National Episcopal Church Women e-Communique

This is Not Your Grandmother's ECW, Nor Your Mother's.
by Irene Miller Radcliff, pictured below with the Social Justice Chair of the Salvation Army.
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For me, it has become tiring and trying to hear any number of women say that all they know or remember about Episcopal Church Women (ECW) are little old ladies having teas or that ECW is no longer relevant. If being at the 54th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in March did anything, it made me more aware that ECW's ideals and what they stand for are needed and more relevant than ever. If it were not for the ECW, many of us would not be where we are today, serving at all levels in the Church and most levels of the government, working in professions, not thought of so many years ago, going into outer space, being activists for change in laws and employment and so many more accomplishments. Even though ECW women initiated several activists' issues, they were not alone in these struggles. And that is another point so well demonstrated at the 54th UNCSW. I witnessed this at every event attended, especially the following:

February 27th and 28th Salvation Army NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) Global Forums:
Panels of distinguished women from many parts of the world told of their experiences since the first World Conference on Women, accomplishments, disappointments and strategies for the future. The panelist's topics included but were limited to:
   1. Advancing Women's Rights, 1975-2010: What the World Conference on Women Accomplished
   2. The State of the World's Women: Patriarchy, Violence Against Women and Girls, Women's Health and Climate Change
   3. Voices From Around the World: Regional Priorities and Action
   4. Fulfilling the Promise of Gender Equality, Peace, and Development: Women, Peace and Security, Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms, World Economic crisis, Building Women's Leadership and the Millennium Development Goals
                    (Panelists names and topics available upon request)

At this same event, Dr. Vivian Pender, Chair NGO/CSW, New York, NY reminded us of what still remains to be done in order to accomplish full equality for women, what we must continue to address, and the lack of progress in some areas, especially in combating violence against women, improving women's and maternal health. She also stated that the majority of the world's children still live in poverty and that the NGO's are in prime positions to protest lack of accomplishment to ensure gender equality.