ATTACHED IS THE REVISED LETTER I WILL BE GIVING TO DIVORCEES I SEE REGARDING WOMEN IN TRANSITION.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP10-00750R000100310001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 132
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 30, 1984
• Content Type: MISC

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.
FAMILY LIAISON OFFICE
M/FLO
Room 1216A
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Telephone: [phone]
March 30, 1984
To:
Attached is the revised letter I will
be giving to divorcees I see regarding
Women in Transition.
Please, as always, let me know if I
can do anything to assist you all.
Regards,
hyll's Habib
gupport Services Officer
Enclosure
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STAT
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Association of of American Foreign Service Women
PO Box 8068
Washington, D C 20024
WOMEN IN TRANSITION is a group of Foreign Service women
whose situation has been changed by separation, widowhood,
or divorce. The group meets independently but with the
support of the Association of American Foreign Service Women.
The meetings are held on the second Saturday of every
month at 2:30 p.m. at the Palisades Library which is
at MacArthur Boulevard and V Street in Northwest Washington.
The present focus of Women in Transition is on working
to extend the legislation of the Foreign Service Act
of 1980 to women who were widowed or divorced before the
bill became law, but who meet the other criteria and deserve
to have the benefits of that bill extended to them. Other ,
projects of vital concern to members of the group will
be addressed with equal intensity in turn.
The structure of the meetings is to have an extended
coffee and conversation period both before and after the
regular business meeting. During this time people can
get together, come to know each other, do personal
networking and give each other mutual support. All are
welcome at every meeting.
We invite you to come to the meetings of Women in Transition.
You are one of us already. Now feel free to join us,
and become part of a supportive network of women who share
with you where you have been, where you are now, and
where you might be going.
To find out more about us or simply just to talk, you
STAT cai
STAT at
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WOMEN IN TRANSITION
To assist FS women facing divorce, as well as those already
divorced, in 1979 AAFSW established the support group, Women in
Transition (WIT). By attending monthly WIT meetings, FS wives
whose lives had been changed drastically through divorce could
talk with others who understood their problems, women with
similar FS backgrounds. The women found that they had many of
the same concerns---learning how to manage their homes alone (if
they were fortunate enough to keep their homes), establishing
credit in their own name, purchasing medical insurance, seeking
employment to augment their often drastically reduced incomes,
and coping on their own with troubled children.
Their backgrounds and current circumstances were similar: for
the most part, they were middle-aged and older; many were in poor
health; all had had long-term marriages that required their
spending years overseas, following their husbands literally
around the world. Many had lived through several tours in
hardship countries. Although they had served their country well,
they had been left poor -- in some cases, destitute -- without
recognition for their service, only because their divorces had
occurred before 15 February 1981, the effective date of the 1980
Foreign Service Act. As a result, they believed that they had
been deserted by the Federal Government they had served
throughout most of their married lives. Their conversation showed
that all were under stress. And all were discouraged about their
chances for secure and pleasant life in the years ahead.
Most of the WIT women had found that their social life had almost
disappeared. As single women, they were excluded from many
social activities they not only had enjoyed while married but
also had considered part of the profession at which they had
worked hard, that of diplomacy. Now in suburban America, many of
the women had neighbors and other new acquaintances who were
neither understanding nor sympathetic. People who had always
lived stateside were ignorant of, and thus did not understand,
the challenges that these FS wives had faced in their daily lives
abroad: disruptions in schooling for children, unfamiliar and
exotic medical problems, devastating culture shock, difficulties
in maintaining adequate hygiene and nutrition in backward
countries, frequent losses of established friendships, as well
as broken channels of communication with families, plus the
turmoil of frequently moving households and families to new and
sometimes intimidating environments. And last of all, upon
returning to their home country, the former spouses had
encountered the unanticipated stress of reverse culture shock:
their familiar country over the years had become as new and
strange as the environments they had encountered in their tours
abroad.
WIT provided them with an opportunity to make new acquaintances--
-most supportive and understanding, some who would become loyal
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friends. Women who were in the process of divorce or were newly
divorced could sometime receive wise counsel from others who had
met and solved problems they were just encountering. All who
attended gathered emotional support from women who were familiar
with their predicament, who understood their problems and their
needs, and who could be found nowhere else. Unattractive as the
library quarters were, uncertain as to any solid assistance they
would find there, the women returned each month to search for
that which they needed most---friendship and recognition.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1980
While WIT was organizing and holding its early meetings, AAFSW
members were conferring with Congressional staff members
responsible for drafting a revised FS Act. AAFSW asked that the
Act be modified to include provisions for assistance for divorced
and widowed FS spouses. (When passed in 1980, the FS legislation
spoke of "spouses,"1 but these were all "wives." Prior to 1972
female career officers in foreign service had been required to
resign when they married. Thus, in 1979. when these legislative
efforts began, there were no male dependent spouses with
sufficient years of marriage -- 10 were required in the
legislative drafts -- to be eligible for coverage under the
proposed benefit plans.)
AAFSW members argued that all FS women had earned financial
protection in their retirement years and nearly all of them
needed it. Of the divorced women in the library, only those with
private incomes could do without the proposed legislative
remedies: rights to share in annuities and to group health
insurance coverage, like the benefits already established for US
Government employees.
It was possible for a FS wife to spend most of her adult life
following her career officer husband around the world, loyally
supporting his official duties by maintaining a healthful and
gracious home, representative of the American way of life---a
valuable advertisement of our democratic form of life in
countries where such demonstrations were otherwise unknown, as
even television was not then available. Either upon direct
instruction of US Government officials, including her spouse, or
through her willingness to serve voluntarily, she performed a
wide variety of official and unofficial duties, while continuing
to tend to her family's welfare. In many countries, her eternal
vigilance concerning good hygiene was the only protection against
serious illness for her family, including her spouse. She had no
1Public Law 96-465, 94 Stat. 2071. Chapter 8, Foreign
Service Retirement and Disability System, Section 814, Former
spouses and Section 804, Definitions. Para(6) "former spouse"
means a former wife or husband of a participant or former
participant who was married to such participant for not less than
10 years during periods of service by that participant. . . .
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Congressional committees held oversight responsibilities for the
intelligence agencies including CIA. They would have to respond
with new laws if former CIA spouses were to be provided for.
As with the FS women, the CIA women's financial problems were a
major concern. Widows with marriages of shorter duration, with
few--if any--years abroad, were provided with survivor annuities
and health insurance options. The divorced women generally had
been left inadequately provided for, although there were
exceptions. They found themselves impoverished because they had
been divorced, rather than left as widows, even though in many
cases the divorce had not been at their instigation.
In addition, their reduced circumstances impacted painfully on
the children in the family because almost without exception, the
children were given to the mother to care for. The Privacy Act
and the secrecy inherent in the intelligence profession impacted
detrimentally on spouses' efforts to obtain alimony and child
support payments. Unfamiliar with bureaucratic procedures, they-
- and their lawyers, as well -- did not know how to go about
establishing lines of communication with their former husbands.
And foreign assignments themselves could take the employee beyond
the reach of domestic court systems.
Some former spouses were timid about establishing a group of
peers to represent divorced CIA wives. The Agency had always
refused to allow an employees' wives' group to be formed although
most wives were loyal and discreet throughout years of marriage.
And no wife had published a revealing saga, such as, "My Life As
A Spy's Wife: The Secrets I Have Known." Recognition of
spokesmen, as well as recognition of the validity of the women's
claims to having earned retirement security and medical coverage
would be difficult to achieve without going "public" in the news
media.
Thus, a major difficulty the small band of divorced wives faced
in their initial organization was that of recognition, of
establishing their credibility. They knew that the Federal
Government did not formally recognize divorced CIA wives and
their service; no legislation or government regulation identified
them of their contributions to their country. The women could
say they had been CIA spouses, but who would believe them?
The divorced spouses were aware that they would be making a
difficult request: to reduce the anticipated retirement annuities
of men who had long served in dangerous assignments to provide
annuities for their former wives. In many cases, divorce had
created such antipathy, that the request would be explosive.
Some of the officials who would represent CIA in the legislative
activities ahead were themselves divorced or contemplating
divorce. Thus, their interest in any legislative proposal to
benefit wives would be complicated at best. Could they force no
action to be taken, although traditionally the intelligence
services try to keep benefits equal to those of the other
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possibility of earning her own livelihood, of establishing an
employment record that would qualify her for career growth or
even employment in any professional career she might have
otherwise planned for herself.
Upon divorce, FS spouses frequently found that all rights to
retirement and survivor benefits were given -- usually without
their permission and sometimes without their knowledge -- to a
second wife. While the former husbands lived with second wives in
comfort in pleasant circumstances, the first wife and her
children, at best, had to cope on minimal child support and, in
some cases, alimony that ceased with the death of the career
officer. As the laws were then written, it was possible that
widows, too, sometimes discovered that without their knowledge,
their husbands had eliminated them as beneficiaries from survivor
annuity. As a result, the bereaved women were left in a state of
shock, unprepared for employment, and in too many cases, without
regular income.
When the Foreign Service Act of 1980 became law in February 1981,
it specified that retirement and survivor annuity benefits were
earned by all FS wives who had been married 10 years or longer to
a FS Officer (FSO) on active duty. Under the new law, wives
could go into a divorce court with a presumed right to share in
the retirement and survivor annuity earned by the couple's
service abroad. FS wives could no longer be excluded unwittingly
from survivor and annuity benefits; the law would now require
that their permission be given for any changes in their status on
Government forms. In addition, the wives were given the
opportunity for Government health insurance for which the wives
would be required to pay both insuree and Government costs.
Thus, although the annuities were based on government service,
some FS women received them; others did not, although the service
by excluded wives in many cases had been longer and more
distinguished than that of the more fortunate women.
However, the Act provided no rights to such benefits for FS wives
divorced before the effective date of the 1980 Act, 15 February
1981. The circumstances of the women in the library basement
remained painful. The women already divorced had no legislated
protection. The line of eligibility was by date of divorce
alone. Arguments supporting this omission were based on the
belief that in most cases the FS officers had married again and a
new beneficiary had been named, meaning that there were no funds
left over in which the first wife could share. In cases where
the officer had not remarried, his retirement pay had not been
reduced so as to provide benefits for a survivor. He had not
made contributions to the Retirement Fund to keep it actuarially
sound and thus able to pay out money after his death to a
surviving spouse. The law did not permit survivor annuities to be
given to a former spouse.
EXCLUDED WIT WOMEN
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Thus, legislation effective in February 1981 provided rights to
pension benefits and medical insurance to FS wives divorced after
the effect date of the Act. The FS women in the library
basement, however, had been divorced before then. In many
instances, pension rights had been awarded to a second wife; in
other instances, employees had retired on pensions unreduced to
provide a survivor pension. The Law did not allow survivor
annuities to be given to former spouses.
The CIA spouses in the group -- regardless of their dates of
divorce -- remained without legal rights to any benefits.
No one seemed interested in the problems these women faced. The
agencies to which they had given their lives no longer had any
interest in their welfare. Their service went unrecognized.
There were no medals given in recognition of their contributions,
although their former spouses were often rewarded with bonuses,
medals, and commendations.
The excluded group was small. Most of the women were middle age
and older, between 45 and 65 years of age. Almost all had
endured traumas: divorce after long years of marriage, illnesses
inadequately cared for, a surprisingly high number of babies lost
in childbirth. The former wives were tired. They were
discouraged. They had been defeated in their life plans. The
marriages to which they had given so much had dissolved in tears
and recriminations. The government that they had so proudly
supported did not recognize them, refusing in many cases even to
communicate with them. There was little or no evidence of
support or acceptance for them anywhere. No one seemed interested
in the problems they faced. Their service went unrecognized.
There were no medals given in recognition of their contributions,
although their former spouses were often rewarded with bonuses,
medals, and commendations.
The FS and CIA women who had followed husbands on assignments
around the world to posts large and small, hazardous and safe,
healthy or not, found themselves in many instances provided
through alimony with the barest possible income, while their
former husbands had retired to live their lives in relative
comfort, often with new wives who had given no years of foreign
service to their country. The children of the family in almost
all cases remained with the first wife, sharing her reduction in
living standards. In many cases, the children were forced to do
without expensive educations at the colleges or universities of
their choice.
The reduced financial circumstances impacted on the youngstes in
the broken families usually during years of what should have been
good and therefore expensive education. Although in most cases,
the fathers had the money to do so, they often neglected to
provide sufficient support for their children when they needed it
most. Unless the divorce decrees had been carefully written, the
courts had no option but to allow the fathers to avoid parent
responsibilities. The secrecy of the fathers' work and their
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STAT
mobility through foreign countries complicated the already
complex problems of collecting whatever alimony and child support
payments had been awarded by the divorce courts.
Thus, for most of the FS/CIA women financial concerns were of the
highest priority. Some of the women were already on welfare;
others were surviving through the largess of church, friends, or
family---in many cases, only temporary measures. In nearly all
circumstances, extreme hardship could be anticipated in the
future, notably upon the death of the former husband when alimony
would cease. In addition, most of the women found great
difficulty in obtaining health insurance coverage. Many had
residual health problems eliminating them from any possibility of
coverage--problems that in some instances were caused or
exacerbated by life abroad. For those able to obtain individual
policies, premiums could consume an entire monthly alimony
payment. The employed women were slightly better off, because in
some instances they received coverage through their employment.
However, even some of the employed women who were working in the
service jobs open to women found themselves ineligible for
company benefits. And whatever coverage any of the women were
able to obtain, they faced its loss either through retirement
from the job world or their inability to continue to pay
expensive premiums.
CIA WIVES IN TRANSITION
In that they were unable to speak freely with wives who had not
had the CIA overseas experience, the divorced CIA spouses began
to gather separately for monthly meetings at the home of the
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author. Because they were sensitive to security requirements,
they did not form a structured group: they had no club name, they
met informally at members' homes, and they kept no minutes. But
the monthly meetings proved extremely useful. The peer support
that the wives could offer each other was uniquely helpful
because only those who had led a covert life could understand its
needs and its demands on all family members. (Many of the CIA
divorced women also continued to attend the WIT meetings.)
Their experiences as CIA wives had many similarities. All
reported encountering stress from secrecy requirements. The need
for secrecy at home and in the community sometimes resulted in
estrangement from friends and family, and made achieving new
friendships difficult. They asserted that it had contributed to
breakdowns in communication with their husbands, which in turn,
lead to their divorces. A substantial number of the former
spouses said that their husbands had found that a secretary in
the office provided better companionship than the older wife at
home. They believed that as CIA wives they were at particular
disadvantage because generally they had not been cleared to be
"witting" of office business. As a result, the young secretary
not only could be more attractive and more fun but also could
talk entertainingly of the challenging official business at hand.
The wife was left with her varicose veins and vanishing waistline
to discuss the less interesting topics of what had happened at
home that day: a washer breaking down or a child having trouble
at school.
Like FS former spouses, most CIA divorcees had little money of
their own. At time of divorce their lawyers were well aware that
they could not pay for lengthy legal maneuvering. Some of the
women reported that their lawyers seemed swayed by the reputation
of the employing agency, to the benefit of the employees and the
detriment of the divorcing wives. For example most wives were
told that they had to select their legal representative from a
list provided by CIA of "cleared" lawyers. Some of the women who
did so were convinced that the defense they subsequently received
had not been as strong as it should have been, because -- they
thought -- their lawyers perhaps wanted to remain on the
recommended list.
Thus, a major difficulty the small band of divorced wives faced
in their initial organization was that of recognition, of
establishing their credibility. They knew that the Federal
Government did not formally recognize divorced CIA wives and
their service; no legislation or government regulation identified
them or their contributions to their country. The women could
say they had been CIA spouses, but who would believe them?
In addition, they shared substantial problems in seeking to
improve their everyday lives. The former CIA women found that
the benefits of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 did not apply to
any of them. Separate laws and implementing regulations governed
the CIA Retirement and Disability System (CIARDS). Separate
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Legislation to Provide for
"The Gray Divorcee"
Introduction
In the dimly lighted basement of a public library in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC, the
small group of unhappy, middle-aged women meeting inaccurately identified themselves as
Foreign Service (FS) women. Once, they had carried such designation proudly as wives of career
employees in the US agencies charged with official missions abroad. Although unpaid, the
women had loyally served their country abroad. But they were such representatives no longer.
They had been divorced by their husbands and it seemed to many, that their government and their
country also had cast them aside.
The husbands to whom they had devoted their lifetimes of service were gone from their lives. For
the most part their former mates had remarried -- to younger, more attractive women and many
were now fathers of newer, younger children. The former husbands were either still working at
the peak of their careers or had retired on pensions in pleasant environments. Many of the
retirees had received medals and commendations that recognized their loyal service.
The small band of tired, older women could be forgiven, perhaps if they believed that they had
been deserted by the Government they had served so many years. The agencies to which they
had given their lives no longer were no longer interested in their welfare. Their country
provided no medals for their long service. They had lived where their Government had sent them.
They had fulfilled the mores of their time in the roles demanded of them as wives, mothers,
hostesses, community volunteers, and "unpaid employees" by undertaking official duties at the
request of US Government officials. Records of their loyal service could be found in the fitness
reports of their former husbands.
The conversations of these aging women showed reflected stress. Some complained of illnesses,
including exotic diseases and inadequate care. With outdated skills and aging bodies, only a few
could find work, even at entry level jobs. As a result, many of the women were extremely poor,
some were experiencing the indignities of needing the assistance of birth families and friends,
while a few were destitute and dependent on welfare. All were discouraged about their chances
for building a secure future for themselves and, in many cases, their still dependent children...
The Forum
The Association of American Foreign Service Women established "The Forum" in August 1976
to identify and to analyze topics of concern to US Foreign Service families, especially spouses
(identified in almost every case at that time, as wives).*
* Prior to 1972 female career employees in the US Foreign Service were required to
resign when they married. Thus in 1979, when the the Foreign Service Act of 1980 was
drafted, there were no no male dependent spouses with sufficient years of marriage for
eligibility for coverage eligibility. The when the Foreign Service Act of 1980 spoke of "spouses"
nearly all were wome because ten years of marriage during the active career of the husband
to receive the proposed benefits.
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Legislation to Provide for
"The Gray Divorcee"
When the Forum Study Group recommended "possible actions the Department of State might
take to improve the working conditions, as well as the cooperation of its families," the Forum
recognized the unique problems of spouses who had lost their husbands. As a result AAFSW
established a study group, "Women in Transition," to research the drastic changes for
dependent women encountered through retirement of the employee spouse or through divorce
and/or his death.
Eventually the Forum found that the retirement of employees did not seem to cause major
adjustment problems to spouses because "the transition is expected and the family unit is still
intact" at the time the changes occur. Widowhood and divorce, however, were another matter,
the Report stated, because the women "feel vulnerable and unprepared for life in today's society."
At the same time, there was recognition that widows were treated more gently by society.
Family, friends, and community services were available to assist widows in coping with their
bereavement.
At the same time, there was less sympathy, few support services for divorcees, who "probably
deserved what they got." The stress of "reverse culture shock" was great, increased because it
was unanticipated During their years away the familiar environment of the USS had become as
unfamiliar and strange to the women as the countries where they had lived in their overseas tours
The women were strangers in their own country.
Most of the divorced women found that the social life -- so important in their former transient
lives -- had disappeared. With family and friends scattered, as single women they were excluded
from many of the activities they had enjoyed while married. Most found that suburban neighbors
were neither understanding nor sympathetic to their situations. The stereotype of diplomatic
wives enjoying lives to "white gloves, tea and cookies, and staffs of servants" was commonly
held. Acquaintances who had always lived stateside were ignorant and thus unsympathetic to the
challenges that the divorced women had faced in their daily lives abroad: disruptions in schooling
for children, difficulties of maintaining adequate hygience and nutrition in backward countries,
frequent disruptions and loss of even briefly established friendships, as well as broken channels of
communication with families, plus the turmoil of continually moving households and families to
new and sometimes intimidating enironments. Support systems for "displaced homemakers"
could be cold and unfeeling. The returnees discovered that community services considered them
to be "clients" within the welfare system.
To assist these women, AAFSW established the support group, Women in Transition (WIT) .
Although widows were welcome to attend the monthly meetings, almost none seemed to feel the
need for such support. Divorcees, however, came as often as they could because they found
other women sho understood their problems, women with similar experiences at home and
abroad. From personal experience, they knew their needs and could provide, as well as receive,
affectionate support.
By attending WIT meetings, the divorced women discovered that their concerns were similar --
learning how to manage their homes alsone and on reduced incomes (if they were fortunate
enough to keep their homes), establishing credit in their own names, purchasing medical
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Legislation to Provide for
"The Gray Divorcee"
insurance, seeking employment to augment their drastically reduced -- even, non-existent --
incomes, and coping on their own with troubled children facing the pangs of a parent's
desertion.
The emotional support the newcomers received from those who understood their problems and
their needs could be found nowhere else. Unattractive as the library's basement rooms were,
undertain as the women for any tangible assistance the women would find there, they returned
each month to search out that which they needed most -- friendship and recognition.
Initial Aid: the Foreign Service Act of 1980
While the Transition Group was organizing and holiding its first meetings, AAFSW members met
with staff members of the Congressional committees with oversight reponsibilities for the
foreign service agencies. AAFSW representatives asked that the laws regulating the US Foreign
Service be modified to include provisions for assistance for divorced and/or widowed FR
spouses*, specifically pensions and health insurance coverage. AAFSW argued that Foreign
Service dependent wives with their years of devoted service abroad had earned financial
protection in their retirement years and nearly all of them needed it. Only those with private
incomes could do without the proposed legislative remedies of annuities and group health
insurance coverage, like the benefits already established for the employees themselves.
AAFSW noted that it was possible for a Foreign Service wife to spend most of her adult life
following her husband around the world, loyally supporting his official duties by maintaining a
healthful and gracious home, representative of the American way of life and in itself a valuable
advertisement of the benefits of our democratic way of life in countries where such lifestyles were
otherwise unknown. (In many of the developing countries, even exaggerated presentations of
American family life were unfamiliar because television broadcasts and receiving sets were
unavailable and movies avilable to local citizens were expensive and outdated.)
On overseas tours, either upon direct instruction of US Goverment officials, including the Foreign
Service employee to which she was married, or through her willingness to serve voluntarily, the
Foreign Service wife performed a wide range of official and unofficial duties, while continuinmg
to tend to her family's welfare. She had no possibility of earning her own livelihood or of
establishing an employment record that would qualify her for professional growth in her chosen
career or provide her with increasing income and finally a pension in her own name. Language
barriers, limited job opportunities, and restrictive regulations of host countries for diplomatic
dependents meant that a Foreign Service spouse effectively relinquished the possibility of
employment in any professional career she might have otherwise planned for herself.
Upon divorce, Foreign Service spouses found even after many years of marriage that all rights to
retirement and survivor benefits were given to a second wife. The first wife and her children, at
best, had to cope with minimal child support and, in most cases, alimony that ceased with the
death of the career employee. As the laws were then written, it was possible that widows
dixcovered that without their knowledge, their husbands had elected not to receive a reduction in
pension and thus eliminated them as beneficiaries of a survivor annuity. As a result, the widows
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Legislation to Provide for
"The Gray Divorcee"
were left shocked and hurt, unprepared for employment and, in too many cases, without regular
income.
In February 1981 the revised Foreign Service Act became law. It specified that pension sharing
and survivor annuity benefits were earned by all Foreign Service wives who had been married 10
years or longer to Foreign Service officers during their active careers. Under the new law, wives
could go into a divorce court with a presumed right to share in the retirement and survivor
annuity earned by the couple's service in this country and abroad. Foreign Service wives could no
longer be excluded from these benefits unwittingly; the rewritten law instead required that
spouses' permission be given for any changes to their status on Federal Government forms. In
addition, divorced wives were given the opportunity to receive coverage by the employing
agency's group health insurance plan although the former spouses would be required to pay both
insuree and Government costs.
Loopholes in Foreign Service Act of 1980
The new Act, however, provided no such rights to pension and medical insurance benefits for
Foreign Service wives divorced before the effective date of the 1980 Act of 15 February 1981.
Congress believed that in most cases the Foreign Service officers had married again and a new
beneficiary been named. In the cases where the officer had not remarried, his retirement pay had
not been reduced so as to provide benefits for a survivor. (Thuis, he had not made contributions
to the Foreign Service Retirement Fund to keep it actuarily sound.) In addition, the law did not
provide an option for a divorced partner to be given any share in an annuity; in short, she was not
eligible for an insurable interest.
As a result, the former spouses in the library basement often found that while women with service
records shorter than their own had lifetime security, the "basement wives" did not. Former
wives who had followed husbands on assignments around the world to posts large and small,
hazardous and safe, found themselves in many instances with only the barest possible income from
alimony, which grew less adequate through inflation and ceased upon the death of the employee.
In contrast, the former husband and new wife, if he had one, lived in pleasant and secure
circumstances during his lifetime and as a widow, the second wife could expect security in her
years alone.
Because the children in the family, in most cases, remained with the former wife, their living
standards, too, were often drastically reduced. In some cases, the children had to forego college
and other schooling for lack of funds.
Therefore, for most of the divorced women, financial concerns were of the highest priority.
Some of them were already on welfare; others were surviving through the largesse of church,
friends, or family -- in many cases, only temporary measures. In nearly all circumstances, extreme
hardship could be anticipated upon the death of the former husband when alimony would stop.
