PPSEAWA USA news

The Toledo Chapter of PPSEAWA has lost three dear friends and inspiring members. On the last day of October, 2007, Adeline Talip died at the home of her daughter Lila Aossey in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Adeline had traveled to many of the International meetings during the 1960s, '70's, '80's and '90's. She shared her home often for chapter meetings, led our chapter as President twice, and served in many other offices through the 5 decades of her membership. She held the longest active membership, but sadly was unable to be in Toledo for our 50th year celebration in October.

Over 800,000 women and children are transported as slaves annually with half of the trade being children. 65% are trafficked for the purpose of commercial sex and these numbers do not include the millions trafficked within country borders. This is a $32 billion business which attracts organized crime. Sex traffickers usually receive very light sentences and go on to do it repeatedly. Women are beaten and buried alive with only their faces sticking out. They become addicted to heroin, degradation and are raped several times a day. Most come from poverty and dysfunctional families.

I was fortunate to attend a Town Hall meeting last week where former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright spoke. Her subject was also the title of her new book, Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership.

2008 is the year PPSEAWA International celebrates its 80th birthday! It was founded by PPSEAWA Hawai'i. Miss Jane Addams of Hull House, Chicago, chaired the first international meeting of PPSEAWA in Honolulu in 1928. A welcome luncheon is planned at Hotel Kapiolani, Honolulu, on Friday, May 16, 2008 for PPSEAWA International Council, PPSEAWA members and guests.. Saturday, May 17th is the the PPSEAWA 80th Celebration Luncheon which is being held at the Outrigger Canoe Club in Waikiki followed by the PPSEAWA-USA Board Meeting in the afternoon at a different location.to be announced.

April 2, 2008 marked the first commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). The UN General Assembly reaffirmed the UN's commitment to the rights and well-being of people with disabilities, including children with developmental disabilities.

Our September program focused on the work of PPSEAWA-USA. Teresa Hintzke gave an excellent report on the 60th DPI/NGO conference held at the UN. She summarized sessions on the effects of climate change on indigenous peoples, youth education, and on children where rising waters create despair. Gloria Baez and Anita Yamada then reported on the PPSEAWA-USA annual meeting and UN Luncheon in New York.

At a June meeting, we wrote letters to all Congressmen and Senators urging them to support legislation to establish a Cabinet level Department of Peace; we have had no response to our requests so far.  Shirani secured donations from two of her friends and we were able to meet our goal to sponsor the two girls in Tibet during 2007 and the first half of 2008.  The tuition fees for 2008 have risen to $1200 for a year.  Pamela Logan has informed us that the girls we sponsor are doing Ok despite the problems in that country.  We hope we will be able to continue supporting them with tuition

The chapter has not met and we have few members.  We have made two donations, $250 to the Sewing Machine fund and $200 towards women’s work in New Zealand.  We are working to determine our future. 

Our September meeting was held in conjunction with the PPSEAWA/USA annual Meeting and UN luncheon.  We held a reception for the out-of-town members and guests whom we entertained with a bountiful buffet of international foods provided by our own members.  In October we were invited to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office where we were greeted by the New Ambassador, the Honorable Kenneth K.N.

The San Francisco Bay area chapter has six active members.  In the middle of 2007, our members voted to dissolve this group after chapter president Sue resigned due to health condition.  Fortunately, former member Jenny volunteered to take over and we unanimously passed the motion.  Sue Van Atta serves as VP, Ewa Sobilo is the new Treasurer, and Deborah Froessel is Secretary.  We continue to seek out new members and participate in E-scrip, which results in a modest amount of funds for our group each year.