Beginning September 1st, the U.S. Post Office will be collecting ballots on stamp themes for it's 1970s series to be issued next year. The PO is considering a variety of choices for commemoration of the decade, "such as the Women's Rights Movement, Monday Night Football, and Disco." Vote in local post offices as well as on the Internet (http://www.stampvote.msn.com). And vote often -- the post office refused to issue a stamp honoring the 150th anniversary of women's rights this year-- don't let 'em say they didn't hear from women.

In a week when we got a formal letter from Congress addressed to the Washington Feminist Foxnet (well, we knew it all along), we also heard from Nevada NOW. With the help of WFF readers and other activists, their campaign to keep convicted rapist Mike Tyson out of boxing is working. Because of pressure in New Jersey (some of it from Governor Christine Todd Whitman - THANKS activists), Tyson withdrew his application and is now trying again in Nevada. The decision won't be made for a couple of weeks. Let the Nevada Athletic Commission know your opinion at 555 E. Washington, Las Vegas, NV; fax 702-486-2577; [email protected].

Even Buddy gets a vacation in August from hot 'n bothered Washington. Look for us again after Labor Day - next issue Sept. 11.

THE FIRST LADY

WFF has been inundated with press calls this week on the subject of First Lady Hillary Clinton's standing by her man. Buying into Pat Robertson's view that feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, they ask, Aren't feminists disappointed? To answer the question, we're taking the suggestion of our younger (female) staff members and dedicating this women's Equality Day issue to Mrs. Clinton. Not for standing by her man as such, but for having the courage of her convictions -- and acting on them. We don't think Hillary is a doormat. We think she's a strong woman supplying the only glue keeping the White House together right now. Feminism is about choices, about each woman being able to do what she thinks is best for herself and her family (and in this case the country), even if others don't agree, and even if it's not the choice others would have made. Brava!

Next Wednesday, August 26th, marks the 78th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the vote. It took the suffragists, led by another strong woman, Alice Paul, over 70 years to get the amendment passed. What better way to honor them than with a contribution to the Alice Paul Centennial Foundation, for the preservation of Paul's home. A capital campaign is underway to burn the mortgage (over $100,000 of the $350,000 already raised). Contributions are tax deductible. P.O. Box 1376, Mt. Laurel, N.J. 609-231-1885; fax 609-231-4223.

Legislators are off the Hill (and some are wa-a-a-y off) this week, mostly visiting with the homefolks in anticipation of November's election. It's a good time to corner them on their home turf to ask about bills good and bad. Here's an update on some we've mentioned in the past, many of which will see action in September:

Agriculture Appropriations Bill (WFF 7/10/98): passed the Senate without the amendment barring RU486 testing (thanks, activists). The restriction is still in the House version. Pressure is needed on conferees to stick with the Senate version. Conference Chairs: Ted Stevens (R-AK), 202-224-3004, fax 202-224-2354, E-mail; Robert Byrd (D-WV), 202-224-3954, fax 202-228-0002, E-mail.

The misnamed Child Custody Protection Act (HR3682, S1645) making it a federal crime to take minors across state lines for abortions has passed the House, and will come up in the Senate right after recess. Urge a NO vote at 202-225-3121 (or e-mail your Representative or Senator).

The Bankruptcy Reform Act (WFF 4/24) that puts mothers trying to collect child support in competition with credit card companies has passed the House. Senate action is expected before the election (they need those big-corp campaign bucks!).

The Retirement Security Act of 1998 (HR4076, S2249), that would protect pensions in divorce settlements (WFF 6/19), is stuck in committees on both sides of the Congress. Pester your own members while they're home, along with Senate Finance Chair William Roth (R-DE, 202-224-2441, fax 202-228-0354, E-mail), and House Ways & Means Chair Bill Archer (R-TX, 202-225-2571 fax 202-225-4381).

The hottest thing for women voters to come along in a long time is now on the Internet. The Women's Vote site (http://www.womenvote.org is absolutely terrific. You can register your opinion on most issues before Congress (not just so-called "women's issues"), and the site will generate a comparison of your positions with those of your elected reps, according to how they actually voted, not what they might claim in doublespeak. Get the goods on 'em and a printed voting guide to boot.

Girls and women are still lagging in the U.S. when it comes to technology. Girls drop out of science courses in junior high -- and this means fewer women in the scientific and technical workforce. Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD) has introduced the Commission on the Advancement of Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Act (HR 3007). The bill would establish a commission to study recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in these fields, and direct the National Science Foundation to study educational opportunities for budding women scientists. HR 3007 will likely come up for a vote in the House this month -- urge your member to support it at 202-224-3121 (or e-mail your Representative). But it will never become law without a companion bill in the Senate -- which doesn't exist yet. Urge Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT; fax 202-224-6331; E-mail) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM; fax 202-224-2852; E-mail) to move in the Senate (they're interested, but need to hear from women.

Thanks to Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) health plans for federal employees will now cover the cost of prescription contraceptives. This bill is important because women spend 68% more out-of-pocket on health care than men (almost all due to contraceptive costs), and insurers for private companies sometimes follow the federal lead. Thank Lowey at fax: 202-225-0546; E-mail and Snowe at fax: 202-224-1946; E-mail.