Great Write-In to Use Power of Pen, Letter

There could be a few hundred people. Or a thousand. “We’re prepared for anything,” said Vivian Hall, founder of Women For: Orange County, which is sponsoring the first Great American Write-In from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at UC Irvine’s University Club.

Pens, paper, envelopes and stamps will be provided for the public to write letters to elected representatives on such issues as education, the environment, peace and national security, human and civil rights and women’s and minority rights.

In addition, representatives from two dozen nonpartisan activist organizations will offer information on issues and pending legislation.

“I think the American public has to be aware of what’s going on and realize they can do something about it,” said Molly Lyon, a member of Women For: who first suggested the idea for the event.

“Letter writing is one of the democratic ways to talk about your concerns and hopefully change things you’re not happy with,” said Lyon, who is co-chair of the event with Gail Reisman.

On display Saturday will be sample letters written by four Orange County supervisors who addressed their own personal topics of concern. According to Hall, Thomas F. Riley wrote about homeless women; Bruce Nestande, transportation; Harriett Wieder, water, and Roger Stanton covered hazardous waste, housing, the airport, welfare fraud and services for children and seniors.

State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) also wrote a letter regarding education.

Volunteer Organization

Women For: is a volunteer advocacy organization formed 20 years ago in Los Angeles to support education, civil rights, peace and the environment.

“We feel these are women’s issues,” Hall said. “All issues that affect the quality of life and development of the citizenry are women’s issues.” Two years ago, an Orange County chapter was formed.

Women For: also is a political action committee that supports the equal rights amendment and abortion rights.

Organizers of the write-in invited advocacy groups that share similar concerns, said Hall. They include: the American Assn. of University Women, Alliance for Survival, National Women’s Political Caucus, Amnesty International, the Sierra Club, the Gray Panthers, the Hispanic Women’s Network, the California Assn. of the Physically Handicapped, the Older Women’s League and Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament.