—by Marietta Moskin

Dnuring the late winter and spring of 2004, the Women’s Alliance has been particularly active in providing not only very special speakers for its own monthly lunch meetings, but also events shared with the congregation at large.

At the annual Spring Luncheon in April, Bank Street College President Augusta Sousa Kappner discussed her concerns about the New York City school system. The Angie Utt Lecture on Women and American Culture, also an annual event, extended the “education” theme with a speech on March 25 by City Council member Eva Moskowitz, who in her role as head of the Council’s Committee on Education has had firsthand experience with the pitfalls and complications of that vast city system.

The Alliance has also cooperated with other groups in sponsoring various events, particularly the two “March to Washington” efforts in support of issues of interest to women. In addition, the Alliance has successfully raised funds to support a UU internship program in Washington that will focus on matters important to women.

Finally, Program Chair Maureen Marwick arranged for a full program of entertaining and educational outings extending well into this coming summer. These programs, open to the entire congregation, have so far included a guided bird watching expedition in Central Park, a visit to an ecologically (green) solar-powered building in lower Manhattan, a one-woman show by church member Dottie Burman and a Botanical Garden tour. Still on the agenda is a visit to Channel 13 and a one-man cabaret at the 92nd St. Y. Each of the events so far has included lunch in nearby restaurants