In addition, the "basement" women, who were for the most part unemployed found great
difficulty in obtaining health insurance. Many had residual health problems eliminating them from
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1983 SURVEY OF FORMER SPOUSES OF FOREIGN SERVICE EMPLOYEES
A Summary. Prepared by the American Association of Foreign Service Women
In June 1983 the AmerimmoAssociation of Foreign Service Women sent questionnaires to 150
former spouses of Foreign Service officers. Welve surveys were returned as nondelive-able.
Sixty-five responses were received. Of the respccidine;group 50 women had been married 10 years
or had been excluded from benefits under the 1980 Act because they had been divomed before the
Act's effective date, 15 February 1981.
The profile of the typical woman in the excluded group, as detenminei from this survey, is
as follows:
She is now: 56 years old. She was
50 at the time of divorce (range 35-61). She had been married
24 years to her FS husband (range 12 to 39 years). She has spent
23 years of her marriage with the Foreign Service,
13 of these years abroad.
At the time of divorce, she had two school-age children still at home.
For nearly all of the ii responded, financial prospects are bleak.
Of the 50: 22 reported that they receive alimoney, but only
2 said the amalltues enough to live on.
37 are working to make ends net.
Of the 37 who are working:
9 are employed in their profession.
7 havea good or fhirly good chance for advancement.
23 have little chance for advawsment.
9 have career advancement opportunities but are too old for a career.
6 report their emoimment is secure, utile
17 have insecure or irregular employment.
2 are looking for work.
20 are earning Social Security credits;
17 are not.
Of the group of 50 respondents:
11 will receive, Social Security through their husbands;
33 will not;
6 do not know if they will or not.
For the fhture:
27 anticipate that they will have to work always.
15 will require welfhre.
2 will be able to retire if they get help from family and friends.
2 do not need to work,
5 cannot work because they are too old and one is going blind.
The husbands of these women: Had served an average of
24 years in the Foreign Service.
27 were still wail:ire?in the Foreign Service or at another job.
21 had remarried. (('nly two of the responding women reported having
remarried.)
2 have died.
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PROFILE OF FORMER SPOUSES OF FOREIGN SERVIE OFFICERS EXCLUDED
FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1980
Prepared by the Association of American Foriegn, Service Women
The purpose of this profile is to acquaint you briefly with a group of
women who were excluded from coverage of the Foreign Service Act of 1980.1
Approximately 50 of the former spouses of Foreign Service employees who
did not receive retirement and survivor annuity benefits under the Act of 1980
reside in the Washington area. The Association of American Foreign Service
Women (AAFSW) has estimated a total number of 150 women nationally within this
category.
From data collected in a June 1983 AAFSW survey, we have determined that
these older former spouses typically had been married 24 years or more and
some as long as 40 years before divorce occurred. They had spent 23 or more
years working for the Foreign Service and over half of these years they lived
abroad. A few of these former spouses are already widowed: only two have
remarried. (See summary statement attached.)
Almost all of these women, while contributing to their husband's career,
spent substantial portions of their married years raising families overseas,
frequently in developing countries. The living conditions in these areas
subjected them to the hazards of rigorous climate, endemic disease, inadequate
medical and hospital services, and even fear and physical danger during times
of indigenous political upheavals. Reported illnesses due to living abroad
included hepatitis, amoebic dysentery, gangrene, and malaria.
In the Washington area alone, many of these women have health problems
exacerbated by the inadequate medical care available abroad. Three are going
blind, one from lack of money for a needed operation; two have Hodgkins
disease, at present in remission; several have children psychiatrically
disturbed by Foreign Service experiences; two have minor children with severe
physical disabilities.
Many of these women served when their participation in a wide variety of
official and unofficial duties was traditionally--and in many instances,
officially--required. Their husbands' efficiency reports included evaluations
of the wives' cooperation in fulfilling representational and community
service. In 1972 a Joint State-AID-USIA Directive permitted spouses of
Irhe provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 were not automatimily extended to a small
group of older women divorced before February 15, 1981 when the Act was signed into law.
Although earned equally by all farmer spouses of ForvdgriSfavice employees who were married 10 or
more years, the pension rights provided by this Act were denied to about 150 women rationally an
the brmia of their date of divorce. During discussions of this Act, Congress todk note of the
inequities dealt to these Foreign Service spouses divorced prior to the Act and xknowledged its
responsibility to address the issue of a just and fair cavensation for them. This group is
coaprised only of women. This is because there can be no male spouses married to Foreign Service
female employees for the requisite 10 years stipulated by the Act of 1980. Until 1972 women
officers were forced to resign if they married.
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Foriegn Service officers to go abroad as private persons. They were no longer
required to donate their time to mission-supporting duties. The tradition of
service continued, however, even after the Directive.
A worldwide AAFSW survey has shown that American diplomatic wives have
continued to fulfill--as in the past--a variety of unpaid assignments. Some
wives reported voluntarily serving a total of 40 hours or more per week.
Their volunteer tasks included developing an English-as-a-second-language cur-
riculum, radio broadcasting on socio-cultural topics of the United States,
organizing charity benefits, translating for visiting officials, and support-
ing local health and welfare organizations.
During their Foreign Service years, many of these women faced the hard-
ship of family separation and episodes of violence. When asked to recount
briefly some of the hazardous conditions they had encountered, they reported:
"Shooting, barbings, nxdsr
"Riots in Peru:"
"War in Algeria, cap d'etat, barb threats, hare =molar', other attarpted nikOttime
break-ins at hare;"
"Anti-Ameniam denonstrris in Africa, Paldstan, Yagoslaviar
"In Bnmdl at heigit of anti-American feeling in South America, barb Umxmn at CcnsiLate
Geral;"
"EhmeaM:ed fl-cm Lebarrn during six-day sgerr
"Riots in Ceylcore
"Riots in Laos, 'MEdland, Arzentirm;"
"Caps in Korea, Manxto, and Vidamm, mcnk iraeolated himself MINMS fttIll the street ntra
my child's school?soldiers, Ulric's, and barbed wire prevented me flxxn reaching him?
evacuated by nuns to safe placer
"Bolivia, revolution (bomb in Eprder0, Labs?wartize?canfined."
The Foreign Service wife has special impediments to economic independence
resulting exclusively from the husband's employment. Cultural, legal and
linguistic barriers prevent her from working overseas. When she can work,
constant international mobility usually prevents her from vesting in any sort
of retirement plan. When divorced, these women are left after long years of
unpaid government service abroad with no employment record, no modern skills,
and no Social Sercurity.
Most former spouses worked before their Foreign Service marriages, and
most, after being divorced during midlife, have resumed working. Unfor-
tunately, their reentry into the workforce--after perhaps 20 to 25 years of
absence--commonly has resulted in low-paying jobs with limited advancement
potential. Our surveys showed that women trained as teacher, geographer,
journalist, translator, and actress are working as typist, file clerk,
saleswoman, receptionist. Some cannot work because of health problems, and
some were still seeking employment. Only a few reported that they expected to
be financially able to retire.
The entry of these women into the workforce during middle age, when most
employees are contemplating retirement, has precluded the possibility of their
accruing enough monies to provide independently for their retirement or
subsistence during old age when they are no longer physically able to work.
This is especially critical since only a few of these former spouses reported
that provisions were made at divorce for their old age years.
2
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? Living
Hobe-People
The Gray Divorc?
Loss of Husband
And Home After 60
By BARBARA S. CAIN
. .
They had gathered, from the back
eddies of loneliness for a bimonthly stip-
port session to share their private ,tor-
rhents, disentangle meshed ?emotions
41-41. 4.64t4.14he stut td-divorte aftei 60,
as experienced by women who had as-
sumed that marriage was a lifetime
commitment. - ? - ?
"I had a vision otour sunset years,"
Val said wistfully. "After retirement,
Jim and I would settle up north in our
country home. It'd be something like
'On Golden Pond' ? our golden years on
a golden pond. But Jim: you see, had an-
other plan. Now he's up north with her,
and I'm down here with me." .
Val, who is 63, speaks for a growing
number of women her age and older who
have been jettisoned by their husbands'
after 40 or more years of marriage. The
trend I; more than a sociological curi-
osity. Government statistics indicate
that about 100,000 people over the age of
55 get divorced in the United States each
yea?: And an accelerated .rate of In-
crease is expected as people live longer,
cflvorce laws are liberalized and as
illiVeRce &Asir ilOPRodoiTirm.,
But while the divorce rate in the
United States ?running at about one
million a year L? Is the highest in the
I Western *ark!, .divorce among the eld-
erly,
.
overwhelmingly initiated by men,
has been an ill-hut-hidden phenomenon,
undifferentiated from divorce among.
younger cotiples..;:4They lump us all to-
gedier,"' CoUiPitans Martha:. "My
daughter divorced at 33, and it was the
pits for her, I well remember. But di-
vorce for her was in no way the same as
divorce for me."''
t 'gilt and wrong were reversed, where
the language the natives spoke had no
word for justice."
Amid such outrage, there often re-1
sides a more silent self-recrimination. I
If, as these women have long believed,'
"no ills befall the righteous," then what
sins wrought this painful punishment?
As they grope for answers, they often
light upon age-old self-doubts that tend
'surface dui-iiig_life's,..tribulations.
Thus the woman who berates her body
secretly believes that the 10-pounds she
had put on were what drove her husband;
away. ? ?? ? .4.- ? I
Though not unique to late-life di-
vorce, these mea culpas appear to be
one of its hallmarks. Divorce after 50
comes with another stressful phenome-
non ? aging, which doles out its own in-
dignities, infirmities and narcissistic in-
juries. Even before divorce disturbs the
equilibrium, self-esteem has been di-
minished by the onset of creaking joints,
sagging jowls, by phrases misheard and
names forgotten. ? ? '? ? . ? ? ?
? The most striking reactions to late-
life divorce are the shock, Indeed out-
right denial, that a 40-year relationship
can be severed out of hand. For weeks
afterward, the women so stricken said
they walked about in a somnolent state,
dazed and deracinated.
. When reality began to register for
Jan. age 64, she would 'remember
behavior which, though she did not real-
ize it at the time, foreshadowed her hus-
band's decision to leave. She. would
remember .his suddenly beginning to
'dress with youthful. pizazz, coloring his
silvery hair.,?..; 7*.7. .1 ?
. .
As the mesmeric state begin; to lift,
1iaom1?'make frantic attempts to
rescue thaniarriage with entreatie.'s to
discUsi the alleged coMplaints. Others
swiftly file for divorce, thus mastering a
profound Injury by being the rejecter
rather than the rejected. _ ?
Disengaging from a 40-year partner-
ship is a tall order. "You go through
life's zigs and zags," Gertrude, age 65,
reflects ? "his coronary, your cancer
scare, the kids' stormy teens. And after
all that, -how are you supposed to say
goodbye? Why on earth should you have
fnl" ? -
work history of six months."
'No,t nnly will mnr4(.4A1 them-bent-off-
from their former husbands' private re-
tirement pensions, but they can also be
cut off from medical insurance: Indeed,
some divorcees remain perilously un-
protected until they reach 64, when they
become eligible for Medicare. ? ..? ??
And, as attorney Susan D. Hartman,
who counsels senior citizens In Michi-
gan, points out, elderly divorcees solely
dependent on their former husband's So-
cial Security 'benifits are denied them
when their husband; choose not to retire
until age 72 (70, after Jan. 1). And when
an ex-husband does retire, the divorc?
Is entitled to only half of his Social Se-
curity benefits, and that, because they
are no longer married,' amounts to only
a third Of the total sum shared as i Mar-
ried couple.. ? -
There is, Is, too, .the 'need fcir late-life
divorcees to. establish credit In their
own namet. If she. Is granted ownership
of the family home, the-divorc?will
have to pay taxes- and mortgage pay-
ments from taxable alimony income.
Her former husband's alimony pay.
ments, however, are tax deductible. If
he remarries, his wife of a few years
tari.onhis death lay claim ,to an inherit-
ance his wife of decades cannot
pitisuch ItIver;ity", some women
Iver .60 .cliOn's, .e to end 4 Marriage over
their husbands' 'ireites* Those (eV/
women interyiewed who chose to leave
their husbands 'explained that divorce
for them was a court of last resort.
Their hand was forced, they said, by
husbands who were 'alcoholics or ty-
rants or womanizers. ?.. ? : ? *-
' Because .so little attention has been
paid to the problem, little is yet known
about ' what particular amalgam of
lorc?..driVei 'Couples apart after 40
ieai:Doubtless, ' some divorce at age
40.-i6-iive fdieartis' ii?Osttotined? "at 40.
For ? &heti, divorce may be a man's
swan song ? the last gasp of pleasure
before death. And for some, impending
retirement appears to be significant.
Each of the women interviewed de-
scribed her hUsband as a hard-driving
Man litho devoted much of his time and
energy- to the pursuit of a career: And
elan ? 41.."? e 1,tonleerwIl'e
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pits tor ner, wen remember. But di-
vorce for her was in no way the same as
divorce for me.'" .
Indeed, the differences are vast.
Martha enunciates several to Val and
the 20 others gathered at the Turner
Geriatric Clinic of the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor for a meeting of
their Divorce After 60 support group,
one of only a handful' Ln thf.nation.
"When mY.claughter.di've.iied; she was
trirtbrokerf; 'ta be itiii;" .1iifirtha Eon-
iinues, "but It wa.c. not the end of the
world for her. She still had her children,
a good job and a ton of divorced friends
who 'celebrated' the end of her mar-
riage. When I was left at 64, the children
were grown and scattered. I had no job,
less than no confidence, and I did not
know one woman my age who was simi-
larly dumped." Martha's -generation
may well be the last to be affected quite
as traumatically, since the attitudes of
elderly 'omen of the future will almost
certainly be vastly different.
When the generation of women born
in the first quarter of this century took
their vows, they saw marriage as an
everlasting covenant. Divorce was a
public humiliation, compounded by pri-
vate torments of failure. Tanya, 62, be-
came a virtual recluse after her hus-
band moved out. "For younger couples,
divorce is a fact of life," Tanya con-
cedes. ."but for me It was a.sharpepil
miliating event which will leave. me tar,
nished for the rest of my
Women in their 60's belong to a gen-
.
eration committed to, altruism and not
narcissism, to. stoicism not hedonism.
When divorce strikes, suddenly all the
unwritten codes ? that have governed
their lives are _turned .against them,
"i!kfter My aivorce'." Martha reported:
"I, reit I had. been catapulted to a
all that, 'how are you supposed to say
goodbye? Why on earth should you have
??? ? ' ?? ? ?
? Although such Eomplaints resemble
those of recently bereaved widows, the
task for the divorc?Is more formida-
ble. . Unlike the widow, the elderly
divorcee must live with the realization
that her loss was deliberate. Her hus-
band implicitly declared: "I will be hap-
pier living without you; -"perhaps with
someone else." And she must disengage
from a partner who continues to walk
the face of the earth, often in the same
town and neighborhood. "How are you
supposed to let go," one woman puzzles,
"when you see him at the concert, the
supermarket and at the gas station, all
, in one day?? Many women interviewed
in Ann Arbor openly stated that their
husband's death would have been more
Merciful than his desertion..
In death, at least, the loss sets in mo-
tion rituals for the behavior of friends
and relatives. Divorce, however, is a
long, ambiguous process that. takes
months, If not years, to become
The late-life divorcee often suffers her
torment In isolation. Her friends remain
silent in the nanie of pritity.. "If she
wants to talk," they reason, "then she'll
_Tllme. I won't pry..".-'..!.Y ?!;.:
????.: In late-lifedivorce,' 614_11.5 krant
of divorcees over the age of 50 rernarty:,
;Eligible; wbinen-0.and,Oldei. are less
_likely to remarry since they outnumber
,qtekor theleage faiur to one and marry-
ing younger Ihen.is less sanctioned for
them than the reverie Is for men.
?
The financial consequences of di-
vorce can be devastating for women
over 60, few of whom have worked out-
side their homes since before their mar-
riages 40 or so years ago. "When we
hunt for jobs," Tess explains, "we bring
filen Who devoted much of his time and
energy' to the pursuit of a career: And
each also ' reported that a husband's
decision to leave home coincided with
his approaching retirement date.
There are no primers for surviving
divorce after 60. Support groups such as
Divorce After 60 advocate talking out
the problem and getting advice about
the legalities. The family, the keystone
of their lives; continues to bolster their
'spirits and lighten their days. As one
*Oman noted in her diary, "Marital
bonds May sever, but maternal ones,
never." ? '? ? ? ? - .7- ???' .?
When asked it there were any bene-
IRS to .divorce ifter 60, 'some. of the
iyoineli spoke . of relief from tension;
from suipicions confirmed and infideli,
fles-diaclosed. AS to What they would ad-
vise women who find themselVei on the
brink of divorce, they responded as with
one Voice: ."DO everything you can to
prevent it. Talk to each other. Get help.
Leave no stone unturned. If everything
fails,,then bite, the bullet!"
tough breed of survivors in th
"
Ann Arbor: support group have con-
iierted Whit for many of them was at
first a profound humiliation into a tri-
umph of the spine. As one of them ex-
plained, peering over her. spectacles,
"We're not a bunch of pushovers, you
know. We. may not haye our partners,
we do have our pride." ' ? -
,? .
Barbara S. Cain is senior clinical su-
pervisor of interns at, ihe Psychological
CUiic of tijejt.ti.(yersity..9( itlichiggn qt
Ann Arbor:
The New York Times
Large Type Weekly
December 27, 1982
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. THE WASHINGTON POST
COUPLES: The High Prj
By Diane Granat
Next time a woman drops her
dishrag and claims she's not recog-
nized for all, her labors, her husband
can drag out his lawn mower and
, unfurl a price list of his own.
The leaders of a men's-rights group
argue that if a housewife is worth $60
a week as a cook, $12 as a laundress
and $250 as a child psychologist, then
her husband can claim he's worth $22
a week for car maintenance, $1,080 for
home security and $13 for taking out
the garbage.
It may be stretching a point, but
Lou Filczer and Emil Benite.z, of the
American Divorce Association of
maker's worth in determining prop- $12.32 for cutting the grass; $44.10
erty settlements when a marriage for work as a plumber, $14.84 for
dissolves, says a man would have to
pay $51,029 a year in the market- running errands; $17 for repairs
place to buy the services his wife around the house.
Filczer admits that the ADAM
provides. Borrowing his reasoning,
Filczer and Benitez respond that a- chart-which credits a man with
working more hours than there are
husband is worth $86,115 a year for
his duties at home. ? in a week because certain tasks over
"They always talk about the dollar lap--is meant partly to be taken
tongue-in-che
angle for women. It's about time we ek to discredit Min-
let people know that men are worth ton's assertions.
But Minton, who calls .his chart
something, too," says Filczer, pres- the "great equalizer," is dead serious
ident of the 11,000-member organ- about his own calculations. ? - ?
ization based in Arlington Heights, "We are using it almost daily -in
Filczer says he uses the ADAM
art when- counseling men about courts throughout the country," says:
en (ADAM), insist that if a price their rights in a divorce settlement Minton, who has been called a
ken darling of feminism" and repre;
tag can be placed on a housewife's After consulting employment ex-
Bents women in 90 percent of his
work, a dollar value also can be as- perts and co-opting some-of Min- A: ,
'
signed to traditional male work done ton's information, Filczer and Beni-_- 'We no longer hear in court a man
around the house. i
tez came - up with 18 -duties that wvorce cases. ' ? i
saying, 'What did she do?' to oantrib-,
Filczer and Benitez recently de- make a man worth $1,656 a week - ute to a marriage. We've countered i
vised a "value-of-a-husbandn chart to aside from any salary he earns out-
counter the well-publicized "value- side the home. . . ?:. that argument by saying what she did'
of-a-ho
use wife" e chart created several
years ago by Chicago divorce attor-
ney Michael Minton.
Minton;?who calculates a -home.:
. ;-..... .
Somesof their examples: ? ,-- - 2 ?-..
For ? 72 hours of 'home security'' :1
work, $1,080 a_week; $22.50e week for' '.
changing . tires:, and fixing -. the
at home has true economic value."
Minton first used his theory in!
978 to argue that the wife of al
Sears executive should be compen-I
ted
- job performed
Food buyer :'-????
Nurse ?-? ?
Tutor
Waitress
Seamstress
Laundress ,?,?
Chauffeur
Gardener
Family counselor
Maintenance worker
Nanny ? ?
Cleaning person
in di
a vorce settlement for the:
IllustraUoru by Hatley Mason '
-The Wasr.inr.on Post
Housekeeper
Cook
Errand runner
Bookkeeper/budget managed-
Interior decorator . .
Caterer
Child psychologist
General merchandise buyer
Dishwasher
Dietician
Secretary
Public relations hostess
_
(Complied by actor.... M'----------
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'
Hours Rate
per week per hour
$16.12
I - 6.45
? 2: 8.06
. 2.25 5.14
0.75 4.03
3 4.03
3.5 6.45
*2.2 4.84
2 56.45
4.03
? 168 1.11
7.5 4.03
2.5 5.00
12 5.00
3.5 4.75
3.5 8.06
1 40.14
1.5 , 9.68
5 50.18
2 12.54
6.2 3.79
1.2 8.53
2 5.02
1 25.09
Weekly
value
,?? $48.36
?- ? 6.45
? ? 16.12
? 11.57
--4-? 3.02
12.09
22.58
10.65
112.90
? 4.03
_ 186.48
. 30.23
? 1Z.50?
60.00
16.63
28.21
40.14
14.52
250.90
25.08
23.50
10.24
10.04
25.09
Weekly value: $981.33
Yearly value: $51,029.16
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/19: CIA-RDP10-00750R000100310001-5
Friday, February 26, 1982 / D5
e of Acrimony
housework she did during the 32-
year marriage. The concept was
based on personal-injury lawsuits, in
which lawyers attempt to place a
monetary value on a wife who was,
for example, killed in a plane crash.
Eight years of research and the
findings of 10 major studies went
into his chart, Minton says, which he
updates . annually for inflation. He
says he consulted economists, job
counselors and employment agencies
to come up with data on how the
average housewife with two young
children spends her time. ?
Minton argues that a housewife is
North $48 for three hours of food-
3uying each week, $16 as a tutor, $6.45
s a nurse, $30 as a cleaning woman,
40 as an interior decorator and $10.65
s a gardener. Lovemaking isn't includ-
Ki on the chart, says Minton, because
:here's public policy against putting a
nonetary value on sex.
Like the ADAM chart, Minton's
Nark week exceeds the number of
lours in a week because "a woman;
loes a number of job classifications.
it the same time. She may be watch-
ng the. kids while washing the
lothes or sweeping the floor." ? -
Minton acknowledges that his chart
ollowi traditional sex roles, as does the
I.DAM ? chart, but he contends a
voman still does all these chores even _
when she works outside the home.
"A General Mills survey found
that when a woman opts to work
outside the home at a second job,"
he notes, "the amount of time con-
tributed to household chores by her
husband and children decreases.
"Why? A man's home is still his
castle and he expects the center of
his wife's existence to be him and
the home."
Minton has talk-showed his way.
across the country with his chart.
"It's been called the most cut-out
chart in America," he says. "It's pin-
ned to pillows, taped to shaving mir-
rors and Scotch-taped. to the refrig-
erator door." -
About ADAM's counter-chart of a
husband's value, Minton says, "Their
chart is more whimsicaL It's, not in ,
tune with reality. It's _like a child.
with a crayon: they're drawing a pic- -
.
ture and it's very creative, but
there's no basis to it. -
"Our research shows most men
spend one hour and 15 minutes a
day doing chores at home. Even in
the so-called liberated household,_
where the tools are marked 'his' and
'hers,' there is no real household
work done by men. And .the average
male only spends 36 minutes a day;
with his children."
Minton laughs at the ADAM
tion that a man
should be credited with
72 hours weekly as a
bouncer. "A man isn't even .
home enough to protect the-
home."
Filczer and Benitez have yet to
introduce their chart in a court-
room, and Filczer says he 'doesn't .
expect the male version to; be.. a?.
major factor in property -settle-
ments. Instead, he says, tliey--Tiiii.pe
to debunk the claim that a Woman
should be paid for her services after
a marriage ends.
'The tradeoff in a marriage is that
_
a man produced income and a woman.,
did her things, such as cooking and...
-household chores. They exchange
iage is done, let's get some paffs
for the services.'duties
- "Minton says 'Now that the mar-
seesrviascespart.' Myufptbreemwisnetrisact..tha_t :
r
it's ridiculous to deal with the issue
because you already got paid by the ,
exchange of duties.;
So long as divorce lawyers and
judges refer to Minton's chart to.
figure a woman's worth, Filczer says .,
he will continue to hand out his Own
version for men. . . _ ..
Value
or a
' Job performed
Garbage disposal - -
Home security (bouncer)
Home maintenance
Car maintenance
Storm window changer
Grass cutter
Plumber
Carpenter
Electrician
Repairman
Landscaper
Errand runner
Chauffeur
Male nurse
Child care/sitter
Teacher ?
Financial Adviser
Family counselor
usband?
r.14 , ?
Hours
per week
1.5
72.0
1.7
1.8
0.8
2.2
2.1
3.1
1.8
2.0'
2.3
3.5
3.5
2.0
72.0
2.0
4.0
7.0
1:1? ?
?..
(Compiled. by American Divorce Association e Men)
Rate
per hour
$8.75.
15.00
5.48
? 12.50
10.50
5.60
21.00
12.00
15.00
8.50
5.60
4.24
6.16
7.99
1.12
7.20
7.20
28.00
Weekly.'
value
$13.13
1,080.00
9.31
22.50.
8.40
12.32
44.10
37.20
17.00'
12.88
14.84
21.56
15.98
80.64
14.40
28.80
196.00
Weekly value: $1,656.06
Yearly value: $86,115.12
.k1.1
4
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,,.. e ??? --.,
Dtvoi-ce .Study Shows Men Get RiCtier
...... ... .
