7. The Future

But then there is the future.

Now is not the time to compromise our values, our principles or beliefs. If we do, we will be the easiest to steam roll over --- when we don’t, we will stand strong, united with our sisters and brothers in the demands for equality, our wall of solidarity may get alternately picked at, rammed and an occasional brick may be wiggled loose and removed, but if the mortar of our values, our beliefs, our principles, is strong, we will stand for a very long time and will have a greater likelihood of protecting our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren from the forces that stand poised ready for almost certain attack.

As a lifer named Gayle Horii often reminds me, “There is strength in SISterhood.” In fact, the first time I met Gayle, she introduced me to a quote which , for me, summarizes our "raison d’etre". Accordingly, I will close with the words of an Australian Aboriginal woman, named Lilla Watson:

Thank you.