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Letters to HRC [Hillary Rodham Clinton] re: Women's Conference
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Letters to HRC [Hillary Rodham Clinton] re: Women's Conference
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FOIA Number: 2012-0094-F
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Letters to HRC [Hillary Rodham Clinton] re: Women's Conference
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S
92
2
5
1
32 Pro
Jossa-
641 Santa Anita Avenue
San Marino, CA 91108
August 14, 1995
yro of
Ms. Hillary Clinton
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Ms. Clinton:
WR
Yes, please attend the UN Women's conference in Beijing. It is unfortunate that
Harry Wu is in jail, but we women need to keep moving forward. Wu's situation should
not impact on whether or not you attend. Women and their treatment and place in the
world are long-neglected issues. There are few forums which drav
ch attention to the
world-wide plight of women. I urge you: Attend! It is important
he most important
woman of the United State be at that conference and represen iumane and equal
treatment of women.
Mrs. Clinton, you started out like gang-busters when your husband was elected, but you
have let the Washington boys step all over you apparently crush your spirit. You have cut
back on your efforts to make change.
As a woman, I am proud of you and what you have accomplished and have tried to do.
Go and speak for women of the United States and the world. Women should not be
second rate citizens in any nation on earth.
Sincerely,
Bengh Wribe
Beryl Uribe
un
Card
32
pro
5 Decta court
Sactney Ferry Rd
Chester CH 4 OBN
9th august 1995.
England.
Dear Mrs Clinton.
Re. China (women's conference)
I understand that you are to attend the
United Nations international conference
september. on women, to be herd in Beijing in
AS a successful career women and
mother to a lovely daughter, I am sure
that you, along with most other women
in the Western world, depiore China's
in human treatment of pregnant women,
wercing them into abortions and the
ternible ways in which families of more
than one child are terrorised into
abandoning their own babies or even
worse, infanticide.
I have recently seen a television
documentary, showing how orphaned baby
girls are left to the merry of poorly - run
State orphanages. Because girls have such
a low priority in China's culture, they are
simply left to rot. I know that you will
want to use your position in society to help
to change this disgusting situation. America
should use bestow the honour of 'most
favoured nation' upon China.
Please do what you can to help. we are
so lucky to have been born in our respective
countries. I dread to think what my life would
be like had I been born and raised in China
for the last thirty two years. what would
yours have been like? we owe it Co the WOMEL
and baby girls in China who cannot speak
for temselves.
yours sincerely,
anne ELLTS.
Dear Hillary
8-13-95
are you going to re -
present all of us women
on Women in Beijing?
at the World Conference
t hope to ! They certainly
would not banksh you
to the NGO group, even though
I'm glad many women
are
relegation
We appreciate your efforts
to make Bills job easeer
Tell him we are proud
of him and his efforts
to ban nuclear testing,
to help the causes for the
poor and retired
Hang in there ?
S. Thary Claire La ciron Moth
Thank you
(5)
Mina
Alika
Baston, MA. 02/15
The le kete House
august 18, 1995
1600 Rennsylaoxia are
To. Lissa, Sabrina
Washing ten, D.C.
- Moveltrs
Dear Mrs Clen ton,
Pro
UR
First let me say alike as
you
Illea at 304 Comm. are in the Back Bay of
Baxton I am an animal Caretaker Dawn the
street at 286 Camm. are lives Betsey magnesen
P take care of her 10y eac old Scatte clog, moely (wko
I love) because last Christmas area the holidays
Batsey travelled to Chena to acquire We wee her newly It
adapted 5 mont 4 old baby, was
it. It has proved to be misoculously worthwhele for
a tedeaus task for her to accomplesh but she and
her as well as our whole Community. a true gift
from God to all af us
well be attending the Comens Gould Conference
Diarete to you you for I believe you
in China this year I hope that the included descussion
of the adaption of Chenese children to be be known that in
the agenda P would like it to
the doors have been opened
finally single women over 40 years of age. They
can now adapt a baby I have seen what
Betsey has done as a single woman. She
went avec and saved a little girls
life; took her back home here and took
responsibility for every secon a of that
lettle Cheld's life. It doesn t get any better
than that. Please keep the issue of
adapten asphanmed Chenese girl babies
alive
Sincerely
Sally Kubasiak
TEL:
pro
Aug 21.95 10:46 No.003 P.01
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN COUNT NETWORK
Members in: Barbados. Belgium. Canada, France, Germany, Guyana, India,
Ireland, Italy, The Phillppines. Spain, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA
WOMEN COUNT
YORK
August 21, 1995
Press Release Press Release Press Release
WOMEN'S
Contact National Women Count Network
Margaret Prescod, P.O. Box 86681 Los Angeles CA 90032 (213) 221-1698, fax (213) 227-9353
Phoebe Jones Schellenberg, P.O. Box 11795 Phila PA 19101(610) 668-9886, fax (610) 664-8556
UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE USED AS POLITICAL FOOTBALL
The needs and interests of women, in particular women of the grassroots, are heing
sacrificed to political jockeying in Washington DC, where the attendance of First Lady Hillary
Rodham Clinton at the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing has come under question, and
in fact has become a centerpiece by politicians who are making power plays at women's
expense under the guise of championing the cause of human rights.