)4`)?ijkt$.)\14%c?". ?
., By Jay Mathews ? ' According to University of California at Davis law pro-
\ i' Wa5ntnrton Post Sufi writer -? fe.ssor Carol Bruch, courts in several other states are also
LOS ANGELES?Equal property splits in divorces being asked to include the value of a husband's educe- .;
make men richer and women substantially poorer, a Cal- tion in divorce property settlements. _ i
ifornia study has found, buttressing nationwide efforts to Lenore J. Weitzman, a senior research associate in the
include a husband's potential earnings in settlements. Stanford sociology department who prepared the Cali-
The study of 3,000 divorces by a Stanford University ? fornia study, wrote in a UCLA Law Review article that
. researcher shows men improved their standard of living ... younger divorced women should receive larger payments
? an average.42 percent in the first year after a divorce to finance training for their own careers. .
: while the living standard for women and children - "Although the husband has fewer dollars than before
? dropped 73 percent when income was compared to need. divorce," Weitzman said, "he is not constrained to share
. : The finding has considerable economic significance at those dollars with his former wife and children. Thus the
a time when more than ?40 percent of U.S. -marriages demands on his income have diminished.... Many di-
begun in the 1980s are expected to .end in divorce and vorced men have received salary increases over the year
only 56 percent-of American children by the are__ [after their divorce], while their obligations for alimony
, pxpected to grow. up with_both natural parents.-- -,, -.,..,::-.-.., and child support have remained fixed or diminished."
:.;?.,-1.Califoinia appeals court judges are ? now considering --:,-While the appeals court ponders the Sullivan case, the
the. case of Sullivan. IA:Sullivan-1n --which 'a divorced 1?7?,:.state government is considering changes in the. law to
- wife is seeking additional money from her ex-husband, a ...Soften the blow to Women and children from divorce.: !
-.1 phYsician, to. compensate for her help in putting_ him':?:Bruch; who also serves as a consultant to the California ?
-
?;'. Through medical school.: ... ....? .::,. :: . ? .- re:.? ...-t ... See DIVORCE, A9,Col. 1
.? ? ? 7 1
", ,'? ' ....:`?,7; - - ...i. .-, 41,Is Wi444-?43 :,
' ? . .
??,.?-????...A. ' ;..1 .4.? ir.f 4 '7: '..7:: , r 1 .1
- 4 : L ?
: - ': " ?"" 7'. - . . .''': 4...i ? t:, ,7*,..,....-; .i.
.A......, 7.? '-'
?
qual ert oun,d to Aid 1Vien,
DIVORCE, Froin Al ?
,
Lav;t?Revision Commission, 'said the re-
sources' of men 'and womenafter divorce
'are so* disparate' theyknock your socks
? -?
BruL said the*problem appears to be
particularly acute in California. because ?
state law forces judges to split property.
50-50. That usually forces a couple to sell
their. house. in_order to make an equal
division. "It *means. that mothers . are
-going to, be_stuck in rental housing with
.the lids, and it really has an effect on
kids,* Bruch said. v
?In?iinany other states, judges haVe
more discretion in. .dividing property,
Bruch said, but courts outside California
are also considering giving, women more
benefits if they have sacrificed their ca-
reers to establish their husbands in busi-
ness or a profession. ?
??? ? In a 1980 New Jersey case she said, a?
doctor's wife was awarded 20 percent of
what the court determined to be the
value of his medical education, to be paid
in installments that increased as his earn-
ings increased.
.? _ .
Weitzman's?studY .includes ..a random
...-survey of .500 .divorCe:decrees from San
Francisco. and Los Angeles* counties for
seach -Of three:.'yearsL-.1968, 1972 and
1977;The project also includes interviews
with ,44 family law -judges and 169 di.:
vorce attorneys. in ;the, two :counties and
with 114 recently divorced men and 114
recently divorced women-in the Los An-
, geles ;
Weitzrnansiia that even atter *10 or 15
. .
years of marriage, most ;of the couples
had less than $20,000 in combined net
assets, giving a wife .without a career' half
of a small pie. ? In California, Weitzman
said, only one .in six women receive ali-
mony. Child support payments, when
paid at all, typically do not cover half the
costs of child rearing.- ? ? '? ? -?'?
"For many. couples who have little
'physical property to divide at divorce, it
is likely that the monetary value of career
assets will considerably exceed the value
of .their physical property," Weitzman
said. ?
"I would argue that we are on the
brink of a critical expansion of the tra-
.]
ditional definition of community prop-
erty. California courts will soon recognize
career assets as part of the -community
property to be divided on divorce."._
Men may help themselves by paying
for further education of their ex-wives,
- Weitzman argued. ? ? .?
An Ohio State_ study shows women
who go to school rather than get jobs
after divorce eventually earn higher in-
come and thus ,do, not need to call on
their ex-husbands' resources as much. -
? - ?
- -
D.C. Woman Shot to Death;
Acquaintance Is Arrested .
A 24-year-old D.C. woman was shot to
death late Saturday at the home of ac-
quaintance, who has been charged with
homicide, D. C. police reported. . ?
They said *Jean Jones Of 1242 Girard
St. NE was shot at about 11:30 p.m. in a
house at 1624 Massachusetts Ave. SE.
Harry Holman, 22, of that address,
was arrested and charged a short time
later, police said.
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Dear Ann Landers:
I found the enclosed in a craft shop in Minne-
apolis. I wish I knew who wrote it, and if she has
any other poems I could get my hands on.?J.S. in
Minneapolis ?
Dear J.S.:
I share your enthusiasm and hope the author
will come forward. He (or she) is enormously gift-
ed. Thanks for sharing.
?COMES THE DAWN
. After awhile you learn the subtle difference ,
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't con-
tracts .
And presents aren't promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a
child, . ?
And learn to build all your roads
,On today because tomorrow's ground
Is too uncertain for plans, and futures have
.A way of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much. ?
So you plant your own garden and decorate
Your own soul, instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure.
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn .. .
With every goodbye you learn.
1982, Field EnWrprises
- ERMA I
Declassified in Part -
?
?By Erma Bombeck
In the Defense
Of Mature Women
Every once in awhile I get,a
craving to see a mature wom-
an delivering the six o'clock
news. ' .? ? -
? I know I'm talking crazy, but
sometimes I think if I see an-
other silken-haired nymph
,?? 4'7 with capped teeth and wet lips
*rapped around the failing economy, I'll
scream.
At times when! like to have died from sit-
ting there figuring out how many ways there
are to tie a scarf, I'd turn on Walter Cronkite
and try to imagine him with hair parted in
the middle and rolled into a bun at the nape
of his neck.
. One of the things people liked about Walter appeared one day On the Mike-Douglas show.
was that he not only delivered the news with When a sex symbol joined them, the audience
wisdom and experience. . . he gave you the nearly went crazy. Totie walked out into the
impression he was going to do something \ audience and shouted, "What are you ap-
about it. ? plauding HER for? Every one of you in the
A.. "lel.. ....km aft ertillA ft }hilt audience looks lust like me!"
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?WASI-TTITITM ST .A.13 18 May 198
- Eicperience could be an asset to a mature
woman newscaster. Take the other night.! saw
a young anchorperson . . . no more than 12
years old. . . shove a microphone into the face
of a 23-year-old woman who had just given
birth to five children, had four others at
home, a husband out of work and she asked,
"How do you feel?" ??
A woman over 30 would have known the an-
swer before she asked the question.
? The print media, somehow, do not indulge
themselves in that kind of discrimination. We
have scores of .mature woman writers who
wear glasies, suffer from paleness, sweat,
frown, have poor posture, small eyes, buy bor-
? ing coats, and don't care didclly about the
? weather. ' ? ?
I used to know a lot of women who were
Involved in broadcasting 10 or 12 years ago.
One of them had hips. When the School for
the Terminally Serious began to turn out wom-
en graduates, they were reassigned to small
booths in radio stations and eventually phased
but. Most of them are underground now, lead-
ing beige lives and watching their old tapes.
I'll never forget the late Totie Fields who
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STAT
Career Development
7 April 1986
"Displaced Homemakers"
LA.)
Members of the Association of American Foreign Service Women, as the group's
name implies, are women who have served overseas as wives of US Government
officials or as officials themselves. In 1975 AAFSW established a group
to study the concerns of the Foreign Service Family; this group was called
the "Forum." These AAFSW members sent a questionnaire worldwide, to all
FS spouses. The report that resulted from the compiled responses was
delivered to the Secretary of State in 1977.
One area of Forum study related to the problems of transition,
encountered as FS women passed from one phase of their lives to another--
through divorce or widowhood, or by the retirement of their officer husbands.
(Note: that all AAFSW members are women. Until recently there were no
male dependent spouses. Female Foreign Service Officers who married
before 1972 had to resign.) To provide a support network for these women,
a new group was formed, called "Women in Transition." (Since its
inception, it has been found that wives of retirees do not need such
a support group. (hey can continue to rely on their spouses for
emotional and financial support. Many dependent s pouses leave the
Washington area with their husbands.)
As a result the WIT group now is composed soley of widows and divorcees.
These women have found WIT a great resource. They have many similar
problems--more about these later. WIT provided them with a variety of new
friends, all of them supportive and understanding, and new channels for
much-needed information to put their lives back together again.
While WIT was organizing and holding its first meetings, AAFSW
members were conferring with Congressional staffs responsible for drafting
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- 2 -
a revised Foreign Service Act. AAFSW representatives asked that tne
new Act provide financial assistance to divorced and widowed FS spouses
in the form of vested rights for retirement and survivor beneficiary
pensions.
Before the 1980 Foreign Service Act became law, it was possible for
S TAT
a FS wife to spend most of her adult life following her career officer spouse
around the world, loyally supPorting his assignments by maintaining a
nealthful and welcoming home. representative of the American way of life.
(Real "soft-sell" advertising in the developing world!) Either upon
direct instruction of US Government officials (including her spouse, often the
Ambassador and others) or through her willingness to serve voluntarily, she
performed a wide variety of official and unofficial duties, while continuing
to tend to her family's welfare. She had no possibility--because of her
diplomatic status, her transient way of life--of earning her own
livelihood or establishing a career and thus retirement benefits of her own.
When divorced a FS spouse found that all retirement and survivor
benefits accrued to a new wife. The former wife and her children, at best,
were left to cope on minimal child support and alimony that ceased upon the death of
the career officer. A widow sometimes found that without her knowledge
her husband had eliminated her name as beneficiary from survivor annuity
government forms. As a result, she was left shock and hurt, unprepared
for employment, and without regular income in her old age.
When signed into law--it became effective 15 February 1981--
the Foreign Service Act of 1980 established that retirement and survivor
annuity benefits were earned by Foreign Service wives and such rights,
were vested in pro rata sharing based on number of years of marriage
during the active career of the officer. (In the case of the CIA spouse,
she was required to have accompanied her husband overseas for a period
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- 3 -
of five years) In a divorce court,ther rights could be taken away
only for legal justification or she could waive them if iheldesired. These
rights could not be taken fromA0Wwithoutlher knowledge.
However, this law and the one that followed for CIA wives, which became
effective on 15 November 1982, left unprotected small groups of women who
unfortunately had been divorced before the effective dates of the relevant
acts and thus were excluded from eligibility to receive ale The women
and their supporters are continuing to lobby Congress for changes to Federal
Taw to correct this situation.
These lobbiestArgue that it was the law itself that separated the
"haves" from the "have nots." The idea that spouses of overseas officers
have earned retirement benefits has been accepted. We hope that all who have
served abroad in this capacity will eventually be covered.
Lobbying is also being conducted to maintain the hard-won rights in
the face of imminent changes. These have been proposed in the revisions
to the Federal Service Retirement Plans now before Congress.
In order to support these legislative efforts, AAFSW has conducted a
series of surveys of the women, their experiences in service, and their
current precarious financial and medical situations. A June 1983 survey showed
that the typical woman(formerly a FS dependent and not yet protected by
legislation)has the following profile:
She was 50 years old at the time of divorce (range 35-61).
She is now 56 years of age. She was married
24 years to her FS husband (range 12 to 39 years). She had
spent
23 years of her marriage with the Foreign Service, and
13 years abroad.
At the time of divorce, she had two school-age children still at home.
For nearly all of the women, financial prospects are bleak. Of the 50
women who reported:
22 said they receive alimony, but only
2 said the amount was enough to live on.
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STAT
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- 4 -
37 are working to make ends meet, but only
9 are employed in the profession for which they trained, and
7 have a good or fairly good chance for advancement.
For the future, only 2 of these women anticipate that they will not need
to work. For the rest:
27 anticipate that they will always have to work.
15 will require welfare.
2 will get by with help from family and friends.
Those lucky enough to find employment have discovered that
their reentry into the workforce - -after perhaps 20 to 25 years of
absence - -has resulted for the most part in low-paying jobs with limited
advancement potential. Our surveys show that women trained as
teacher, geographer, journalist, translator, and actiress are working
as typist, file clerk, saleswoman, receptionist. Many cannot work
because of health problems, some of which were cause or exacerbated by
hardships abroad. For example--spinal problems from lack of dairy
1)4444^ co wipi;AAA I , c tv.,e cut dt
products, loiti of infants from inadequate pre- and post - natal care,
growing blindness from infections incurred abroad, damaged livers; the
list was long. Children were damaged, physically and emotionally.
Asked to recount briefly some of the hazardous conditions they
had encountered, they reported:
Shootings, bombings, floods.
Riots in Peru.
War in Algeria, coups d'etat, bomb threats, home ransacked,
attempted nighttime break-ins at home.
Anti-American demonstrations in Africa, Pakistan, Yugoslavia.
Riots in Cylon. In Laos, Thailand, Argentina.
Coups in Korea, Morocco, and Vietnam. Monk immolated
himself across the street from child's school; soldiers tanks,
and barbed wire prevented mother from reaching him. Cludd
evacuated by nuns to safe place.
Bolivia, revolution (bomb in garden; Laos--wartime--confined to
nouze.
That they had earned their retirement was shown by statistics gathered
in a Forum study. An Ambassador's or a Char4''s wife devoted an average of
167 hours a month to official functions. The top( number reported was 328
hours 30 minutes. This work time was not remunerated; it was contributed.
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STAT
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_ 5 _
The time was spent not only in representational duties but also escorting
official visitors, including Congressmen; community building activities
cora-
such as helping newcomers, working with Girl and Boy Scouts: teaching: at '
e1/4.
local schools, and serving as a volunteer nursing instructor in a local
hospital.
The problems encountered after divorce were numerous and challenging:
learning to manage their homes alone, if they were fortunate enough to
keep their homes; establishing credit in their own name - -Reny had too little
income to do so; purchasing medical insurance at terrifying rates; seeking
employment to augment their reduced income; and coping on their own with
children emotionally traumatized by constant change and the impact of the
broken family. As single women, these former spouses found that they
were excluded from Reny of the recreational and social activities they
had enjoyed while married. Some friendships had foundered; working hours
kept them from other friends and their activities.
Many had been married so long they no longer knew themselves
M4,4
as individuals. Their interests for Reny years focussed on supporting
^
a husband in his career, caring for their families in difficult circumstances
and representing their country in so many different ways. They had
returned to a strange country with little or no support network since
tney were outside government circles and often away from home towns.
Many of the women encountered neighbors in suburbia that were
neither understanding nor sympathetic. Acquaintances who had always lived
stateside were ignorant of, and thus did not undertand, the challenges
A
these women had faced daily while living abroad.
The Women in Transition network provided vital support. The
WIT members and other AAFSW women tried to address these problems in
several ways:
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S TAT
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- 6 -
1. The legislative effort is continuing. A bill to extend the
coverage of a Foreign Service Widows' Pension Plan was
introduced in 1985 before the House; Congresswoman Shroeder
of Colorado, the sponsor. A bill to provide eligibility to CIA
divorced spouses to survivor rights and medical benefits is
in draft in House Committees in 1986. And lobbying is going on
to protect the already won benefits from encroachment by
a revised Civil Service Retirement Plan.
2. WIT meetings include presentations on student scholarship money
and how to procure it; Community services in nearby counties--
the Women's Center and New Phase Program in Montgomery County,
the House of Ruth for battered women and the Displaced Homemakers
Network in Washington, D.C. There is help from the State
Department, which has assigned a full-time officer to the job
of counselling divorced women (former dependents).
STAT
3. And finally, the women support each other. Perhaps this is
'd
the best support of all. Experiences can be shared that are h
,4144-
so bizarre as to be unbelievable. And otherAWave been as foolish
as to build a life without a financial foundation.
These Foreign Service and CIA women have found that life goes on. Some
have made more progress toward true independence than others. Some are
working; others are living with relatives. Some are facing a financially secure
old age with generMedivorce settlements and inherited wealth; some are
already on welfare. Some have put the painful experiences behind them;
others continue to dwell on unhappy memories. All seem to agree that life
s itiatertfk c
in foreign countries; life here and now, a greater one!
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STAT
LEGISLATIVE REPORT February 1, 1986 Transition Group
The prospect of any Congressional action which would benefit us
nnt ?nncl
may report on theif, conference
at the State Departilent with Bill Bacchus in an effort to have
him include us in the Department's '87 budget.
This would most probably be an attempt to in clude us in the
"older widows" entitlement($670?-at present-per month) and, hope-
fully, to provide for the possibility of our return to the State
Dept. health insurance.
The latter, of course, would be with the participant paying not
only the employye's premium but that whih State, as the employer
now pays. While it would be cheaper than private insurance, it
would still be a substantial amount. As with regular salaries
and pensions the premium would be deducted from the $670.
The budget deficit has been the main stumbling block in intro-
duction of our legislation. The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings automatic
triggers of cuts has made it just that mch more difficult.
Andrea Nelson of Rep. Schroeder's staff, said that they have
looked for an entitlement which already exists to which we might
be attached.
The "older widows" entitlement EIGHT be such a vehicle. I am
not sure what the reaction of Congress would be to including
divorced wives with these very elderly widows.
I do think we need to be realistic about ANY legislaton which
comes through State. Even with the original bill, where we
had friends at State who were in a position to push it, a
substantially sypathetic Administration, and friends on the
Hill, there was trouble with the Office of !:anagement and
Budget (02.
We no do not have anyone at State who will really go to bat for
us. OB, which must approve State's budget before it goes to
the Hill, turned it down for 1986, as I understand it. It is
likely to be less sympathetic, if that's possible, as the 1987
budget starts its way towards introduction on the lull because
of the deficit. We are NOT a priority.
We can still try for a pro-rata or the "older widows" bill.
However, you need to know that if it is the latter I cannot,
in good conscience, do any work on it. Someone else will have
to take over and organize the effort. I am so afraid that the
final shape of the bill, should it fly, will be more of a det-
riment than a help. That is said knowing the desperate economic
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and health conditions some of us are facing. I am conviced
that it will do little or nothing to alleviate those conditions.
I am even even more certain that whatever might be passed will
preclude anything further settin,7 through for years to come-
if ever.
I believe strongly that we should explore the possibility of
a class action suit with Edith Fierst, who is not only a lonfT
time fighter for women's equity in retirement income
but an expert in the field as well. There is absolutely no
valid reason why we connot pursue both avenues.
STAT
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August 23, 1984
Dear., 6 a t
The Women in Transition will hold their first meeting
fall season on Saturday, September 8 at the Palisades
The meeting will start at 3:30 with refreshments and n
Since we do not have anyone lined up for refreshments
time,,it would be very helpful if anyone will be kind
bring a small number of cookies, I will bring coffee
of the
Library.
etworking.
at this
eneugh to
etc.
We need to talk about format and leadership for next year as well
as meeting places - shall we alternate working meetings at the
library with warmer at home get togethers - shall we return to
the format we had when Sonya was coordinator? How cau we beet
reestablish the cohesion we had then? Where do we go from here?
What is the status of our legislation effort? How shall we pro-
ceed? Only we can answer these questions.
The Palisades Library is at MacArthur Boulevard and V street
in Washington, D.C. Copies of directions are enclosed.
A list of Women in Transition will be available at the meeting
for everyone who who would like to have one. The list is not
fully up to date and needs constantly to be updated. Perhaps
someone will be willing to take over that responsibility.
I hope that you have had a good summer.
See you at the meeting.
Best regards,
Miryar? Hirsch
P.S. I will have with me the book that I bought for
as a thank you for all that she has done for all of us last year and
with the hope that we may continue to have her guidance this year.
The book will be on the table for anyone to sign it.
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Our legislation has been introduced, and now we need your
help!
Firqt)the legislation: Congressmen Mazzoli of Kentucky and
Whitehurst of Virignia have introduced legislation based on
Version 2 of the State Department/Foreign Service spouses
legislation. Basically, it would provide a flat payment
(with subsequent cost-of-living allowances)for every eligible
former spouse (those omitted from the 1982 Act because they
were already divorced but who otherwise met the critera:
10 years of marriage and 5 years service abroad). This pay-
ment would be about $616.00 a month or about $7,400 a year.
As drafted, the legislation also provides the optioh of
carrying health insurance under the group rates of the employing
agency, paying all costs by the wife--former wife, that is.
(Structure of sentence very poor!)
The hearing will be in early September. And before that, if
possible, we will need your help. Point 2: Will you write your
personal history, what you did abroad that would be helpful
to the agency--keeping your husband healthy, caring for home
and family so he could work unimpeded and then from that anything
you did operationally. Put in the color and the hardships but
we are trying to tell what we did to earn a retirement. Make
it longer, rather than shorter. Put in details. No one here
knows what you mean saying, "It was hard to get food." Say
what you could find, where it was found, what had to be done to
it to get a meal on the table. There is really no right or
wrong but we need the foundation of this information to
establish that women served loyally and effectively abroad.
Contributions to the image of democracy and this country,
such as charity bazaars, English classes.. There are a lot
of things you could ?include. Please send to me directly if
you want them sent through clearance--no names used--or send
them directly to:
Bernie Raimo
House Select Committee on Intelligence
H-405, US Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Could you send them before the 12th, preferably by the end
of August, so we can use exerpts--no names--in our testimony at
the hearing. At the hearing for our original legislation, this
sort of stuff held people spellbound. So please don't say
"It wasn't much." Just the fact you were there, you did things
to help is important. And we do so hope that we can get this
legislation on its way.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write or
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to phone.
STAT
In addition, if you would like to write to the committee,
Please do so. Chairman Boland should be addressed, and your
letter will go into the record. Get your friends to write too.
The above address will reach him.
Some of you who have done so much work on the Foreign Service
bill will be interested to know that we are continuing to meet
on that. And work will begin in November to get that legislation
going in the coming Congressional session (1985). You deserve
much credit for the distance that effort has gone, and the
work done on the FS legislation has contributed to the introduc-
tion of our own legislation.
Oho are local bu
I would like to make an especial appeal tthose of ycnt ?q o have
not been able to attend meetings. If you want to help, NOW IS
THE TIME/
I can be reached, genexallY after 4 p.m. at
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ment would be about $616.00 a month or about S7.4nn-;-;ZAT-4
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as aratted, the legislation also provides the optioh of
carrying health insurance under the group rates of the employing
agency, paying all costs by the wife--former wife, that is.
(Structure of sentence very poor!)
The hearing will be in early September. And before that, if
possible, we will need your help. Point 2: Will you write your
personal history, what you did abroad that would he helpful
to the agency--keeping your husband healthy, caring for home
and family so he-could work unimpeded and then from that anything
you did operationally. Put in the color and the hardships but
we are trying to tell what we did to earn a retirement. Make
it longer, rather than shorter. Put in details. No one here
knows what you mean saying, "It was hard to get food." Say
what you could find, where it was found, what had to be done to
it to get a meal on the table. There is really no right or
wrong but we need the foundation of this information to
establish that women served loyally and effectively abroad.
Contributions to the image of democracy and this country,
such as charity bazaars, English classes.. There are a lot
of things you could include. Please send to me directly if
you want them sent through clearance--no names used--or send
them directly to:
Bernie Raimo
House Select Committee on Intelligence
H-405, US Capitol
Washington, D.C.
Could you send them before the 12th, preferably by the end
of August, so we can use exerpts--no names--in our testimony at
the hearing. At the hearing for our original legislation, this
sort of stuff held people spellbound. So please don't say
"It wasn't much." Just the fact you were there, you did things
to help is important. And we do so hope that we can get this
legislation on its way.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write or
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00 legislation has been introduced, and now we need your
he'd"
At)the legislation: Congressmen Mazzoli of Kentucky and
tehurst of Virignia have introduced legislation based on
vession 2 of the State Department/Foreign Service spouses
loislation. Basically, it would provide a flat payment
(th subsequent cost-of-living allowances)for every eligible
fesmer spouse (those omitted from the 1982 Act because they
lee..e already divorced but who otherwise met the critera:
v. years of marriage and 5 years service abroad). This pay-
would be about $616.00 a month or about $7,400 a year.
3v drafted, the legislation also provides the option of
rying health insurance under the group rates of the employing
aegicy, paying all costs by the wife--former wife, that is.
(;ructure of sentence very poor!)
hearing will be in early September. And before that, if
we will need your help. Point 2: Will you write your
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1 June 1984
jou...4d
DEAR W(5.N......BITRANSITION:
A hearing in the House of Representatives for our legislation,
HR 5598, has been cancelled. There is a slight hope that the
hearing will be rescheduled, but we believe that for this year,
this session of Congress, that our bill is on hold.
As you may remember, HR 5598 was based on earlier legislation that
provided survivor annuities for the widows of Foreign Service
officers, who had been left in need in the late 1950s,
when no adequate provisions had been made for survivor benefits.
