014, from 2-4
p.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in
Norman, OK, will commemorate the three-year mark.
Featured music will be from The Flaming Tassel Pipes
and Drums! The Project will celebrate past
achievements, look ahead to the future, and award two
scholarships. Donations are always welcome to the
mailing address: The Welcoming Project
780 Van Vleet Oval KH 331
Norman, OK 73019∆
2

2014 Pride
in OKC
OKC Pride Week festivities
are coming up on June 2022, 2014. The week kicks off
with a 39th Street Pride Block Party on Friday with
live performances by pop star Taylor Dayne and
Martha Wash. The 39th Street Pride Festival is from
noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on
Sunday. The Pride Parade will be on Sunday, June
22nd with Grand Marshals Mary Bishop, Sharon
Baldwin, Sue Barton, and Gay Phillips. The two
couples sued the state and federal governments for
the right to marry and for recognition of the
marriages of same-gender couples.
Friday night’s headliner, Taylor Dayne, is a
Grammy-nominated artist with numerous gold and
platinum albums to her name, which
have produced several number-one
hits, including “Tell It To My Heart,”
“Prove Your Love,” and “Love Will
Lead You Back.”
Martha Wash, best known as The
Original Weather Girl, is responsible for the classic
dance hit “It’s Raining Men.” The Grammynominated artist is the voice behind such hits as
“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”
and “Strike It Up.”∆

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leading a workshop on
SprinSpiritual Rituals including
Meditation &
Laura will be

Vision/Dream Boards. Andrea will teach us how to spiff
up ordinary terracotta pots in her Creative Pottery
Painting Workshop, and you get to take your creation
home with you! Also...The Randee Panda Grrrls Rose &
Nancy will be back with an Adult Workshop, designed
to make you Go “hmm” . . . And if THAT’S not a fun
enough day, Ginger will lead us in a Craft Project!
Dogs are more than welcome to attend, but they will
not be allowed in the main building. If your pup will be
unhappy staying outside or in your cabin, please
consider leaving them at home.
So—get plenty of rest before the weekend, remember
to bring something to donate for the Silent Auction,
hone your game skills & karaoke talent, bring something
to share for the Potluck Supper, and expect to have an
unforgettable weekend! If you have any questions,
please call 405 550-2312. The Herland Retreat is
whatever we make it. Let’s make it great!
The deadline for pre-registration (which really helps us
to know how much food to buy and how many awesome
women to expect) is Saturday, May 10th. You can pay
for the retreat, via PayPal by going to
www.herlandsisters.org. Click on the “Retreat” Tab, and
scroll down to the PayPal link. If you’d rather mail your
registration in, that’s fine too.
Do yourself a favor, and register now while you’re
thinking about it! Even if you don’t pre-register, we hope
you’ll still come and join in the fun! If you decide to come
at the last minute, you’re welcome to call 550-2312 to
register, and you can pay at the door.∆

Herland Spring Retreat 2014 Registration
Roman Nose State Park, Watonga, OK, during May 16-18, 2014
Deadline for pre-registration is May 10. Please return registration form and a check to:
Herland Sister Resources, 2312 NW 39th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
Name(s): ______________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________ State: ______________ Zip: __________________
Email: _____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________
Total Registration Fee $___________ enclosed.
( ) I’m enclosing an additional $ __________ to help provide scholarships.
( ) I’m bringing ______ children (Girls of all ages and boys under age 10 are welcome.).
( ) I’m bringing ______ dogs that will stay out of the main building, and I will sign a waiver stating I am
completely responsible for any injury or damage caused by my dog(s).
( ) I have a disability and need the following if possible:
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sliding Scale Registration Fee (for the entire weekend) Annual Income PER PERSON
Income Under $13,000 —————- $40
OR If you can only attend All Day Sat. - $35
Income From $13,000 to $30,000 - $55
Income Over $30,000 —————–- $70 ∆
3

Summer Supper Clubs
Scheduled
It’s going to be a great summer for
culinary adventures with the Herland
Supper Club. On May 10th, we will
visit Oklahoma’s famous Cattleman’s
Steakhouse at 1309 S Agnew. We will
have our annual Pride picnic at Herland
on June 21st. The date of July 12 will
be held at Los Vaqueros at 8966 S
Western Avenue. On August 9th. we
will be travelling to the Big Easy at 359
E Main Street in Yukon. To round out
the summer, Herland will host an oldfashioned potluck picnic on September
13th, when all can bring their favorite
dishes to share and say goodbye to
summertime.
Please join us for any or all of these
events.∆

Unfrozen
In that other lifetime, spring
Rolled green across the hills
And in a Sussex garden we
Grew love and daffodils
Pots of fuchsias brought outside
To drink the sun…we never
Dreamt that springtime happiness
Would not be ours forever.
The Oklahoma winter’s ice
Crept through the fragile beds
Of flowers, and the daffodils
Laid down their frozen heads.
Each year, in nature’s nakedness,
Those blossoms dare to show,
Bringing hope…but now they lay
Stiff upon the snow
In kitchen’s warmth, the blooms unfurled
And raised their heads to sing
Golden memories of love
And promises of spring.
~JR~
March 2014∆

“Minimum
Wage”
Continue
d from pa
ge 1.

The
occupations
most affected
by the
minimum
wage law
would be food
preparations,
wait staff,
sales, personal care and service,
and cleaning/maintenance of
building and grounds.
The real value of the minimum
wage has not kept pace with
inflation and is actually 25 percent
below the 1968 value. While the
lowest paid workers have seen the
value of their earnings erode, the
top 1 percent of workers have
tripled the value of their earnings
over the last 45 years. Many
minimum wage workers depend on
food stamps to feed their families
because a gross salary of $15,000
per year isn’t sufficient. The
bottom line is that people working
for minimum wage live in poverty.
The federal minimum wage rate
of $7.25 was set in 2009. Tipped
labor has its own minimum of $2.13
per hour with the tips making up
the difference. Also workers under
20 years of age may be paid $4.25
per hour for the first 90 days of
employment. Sixteen states now
have statutory minimum wage
rates that are higher than the
federal rate.

