The Sacajawea $1 coin (WFF 7/31) will be issued in 2000, but a design must be chosen first. The U.S. Mint put six possible depictions up on their website this week and three of them show Sacajawea with a baby on her back. These images are being published by Gary Moulton, a history professor who says they match "historical images of Shosone women". WFF has nothing against kids, but a strong woman with a place in history that has nothing to do with motherhood should be shown as an individual. We don't see coins with George Washington or Abraham Lincoln stressing their role as fathers. Internet users can vote for their favorite image on the web www.usmint.gov, faxers can make their opinion known at 202-874-3134, or you can write the mint c/o Michael White, Office of Public Affairs, 633 Third Street N.W., Room 715, Washington, D.C. 20220.

The White House held its conference on Social Security this week sans panelists from women's groups (WFF 12/4), but the President and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle acknowledged in their speeches that women will be most affected by Social Security changes. The bad news is that both sides seem to be barreling towards privatizing the system very early next year, a move national women's organizations oppose because its bad for women. Urge President Clinton (202-456-1111; fax 202-456-2461, e-mail [email protected]) and members of Congress (snag 'em on a holiday break, call 202-225-3121 or e-mail your Representative and Senator) to put women ahead of Wall Street. For the true skinny on SS, check out The Impact of Social Security Reform on Women, $10 from the Institute for Women's Policy Research, 202-785-5100 or www.iwpr.org (they also have neat cards for individuals and groups to send to Congress, with a checklist of safeguards for women any reforms should preserve).

The White House is gearing up for a bi-partisan summit on social security reform next week, citing conventional wisdom touted by both parties that the system is broken and needs overhaul. The National Council of Women's Organizations held a news conference this week to say "not so fast" -- rushing to privatize the system, which will benefit Wall Street at women's expense, is a bad idea. They also met with White House officials to urge that women be at the table when reform proposals are discussed, since women are the the clear majority of social security recipients (60%). In response, the conference schedule was revised -- from a narrow discussion of fiscal matters and privatization schemes -- to one that includes "the impact of reform on different segments of the population." But no women's policy groups, advocacy groups, or think tanks are on presenting panels, (some have been invited to be in the audience. Message: you little ladies just sit there and listen, even though right wing groups are featured prominently. Ask the White House public liaison if this is their idea of "at the table" at fax 202-456-6682. (Remind them that At the Table was the title of a series of meetings with women from around the country, orchestrated by the White House before last year's elections. But of course now the election is over).

... is the name of a new PBS documentary that debuted Nov. 27 and will be shown at various times through December. The program focused on the global question of whether laws granting equal rights for women can change centuries of tradition denying equal status, through an exploration of the lives of three women from South Africa, India, and the United States. The producers of A Woman's Place are offering free copies of the video to community groups interested in a screening. Their hope is that the film will inspire discussions on women and the law, customs and social change. Your group can get a copy by calling 800-697-5770.