.Welcome to our Women's Community News for July 2022

The Women’s Community facilitates spiritual growth, education, community building, and service opportunities for the women of All Saints Church. All women who attend All Saints Church are members of Women’s Community, a ministry that creates a nurturing environment and gives voice to issues of critical importance. 

Meet Ida Puliwa of Malawi

Founder and Inspiration for

The Othakarhaka Foundation "Passing on the Kindness"

October 2, 2022  

4:30-6:30 pm

Wine and Hearty Appetizer

Reception and Presentation

$20.00 per person

at

Lorna and Don Miller’s Deck

1654 Woodglen Lane

Altadena, Ca 91001

Ida Puliwa, was the first female from her village to graduate college because of the kindness of a stranger, Marquita Hill, who recognized her exceptional qualities, and offered to pay for her schooling. The stranger made Ida promise that she would not pay back the money, but pass on the kindness, helping other women to attend school. When Ida told the chief of her village what she planned to do, he said “You can’t do that. You’re only a girl!” 

However her creativity led to programs feeding vulnerable children and the aged, secondary education scholarships for needy boys and girls, planting thousands of trees, construction of a community library, computer learning systems, a sewing school for teen mothers, and a free health care center dedicated to palliative care, family planning, and cervical cancer screening. Damaged roofs in the village have been repaired, and energy efficient stoves have replaced wood cooking fires that were decimating the trees in the village.

Because of Ida’s passion for girls equality, impoverished girls who had no chance in life because of forced child marriages, now have hope. They can become responsible educated women who have been trained to practice kindness. She does all this with an army of volunteers she has gathered, and everyone who receives help must give back to others. In this way she has created a self-sustaining community

SIGN UP HERE TO ATTEND THE EVENT

ALL NET PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL BE DONATED TO IDEMANDACCESS.org TO SPONSOR GIRLS EDUCATION IN MALAWI. 

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DONATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS IF YOU WISH, AT THE EVENT.

One of the strange laws of the contemplative life is that in it you do not sit down and solve problems: you bear with them until they somehow solve themselves. 

Thomas Merton

The All Saints Forum was the scene of a contemplative journey exploring the complex, inter-woven, and intricate conversation and call to action regarding the Supreme Court overturning of the Roe V Wade decision. The deep and thoughtful discussion focused on the current reproductive rights landscape, the growing rise of White Christian Nationalism and its impacts on religious freedom, and the future of women's healthcare.  Panelists included: Dr. Laila Al Marayati, a Muslim Assistant Professor, OBGYN from USC, Dr. Katie Clark, Chair of National Women’s Political Caucus, Franci Levine Grater from Pasadena Jewish Temple, Juliana Serrano, VP of Advocacy and Equity Planned Parenthood, who is a Latina Catholic, and Rev. Mark Chase, Assistant Rector of ASC.  Tricia Gray from Access Reproductive Justice was unable to stream into the live event to discuss the deep implications on women of color.    Maddie Gavel-Briggs was the inspiration and organizer of the event, and deserves so much credit for its success. 

Rev. Mark Chase led the discussion:

What are you hearing from people??

Laila stated that she is concerned, with others in her profession about what will happen when no one knows how to do abortions any more because there is so much fear given the laws changing so rapidly.

Katie expressed that we need to find one thing we can do each day, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of this decision.

Franci suggested that we need to talk to youth, and to assume that not everyone understands all the issues, particularly young people.

Juliana stated that people have a lot of questions and uncertainties, and we have to be vigilant and not assume that even California will not be affected.

 What Can we do as Californians?



Katie pointed out that our times reflect a nexus of overlapping inequities.  Black and brown women are most in need. We have to move votes and dollars, organizing and supporting front line workers. Everyone should try to get involved in organizing locally; in libraries, zoning for clinics, and get to know your city council members!

Laila is nervous for students/parents thinking about the states where they had planned to attend school, which no longer offer reproductive care. Jobs and Universities should be held accountable for supporting women health care. Our dollars will speak, and we should boycott states and businesses that are supporting the bans. OBGYN Doctors are organizing to protest the fact that the Board of Directors headquarters for OBGYN is in Texas!!! 

Juliana – We need to have conversations with Youth. Institutional racism wants to maintain power. PP is supporting candidates for election that will oppose the bans. Here in California Prop 1 will codify contraceptives and abortion.

Final Words:

Chase – We need to center our plans after listening to black women and build action plans around their response.

Franci – this must be an interfaith effort. Don’t give into despair. Keep hope alive.

Katie – Organize a collective refusal to abandon one another.

Laila – The Koran teaches that life is for the living, for those who are among us here and now.  

Juliana – Abortion is essential health care and we need to work to destigmatize it. 

The event was followed by tabling on the lawn with the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, Planned Parenthood, League of Women Voters, Pasadena for Rent Control, Pasadena Chapter of the ACLU and National Women's Political Caucus. The ASC Action Table featured GOTV bags that contain letters and postcards to swing states and districts, register to vote forms and instructions. We need each and every one of us involved in the midterms to secure a future for democracy and for women's safety andequality. The bags will be available Sundays through most of October. Visit the  Access Reproductive Justice Activist Application to support one of the only women's reproductive rights groups operating on the ground in California.  

For information on the GOTV bags or working on future Women's Community Action Team Events, contact Maddie Gavel-Briggs at  mwriter@greeneggsandham.org

Special thanks to Patrick Briggs for Photos!!