Grassroots Leadership
Retreat 2000

By Rep. Nan Grogan Orrock

For almost two decades, women’s policy advocacy organizations have been springing up in state after state, determined to promote the interests of women in state laws, funding and policies. These advocates from thirty-two states across the country gathered in Atlanta in September for the fourth Grassroots Leadership Retreat, co-sponsored by the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), the Rockefeller Family Fund, WAND and Atlanta WAND.

The welcoming reception was hosted by an array of Georgia women’s groups and featured Dr. Johnnetta Cole who inspired us to continue the work of lifting up the lives and voices of girls and women to promote peace, justice and equality for all.

The retreat was a powerful opportunity to come together across state lines to build momentum and share strategies for moving a women-led economic agenda that invests in families and communities. Policy issues reviewed included violence against women, paid family leave and welfare reform. The Women’s Voices 2000 poll presented at the retreat is posted on CPA’s website, www.stateaction.org.

We at WAND welcome this valuable opportunity to forge new alliances and strengthen our individual and mutual commitment towards women, families and communities. We urge your state to be involved next year in this exciting opportunity.