HerlandVoice-1999-09-v17-no08 (typo on original document)_ocr.pdf
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Se tember 1999
by Nancy J. Nesser
Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Alma Wilson died July 27
after a brief illness. Justice Wilson lived her life as a true
pioneer, a working mother, and a devoted child advocate. With
no real role models to look to, she forged a career in law second
to none. After spending several years in private practice and
serving as a judge on many levels, she was appointed to the
Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1982 by Gov. George Nigh. Justice
Wilson was retained by a vote of the people many times during
her 17 years with the Supreme Court.
While I was a law student, I had the good fortune to meet
Justice Wilson through her daughter Lee Anne. I was both
amazed and amused by her very personable style. Although
she had the sharpest legal mind, she had no idea how to
program her VCR so that she could tape the tennis matches she
loved to watch. During a visit to her home in Pauls Valley, I got
to be her hero for a little while because I could program the VCR
and talk about the law.
Chief Justice Wilson presided over the swearing in
ceremony that officially marked the beginning ofmy law career
and that of Oklahoma City attorney Peggy Johnson. It was truly
a banner year for women lawyers as we were sworn in by the
first female Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court;
Justice Yvonne Kaugerwas the first female Vice-ChiefJustice,
and we were welcomed to the Oklahoma Bar Association by
their first female president, Mona Lambaird.
After the official ceremony was over, Justice Wilson welcomed me and my family into her office for a little pep talk about
the practice of law. I admit that I do not remember exactly what
she said to me that day, but she wanted to encourage me to put
all I had into my practice, mentally and emotionally, and to warn
me that it would sometimes be "hell on wheels", but that the
rewards would be greater than the trouble.
Alma Wilson has been a devoted advocate for children.
One example is the opinion she authored for the Court in the
Fox v. Fox case. Justice Wilson made it clear that lesbian
mothers are not unfit merely because oftheir sexual orientation.
Her strongly worded opinion has opened the door for mothers
who would otherwise be forced to give up their children or face
an ugly court battle. The Fox case is a landmark, not just in
Oklahoma, but in the nation, setting a clear legal standard.
In 1998, she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she and others
founded the Seeworth Prepatory Academy, an alternative school
in Oklahoma City. Her devotion to the future of the children
of Oklahoma was nowhere more obvious than in her dedication
to starting this school. She believed that all children have the
potential for greatness, they just need some encouragement
Volume 17 Number 8
and attention in order for it to manifest. The name of the school
is very appropriate, because she could see worth in all children,
and most adults.
I, like all of those who met her, will never forget her spirit,
her love of the law or her devotion to her daughter. She is
without question a hero for all time.
0
See Marca Cassity in concert
at the
Herland Fall Retreat
October 1 -3
Lake Murray State Park
Marca will also lead a guitar workshop
... a.fierce energy, crazy sense of humor and
self-confidence that's i"esistible... - Doug Hill,
Norman Transcript
Herland Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
St.
SYBIL
Sybil Ludington, Matron Saint ofthe forgotten woman, is an occasional
contributor in this space.
Dear St. Sybil,
I need some advice, please. I am inundated daily with emails
and letters advising me of terrible things that Congress is getting
ready to do; and which I am supposed to nip in the bud by
contacting my Senators and Congressmen.
Now Sybil, you know as well as I that calling Jim Inhofe and
asking him to vote against the Defense of Marriage Bill or for the
Employment Non-Discriminatory Act, or for maintaining affinnative action or upholding reproductive freedom, is money and time
out the window; and of course it's not just Inhofe, it's all of them
- every single member ofthe Oklahoma delegation is a lost cause,
completely unreachable by appeals to reason or decency.
I guess I could, at some great expense, call Paul Wellstone or
Ted Kennedy or Barbara Mikulski or that nice socialist from Maine,
(Vermont? New Hampshire?) and ask them to vote the way I want
them to - but what good would that do? That's how they'd vote
anyway.
So what I do now when I get these passionate and wellintentioned pleas to try to affect the process is, I feel just awful frustrated and useless and totally deprived of decent representation - for a few minutes; then I hit the old delete button or toss
the letter in the circular file, andadd another permanent layer to my
onionskin of guilt and unempowerment.
Help me please, Sybil, to become empowered, influence the
process, and lose some ohhis guilt aiong the way.
My heartfelt thanks in advance,
Yolll'S,
Hope Lhess
Dear Hope:
True, you do appear to be in a quandary, and it does seem
hopeless trying to change the mindset of a gaggle ofbuffoons; but
try to think of it not as an impossible task but just a really really
big challenge.
First of all, remember that you are not alone, and that a large
number ofOklahomans are decent people and they will, overtime,
from time to time, communicate their views to their elected
representatives also. Your reps are hearing from other folk besides
you, and it as true as it is trite that your one letter or call might be
just the one to put it over the top and change the way they vote
on some issues.