Are human rights violations really the motive of those urging Mrs. Clinton to 'stny home'?
Or are there other agendas? Data worldwide has clearly established that the human rights of
women, particularly those at the bottom of the economic ladder, are violated the most. Those
who are serious about addressing the problems women face worldwide, including human
rights violations, recognize such posturing for what it is: a cynical maneuver by those who
would make political hay at women's expense, and who have little or no interest in sexism or
the daily deadly mix when sexism combines with poverty, racism, ageism, homophobia, industrial
and military violence, that millions of women and girls face on a daily basis.
What seems more to the point of the public effort to restrict Mrs. Clinton's movements is an
attempt to derail public attention and focus from the shocking examples of women's
overwork and underpayment as well as other inequities - also human rights violations -
including those most recently brought to light in the 1995 UN Human Development Report the
UN Development Program released on August 17: that world economies are dependent on the
unvalued and undervalued work of women which many governments seem to be quite happy to
let happen behind their backs, while women continue to be treated by policy makers as charity
cases.
Mrs. Clinton remarked at the launch of the UNDP Report, "Women care for most of the world's
children. And women do more than their share of the world's work." At an earlier press
conference launching the US Department of Labor's Working Women Count survey she
prefigured this UNDP report when she said, "The split between working women and
homemakers is a misnomer. All women work."
IWCN is " network of organizations and individuals who support counting unramemented work in satellite occounts of the GDP
Go-erdmated by the International Wages for Housework Campaign and International Black Women for Wages for Housework
Caribbean: Mount Pleasant Road. Arima, Trinidad Tel (809) 667 6247 0/0 Red Thread. 173 Charlotte 31. Georgetown, Guyana Tel (6922) 77481
Europe: PO Box 287, London NW6 sou. England Tel (0171) 637 7609 Fax (0171) 833 4817
USA: Box 06581. Los Angeles CA 90036 Tel/Fax. (213) 292 7405
PO Box 11795 Philadelphia PA 19:01 Tel (610) 668 9886 Fax (610) 664 8566
Page 2 of 2
Date: 8/21/95 Time: 11:11:54
rom: INWOC To: Hillary Clinton
TEL:
Aug
21.95
003
P.02
The 1995 UNDP Report quantifies in detail the inequities women face, concluding that $11
trillion is unaccounted for in official measures of the world's economy because women's work is
unvalued and undervalued, which puts women at a tremendous disadvantage in all arcas of life
in this world: economic, social, legal and political.
Women are fed up with those in governments who ignore the burdens we bear, despite
their feminist-laced rhetoric. Women's work is largely not officially measured and valued. as
shown by the UNDP Report, and other studies and statistics, yet women are counted on to keep
every economy going. Those trying to restrict the First Lady from participating in the UN Fourth
World Conference on Women are not counting the work of thousands of NGO staff,
volunteers and grassroots women living in the US and clsewhere who have put in years of
fundraising, organized community-based conferences and meetings, drafted documents,
and done other preparatory work to ensure that the voice of women, including those from
the bottom, not only the voice of governments, are heard at this crucial juncture in history,
which the Conference signals Proposals will be made at this Conference which will affect
women and girls into the next century, a matter that women, unlike some in policy-making
positions, can't afford to take lightly - their survival and their children's survival depend on it.