Although some news agencies
claim that private employers would
cut workers if the minimum wage is
increased, other studies predict a
rise in consumer spending that
would provide a boost to the
economy and modest job growth.
Low-wage workers tend to spend
practically all of their income on
necessities, and economists
predict a wage increase for these
workers would result in most or all
of that money being put right back
into the purchase of goods and
services. The types of jobs
affected by the law can’t easily be
exported—you won’t drive to China
to pick up your fast food—so it’s
not so easy to reduce the number
of workers in these occupations.
The Congressional Budget Office,
however, predicts that an increase
in minimum wage might result in a
0.3 percent increase in
unemployment.
The Oklahoma City measure
would raise the minimum wage to
$10.10 starting 90 days after
passage of the act and adjust it
each year to match inflation.
Employees that make tips, such as
waiters and waitresses, must be
paid at least 45 percent of
minimum wage directly from their
employers, and this would increase
to 60 percent in 2016.
Also submitted to the Oklahoma Peace
Strategy.∆

Campus Girl Scouts are affiliated groups on campuses of higher
education within the jurisdiction of Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma
(GSWESTOK). The purpose of affiliated campus Girl Scout groups are
to enhance the scouting movement in the local community within three
ways: Service, Advocacy, & Fundraising for local GSWESTOK
programming and needs. Currently, GSWESTOK is initiating Campus
Girl Scouts at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) in
Chickasha, Oklahoma. In April, Southwestern Oklahoma State
University (SWOSU) will host GSWESTOK on a STEM event and
provide recruitment opportunities to establish a Campus Girl Scout
group on the Weatherford campus. Campus Girl Scouts will have
opportunities to work with local troops, volunteer at Council-wide events,
receive trainings at Girl Scout University, and network with alumnae.
For more information, please contact Julie Bohannon at
jbohannon@gswestok.org.∆
4

Every spring, over 5,000 students, faculty, and staff from the University of
Oklahoma go out across the Norman and Greater Oklahoma City metro area for
one day of service. The Big Event is a completely student-run service project
and allows them to do their part for the community.
Thirteen students came to Herland on April 5th for the Big Event. They
helped put up a chain link fence, replaced deteriorated fascia boards, re-decked
the ramp, painted trim, cleared out brush, and planted flowers. They worked for
two hours, we fed them pizza, and they worked another two. A Big Thank You
to the Big Event students!∆

In Oklahoma City, on Saturday, May
17, 2014, 8:00 a.m. (CDT), the 10K 4PERSON EAT THEN RUN RELAY will
start—an event like no other. A 4-person
(or 2 person or 1 person if you are feeling
hungry) 10k relay through the streets of
downtown OKC will challenge the
savviest of runners and fiercest of eaters.
Each runner will eat a sample of 9th street
fare before taking off on a 1.54 mile leg.
Teams are encouraged to dress up and
have fun. The winner is crowned the
2014 Hungryman champion and has
bragging rights for about 11 months. The
5K RUN will start at 7:30 a.m.—new this
year! This is a non-eating normal "sign
me up I got this" 5k run. No eating is
required but dressing up is mildly
encouraged. The course starts out on 9th
street and goes through midtown and
Heritage Hills.
All proceeds from the NSO
Hungryman benefit Neighborhood
Services Organization (NSO), a nonprofit
providing housing and health services to
the homeless and low-income in
Oklahoma City. For information and
registration, contact Anne Harber at 405236-0452.∆

Earth Day April 22
Through the combined efforts of the US government, grassroots organizations, and citizens, what started as a day
of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment. In
1990, the Earth Day celebration reached a milestone; it was now global, getting the message of the environment to 200
million people in 141 countries. The fight is ongoing, and anyone can do something to maintain the Earth’s clean and healthy
environment and to protect its diversity for those who come after us. Listed below are selected events in the OKC Metro area.
Cleanup at Lake Overholser and the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 12th get a free lunch, and volunteers
could just win a prize. Call 405-702-8192 to register.
Earth Fest at Martin Park Nature Center from 1-4 p.m. on April 12th, the Martin Park Nature Center in NW Oklahoma City will celebrate
with Earth Fest, a series of Earth-friendly educational seminars on bees, rain barrels, and more. The event includes family-oriented games,
crafts and other nature-based activities.
Spokies urban environment bike tour on April 16th to learn about sustainability in downtown’s evolving urban environment atop a bike.
Participants meet at the Spokies Stations at the Cox Convention Center for a 1-hour ride starting at 6 p.m. and learn about the benefits of
energy efficient design, downtown streetscape improvements, and nature in an urban environment. Bring your own bike or reserve a
Spokie. Registration limited to 40 participants. Get more info and register online at www.downtownokc.com.
Free shred day on April 20th Shred and recycle your financial and personal documents during Waste Management Recycle America and
the Utilities Department’s free shred day from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. at 5519 NW 4th.
Free Metro Transit system will offer free bus rides throughout the day from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 22nd in Oklahoma City with Tinker
AFB, Norman, and Edmond also included.
Oklahoma City University on April 22. The free public events in the McDaniel University Center near Florida Avenue and NW 26th
Street will include display tables beginning at 3 p.m., panel discussion, and keynote presentation at 7:30 p.m. by Al Sutherland, the OK
Mesonet agriculture coordinator for Oklahoma State University’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Sutherland’s
presentation is titled “Drought Decisions and Mesonet Drought Tools.” For more information, e-mail Adam Ryburn at
aryburn@okcu.edu or Angelina Stancampiano at astancampiano@my.okcu.edu.
Party for the Planet at the OKC Zoo from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 27th, the zoo will feature live music, giveaways, family activities, and
much more. Events are included with regular zoo admission.∆
5

