Eleven short days after the horrific events of September 11, the WiLL/WAND conference welcomed women who came to Washington - despite fears, closed airports, heightened security, and the travails of travel. Our conference theme, "Women Building A Secure Future," was even more relevant in the face of new realities. Congresswomen came in record numbers to brief our conferees on the urgent need to make sound policy decisions and set spending priorities for a changed world. We brought to our Hill visits a call for restraint, responsibility, resources for true security, respect for others, and reduction of risk for our nation and the world. We were welcomed and thanked by members of Congress for our presence and our concerns as the nation and the world face unprecedented challenges. Conference Highlights:		Janet Reno and conference participants
US Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky (IL)	The Honorable Janet Reno accepted the WiLL/WAND BellSouth 2001 Torchbearer Award presented by Barbara Lee. Reno was recognized for her stalwart support as US Attorney General for programs to combat domestic violence. Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Lynn Rivers (MI) brought riveting messages from Capitol Hill on the challenges to Congress in the wake of the September attacks and the critical debate on spending for true national security. Ketchum media consultant Nancy Coffey led a highly relevant exchange with legislators on post-crisis message management in communicating with the Congress, colleagues, and constituents. Susan Shaer, WAND executive director, joined her in creating a message plan for the weeks and months following the attacks. Young women delegates from the ranks of STAND engaged with members of Congress, led panels, sparked an intergenerational dialogue, and held a post-conference youth planning retreat.
Anna Burger, secretary-treasurer of Services Employees International Union, movingly illuminated the lives of working women and men, whose heroic contributions and sacrifices are highlighted by September events while their livelihoods and futures are threatened by the economic downturn. Our Salute to Achievements in Women's Health recognized the contributions of Congressman John Lewis (GA), Congresswoman Julia Carson (IN), and US Senator Olympia Snowe (ME). State health leaders recognized were State Del. Marilyn Goldwater (MD), Rep. Garnet Coleman (TX), and State Sen. Sandi Praeger.		State Rep. Nan Grogan Orrock (GA) and US Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO)

WiLL Pacesetters:
State Rep. Martha Fuller Clark	State Rep. Carolyn Allen (AZ) State Sen. Diana Bajoie (LA) State Sen. Ginny Burdick (OR) State Sen. Harriette Chandler (MA) State Rep. Martha Fuller Clark (NH) State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC) State Rep. Barbara Cooper (TN) State Rep. Lois DeBerry (TN) State Rep. Marcia deBraga (NV)	State Rep. Patricia Godchaux (MI) State Rep. Verla Insko (NC) State Sen. Paulette Irons (LA) State Rep. Kay Khan (MA) State Rep. Gwendolyn Moore (WI) State Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo (KY) State Sen. Sandy Pappas (MN) Hon Chellie Pingree (ME)	State Sen. Betty Sims (MO) State Rep. Georganna Sinkfield (GA) State Rep. Mimi Stewart (NM) State Sen. Connie Stokes (GA) State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey (GA) State Rep. Senfronia Thompson (TX) State Sen. Maggie Tinsman (IA) State Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL)

Our sincere thanks to our sponsors for their generous support of the WiLL/WAND 2001 National Conference
Primary Sponsor: Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Platinum Benefactor BellSouth Patrons Colombe Foundation Communication Workers of America, AFL-CIO Fannie Mae Foundation International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 613, AFL-CIO Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO Donors The George Gund Foundation GlaxoSmithKline Maya Miller Novartis Pharmaceuticals Company Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Tenet Health Systems Friends AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Georgia Electric Membership Corporation The Sapelo Foundation		Contributors Avon Products, Inc. Ford Motor Company LensCrafters Henry Lord Betsy Rivard United Transportation Union, AFL-CIO Arlene Victor Sponsors of Youth Delegation Edie Allen Arkansas WAND Metro Detroit WAND Orange County, CA WAND Oregon PeaceWorks Columbus, Ohio City Councilwoman Charleta Tavares Mary Wasserman Gift Contributors Alexander's Famous Foods Ben & Jerry's Homemade Cliff Bar and Luna Bar Jewelry Design: Jewels that Dance Samuel Adams Beer Steel Recycling Institute