Whether or not the First Lady, the Honorary Chair of the US Delegation to the UN
Conference, goes to the Beijing Conference determines whether the US is serious about
sending a strong message, not only to China, but to governments around the world that the US
government at the highest levels takes seriously and is ready to work for the human rights of
Harry Wu as well as the human rights of hundreds of millions of women and girls who
suffer worldwide, including in the US, such a message can be conveyed by Mrs. Clinton's
presence and participation in the official US Delegation
The National Women Count Network is a network of organizations and individuals who support aucasuring
and valuing women's unwaged work, and includes prominent women's, labor, civil rights, human rights, and
other organizations. It to part of the International Women Count Network, whose delegation to the UN
Conference will present governments with a strongly-worded paragraph signed by over 600 NGOs representing
millions of women and nice worldwide, including in the US, urging that unwaged work be measured, valued
and included In satellite accounts of the group domestic product of countries throughout the world.
5401 S. Hyde Park Blvd., #1403
Chicago, IL 60615
Telephone: 312/324-1502
August 17, 1995
Hillary Rodham Clinton
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Ms. Clinton:
I am writing to urge you to lead the U.S. delegation to the
Fourth U.N. Conference on Women opening in Beijing on August 30.
While I understand the concerns you or any highly visible poten-
tial delegate must feel about being seen as in any way condoning
China's abusive human rights policies, I believe it is necessary to
see a conference like this one purely as a United Nations event, and
the choice of venue therefore as an incidental matter.
Certainly this U.N. event is a very important one. Although it
is the fourth conference of its kind, the disadvantaged position of
women around the world has hardly abated as a crisis affecting every
member of every society. The vital economic and political dilemmas
call for the active participation of our country's most visible woman
leader. You have already demonstrated your knowledge and sensitivity
about this issue on your trip to South Asia; it is important to con-
tinue that effort at this international gathering.
I would strongly urge that if you go to Beijing you pay at least
one visit to the "alternative forum" organized by non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) in Huairou. By doing so you would be helping,
in a dramatic way, to draw attention to the all-important substance
of an event that threatens to be overshadowed by the Chinese govern-
ment's insistence on locating it 30 miles from the main conference.
One of the primary issues to be highlighted at the alternative
forum, entitled "Action for Equality, Development, and Peace," is the
devastating impact of the economic policies of the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). Throughout their 51-year history,
these institutions, by far the most powerful in determining the fate
of "developing" countries, have promoted an economic model which
fails to include women or the poor among the designers or the benefi-
ciaries. This is particularly true of the "structural adjustment
programs" (SAPs) imposed by both the Bank and the Fund on more than
90 countries in the last 15 years--programs agreed to by indebted
governments with no other source of funds. Hallmarks of these pro-
grams include trade liberalization, sweeping deregulation, and wage
constraint policies, which have resulted in more exploitative labor
conditions for women. As social services like health care and educa-
tion are cut under SAPs, women in societies around the world work
longer hours in the home and take on extra outside work (often in
additional subsistence agriculture) to allow their families to
survive. Eighteen-hour days are common for women in much of Africa
and other very poor countries.
am clinton
August 17, 1995
Page Two
Many women's groups have been opposing these policies and their
while the overall from the grassroots to the diplomatic level.
theme of the Conference is to empower women and
increase their participation in decision making at all levels, the
much-heralded "globalization" of the economy works to make economic
and political decision-making processes less open and democratic, and
further tilts the playing field to monied, corporate interests. The
true story of the massive inequalities of the world economy, and
women's increasingly disadvantaged position, will only be heard at
the NGO forum.
Sincerely,
Soun Androse
Soren Ambrose
august 18, 1995
First lady Hillary Clinton
White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear MB. Clinton
1 am writing This letter to convey my support for
your participation in The NGO FORUM and UN Foruth world
-conference - on Women. As one of The 8,000 Americans
attending The conference, I am committed to improving The
gnality of life for American men and women, and for
Securing a bright future.
The US Movernments contribution to The Platform for Action
fundamental to a healthy American family.
confirms That education and economic opportunity are
addition, by addressing health, domestic violence, The
balance between work and family, and Wamen's participation
in decision. making, The US sovernment is taking Steps
to Secure a future where Waren and men can line
to fultill Their potential
As a young working Woman who represents 46% of The
American Workforce, / am prond That The U.S. is taking
(a leadership role in The conference, but we
the US' commitment to a new future- a
want you there! This World demonstrate
commitment to young women and to our
Vital role in strengthening one nation.
Thank you for your immediate and vocal
Support in This conference. As Martin Luther
King, Jr. once said," Our lives begin to end
the day we are silent a bont things
that matter."
Sincerely,
SimBerté
3901 F North 6th St.
Arlington, VA.
