Making the Connection
By Michelle Devine

Traditionally, this column has been used to reflect on the activities of the chapter, both past and future. Being a person who likes change, I've decided to try something new. From this issue forward, I will use my allotted space to address themes or issues that I or the board have confronted. And I would like to hear from you about the work our chapter is doing, the content of our newsletter and web page, and the experiences you have as feminists.

For my first effort, I've chosen the theme of "Making the Connection"-something I've found to be very relevant in my first three months as chapter president, and something I think confronts many of us as life continues to propel us forward at ever increasing speed. I hope you will use the following questions to examine your own feminism and have a dialogue with your friends.

There are three main connections that I would like to use as a starting point. First, what is Chicago NOW's connection to our members and vice versa? As a chapter, does our work interest you? What issues would you like to us address? As a NOW member, are you looking to pay your dues and get a newsletter or are you interested in being more involved? If we are to Build a Century of Feminist Activism, it is essential that you and I, as feminists, think about what feminism means in our own lives and what we do or don't do to promote feminism and equality for women and girls.

Secondly, what is our connection to each other? In a time when every minute is scheduled, every new face is a new networking opportunity,connections are often more convenient than personal. What do we do to make personal connections, connections that enable us to better understand diverse experiences and grow as individuals?

Lastly, what is our connection with ourselves? Do we live lives in which we reinforce our beliefs and goals with actions? Do we make the connection between caring about an issue, and how it personally affects us, and what we do on behalf of that issue? Do we make the connection between how we treat ourselves and our mental and physical health?

I have brought up these questions, at the risk of sounding too Oprah-ish, to get you thinking, as I have been, about how we live our lives, where we are taking feminism, and more specifically what this chapter will do in the next century. We are, ironically, fortunate enough to be living in a time when many women and girls think that we no longer need feminism because we have achieved equality. As NOW members, we know that this is far from true. Yet the myth continues, and permeates all aspects of society.

As feminists we must try harder and implement new ways of making the connections, connections between each other, to our issues, and to all the non-believers and non-doers. And I, and all the Chicago NOW board members, want to make a connection to you! I will be doing this is through my president's letter and our new web page. I hope you will take the time to get connected too! Correspondence can be sent to me by letter or e-mail, and selected comments, will be reprinted in future editions. Responses can be sent to the Chicago NOW office at 30 E. Adams, Suite 401, Chicago, IL 60603 or via e-mail: michelle_ d_devine@yahoo.com. I will do my best to respond to as many of your letters as I can.