T

he YWCA Oklahoma City office is open Monday
through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call 405-9481770 for more information or see http://
www.ywcaokc.org.
Herland continues to support YWCA programs and
publishes needs on their wishlists. The items listed are
needed for their Domestic Violence Shelter Programs:
6-8 standard size pillows
3 shower curtains and rings
2 rugs with non-skid backs on them
2 weather type rugs for shelter entry
way
10 12-16 oz bottles of shampoo and
conditioner
Large decorative storage boxes
3-6 baby monitors
5-6 new area rugs
New carpet remnants
Women's pants and shorts
Women's pajamas

Flip flops
House shoes/Roomshoes
New full-sized towels
New wash cloths
New sheets and comforters, twin-sized
Telephone calling cards
Wal-Mart gift cards
AA, AAA, and 9-volt batteries
African American hair care products
Full-sized Body Wash/Soap
New underwear and socks of all sizes
for boys, girls, and women
Bras

Travel bags/suitcases
Roll away beds
Curling irons
Hair dryers
Brushes and combs
Make Up
New washers and
dryers
Baby Cribs
Non-expired car
seats, booster
seats and infant
carriers∆

The Oklahoma City film screening of Girl Rising was a
free event and was hosted at Oklahoma Contemporary Art
Center on March 1st. From the Academy Award-nominated
director Richard E. Robbins, Girl Rising journeys around the
globe to witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of
education to change the world. Viewers get to know nine
unforgettable girls living in the developing world: ordinary girls who
confront tremendous challenges and overcome nearly impossible odds
to pursue their dreams. Prize-winning authors put the girls’
remarkable stories into words, and renowned actors give them voice.
For more information, contact Priya Desai, President of the United
Nations Association Oklahoma City Chapter, at pdesai8606@yahoo
.com or 405.413-7513 or https://www.facebook.com/UNA.OKC.∆
With Los Angeles being a national
flashpoint for struggles against injustices, LA is
the perfect place for the revolutionary feminist Freedom
Socialist Party (FSP) to convene over the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27. The
convention will be an opportunity for FSP members and friends to discuss how best to tackle the problems of the day,
from the calamitous effects of the Great Recession on workers and the poor to the challenge of saving the planet from the
fossil fuel ogres. Looking back to look forward, the party will evaluate their work since the last congress, in 2010, in order to
better plan for the future. The gathering this year will be held at the AFSCME 36 District Council hall—a wonderfully apt site
given the FSP’s focus on organizing in the labor movement, especially among public workers. Our political emphasis is
always on the people most abused by the profit system and most ready to jump into battles against it. FSP’s work in labor
has centered recently on opposing budget cuts, job losses, and take-backs—in a word, austerity. Our members in unions
have been pushing their officials to act since Day One of the economic downturn—and have been leading the way by
initiating fight-backs themselves.
The four days of the convention will include public sessions and workshops. Session topics will range from the
environmental crisis to how leftists can achieve real collaboration with one another in the electoral and other arenas.
Workshops will include everything from Marxist ABCs to practical discussions about organizing a united front or fighting a
union contract battle. The convention will also include closed sessions. The membership is FSP’s highest decision-making
body, and conventions allow comrades to debate freely, vote on the actions that the party will take in the next period, and
elect its next national leadership committee. This is the party’s democracy in action.
Readers can join us for the convention’s open sessions, and we hope you will! If you are interested, please call or e-mail
FSP National Secretary Doug Barnes, 206-985-4621 or fspnatl@igc.org.∆
6

OCU Societies Honor Four
at Awards of Excellence
According to
Poets.org, it is a time "when
schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets throughout
the United States band together to celebrate poetry and its vital
place in American culture." Several Oklahoma City library
locations are doing their part to join in the celebration, offering
free events: 1) Thursday, April 18, The Southern Oaks Library,
6900 S Walker, will host a Poetry Celebration where attendees
can "Select a poem that you love and carry it with you to share
with co-workers, family, and friends.” For more information, call
405-631-4468, 2) Saturday, April 20, Poetry, Portraits, and Pizza
is the theme for teens at the Village Library, 10307 N Penn, from
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Pizza is free! Space is limited; call 405-755-0710
to register, 3) Saturday, April 20, The Belle Isle Library, 5501 N
Villa, and the Oklahoma Humanities Council will host the current
Oklahoma State Poet Laureate for a poetry reading and
instruction from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 405-843-9601 for more
information.
Beyond the emphasis of April, poets in the OKC Metro meet
year around for reading opportunities, as listed below.
▪ The first Sunday of most months, at the Paramount: featured
poets and open mic. at 2 p.m.
▪ Second Sunday of most months: featured poet at the Depot in
Norman at 2 p.m.
▪ Every Wednesday evening, open mic at Sauced on the Paseo
about 7:30 p.m.
▪ Third Thursday at Benedict St. Market in Shawnee: featured
poet and open mic at 7 p.m.
▪ Final Sunday of the month, reading at Full Circle: a featured
poet and open mic event at 2 p.m.∆

Are you affected by someone's drinking?

Al-Anon or Alateen may be able to help; information at
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/ or locally in OKC (405) 767-9071
and http://okcalanon.org/∆

Flag Day on June 14th!

