The 8th floor conference room at the Westchester County Office Michaelian Building in White Plains was crowded at Noon on Friday, August 10. The annual Women's Equality Day Reformed commemoration in anticipation of the 87th Anniversary of women's suffrage (August 26) proved to be another outstanding reflection on authentic women's history, patriotism, activism, and the life-affirming principles championed by the early suffragettes Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, among others.
The 2007 Honoree was Gabrielle Long Wright, CNM; the keynote speaker was Nora Kelly of Cord Blood Registry. Portions of the inspiring presentations are included as part of this posting. Complete texts will be posted separately.
The Honorable Gordon A. Burrows of the County Board of Legislators (District 15), sponsor of the day's ceremony through freedom of access and free speech, greeted the gathered crowd with a message of support for the day's events. He said he was especially looking forward to the keynote speaker on cord blood use and banking, a topic of particular interest to his wife. He then introduced attendee Vincenzia Restiano, candidate for Mayor of Yonkers, who acknowledged the crowd's applause.
Linda Levirne (above) of the Northern Westchester and Putnam Center for Life in Katonah, NY, opened the program by introducing the Rev. Yolanda Jones of the Christ Prayer Warriors Outreach Ministry who gave the stirring Invocation. Also attending with the Rev. Jones was Mother Carr and Deacon Clifford W. Story of this Peekskill outreach ministry headed by the Rev. Geneva Patterson.
Regina Riely (above), co-chairperson of the Women's Equality Day Reformed Committee, led the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National Anthem. "This 6th annual ceremony by our Reformed Committee happily celebrates with women of all voting persuasions," she said. She then invited all present to reflect with her on the history of the women's movement that brought about the Ratification of the 19th Amendment and women's voting rights on August 26, 1920 and the day's theme, Women Helping Women. Regina spoke of remarkable women role models that included previous Westchester honorees: Mildred Fay Jefferson, M.D., doctor, surgeon, woman's advocate and first African-American woman graduate from Harvard Medical School; pediatrician Lisa Marrero, M.D.; educator Dorothea Muccigrosso; servants of indigent and terminally ill cancer patients, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne at Rosary Hill Home; and co-founder of the Westchester Women's Leadership Roundtable for business and racial tolerance, Christine Mortell Plazas. Mrs. Muccigrosso (fourth) and Ms. Mortell Plazas (third from right below) were both in attendance, adding their personal grace and charismatic personalities to a day filled with remarkable presentations by women.
Regina spoke of the early suffragettes who "...ushered in a new, political way of women helping women...not a battle to usurp men's roles or burdens, but to share them...and (bring) women into the official decision-making process in America..." "Women had no rights of their own, but their concern for the human dignity of others drew them into the abolitionist and temperance movements of the day." These associations introduced them to each other and through them began their mutual commitment to elevate women and bring them into "enfranchisement": full citizenship and personal dignity. Read Regina's complete text posting.
The WEDR Committee co-chair Judith Anderson introduced Nora Kelly, above,
Regional Manager for White Plains of Cord Blood Registry (see complete
introduction on separate posting) whose keynote address was an enjoyable
and enlightening presentation of this sadly under-reported, ethical aspect of
stem cell treatments. Bright and articulate, Nora spoke of the many
successful clincal treatments of diseases using "naive" and powerful cord blood
stem cells, treatments which far surpass even bone marrow adult stem cells
in their regenerative properties. Nora shared the shocking statistic that only 4%
of cord blood is presently banked in either public banks or private ones, her
Cord Blood Registry being the largest and one of the most reputable - an
important factor that she stressed must be researched when considering cord
blood banking. Also, medical doctors must begin to inform expectant parents of
this vital option available to them. This is a practical and unique "gift of life" by
family or friends for new mothers and fathers-to-be. We will try to post several
of Nora's Power Point charts. She can be reached for speaking engagements or
for information at the Cord Blood Registry 888-227-2980 Ext. 564; or,
email her at [email protected].
The 2007 Honoree, Gabrielle Long Wright, CNM, shown above and below
with the Mott-Stanton-Anthony Award, was introduced to attendees by Linda.
Gabrielle spoke of her personal and professional journey as certified nurse-
midwife, teacher of the holistic Creighton Model Fertility Care System, and
advocate for women's maternal health. Read Linda's introduction and don't
miss Gabrielle's inspiring story in her own words. See ceremony text posting.
Just prior to introducing the Rev. Stephen Mosha, A.J., from Tanzania and
St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Ossining, NY for the Benediction,
Judith Anderson gave the closing comments:
Thank you, Gabrielle and Nora, for an inspiring afternoon. Thanks to the
Committee and all its helpers that made today happen. So it is for 'women
helping women'.
Today we looked to the past, to the suffragettes for wisdom. We looked
with life-affirming vision towards the future and learned a bit more about
natural and humane approaches to advancing medical technologies. But
one sad fact still shapes life today: the abortion industry is one very
stained, very lucrative rug under which the lies, fears, disappointments
and mistakes of life are being swept, human life be damned. Even faced
with the hard facts spoken by women themselves, some still cling to this
hollow symbol of false freedom.
The early feminists understood the struggle for truth. They spoke
forcefully against slavery, for equality in the voting booth, and against
taking the life of the unborn. In their own words: for the total
'enfranchisement of women'. What did this mean? We believe it was and
is a call to the elevation of women in their essence. It meant recognition
of a woman's full citizenship and rights under the Constitution, with no
compromise to her self-worth. It meant respect for a woman's dignity
and her children's dignity as human beings, not property to be abused
or discarded.
Yet some men and women in some weird, strained sense of self-serving
camaraderie, still tell women that in order to fully participate, to have
a good life or a 'seat at the table, they must relinquish their womanhood -
their fertility and motherhood - and all that they imply. What falsehoods!
Our womanhood is the power we bring to the table! Mott, Stanton, and
Anthony knew it! Many decry feminism unfairly today based on this very
falsehood. Let all of us look instead to the truth.
The elevation, health and safety of women will never be found at the end
of an abortionist's suction scalpel. The very act, legal or not, demeans
women and destroys human lives because the back alley has never been
replaced, only whitewashed. Women do deserve better; and better
alternatives exist.
At the least women need to be fully informed and clinics held to account,
but to which voices will women and men listen? Our Committee hopes it
will be voices of justice, healing and hope. I believe all women can be those
voices. Today is a start.
As the day ends Judith Anderson (L) and 2004 Honoree
Mrs. Dorothea Muccigrosso flank our 2007 woman-of-the-year,
Gabrielle Long Wright, CNM. Remember to read the complete
posted texts. See you next year!
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