Under HR 5598 eligible Foreign Service spouses would have
received $616 monthly, with subsequent cost-of-living allowances.
The eligible women would also have had the option to carry medical
insurance under the group health plan of the employing agency,
paying the entire premium costs themselves.
We have been told by all concerned that there is some slight
chance of more action this Congressional session, but the chance
is slight. Certainly, however, we are in a good position for
renewing the legislative effort early in 1985, the start of the
next Congress. We can then look at which concept?now introduced
as HR 5197 and HR 5598--as having the best chance for success in
being turned into legislation.
All of you who worked so hard with your letters and visits deserve
much credit and the gratitude of the Foreign Service wives who
will eventually benefit from your efforts. Thank you. The
work you have all done has put us ahead significantly for the
next time and will contribute to the final result, new legislation.
We have found allies in Congressmen and their staffs. T,Te have
raised their level of awareness and understanding. This will stand
us in good stead in 1985: Thank you.
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WOKEN IN TRANSITION METING
STAT
DATES Saturday the 9th of June
TIMEs 3:15 p.m.
Subjects
Place:
DIRECTIONSs
To discuss ways and means of improving our
mutual support as Women in Transition,as
former Foreign Service Women, as women in
crisis and as women who are ready to reach out.
We hope that you can come. If you know of
someone who might like to join us, please
bring her as well.
Palisades Library
49th and V Streets, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Telephone [phone]
From VirEinias Cross over Chain Bridge. Turn
right on Canal Road. Left on Arizona. Turn
right on McArthur Boulevard. Go three blocks
on the right is Georgetown Day Hight School.
You can see the library.which is on V Street,
from MacArthur Boulevard if you look to the left.
From the Districts Go past Georgetown Universit y
on Canal Road. At the stoplight just past the
University, bear right (Canal Road goes off to the
left) the next light, turn left; you're on MacArthur
Boulevard. Go several blocks. Watch for Safeway
on the reit. Turn left at the Gulf Station. onto
V Street. There is a parking lot in the back of
the library.
From the Beltwavt Take the Glen Echo exit
the last exit before the Potomac River as you
come from Maryiand, the first exit as you cross
the Cabin John Brilge coming from Virginia. You're
on Canal Road. Make a hairpi* turn up to MacArthur
Boulevard. Go toward Washington on MacArthur.
TELEPHONE CONTACTS1
Mirylam Hirsch
STAT
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may cv, Iyos+
STAT
STAT
STAT
,STAT
1
The Women in Transition Group met on May 2th for its rdrilar
monthly meeting at the Palisades Library. was kind
eneugh to fill us in on what has been happening with our legislation
to explain the background of the current move and te answer all
of our questions with patience and understanding. We are all
grateful to her.
In spite of a broken car, found a way to bring
over delicious refreshments and the women were able to socialize
in comfort before the start of the meeting. The discussion that
had been planned for the meeting_did net take place sincellerimary
whp.sr
focus of everyone there was on,ILeslie had to tell us.
We now need to move to other areas of mutual concern that have
been neglectedliimply because we are too small a group to splintej,
in the last few months. We have to discuss ways of giving concrete
support to women who are now in crisis and to take more time for the
warmth of sisterhood for all of us; and to explore the ways in which
we, as a small group, can become more closeknit, communicate better
and work together in all of our endeavors. Perhaps at the next
meeting we can do some mutual brDainsterming, raise questions,
choose areas of concern and begin to find solutions.
During this past month, Barbara Colby,
attended a meeting at the home of Sue Lowe to pinpoint some of the
problems that are facing the women now in Crisis. They hope to
report to you about that meeting and to tell you some of the ideas
that came out of that meeting. These ideas may net be the same that
YOU consider to be the most vital, nor may their format be the way
You might choose as the best approach. So please come prepared with
your ideas of priorities, issues, meeting places and frequency of
meetings, improvement of the communications network and so on.
Let's brainstorm at the next meeting and begin to find ways that are
acceptible to all and would be of most bennefit to Former Foreign
Service Women
as well as to women who are now in transition.
I hope to see you there and please bring anyone who might not know
about us, but might wish to be welcome.
7nnontfully
ILLEGIB
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WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Saturday, 14 April 1984
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
SUBJECT: To discuss further action on the legislative
effort. To say "thank-you" to Sonia Solmssen
for her years of hospitality and kindness to
the members of Women in Transition.
PLACE:
DIRECTIONS:
We hope you can come. Bring another Foreign
Service wife.
Palisades Library
49th and V Streets
Washington D.C. Telephone: [phone].
From Virginia: Cross over Chain Bridge.
Turn right on Canal Road. Left on Arizona.
Turn right on McArthur Boulevard. Go three
blocks. On right is Georgetown Day School.
You can see library, which is on V Street,
from McArthur Boulevard, if you look to the
left.
From the District: Go past Georgetown Univer-
sity on Canal Road. At the stoplight just
past the university, bear right (Canal Road
goes off to the left). At the next light,
turn left; you're on McArthur Boulevard. Go
several blocks. Watch for Safeway on your right.
Turn right at the Gulf Station, onto V Street.
From the Beltway, take the Glen Echo exit--
the last exit. before the Potomac River as you
come from Maryland, the first exit as you cross
Cabin John Bridge coming from Virginia. You're
on Canal Road. Make a hairpin turn up to
McArthur Boulevard. Go toward Washington on
McArthur. See directions above for Chain Bridge.
TELEPHONE CONTACTS: Miriam Hirsch
Joy Methven,
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MINUTES OF MARCH MEETING
WOMEN IN TRANSITION
The Women in Transition group of the Association of American
Foreign Service Women met on Saturday afternoon, 10 March 1984,
at the Palisades Library in Bethesda. The library was chosen
as a meeting place because it is convenient for both Virginia
and Maryland residents. WIT members agreed that daylight hours
were best for finding the location. And a weekend time is
best for members who are working.
Miriam Hirsch, the co-coordinator of the group, brought the
meeting to order after a social period. Refreshments were provided
STAT by among others.
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
lead the discussion of the legislative effort
for the month. WIT members are seeking to have legislation passed
that will provide survivor and.retirement benefits for the women
omitted from such coverage by the 1980 Foreign Service Act, as
well as the option of carrying health insurance under the group
policy of the employing agency.
tallied the names of Congressmen and Senators contacted
WIT members.
Betty, who is Special Legislative Chairman for the Association of
Foreign Service Women, asked that the members continue to write
letters to Congressmen and Senators. If responses are not
received, she said, the letters should be followed up with a phone
call or another letter. If an appointment can be made to meet
with a Congressional staff member, Betty asked that the WIT member
contact her so as to coordinate the information given out,
because it is essential that the message given by the Group is
accurate, consistent, and current. Women were asked not to
undertake legislative visits on their own because a disorganized
lobbying effort would be rapidly counterproductive.
Discussion of strategy stressed the need to keep the relevant
Congressional Committees' attention on the need for the legislation.
In letters, correspondents should ask legislators to sponsor or
to cosponsor our remedial legislation.
Friends and relatives near the home state offices of Congressmen can
be very helpful by visiting those offices and asking for support
in our name.
Any names of Foreign Service Wives willina fn hpin with the
lobbying Pffnrt qhnilld be given to
or to
who is serving as WIT correspondent. She is
Keeping FS women around the country of our leaislative artiitiPs.
Libby's address
D.C. 2008. Her
---Minutes recorded by
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HR-5197, Foreign Service Amendments for 1984
Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder has introduced our legislation:
Provisions for retirement and survivor benefits for the women
excluded from the 1980 Act because they were already divorced
or because their spouses were already retired would become
eligible for retirement and survivor benefits.
The bill would also give all Foreign Service spouses who are
divorced or widowed before and after the effective date of the
1980 Act the option et carrying health insurance--at the group
rates of the employing agency but paying the entire cost of
the premiums themselves.
SAMPLE LETTER
I am writing to you to ask your support for legislation recently
introduced by Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, HR 5197 "Foreign
Service Amendments for 1984." This bill would provide retirement
and survivor benefits to divorced and widowed Foreign Service
wives who were excluded from coverage of the 1980 Foreign Service
Act because their divorces or widowhood had occurred before the
effective date of the 1980 Act, 15 February 1981.
It would also provide all divorced and widowed Foreign Service
spouses with the option of carrying healthjnsurance at "e
group rate of the employing agency but pay:file entire cost
of the premiums themselves. "
K
The above is the information that should be included in the
letter, but please feel free to rephrase and to add whatever
you can. For example, information about the Foreign Service
wives you know who need such help; your own circumstances,
emphasizing your service to benefit the US Government, but
outlining hardships and current financial situation, job
circumstances, and health; your children's needs; the life
they had abroad.
A note from Congresswoman Schroeder's office asks us to--
Let the letters roll!
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'Minutes continued.
The AAFSW Board is now in the process of selecting a Women in
Transition coordinator to replace Sonya Solmssen, who has so
diligently fulfilled the role for over four years.
These minutes were drafted by the undersigned:
Chairman
Special Committee for Legislation,
Association of American Foreign
Service Women
US House of ReDresentatives:
Foreign Affairs
(Suite 2170, phone 661121, ineetp fleet Tuesday of each mouth)
.7 'Cleinent.L.Zebtocki, of Wisconsin.
Dante Powell, of Florida.
Lee H. Hamilton, of Indian
,/Gus Yatron, of Pennsylvania.
Stephen J. Solon, of New York. y/
Don Honker, of Washington.
Gerry E. Studds, of Massachusetts.
-,----Andy Ireland, of Florida_ j. 0-1`t ?
1.?Dan Mica, of Florida. -/Nlwaha-
11Clichael D. Barnes, of Maryland.
Howard Wolpe, of Michigan.
Ziteejdenson, of Connecticut.
W. Crockett, Jr., of Mic ?
Mervyn M. Dymally, of California.
Tom Lantos, of California.
Peter H. Kostmayer, of Pennsylvania.
Robert G. Torricelli, of New Jersey.141
?Lawrence J. Smith, of Florida. LAc
Howard L Berman, of California.
Harry M. Reid, of Nevada.
Mel Lavine, of California.
Edward F. Feighan, of Ohio.
Ted Weiss, of New York.
Robert Garcia, of New York.'
William a Broomfield, of Michigan,
Larry Winn, Jr, of Kansas. -111aA.act_
Benjamin A. Gilman, of New York.
Robert J. Lagomarsino, of California.
1 Pritchard, of Washington.
Jim Leach, of Iowa.
Toby Roth, of Wisconsin. ?
Olympia J. J. Snowe, of Maine. "Tht. ?
Henry J. Hyde, of Illinois.
Gerald R H. Solomon, of New York.
Doug 13ereuter, of Nebraska.
ark D. Siljander, of Michigan.
Zschau, of California.
'Effective only for the First Session, 98th Congrees.
US Senates
Foreign Relations
(Suite SD-4111, phone 44461, meets Toondoe)
Charles H. Percy, ofillinois.
Howard H. Baker, Jr., of Tennessee.
Jesse Helms, of North Carolina.
Richard G. Lugar, of Indiana.
Charles McC Mathias, Jr., of Maryland.
Nancy L. Kassebaum, of Kansas.
Rudy Boschwits, of Minnesota.
Larry Pressler, of South Dakota.
Frank H. Murkowski, of Alaska.
Claiborne Pell, of Rhode Island.
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., of Delaware.
John Glenn, of Ohio.
Paul S. Sarbanee, of Maryland.
Edward Zorinsky, of Nebraska.
Paul K Tawny's, of Massachusetts.
Alan Cranston, of California.
Christopher J. Dodd, of Connecticut.
STAT
All of these Congresamen and Senators can be addressed:
U.S.. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
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STAT
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(9 May 1984)
DEAR MEMBER OF WO N TRANSITION:
Just a note to let you know where thc W in T legislation is at:
For the past few days we have had a Series of rapid actions, but again
we are waiting to see what further developments there will be. Perhaps
a review of the whole legislative effort to date is in order.
As you will remember, perhaps, we started in September 1982, when
Patty Ryan, former Forum chairman and supporter of the 1980 legislation,
had to leave for an overseas assignment with her husband. Mary Melrose,
legislative liaison For AAFSW, resigned in early 1983 when she took
a fulltime job.
To replace them, Marilyn Mauch, Peggy Henry, and I undertook a series
of meetings to draft materials. We also met with Ginny Schlundt,
general counsel of the International Operations Subcommittee staff, to
gather much needed information and guidance.
Since then I have undertaken much of the responsibility for the
current legislative effort; Marilyn and Peggy have continued to help
as they have had time. I was appointed Chairman for a special AAFSW
committee for this legislation in the summer of 1983.
At monthly W in T meetings and a series of working meetings at my
home, we planned And developed the legislative effort. The working
meetings at my home were attended by women who had signed up at the
W in T meetings; they had stated they would be willing to serve on
a steering committee. As 'Steering Committee members found themselves
too busy to undertake assignments, others came along to help._ Eventu-
ally, it was found that the steering committee meetings were generat-
ing negative criticism, and they were dropped. We continued passing
information along and asking for help at monthly meetings. We also
initiated a series of meeting announcements that contained minutes
of the preceding meeting so that all W in-T members could be kept
informed of developments even though they might not come to the
meetings.
Since then, many hard workers have carried on the legislative effort.
By writing letters, attending meetings regularly, maintaining telephone
contacts and in general, donating their time and effort, these women
became knowledgeable in the message to be delivered to the Hill, and
we asked them to go along on Congressional visits and eventually to
make visits while training others. Thus, ?our lobbying effort grew.
In this way, we sought to follow the advice we had been given early in
the campaign by Senate staffers: that we not waste time on the Hill
with long visits, inaccurate information, extraneous chatter. We
have tried to gear all lobbying to getting the message out accurately,
completely, consistently.
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2
Our secondary goal has been to construct an image of responsible, care-
ful women who can work together, with each other and with the
legislative staffers who were willing to see us, who have been generous
with their support and expert in their assistance, and without whom
no legislative effort can go forward. In this way we hoped that
not only this but future AAFSW legislative efforts would be helped.
Our legislative effort culminated last week in the possibility of a
House hearing. At a hastily called meeting with AAFSW Board members,
we decided to "go for it." We drafted a statement for AAFSW President
Sue Parsons to read, solicited two AAFSW members to respond to
questions at the hearing, and we were ready to participate in the
brief pro-forma_(possibly.107minutes) hearing proposed for Tuesday,
-8 May_1984._-
_hearing was--cancelled;;44.1e hope thata hearing can be held in another
_week or s61 1ilt--7Ohances_ ail-b....good that it may be another Congressional
session---in early 1985---before further developments occur.Under
,..- Congressional-rules, our -hearing must be held by May 15th.
, _
The proposal .tt at was to be considered at the hearing was based on
a 1976 law, rather than the 1980 Act. It would have provided a payment
of $616 per month for each eligible divorced spouse--this meant
more annuity for some women, less for others, than they had
anticipated. The medical benefits remained as drafted. The
advantages to the proposed legislation Was-the State Department would
support it, if possible. This support did not--or at least, has not
yet--come through. More work needs to be done by relevant government
agencies. We hope that this work will be done shortly and that we
can go forward in this Congressional session.
We of W in T owe a great debt of gratitude to AAFSW President Sue
Parsons and Forum Chairman Sue Lowe for their dedication in the
preparation of the hearing statement, as well as their sunnort
STAT throughout this legislative effort.
their efficiency in getting the statement typed. And Leslie Dorman
and Barbara Colby for their wise guidance and entkIslastic support
for the recent activity and throughout the campaign. More thanks
go to all of you who have worked so hard throughout the legislative
effort. Your letters have been the foundation of our campaign; they
were the reasons doors were open to us; they have generated support
throughout the Government.
I know that our legislative effort will go forward to success. We
have worked hard; we have good support. There is every reason to be
hopeful!
Thank-you for a good job, well done:
for
STAT
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The legislation is beginning to move--how far it will go is
still to be determined--but we are starting. It is being
worked on in Congressman Mica's office, will be put on a list
of priority items along with other amendments for State Dept,
AID, and the 61ympics. We right now are contacting members
of the International Operations Subcommittee of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee. I'll enclose a list of the
members.
Once we have talked with each of them, we will go on to meeting
with the House Foreign Affairs Committee members--the other members
of the Committee who are not on the subcommittee.
At the same time, we are talking with Senatorial staff to see
what can be done there. Hopefully we can get legislation going
simultaneously there.
We do appreciate the work you are doing from where you are. If
you could continue to write, write to those you have not heard from,
reiterate your need and the fact that you have served your
country. We're bearing down hard on the service. As a constituent
your letter bears more weight. Perhaps you could say you have
friends and family in his state. Anyway, if we can concentrate
on the House and Senate Foreign Affairs (Relations) Committees,
we will do the best, we've been told.
We are meeting once a month--the Women in Transition group that
is part of the Association of American Foreign Service Women.
There is a good turnout each time. The Association is being
strongly supportive. Board members are helping us with our
lobbying efforts and some of the costs of mailings are being
picked up.
An example of the effectiveness of our letterwriting campaign is
our recent visit to Senator Mathias' office last week. He is
a conservative in viewpoint so we weren't too sure of our recept-
tion but his staff said the surge of letters had convinced him
that something needs to be done and hill be supportive. The
staff aide congratulated us on our good organization! So even
if you are not getting answers directly, your work is bearing
fruit.
We need to continue to writing, however, hopefully to get
commitments from the involved Congressmen. Some of you who are
working through local legislators are also being very effective.
Our committee members are from states where retirees retire to,
so we should be able to gather grassroots support. Please get
friends and relatives to write--not once but over time, several
times from each. We'll try to keep you informed of our progress.
Then if our correspondents state that they are aware of the
progress being made, the Congressional staffs will know that
their efforts are recognized and appreciated.
We Ere such a small group that each member will have to do yeoman's
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STAT
work if the legislation is to go through. I think with
concentrating our efforts, saying the same things (as in the
FAct Sheet and other materials we've sent you), and keeping
the letters coming that we have a good chance of going forward.
As you know, the legislation as drafted provides for medical
benefits: divorced and widowed spouses can pay for their
medical insurance at group rates. This means that some
ot you who are going without coverage will be able to have it,
and those of you who are paying for individual policies will
be able to reduce costs for insurance under the group rates.
has been a good scout and mailed letters to you.
She'll be writing again. This month, she's getting over foot
surgery, and I wanted to add notes to each of you in this
note. We are grateful for your support. Please know that it
is helping. And we do need you to continue. Respond to
answers if you get them. Write again if you don't. Friends
and family members in other states can write to their Congressmen
who are on the Committees or to yours. Let's concentrate and
unify our efforts. We hope a broader approach may not be
necessary. If we have to write to Congress as a whole, we'll
advise. For now, lets concentrate on the relevant Committees.
Again, thanks for the good work.
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We are looking for some Foreign Service spouses who would be
willing to be interviewed for newspaper columns and radio/TV
talk shows. The substance would be primarily on work done abroad
to assist the mission of the US Government with as much local
color as possible from the foreign environments. Some personal
stuff would have to be included, to establish the fact that one
is divorced, number of children, and years of education that have
had to be coped with, as well as one's own difficulties in seeking
an appropriate job. But the primary thrust would be the overseas
experience. From your letters, I think that you would be a good
resource. Would pou be willing to do so?
We have as a first opportunity, Judy Mann of the Washington Post
who writes a column filled with human interest stories. She is
interested in talking with two or three wives. Names would be used,
at least to her editor. And she would like to put names in her column.
Would you agree to be interviewed by telephone by her? Her column
is syndicated and it would give us good exposure at a time when
we need to building interest in our cause.
As I say, the primary points to be made would be your support of
the government mission, how you earned the retirement we hope to
get. It would be an attempt to overcome the stereotype of FS
wives that we sit around drinking tea and summoning white-jacketed
servants with the tinkle of a bell.
We are getting some responses from all your efforts. Please keep
them up.
We always are glad to hear from you. Will try to keep you informed
with minutes of our meetings and other news at it develops. Love
hearing by phone from you. The AAFSW is supporting our efforts
finacially and by lobbying. Will try to get some phoning costs included
and then will be able to be in touch directly.
Meanwhile, it's great to hear from you. Aprreciate all your efforts!
Please keep them up.
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MINUTES OF MARCH MEETING
WOMEN IN TRANSITION
The Women in Transition group of the Association of American
Foreign Service Women met on Saturday afternoon, 10 March 1984,
at the Palisades Library in Bethesda. The library was chosen
as a meeting place because it is convenient for both Virginia
and Maryland residents. WIT members agreed that daylight hours
were best for finding the location. And a weekend time is
best for members who are working.
Miriam
meeting
Hirsch, the co-coordinator of
to order after a social period.
the group, brought the
Refreshments were provided
STAT
by
among others.
STAT
lead the discussion
of the legislative effort
for the month. WIT
members are seeking to have legislation passed
that will provide survivor and retirement benefits for the women
omitted from such coverage by the 1980 Foreign Service Act, as
well as the option of carrying health insurance under the group
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
la I I-I I
policy of the employing agency.
by
tallied the names of Congressmen and Senators contacted
WIT members.
Betty, who is Special Legislative Chairman for the Association of
Foreign Service Women, asked that the members continue to write
letters to Congressmen and Senators. If responses are not
received, she said, the letters should be followed up with a phone
call or another letter. If an appointment can be made to meet
with a Congressional staff member, Betty asked that the WIT member
contact her so as to coordinate the information given out,
because it is essential that the message given by the Group is
accurate, consistent, and current. Women were asked not to
undertake legislative visits on their own because a disorganized
lobbying effort would be rapidly counterproductive.
Discussion of strategy stressed the need to keep the relevant
Congressional Committees' attention on the need for the legislation.
In letters, correspondents should ask legislators to sponsor or
to cosponsor our remedial legislation.
Friends and relatives near the home state offices of Congressmen can
be very helpful by visiting those offices and asking for support
in our name.
Any names of Foreign Service wives willina to help with the
lobbvina effort sholild be given to or to
who is serving as WIT correspondent. She is
FS women around the country of our leaislative
ress is
Her telephone number is
evenings.
---Minutes recorded by
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HR-5197, Foreign Service Amendments for 1984
Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder has introduced our legislation:
Provisions for retirement and survivor benefits for the women
excluded from the 1980 Act because they were already divorced
or because their spouses were already retired would become
eligible for retirement and survivor benefits.
The bill would also give all Foreign Service spouses who are
divorced or widowed before and after the effective date of the
1980 Act the option et carrying health insurance--at the group
rates of the employing agency but paying the entire cost of
the premiums themselves.
SAMPLE LETTER
PI am writing to you to ask your support for legislation recently
introduced by Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, HR 5197 "Foreign
Service Amendments for 1984." This bill would provide retirement
and survivor benefits to divorced and widowed Foreign Service
wives who were excluded from coverage of the 1980 Foreign Service
Act because their divorces or widowhood had occurred before the
effective date of the 1980 Act, 15 February 1981.
/'It would also provide all divorced and widowed Foreign Service
spouses with the option of carrying healt'a.Insuranc-e at
group rate rate of the employing agency but paythe entire cost
of the premiums themselves.
")(
The above is the information that should be included in the
letter, but please feel free to rephrase and to add whatever
you can. For example, information about the Foreign Service
wives you know who need such help; your own circumstances,
emphasizing your service to benefit the US Government, but
outlining hardships and current financial situation, job
circumstances, and health; your children's needs; the life
they had abroad.
A note from Congresswoman Schroeder's office asks us to--
Let the letters roll!
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STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Saturday, 10 March 1984
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
SUBJECT: To select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To discuss regular meeting locations. To
plan further action on the legislative effort.
Members will report on their correspondence
with Congressmen.
PLACE:
DIRECTIONS:
TELEPHONE
(For any
questions)
We hope you can come. We need you:
Palisades Library
49th an(1 V streets
Washington, D.C. Tel: [phone].
From Virginia: Cross over Chain Bridge.
Turn right on Canal Road. Left on Arizona.
Turn right on McArthur Boulevard. Go three
blocks. On right is Georgetown Day School.
You can see library, which is
on V street,from Mac Arthur Boulevard, if
you look to the left.'
From the District: Co past Georgetown Uni-
versity on Canal Road. At the stoplight
just past the university, bear right (Canal
Road goes to the left). At the next light,
turn left; you're on McArthur Boulevard.
Go several blocks. Watch for Safeway on
your right. Turn right at the Gulf Station.
From the Beltway, take the Glen Echo exit--
the last exit before the Potomac Rive as you
come from Maryland, the first exit as you cross
Cabin John Bridge as you come from Virginia.
You're on Canal Road. Make a hairpin turn up
to McArthur Boulevard. Go towards Washington
on McArthur. See directions above for Chain
Bridge.
CONTACTS: Miriam Hirsch,
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STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Saturday, 11 February 1984
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
SUBJECT: To select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To discuss regular meeting locations. To
plan further action on the legislative effort.
Members will report on their correspondence
with Congressmen.
PLACE:
DIRECTIONS:
TELEPHONE
(For any
questions)
We hope you can come. We need you!
Palisades Library
49th and V streets
Washington, D.C. Tel: [phone].
From Virginia: Cross over Chain Bridge.
Turn right on Canal Road. Left on Arizona.
Turn right on McArthur Boulevard. Go three
blocks. On right is Georgetown Day School.
You can see library, which is
on V street,from Mac Arthur Boulevard, if
you look to the left.'
From the District: Go past Georgetown Uni-
versity on Canal Road. At the stoplight
just past the university, bear right (Canal
Road goes to the left). At the next light,
turn left; you're on McArthur Boulevard.