The Societies of Oklahoma City University honored four
distinguished women of OKC during its annual Awards of
Excellence dinner February 27. Honorees were Anne Kraft
Gray, Norick-Hulsey Gallery Society Award; Marion Paden,
Dulaney-Browne Library Society Award; Linda Whittington,
Kirkpatrick-Petree Opera and Music Theatre Society Award;
and Jenee Naifeh Lister, Oklahoma City University
Distinguished Philanthropist Award. The Societies of Oklahoma
City University focuses on recognizing women for outstanding
volunteer service in OKC and providing scholarships for OCU
students.
After retiring from her business career as a national
certified school psychologist for more than 20 years, Gray
continues to give back to the local community as a member of
the boards of directors for Integris Mental Health and the Payne
Education Center and is an advocate for the arts in Oklahoma
City with leadership roles in the Orchestra League, Red Earth
Festival, Oklahoma Art League, and Allied Arts. She is the
communications chair for the YWCA capital campaign and
serves on the board of Girl Scouts—WESTOK.
Paden is the vice president for enrollment and student
services at Oklahoma City Community College. With significant
roles in more than 20 non-profit organizations, Paden serves in
leadership positions for Christmas Connection, American Red
Cross of Central Oklahoma, Salvation Army, OU Breast
Institute, and the Cultural Development Corporation.
Whittington as manager of Corner Energy LLC is active in
energy business organizations and is an advocate for strong
community leadership and an ordained elder of First
Presbyterian Church of Edmond, serving on the boards of
directors for the Children’s Center and Girl Scouts of Western
Oklahoma. She is a founding member of the Juliette Low
Leadership Society and serves on the boards of the Myriad
Gardens Foundation, Civic Center Foundation, and Youth
Leadership Exchange.
Lister, a wealth management advisor, uses her expertise
and leadership skills for the benefit of various nonprofits,
serving on the boards for Casady School, St. Anthony Hospital
Foundation, St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma State University
Foundation Board of Governors, and Oklahoma Children’s
Theatre. She is co-chair of the Saints Vision Campaign for St.
Anthony Hospital.∆

Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top
except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should
be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is
always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They
should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags
should be to the left.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are
grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in
front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.∆

7

Herland Sister Resources, Inc.

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Oklahoma City, OK
Permit No. 861

2312 Northwest 39th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Return Service Requested

SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT HELP SUPPORT HERLAND!
Sandy Ingraham, J.D., M.S.W.
Attorney-at-Law
Ingraham & Associates, PLLC
Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Adoption, Contracts

333629 E Kickapoo Valley Rd Ofc(405)964-2072
McLoud, OK 74851 sandyjoingraham@gmail.com

Ginny Poindexter

The Shop

Realtor

Jeff
(405) 850-0217 cell
(405) 610-2600 office

405.919.8443 Direct
405.948.7500 Office
405.948.7502 Fax
GinnyPoindexter@kw.com

9244 NE 10th Street
Midwest City, OK 73130-1318

KELLER WILLIAMS
5629 N. Classen Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Each office is independently owned and operated.

8

Car Repair and Sales
Free Estimates



Serving the womyn’s
community
since 1983

Herland Voice

volume thirty-two number two

www.herlandsisters.org

April 2014

Herland S p r i n g R e t r e a t

Roman Nose State Park, Watonga, OK

May 16-18, 2014

Push for
Minimum
Wage on
Ballot
Voters in Oklahoma City (OKC) may get the chance
to vote this year on increasing the minimum wage in
the city. After recent success in several states and
such cities as Albuquerque, organizers believe this is a
good time to bring the measure before a vote of the
people in OKC. A coalition of labor, churches, and
civic activists have joined forces to garner enough
signatures to get a minimum wage question on a City
ballot. The petition is limited to registered voters with a
physical address (no Post Office boxes) residing within
Oklahoma City municipal limits. The deadline for the
petition is June 1st.
The Albuquerque measure, passed in 2013 with 66
percent approval, increased that city’s minimum wage
to $8.50 in January and provides for automatic
increases to keep pace with inflation.
In 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that
3.6 million workers (or almost 3 percent of all workers)
in the US were paid wages at or below the federal
minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. While most people
think of minimum wage workers as teenagers, the
Economic Policy Institute found that the typical
minimum wage worker is a woman, 35 years old, and
working full time. In fact, one-third of minimum wage
workers are over 40 years of age, and the highest
percent of those workers graduated from high school
and have some college credit. On average, they earn
half of their family’s total income.
Continued on page 4.

Have you been diagnosed with a case of SPRING
FEVER? Been too long since you spent an entire
weekend RELAXING and HAVING FUN with
FRIENDS? Are you ready to do some Taking Care of
YOU? Well, You’re In Luck! The Herland Spring
Retreat will be at Roman Nose State Park (near
Watonga), Friday, May 16 until Sunday, May 18!
Check-in begins at 4:00 p.m., Friday.
For those of you that have never been to a Herland
retreat, or those that can’t remember the last retreat
they attended… come on and give it a try! Whether you
come solo or with a group of friends, the weekend is a
perfect, affordable opportunity to meet new friends,
catch up with old friends, explore nature, learn
something new at a workshop, or simply take it easy in
an incredibly supportive, women-only environment. You
will find a lot of details you’ll want to know at
www.herlandsisters.org under the “Retreat” Tab.
As usual, your registration includes lodging for both
nights, a weenie roast when you arrive Friday evening,
Saturday and Sunday scrumptious breakfasts, and our
famous potluck Saturday evening, campfires, and all
workshops and activities planned throughout the
weekend!
We have some really great activities planned for the
weekend, including: A Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament
and Introduction Games on Friday night, a Super Fun
Herland Family Game Night/Karaoke Experience
Saturday night where EVERYONE will
be able to participate in the Games,
designed after the popular game show
that Jane Lynch emcees, and
afterwards, everyone can Be A Star
singing Karaoke! On Saturday our full
day includes a Nature Hike, Cindy &
Continued on page 3.

The Herland Voice is a publication of Herland Sister Resources, 2312 NW 39th Street, OKC, OK 73112. Our bookstore/lending
library is open the second and fourth Saturdays from 1-5 p.m., but please call before you come by just to be sure we are open.
Call us at (405) 521-9696 or e-mail us at herland@herlandsisters.org. Visit us on the web at www.herlandsisters.org.

