DID YOU KNOW?

Of Hollywood's top ten "Boxoffice Bankables" in 2002, only one was a woman--Julia Roberts. Way down the list were Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, and NicoleKidman.

WOMEN IN THE MILITARY: WHERE THEY STAND

Thanks to a grant from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, WREI has prepared a fourth edition of "Women in the Military: Where They Stand." This one-of-a-kind resource has been updated to include the most recent data on women's status in the U.S. military services, a chronology of significant legal and policy changes
affecting women in the military from 1947 to the present, statistics for each service-including additional tables by detailed race and Hispanic origin-and a list of organizations that work on issues affecting women in the military. Also included in thisexpanded edition are data on women in the Guard and Reserve components as well as a section on women veterans.

American military women are vital to national security. Since the publication of the third edition in this series in November 2000, they have participated with distinction in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Women in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard have shown the nation that they have what it takes to handle the opportunities opened to them in the mid-90s aboard combat ships, in combat aircraft, and in ground combat support
units.

As more data become available on their participation in these two operations, WREI will publish an addendum sheet to make sure you have the latest information. We will also put more of the facts and figures from this booklet on our website www.wrei.org and keep them updated.

Copies of "Women in the Military: Where They Stand" can be purchased for $3.00 from WREI's website, www.wrei.org, or by calling Lory Manning at 703-812-7990.

DOROTHY HEIGHT RELEASES HER AUTOBIOGRAPHY

At 92, Dr. Dorothy Height, civil rights activist, president emeritus of the National Council of Negro Women, and founding WREI board member, has written her memoirs. Maya Angelou gave her a hand in "Open Wide the Freedom Gates."

On Thursday evening, June 12th, Dr. Height will talk with Gwen Ifill about her life of service and leadership. This conversation will take place at The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. General admission is $13.00. Call 202-786-2034 for information and reservations.

REMEMBERING MARTHA GRIFFITHS, FIRST PRESIDENT OF WREI'S BOARD

All at WREI are saddened by the death on April 22nd of Martha Wright Griffiths, a
legend in Michigan politics and one of the most effective women's rights legislators to serve in the U.S. Congress. A lawyer, judge, and state legislator, she was the first Democratic woman from Michigan elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served 18 years. Martha Griffiths was the first woman appointed to the Ways and Means Committee and a skilled proponent for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. After retiring from the House, she joined WREI's Board in 1977 as its first chair. She went on to serve as lieutenant governor of
Michigan for eight years. She was 91 when she died.

CLOSING NOTE TO ONCE AND CURRENT WREI FELLOWS

If you are interested in participating in a fall reunion in Washington, please let us know right away. Email Susan Scanlan at scanlan@wrei.org.