Oberlin NOW welcomes state president, discusses assault

NOW women discuss media representation of Fairchild assault

Oberlin's bubble popped for about an hour this week.

Tuesday night the Oberlin area National Organization for Women (NOW) welcomed Jacqueline Hillyer, the Ohio NOW President and Chairperson of Ohio NOW's Political Action Committee. Hillyer reviewed the current positions and undertakings of NOW as a national and local organization.

Among other topics discussed was the recent student assault in Fairchild. Members of the local NOW organization disapproved of the way the media concentrated heavily on the issue of the student's unlocked door. They believed this was a typical example of blaming the victim. They said the media should have focused more on the enormous amount of courage that the student exhibited in preventing her attacker from further assaulting her.

Five women from the local chapter signed a card with phrases such as "We respect your courage and your strength," "We keep you in our thoughts" and "We are here for you."

NOW also discussed plans for a conference being held Nov. 10 at the Lorain County Community College. This conference is entitled: Empowering the Next Generation: New Choices for Today's Girls.

At the conference, Executive Director of the Elyria YWCA and President of the Lorain City School Board Janine Donaldson will be speaking on How to Empower Girls of Color, and Director of Oberlin College Safety and Security Keith James will speak about How Girls can Protect Themselves against Harassment. A number of other speakers will also give presentations.

Hillyer spoke about Ohio NOW Political Action Committee's endorsements for the elections being held this coming November. NOW supports Mary Boyle, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate who, if elected, would be the first female senator from Ohio. She is a feminist and pro-choice but lacks the funds to launch a widespread campaign.

Hillyer also spoke of NOW's position on the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. Although NOW believes Clinton behaved unethically, they believe he should not be impeached. "Clinton could have been one of the great presidents. . . this is just so unfortunate," said Hillyer.

When asked what made Clinton approach greatness Hillyer answered, "Clinton has done more for women's rights than all presidents before him combined." Hillyer explained that Clinton has pushed more pro-woman legislation, appointed more women to positions of power and made more improvements in America's educational system than any other president.

A growing sentiment among NOW members is that those who wish to have Clinton impeached are the same people who fight against the Equal Rights Amendment and other improvements NOW wishes to make.

"Clinton's enemies are our enemies," Hillyer said.