22203
Mary Ann Willis
313 North Darby Street
Princeton, KY 42445
18 aug. 1995
Jean mrs. Clinton,
For two days now l have
read and watched T.V. concerning
in China."
your trys to the "Woman Conference
l have great- grand daughters
more important than the individual
my belief is " The massed are
l So not know the reason fun
Mr. Wu becoming an american
cityen an decesion all material not based states on it freedom was
but only an act to support
his pensonal advantage.
the world as our leader l
By representing all warren of
believe it would be an
advantage you my great- grand
have people as Mr. Wu. as well
daughters - we will always
as the paar with us.
school on four continuents
Having lived and taught
and being asso ciated with
each B the wain religions
of year world, d believe
Conference would benefit
your presence at the Waman'- the
mass of woman your just
one man. Please don it be
going will will only benefit
another Jummy Carter team when the he
refused been invitation Olympic - what did
it
Mascaw accomplish rather than depanse
4 (2 years did yf not their note for lies. Bill Sincerely Welle Mo aun Politicsivale.
1st boy
JOAN H. COFFEY
FIVE MONTPELIER COURT
SETAUKET NY 11733
JUL 31 1995
516-751-1051
President William J. Clinton
and
20 July 1995
Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton
IN RE: China
The White House
Harry Wu Incident
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
4th World Conference on Women
Washington DC 20500
Dear President and Mrs. Clinton:
I hope you will not consider it impertinent of me to send the attached material: the 2nd and 3rd
pages of a letter sent to a friend who published an article in which she stated that the chief role of
women at the 4th World Conference on Women would be to See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil.
The first page held personal greetings and is not sent herewith.
I suspect many other Americans feel now about the Harry Wu incident as I do. My thoughts
pear on page 2 of the attached, and I trust they will interest you.
While no one could fault Mr. Wu for unrelenting commitment to his mission; nevertheless, I
believe that as an American he should always have sought prior government approval to engage in
activities he contemplated as a 'tourist' to China. I venture that he has greatly complicated and set back
the conduct of affairs between us and China. I do not believe he had any greater right to do this than any
other American visiting China-not on government service. Most of us are cognizant of the delicacy and
fragile nature of diplomacy, and of our own responsibility not to make the task of our government
greater than it already is by unauthorized actions that could lead to misunderstanding and dispute.
I can also appreciate the heartache and consternation of Ching Lee Wu at her husband's impris-
onment. But I cannot imagine that as a couple they had not contemplated this possibility-the stakes of
the game-although Mrs. Wu stated on National Public Radio that she had not much knowledge of poli-
tics. I found that statement disingenuous, although I sympathize with the difficult way she is learning
about the art.
If her statement was true, why did Mrs. Wu ask Mrs. Clinton not to appear at the World
Conference on women in September? Again, I believe the Wus have lost sight of the larger picture and
of their responsibility to their adoptive nation. I do not believe they are American heroes. Nor do I
believe Mrs. Wu understands the important role a First Lady may serve as informal ambassador for our
nation, which role offers an extraordinary political opportunity at this difficult juncture in our relations
with China.
As an American participant in the conference, I want the women of the world and all the peo-
ple of China to have the privilege of meeting and hearing and being encouraged by our dynamic First
Lady. It would make me and every American woman there so proud to have you join us, Hillary, as we
take our part in conscientiously building bridges between the peoples of China and ourselves.
My belief about the role and potential positive effect of American women at the Conference,
and after, and its importance are outlined on page 3 of the attached. Again, I trust this will interest you.
Respectfully,
Attached: Copy, Pgs. 2 and 3 of letter
Page, personals, not sent.
Joan H. Coffey
And so you understand how interested I was to discover that you are a China
Watcher with many years of and continuing interest to your credit. The next decade
should prove tremendously interesting to those of us with this interest. China will be the
hot topic that supercedes all others, I suspect.
I commend to your attention the book I am reading now: CHINA WAKES by
Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (pulitzers, NY TIMES) Call No. 306.0951. One of
the reviewers was Sy Hersh. His evaluation that this is a brilliant account that "In a per-
fect world: would be required reading for everyone in the government and in the
Congress." was enough for me. But then, I would read anything S. Hersh commeded.
I know you will be fascinated. Sheryl WuDunn is, incidentally, Chinese
American, and she and Kristof are married. Made for some interesting experiences in
China, and certainly gave her the edge for investigative reporting, as she could "Pass" at
need. But within the legality of her role as a foreign correspondent.
