From Communications director – SePt/OCT 2020

Janice Crosswhite OAM,
Communications Director
crosswhite@bigpond.com

I confess my spirits took a rare dive with news of the recent passing of the brilliant U.S Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and the subsequent loss of a wonderful trailblazing Australian feminist and Grammy Award winning activist Helen Reddy. We owe a debt of gratitude to each of these extraordinary women for using their voices and talents in support of women everywhere and for their broad ranging achievements towards greater gender equality.

I can clearly recall the power of Helen Reddy’s song ‘I am Woman’ and the galvanising effect it had on me and so many others of my generation who were advocating for gender equality.

At International Women’s Day events and similar occasions, the conclusion was often standing up and singing very loudly:

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman” and so on…

This song still has a spine-tingling effect today. And the words are still so very appropriate as we come to grips with a world pandemic that has been so costly for many women around the world. You will see this in the United Nations Report included in the Update.

As usual in the Update there are many sources of news from A to Z, starting with Announcements to the United Nations, preceded by some reports of IAPESGW’s recent activities.
Thank you to our contributors and remember you can send me your news items anytime. Our next edition will come out mid December. If you would like to suggest a resource, share your announcements or provide feedback, please email crosswhite@bigpond.com.

Stay well and safe, and remember “I am Woman, I am Invincible”……

Janice Crosswhite OAM,
Editor, Communications Director IAPESGW

Read September/October Update Now