Go several blocks. Watch for Safeway on
your right. Turn right at the Gulf Station.
From the Beltway, take the Glen Echo exit--
the last exit before the Potomac Rive as you
come from Maryland, the first exit as you cross
Cabin John Bridge as you come from Virginia.
You're on Canal Road. Make a hairpin turn up
to McArthur Boulevard. Go towards Washington
on McArthur. See directions above for Chain
Bridge.
CONTACTS: Miriam Hirsch,
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MINUTES OF FEBRUARY MEETING
WOMEN IN TRANSITION
The Women in Transition group of the Association of American
Foreign Service Women met on Saturday afternoon, 11 February
1984, at the Palisades library in Bethesda. The purpose of the
meeting was to review work accomplished thus far and work yet
to be done on the legislation to be proposed by Congresswoman
Patricia Schroeder of Colorado. The legislation will provide
retirement and survivor benefits to the Foreign Service wives
who were excluded from these benefits under the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 because they were already divorced or widowed.
Miriam Hirsch, the new co-coordinator of the group, brought the
meeting to order after a social veriod. Refreshments were
provided by Miriam reported
on the work of the writing group which is preparing materials for
the legislative campaign. as well
as are serving on this group.
distributed copies of a sample letter that those
attending the meeting could use to write their Congressmen. Also
distributed were samples of petitions that those present agreed
to get signed and returned to chairman of
the special legislative committee for the Association of American
Foreign Service Women.
The meeting continued with reports by those attending of their
work in contacting members of Congress, particularly those on
the Foreign Affairs Committees in the House and Senate,dasking for
passage of remedial legislation.
STAT
spoke of their meetings with Congress-
ional staffers in the offices of Congressmen Solarz, Mica, and
Winn. All were supportive. Congressman Mica of Florida is partic-
ularly important to the campaign because he has replaced
Congressman Fascell as Chairman of the International Operations
Subcommittee, which is where our legislation will be handled.
who is helping with the lobbying effort, brought
large charts to show contacts that have been made with members
of the Committees. By listing supporters and showing where contacts
still need to be made or resistance overcome, the charts will be
extremely helpful in planning future lobbying efforts. As
those at the meeting reported on their contacts, the record was
made on these charts.
reported on meetings with the staffs Senator
Percy and Jepson, as well as Ginny Schlundt, General Counsel on
the International Operations Committee staff. She received
expressions of support and encouragement.
Betty asked that all Women in Transition continue to write letters,
to recontact by letter or telephone the Congressional offices
from which answers had not been received to see if interviews
could be scheduled.
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- 2 -
could be scheduled. As responses are received, it would be
extremeiy helpful if Betty could be informed of the substance
of the response.
Discussion of strategy stressed the need to keep the relevant
Congressional Committees' attention on the need for the
legislation, reserving the big push for the time when the
Bill is introduced. Betty pointed out that the Bill would not
be introduced unless we can continue our efforts to have them
do so. In letters, correspondents should ask legislators,
especially those on relevant Foreign Affairs Committees, to
sponsor or cosponsor this remedial legislation. Prospective
Congressional sponsors should contact Congresswoman Schroeder and
Andrea Nelson, legal counsel in Congresswoman Schroeder's
office, for details.
Friends and relatives near the home state offices of Congressmen
can be very-helpful by visiting those offices and asking for
support in our name.
Juliette Irwin, the new co-chairman, with Miriam, was also intro-
duced. Both chairman will fill the role of coordinator,
replacing Sonia Solmssen, who has served loyally and well for
four years.
It was decided that the next meeting would be held at the same
time and place on March 10, because so many Women in Transition
members found location and time convenient.
Names of members willing to give their personal histories were
solicited, and these names will be given to Judy Mann of the
Washington Post for
Any other nummhprq t.11rr, *n
publicity.
ee
STAT should give their names to
Any names of Foreign Service wives willing to help with the lpgis-
lative effort should be given to
STAT for an informal newsletter mailed out monthly. has
assumed the role of correspondent and is keeping these women informed
so that they, too, can help by correspondence and personal visits
to Congressional home offices.
STAT
recorder
meeting
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Betty--
I am sending out the following material
to the out-of-town list you sent:
Covering letter from me (in case you don't
like it you won't have to take the blame)
I'm enclosing a copy.
January minutes
List of House For. Affs. members
List of Senate For. Rels. members
Sample letter to Congress.
* * * * * * * * *
The material in this envelope is what
I have finished and which I told you I
probably wouldn't be able to xerox.
Please note that on page 2 of the Statistica
Profile in the "future prospects" para.
I have had to change the first item from
19 to 17 to make the total add up to 34.
It would be easy enough to change it back
if you prefer.
There are 2 more documents for me to type
but both have a page missing: Projected
Number of Women to Benefit from the
Requested Legis.--pg. 2. missing.
FS Wives: Life Abroad (Years of Service,
The Survivors etc.)--p. 3 is missing.
'--) S
1 o ji V-v:r._,.0 . 0 .v,,.._j- ----T,.,,, A c LID^ Ck
-
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Association of American Foreign Service Women
PO. Box 8068
Washington, D.C. 20024
January 25, 1984
Dear Friend:
We have tried to locate as many women as we can
living outside the D.C. area who may have an interest in
the enclosed information but who do not know about it.
If you do have an interest, we urge you to join us in
our attempt to have legislation passed (probably in April)
which will extend the benefits of the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 to those who were excluded.
The attached sample letter to Congressmen and Sen.-
ators gives the basic information you need and could
serve as the basis for a letter of your own. Write your
own congressmen and senators, get your friends to write
theirs on your behalf, enlist the help of any clubs
or organizations you belong to who might be willing to
write also (particularly on letterhead stationery!).
If you will be in the D. C. area in February, you
would be more than welcome at our next meeting on the
11th.
We want to hear from you so that we can build a
mailing list that will reach as many women who need help
as possible. If you know of other women outside the
Washington area who should IDP nn nnr lid- nipasp spna
their names and addresses to
Sincerel
er, Steering Committee
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AAFEMr"
Association of American Foreign Service Women
PO. Box 8068
Washington, D.C. 20024
PROFILE OF FORMER SPOUSES OF FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS EXCLUDED FROM THE PRO-
VISIONS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1980
The purpose of this profile is to acquaint you briefly with a group of
women who were excluded from coverage of the Foreign Service Act of 1980--
who they are, their lives abroad, their employment status, and their efforts
in seeking creative responses to the economic and social realities of divorce.'
As this profile shows, without corrective legislative change enabling them to
receive their pro rata share of retirement and survivor benefits earned through
their contributions during marriage, many may be forced to ask their families
for help or rely on public resources.
Approximately fifty of the former spouses of Foreign Service employees who
did not receive retirement and survivor annuity benefits under the Act of 1980
reside in the Washington area. The Association of American Foreign Service
Women (AAFSW) has estimated a total number of 150 women nationally within this
category. Based on data collected from surveys of the Women in Transition group,
these older former spouses typically had been married twenty-five years or more
and some as long as thirty to forty years before divorce occurred.2
They had
usually spent twenty or more years working for the Foreign Service, and for
seventy percent or more of these years they lived abroad. A few of these
former spouses are already widowed; only.a few have remarried.
1
The provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 were not automatically ex-
tended to a small group of older women divorced before February 15, 1981, when
the Act was signed into law. Although earned equally by all former spouses of
Foreign Service employees who were married ten or more years, the pension rights
provided by this act were denied to about 150 women nationally on the basis of
their date of divorce. During discussions of this Act, Congress took note of the
enequities dealt to these Foreign Service spouses divorced prior to the Act and
acknowledged its responsibility to address the issue of a just and fair compen-
sation for them. This group is comprised of women only. This is because there
can be no male spouses married to Foriegn Service female employees for the
requisite ten years stipulated by the Act of 1980. Until 1972 women officers
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Profile - AAFSW -2-
Almost all of these women, while contributing to their husband's career,
spent substantial portions of their married years raising families overseas,
frequently in developing countries. The living conditions in these areas sub-
jected them to the hazards of rigorous climate, endemic disease, inadequate
medical and hospital services, and even fear and physical danger during times of
indigenous political upheavals. Reported illnesses due to living abroad in-
cluded hepatitis, amoebic dysentery, gangrene, and malaria. In the Washington
area alone, many of these women have health problems exacerbated by the inade-
quate medical care available abroad. Three are going blind, one from lack of
money for a needed operation; two have Hodgkin's disease, at present in re-
mission; several have children psychiatrically disturbed by Foreign Service
experiences; two have minor children with severe physical disabilities.
Many of these women served when their participation in a wide variety of
official and unofficial duties was tradition and, in many instances, officially
required. Their husbands' efficiency reports included evaluations of the
wives' cooperation in fulfilling representational and community service. In
1972 a Joint State-AID-USIA Directive permitted spouses of Foreign Service
officers to go abroad as private persons. They were no longer required--
officially or unofficial--to donate their time to mission-supporting duties.
The tradition of service continued, however, even after the Directive. Our
surveys showed that diplomatic wives continued to fulfill, as in the past, a
variety of unpaid assignments. Some wives reported serving voluntarily a total
of forty hours or more per week. Their volunteer tasks included developing an
English-as-a-second-language curriculum, radio broadcasting on socio-cultural
topics of the U. S., organizing charity benefits, translating for visiting
officials, and supporting local health and welfare organizations.
were forced to resign if they married.
2
The Women in Transition group, a part of the AAFSW, is a Washington-based
group which provides a peer support network primarily for divorced women and
widows of Foreign Service employees.
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Profile - AAFSW -3-
During their Foreign Service years, many of these women faced the hard-
ship of family separation and episodes of violence. When asked to recount
briefly some of the hazardous conditions they had encountered (wartime, riots,
etc.), theyreported, for example, "Shooting coup, bombing, flood, wartime";
"Riots in Peru"; "War in Algeria, coup d'etat, bomb threats, home ransacked,
other attempted nighttime break-ins at home"; "Anti-American demonstrations in
Africa, Pakistan, Yugoslavia." "In Brazil at height of anti-American feeling
in South America, bomb thrown at Consulate General"; "Evacuated from Lebanon
during six-day war"; "Riots in Ceylon"; "Riots in Laos, Thailand, Argentina";
"Coups in Korea, Morocco and Vietnam; monk immolated himself across the street
from my child's school--soldiers, tanks, and barbed wire prevented me from
reaching him--evacuated by nuns to safe place"; "Bolivia, revolution (bomb in
garden), Laos--wartime--confined."
The Foreign Service wife has special impediments to economic independence,
resulting exclusively from the husband's employment. Cultural, legal and lin-
guistic barriers prevent her from working overseas. When she can work, constant
international mobility usually prevents her from vesting in any sort of retire-
ment plan. When divorced, these women are left after long years of unpaid
government service abroad with no employment record, no modern skills, and no
Social Security. Most former spouses worked before their Foreign Service
marriages, and most, since their divorces during mid-life, have resumed work-
ing. Unfortunately, their reentry into the workforce after perhaps twenty to
twenty-five years of absence has commonly resulted in low-paying jobs with
limited advancement potential. Many of these former spouses, although college
trained years ago, must reenter the workforce in entry level jobs. Our surveys
showed that women trained as teachers, geographers, journalists, translators
and actresses, are working as typists, file clerks, saleswomen, receptionists.
Some cannot work because of health problems, and some were still seeking em-
ployment at the time of our survey. Only a few reported that they expected
to be financially able to retire. Their entry into the workforce during
middle age, when most employees are contemplating retirement, has precluded
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Profile - AAFSW -4-
the possibility of their accruing enough monies to provide independently
for their retirement or subsistence during old age when they are no longer
physically able to work. This is especially critical since only a few of
these former spouses reported that provisions were made at divorce for their
old age years.
While life in the Foreign Service is stimulating and has undeniable
rewards of personal growth, travel, and world-wide friendships, the attrac-
tions of these desirable facets fade as these women who served so many years
are apt to pay for these benefits by penury in their later years.
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STATISTICAL PROFILE OF FORMER FOREIGN SERVICE WIVES EXCLUDED FROM
BENEFITS OF THE 1980 FOREIGN SERVICE ACT.
In June, 1983, AAFSW sent questionnaires to 110 former spouses
of FS officers. 12 surveys were returned as nondeliverable. 46
responses were received. Of the responding group, 34 had been ex-
cluded from eligibility for benefits under the 1980 Act.
The profile of the typical woman in the excluded group, as
determined from these responses, is as follows:
56 years old now.
49 years old at time of divorce with two school aged
children still at home.
23 years married to her FS husband.
19 of the 23 yearswere with the Foreign Service.
11 of the 23 years were spent abroad.
For most of the 34 in the excluded group, financial prospects
are bleak:
17 receive alimony.
2 of the 17 said the amount was enough to live on.
31 are working to make ends meet.
Of the 31 who are working:
7 are employed in their profession.
6 have a good, or fairly good, chance for advancement.
12 have little chance for advancement.
4 have career advancement opportunities but are too old
for a career.
5 report their employment is secure.
9 have insecure or irregular employment.
2 are looking for work.
18 are earning Social Security credits;
11 are not.
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Statistical Profile -2-
Of the group of 34 respondents:
1 will receive Social Security through her husband;
15 will not;
17 do not know whether they will or not.
The group of 34 reported their future prospects as follows:
17 anticipate that they will have to work always.
10 will require welfare.
2 will be able to retire if they get help from family
and friends.
2 do not need to work.
2 cannot work because they are too old, and one is
going blind.
Of the 46 FS officers to whom the respondent women were
formerly married:
17 are still working.
18 have remarried. (Only 1 of the women reported having
remarried).
24 years was the average amount of time spent in the
Foreign Service.
1/25/84
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STAT
STAT
STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION
Minutes of January, 1984, Meeting
Guests at the January meeting of Women in Transition were Betty
Atherton, wife of the new Foreign Service director, Ambassador Roy Atherton;
Barbara Colby, wife of former CIA director, William E. Colby; Leslie Dorman,
former AAFSW president; and Mary Kay Johnson, member of the AAFSW Board.
The main topic of the meeting was the legislation to be proposed by Con-
gresswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colorado to provide retirement and survivor
benefits for the Foreign Service spouses excluded from coverage of the 1980
Foreign Service Act, because they had been divorced or widowed before the ef-
fective date of the Act, February 15, 1981. As drafted, the legislation will
provide all divorced and widowed FS spouses with an option to buy health in-
surance under the group health plan of the State Department. Each woman would
pay the full amount, but the group plan would mean lower, more affordable health
costs. Some Women in Transition members currently are having to do without med-
ical coverage because they cannot afford the high premiums of an individual
policy.
As drafted, the legislation proposes that the funding to provide retirement
and survivor benefits for the excluded group of women will be drawn from the
Foreign Service Retirement Fund, not in the name of a Foreign Service officer
but in the name of the divorced dependent spouse. Costs will be met from funds
allocated by Congress to the Fund for this purpose.
Women at the meeting reported on the letters they had sent to Congressmen,
soliciting support for Congresswoman Schroeder's proposal. Responses to such
letters have been slow, but the women plan to follow up their correspondence
with requests to meet with Congressional staff members. Letters from constit-
uents seem to have a greater impact, suggesting that names of friends or rela-
tives residing in a Congressman's district should be mentioned, if possible,
in all letters. And, of course, letters sent by friends and relatives from a
Congressman's district are invaluable.
Miriam Hirsch, volunteered to
serve on a writers' committee to prepare sample letters and other informational
materials for the campaign. Miriam, who agreed to serve as chairman, suggested
preparing telegrams to be sent to all members of Congress when the legislation
is under active consideration.
It was voted that the next meeting would be held at the same time, 2:30 p.m.,
and the same place, Palisades library, on February 11, 1984.
will coordinate refreshments.
It was also agreed that any direct contacts with Congressmen and staffers
would be coordinated through our legislative chairman. This will ensure a uni-
form, accurate message delivered to as many persons as possible. It will also
help build an image of women working together in responsible cooperation for
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STAT
STAT
W.I.T., Jan.'84 Minutes -2-
the common good.
The AAFSW Board is now in the process of selecting a Women in Transition
coordinator to replace Sonya Solmssen who has so diligently fulfilled the role
for over four years.
and
Telenhone contacts for Women in Transition are: Miriam Hirsch
These minutes were drafted by the undersigned:
Chairman
Special Committee for Legislation,
Association of American Foreign Service
Women.
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STAT
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STAT
STAT
STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION
Minutes of January, 1984, Meeting
Guests at the January meeting of Women in Transition were Betty
Atherton, wife of the new Foreign Service director, Ambassador Roy Atherton;
Barbara Colby, wife of former CIA director, William E. Colby; Leslie Dorman,
former AAFSW president; and Mary Kay Johnson, member of the AAFSW Board.
The main topic of the meeting was the legislation to be proposed by Con-
gresswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colorado to provide retirement and survivor
benefits for the Foreign Service spouses excluded from coverage of the 1980
Foreign Service Act, because they had been divorced or widowed before the ef-
fective date of the Act, February 15, 1981. As drafted, the legislation will
provide all divorced and widowed FS spouses with an option to buy health in-
surance under the group health plan of the State Department. Each woman would
pay the full amount, but the group plan would mean lower, more affordable health
costs. Some Women in Transition members currently are having to do without med-
ical coverage because they cannot afford the high premiums of an individual
policy
As drafted, the legislation proposes that the funding to provide retirement
and survivor benefits for the excluded group of women will be drawn from the
Foreign Service Retirement Fund, not in the name of a Foreign Service officer
but in the name of the divorced dependent spouse. Costs will be met from funds
allocated by Congress to the Fund for this purpose.
Women at the meeting reported on the letters they had sent to Congressmen,
soliciting support for Congresswoman Schroeder's proposal. Responses to such
letters have been slow, but the women plan to follow up their correspondence
with requests to meet with Congressional staff members. Letters from constit-
uents seem to have a greater impact, suggesting that names of friends or rela-
tives residing in a Congressman's district should be mentioned, if possible,
in all letters. And, of course, letters sent by friends and relatives from a
Congressman's district are invaluable.
Miriam Hirsch, volunteered to
serve on a writers' committee to prepare sample letters and ot er informational
materials for the campaign. Miriam, who agreed to serve as chairman, suggested
preparing telegrams to be sent to all members of Congress when the legislation
is under active consideration.
It was voted that the next meeting would be held at the same time, 2:30 p.m.,
and the same place, Palisades library, on February 11, 1984.
will coordinate refreshments.
It was also agreed that any direct contacts with Congressmen and staffers
would be coordinated through our legislative chairman. This will ensure a uni-
form, accurate message delivered to as many persons as possible. It will also
help build an image of women working together in responsible cooperation for
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STAT
61AI
W.I.T., Jan.'84 Minutes
the common good.
-2-
The AAFSW Board is now in the process of selecting a Women in Transition
coordinator to replace Sonya Solmssen who has so diligently fulfilled the role
for over four years.
and
TelenhnnP contarrq fnr Wimen in Transition are: Miriam Hirsch,
These minutes were drafted by the undersigned:
Chairman
Special Committee for Legislation,
Association of American Foreign Service
Women.
N.B. For your convenience and use, below is a list of the congressmen and senators
who would be involved in the passage of any bill addressing the future of Women
in Transition. All letters to them may be addressed to the U.S. Senate (or House
of Representatives), U. S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20515.
Foreign Affairs
(suite 2170, phone 511021, meets 11rot Tuesday of each month)
Clement J. Zablocki, of Wisconsin.
Dante Fascell, of Florida.
Lee H. Hamilton, of Indiana.
Gus Yatron, of Pennsylvania.
Stephen J. Solarz, of New York.
Don Bonker, of Washington.
Gerry E. Studds, of Massachusetts.
Andy Ireland, of Florida.
Dan Mica, of Florida.
Michael D. Barnes, of Maryland.
Howard Wolpe, of Michigan.
George W. Crockett, Jr., of Michigan.
Sam Gejdenson, of Connecticut.
Mervyn M. Dymally, of California.
Tom Lantos, of California.
Peter H. Koetmayer, of Pennsylvania.
Robert G. Torricelli, of New Jersey.
Lir,erence J. Smith, of Florida.
Howard L. Berman, of California.
Harry M. Reid, of Nevada.
Mel Levine, of California.
Edward F. Feighan, of Ohio.
Ted Weiss, of New York.
Robert Garcia, of New York.'
' Effective only ler the First Session, 98th Congress
William S Broomfield, of Michigan.
Lorry Winn, Jr., of Kansas.
Benjaniin A. Gilman, of New York.
Robert J. Lagomarsino, of California.
Joel Pritchard of Washington.
Jim Leach, of Iowa.
Toby Roth, of Wisconsin.
Olympia J. Snowe, of Maine.
Henry J. Hyde, of Illinois.
Gerold B. H. Solomon, of New York.
Doug Bereuter, of Nebraska.
Mark D. Siljander, of Michigan.
Ed &chart, of California.
Foreign Relations
Mate SD-4111, phone Mid. meets Tnooday)
Charles H Percy, of Illinois.
Howard H. Baker, Jr, of Tennessee.
Jesse Helms, of North Carolina.
Richard G. Lugar, of Indiana.
Charles Mce Mathias, Jr., of Maryland.
Nancy L Kassebauns, of Kansas.
Rudy Boschwite, of Minnesota.
Larry Pressler, of South Dakota.
Fronk H Murkowski, of Alaska.
Claiborne Pell, of Rhode Island.
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., of Delaware.
John Glenn, of Ohio.
Paul S. Sarbanee, of Maryland.
Edward Zorinaky, of Nebraska.
Paul E. Teonges, of Massachusetts.
Alan Cranston, of California.
Christopher J. Dodd, of Connecticut
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The Honorable XXXXXX
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Congressman XXXXX:
May I bring to your attention
the very real need for legislation, which is to be
proposed by Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colorado in
the near future. This remedial legislation will provide
retirement benefits for the widowed and divorced spouses
of Foreign Service Officers who were omitted for reasons of
political compromise from coverage of the Foreign Service Act
of 1980. This small group of generally older women were
declared ineligible to receive retirement benefits because
their divorces or widowhood had occurred before the effective
date of the Act, 15 February 1981, or because their former
husbands had retired before that date.
Address here
The Honorable XXXXXX
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C.
Dear Senator XXXXX:
We hope you agree that these women, like their more fortunate
diplomatic sisters, have earned retirement security through
their years of service to their families and to their govern-
ment while abroad. We believe the omitted group is uniquely
deserving because they served abroad before 1972, when they
were required--officially and by tradition--t fulfill a variety
of mission-supporting duties.
These women had long records of service. Under both. the 1980
Act and the legislation to be proposed, no former FS spouse
can receive a retirement benefit unless she has been married at
least 10 years.
Throughout their long-term marriages, these women's share of
the family income was used to build the retirement fund for
which they were identified on government forms as beneficiaries.
Their diplomatic status, as well as their many responsibilities,
prohibited their paid employment and prevented their earning
a retirement annuity in their own name.
A recent survey by the Association of American Foreign Service
Women shows that this finite group is small, about 150 women.
Statistics for the group show the median and average years
for marriage 23, for the period of marriage while the husband
was in the Foreign Service 19, and for the years of the wife's
service abroad 11. These women's median and average age is 56
years..
We ask that you sponsor/cosponsor the legislation that Congress-
woman Schroeder will soon sponsor. Should you or any member of
your staff desire further information and/or to meet with us to
discuss the matter further, we should be happy to do so.
Thank you for whatever help you can give us in this matter.
Sincerely,
( If you can, mention that you have friends and relatives in
the area he represents, even acquaintances in towns in his
locale will help. Ask those you know to write himp.
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A410111:6111rWiff
STAT
Association of American Foreign Service Women
P.O. Box 13068
Washington, D.C. 2=4
January 25, 1984
Dear Friend:
We have tried to locate as many women as we can
living outside the D.C. area who may have an interest in
the enclosed information but who do not know about it.
If you do have an interest, we urge you to join us in
our attempt to have legislation passed (probably in April)
which will extend the benefits of the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 to those who were excluded.
The attached sample letter to Congressmen and Sen.-
ators gives the basic information you need and could
serve as the basis for a letter of your own. Write your
own congressmen and senators, get your friends to write
theirs on your behalf, enlist the help of any clubs
or organizations you belong to who might be willing to
write also (particularly on letterhead stationery!).
If you will be in the D. C. area in February, you
would be more than welcome at our next meeting on the
11th.
We want to hear from you so that we can build a
mailing list that will reach as many women who need help
as possible. If you know of other women outside the
Washington area who should be on our list, please send
their names and addresses to
Sincerely,
Member, Steering Committee
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Sample letter:
The Honorable
U. S. House of Representatives (or Senate)
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman (or Senator)
May I bring to your attention the very real need for legislation which is
to be proposed by Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colorado in the near
future. This remedial legislation will provide retirement benefits for the
widowed and divorced spouses of Foreign Service Officers who were omitted for
reasons of political compromise from coverage of the Foreign Service Act of
1980. This small group of generally older women were declared ineligible to
receive retirement benefits because their divorces or widowhood had occurred
before the effective date of the Act, February 15, 1981, or because their
former husbands had retired before that date.
We hope you agree that these women, like their more fortunate diplomatic
sisters, have earned retirement security through their years of service to
their families and to their government while abroad. We believe the omitted
group is uniquely deserving because they served abroad before 1972 when they
were required, officially and by tradition, to fulfill a variety of mission
supporting duties.
These women had long records of service. Under both the 1980 Act and
the legislation to be proposed, no former FS spouse can receive a retirement
benefit unless she has been married at least ten years.
