.
Feminist: all can influence legislation
W. :3k ' ' ' '&
Women's rights lobbyist
Yvonne Leung and
daughter Nh? Dine.
By Jane Owens
What lures a woman into politics? For the founder of the
Nebraska Women's Lobby, the explanation is simple.
"I'm power hungry," Yvonne Leung said.
"Seriously, though, most women don't realize that almost
anyone can have input into government," the Lincoln feminist
said. "I really enjoy the power involved in lobbying and
influencing legislative decisions."'
Representing the National Organization of Women (NOW)
and the Nebraska Women's Political Caucus, Leung began
lobbying at the Nebraska Unicameral in January.
She discovered that lobbying "is definitely not a
one-woman job" and soon began training about 30 women.
"We're planning to lobby for the interests of Nebraska
women in general, as opposed to representing a specific
organization," she said.
However, the Women's Lobby plans to form temporary
coalitions with organizations to work on specific issues. Many
organizations concerned with women's issues are tax exempt
and cannot lobby themselves, Leung said.
What lobbying techniques does she use?
One-to-one confrontations with senators seem to work best,
Leung said.
'This year has been primarily an educational year," she
said. "Most senators don't even realize a women's side to issues
exists. I'm trying to make them aware of that side.
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"I don't try to be hostile or make a senator back up when I
lobby. Maybe next year we'll be prepared to attack more
aggressively, but right now I have very good relationships with
some senators."
Asked about the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), Leung
said she "only worked quietly" on the issue, along with other
feminists.
"We wanted senators to think ERA support was coming
from a broader coalition of 'establishment-type' women. That
was obviously a mistake," she said.
The Nebraska Unicameral rescinded the amendment last
March.
According to Leung, the Women's Lobby will work on
three major issues this year: child care, health care and raising
the minimum wage level.
"My biggest problem in lobbying has been getting outstate
support, she said.
"Women living in small towns often are afraid to speak out
on women's issues," according to Leung. "We want to develop
a strong pressure group of Nebraska homemakers, but they
aren't too courageous."
Leung and two other women publish a monthly statewide
newsletter. The Women's Lobby also held an August meeting
for women in Grand Island. About 120 attended, according to
Leung.
Leung is not the first feminist in her family. Both her
grandmother and mother were working women.
"Grandmother was lame, had seven children and lost two
husbands, yet she still managed to work in a bobbin factory
and march for women's rights," she said.
"My mother brought me up to believe I could achieve any
goal I worked for," she said. "At the age of 12 I wanted to be
a lawyer, and I received only reinforcement from her."
Leung's husband, Kam-Ching, also supports her feminist
activities.
"If anything, my husband has pushed me because he comes
from China, where women are more professionally oriented.
He believes that women who stay at home become 'emotional
sponges' and experience life only through their husbands'
work."
The Leungs share housekeeping duties, she said, and both
try to spend equal time with their 5-year-old daughter, Nha
Dine.
In addition to her political activities, Leung has been a
school teacher in New Zealand and has tutored.
"We've moved 24 times in 10 years," she said, "so I usually
work as a volunteer in professional jobs. I don't get paid
because we never stay long enough."
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daily nebraskan
firday, October 5, 1973