SUPPER CLUB DATES

EVENTS AT A GLANCE—

April 12—Lido at 2518 N Military Ave, OKC @ 5:30 p.m.
May 10—Cattleman’s Steakhouse at 1309 S Agnew,

April

OKC @ 5:30 p.m.
June 21—Pride picnic at Herland @ 5:30 p.m.
July 12—Los Vaqueros at 8966 S Western Ave, OKC

Saturday 12th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Supper Club at Lido
Sunday 13th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Thursday 22nd Earth Day
Saturday 26th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

@ 5:30 p.m.
August 9—Big Easy at 359 E Main St, Yukon @ 5:30

p.m.

May

September 13—Open House and Picnic Potluck @ Herland

Saturday 3rd The Welcoming Project Anniversary Party
Saturday 10th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Supper Club at Cattleman’s
Sunday 11th Mother’s Day
May 16-18th HSR Spring Retreat at Roman Nose State Park
Sunday 18th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Saturday 24th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

If you have a restaurant to suggest for a future Herland
Supper Club, please e-mail us at herland@
herlandsisters.org. We welcome your ideas.∆

Rediscover the Library
Did you know that the Herland Library contains
hundreds of books written by and for women, many of
which are not available in digital format? These
bookshelves contain fiction, history, and social
commentaries on issues important to women and
lesbian culture. Better still, these books are available
to be checked out free of charge?
Please take some time to visit your Herland library
this spring. We will be open on the second and fourth
Saturdays of each month from 1 to 5 p.m. In addition,
if you have a craft to share, a book you’d like to
discuss in a group, or just have something fun to share
with other women during those times, please feel free
to contact Christa Woods at chicamwoods@
gmail.com.
Remember, the library is one of Herland’s biggest
assets. Let’s really take advantage of it!∆

June
Sunday 8th Best Friends Day
Saturday 14th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Flag Day
Sunday 15th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Saturday 21st HSR Pride Picnic
Saturday 28th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

July
Friday 4th Independence Day
Saturday 12th HSR open 1-5 p.m./Supper Club at Los Vaqueros
Sunday 20th 4 p.m. HSR Board Meeting
Saturday 26th HSR open 1-5 p.m.

Upcoming Events:
Friendship Day—August 3
Fall Retreat 2014—late October or early November∆

Herland Pride Picnic

Dear Friends,
If you enjoy reading The Herland Voice but have not made a donation in
recent years, please consider doing so now. Because of the cost involved with
printing and mailing, we need to limit our mailing list to those who make some
contribution—even a small one. For those who would like to continue reading
The Voice but are unable to make a contribution, please send your e-mail
address (including your street address to simplify the process) to
herland@herlandsisters.org, and we would be happy to sign you up for the email version of The Voice.∆

Join us and our co-sponsor Cimarron Alliance
Foundation on Saturday, June 21, for the Herland
Pride Picnic. We’ll be serving burgers and dogs
starting at 5:30 p.m., and the music kicks off at 6:00
p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and a
side dish for the picnic is always welcome. We ask $7
donation per person. This is a family-friendly Pride
event.∆

The Voice is published quarterly by Herland Sister Resources,
Inc., 2312 NW 39th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, and is
offered as an open forum for community discourse. Articles reflect
the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Herland
Sister Resources. Unsolicited articles and letters to the editor are
welcomed and must be signed by the writer with full name and
address. Upon request, letters or articles may be printed under a
pseudonym or anonymously. Herland reserves the right to edit or
not publish any article. The submission deadline is the 20th of
every month. Subscriptions to The Voice are free upon request
although a donation is requested to meet publication and
distribution costs.∆

We're Turning 3!
Herland congratulates the Welcoming Project on its
3rd Anniversary. A party on May 3, 2014, from 2-4
p.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in
Norman, OK, will commemorate the three-year mark.
Featured music will be from The Flaming Tassel Pipes
and Drums! The Project will celebrate past
achievements, look ahead to the future, and award two
scholarships. Donations are always welcome to the
mailing address: The Welcoming Project
780 Van Vleet Oval KH 331
Norman, OK 73019∆
2

2014 Pride
in OKC
OKC Pride Week festivities
are coming up on June 2022, 2014. The week kicks off
with a 39th Street Pride Block Party on Friday with
live performances by pop star Taylor Dayne and
Martha Wash. The 39th Street Pride Festival is from
noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on
Sunday. The Pride Parade will be on Sunday, June
22nd with Grand Marshals Mary Bishop, Sharon
Baldwin, Sue Barton, and Gay Phillips. The two
couples sued the state and federal governments for
the right to marry and for recognition of the
marriages of same-gender couples.
Friday night’s headliner, Taylor Dayne, is a
Grammy-nominated artist with numerous gold and
platinum albums to her name, which
have produced several number-one
hits, including “Tell It To My Heart,”
“Prove Your Love,” and “Love Will
Lead You Back.”
Martha Wash, best known as The
Original Weather Girl, is responsible for the classic
dance hit “It’s Raining Men.” The Grammynominated artist is the voice behind such hits as
“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”
and “Strike It Up.”∆

t
a
e
r
t
Re

m
d fro
tinue
Con

1.
page

g
leading a workshop on
SprinSpiritual Rituals including
Meditation &
Laura will be

