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[From Fall 1999 Media Report to Women]
The Memorial Celebration
of Donna Allen's Life and Work took place on a gorgeous, sunny
September day in the courtyard of the National Woman's Party headquarters
on Capitol Hill in Washington. Moving stories and tributes were
shared by many of the almost one hundred activists, friends, and
family who had gathered from across the country. Best known for
founding Media Report to Women and the Women's Institute
for Freedom of the Press in 1972, it became clear to all those
gathered that Donna had been just as dedicated and accomplished
over the years in her work for labor, peace, civil rights and
justice issues.
Frank Wilkinson, still
active in his 80's, traveled from Los Angeles. He told how Donna
had played a vital role in the abolition of the House Un-American
Activities Committee. "She was so brilliant, yet so modest,"
he stated. Telling about the insights he and young interns gained
from Donna's perspectives and involvement in the National Committee
to Abolish HUAC, which later became the National Committee Against
Repressive Legislation, he related a story: Donna told those who
worked out of her home (in the 60's and early 70's) that there
was a one rule: no woman was to make coffee, cook, or do the cleaning.
"For me in every sense of the word, Donna was my role model,"
Wilkinson said.
Carmen Delgado Votaw
spoke of Donna's pioneering work as a media activist. "Donna
was one of the first people who knew the importance of media,
not only to women's issues but to women and society in general"
Sarah McClendon was one of the
first to speak in tribute, as was Martha Burk, who, encouraged
by Donna, had founded the Feminist Faxnet. Individuals like Ramona
Rush who co-authored several books with Donna; Fran Hosken, WIN
News editor and publisher; former interns and family members shared
their stories. At one point in the program, live music and the
singing of movement songs provided an intermission.
"Donna was such
a strategist," Marty Langelan, President of the National
Woman's Party, said. "She represented all the optimism of
the women's movement."
Messages poured in from
those who could not attend the Memorial Celebration from activists
and writers around the country such as Maurine Beasley, Annette
Samuels, Rose Dyson, Gloria Steinem, Karin Lippert, and Alix Dobkin.
Robin Morgan sent these words: "She was such a central and
permanent part of the national and global feminist landscape that
I think we got spoiled and assumed we'd have her around forever."
"She was truly
a great woman," Andrea Dworkin wrote. "Knowing her has
been a privilege in my life" Marge Piercy said, "The
list of the organizations she founded, chaired, and served on
is a litany of struggle against repression and fear, for equality
and opportunity."
Betsy Wade of the New
York Times related: "I think of Donna as a scribe in
the Dark Ages, recording and keeping alive the fragments of humanism
In 1978, the New York Times women's historic lawsuit charging
the paper with sex discrimination was winding toward a settlement.
Donna, who had printed in the newsletter documents at each step
of the way, came to New York. . . and talked about how this case
might best be documented. . . . Eventually, she decided on an
entire issue of Media Report to Women . . .She let the
women speak for themselves, according to her principles, and the
issue was a historical document, rounded and complete."
"I will remember
her always as a pioneer, a radical, and a sharp mind who helped
me see the unseen and celebrate it or critique it, whichever was
appropriate," wrote Kimberlie Kranich. "[H]ow supportive
she was of so many younger feminists working on media coverage,"
Cheris Kramarae stated. "And her clear, inspirational, and
practical ideas about what the media could be," "For
me in every sense of the word, Donna was my role model."
"Donna Allen was
an inspiration," Annie King Phillips said. "I shall
always remember her cheerful, calm manner and her diligence."
"When I met Donna in the late Sixties she was a role model
in the flesh," wrote Betsy Warrior. "Her grace, humor,
intelligence and wit made an instant impression on me.
Publisher and editor
of New Directions for Women and WIFP board member Paula
Kassell wrote: "Donna and I started collaborating in 1972
I remember particularly the Institute's Fourth Annual Conference
on Planning a National and International Communications System
for Women in 1982. Forty-seven women came from 30 countries, plus
73 women from 14 states of the United states. It was a hugely
successful meeting with just about unanimous agreement on how
to proceed globally. Since that long ago conference, those plans
have come to fruition all over the world. The Institute's conferences
were the most interesting and productive of all the feminist movement
conferences I have attended."
Charlotte Bunch shared
her memories of Donna, stating "I remember her probing mind
and strong voice from the early days of my life and work in DC
in the 60's and cannot imagine Washington without her."
Donna worked closely
with me, her daughter, who shared her vision of the radical restructuring
of the communications systems to bring about media democracy necessary
for peace and justice. The Women's Institute for Freedom of the
Press will continue Donna's life's work.
Martha Leslie Allen, Director,
Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press
Media Report to Women is edited by Sheila Gibbons and published by Communication Research Associates, Inc., 38091 Beach Road, PO Box 180, Colton's Point, MD 20626-0180. Ph: (301) 769-3899. Single copies are available for $15. Published quarterly, individual subscriptions are $33/year, $55 for institutions. Email: sheilagib@erols.com