Posted on 05/24/2004 10:48:59 AM PDT by FourPeas
They move in powerful circles, sit on important boards, contribute to charitable causes.
Still, when it came to politics, they felt powerless, without a voice. There were few outlets for women with progressive views in West Michigan.
So, one night last summer, five like-minded women got together in a living room with little more than frustration over how politics were going and a dream of how they could change things.
They named themselves the Progressive Women's Alliance (PWA). Nine months later, they have a political action committee, 200 members and bold visions.
With Gov. Jennifer Granholm keynoting its first fund-raiser tonight in Grand Rapids, the group hopes to quadruple its coffer -- now at $10,000 -- which it will use to support progressive candidates and promote women's political opportunities.
"It's amazing to see how many women have come out of the woodwork," said Kate Pew Wolters, chairwoman of the Steelcase Foundation and one of the group's founding members and its treasurer. "To be at 200 members from five sitting together in somebody's living room is incredible."
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell was PWA's first guest at its monthly meeting, held every third Wednesday at the Women's City Club, 254 E. Fulton St. in Grand Rapids. In June, the group hopes to bring in a state official to speak on health, education and welfare programs.
PWA labels itself nonpartisan, with members from both parties, and some without political affiliation. But a look at members' views and the principles on which the group stands shows a decidedly liberal outlook. On issues such as affirmative action, government spending, taxes and reproductive rights, as well as war and peace, PWA lines up more closely with the Democratic Party than the Republican Party.
"First and foremost, we believe in a just and socially responsible society that includes an effective and efficient government," said spokeswoman Christine Albertini, a retired marketing executive.
"We were seeing across the state what's happening as a result of tax cuts, where government has become nonviable. We do want a government that's effective and that balances the power of the private sector."
By definition, conservatives would not want to join, co-chairwoman Bette Sebastian said.
"We're hoping to use government as a way to protect the less-powerful," Sebastian said. "This is not a conservative group. But,
really, we don't talk party. The membership would probably be in line with nonpartisan and Democratic viewpoints."
The PWA is working on its platform and developing a questionnaire to send to candidates. By the next election cycle, the group hopes to have candidates seeking spots in marginal districts that may typically go to Republicans.
"We have very ambitious goals," co-chairwoman Micki Benz said. "I'd like to see more of a balance in our community. We are a two-party system, and the Democratic party is not strongly represented yet" in the area.
Aside from the issues, members were looking for a way to express their political ideals.
"We felt frustrated by the lack of information and the ability to dialogue and have an impact," said Deb Manhoff, president of the board of the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts.
"Like-minded women have always come together in many venues, like library guilds, women's city clubs, churches and temples. But those opportunities are shrinking, or there was a shift in focus. So, the time was right to create a forum for women of all backgrounds to get together."
Helga Kleinschmidt, the group's membership drive organizer, thinks progressive women's voices are drowned out by conservatives, who dominate the political arena in West Michigan.
"Sometimes, you have the feeling that only the conservative view is shared in this community," she said. "I've been really surprised how many women are progressive."
Issues and platforms are not what attracted Jana Wallace, acting budget director for the city of Grand Rapids, to the group.
"I felt comfortable contributing to a group with the agenda of promoting women in public office or as appointed officials," said Wallace, who gave $100 to the group. "This is the farthest I've gone (in political activism). If it had been just the 'Progressive Alliance,' it would have been different. Women need to progress."
Celia Said donated $500 to the group's PAC. She calls herself a "Fountain Streeter," referring to Fountain Street Church and its tradition of supporting liberal causes.
"Women feel their rights have been abandoned," said Said, an oil painter. "On so many issues, we've been let down by the (Bush) administration."
Appealing to progressive women in a conservative area has shown an awkward side.
Carol Hennessy donated $100 to the PAC with hopes the group could help in her bid as a Democratic candidate for the Kent County Commission. But, when she read the values and policy agenda on PWA's brochure and its support of "the right to privacy to make choices regarding reproduction," she balked.
"I'm thrilled to see a women's PAC -- there's a dearth of women in government," she said. "It's very, very important for women for this group to exist and thrive. But, I'm on the West Side (of Grand Rapids), and supporting life is a big issue. Whether I want them to support me, I'm not sure. I would like the support of a women's group, but I have to remain true to my own values."
Wolters said the group "is not taking sides on whether we're pro-choice or pro-life," although she stood by the policy statement on PWA's brochure.
Useful idiots.
Fascist Females.
With Gov. Jennifer Granholm keynoting its first fund-raiser tonight in Grand Rapids, the group hopes to quadruple its coffer -- now at $10,000 -- which it will use to support progressive candidates and promote women's political opportunities.
I think my church has a larger woman's group. Wonder if they will get any press or Governors for keynotes?
Big deal! AFLOinMi. I can't decide which was my better leave Ca, Mi, or Ma.
Another twinkie-eating, navel-gazing, soap opera clogged bunch of dimwit leftist females. Maybe they can float off to the middle of Lake Superior with Jennifer and build a "cool city" out of zebra mussels.
This headline screams for a response but I better not go there...
Didn't need to read any further than this.
Baloney! The very title "progressive" indicates Marxist roots. Maybe they've fooled a few registered Republican women into joining, but I doubt if they'll stay long.
Grand Rapids has grown so much, and many of the previously nice areas are becoming holes. Much better along the lakeshore.
Nicely put. I concur.
It's the curse of growth. When the first forecasts were made that the population would slowly begin to shift from SE to SW Michigan I knew we were in trouble. I agree it's much nicer along the lakeshore now, but the changes are certainly happening here, too. It's time for conservatives to go on the offensive and explain to the newbies why this area is such a nice place: this isn't Detroit and we don't want to be, either.
In politics of the media, only leftist womens groups represent women.
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