I certainly wish the opportunistic Mr. Wu had recognized his responsibility to his
chosen adoptive land, and not stirred up the hornet's nest that he has. First-selfishly-
this could make it much more difficult for any Americans traveling in the near future.
Then, because he is an opportunist: running a business whose profit is based on study of
prisons in China, and working to provide exposes for commercial purposes (ABC?, CBS?
- which was it?) Everyone knows there is a centuries-long history of terrible imprison-
ment and torture in China. Only the commercial interests (with the cooperation of the
Mr. Wus of this world) can turn that into Big Bucks. Does he belong to an established
human rights organization? To China Watch? If not, I wonder why not.
I want my nation's contacts with China-which may soon be the the trickiest
diplomatic challenges in the history of the world-to be made by the people ! have elect-
ed to make them for me, and through the offices of the UN which I believe I do not
want some loose cannon creating more tension than is already almost unb
and
perhaps destroying our best chances to demonstrate the benefit to China of China's
entering into the world of economic cooperation being built that I expect will create
bridges not otherwise possible (am I too hopeful?) I want them made by the Kristofs and
WuDunns, working in a legal framework to alert us not just to the horrors of Chinese
society, but to chinks in the armor of communism that open opportunities for changing
through the difficult arts of diplomacy, negotiation, patience. Who appointed Mr. Wu my
Representative? Why did he choose to become American, and not Brazilian, say, or Thai,
or Roumanian? He is using us, because America offers great protection to its citizens
along with the opportunity for great wealth. Or, that's the way I see it, and I hope the
issue can be resolved soon, and that he will be publicly told not to jeopardize our best
efforts again and to work within China only at the invitation of our government. He'll
probably end up on a lecture circuit and turn this incident into bundles of money, too.
As for the Women's Conference. I don't think we will see or hear any evil that we
recognize. My worst fear is that women of the world will meet in just another different
place doingwhat we seem to do best: singing to the choir. That this meeting will result in
yet another Massive Document that remains words on paper. That we will have been pat
on the heads once again by the UN, rather than in any way abused by the Chinese.
Page 2 of 3
Accepting that as a given, still I am terribly proud to have chosen to go. Because
I believe, and I believe Gertrude Mangella would concur, that at this moment in time, the
appearance of massive numbers of women from around the world who walk into the
known worst offender nation with the message of equality and protection for women in
all areas and for peace in the world and who back their words by their presence will make
a statement that is more powerful than any that could be written on a document. If a pic-
ture is worth a thousand words, then the sight of thousands of dynamic and apparently
robust women of all ages from all nations will do more to inspire Chinese women to want
to be one with us than anything else we might do.
And I do not think our effect will be limited to women. The relative comfort level
that is apparent in the women who will go to Beijing to stress the need to address their
disadvantaged position in the world cannot help but be noted by the Chinese. The ques-
tion must surely arise: If these are the disadvantaged, what must their societies offer as a
whole? I expect interest and desire to enter a more comfortable world will ensue. And the
tinderbox come that much closer to being lit from within. I intend to be observant and
learn all I can, to be polite but clear in my message that my nation is unbelievably won-
derful-when asked, and I intend to have a grand time.
I'll let you know when I return whether I have changed my name to Pollyanna.
Best always,
Joan H. Coffey
Not read nor edited:
Interests of Time.
Conference 3 carterter
Sh
P.O.Box 890666
China
Houston, Texas 77289
august 8, 1995
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
/ am writing this le Her because of a de bate
/ heard on a Sunday morning to 1b show concerning
your scheduled trip to the womens conference
in Beijing.
you Mr. Wu isa very brave man who knew
the risks he was taking in his work your
absence from the conference will not help
free Mr.Wu. (It will aggravate the Chinese
government
Manywomen live in horrible conditions
Through circumstances beyond their control.
Feel that your presence at the conferencewill
help some of these women. 1fyoufeel that
you presence will help even one woman, /
urge youto a Hend.
Respectfully yours, Qulia Johnson
China
Bensh
pro
August 7, 1995
Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
I am writing to urge you to lead the United States delegation to the
4th United Nations Conference on Women to be held in Beijing next month.
I also encourage you to invite all former First Ladies to join you in
sharing the leadership of the United States delegation in accordance
with their special interests in global social and community issues --
literacy, healthcare, social and economic equality for women, etc.
This is not a time for the United States to be under-represented at the
most significant world conference on women that will be held at the close
of this century. Your participation, and the participation of Lormer
First Ladies, will draw appropriate world attention to the critical
need to establish more positive attitudes toward girl children and
upgrade women's economic and social status worldwide.