Conference Proceedings
SATURDAY, SEPTEMEBER 22
WiLL/WAND BellSouth Torchbearer Awards Reception Presentation by 1999 Torchbearer Barbara Lee, BellSouth spokesperson Bill McClosky and Susan Shaer, WAND executive director Remarks by 2001 Torchbearer: The Honorable Janet Reno, former US Attorney General Recognition of WiLL Pacesetters Recognition of WiLL State Directors
SUNDAY, SEPTEMEBER 23
Improving the Health of Mid-life Women: A budgetary priority Highlighting programs and resources to meet the health needs of mid-life women. Panel: Susan Scanlan, Women's Research and Education Institute; Vanessa Wright, Women's Research and Education Institute; Katie Clarke, Arent Fox Kinter Plotkin and Kahn; Barbara Levy Toby, Indiana State Department of Health Recognizing and Maximizing Media Opportunities: Proven strategies and training Shaping our message in times of crisis. Presenter: Nancy Coffey, Ketchum. Rolling Up Our Sleeves: Perspectives, models, and tips for grassroots organizing An action plan to move forward in this time of crisis to build real security. Participants: Gwyn Kirk, East Asia-US Women's Network Against Militarism; Amy Richards, Third Wave Foundation; Betty Burkes, past president, US section of WILPF; The Hon. Bettieanne Hart, former Georgia legislator and judge. Opening the Doors to Elected Office: Strategies for success Women share experiences on achieving higher (and higher) office. Panel: Barbara Lee, Barbara Lee Family Foundation; State Sen. Sue Tucker (MA): Tamra Edwards, City Councilmember, Durham, NC: Anna Burger, Secretary-Treasurer, Service Employees International Union; State Del. Viola Baskerville (VA). Janice Kelley Volunteer of the Year Award Recognition of Leslie Brockelbank, former WAND National Board member, Lane County (OR) WAND President Redefining National Security: Building a hopeful future for our children Panel members highlight the toll of war on the national budget, the human needs agenda on the Congressional chopping block, and current public opinion. Panel: Celinda Lake, Lake Snell Perry and Associates; Liz Hinton, Students Take Action for New Directions; Sheri Steisel, National Conference of State Legislatures; Chris Hellman, Center for Defense Information; State Rep. Nan Grogan Orrock (GA), WiLL President		Conference participants shape an action plan for true security Networking Dinners Ms. Smith Goes to Washington: Your run for higher office Erica Henri, Women's Campaign Fund; Beth Kanter, National Women's Political Caucus; Amy Dacey, EMILY's List. Workplace Issues for Women in the New Economy Dr. Edith Rasell, Economic Policy Institute; Elizabeth Appley, policy advocacy attorney, Atlanta. Building a Movement to End Gun Violence Mary Leigh Blek, Million Mom March; Valerie Hartman Levy, GA Million Mom March; Kellye McIntosh, Alliance for Justice; Rachel Smith, NC Million Mom March Our Golden Years: Social Security, Medicare, Alzheimers and our future The Hon. Dorothy Rupert, former Colorado Senator, WAND Board member; Lisa Maatz, Older Women's League From Bulbs to Bombs: The nuclear energy/weapons connection Pat Ortmeyer, WAND; Jackie Cabasso, Western States Legal Foundation From the Grassroots Up: An intergenerational dialogue Amy Richards, Third Wave Foundation, Liz Hinton, STAND, Sarah Johnston-Gardner, STAND
MONDAY, SEPTEMEBER 24
Children Ask the World of Us Addressed by: Marian Wright Edelman, Children's Defense Fund Introduced by: Dr. Lea Williams, Bennett College, WAND Board Women Rewriting our National Budget Panel: Ann Crittenden, author; Stacey Davis, CEO Fannie Mae Foundation; Danise Jones-Dorsey, NETWORK; Moderator: Eleanor LeCain, WAND Board member US Congresswoman Lynn Rivers (MI)		Ending Violence Against Women: Sharing models and experiences Shaping the policy debate, overt and covert media messages, and the role of community institutions in combating violence. Speakers: The Reverend Aubra Love, The Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute, WAND board member; Pat Reuss, former vice-president of NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund; Jean Kilbourne, author of "Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel." Luncheon Program - "Women Building a Secure Future" Presiding: Kathryn Bowers, chair, WAND Keynote Speaker: US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL) Respondent: Susan Shaer, executive director, WAND Armed and Dangerous and Still Not Safe How the terrorist attacks on September 11th affect the nation and our outlook on nuclear weapons. Panelists: US Congresswoman Lynn Rivers (MI); Jackie Cabasso, Western States Legal Foundation; Moderator: Pat Ortmeyer, WAND Awards Dinner: A Salute to Achievements in Women's Health National Museum of Women in the Arts Award Recipients: US Senator Olympia Snowe (ME); US Congressman John Lewis (GA); US Congresswoman Julia Carson (IN); State Sen. Sandy Praeger (KS); State Del. Marilyn Goldwater (MD); State Rep. Garnet Coleman (TX).
TUESDAY, SEPTEMEBER 25
Issues Briefing on the Hill Speakers: US Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO), US Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA), and US Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (CA). Meetings with members of Congress, Capitol Hill
Minnesota delegation visits US Senator Paul Wellstone
Conference Photo Album

Women's Action for New Directions (WAND) was founded in 1980 as a women's initiative for the prevention of nuclear war. Today WAND and WAND Education Fund educate women on the need to reduce militarism and violence and to redirect excessive military spending to unmet human and environmental needs. WAND PAC assists WAND and WiLL members in running for Congress to further these goals. WAND, WAND EF and WiLL support and collaborate with a wide array of peace, human needs, environmental, and women's organizations through our WAND Partners program. The Women Legislators' Lobby (WiLL) is a national multipartisan network of women state legislators working together to influence federal policy and budget priorities. With member in all 50 states, representing millions of constituents, WiLL is a potent voice. WiLL seeks to persuade Congress to redirect excessive military spending towards domestic needs such as substantially improving women's health, eliminating violence against women, protecting the environment, promoting a better quality of life for children and families, and curbing the proliferation of weapons. One out of three women state legislators is a member of WiLL.