CAMPAIGNS & ISSUES

*Statewide Healthcare Roundtable, Contact Peter penrich@rcn.com if you're interested in shaping healthcare policies in MA

*Campaign for Fair Redistricting, Common Cause is launching a nationwide campaign to reform how state legislative and Congressional districts are drawn.  This long-term, multi-state effort will take advantage of existing opportunities in eight states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island,  where the shortcomings of currently accepted redistricting practices have recently come to light.  In several states, we have near term opportunities to change the redistricting process through citizen initiative.  In other states we will pursue initiative and legislative strategies to establish independent commissions and to create competitive elections.  Visit  http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=192849 and contact your legislator to express your support. Your effort will help pave the way for a redistricting process that's freer of partisan politics and improves how we're represented. 

*Progressive Democrats of MA (PDM)
Mission Statement: Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts is a group of concerned citizens organized to promote social justice, political reform, and progressive values throughout the Commonwealth. We are deeply concerned that people have become disconnected from the democratic process and that many of the progressive ideals upon which the Democratic Party was founded have been forgotten. We aim to work within the Democratic Party through direct issue advocacy, promotion of responsible government, and the support and recruitment of progressive candidates for elected office. The organization is open to anyone who shares our vision of a better Massachusetts and welcomes people of all ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations.

For more info, visit www.progressivedems.org . If you live in South Hadley, Hadley or Holyoke, contact anneaton@earthlink.net. Local PDM groups are in the process of forming all across the state. To locate the group nearest to you that you can join, please send an email to letters@progressivedems.org and provide your name, address, and town you live in, and PDM will get back to you.

WOMEN, WORK AND EMPOWERMENT

Dress for Success, Western MA (DFSWM), a not-for-profit organization that helps low-income women make tailored transitions into the workforce by providing work-appropriate attire, career and personal development workshops and professional networking opportunities. We have several special events throughout the year and I invite you to join us!

If you are interested in volunteering or for professional clothing donations, please call 413.732-8179 to make an appointment or e-mail d4swm@hotmail.com. Boutique volunteers are also needed! Visit the national web site at www.dressforsuccess.org.

DFS Fundraising: Support Art and Community
Buy WOMAN PINS to support DFS This is a year-round fundraising item for Dress For Success. These unique, handmade pins (Designs by Lucinda) add a creative, colorful touch to anything you wear and make the perfect (and affordable) gift. Pins are $14.00 (50% of the proceeds benefit DFSWM) and are sold at various crafts fairs throughout the area. Call 413-732-8179 for more information.	(Lucinda Designs)

Did You Know...?? According to a major research study released by Babson College, The Commonwealth Institute, 53 percent of woman-led businesses in Massachusetts grew over the past two years despite the poor economic climate, with 35 percent experiencing strong growth. Woman-led businesses are an economic engine for Massachusetts, with the top 100 contributing more than $6.5 billion in 2002, and employing more than 32,300 people.

I met an inspiring and motivated group of women business owners and entrepreneurs through the Women Business Owners Conference (sponsored by the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, Western MA Regional Office when I came out to Western MA as a management consultant back in 2000. The topic of the conference was "Taking Risks" so we named ourselves "The Risk Takers." Since then, the group has evolved with new members and has stayed in touch through breakfast meetings, networking potluck dinners or joint outings. It is amazing to see what creativity, perserverance and business savvy lead to as we share "success stories" or to offer support and understanding around the challenges of being in business for yourself or balancing career and personal fulfillment.

MSBDC provides a range of resources, including the popular Women Business Owners Conference, workshops on how to start a business and assistance in forming networking groups. Call Diane Randall at 737.6712 or email msbdc@msbdc.umass.edu for an updated list of events.  

IT'S A MAN'S WORLD...UNLESS WOMEN VOTE!

Women on the Move: Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus
I've attended one of their campaign workshops and it was engaging and informational. If you'd like to help me organize an event or start a local affiliate network, e-mail me.

                           GOOD FOOD, GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: 
                                                  SUPPORT LOCAL CSA'S

We are enthusiastic shareholders of Brookfield Farm, a non-profit CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) operation that uses environmentally sustainable, biodynamic growing techniques that do not include pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers of any kind. Brookfield has been the primary source of our food, part of our "community" of friends and a great place to learn about sustainable agriculture. It's their fault that we have become "veggie snobs!"

To learn more, visit www.brookfieldfarm.org call 253.7991 or e-mail info@brookfieldfarm.org

There are several farms and markets in the area, including our own McCray's Farm with maple syrup, ice cream, animal petting zoo and more special seasonal activities. Or check out Red Fire Farm in Granby...

Send a message to Natalie Keng