Vision/Dream Boards. Andrea will teach us how to spiff
up ordinary terracotta pots in her Creative Pottery
Painting Workshop, and you get to take your creation
home with you! Also...The Randee Panda Grrrls Rose &
Nancy will be back with an Adult Workshop, designed
to make you Go “hmm” . . . And if THAT’S not a fun
enough day, Ginger will lead us in a Craft Project!
Dogs are more than welcome to attend, but they will
not be allowed in the main building. If your pup will be
unhappy staying outside or in your cabin, please
consider leaving them at home.
So—get plenty of rest before the weekend, remember
to bring something to donate for the Silent Auction,
hone your game skills & karaoke talent, bring something
to share for the Potluck Supper, and expect to have an
unforgettable weekend! If you have any questions,
please call 405 550-2312. The Herland Retreat is
whatever we make it. Let’s make it great!
The deadline for pre-registration (which really helps us
to know how much food to buy and how many awesome
women to expect) is Saturday, May 10th. You can pay
for the retreat, via PayPal by going to
www.herlandsisters.org. Click on the “Retreat” Tab, and
scroll down to the PayPal link. If you’d rather mail your
registration in, that’s fine too.
Do yourself a favor, and register now while you’re
thinking about it! Even if you don’t pre-register, we hope
you’ll still come and join in the fun! If you decide to come
at the last minute, you’re welcome to call 550-2312 to
register, and you can pay at the door.∆

Herland Spring Retreat 2014 Registration
Roman Nose State Park, Watonga, OK, during May 16-18, 2014
Deadline for pre-registration is May 10. Please return registration form and a check to:
Herland Sister Resources, 2312 NW 39th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
Name(s): ______________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________ State: ______________ Zip: __________________
Email: _____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________
Total Registration Fee $___________ enclosed.
( ) I’m enclosing an additional $ __________ to help provide scholarships.
( ) I’m bringing ______ children (Girls of all ages and boys under age 10 are welcome.).
( ) I’m bringing ______ dogs that will stay out of the main building, and I will sign a waiver stating I am
completely responsible for any injury or damage caused by my dog(s).
( ) I have a disability and need the following if possible:
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sliding Scale Registration Fee (for the entire weekend) Annual Income PER PERSON
Income Under $13,000 —————- $40
OR If you can only attend All Day Sat. - $35
Income From $13,000 to $30,000 - $55
Income Over $30,000 —————–- $70 ∆
3

Summer Supper Clubs
Scheduled
It’s going to be a great summer for
culinary adventures with the Herland
Supper Club. On May 10th, we will
visit Oklahoma’s famous Cattleman’s
Steakhouse at 1309 S Agnew. We will
have our annual Pride picnic at Herland
on June 21st. The date of July 12 will
be held at Los Vaqueros at 8966 S
Western Avenue. On August 9th. we
will be travelling to the Big Easy at 359
E Main Street in Yukon. To round out
the summer, Herland will host an oldfashioned potluck picnic on September
13th, when all can bring their favorite
dishes to share and say goodbye to
summertime.
Please join us for any or all of these
events.∆

Unfrozen
In that other lifetime, spring
Rolled green across the hills
And in a Sussex garden we
Grew love and daffodils
Pots of fuchsias brought outside
To drink the sun…we never
Dreamt that springtime happiness
Would not be ours forever.
The Oklahoma winter’s ice
Crept through the fragile beds
Of flowers, and the daffodils
Laid down their frozen heads.
Each year, in nature’s nakedness,
Those blossoms dare to show,
Bringing hope…but now they lay
Stiff upon the snow
In kitchen’s warmth, the blooms unfurled
And raised their heads to sing
Golden memories of love
And promises of spring.
~JR~
March 2014∆

“Minimum
Wage”
Continue
d from pa
ge 1.

The
occupations
most affected
by the
minimum
wage law
would be food
preparations,
wait staff,
sales, personal care and service,
and cleaning/maintenance of
building and grounds.
The real value of the minimum
wage has not kept pace with
inflation and is actually 25 percent
below the 1968 value. While the
lowest paid workers have seen the
value of their earnings erode, the
top 1 percent of workers have
tripled the value of their earnings
over the last 45 years. Many
minimum wage workers depend on
food stamps to feed their families
because a gross salary of $15,000
per year isn’t sufficient. The
bottom line is that people working
for minimum wage live in poverty.
The federal minimum wage rate
of $7.25 was set in 2009. Tipped
labor has its own minimum of $2.13
per hour with the tips making up
the difference. Also workers under
20 years of age may be paid $4.25
per hour for the first 90 days of
employment. Sixteen states now
have statutory minimum wage
rates that are higher than the
federal rate.

Although some news agencies
claim that private employers would
cut workers if the minimum wage is
increased, other studies predict a
rise in consumer spending that
would provide a boost to the
economy and modest job growth.
Low-wage workers tend to spend
practically all of their income on
necessities, and economists
predict a wage increase for these
workers would result in most or all
of that money being put right back
into the purchase of goods and
services. The types of jobs
affected by the law can’t easily be
exported—you won’t drive to China
to pick up your fast food—so it’s
not so easy to reduce the number
of workers in these occupations.
The Congressional Budget Office,
however, predicts that an increase
in minimum wage might result in a
0.3 percent increase in
unemployment.
The Oklahoma City measure
would raise the minimum wage to
$10.10 starting 90 days after
passage of the act and adjust it
each year to match inflation.
Employees that make tips, such as
waiters and waitresses, must be
paid at least 45 percent of
minimum wage directly from their
employers, and this would increase
to 60 percent in 2016.
Also submitted to the Oklahoma Peace
Strategy.∆

Campus Girl Scouts are affiliated groups on campuses of higher
education within the jurisdiction of Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma
(GSWESTOK). The purpose of affiliated campus Girl Scout groups are
to enhance the scouting movement in the local community within three
ways: Service, Advocacy, & Fundraising for local GSWESTOK
programming and needs. Currently, GSWESTOK is initiating Campus
Girl Scouts at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) in
Chickasha, Oklahoma. In April, Southwestern Oklahoma State
University (SWOSU) will host GSWESTOK on a STEM event and
provide recruitment opportunities to establish a Campus Girl Scout
group on the Weatherford campus. Campus Girl Scouts will have
opportunities to work with local troops, volunteer at Council-wide events,
receive trainings at Girl Scout University, and network with alumnae.
For more information, please contact Julie Bohannon at
jbohannon@gswestok.org.∆
4