This is a time to reflect on the historic interest -- in one example
dating back to 1859 in what is now known as Hwa Nan Women's College in
Fuzhou, Fujian Province -- that women in the United States have had in
helping to educate girls and young women of China.
Today, young people in the United States -- of both genders -- need
to become more literate about China, the rest of the developing world
and our mutual interdependence. We need to develop better communication
channels to collaborate with each other in finding solutions to the
global problems that confront us. You are the right person to stress
the need for these positive connections. What better place for you
to encourage new initiatives of dialogue among the world's youth than
at an address to the students, faculty and alumni of Hwa Nan Women's
College -- following the close of the UN conference.
The time is right for you to lead a prestigious United States delegation
to the 4th UN Conference on Women.
Sincerely yours,
In to
Michael Murtaugh
2419 Oregon Ave
Long Beach, CA 90806
29
28
28
27
26
Mr. Max Cohen
23
20
1 Short Ln.
Levittown, NY 11756-4020
Max Cohen
1 Short Lane
august 8.1995
Levittown, NY 11756
300
my dear Hillary,
bunp
l am hoping gowwill not fe
deterred China from attesting the n.n. conference
in in september by all the
naysaying prevalent by somemembers
of the administration. (see perisione article)
after all, you are an ancredited member
of the Conference and your presence will
only add prestige trits proceeding,
a to propermance and makeno overtimes
amsure you will enduct yourselfin
chinese officials.
Ag of they choose tr uddressign
to yrauposition you can confine. outy remarks respect
his saying that President has expressed you
wished sentiments by stating that he only
The friendly relations with thina
and for the 4.5. to maintain open
instited that he Hyrn, , Mism Kinforselaple
susject of Hary Ww should Me
possible!) may listory they
your avg
6124 12th Street
Port Arthur, TX 77642
August 3, 1995
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear First Lady Hillary,
In an article in the Houston Chronicle, August 3, 1995, page 26A (copy attached),
reference was made to the United Nations Women Conference in China. Los Angeles
Times writer, Stanley Meisler remarked that Republicans are against sending a
delegation to China
U. N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright stated the United States will send a delegation
to China for the United Nation Women Conference. During this sub-committee
meeting she told about her father, a Czech dipolmat, taking refuge in the United States
after the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948. Ambassador Albright
went on to say "There is nothing more destructive to Communist governments than
alternative ideas. They don't know how to deal with them. It would be a big favor to the
to the Chinese for us not to show up." She continued to say " the White House
had made no decision yet as to whether you would attend, even though you are the
"honorary chair" of the delegation.
First Lady, I hope you will attend this conference as an example of
"symbolic speech." Just like when Mary Beth Tinker and her brothers were
suspended for wearing black arm bands to high school to protest the Vietnam War.
In 1995, the issue is not the Vietnam War, but human rights such as activist
Harry Wu or women who are forced to comply with China's compulsory abortion law.
This will be an excellent networking event for you to continue your platform
on rebuilding family values.
Thanks very much for your time and I hope you will attend this historical event
for all the women in the world. This conference will symbolize women
taking control of their own lives. Opening their minds and eyes to new life choices,
making their own decisions and acting on them, often forfeiting immediate
pleasure in pursuit of long-term goals.
Sincerely yours,
Jeame Cenn Sines
Jeanne Ann Hines
Lamar University, Port Arthur Campus
c.c.
request Conference
From [email protected] Thu Aug 3 01:48:19 1995
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3 Aug 1995 01:43:55 -0400 -
Date: Thu, 03 Aug 1995 01:43:55 -0400
From: [email protected]
Subject: White House Forum E-Mail
To: president
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Field 2 = Barbara Bernstein, 305 E. University Apt. B, Tucson, AZ 85705
Field 4 = 8/2/95
Dear Hillary Rodham-Clinton,
I am very concerned about the L ossibilty that you will not attend the UN
Conference on Women in Beijing. I think the issue of not attending because of
the issue of human rights abuse is a smokescreen. I think it is possible to
stand up for human rights in the very places where they are being violated.
In fact, where better to discuss the issues of women than in those very
locations. And that includes the US.
