Orcas Women’s Coalition Sets Initiatives for Action

— from Paula Treneer —

The Orcas Women’s Coalition (OWC), formerly known as the CWOO, met on Sunday, February 19, continuing discussions and setting initiatives for the group to address specific issues that affect individuals, locally, at the state and federal level. These discussions and initiatives include education, climate change, immigration, and civic engagement. The OWC was initiated by Marguerite Greening and Caitlin Herlihy, following the U.S. November elections. Enthusiastic turnout has varied from 80 to 100+ women per meeting.

The agenda for this meeting included updates from the OWC Steering Committee, subgroup (“Action Team”) meetings, presentations from each Action Team, and opening/closing processes led by Penny Sharp Sky which set the stage for open, inclusive, inquiring discussion.

The OWC Action Teams are organized thematically, with co-leads whose contact information follows:

CLIMATE CHANGE (to be renamed Environmental Action)

• Mary Gropp, marygropp10@gmail.com
• Marguerite Greening
• Sarah Ross

PACE

• Cindy Wolf

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

• Amanda Tarkington, amandazen@comcast.net
• Anneke Fleming

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

• Stephanie Cichy sacichy@gmail.com

WOMEN’S RIGHTS

• Krista Bouchey kabouchey@gmail.com

Other Action Teams in the process of formation include LGBTQ Rights, and Education.

The guidelines were recited by Sky, and included passages focusing on gratitude, fear, vision, involvement, and empowerment. Sky’s commentary on Macy’s words were insightful yet succinct, allowing those present to fully participate while reflecting on the meaning. In addition to recitation and explication of these guidelines, Sky led the group in an opening song of motivation, and a closing Russian song of celebration.

Some specific announcements were made by Eleanor Hogue, a retired lawyer specializing in immigrants’ rights, who has “come out of retirement” to specifically assist this cause.

The OWC movement is in the organization phase, but is moving quickly towards identifying timeframes and objectives for actions pursuant to each Action Team’s mission. Past meetings have included group education programs which lead to effective political action, for example, action pod formation, civil disobedience, and civics.

Requests were made for donations of office supplies and funds to support the political project which has been birthed on our island in response to the threat to our shared values posed by the present federal administration.

For women who may be interested in joining the OWC, Caitlin Herlihy Leck, the meeting chair, can be reached at www.artofnourishment.com.

Paula Treneer is an investment professional who re-located to Orcas Island after a financial career in Manhattan, Seattle, Paris, and Abu Dhabi (UAE). She is presently co-managing the Madrona Partners fund for family offices and a social media consultant with Idun Partners based in Eastsound and France.