Every spring, over 5,000 students, faculty, and staff from the University of
Oklahoma go out across the Norman and Greater Oklahoma City metro area for
one day of service. The Big Event is a completely student-run service project
and allows them to do their part for the community.
Thirteen students came to Herland on April 5th for the Big Event. They
helped put up a chain link fence, replaced deteriorated fascia boards, re-decked
the ramp, painted trim, cleared out brush, and planted flowers. They worked for
two hours, we fed them pizza, and they worked another two. A Big Thank You
to the Big Event students!∆

In Oklahoma City, on Saturday, May
17, 2014, 8:00 a.m. (CDT), the 10K 4PERSON EAT THEN RUN RELAY will
start—an event like no other. A 4-person
(or 2 person or 1 person if you are feeling
hungry) 10k relay through the streets of
downtown OKC will challenge the
savviest of runners and fiercest of eaters.
Each runner will eat a sample of 9th street
fare before taking off on a 1.54 mile leg.
Teams are encouraged to dress up and
have fun. The winner is crowned the
2014 Hungryman champion and has
bragging rights for about 11 months. The
5K RUN will start at 7:30 a.m.—new this
year! This is a non-eating normal "sign
me up I got this" 5k run. No eating is
required but dressing up is mildly
encouraged. The course starts out on 9th
street and goes through midtown and
Heritage Hills.
All proceeds from the NSO
Hungryman benefit Neighborhood
Services Organization (NSO), a nonprofit
providing housing and health services to
the homeless and low-income in
Oklahoma City. For information and
registration, contact Anne Harber at 405236-0452.∆

Earth Day April 22
Through the combined efforts of the US government, grassroots organizations, and citizens, what started as a day
of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment. In
1990, the Earth Day celebration reached a milestone; it was now global, getting the message of the environment to 200
million people in 141 countries. The fight is ongoing, and anyone can do something to maintain the Earth’s clean and healthy
environment and to protect its diversity for those who come after us. Listed below are selected events in the OKC Metro area.
Cleanup at Lake Overholser and the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 12th get a free lunch, and volunteers
could just win a prize. Call 405-702-8192 to register.
Earth Fest at Martin Park Nature Center from 1-4 p.m. on April 12th, the Martin Park Nature Center in NW Oklahoma City will celebrate
with Earth Fest, a series of Earth-friendly educational seminars on bees, rain barrels, and more. The event includes family-oriented games,
crafts and other nature-based activities.
Spokies urban environment bike tour on April 16th to learn about sustainability in downtown’s evolving urban environment atop a bike.
Participants meet at the Spokies Stations at the Cox Convention Center for a 1-hour ride starting at 6 p.m. and learn about the benefits of
energy efficient design, downtown streetscape improvements, and nature in an urban environment. Bring your own bike or reserve a
Spokie. Registration limited to 40 participants. Get more info and register online at www.downtownokc.com.
Free shred day on April 20th Shred and recycle your financial and personal documents during Waste Management Recycle America and
the Utilities Department’s free shred day from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. at 5519 NW 4th.
Free Metro Transit system will offer free bus rides throughout the day from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 22nd in Oklahoma City with Tinker
AFB, Norman, and Edmond also included.
Oklahoma City University on April 22. The free public events in the McDaniel University Center near Florida Avenue and NW 26th
Street will include display tables beginning at 3 p.m., panel discussion, and keynote presentation at 7:30 p.m. by Al Sutherland, the OK
Mesonet agriculture coordinator for Oklahoma State University’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Sutherland’s
presentation is titled “Drought Decisions and Mesonet Drought Tools.” For more information, e-mail Adam Ryburn at
aryburn@okcu.edu or Angelina Stancampiano at astancampiano@my.okcu.edu.
Party for the Planet at the OKC Zoo from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 27th, the zoo will feature live music, giveaways, family activities, and
much more. Events are included with regular zoo admission.∆
5

T

he YWCA Oklahoma City office is open Monday
through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call 405-9481770 for more information or see http://
www.ywcaokc.org.
Herland continues to support YWCA programs and
publishes needs on their wishlists. The items listed are
needed for their Domestic Violence Shelter Programs:
6-8 standard size pillows
3 shower curtains and rings
2 rugs with non-skid backs on them
2 weather type rugs for shelter entry
way
10 12-16 oz bottles of shampoo and
conditioner
Large decorative storage boxes
3-6 baby monitors
5-6 new area rugs
New carpet remnants
Women's pants and shorts
Women's pajamas

Flip flops
House shoes/Roomshoes
New full-sized towels
New wash cloths
New sheets and comforters, twin-sized
Telephone calling cards
Wal-Mart gift cards
AA, AAA, and 9-volt batteries
African American hair care products
Full-sized Body Wash/Soap
New underwear and socks of all sizes
for boys, girls, and women
Bras

Travel bags/suitcases
Roll away beds
Curling irons
Hair dryers
Brushes and combs
Make Up
New washers and
dryers
Baby Cribs
Non-expired car
seats, booster
seats and infant
carriers∆