Please go. You are such and admired and powerful symbol for women. We need
you there. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Barbara Bernstein
32
Gomes
AMBROSE KLOTZ
10815 Old Coach Road
Potomac, MD 20854
301 299 6408
8 August 1995
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
The media have recently mentioned the controversy over your possible attendance
at the forthcoming meeting in China on women's human rights. The issue seems to center
on your not attending because of the incarceration of Mr. Wu. The nay-sayers aver that
the United States should not be represented in a meeting at a site where freedom of
personal expression is so harshly controlled in any event, but considering Mr. Wu's U.S.
citizenship, U.S. participation would be tantamount to acceding to the propriety of China's
action.
It is never a good idea to leave or not attend a meeting wherein will be discussed
matters significant to self interests. To do so is to isolate oneself from where the action is
regarding those self interests. The U.S. should be boldly represented, and you are among
the best able to represent us. Please go. Twist arms if ne
ry, but go.
You could accomplish all that would be accomplish by a protest absence, and
more, by your attendance coupled with a constant display of unspoken protest of China's
hypocritical approach to human rights.
If you were to make known before your departure or in your first opportunity to
address the meeting that some prominent item of clothing is your personal reminder that
freedom of expression is fundamental to every one of the women's issues to be discussed,
"the message" would be louder, clearer, and yet softer than a deliberately offensive
absence. E.g., a scarf worn with every costume or gown, of bright yellow symbolizing the
light of the sun, or baby blue representing both the freedom of ubiquitous skies and
women's creative place in the human species. There are other e.g.'s running through my
mind, but Katherine, my wife of 46 years next month, still has veto over what I wear
"out", and I hesitate to offer a suggestion that offends a woman's superior sense of style
and color. You get the idea anyway. If you were to suggest all women delegates don a
garment or accessory of similar color the message would be a thunderous whisper of
universality.
God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
ambrore Wot
church women united
in wisconsin
The First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton
The White Hourse
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton,
Chunch Women United State Board meeting in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin,
on August 10, 1995, passed the following statement of support for
you to lead the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Founth World
Conference on Women in Beijing, China:
"Chunch Women United of Wisconsin, fully aware of both complex human
supports the U.S. Delegation, headed by Fir. dy Hillary Rodham
nights issues and the importance of internat: oral gatherings, totally
Clinton, to the U.N. Founth World Conference Nomen in Beijing.
August 20-September 15 for CWU participants from Wisconsin, Ennabelle
State Executive Board members have covenanted () offer noonday prayer
Madushaw and Judith Braham to express spinitual unity and shared
commitment for all delegates to the Founth World Conference on Women
and participants in the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO₂) Forum.
Acting this day: 10 August, 1995. as an
Executive Board of Chunch Women United
in Wisconsin at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin."
This conference on women is vital and we support your leadership
of the U.S. Delegation. You will be included in our prayers!
Peace,
Betty Wolcott, OSI
Betty Wolcott, OSF, for the CWU State Board
Ecumenical Action Chairperson
August 11, 1995
Copies to President William Clinton
and to all Wisconsin Senators and
Representatives, as well as to
Local Newspapens
NB: I am also enclosing a resolution on Government which was sent to
President Clinton and all Wisconsin legislators-we do support the
nightful role of government in our lives.
Passed by Church Women United Wisconsin on 8/10/95
At the State Board Meeting in Beaver Dam, WI
Affirming the Rightful Role of Government
(A resolution for consideration at CWU State Board Meeting, August 10, 1995--
Prepared by Betty Wolcott, OSF, Ecumenical Action Chairperson)
1
Whereas, Church Women United from its founding in 1941 has affirmed that Christian
2
faith and action are integrally united and has focused its efforts on building a
3
world where justice, peace and love flourish, and
4
Whereas, Church Women United believes that as many people as possible participate in
5
decisions affecting their health and well-being and that of the planet, and
6
Whereas, it is necessary to order society SO that individual rights and responsibilities
7
can be balanced with the rights and responsibilities of the greater community and
8
planet, government structures, laws and oversight at the Federal, State and Local
9
level are essential for the protection and preservation of the individual and the
10 common good, and
11 Whereas in 1974 as the U.S. prepared to celebrate its Bicentennial, Church Women United
12
conducted a process called "sounding" to gather the thoughts of churchwomen across
13
the United States about the existing quality of life and their hopes for the future, and
14