Secondly:
Politicians are not immune from having an
awakening or raising of consciousness through personal experience. This has actually happened in a small way to Rep. Steve
Largent, so intractably to the right of Attila the Hun in most
respects. Steve's experience in football opened him to a respect
for African Americans, andAfricanAmericans on his staffhave led
him to an understanding that affirmative action, at least based on
race, is not all bad. His mind opened a leetle tiny bit on that one.
It's not much, but it is progress; a step in the proper direction.
Page2 Her/and Voice September, 1999
Now, Hope, I know you are going to bring up Newt Gingrich,
and how he didn't gain any understanding or empathy from having
a lesbian sister; but that's not fair, Gingrich is not your ordinary
right-wing newt - uh - nut; and bad as they are, the Oklahoma
delegation, with the exception perhaps oflnhofe and Watts, are not
as fundamentally vicious andmeanspirited and amoral as was your
Speaker Newt. Well all right, maybe they are, but Largent has
proven that they are not all beyond some growth and learning.
And that being the case, my dear, I have to tell you what you
already know and don 'twant to hear: it is your duty to call and write
them and share your views with them; to push that boulder up the
slope and watch it roll down again and again, just on the tiniest
chance that your effort will change them. And while you are at it,
don't forget to write those letters to the editor, where you have a
chance to influence the thinking of voters; and who knows where
that might lead?
Yours with fond memories of riding my Star throughout the
long dangerous night those many years ago, and sympathy that
your call to duty lacks the glamour and exhilaration of mine. Still,
duty is duty. I know you'll do yours.
Fondly,
Sybil
PS: That would be Representative Bernie Sanders of Vermont,
elected officially as an Independent, and you're quite right, he's a
socialist.
Dear Saint Syb,
Are you going to the Retreat at the end of the month?
xoxo,
Jess Wondrin,
Dear Jess,
Well yes. Where else could I spend a weekend doing exactly
what! want to do in the beautiful Oklahoma fall, being as gregarious
or reclusive as I feel like at any given moment, catching up on my
reading and flirting and cardplaying and fishing and softball, all the
while surrounded by the neatest women on your space and time
continuum.
Andit'sthelastHerlandRetreatoftheMillennium-hmmmm.
Could this portend miraculous and marvelous manifestations of
madness and mirth emanating from old Lake Murray at Midnight
on October 1? Ohh yes, I'll be there!
xoxo yolll'Self,
Syb
The Voice Is published by: Hertand Sister Resources, Inc. 2312
N. W. 39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
The Voice is offered as an open fOrum far community discourse.
Articles reflect the opinions of the author and not necessarily those
of Hertand 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.
Subscriptions to The Voice are free upon request although a donation
is requested to meet publication and distribution costs.
Herland Sister Resources
presents
MARY CATHERINE
REYNOLDS
Sat., September 18
6:30 p.m.
2312 NW 39th St, OKC
Suggested Donation: $5. 00
Refreshments Included
Don t miss this outdoor concert with
Oklahoma City folk legend Mary Reynolds
Also in September .....
September 11, The Supper Club meets at Herland at 5: 30 pm
HERLAND'S FALL RETREAT
OCTOBER 1, 2, 3 @LAKE MURRAY
COME AND ENJOY AFUN-FILLED WEEKEND
OF FOOD AND FUN
SWIMMING, DANCING (LESSONS, TOO), HORSEBACK RIDING,
GAMES, OUTDOOR & SPORT ACTIVITIES OR JUST RELAX
FRIDAY NIGHT --CAMPFIRE WITH PEGGY JOHNSON
FEATURING MARCA CASSITY HERSELLF!
***REGISTER NOW ***
Please choose the registration amount most
appropriate for you. On-site registration will be $65.
Deadline for pre-registration is September27 and
registration is non-refundable after September28.
Single Person's
Annual Income
Pre-registration
per person
Household Annual
Income
under $6,500
$15
under $13,300
$6,500 - $13,250
$25
$13,300 - $18,000
$13,250 - $19,500
$35
$18,000 - $26,000
$19,500 - $30,000
$45
$26,000 - $50,000
over $30,000
$60
over $50,000
Registration fee enclosed (payable to Herland): _ $15 _$25 _$35 _$45 _$60
Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.Phone:_ _ _ __
Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _State_ _Zip_ __
_ _I need a scholarship to attend.
_ _I'm enclosing and additional $_ _ to help provide scholarships.
_ _I'm bringing _ _ children (girls of all ages and boys under 1Oare welcome)
Return registration to: Herland Sister Resources, 2312 N.W. 39, Oklahoma City, OK73112
Her/and Voice Seotember. 1999 Plll!e 3
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