The Oklahoma City film screening of Girl Rising was a
free event and was hosted at Oklahoma Contemporary Art
Center on March 1st. From the Academy Award-nominated
director Richard E. Robbins, Girl Rising journeys around the
globe to witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of
education to change the world. Viewers get to know nine
unforgettable girls living in the developing world: ordinary girls who
confront tremendous challenges and overcome nearly impossible odds
to pursue their dreams. Prize-winning authors put the girls’
remarkable stories into words, and renowned actors give them voice.
For more information, contact Priya Desai, President of the United
Nations Association Oklahoma City Chapter, at pdesai8606@yahoo
.com or 405.413-7513 or https://www.facebook.com/UNA.OKC.∆
With Los Angeles being a national
flashpoint for struggles against injustices, LA is
the perfect place for the revolutionary feminist Freedom
Socialist Party (FSP) to convene over the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27. The
convention will be an opportunity for FSP members and friends to discuss how best to tackle the problems of the day,
from the calamitous effects of the Great Recession on workers and the poor to the challenge of saving the planet from the
fossil fuel ogres. Looking back to look forward, the party will evaluate their work since the last congress, in 2010, in order to
better plan for the future. The gathering this year will be held at the AFSCME 36 District Council hall—a wonderfully apt site
given the FSP’s focus on organizing in the labor movement, especially among public workers. Our political emphasis is
always on the people most abused by the profit system and most ready to jump into battles against it. FSP’s work in labor
has centered recently on opposing budget cuts, job losses, and take-backs—in a word, austerity. Our members in unions
have been pushing their officials to act since Day One of the economic downturn—and have been leading the way by
initiating fight-backs themselves.
The four days of the convention will include public sessions and workshops. Session topics will range from the
environmental crisis to how leftists can achieve real collaboration with one another in the electoral and other arenas.
Workshops will include everything from Marxist ABCs to practical discussions about organizing a united front or fighting a
union contract battle. The convention will also include closed sessions. The membership is FSP’s highest decision-making
body, and conventions allow comrades to debate freely, vote on the actions that the party will take in the next period, and
elect its next national leadership committee. This is the party’s democracy in action.
Readers can join us for the convention’s open sessions, and we hope you will! If you are interested, please call or e-mail
FSP National Secretary Doug Barnes, 206-985-4621 or fspnatl@igc.org.∆
6

OCU Societies Honor Four
at Awards of Excellence
According to
Poets.org, it is a time "when
schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets throughout
the United States band together to celebrate poetry and its vital
place in American culture." Several Oklahoma City library
locations are doing their part to join in the celebration, offering
free events: 1) Thursday, April 18, The Southern Oaks Library,
6900 S Walker, will host a Poetry Celebration where attendees
can "Select a poem that you love and carry it with you to share
with co-workers, family, and friends.” For more information, call
405-631-4468, 2) Saturday, April 20, Poetry, Portraits, and Pizza
is the theme for teens at the Village Library, 10307 N Penn, from
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Pizza is free! Space is limited; call 405-755-0710
to register, 3) Saturday, April 20, The Belle Isle Library, 5501 N
Villa, and the Oklahoma Humanities Council will host the current
Oklahoma State Poet Laureate for a poetry reading and
instruction from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 405-843-9601 for more
information.
Beyond the emphasis of April, poets in the OKC Metro meet
year around for reading opportunities, as listed below.
▪ The first Sunday of most months, at the Paramount: featured
poets and open mic. at 2 p.m.
▪ Second Sunday of most months: featured poet at the Depot in
Norman at 2 p.m.
▪ Every Wednesday evening, open mic at Sauced on the Paseo
about 7:30 p.m.
▪ Third Thursday at Benedict St. Market in Shawnee: featured
poet and open mic at 7 p.m.
▪ Final Sunday of the month, reading at Full Circle: a featured
poet and open mic event at 2 p.m.∆

Are you affected by someone's drinking?

Al-Anon or Alateen may be able to help; information at
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/ or locally in OKC (405) 767-9071
and http://okcalanon.org/∆

Flag Day on June 14th!

The Societies of Oklahoma City University honored four
distinguished women of OKC during its annual Awards of
Excellence dinner February 27. Honorees were Anne Kraft
Gray, Norick-Hulsey Gallery Society Award; Marion Paden,
Dulaney-Browne Library Society Award; Linda Whittington,
Kirkpatrick-Petree Opera and Music Theatre Society Award;
and Jenee Naifeh Lister, Oklahoma City University
Distinguished Philanthropist Award. The Societies of Oklahoma
City University focuses on recognizing women for outstanding
volunteer service in OKC and providing scholarships for OCU
students.
After retiring from her business career as a national
certified school psychologist for more than 20 years, Gray
continues to give back to the local community as a member of
the boards of directors for Integris Mental Health and the Payne
Education Center and is an advocate for the arts in Oklahoma
City with leadership roles in the Orchestra League, Red Earth
Festival, Oklahoma Art League, and Allied Arts. She is the
communications chair for the YWCA capital campaign and
serves on the board of Girl Scouts—WESTOK.
Paden is the vice president for enrollment and student
services at Oklahoma City Community College. With significant
roles in more than 20 non-profit organizations, Paden serves in
leadership positions for Christmas Connection, American Red
Cross of Central Oklahoma, Salvation Army, OU Breast
Institute, and the Cultural Development Corporation.
Whittington as manager of Corner Energy LLC is active in
energy business organizations and is an advocate for strong
community leadership and an ordained elder of First
Presbyterian Church of Edmond, serving on the boards of
directors for the Children’s Center and Girl Scouts of Western
Oklahoma. She is a founding member of the Juliette Low
Leadership Society and serves on the boards of the Myriad
Gardens Foundation, Civic Center Foundation, and Youth
Leadership Exchange.
Lister, a wealth management advisor, uses her expertise
and leadership skills for the benefit of various nonprofits,
serving on the boards for Casady School, St. Anthony Hospital
Foundation, St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma State University
Foundation Board of Governors, and Oklahoma Children’s
Theatre. She is co-chair of the Saints Vision Campaign for St.
Anthony Hospital.∆

Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top
except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should
be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is
always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They
should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags
should be to the left.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are
grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in
front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.∆

7

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Ingraham & Associates, PLLC
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333629 E Kickapoo Valley Rd Ofc(405)964-2072
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The Shop

Realtor

Jeff
(405) 850-0217 cell
(405) 610-2600 office

405.919.8443 Direct
405.948.7500 Office
405.948.7502 Fax
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8

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