Whereas, se"soundings" resulted in the People's Platform for a Global Society
15
(Presented to President Jimmy Carter) surfaced issues of concern such as, Hunger,
16 Health Care, Environment, Education, Justice, Family Stability, Housing, Employment,
17 Human Rights and Peace--issues even more relevant today, and
18 Whereas, Church Women United throughout its history has worked on these issues it all
19 levels of government: United Nations, World Court, Federal, State and Local levels
20
as well as through non-governmental organizations (NGO's), and
21 Whereas, today anti-government rhetoric and efforts to undermine the government's
22 ability to perform its proper role and various techniques are being employed to block
23
and/or weaken existing laws that protect and restore the air, water, scil (food),
24
plant and animal species, the needs of people who are economically disadvantaged and
25 worker safety-- to name some of the laws and regulations presently being undermined,
26 Therefore, be it resolved that Church Women United upholds the rightful role of
27 government in advancing the health and well-being of its citizens and of the Earth
28
and affirms that this can only be accomplished through the cooperation of various
29 levels of government: World, National, State and Local with videspread citizen
30 participation since while we live in various geographical areas we are also
31
interconnected and travel and trade between states and nations and share air, pollution,
32
and wildlife which also travels within and among geographical areas;
33
Be it further resolved that while we support needed governmental reforms we oppose
34
efforts at both the Federal and State level to block new legislation or to weaken
35
existing laws which protect worker health and safety, our food supply, the health of
36
our air, water, soils, forests, farmland, and the diversity of species;
37 Be it further resolved that Church Women United calls for thoughtful discussions
38
about how government can best serve the individual and common good and the Planet,
39 and that avoids divisiveness and polarization and that goes beyond opinions to moral
40
and ethical judgments based in justice and love and our responbibility to future
41
generations and life on this Planet;
2
Be it further resolved that Church Women United calls on PResident Clinton to veto
43
any bill or law that undermines human and planetary well-being.
8/15
From [email protected] Wed Aug 9 18:05:40 1995
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X-Mailer: Eudora 2.1.2
To: President
From: [email protected] (Rita Maran)
Subject: UN World Conference on Women
Dear Hillary Clinton,
May I respectfully urge that you attend the WCW in your capacity as
Monorary head of the delegation. The importance of this global conference
to women not only from our country but from all the continents should be
your top priority. Women who are coming from Africa, Asia, Latin America,
etc. to Beijing/Huairou at great personal cost, must go back to their
countries and utilize the WCW resolutions and decisions. Their go
ents
are likely to pay less heed to the outcome of the WCW and to these W en's
claims in the absence of the presence of the top US delegate (no
disprespect to Ambassador Albright!).
Sincerely yours,
Rita Maran
NGO Forum presenter, and WCW delegate
1326 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, California 94709
UN Con
3
08 AUGUST 1995
CAMP HIALEAH; BUSAN, KOREA
THE HONORABLE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
Wear Mrs. Clinten:
Please do attend the fourth World Conterence
on Women in the P.R.C. on 04 Sent 95.
Please insist on the rights of Taiwon. Then
President Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger
did not have to concede the resolution of
Taiwan to an all- China (read P.R.C. ) verue,
I was and have been part of all these
activities and Mr. Kissinger made several
tactical errors which were not necessary.
Respec the 11y,
Eric Hands ; Legislative Intern, California State Legislate
Eric Hande
1976-8.
32
First Thought:
young
not to go to Beijing,
in protest over Harry Wu;
make noise 'round th' world- -
BeHer to GO - number of options.
Protest there! Charm 'em to release
Harry Wu! The Pope is sending people- -
tell'em that; that'll shake 'em up! Before
get Vatican and others to join you in demand
ing release of Harry Wu, American citizen.
to win the job. Allen received only
Jensen - Sacramento, CA:
"Acrock." Helpher, somehow.
Polly Klaas--hasn't come out
have it on
pretty good authority in CA
Davis
was a friend of Polly's grand father;
they were in jail together. Polly's
Dad had to know Prob'ly why Polly
went w/him
(Usually someone they
know, they say
)
to win the job. Allen received only
I
uN Corf or. is
32
today
juzhinaj
august" 1995
Hillary Rodham Classton
White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear mrs. Clisiton:
manyof is are greatly
concerned about the
agenda you and our
a.s. representatives
are planning to take
with you to Beiping
I believe that the
majority of the people
in this country want
to see the family am
phasized. By that we
mean the family as
God established it
consisting of a father
a mother, and their
children. whether
natural or adopted.
I hope and pray
that, as you go rep-
resenting our nation,
you will tel concerned
that you carry the
mess age of the mapor-
ity. The foundation
of our great nation
rests on the families
who helped to make
it that way.
Respectfully,
EleaneN P. Stimesen
825 S. Bluff Blrd
Clinton, la.
52732