Volume XVI, Issue four
November 1, 2012
The Scripps Voice Scripps alum runs for California State Senate By Elizabeth Lee ‘16 Staff Writer
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bout forty-five years ago, Hannah Beth Jackson walked through Scripps College’s iconic Honnold Gate to begin her new life and journey as a Scripps woman. She was a first-year college student trying to figure out what to do with her life, studying for midterms, walking past the Denison Library, perhaps preparing for upcoming Halloween ck festivities—and so n still to fully realize her potential to affect the world beyond Scripps’ boundaries. Today she is Hannah Beth Jackson, former State Assembly member of California’s 35th District, co-founder of two non-profit organizations, policymaker in residence at University of California Santa Barbara, adjunct professor at Antioch University, and now California State Senate candidate of District 19. Jackson
t o c o u r te s y | H a n n a
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is an example of the ambitious and spirited Scripps women who have the innate power to shape our society’s future by tackling endless domestic issues on our endless road of possibilities and interests. After earning a joint degree in government and sociology, Jackson went on to earn her law degree from Boston University. She became the district attorney for Santa Barbara before going on to start a family law practice where she could take a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault. During her six years as a State Assembly member (1998-2004) she served as Chair of the Natural Resources, Coastal Protection, Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials, Budget, Judiciary, and Higher Education Committees, as well as of the bipartisan Legislative Women’s caucus. She has written many impressive bills that have been signed into law. Jackson’s two non-profit organizations are Renew California and Speak Out California, which work to promote open and respectful communication between California citizens as well as provide voters with the information and insights of
progressive activists. Now, as a State Senate candidate, Jackson stated that the three main priorities she wishes to address are: jobs and the economy, public education, and environmental protection, three issues she sees as interrelated. By encouraging investment in new, green, and local businesses she hopes to not only promote environmental protection and alternative energy research but also job growth and money circulation within California. In order to encourage these local businesses, she also considers strengthening public education, thereby also promoting an educated workforce, another priority and
Inside...
Interview with Scripps alum and author Nora Zelevansky page 2
continued on page 9
R E M E M B E R TO
VOTE!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
HAVE YOUR
Voice
HEARD
Claremont students protest pro-life prayer vigil
The most haunted places at Scripps page 12
By Rosemary McClure ‘13 Editor-in-Chief
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n the morning of Saturday, Oct. 13, approximately 30 students from the 5Cs made their way to Montclair Family Planning and Associates to protest the ongoing pro-life 40 Days for Life prayer vigil. The Scripps chapter of Choice USA, a nationwide pro-choice organization founded by Gloria Steinem, organized the protest. According to organizer Liz McElvein (SC ’14), “the counter-protest had three major goals: to initiate dialogue among 5-C students about reproductive freedom, to empower students to take political action on behalf of their own convictions, and to demonstrate solidarity with the healthcare providers and patients of Montclair Family Planning.” Choice USA member and counter-protest organizer Lily Foss (SC ’13) emphasized the goal was not to change the minds of the prayer vigil attendees, but to support the clinic’s employees and patients. “They brag about getting clinic employees to quit their jobs,” said Foss. To demonstrate solidarity with Montclair Family Planning employees and patients, counter-protesters created and signed a thank-you card for the clinic. They also brought posters featuring messages such as “Against abortion? Don’t have one!” and “Prochoice, pro-family,” which were displayed for passing vehicles and pedestrians. 40 Days for Life organizes 40-day prayer and fasting vigils at reproductive health clinics around the world. The organization’s web site refers to these clinics as “abortion mills.” The purpose of the vigils is to change the minds of patients seeking
abortions and to disrupt the daily operation reproductive health clinics, eventually eliciting their permanent closure. This particular vigil is the second that has been held at Montclair Family Planning this year. A video message on 40 Days for Life’s web site features national director David Bereit standing in front of a recently-closed family planning clinic. The organization is “celebrating the closure of this abortion facility following five 40 Days for Life campaigns outside its doors,” he says.” God heard, and God answered their prayers, and this abortion facility is now closed. If this can happen in La Puente, it can happen in Montclair.” Testimonials from 40 Days for Life’s volunteers claim business drops significantly during their campaigns at these clinics. Another update says, “Day 26 – 335 babies saved.” photo | Liz McElvein ‘14 Interactions between prayer vigil volunteers and the counter-protesters were civil overall, though several students characterized the volunteers’ comments as condescending and sexist. “One man congratulated me on being politically engaged—a benign yet patronizing remark premised on a sense of incredulity that that I would have the conviction and capacity for political organization,” said McElvein. One man hugged her. “I felt particularly uneasy because he did not ask for permission to touch me and left me with no choice but to squirm out of his grasp.” continued on page 8
Why don’t we care about sports? page 11
All things 5C a capella pages 6-7
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