Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Our Efforts Pay Off!


OUR EFFORTS PAY OFF!!

My grandson, Nic is home for four weeks with his wife, Chrystal and Mylee Ann Harlan born September 20 as the result of the Family Leave Act. Nic was so happy to be with his baby and wife during this bonding time. I was thrilled to inform them how OWL championed and supported this ACT. We were invited when President Clinton signed the Bill. A hoot for the new baby and a HOOT for OWL.


Elder Abuse

I attended the Elder Financial Protection Network, Call to Action, Confronting Elder Abuse; Building Bridges-Sharing Best Practices, on September 16, 2009 in Long Beach, CA. It was well attended by bank representatives, police fraud investigators, and community outreach professionals for seniors.

OWL was one of the many sponsors prominently posted and acknowledged during the conference. Our Mother’s Day Report on Elder Abuse was in the handout material notebook and it received very favorable comment. Do consider a program on this subject and there is DVD available and handouts. This network is relatively new and I was impressed with the young people involved and the financial institution contribution and participation. Consider outreach to financial institution and Zonta. (See Display of material)

Legislation we can follow and support is the Elder Justice Act. To learn more about Elder Justice Now visit the following web sites:

www.elderjusticenow.org

www.ncoa.org and go the advocacy section

www.elderjusticecoalition.com

Single Payer

Healthcare has been a high visible activity and I participate in meetings and rallies in the Inland Empire. At this time with League of Women Voters in San Gabriel we are developing a performance street theater skit.

Communication/Membership

Contacting the members in the Southwest Region is still difficult. I communicate through our OWL/CA Newsletter. I have prepared a letter to send to members at large and I am checking the current list with those in the states of Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona and California.

Older Women in Prison

I have with me the membership renewal and her check for $35 for Jane Benson, W28860, EB517L in CIW, 16756 Chino Corona Road, Corona, CA 92880-9508. Jane’s parole was denied again as were twelve out of 13 by the governor on the last list of women found suitable by the parole board. I encourage you to write Jane and let her know the activities we are doing. This helps to bridge the inside with the outside of those prison walls. Jane is innovative and will find ways to energize the older women on the inside.

With the holidays coming on your chapter with the Action Committee for Women in Prison and All Saints Church Episcopal Church can provide small gift bags for 2,900 women imprisoned at the California Institution for Women. These gift bags are the only Christmas gift that women in prison receive. Allowable items are small lotions, soaps, shampoo, conditioners, mini deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, lip balm, hair ties and scrunchies, stationery and greeting cards, small packets of instant coffee, tea, cocoa and candy. The deadline to receive these items is November 25, 2009. Chapters and member at large can send items to Gloria Killian, 1249 North Holliston Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91104.

I will be attending OWL National Board Meeting in Washington DC at the end of this month and will report our activities. Please contact me with your comments and concerns to represent you at this meeting.

Shirley Harlan,

vldy@aol.com

PO box 2276 San Bernardino, CA 92406, San Bernardino, CA 92406

909 882 4057