"You'll have better luck becoming a darling of feminist circles if you chronicle your adventures in cybersex than if you churn out a tome on the glass ceiling..." reports Ginia Bellafante in this week's TIME Magazine cover story, "Is Feminism Dead?" This stunningly ill-researched and insulting piece (at newstands/online at www.time.com) accuses feminists of worshipping "narcissistic ramblings of a few new media appointed spokeswomen" and ignoring "mundane issues of modern life. Clean TIME's clock at fax 212-522-9153 (Attn: Walter Isaacson - Managing Editor); E-mail [email protected] -- remind them that feminists were responsible for renaming the sexist Warriors and Statesmen category to Leaders and Revolutionaries in their "100 Most Important People of the 20th Century" feature in March (WFF 12/5/97). While you're at it, flood them with "tomes" on "mundane issues" that feminists (YOU!!) struggle with everyday.

Remember Mike Tyson? Yeah, he's the one -- convicted rapist who makes his living biting ears off other boxers. Tyson is now using appearances with disabled and foster children to try and repair his public image -- but admits to skeptical reporters it's a ploy to get his boxing license renewed on July 11. Nevada NOW is mounting a campaign to strike a decisive blow against violence toward women and unsportsmanlike conduct by petitioning the Nevada Athletic Commission to deny the license (it would prevent Tyson from fighting anywhere in the U.S.) Give the Commission your opinion at 555 E. Washington, Las Vegas, NV 89101; fax 702-486-2577; e-mail [email protected]

HELP FOR WOMEN'S PENSIONS

The pay gap with men follows women throughout their lives, translating into a pension gap in retirement. Congressional Democrats will hold a press conference with Administration officials Wednesday June 24, to unveil comprehensive pension legislation that will help women overcome this shortfall. The Retirement Security Act of 1998 will improve access to pensions for all Americans, and increase access for small business (increasingly women owned) and for the 51 million workers who are not covered (again, mostly women). The bill also protects pensions in divorce settlements. Urge Congressmembers of both parties at 202-224-3121 (or e-mail your Representative or Senator) to pass this bill this year.

Despite (or maybe because of) the success of activists in getting child care included in the tobacco bill (WFF 5/15) the measure was killed this week in the Senate. But not before Senator Phil Gramm (202-224-2934; fax 202-228-2856; E-mail) introduced a grossly misnamed "marriage penalty amendment." Gramm's bill would have been an across-the-board tax break for families making less than $50,000, but would have done nothing to eliminiae the tax penalty that working wives pay. Tell your Senators what you think of their caving in to big tobacco and to get serious about relieving their unfair income tax on working wives at 202-224-3121 (or e-mail your Representative or Senator). (WFF 10/97)

"...she's tied to the floor, naked, on her back, both feet, both hands, tied to makeshift posts...The hands and feet are shot full of nails and her legs are spread as wide as possible...I try using a power drill on her, forcing it into her mouth." So reads the novel American Psycho, soon to be made into a movie starring none other than teen hearthrob Leonardo DiCaprio as the misogynous torturer of women. DiCaprio, who is virtually idolized by millions of teenaged girls, says he's taking the role to avoid typecasting. This qualifies for outrage of the month, if not the year. DiCaprio came to the top on the movie dollars, trust and support of young girls. To star in a film that glorifies mutiliation and violence against women is cynicism in the extreme. This story is so bad that Simon & Schuster and other major publishing houses refused to publish it. Tel DiCaprio if he does this he may be killing more than women on film - he'll be killing his career. Fax 213-954-9009; Attention: Rick Yorn. UPDATE - (WFF, 9/18/98): DiCaprio declines American Psycho: Leonardo DiCaprio, Titanic heart throb who had been scheduled to play an ultra-misogynist serial killer of women in American Psycho, is no longer going to play the part. "Scheduling conflict" is the official reason. Thanks, all you schedulers!

Many insurance companies classify domestic violence as a voluntary lifestyle and punish victims by denying coverage or increasing existing rates. HR10, a bill overhauling the financial service industry, passed the House last month and contains provisions to stop insurance companies from unscrupulously cashing in on women's suffering. Thank Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO; 202-225-4431; fax 202-225-5657; e-mail) for introducing this provision. The Senate version (also HR10) is scheduled for a hearing in the Banking Committee on June 17th. Urge Committee members (fax 202-224-5137) to choose women over insurance profits and keep DeGette's language in the Senate version.

Next Wednesday is the 35th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, and we still make only 74 cents to a man's dollar. That has added up to $440,447 in lost earnings for the average working woman since the EPA was passed. For the first time since President Kennedy signed the bill, a U.S President is behind equal pay. President Clinton and Vice President Gore (and Hill and Tipper) will call for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act (S.71) in a Rose Garden ceremony to commemorate the day. Call on your own member of Congress 202-224-3121 (or e-mail your Representative or Senator) to co-sponsor and vote for the bill (which beefs up enforcement), along with its bigger, stronger sister, the Fair Pay Act (S.232), which would mandate disclosure of pay statistics on how much companies pay men vs. women. It's about time and it's about money. To join the fight join the National Committee on Pay Equity at 202-331-7343.

Tobacco is the leading cancer killer of women; it kills more of us than breast cancer. Thanks to all who called, faxed and e-mailed to prevent the Senate from limiting the liability of big tobacco cancer pushers (WFF 5/15). Activism prevailed, even though the White House lobbied at the last minute to cap damages big tobacco would have to pay. This issue will resurface before the debate is over. Express your disappointment at the WH stand to Clinton advisor Bruce Reed at 202-456-6515; fax 202-456-2878.

*** As the tobacco wars rage onward on Capitol Hill, we must keep the pressure on for dedicating specific funds from the settlement to child care. The Kerry-Bond amendment to the tobacco settlement bill (STILL being grandstanded on the Senate floor) would require at least 50% of the federal share of the trust fund be dedicated to carry out activities to help low income families pay for child care. This amendment will come up early next week, and support from the public is urgently needed. If your group can sign on to a letter of support, call Kimberly Harris at the National Women's Law Center, 202-588-5180 (deadline today). Individuals can do as much, call on your Senator to support Kerry-Bond at 202-224-3121 or send e-mail. ***