Update on the Work of our Advocates
U.S. Fellows
Jacqueline Asiimwe is the second beneficiary of the Patricia King Fellowship. Jackie will complete her LL.M. Degree in May and is currently conducting research for a major paper entitled “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back” focusing on the women’s movement in Uganda. In her paper, she analyzes the reasons why the women’s movement has not made as many gains with regard to women’s private rights as it has with regard to their public rights and proposes solutions to that problem. Jackie has participated in several events including a workshop on Privatization and Women’s Health, and a book launch on laws and policies affecting women’s reproductive lives in Francophone Africa, particularly female genital mutilation. Jackie also attended a panel discussion for domestic violence survivors where she shared stories from her work with Ugandan women. An avid activist, Jackie attended a rally outside the Supreme Court when the first Bush v. Gore case was being heard.

2000-2001 Seminars and Events
Since beginning their Fellowships in September 2000, the Advocates have attended several exciting seminars and events, were briefed on and attended several key Supreme Court cases, and worked with each other, program alumnae, staff and board members, in order to make the most of their Fellowship experience and help them better serve others. Several events are highlighted in:

1999-2000 LAWA Fellows Return to Uganda
On November 18, 2000 WLPPFP alum Cris Nardi and husband Tim White hosted a farewell party for 1999-2000 LAWA Fellows Evelyn Nassuna, Sarah Lubega and Emma Namuli who returned to Uganda shortly thereafter. Emma, who conducted her LL.M. research on women and HIV/AIDS, completed her work placement at the Whitman-Walker Legal Clinic prior to returning home to join her LAWA alumnae colleagues at LAW-U, where she currently works. After completing her LL.M. last spring, Sarah worked at the World Bank evaluating gender-related projects. Last December she returned to her law practice as a partner in the firm of Frederick Francis & Associates in Kampala. Evelyn also returned home in December after completing her research on employment discrimination and her work placement with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. All three joined LAW–U (a non-profit formed by Program alums to promote women’s rights in Uganda ) as members upon their return.

Patricia King Fellowship Extended to South Africa
We are thrilled to announce that the Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa fellowship will welcome Patricia King fellows from South Africa this summer. Thanks to funding from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Sandler Family Supporting Foundation, WLPPFP has been able to establish a LAWA pilot program for attorneys from South Africa. WLPPFP is grateful to have the opportunity to expand the program to South Africa and is confident we will be able to replicate the success we have achieved in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania where LAWA alumnae continue to serve as key women’s rights leaders and to shape the laws, policies and practices of their countries.

Program Happenings
Thank You for Your Contributions Our sincerest thanks to all of our readers who responded to our annual appeal. To date, we have raised over $23,000. As a nonprofit program, every penny counts to the WLPPFP and we rely on each of our loyal supporters to keep our programs going. If you have not yet had the opportunity to send in your donation, please do not hesitate to do so – contributions are welcome at any time and are tax-deductible! Please make checks payable to WLPPFP and send to: Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program, 600 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Suite 334, Washington, D.C. 20001.

WLPPFP Joins United Way Combined Federal Campaign: Now there are more ways than ever to make a contribution to WLPPFP! Please keep an eye out for the Fellowship Program in the next United Way Combined Federal Campaign. You can give to WLPPFP by designating #1173 on your pledge form.

Through My Eyes: The November 2000 Fellowship Retreat Brief
By Jacqueline Asiimwe
I looked forward to the annual Fellowship retreat from the day I saw a picture of the 1999 retreat at Lost River State Park in the spring 2000 issue of Outreach that was to introduce me to the program. So when the day arrived, I eagerly packed and was right on time to carpool with Mary Hartnett and some of my LAWA colleagues. Since we drove on a fall evening, it became dark quite quickly and we could not see much of the scenery on the way to the park. Read the .

Theatrical Performance Raises Money to Support WLPPFP
On Wednesday, March 7, 2001, Hexagon, Inc. held a special performance of its annual review to benefit the Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program. This year’s production “Hexagon 2001: A Stateless Odd DC” featured humorous musical numbers and political skits on current events. The organization is volunteer-run and donates its proceeds each year to local charities. We would like to thank the over 50 members of the WLPPFP community who turned out to attend the show and donate over $500 to support the Program. Special thanks are also in order for Joseph Le Blanc and Pat Seeley of Hexagon for helping to arrange the special performance and to former research assistant Meredith Rathbone for her role as WLPPFP liaison.

WLPPFP Explores Program in Mexico
In September, WLPPFP Board Chair Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton and Executive Director Mary Hartnett had breakfast with Mexico’s First Lady, Martha Sahagun de Fox at Blair House. Mrs. Fox was in Washington, DC with President Vicente Fox for a state visit, and President Fox also greeted the group prior to the breakfast. As a result of this meeting, the LAWA program may eventually be welcoming Advocates from Mexico. Look for an update in our next newsletter.

Alum Corner
WLPPFP Welcomes New Alum Co-Directors WLPPFP is delighted that two of our LAWA alumnae have agreed to serve as volunteer Alum Co-Directors. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye (LAWA Ghana 94-95) and Sarah Lubega (LAWA Uganda 99-2000) have joined Margaret Johnson and Karen Guss to help us keep track of WLPPFP alums worldwide. Our deepest thanks to each – we could not do it without you!

WLPPFP Alum Receives Fulbright WLPPFP Alum Johanna Bond (’98-’99) was recently selected as a Fulbright Scholar. As part of her Fulbright research, Johanna will travel for five months to Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda to work with alumnae of the LAWA program in each of those countries. The goal of the research is to work with the authors of several LAWA graduate papers to update and expand the papers for inclusion in a publication on women’s human rights in the three countries. Congratulations, Johanna!

In Memoriam: The WLPPFP community mourns the loss of LAWA alumna Kulsum Wakabi (LAWA Uganda 95-96), co-founder of Law and Advocacy for Women in Uganda (LAW-U), who passed away suddenly on November 16, 2000. Kulsum’s inspiration for a world of equality for women will continue to serve as a guiding star to her family, friends, and women around the world. A memorial event, “Call for Action on Women’s Rights Think Tank: Celebrating Ms. Kulsum Wakabi’s Life” was held in Uganda on December 19, 2000. WLPPFP extends our deepest condolences to her family and friends, particularly her husband Jamal, children Abdullah and Sheefa, and her close colleague LAWA alum Dora Byamukama.

Keep Those Updates Coming! Thanks to each of our alums who have returned alum update forms, keeping us abreast of your personal and professional lives. If you have not turned in your update form, please do so. The information makes it possible for WLPPFP to keep in touch via phone, fax, email and mail. Alum news will be shared in the upcoming Alum Newsletter, due out this summer.

Program Assistant Joins WLPPFP Staff We are thrilled to have Zinta Saulkalns join the Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program as a part-time Program Assistant. Before joining the Fellowship, Zinta worked as an account executive for Hansen Information Technologies. A long-time advocate of women’s rights, she formerly worked at the Brazos County Rape Crisis Center in Texas where she provided support services to survivors of sexual assault. Zinta was also active in the Texas A&M chapter of the National Organization for Women; was the Exhibit Coordinator for “Mothers and Daughters in Art” at the Forsyth Center Gallery; and gave a presentation about activism and the internet at the Feminist Expo 2000 in Baltimore. She has also been a counselor at a YMCA after school program and a mentor for the elementary school program Help Our Students to Succeed and is currently a volunteer at the D.C. Rape Crisis Center.