Throughout their long-term marriages, these women's share of the family
income was used to build the retirement fund for which they were identified
on government forms as beneficiaries. Their diplomatic status, as well as
their many responsibilities, prohibited their paid employment and prevented
their earning a retirement annuity in their own name.
A recent survey by the Association of American Foreign Service Women
shows that this finite group is small, about 150 women. Statistics for the
group show the median and average years for marriage twenty-three, for the
period of marriage while the husband was in the Foreign Service nineteen, and
for the years of the wive's service abroad eleven. These women's median and
average age is fifty-six years.
We ask that you support the legislation that Congresswoman Schroeder will
soon sponsor. Should you or any member of your staff desire further inform-
ation and/or to meet with me (us) to discuss the matter further, I (we) should
be happy to do so.
Thank you for whatever help you can give us in this matter.
Sincerely,
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STAT
STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Saturday, 11 February 1984
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
SUBJECT: To select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To discuss regular meeting locations. To
plan further action on the legislative effort.
Members will report on their correspondence
with Congressmen.
PLACE:
DIRECTIONS:
TELEPHONE
(For any
questions)
We hope you can come. We need you:
Palisades Library
49th and V streets
Washington, D.C. Tel: [phone].
From Virginia: Cross over Chain Bridge.
Turn right on Canal Road. Left on Arizona.
Turn right on McArthur Boulevard. Go three
blocks. On right is Georgetown Day School.
You can see library, which is
on V street,from Mac Arthur Boulevard, if
you look to the left..
From the District: Go past Georgetown Uni-
versity on Canal Road. At the stoplight
just past the university, bear right (Canal
Road goes to the left). At the next light,
turn left; you're on McArthur Boulevard.
Go several blocks. Watch for Safeway on
your right. Turn right at the Gulf Station.
From the Beltway, take the Glen Echo exit--
the last exit before the Potomac Rive as you
come from Maryland, the first exit as you cross
Cabin John Bridge as you come from Virginia.
You're on Canal Road. Make a hairpin turn up
to McArthur Boulevard. Go towards Washington
on McArthur. See directions above for Chain
Bridge.
CONTACTS: Miriam Hirsch,
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STAT
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R
Next 2 Page(s) In Document Denied
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WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Saturday, 7 January 1984
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
SUBJECT: To select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To discuss regular meeting locations. To
plan further action on the legislative effort.
Members will report on their correspondence
with Congressmen.
PLACE:
DIRECTIONS:
STAT TELEPHONE
(For any
STAT questions)
We hope you can come. We need you!
Palisades Library
49th and V streets
Washington, D.C. Tel: [phone].
From Virginia: Cross over Chain Bridge.
Turn right on Canal Road. Left on Arizona.
Turn right on McArthur Boulevard. Go three
blocks. On right is Georgetown Day School.
You can see library, which is
on V street,from Mac Arthur Boulevard, if
you look to the left.-
From the District: Go past Georgetown Uni-
versity on Canal Road. At the stoplight
just past the university, bear right (Canal
Road goes to the left). At the next light,
turn left; you're on McArthur Boulevard.
Go several blocks. Watch for Safeway on
your right. Turn right at the Gulf Station.
From the Beltway, take the Glen Echo exit--
the last exit before the Potomac Rive as you
come from Maryland, the first exit as you cross
Cabin John Bridge as you come from Virginia.
You're on Canal Road. Make a hairpin turn up
to McArthur Boulevard. Go towards Washington
on McArthur. See directions above for Chain
Bridge.
CONTACTS: Miriam Hirsch
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STAT
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER MEETINn
WOMEN IN TRANSITION
The Women in Transition group of the Association of American
Foreign Service Women met on Monday evening, November 28, 1983
at the home of Sonia Solmssen in Bethesda. The purpose of the
meeting was to review work accomplished thus far and work yet
to be done on the legislation to be proposed by Congresswoman
Patricia Schroeder of Colorado. The legislation will assist
the Foreign Service wives who were excluded from retirement and
survivor benefits under the Foreign Service Act of 1980 because
they were already divorced or widowed.
chairman of a special legislative committee
for the Association of American Foreign Service Women, initiated
a review of progress to date, after Sonia had brought the meeting
to order. Betty distributed copies of a discussion draft of
legislation prepared by the Legislative Counsel of the US House
of Representatives from material submitted by Congresswoman
Schroeder. (The draft does not yet have a number as it has not
gone to the floor of the House.) The wording of the bill asks for
"extension of benefits for this special group of women." This
avoids the use of the word "retroactive" benefits, a concept voted
down in Congress at the time the 1980 Act was passed. The
benefits referred to are retirement and survivor benefits as pro-
vided for by the 1980 legislation. The new draft legislation also
has a provision for group health options for all Foreign Service
spouses.
STAT In her presentation, Betty commended the work of in
producing the draft oft"the profile of FS ex-spouses"and"the
statement of concern7 as well as preparing the survey questions
and coordinating a meeting of Transition women with Bill Baccus,
the State Department personnel officer who was concerned with
the 1980 legislation and is interested in the current legislative
effort.
Betty also reported on meetings with staff members for Senators
Percy and Sarbanes. These staffers advised Transition women to
coordinate their timing and their presentation of material to
Congressmen and to convey a uniform message. Other legislative
staff who were visited offered their support.
A significant offer of support reported by Betty was that offered
by Special Assistant to President Reagan, Mrs Dee Jepson, and her
recent replacement, Carolyn Sundseth. Both women were warmly
supportive. Mrs. Jepson said she would ask her husband, who is
in the Senate, to sponsor a bill there. Sue Parsons, AAFSW
President, accompanied Betty to this meeting.
In her presentation to the Transition group, Betty expressed her
concern that consensus in the group was lacking, reflected by
continuing criticism from some Transition members of the legislative
effort. Those present at the meeting agreed it is essential to
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STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
close ranks in order to mount a successful effort at this
time, which is cruicial to bringing the legislation to the floor
of the House when Congress reconvenes in February and then to
assure that the Bill is enacted.
Discussion of strategy stressed the need to keep the relevant
Congressional Committees' attention on the need for the legislation,
reserving the big push for the time when the Bill is introduced.
Meanwhile, members of the Transition group should concentrate on
asking legislators, especially those on relevant Foreign Affairs
committees, to sponsor or cosponsor remedial legislation.
Prospective Congressional sponsors can contact Congresswoman
Schroeder and Andrea Nelson, legal counsel in Congresswoman
Schroeder's office. for is
available from .)
Visits to Senators and Congressmen in their home State offices
can also be very productive during the holiday Congressional
recess.
Other matters discussed at the meeting were the need to select
lrcoordinator to replace Sonia, who has served for four years, and
also to select meeting places. It was decided that the next
meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 1984, at
the Palisades Library on MacArthur Boulevard, Washington.
Dolores Lewis, who sent out the last mailing, volunteeelto continue
handling the job. (Postage is provided by the AAFSW.) 4
Also discussed were referrals to good lawyers for divorce.
Also discussed was the need for personal information for publicity
in the press. Personal histories (with or without names) would
be useful for newspaper and periodical articles. Anyone who can
help with this should send them to
Miriam Hirsch and have volunteered to be telephone
contacts for the Women in Transition Group. Miriam's telephone
number is
meeting recorder
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STAT
December 30, 1983
Dear Friends:
Now that Christmas is over and the new year is upon us, it
is time to seriously consider what 1984 holds for the CIA Women
In Transition group. Our January meeting is scheduled for the
second saturday in the month (1/14/84) at 3:15 PM at the address
above. Anyone needing directions or a ride, please call me at
The AAFSW Women In Transition will be meeting on Saturday,
the 7th of January, and I have enclosed a notice which includes
directions. It is very important that we support the AAFSW's
legislative efforts and I urge you to attend their meetings and
to participate in their lobbying activities.
One thing that all of us can do is to write letters. An
informative article (from the most recent AAFSW Newsletter) is
enclosed. It explains the need for every one of us to write to
our congressmen on behalf of Congresswoman Schroder's proposed
legislation currently in committee.
Please encourage your friends and relations to write to
their congressmen and to the members of the Foreign Affairs
Committees (list enclosed) as well. The members of the House
committee need to be encouraged to approve (and even to co-
sponsor) Ms. Schroder's proposal so that it can be taken to the
floor of the House. The members of the Senate committee should
be asked to sponsor similar legislation of their own.
Our letters don't have to be masterpieces. We need to tell
our representatives and senators that:
1. there is a small group of women who were left out of the 1980
Foreign Service Act (P.L. 96-465) which provided rights for
retirement and survivor benefits for the spouses of Foreign
Service employees who were widowed or divorced after marriages of
10 years or longer.
2. we are talking about older women for the most part--women who have
spent many years overseas in the service of our country. (You
might give a few examples from your own experience of the sorts of
things these women have done and the lives they have led.) Point
out that some are ill and unable to work and
3. even those with decent jobs can never work long enough to accumu-
late sufficient pensions to retire and live decent lives.
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4? many have no pension prospects or health insurance. Some are on
welfare.
5. we would like the congressmen to support (possibly even co-
sponsor) Congresswoman Schroder's proposed legislation which was
introduced into the Foreign Affairs Committee this past November.
Use your own words and your own experiences. We want to
avoid all sounding exactly the same, but you can certainly copy
your letter over and over to to send it to different congressmen
and senators.
Please write as many letters as you can over the next eight
weeks and encourage your friends, neighbors and relatives to do
so as well. If we want pensions and affordable health insurance,
this effort is what is required of us. Many people are working
very hard for this legislation. It is vital that we support
their efforts.
You may receive responses to your epistles. Betty would
appreciate copies of these letters since they will help the Task
Force to assess the attitutes of the Congress--both pro and con.
I look forward to seeing you on the 7th and on the 14th.
enclosures:
AAFSW-WIT Minutes
AAFSW NEWSLETTER article
List of Foreign Affairs Committee
Sincerely,
members
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iles?44,
We are planning a Legislation Steering Committee meeting at
3 p.m. on Saturday, 10 December 1983, at my house (directions
below). Can you come? We'd like to have you!
We'll be talking about what needs to be done before Congresswoman
Schroeder presents the legislation--she's planning to do that
in February 1984. So time is short.
Please bring your ideas, any responses you've had to lettera,
any questions about the legislation. We need your input.
It will be a short meeting but an important one Please try to
Come
STAT
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Where the legislative effort is at: The events abroad have
slowed Congressional action on our proposed legislation. An
interview this week with Wripa Nelson, counsel, in Congress-
woman Patricia Schroeder 'IgWS that they hope to present the
legislation by November f8, 1983. Should events abroad---and
we are working with foreign affairs committees---slow these
plans, the legislation will be presented in February 1984.
Andrea suggests that we write, to our Congressional representatives,
sayineI am your constituent.' Before the bill is introduced,
we can write "Why don't you amend the 1980 Foreign Service Act?
Won't you sponsor legislation to do so? ,
' Then continue that this
bill will help me, a resident in your district. I am hurting,
and I have earned retirement protection. Itis important to
identify yourself as a Foreign Service spouse so as not to
be confused with other groups.
We have met with the new person handling women's issues in the
White House, Carolyn Sundseth. She is replacing Mrs. Dee
Jepson, Senator Jepson's wife, who has resigned to help her
husband campaign for reelection. She was very encouraging,
as was Mrs. Jepson, who has promised to have her husband help
us in the Bente. We need someone there to present an
amendment to the 1980 Foreign Service Act. Bill S-1136
was presented by Senator Charles Percy of Illinois on 26
April 1983. It's sitting in the committee on Foeeign
Relations (Affairs) that he chairs. We should get letters to him,
asking that he move the bill, with an amendment in it for us.
Have any relatives in Illinois? (I have one and am writing
her tonight.)
It is not too late to have an amendment introduced in the Senate.
Before the bill goes to the floor. However, if it goes to the
floor without us, we can be added when the bill goes to
conference to resolve differences in the House and Senate
versions. As Andrea explained it, we will be in a stronger
position if both House and Senate propose an amendment in our
favor.
The House bill is with the Legal Counsel of the House for final
drafting. It should be completed within a week or 10 days.
It too has been slowed by the events abroad.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
Sen. Charles H. Percy (R IL), Chairman
[The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member are ex officio members of all subcommittees.]
MAJORITY: [9 R.] Sen. Charles H. Percy (R IL); Sen. Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R TN); Sen. Jesse A. Helms
(R NC); Sen. Richard G Lugar (R IN); Sen. Charles McC. Mathias (R MD); Sen. Nancy L. Kassebaum (R
KS); Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (IR MN); Sen. Larry Pressler (R SD) and Sen. Frank H. Murkowski (R AK).
MINORITY: [8 D.] Sen. Claiborne Pell (D RI); Sen. Joseph R. Biden (DDE); Sen. John H. Glenn (DOH);
Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D MD); Sen. Edward Zorinsky (D NE); Sen. Paul E. Tsongas (DMA); Sen. Alan
Cranston '(D CA) and Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D CT).
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WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Monday, 28th November 1983
TIME: 7.00 p.m.
SUBJECT: To select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To meet new membership chairman. To choose
regular meeting locations. To discuss the
legislative effort now in process.
PLACE
We hope you can come. We need you:
Sonia Solmssen
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benefits, as well as health insurance options for all Foreign
Service spouses. By showing strong support for the proposal
now, we will have the best chance for getting it out of
committee in both House and Senate with as many benefits as
possible.
STAT
STAT
We are having a planning meeting tomorrow to set up a working
schedule on getting publicity and letter writing going, as
well as some lobbying. For the last, we have to be well
prepared as women dropping casually by busy offices without
adequate preparation can be a detriment instead of a help.
So we are trying to get those who want to lobby prepared
as well as possible. Meanwhile, the letters should be going
to Congress and should continue to go to Congress so that
the legislation comes up in committee, gores to the floor,
is voted upon, goes to conference, and goes back for final
acceptance on the floors of both houses.
..?
Some women have been told to wait until the bill has a number
before writing. Some letters should be written, some
publicity should be obtained to ensure that the bill is
presented so that it can have a number/
We have prepared materials to brief workers. If you have not
already received Fact Sheet, Reasons to Provide Benefits;
Historical Backgrotnd, Legal Precedents statements, as well
as Congressional committee names Ind-sample letters, we should
be glad to send them to you. Plgase,write to me at: .
I am usually home evenings between -5 and 9 p.m. So a telephone
call should reach me at No one else is home so.
no charge at all if you don't get me.
I very much appreciate the good letters that some of you have
sent. The information in this communication is based on some
of those letters. For those of you who have already written
to Congressmen, please continue to write them. Try to get
a dialogue going, to show that you are concerned seriously and
permanently, that we really sincerely want their help. So
please keep writing.
We have a chance but our chance will be better if all of us
work on it. We're too few in number to rely on the work of
only some of us. We shall go forward one step at a time and
keep trying. We'll let you know as events develop.
We would appreciate very much any suggestions you have from us.
If you hear for example of someone strongly in our favor?or
strongly negative--so we can be in touch with him directly.
The messages you get will be helpful to us if we know what
Congressmen are saying and thinking.
We have good support from AAFSW members. Please be in touch
with the ones you .know of.
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STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Monday, 28th November 1983
TIME: 7.00 p.m.
SUBJECT: to select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To meet new membership chairman. To choose
regular meeting locations. To discuss the
legislative effort now in process.
PLACE
We hope you can come. We need you!
Sonia Solmssen
?
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Where the legislative effort is at: The events abroad have
slowed Congressional action on our proposed legislation. An
interview this week with MdFirea Nelson, counsel, in Congress-
woman Patricia Schroeder that that they hope to present the
legislation by November 18, 1983. Should events abroad---and
we are working with foreign affairs committees---slow these ,
plans, the legislation will be presented in February 1984.
Andrea suggests that we write, to our Congressional representatives,
saying,' I am your constituent.' Before the bill is introduced,
we can write "Why don't you amend the 1980 Foreign Service Act?
Won't you sponsor legislation to do so?" Then continue that this
bill will help me, a resident in your district. I am hurting,
and I have earned retirement protection. is important to
identify yourself as a Foreign Service spouse so as not to
be confused with other groups.
We have met with the new person handling women's issue's in the
White House, Carolyn Sundseth. She is replacing Mrs. Dee
Jepson, Senator Jepson's wife, who has resigned to help her
husband campaign for reelection. She was very encouraging,
as was Mrs. Jepson, who has promised to have her husband help
us in the Senate. We need someone there to present an
amendment to the 1980 Foreign Service Act. Bill S-1136
was presented by genator Charles Percy of Illinois on 26
April 1983. It's sitting in the committee on Fomeign
Relations (Affairs) that he chairs. We should get letters to him,
asking that he move the bill, with an amendment in it for us.
Have any relatives in Illinois? (I have one and am writing
her tonight.)
It is not too late to have an amendment introduced in the Senate.
Before the bill goes to the floor. However, if it goes to the
floor without us, we can be added when the bill goes to
conference to resolve differences in the House and Senate
versions. As Andrea explained it, we will be in a stronger
position if both House and Senate propose an amendment in our
favor.
The House bill is with the Legal Counsel of the House for final
drafting. It should be completed within a week or 10 days.
It too has been slowed by the events abroad.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
Sen. Charles H. Percy (R IL), Chairman
[The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member are ex officio members of all subcommittees.]
MAJORITY: [9 R.] Sen. Charles H. Percy (R IL); Sen. Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R TN); Sen. Jesse A. Helms
(Ft NC); Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R IN); Sen. Charles McC. Mathias (R MD); Sen. Nancy L. Kassebaum (R
KS); Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (IR MN); Sen. Larry Pressler (R SD) and Sen. Frank H. Murkowski (R AK).
MINORITY: [8 D.) Sen. Claiborne Pell (D RI); Sen. Joseph R. Biden (DDE); Sen. John H. Glenn (DOH);
Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (1) MD): Sen. Edward Zorinsky NE); Sen. Paul E. Tsongas (DMA); Sen. Alan
Cranston (D CA) and Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D CT).
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STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Monday, 28th November 1983
TIME: 7.00 p.m.
SUBJECT: To select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To meet new membership chairman. To choose
regular meeting locations. To discuss the
legislative effort now in process.
PLACE
We hope you can come. We need you:
Sonia Solmssen
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Dear Friend ?
Sorry to be so late in getting information off to you about
where the legislative effort is at: The events abroad have
slowed Congressional action on our proposed legislaticsn. An
interview this week with Andrea Nelson, counsel, in Cmgress-
woman Patricia Schroeder says that they hope to present the
legislation by November 18, 1983. Should events abroad---and
we are working with foreign affairs committees---slow these
plans, the legislation will be presented in February 1984.
Andrea suggests that we write to our Congressional representatives,
saying I am your constituent. Before the bill is introduced,
we can write "Why don't you amend the 1980 Foreign Service Act?
Won't you sponsor legislation to do so. Then continue that this
bill will help me, a resident in your district. I am hurting,
and I have earned retirement protection. I is important to
identify yourself as a Foreign Service spouse so as not to
be confused with other groups.
We have met with the new person handling women's issues in the
White House, Carolyn Sundseth. She is replacing Mrs. Dee
Jepson, Senator Jepson's wife, who has resigned to help her
husband campaign for reelection. She was very encouraging,
as was Mrs. Jepson, who has promised to have her husband help
us in the Sentte. We need someone there to present an
amendment to the 1980 Foreign Service Act. Bill S-1136
was presented by Menator Charles Percy of Illinois on 26
April 1983. It's sitting in the committee on Foeeign
Relations (Affairs) that he chairs. We should aet letters to him,
asking that he move the bill, with an amendment in it for us.
Have any relatives in Illinois? (I have one and am writing
her tonight.)
It is not too late to have an amendment introduced in the Senate.
Before the bill goes to the floor. However, if it goes to the
floor without us, we can be added when the bill goes to
conference to resolve differences in the House and Senate
versions. As Andrea explained it, we will be in a stronger
position if both House and Senate propose an amendment in our
favor.
The House bill is with the Legal Counsel of the House for final
drafting. It should be completed within a week or 10 days.
It too has been slowed by the events abroad. The attached
draft of an article for the AAFSW newsletter tells you generally
what it proposes. Some of it may have to be deleted to
accomodate people who are not in favor of it. So we are asking
for as much as we can possibly hope to get. Retirement and
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STAT
benefits, as well as health insurance options for all Foreign
Service spouses. By showing strong support for the proposal
now, we will have the best chance for getting it out of
committee in both House and Senate with as many benefits as
possible.
We are having a planning meeting tomorrow to set up a working
schedule on getting publicity and letter writing going, as
well as some lobbying. For the last, we have to be well
prepared as women dropping casually by busy offices without
adequate preparation can be a detriment instead of a help.
So we are trying to get those who want to lobby prepared
as well as possible. Meanwhile, the letters should be going
to Congress and should continue to go to Congress so that
the legislation comes up in committee, gois to the floor,
is voted upon, goes to conference, and goes back for final
acceptance on the floors of both houses.
Some women have been told to wait until the bill has a number
before writing. Some letters should be written, some
publicity should be obtained to ensure that the bill is
presented so that it can have a number/
We have prepared materials to brief workers. If you have not
already received Fact Sheet, Reasons to Provide Benefits,
Historical Background, Legal Precedents statements, as well
as Congressional committee names and sample letters, we should
be glad to send them to you. Please write to me at:
I am usually home evenings between 5 and 9 p.m. So a telephone
call should reach me at No one else is home so'
no charge at all if you don't get me.
I very much appreciate the good letters that some of you have
sent. The information in this communication is based on some
of those letters. For those of you who have already written
to Congressmen, please continue to write them. Try to get
a dialogue going, to show that you are concerned seriously and
permanently, that we really sincerely want their help. So
please keep writing.
We have a chance but our chance will be better if all of us
work on it. We're too few in number to rely on the work of
only some of us. We shall go forward one step at a time and
keep trying. We'll let you know as events develop.
We would appreciate very much any suggestions you have from us.
If you hear for example of someone strongly in our favor--or
strongly negative--so we can be in touch with him directly.
The messages you get will be helpful to us if we know what
Congressmen are saying and thinking.
We have good support from AAFSW members. Please be in touch
with the ones you know of.
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HOWARD H. BAKER. JR.
STAT
STAT
7ENNESSEE
'21Cnifeb Zfafe.s male
WASHINGTON. O.C. zos 1 co
July 12, 1983
Dear
Thank you for your June 24 letter concerning legislation which
would provide retirement benefits to divorced and widowed
spouses of Foreign Service Officers who were not covered by
the Foreign Service Act of 1980.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to take
the lead on this issue in hearings tentatively scheduled for
September 1983 and/or February 1984. At that time, witnesses
will be called to discuss this and other issues with a view
to amendment of the Act. I appreciate having your views on
this issue and look forward to an opportunity to review
a legislative proposal.
Sincerely,
4":4(1"4
ward H. Baker, Jr.
HHBJr:lpz
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Committee on Foreign Affairs (House) *Asterisk means member of
International Operations Subcommittee
Democrats
4`..Rep Dante B. Fascell, D. Fl, Chairman of Subcommittee
Clement q. 2ablocki, Wis, Chairman of Committee
-AGus Yatron, PA'
*Stephen J. Solarz, NL? Renublicans
Dan Mica, Fl William S. Broomfield, Michican
Michael D. Barnes, MD Larry Winn, Jr. Kansas
Howard Wolpe, MI - *Benjamin A. Gilman, NY
George W. Crockett, Jr., MichRobert J. Lagomarsino, CA
Sam Gejdenson, CT 4Joel Pritchard, WashingtD--
Mervyn M. Dymally, CA Jim Leach, Indiana
:cm Lantos CA Toby Robh, Wisconsin
Kostmaver, PA Olympia J. Snow, Maine
Rcbiert-G. Tcrricelli, NJ Henry J. Hyde, Illinois
4-Larry Smith, FL Gerald B.H.Solomon, NY
Howard L. Berman, CA Douglas K. Bereuter, Nebraska--
Harry M. Reid, Nevada *Mark D. Siljander, Michican
Mel Lev-ine, CA Ed Zschau, CA
Edward F. Feighan, Ohio
Ted S. Weiss, NY
Robert Garcia, NY
Committee on Foreign Relations (Senate)
Democrats
Claiborne Pell, R.I.
Josenh R. iden, Del.
John H. Glenn, Ohio
-.Dau' S. Sa,-banes, MD
Edward Zcrinsky, NE
?al E. Tsongas, Mass.
Alan Cranston, CA
Christopher J. Dodd, CT
Republicans (Majority)
Charles H. Percy,
Howard H. Baker, Jr.
Jesse A. Helms, NC
Richard G. Lugar, Indiana
Charles McC. Mathias, MD
Nancy L. Kassebaum, Kansas
Rudy Boschwitz, Minn
Larry Pressler, So. Dak.
Frank H. Murkowski, Arkansas
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STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
Dear Friend:
Several weeks ago a small group of us got together to share some of our
concerns and to discuss the the direction which we would like for our Women in
Transition group to take.
We talked about the fact that many former wives do not yet know about
Title VI and its provision for their ex-husbands to include them for survivor
annuities. (This is particularly distressing since November 15, 1983 is the
cut off date for this benefit.)
The title VI provision could be extended for another year. The House
Select Committee for Intelligence has the power to do this and if you wish to
write to them and encourage them to do so the address istH 405, The Capitol,
Washington DC 20515.
The subject of new legislation came up and we agreed that we wished to
support the AAFSW and their Women in Transition in doing all that is possible
to lobby for Congresswoman Patricia Schroder's proposed legislation which
would provide pensions for the former wives of FS officers divorced before
their law went into effect. It is felt that, once such legislation is enacted
for the Foreign Service, it will be possible to make a case for the Agency to
follow suit (much as was done with Title VI). Congresswoman Schroder's
legislation contains a provision for health insurance.
