WOMANSHARE CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY

In the warmly lit room at Riverside Church, the many strands of Womanshare's past, present and future were woven together into what Carola B. described as a lowly mosaic.

Whoops of joy from returning members greeting old friends, an ample pot luck table, and a relaxed time to talk together set the warm mood of our tenth anniversary celebration.

The naked tree		The tree adorned

Diana's idea of a Womanshare family tree, a wonderful painted creation by Kathy F. and Joan S., gave everyone a chance to participate. Birds and hearts were handed out at the door to sign and place on the tree as members told their stories, remembrances and aspirations for the years ahead.

"I have spent 40 years taking care in one way or another of a handicapped daughter, over 8 years a mother with dementia, 20 years two other children, not to mention innumerable friends in time of need," Diana stated. "The market economy does not value this. It does not value what is unreal and what every human being has – the ability to care, love, share, take care of family and be a caring neighbor or citizen yet, as Edgar Cahn, founder of Time Dollars says, these are the characteristics that will enable us to survive this modern economy. In Womanshare we have found a way to give credit to these values."

Jane told of how we wrote to people contacting us about how to start their own groups to build community. From there, one person after another came up to the podium as the spirit moved them. Every sharing was unique.

Kathy F. and Linda P. spoke about the mothers and daughters workshops that Barbara R. led, and how these intimate workshops forged a special bond among members.

Jessica N. brought a list of all the things she gained from Womanshare - women building benches for her nursery school, teachers for the school, therapy with Gro R. and many more. "My life is in good shape, because of Womanshare," she commented.

Francine B. and Etain O'M. showed how new members can pitch in and give workshops - Francine's on "You Won't Believe What Your Body Can Do", and Etain's on "Creativity", with exercises that opened up the body and the mind. Etain also proudly showed off her elegant suit that she got at our last clothing swap.

Harriet G., who described Womanshare as one of her families, spoke about Creative Expression - our longest running affinity group, begun in 1993. Nina K. read poems from this group, and spoke of all the unique gifts from Womanshare she would haw been unable to get anywhere else, like therapy sessions to prepare her mind for an operation.

There were wonderful, sometimes hilarious accounts of trades. Kathy F. recalled how Dian B. called her when she broke her wrist, saying, "This is a trading organization isn't it? So would you come over and hook my bra for me?"

Lily Z. related of how Helga S. not only agreed to water her plants but insisted on making a visit to see them and learn exactly how to water. "This showed caring," Lily said.

Those who were in Womanshare from the very beginning shared their experiences of being on the various. Ann Z. talked about all the visioning we did in our first committee. Karen W.H. laughingly said she loved the burocracy of the structure committee. Deena K. talked about wrestling with the finances.

Other memories: Sheila B., who has been spending much of her time in California working with soil, remembered Karen's wedding in her apartment, and talked also of the food and help she received when she had broken her shoulder.

Perhaps the most touching part of our evening were the remembrances of members who had died: our treasurer Janet H., lost in the World Trade Center; actress Elaine S.; Dian B.; and Barbara F.

New members like Joy H. and Denise B. look forward to being more involved. Maxie K. remarked about how moved she was, listening and realizing that something she could do so easily would be of such help to another. Trudy M. said her philosophy to live by was that we help each other.

At the end the tree was full of hearts and birds, stomachs were full, nourished by what every member brings to the community.

May we all flourish.