Dear Ms. Tiefer:

I was disappointed to hear that the upcoming conference concerning women and the way the medical establishment regards (treats?) us will not be co-sponsored by the Accountability Caucus. As a woman, a single parent, an attorney, I have come through too many medical situations in which my female-ness was blamed for the medical issue I was attempting to address. I have just yesterday heard from my friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer that the prevailing “science” studies indicate that breast cancer is caused by hormonal imbalances. I guess this means that chlorine or other carcinogens in our water supply have nothing to do with the dramatic increase in breast cancer in recent years, and that our hormones, and not the ecology of our social system, must be “fixed.”

If PMS is a diagnosis, then women are being considered mental health clients three to seven or ten days of every month. This is not so far from Victorian ideology which allowed upper class women to faint and have “spells” but refused to permit them to own or manage their own property. I have never been admitted to a mental hospital. But it seems to me that the women who have may be able to provide us with an insight into the invidious evil of the medical model as applied to those issues which bother us women. Until we invite the Accountability Caucus to share the table with the feminist movement, we are shielding ourselves from the scope of our problem, and avoiding our less fortunate sisters who have gotten caught in the system. We might even be enjoying sitting at the table with the guys, although complaining about how they treat us.

It is my belief the conference will be benefitted by the presence of the Accountability Caucus, because that group understands the very issue the conference is attempting to address better than anyone. I hope you will consider again their offer to participate.

I hope you will not be offended by my writing to you like this. If you would like to call me I can be reached at the Law Office of Ellen Rodin in Oakland, California 510-835-0850 X304 most afternoons.

Thank you for your interest in this issue.

Very truly yours,

Ellen Rodin

Attorney at Law