If you would like to take a
contact
it is available.
look at the proposed legislation, please
and she will send you a copy as soon as
We talked about how to reach other women like ourselves--the former
Agency wives who are scattered about the country (and around the world)--so
that we could share our mutual concerns. And we decided to continue with our
monthly social get together and to encourage the formation of small, more
localized interest groups. Any ideas which you might have on these matters
would be appreciated.
The next meeting of our group will be at my home at
on Saturday, November 12 from three to six o'clock.
number is should you need directions.
Since eveyone is so busy in December we will probably not meet again
until Saturday, January 14, 1984.
The phone
Sincerely,
STAT
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11 October 1983
Dear Foreign Service spouse:
For those who came to the meeting of Women in Transition on
September 20:
We were glad to see you!
For those who did not come:
We want to bring you up to date!
For everyone:
We'd like to tell you---
About efforts to help the Foreign Service wives divorced or widowed
before the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and therefore were excluded from
receiving retirement and survivor annuities.
CLASS ACTION PROPOSED
The speaker at the last meeting was Edith Fierst, a lawyer who did
much valuable work in support of the 1980 Act. At the meeting, Ms
Fierst proposed a legal class action to recover survivor rights for
the spouses excluded from coverage by the 1980 Act. Women at the
meeting agreed to work with Ms Fierst in pursuing this court action.
She will undertake the case on a contingency basis: she will be paid
only if the lawsuit is successful. Meanwhile the only costs are
minor operating costs.
Ms Fierst has already been successful in helping Civil Service and
Railroad Workers' wives receive survivor benefits.
CATCH-UP LEGISLATION.
Our catch-up legislation (to help the excluded group of wives) has
been delayed by the excitement in Congress over the downed Korean
plan and the war in Central America. Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder
from Colorado will present the bill in Congress after the first of
the year. As drafted, the bill provides financial security for the
excluded women--as well as, hopefully, the option to purchase medical
insurance at group rates.
Andrea Nelson, legislative aide to Congresswoman Schroeder, asks that
we give our support through letterF and visits to Congressmen--both
actions to be made after the bill is introduced. At that time, the
legislation will be given a Public Law Number that will make the
bill easier to identify in all our contacts.
LETTERS
Start now to get the job done. Contact everyone--friends, relatives,
any willing volunteers--have them ready to write supporting letters
when the bill is introduced. (Sample letter is enclosed.) Write your
letters novr.Mail them when the Bill is on the floor.)
A list of Congressmen is enclosed. Select those who represent you
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- -
or your correspondents. Their address is simply: US Capitol,
Washington, D.C.
NEXT MEETING
Please come to the next meeting MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1983 ,
at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Churbh, 1205 Dolley Madison
Boulevard, McLean, Virginia.. We plan to talk about publicity.
We'd like your suggestions, including names and addresses of people
and publications or other media.
Directions from Maryland: Cross Chain Bridge, immediately turn
right at the light. This is Route 123, also known as Dolley Madison
Boulevard. Go straight ahead about one mile or a bit more. Church is
on your left. You'll have to turn around at the next break in the
median strip.
Directions from Virginia: From George Washington Parkway, take the
exit to McLean. You are on Dolley Madison Boulevard. Go about 1/4
mile. It's only a li*At.le-ttt past Kirby Road. Church is on your
left.
Or at Tyson's Corner, go toward McLean on Route 123, also called
Dolley radison Boulevard. After passing most of the McLean turn-offs,
watch for Churhh on your right. If you see Kirby Road on your right,
you've gone too far.
SAMPLE LETTER
I am writing to ask for your support for legislation to assist the
divorced and widowed spouses of Foreign Service officers who were
excluded from the retirement and survivor benefits provided to FS
spouses by the FS Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-465). These women have earned
such protection through their years of service abroad for the US
Government. Only the fact that their divorce or widowhood occurred
prior to the effective date of the Act, 15 February 1981, or that
their husbands had already retired kept them from receiving these
benefits--benefits that they had earned through their service,
equal to that of their more fortunate FS sisters.
(The above is the information that should be in the first paragraph,
but please rephrase it and add whatever you can. It's your letter:
For example, information about the FS wives you know who need such
help; your own circumstances, emphasizing your service to the US Govern-
ment (this is very important) but outlining hardships and current
financial situation, job if any, and health; your children's needs;
the life they had abroad.)
Include the number of the new legislation when we have it.
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24 September 1983
Dear Friend--
The next Saturday afternoon gathering will be at the home of
at 3:15 p.m., October 1st. We hope you can come and bring
ideas about where you'd like to see the group go and
what you'd like to see it do. Also, would you be willing
to volunteer to serve as secretary or treasurer?
I will no longer be able to meet with the group, because I
am finding that my time is filled with my second job and
my work on the Foreign Service legislation--catch-up legis-
lation for retirement benefits for divorced and widowed
spouses omitted from coverage by the 1980 Foreign Service
Act that provided retirement and survivor annuity benefits.
If the FS bill goes through, we can be fairly confident
that an amendment to help all of us will follow.
You are invited to attend the meetings of the Women in
Transition group, Association of American Foreign Service
Women, to be held twice monthly, alternating between
Virginia and Maryland. I'll drop you a card when the place
for the next meeting is confirmed. You've done work that
is very valuaNe in the legislative effort, and it would he
great if you could continue to help.
I am sorry I won't be seeing you in our own small group.
But you can be sure I'll be calling on you when our
legislation gets goihg. And I hope to see you at a meet-
ing of the AAFSW group soon:
Sincerely,
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-
,
WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Tuesday, 20th September 1983
TIME: 7.00 p.m.
SUBJECT: Catch up legislation for FS Divorcees
omitted from 1980 Act coverage is IN
PROCESS. Please come to hear about it
and learn how you can help.
PLACE
Other subjects will be discussed by
representatives from the FLO office.
Sonia Solmssen
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26 September 1983
Dear Foreign Service spouse:._ c,
For those who came to the meetihg of the Women in Transition
la,rwtDasisday night:
We were glad to see you!
For those who did not come:
We want to bring you up to date!
For everyone;
We'd like to tell you---
About efforts to help the Foreign Service wives divorced or
widowed before the Foreign Service Act of 1980, who therefore
were excluded from receiving retirement and survivor
annuities.
CLASS ACTION PROPOSED
The speaker Tucc
Qwas Edith Fierst, a lawyer who did
much valuable work in support of the 1980 Act. At the meeting,
MS Fierst proposed a legal class action to recover survivor
rights for the spouses excluded from coverage by the 1980 Act.
Women at the meeting agreed to work with Ms Fierst in pursuing
this court action. She will undertake the case on a contingency
basis: she will be paid only if the lawsuit is successful.
Meanwhile, the only costs are minor operating costs.
Ms Fierst has already been successful in helping Civil
Service and Railroad wives receive survivor benefits in similar
circumstances.
CATCH-UP LEGISLATION
Our catch-up legislation (to help the excluded group of wives)
has been delayed by the excitement in Congress over the downed
Korean plane and the war in Central America. Congresswoman
Patricia Schroeder from Colorado will present the bill in Congress
any day now. As drafted, the bill provides financial security
for the excluded women--as well as, hopefully, the option to
purchase medical insurance at group rates.
Andrea Nelson, legislative aide to Congresswoman Schroeder,
asks that we give our support through letters and visits to
Congressmen--both actions to be made after the bill is introduced.
At that time, the legislation will ISM-will be given a Public
Law number that will make it easier to indentify in all our
contacts.
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E,
Senator
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Poompft
Very shortly you may, I believe, be considering legislation (brought in the
house by Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colorado) to remedy provisions of thc
Foreign Service Act of 1980 which omitted retirement benefiLa- for widowa and
divorced spouses of Foreign Service Officers who had become widowed or divorced
before the effective date of the Act or because their former husbands had retired
before that date.
This is one group of people of whom one can truly say that their numbers
will not increase - in contrast to such legislation before Congress where the
numbers of those benefitted grow larger and larger.
This is also a group whose members need the remedial legislation badly
because they were widowed or divorced in the years before Foreign Service spouses
were considered to be "individuals" who night have separate careers. Rather,
they were required, both officially and by tradition, to fulfill many duties
supporting the American missions abroad. And they have done this at least ten
years before the divorce or the death of the husband, because under the 1980
Foreign Service Act, and under the proposed legislation, no former FS spouse
can receive a retirement benefit unless she had been married at least ten years.
I know some of these women and I know that they live in difficult, often
desperate financial conditions. During their marriages, their share of the
family's income helped to create the retirement fund for which they were identi-
fied, on government forms, as beneficiaries. Their diplomatic status kept them
from paid employment and prevented their earning a retirement annuity in their
OM names.
Permit me to quote from a recent survey by the Association of American Foreign
Service Women, of which, as you know, I am a member,
this finite group is
small, about 150 women. Statistics for the group show the median and average
years for marriage 23, for the period of marriage while the husband was in the
Foreign Service 19, and for the years of the wife's service abroad 11. These
women's median and average age is 56 years. ."
Please do give this proposed legislation your serious consideration if you
are not already actively supporting it.
Sincerely yours,
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Where the legislative effort is at: The events abroad have
slowed Congressional action on our proposed legislation. An
interview this week with Andrea Nelson, counsel, in Congress-
woman Patricia Schroeder says that they hope to present the
legislation by November 18, 1983. Should events abroad---and
we are working with foreign affairs committees---slow these
plans, the legislation will be presented in February 1984.
Andrea suggests that we write, to our Congressional representatives,
sayingl am your constituent." Before the bill is introduced,
we can write "Why don't you amend the 1980 Foreign Service Act?
Won't you sponsor legislation to do so'
?' Then continue that this
bill will help me, a resident in your district. . I am hurting,
and I have earned retirement protection. at is important to
identify yourself as a Foreign Service spouse so as not to
be confused with other groups.
We have met with the new person handling women's issues in the
White House, Carolyn Sundseth. She is replacing Mrs. Dee
Jepson, Senator Jepson's wife, who has resigned to help her
husband campaign for reelection. She was very encouraging,
as was Mrs. Jepson, who has promised to have her husband help
us in the Sentte. We need someone there to present an
amendment to the 1980 Foreign Service Act. Bill S-1136
was presented by Senator Charles Percy of Illinois on 26
April 1983. It's sitting in the committee on Foneign
Relations (Affairs) that he chairs. We should get letters to him,
asking that he move the bill, with an amendment in it for us.
Have any relatives in Illinois? (I have one and am writing
her tonight.)
It is not too late to have an amendment introduced in the Senate.
Before the bill goes to the floor. However, if it goes to the
floor without us, we can be added when the bill goes to
conference to resolve differences in the House and Senate
versions. As Andrea explained it, we will be in a stronger
position if both House and Senate propose an amendment in our
favor.
The House bill is with the Legal Counsel of the House for final
drafting. It should be completed within a week or 10 days.
It too has been slowed by the events abroad.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee:
Sen. Charles H Percy IR IL), Chairman
[The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member are ex officio members of all subcommittees.]
MAJORITY: )9 R.) Sen. Charles H. Percy (R IL): Sen. Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R TN); Sen. Jesse A. Helms
(R NC), Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R IN); Sen. Charles McC. Mathias (R MD); Sen. Nancy L. Kassebaum (R
KS); Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (IR MN); Sen. Larry Pressler (R SD) and Sen. Frank H. Murkowski (A AK).
MINORITY. 18 D.) Sen Claiborne Pell (0 RI), Sen. Joseph R. Biden (DDE); Sen. John H. Glenn (DOH);
Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (0 MD); Sen. Edward Zonnsky (D NE); Sen. Paul E. Taongas (DMA); Sen. Alan
Cranston ID CA) and Sen Christopher J. Dodd (D CT).
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Tr,):
1?
Just a few words to tell you where we're at on the legislation
project. We 'know that remedial legislation will be proposed
.after Labor Day by Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, we think
it will be close to what we have asked for--pro-rata, based on
the officer's retirement, with Cost of living allowances cranked
in from time -of divorce, but the money coming from somewhere else
than the retirement fund. Medical insurance will be made avail-
able to the former wives, but they must pay for all of it.
Since one set of figures we've had was about $28 dollars a month,
this may be a help.
The fall-back position would he a "Social Security' like payment.
which would be much less--about $400 to $450 a month. 7 do not
this. would be in addition to Social Security or would
such he Social Security coverage, a concept that was rroposed
during -the initial debates for the 1980 Act.
These concepts have not yet been finalized. We have talked to
Schroeder's staff asking that the maximum benefit be proposed
and tivat the medical coverage---an extension of the State Department
policy, so the group rate would be as small as possible--be half
paid for, as it is with the retirees.
However, the Congressional people know what is possible and
feasible. Still we have talked about these points and expressed
our preferences. Perhaps the personal histories that demonstrate
absolute levels of poverty fnr our .women will encourage them to
be as generous as possible in peccing the levels of retirement
benefits.
Thus after Labor Day, we expect to see the lecislatiue prosess
begin.
What can you do?
Write letters. Have your friends write letters. Have your
family write letters. It's most effective to have constituents
of the individual Congressmen write letters. But wherever they
come from, they do raise the level of awareness about the problem.
I will enclose the names of the committees with whom we are
working. These are the ones to be written to first. But other
Congressmen can help bue lending their supportlto the bill while
it is in process. And tof course, they will have to approve its
final passage.
Our retirement benefits proposal will be part of a package of
the State Deipartment is interested in. And wants. So that
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will help with passage.
4.4 -'--".-
If you get responses, will you drop me a copy preferably but
at least a report on what is said so we will know where our
support is and where the negative is being expressed.
If any of you can come to Washington to lobby in person, please
do. I have room. It would be fun to have you: And meet you:
Think about it:
Committee on Foreign.Affairs (House) *Asterisk means member of
International Operations Subcommittee
Democrats
"4.Rep Dante B. Fascell, D. Fl, Chairman of Subcommittee
Clement,. 2ablocki, Wis, Chairman of Committee
-*Gus Yatron, PA
*Stephen J. Solarz, Fl. Republicans
Dan Mica, F1 William S. Broomfield, Michigan
Michael D. Barnes, MD Larry Winn, Jr. Kansas
Howard Wolve, MI - 4Benjamin A. Gilman, NY
4 George W. Crockett, Jr., MichRobert J. Lagomarsino, CA
Sam Gejdenson, CT 4Joel Pritchard, Washingh--
Mervyn M. Dally, CA Jim Leach, Indiana
Tom Lantos CA Toby Roth, 'isccnsin
4-Peter-H. Kostmayer, PA Olympia J. Snow, Maine
Robert-G. Torricelli, NJ Henry J. Hyde, Illinois
'-Larry Smith, FL Gerald B.H.Solomon, NY
Howard L. Berman, CA Douglas K. Bereuter, Nebraska-
Harry M. Reid, Nevada 'Mark D. Siljander, Michigan
Mel Levine, CA Ed Zschau, CA
Edward F. Feighan, Ohio
Ted S. Weiss, NY
Robert Garcia, NY
Committee on ,Foreign Relations (Senate)
Democrats Republicans (Majority)
Claiborne Pell, R.I. Charles H. Percy,
Joseph R. Eiden, Del. Howard H. Baker, Jr.
John H. Glenn, Ohio Jesse A. Helms, NC
Paul S. Sarbanes, MD Richard G. Lugar, Indiana
Edward Zorinsky, NE Charles IcC. Mathias, MD
Paul E. Tsongas, Mass. Nancy L. Kassebaum, Kansas
Alan Cranston, CA Rudy Boschwitz, Minn..
Christopher J. Dodd, CT Larry Pressler, So. Dak.
Frank H. Murkowski, Arkansas
jiuZ ace2.4---
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Dear Friend:
We are trying to get favorable consideration for legislation
that will give retirement benefits to divorced and widowed
Foreign Service spouses excluded from coverage by the Foreign
Service Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-465). (As you probably know, the
women who were excluded were divorced or widowed prior to 15
February 1981, as well as those whose husbands retired prior
to that date.)
As one who will benefit from this proposed legislation, will
you help us? We will try to make minimum demands on your time,
but the help of everyone possible is essential for oursuccess.
A few letters, perhaps some visits to Congressional offices
with other wives, getting friends and relatives to write
?letters--this will be our campaign.
If you have not already received our informational'materials,
STAT please call me during the evening, at They
explain the legislation we are requesting and why we think it
has been earned.
On the other side of this sheet are some suggestions for the
very brief letter we hope you .will write, as well as the.names
of.the Congressmen we suggest that you send them to. But
please feel free to write to other members of Congress and have
friends and family write, too.
It would be so wonderftl for all of us to face our retirement
years financially secure!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
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SAMPLE LETTER
I am writing to ask for your support for legislation to
assist the divorced and widowed spouses of Foreign Service
officers who were excluded from the retirement and survivor
benefits provided to Foreign Service spouses by the Foreign
Service Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-465). These women have earned
such protection through their years of service abroad for the
US Government. Only the fact that their divorce or widowhood
occurred prior to the effective date of the Act, 15 February 1981,
or that their husbands had already retired kept them from
receiving these benefits--benefits that they had earned with
service equal to that of their more fortunate Foreign Service
sisters.
(The above is the information that should be in the first
paragraph, but please rephrase it and add whatever you can.
It's your letter: For example, information about the Foreign
Service wives you know who need such help; your own circumstances,
emphasizing your service to benefit the US Government (this is
very important) but outlining hardships and current financial
situation, job--if any, and health; your children's needs; the
life they had abroad.)
Please write to one or more or all of the following members of
the International Operations Subcommittee of the Post Office and
Civil Service Committee in the House, where the bill will be proposed:
(Address: US capitol, Washington, D.C.)
Majority
Dante B. Fascell, Chairman, Florida
Gus Yatron, Pennsylvania
Stephen J.'Solarz, Florida
George W. Crockett , Jr., Michigan
Peter H. Kostmayer, Pennsylvania
Larry Smith, Florida
Minority
Benjamin A. Gilman, New York
Joel Pritchard, Washington
Mark D. Siljander, Michigan
If you have family and friends in the home states of these men,
will you ask them to write, too? They can give invaluable support
to our cause. Will you let us hear what responses you get? Please
STAT
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e4/11-
DRAFT
Members of of the Women in Transition group CO/lobbying on Capitol
Hill. They are seeking Congressional support for legislation that
will provide retirement benefits to ForeignService spouses omitted
from coverage by the Foreign Servire Act' of 1980. These women
were excluded because they were widowed or divorced or because their
husbands had retired before the effective date of the Act, 15 February
1981.
Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colorado will propose
remedial legislation in September. Congressman Jim Leach of Iowa
will be a co-sponsor. As now proposed, the bill will give the group
of excluded women retirement benefits like those awarded' by the 1980
Act. But the monies will not come from the Foreign'Service retirement
fund; perhaps they will be paid from 14:neral government /1100.(4.2*A4L,.
Many contacts with Representatives, with Senators, and with
members of their professional staffs will be needed once the legislation
is under consideration by the Internation Operations Subcommittee of the
Post Office and Civil Service Committee of the House and still more
will be needed as the legislation moves through the Congressional process
in the Housethe Senate, and hopefully)to final passage.
A
All AAFSW members can help support the Transition Group's
cause--
!'By providing information about retirement benefits given by
other countries to their Foreign Service spouses. (Such benefits
demonstrate that foreign governments recognize the worth
of services given by diplomatic spouses. Parallel legislation
is always easier to sell than is original legislation.)
16By writing letters, by visiting members of Congress.
By
getting friends and family members to do the same.
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STAT
STAT
(Especially valuable contacts can be made by residents
of Congressmen's home states.)
Mnformational papers have been drafted and are available to anyone
who would find them helpful:
1. Fact Sheet explaining the legislation requested and how
it has been earned
2. Brief History of the Transition Group and the requested
legislation
3. Statement of Concern, explaining the problem and its
proposed remedy
4. Sam le letter to be sent to members of Congress
Anyone wishing more information, or anyone wishing to volunteer to
support thelegislatiVe project can call...
Any divorced and widowed Foreign Service spouses who are
interested in joing the Women in Transition group shotld call the
membership chairman, Sonya Solmssen
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AAFS111/-
Association of American Foreign Service Women
PO. Box 8068
Washington, D. C. 20024
In the midst of a marital separation or divorce? We may
be able to help a little.
The Association of American Foreign Service Women sponsors
a support group for separated or divorced Foreign Service
wives in the Washington area. You need not be a member of
AAFSW to attend.
The periodic meetings, held on a rotating basis in homes
of participants, provide a chance to meet other Foreign
Service wives and exchange useful information. We help you
keep up to date on legal or regulation changes which may
affect you. Also, occasional speakers have addressed us on
a wide range of subjects: financial planning; how to choose
a lawyer and what to expect of her/him; the emotional cycle
of the separation/divorce process; what your children are
feeling and what you can do to help; and information on how
to obtain a scholarship or loan for yourself or your children.
The paramount benefit, however, is the emotional support
that comes from a group of women who both understand foreign
service life and are experiencing or have experienced a
similar personal crisis.
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3u June 1983
A brief report on the Congressional visits I mace yesterday,
accompanied by an old friend. We first spoke with .
Andy Fienstein and the new liaison for women's programs in
Pat Schroeder's office. The gist is that legislation will
be proposed after Labor Day:
A visit to Jim Leach's office informed us that he would co-
sponsor the bill.
Visits to Senator Rudy Boschwitz (my home town rep) and Congress-
man Barnes of Md.earned us support from both men.
The legislation will be 'proposed that women receive a pro-rata
share of.retirement benefits as do other more fortunate
Foreign Service wives. I am not clear that it will be given
upon divorce or upon retirement although we discussed this point.
It was not resolved. The bill may also include a proposal that
women be covered with Medical benefits, but they must pay for
all of it. The fall back position is Social Security-like pay-
ments which woul result in payments per month of $400 to $450.
About half, we estimate, what women would receive under pro-
rata shares, on the average.
The timing is speeding up. It is important that the surveys
be completed, tabulated, and forwarded (the results) to Treasury
for statistical projections. All concerned were impressed that
we were forward looking enough to be doing this. Is it possible
to get the results off by mid- to late July, at the latest? That
will give a bare two months for the statistical work to be done
and we have been told, as you know, that the work will take
"substantial time."
Think you'll be happy that we are so far along.
As to visiting Congressmen, nearer the time of legislation is better.
But I don't think bad if an initial contact is made now "because
legislation is to be proposed and we want to keep (you) informed"
and then follow-up visits and correspondence to keep the contact
aware of the progress of our legislation.
More later.
Oh, yes, letters have been sent to each member of the Foreign Affairs
committees in House and Senate and the Post Office and Civil Service
Committee. We hope wu'll get some off ,too, and have friends do so,
to. Residents of the Congressmen's states do most good, and timing
is similar to that given for visits.
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28 June 1983
Dear Former Foreign Service Spouse- -
We are writing to ask if you will help us in our effort to have remedial legislation
passed--legislation that will provide retirement annuities for those of us not covered
by the Foreign Service Act of 1980. This Act, as you may already know, vested
FS wives with a pro-rata share of a FS Officer's retirement and survivor benefits.
The FS wives who were widowed or divorced bcfore the effective date of the Act, 15
February 1983, or whose husbands had retired before that date were excluded from
coverage by the Act and thus were not eligible to receive such benefits.
Some members of the Women in Transition Group, Association of American Foreign
Service Women, are soliciting Congressional support for legislation to correct this
inequity. We are enclosing a Fact Sheet outlining our request, as well as the
several reasons why this legislation is necessary. (We would appreciate your com-
ments on what it says.)
The basis for our action is that we believe Foreign Service spouses have earned retire-
ment benefits throughAheir service to their country, diplomatic mission, and family.
Do you agree? If so, we hope that you will fill out the enclosed questionnaire and
return it to us as rapidly as possible. We will not use your name in any way---but
the information you send us will be vitally important to our cause. Please feel
free to send any additional information you would like us to have. The survey takes
about 20 minutes to complete. We hope you will find time to fill it out and return
it to us today.
Please return your complete survey to:
If you have any questions, you may call:
If you know other divorced or widowed Foreign Service spouses who would be helped by
our proposed legislation, will you send us their names or have them write to us?
The larger and more complete the data base we have, the stronger our case will be.
All FS spouses, friends, and family members can help us if they are willing to write
letters to--or visit--members of Congress. We will be glad to provide names and
addresses, as well as a sample letter, if you will contact us.
We shall be very grateful for your help. We hope we will be able to keep you
informed of your progress and eventual success--when all FS spouses who have
served in the far corners of the world can face their retirement years with
dignity and confidence.
Thank-you.
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STAT
April 7, 1983
Dear Member of Women in Transitions
Many things happened at our March 28th meeting at which
role-played a lobbying visit to the Hill. For those of you who were there,
as well as for others who couldn't meet with us that evening, Mary suggested
that we set aside one day for a group of us to visit our respective Congress-
persons and present information about former wives not included under the
Foreign Service Act of 1980. Mary has tentatively set aside April 27th for
the Hill date. If you wish to participate at that time, it would require
your making an appointment with the professional staff of your Congress-
person for tatday For further information, call luring
the day at
At the meeting, others expressed a desire to meet with their Congress-
person at individually selected times or to locate a partner to join them
for the Hill visit. If you need a telephone list of Walken in Transition
members, or need to find a partner, please contact one of the resource
persons listed below.
In addition, a group of us have gathered some materials to leave
with your Congressperson's office when you visit and to give you some
background data. These materials include a statement regarding our group
of former spouses (which is to be included as a part of the Record of the
Oversight Committee for the 1980 Act), as well as a "question and answer"
fact sheet, a legislative history, and a profile of spouses divorced before
February 15, 1981. Also, we have Mary's guide to a Hill visit and brief
"talking points:" Please call if you would like copies of these materials.
We need help in zeroxing these materials and distributing then. If
you are able to assist in these tasks or if you would like more information
about the March meeting, please do not hesitate to call:
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The Women in Transition group has met several times recently
to discuss legislation to be proposed in the near future by Cong-
resswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colorado. The legislation, as
now drafted, would provide retirement and survivor benefits for
Foreign Service wives eve-44(4*A from coverage ohe 1980 Foreign
Service Act (P.L.414 because they had been divorced or
widowed before the effective date of the act, 15 February 1981.
Also being considered for inclusion in the new bill are pro-
visions for health benefits at group rates--the group rates
of the agency employing the officer/spouse. This
would mean that women who now are unable to afford medical
coverage will be able to buy their own insurance policies.
these generally older
This is particularly important for/Foreign Service women,
many of whom have residual health problems caused or exacerbated
by their years of service abroad.
To urge passage of this legislation)Women in Transition
members have been in contact--by letters and through visits--
with members of Congress. They have received encouragement
4e,e
that the years of service given by Foreign Service women
A
to their country will not go unrecognized.
All AAFSW members can lend support to this very important
effort by writing their own Representatives and Senators and
by having friends and relatives write, too. Constituents' letters
carry much more weight than those sent by a lobbying group.
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- 2 -
S TAT
STAT
STAT
(An adequate address is the Congressman's name, U.S. Capitol,
Washington, D.C. A more complete address can be obtained by
phoning the official's office, using the Congressional
number 202-224-3121.)
The Women in Transition group would also like to receive the
name ? of anyone who would be willing to lobby on Capitol Hill.
Members of the legislative committee will be happy to provide
informational materials and training, as needed.
Any AAFSW member who has information about benefits that
foreign governments provide their Foreign Service spouses
is asked to send the information to
is servina as membershin chairman. Her address is
who
All interested AAFSW members are invited to attend the
monthly meetings of the Women in Transition group. Information
on time and place can be obtained through The
meetings provide peer support to women facing major changes in
their lives because of the loss of a spouse--through death or
divorce.
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'9-3
STAT
STAT
STAT
MINUTES OF THE APRIL MEETING
This month we lack the consistently excellent minutes prepared
by who is The Special Legislative Chairman of
the Association of Foreign Service Women and who is working non-
stop en the legislation. We will incorporate the remarks she would
have made in the mailing following the next meeting.
In the meantime, I ask you to refer to the minutes of the March
meeting since the message she gave us then continues to hold true.
We must continue to be active on behalf of bill HR5197 and to
coordinate our efforts with her and to keep her informed of our
responses. If you wish to help with, the actual lobbying effort,
let her know about it.
Sonia Solmssen was honored for the four years of service she had
given to the group as its coordinator and hostess.
presented her with a beautiful gift that she had purchased for her
in the name of the entire group. Sonia responded with thanks, and
spoke of her wishes to keep the mutual support aspect of the
group as strong as the lobbying efforts have also to be. She
hoped that the group would be able to continue to serve both functions.
Miryam Hirsch, Coordinator of W.I.T. and Chairman of the Writers'
group, asked the members to consider a telegram bank to be used
instantaneously when Betty gives the word. Miryam also urged the
membership to give thought to the structure of the group for the
coming year. Discussion on this will take place at the next meeting
to the degree that time permits.
contributed the beautiful flower centerpiece for
the table. We thank her and all those who have contributed flowers
and refreshments so far. We 14Kgsally need new volunteers for this
inportant aspect of hospitality. Please let Miryam know what you
tan volunteer.
Respectfully,
Miryam B. Hirsch
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21 March 1983
May we bring to your attention for consideration at the
forthcoming Foreign Service Oversight Hearings the
plight of a small group of former wives of Foreign Service
officers. We are hopeful that---
1. The discussion of the issue of "spousal annuity"
can be included in the Foreign Service Oversight Hearings and
eventuallyinto the Record of the Hearings,
2. An actual legislative change can be made in the
Foreign Service Act of 1980 to include this small class of
women whose rights are identical to those won and enjoyed
by their diplomatic sisters divorced after February 15, 1981,
but who were excluded in the enactment for purposes of compromise.
We believe that another year must not pass during which the
rights of these women have not been been discussed and recorded,
and have not received the attention of the Subcommittee.
As representatives of the support group, Women in Transition,
Association of American Foreign Service Women, we would like to
submit this statement concerning the interests and circum-
stances of these women for the Subcommittee's consideration of,
and possible intervention in, their welfare. Should circum-
stances permit that action be taken on our proposal, we shall
be happy to provide any further information or assistance that
would be helpful.
Sincerely,
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? I
Dear Friend
Sorry to be so late in getting information off to you about
where the legislative effort is at: The events abroad have
slowed Congressional action on our proposed legislation. An
interview this week with Andrea Nelson, counsel, in Congress-
woman Patricia Schroeder says that they hope to present the
legislation by November 18, 1983. Should events abroad---and
we are working with foreign affairs committees---slow these
plans, the legislation will be presented in February 1984.
Andrea suggests that we write, to our Congressional representatives
saying I am your constituent. Before the bill is introduced,
we can write "Why don't you amend the 1980 Foreign Service Act?
Won't you sponsor legislation to do so. Then continue that this
bill will help me, a resident in your district. I am hurting,
and I have earned retirement protection. I is important to
identify yourself as a Foreign Service spouse so as not to
be confused with other groups.
We have met with the new person handling women's issues in the
White House, Carolyn Sundseth. She is replacing Mrs. Dee
Jepson, Senator Jepson's wife, who has resigned to help her
husband campaign for reelection. She was very encouraging,
as was Mrs. Jepson, who has promised to have her husband help
us in the Ben/ate. We need someone there to present an
amendment to the 1980 Foreign Service Act. Bill S-1136
was presented by Menator Charles Percy of Illinois on 26
April 1983. It's sitting in the committee on Foeeign
Relations (Affairs) that he chairs. We should get letters to him,
asking that he move the bill, with an amendment in it for us.
Have any relatives in Illinois? (I have one and am writing
her tonight.)
It is not too late to have an amendment introduced in the Senate.
Before the bill goes to the floor. However, if it goes to the
floor without us, we can be added when the bill goes to
conference to resolve differences in the House and Senate
versions. As Andrea explained it, we will be in a stronger
position if both House and Senate propose an amendment in our
favor.
The House bill is with the Legal Counsel of the House for final
drafting. It should be completed within a week or 10 days.
It too has been slowed by the events abroad. The attached
draft of an article for the AAFSW newsletter tells you generally
what it proposes. Some of it may have to be deleted to
accomodate people who are not in favor of it. So we are asking
for as much as we can possibly hope to get. Retirement and
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benefits, as well as health insurance options for all Foreign
Service spouses. By showing strong support for the proposal
.now, we will have the best chance for getting it out of
committee in both House and Senate with as many benefits as
possible.
STAT
We are having a planning meeting tomorrow to set up a working
schedule on getting publicity and letter writing going, as
well as some lobbying. For the last, we have to he well
prepared as women dropping casually by busy offices without
adequate preparation can be a detriment instead of a help.
So we are trying to get those who want to lobby prepared
as well as possible. Meanwhile, the letters should be going
to Congress and should continue to go to Congress so that
the legislation comes up in committee, go is to the floor,
is voted upon, goes to conference, and goes back for final
acceptance on the floors of both houses.
Some women have been told to wait until the bill has a number
before writing. Some letters should be written, some
publicity should be obtained to ensure that the bill is
presented so that it can have a number/
We have prepared materials to brief workers. If you have not
already received Fact Sheet, Reasons to Provide Benefits,
Historical Background, Legal Precedents statements, as well
as Congressional committee names and sample letters, we should
be glad to send them to you. Please write to me at:
I am usually home evenings between 5 and 9 p.m. So a telephone
call should reach me at No one else is home so'
no charge at all if you aon t get me.
I very much appreciate the good letters that some of you have
sent. The information in this communication is based on some
of those letters. For those of you who have already written
to Congressmen, please continue to write them. Try to get
a dialogue going, to show that you are concerned seriously and
permanently, that we really sincerely want their help. So
please keep writing.
We have a chance but our chance will be better if all of us
work on it. We're too few in number to rely on the work of
only some of us. We shall go forward one step at a time and
keep trying. We'll let you know as events develop.
We would appreciate very much any suggestions you have from us.
If you hear for example of someone strongly in our favor--or
strongly negative--so we can be in touch with him directly.
The messages you get will be helpful to us if we know what
Congressmen are saying and thinking.
We have good support from AAFSW members. Please be in touch
with the ones you .know of.
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STAT
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HOWARD H. BAKER. JR. /11,0111..?
TENNESSEE
STAT
ITnifeb Zfates Zenafe
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20510
July 12, 1983
Thank you for your June 24 letter concerning legislation which
would provide retirement benefits to divorced and widowed
spouses of Foreign Service Officers who were not covered by
the Foreign Service Act of 1980.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to take
the lead on this issue in hearings tentatively scheduled for
September 1983 and/or February 1984. At that time, witnesses
will be called to discuss this and other issues with a view
to amendment of the Act. I appreciate having your views on
this issue and look forward to an opportunity to review
a legislative proposal.
Sincerely,
04
ward H. Baker, Jr.
HHBJr:lpz
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Committee on Foreign Affairs (House) *Asterisk means member of
International Operations Subcommittee
Democrats
14`..Rep Dante B. Fascell, D. Fl, Chairman of Subcommittee
I Clementli. 2ablocki, Wis, Chairman of Committee
LtGus Yatron, PA'
tephen J. Solarz, To? .. Republicans
Dan Mica, Fl Liilliam S. Broomfield, Michiaan
Michael D. Barnes, MD Larry Winn, Jr. Kansas
oward Wolpe, MI . -1f Benjamin A. Gilman, NY
George W. Crockett, Jr., Mic Robert J. Lagomarsinc, CA
Sam Gejdenson, CT Joel Pritchai-d, Washingt&--
Iervyr, M. Dymally, CA q Jim Leach, Indiana
To Lantos CA jToby Robh, Wisconsin
Peter-H. Kostmayer, PA Olympia J. Snow, Maine
obert-G. Torricelli, NJ /0 Henry J. Hyde, Illinois
'3
Larry Smith, FL
Howard L. Berman, CA
Harry M. Reid, Nevada
Mel Levine, CA'
Edward F. Feighan, Ohio
red S. Weiss, NY
Robert Garcia, NY
Gerald B.H.Solomon, NY
ouglas K. Bereuter, Nebraska-
,/ Mark D. Siljander, Michigan
"J Ed Zschau, CA
Committee on Foreign Relations (Senate)
--Republicans (Majority)
t._Charles H. Percy, Ill.
oward H. Baker, Jr.
'
Jesse A. Helms, NC
1.1 Richard G. Lugar, Indiana
F'C
haries McC. Mathias, MD
Nancy L. Kassebaum, Kansas
/
Democrats
Claiborne Pell, R. I.
Joseph R. Biden, Del.
John H. Glenn, Ohio
Paul S. Sarbanes, MD
'Edward Zorinsky, NE
Paul E. Tsongas, Mass.
lan Cranston
Christopher. J 4
, CA Rudy Boschwitz, Minn
. Dodd, CT arrv Pressler, So. Dag rti
llr Frank H. Murkowski, Arkansas
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STAT
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R
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
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The attached was the subject of coversation at our CIA
Women's Group meeting last Saturday. A committees headed
by will work with Edith. The timing is such
that Ealtn nopes to be able to file the case in January.
After working with the group, I suspect the process will take
longer.
The legislation is to be proposed at any time. It is drafted
and information has been received from Treasury that the long-
term cost for each beneficiary will be $200,000, figuring the
average age of the woman as 56 and the age of the pensioned
officer at 59. Robert Hull of State Department Personnel said
that his suggestion is for two bills, with medical benefits in one
bill and the pension in another, as the health insurance is
under a government-wide program and he would see OPM as strongly
opposing. (After reading the statement in last Sunday's paper
(yesterday, that is) I agree with him.)
I am concerned about what my position should be: Keep the
two groups going--one as a separate peer support group that
later on can work for CIA retroactive legislation; the
other as a committee for the lawsuit, with both groups meeting
separately but sharing many of the same members.
Or will the two groups be regarded as one--and that one
confrontational with the Agency--and I would do best to get
out now?
I've told my contact in Security that I would like to meet with
him and will talk with him along the guidelines that you give
me.
As always, I shall be very grateful for whatever help you can
give me. I want to do the ethical thing. I have given to the
group, but as a peer support group, it is limping. And it
might be best to recess it for a while until
can come back and get younger women involved.
Again, thank-you. I'll be home all evening tonight and tomorrow.
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STAT
STAT
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Women in Transition Seek Lobbying Support
The Women in Transition group has met
several times recently to discuss legislation
to be proposed in the near future by Con-
gresswoman Patricia Schroeder of Colora-
do. The legislation, as now drafted, would
provide retirement and survivor benefits for
Foreign Service wives excluded from cov-
erage of the 1980 Foreign Service Act (P.L
96-465) because they had been divorced
or widowed before the effective date of the
act, 15 February 1981.
Also being considered for inclusion in the
, new bill are provisions for health benefits at
group rates - the group rates of the agency
employing the officer spouse. This would
mean that women who now are unable to
afford medical coverage will be able to buy
their own insurance policies. This is par-
ticularly important for these generally older
Foreign Service women, many of whom
have residual health problems caused or
exacerbated by their years of service
abroad.
To urge passage of this legislation.
Women in Transition members have been
in contact?by letters and through visits?
with members of Congress. They have re-
ceived encouragement that the years of
service given by these Foreign Service
women to their country will not go
unrecognized.
All AAFSW members can lend support to
? this very important effort by writing their
own Representatives and Senators and by
having fnends and relatives write, too. Con-
stituents' letters carry much more weight
?Itsn those sent by a lobbying group.
(An adequate address is the Congress-
man's name, U.S. Capitol, Washington,
D.C. A more complete address can be ob-
tained by phoning the official's office, using
the Congressional number 202-224-3121.)
The Women in Transition group would
also like to receive the names of anyone
who would be willing to lobby on Capitol
Hill. Members of the legislative committee
will be happy to provide informational ma-
terials and training, as needed.
Any AAFSW member who has informa-
tion about benefits that foreign govern-
Association of of American Foreign Service Women
P.O. Box 8068
Washington, D C. 20024
merits provide their Foreign Service
spouses is asked to send the information to
STAT
All interested AAFSW members are in-
vited to attend the monthly meetings of the
Women in Transition group. Information on
time and place can be obtained through
The meetings Provide 13f-TAT
support to women facing major changes ...
their lives because of the loss of a
spouse?through death or divorce.
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will help with passage. -
If you get responsei, will you drop me a copy preferably but
at least a report on what is said so we will know where our
support is and where the negative is being expressed.
44. a.a.dedes. 4.? De ea#4,4Z.
4,4401?40-1Z.4. Of.
?
Committee on Foreign Affairs (House) *Asterisk means member of
In Operations Subcommittee
Democrats
i____,__ai._,_____..___RepDanteB.Fascell,D.Fl,Chairman of Subcommittee
.....impurip-Twwwwwomprolope.miliriaimovarimipbilme
#Gus Yatron, PA
-*Stephen J. Solarz, NV Remublicans
Dan Mica, Fl William S. Broomfield, Michican
Michael D. Barnes, MD Larry Winn, Jr. Kansas
Howard Wolpe, MI - 4Benjamin A. Gilman, NY
4 Georae W. Crockett, Jr., MichRobert J. Lagomarsinc, CA
San Gejdenson, CT -Joel Pritchard, Washingt1,--
Xe-vvn M. Dvmallv, CA Jim Leach, :ndiana
TC7 Lantos CA Toby Roth, Ticonsin
eezer n. Kostmayer, PA Olympia J. Snow, Maine
,Rcbert-G.. Torricelli, NJ Henry J. Hyde, Illinois
Larry Smith, FL Gerald B.H.Solomon, NY
Howard L. Berman, CA Douglas K. Bereuter, Nebraska-
Harry M. Reid, Nevada *Mark D. Siljander, Michican
Mel Levine, CA Ed Zschau, CA
Edward F. Feighan, Ohio
Ted S. Weiss, NY
Robert Garcia, NY
Committee on Foreign Relations (Senate)
Republicans (Majority)
Charles H. Percy, Ili.
Howard H. Bake,-, Jr.
Jesse A. Helms, NC
Richard G. Luca-, Indiana
Charles !-'cC. !?:azhias, MD
Nancy L. Kassebaum, Kansas
Rudy Boschwitz, Minn
Larry Pressler, So. Dak.
Frank H. Murkowski, Arkansas
Democrats
Claibcrne Pell, R.I.
Joseph R. Eiden, Del.
John H. Glenn, Ohio
R=u1
S. carbanes, MD
Edward Zor4nsky, NE
Pau7 E. Tsongas, Mass.
A:an Cranstc.n, CA
Christopher J. Dodd, CT
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STAT
STAT
WOMEN IN TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: Saturday, 7 January 1984
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
SUBJECT: To select new Women in Transition coordinator.
To discuss regular meeting locations. To
plan further action on the legislative effort.
Members will report on their correspondence
with Congressmen.
PLACE:
DIRECTIONS:
We hope you can come. we need you!
Palisades Library
49th and V streets
Washington, D.C.
Tel: [phone].
From Virginia: Cross over Chain Bridce.
Turn right on Canal Road. Left on Arizona.
Turn right on McArthur Boulevard. Go three
blocks. On right is Georgetown Day School.
You can see library, which is
on V street,from Mac Arthur Boulevard, if
you look to the left.'
From the District: Go past Georgetown Uni-
versity on Canal Road. At the stoplight
just past the university, bear richt (Canal
:ca.d goes to the left). At the next light,
turn left; you're on McArthur Boulevard.
Go several blocks. Watch for Safeway on
your right: Tern right at the Gulf Station.
From the Beltway, take the Glen Echo exit--
the last exit before the Potomac Rive as vou
come from Maryland, the first exit as you cross
Cabin John.Bridge as you come from Virainia.
You're on Canal Road. Make a hairpin turn up
to McArthur Boulevand. no towards ',7ashington
on McArthur. See directions above for Chain
Bridge.
TELEPHONE CONTACTS:
(For any
questions)
Miriam Hirsch,
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Good to hear from you. We are continuing to move along. The
legislation should be introduced on Tuesday, March 20, in the
House, by Congeesswoman Patricia Schroeder. We are pleased
about that. But it means that there is still much work to be
done. We have been advised to keep on'the way we are going,
relying on letters to Congressmen and Senators, as constituents
wherever possible but keeping the level inteerest high so that the
steps of processing the legislation will go forward.
We are being told that our group is doing a fine job, well
organized, really effective. Think much of the credit goes
to those of you around the country who are sending in letters
and contacting local offices of Representatives and Sentaors.
Please keep up the good work.
For now, we are not going the media way. It seems as if we.
can go low-keey, we will not stir e up a lot of "me-too" comment
from other divorced wives' groups. We just want to point out
that the concept of Foreign Mervice spouses earning their retire-
ment was established in the first legislz:licr.. /7c.,.. all we want
to do is point out that there is this small group of women who
were omitted for legislative convenience and now it is time to
write legislation to correct that omission, right an injustice.
Therefore, we hope that you will keep the media contacts to
a minimum but concentrate on contacts with Congress directly
or through influential friends and relations. How many of you
know ambassadors.
I'll include some of our recent materials to keep you up to date.
If you don't hear from us monthly, please let us know, we're trying
to keep you informed.And since we all are doing it when we have
time and hand-to-hand, things sometimes go astray but we mean
to keep in touch with all of you.
Good to hear from you and we'll write again:
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STAT
STAT
SAMPLE LETTER
I am writing to ask for your support for legislation to
assist the divorced and widowed spouses of Foreign Service
officers who were excluded from the retirement and survivor
benefits provided to Foreign Service spouses by the Foreign
Service Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-465). These women have earned
such protection through their years of service abroad for the
US Government. Only the fact that their divorce or widowhood
occurred prior to the effective date of the Act, 15 February 1981,
or that their husbands had already retired kept them from
receiving these benefits--benefits that they had earned with
service equal to that of their more fortunate Foreign Service
sisters.
(The above is the infarmation that should be in the first
paragraph, but please rephrase it and add whatever you can.
It's your letter: For example, information about the Foreign
Service wives you know who need such help; your own circumstances,
emphasizing your service to benefit the US Government (this is
very important) but outlining hardships and 'current financial
situation, job--if any, and health; your children's needs; the
life they had abroad.)
Please write to one or more or all of the following members of
the International Operations Subcommittee of the Post Office and
Civil Service Committee in the House, where the bill will be proposed:
(Address: US capitol, Washington, D.C.)
Majority
Dante B. Fascell, Chairman, Florida
Gus Yatron, Pennsylvania
Stephen J.-Solarz, Florida
George W. Crockett ; Jr., Michigan
Peter H. Kostmayer, Pennsylvania
Larry Smith, Florida
Minority
Benjamin A. Gilman, New York
Joel Pritchard, Washington
Mark D. Siljander, Michigan
If you have family and friends in the home states of these men,
will you ask them to write, too? They can give invaluable support
to our cause. Will you let us hear what responses you get? Please
send to
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STAT
Dear Friend:
We are trying to get favorable consideration for legislation
that will give retirement benefits to divorced and widowed
Foreign Service spouses excluded from coverage by the Foreign
Service Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-465). (As you probably know, the
women who were excluded were divorced or widowed prior to 15
February 1981, as well as those whose husbands retired prior
to that date.)
As one who will benefit from this proposed legislation, will
you help us? We will try to make minimum demands on your time,
but the help of everyone possible is essential for oursuccess.
A few letters, perhaps some visits to Congressional offices
with other wives, getting friends and relatives to write
letters--this will be our campaign.
If you have not already received our informational materials, p
please call me during the evening, at They-
explain the legislation we are requesting and why we think it
has been earned.
On the other side of this sheet are some suggestions for the
very brief letter we hope you will write, as well as the.names
of.the Congressmen we suggest that you send them to. But
please feel free to write to other.members of Congress and have
friends and family write, too.
It would be so wonderful for all of us to face our retirement
years financially secure!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
P.S. Please let us know what you hear:
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STAT
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Projects
Retirement Changes
from page 1
? Why destroy a healthy fund merely to
extend for one more year the ailing
Social Security fund? The federal gov-
ernment did not contribute its share for
the first 35 years of its existence. Why
make another fund pay for that mis-
take? If the Foreign Service fund loses
new contributors because they have
to contribute to Social Security in-
stead, the Foreign Service fund will be
exhausted in 40 years.
? The Foreign Service is more like the
military (which is exempt from these
proposals) than it is like the Civil Ser-
vice. It is similar to the military in that it
provides its own tough recruitment
and selection out process and that its
retirement system is an integral part of
its personnel system. Civil Service re-
tirement is not related to its hiring and
retention policies.
? Just three years ago, Congress stud-
ied the entire Foreign Service person-
nel system and made needed
changes. The entire system designed
in the Foreign Service Act of 1980
would be destroyed by the changes.
? There is no evidence that these
changes are needed. Our Foreign
Service trust fund is solvent and under
the present system will last for 75 to
100 more years.
? Under the present system, a spouse
receives 55% of the employee's pen-
sion as a survivor annuity. This annu-
ity could be cut in half under the new
system.
? The present retirement fund has been
cited as the reason not to grant pay
comparability to private industry. If the
retirement annuity is to be cut, then
salaries should be raised.
? Recruitment and retention of Foreign
Service nationals working in our mis-
sions overseas will be drastically re-
duced since the prime incentive now
for staying is the Civil Service pension
one would receive upon retiring.
Address all correspondence to con-
gressmen in care of the House of Repre-
sentatives, Washington, D.C., 20515 and
'0 senators in care of the U.S. Senate,
iVashington, D.C. 20510. Any congress-
man's or senator's office can be tele-
phoned through the U.S. Capitol operator,
[phone].
Legislation on Pension-sharing
AAFSW President, will
testify before the Subcommittee on Inter-
national Operations of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee on various amendments
affecting Foreign Service families, includ-
ing the pension-sharing provision. The
Subcommittee is considering amendments
to the Foreign Service Act of 1980 as part
of the FY84 budget authorization for the
Department of State. AAFSW is interested
in including former spouses who were left
out when the pension-sharing provision
was originally written.
AAFSW has been attempting to educate
Congress in recognizing this oversight.'
Once the FY84 authorization bill comes to
the floor of the House for consideration, we
want to have enough congressmen ade-
quately briefed on this urgent need, so that
an amendment to the Act would succeed.
Letters need to be written now. Calls and
visits to staff aides need to be planned. The
Women in Transition Network is consider-
ing an all-day trip to the Hill to present their
views. Those interested in oarticioatinn
should call
Those wishing to write to a representa-
tive may want to include the following
points:
? The group is finite. As of now, 65-70
former spouses have been identified.
Because the entire Foreign Service
community is relatively small, it is esti-
mated that the final total would not ex-
ceed 200.
? Because so few former spouses are
involved, the cost would be small. In
addition, Congress already has recog-
nized the vested right to an appropri-
ate share for any Foreign Service
spouse who was divorced subsequent
to the Act. Those divorced prior to the
enactment of the Act, who performed
the same services overseas, with few-
er outside opportunities to earn mon-
Reaching Out
to Youth
The Volunteer Clearinghouse of Wash-
ington, D.C. is searching for high school
and college students who want to enhance
their learning by volunteering. The
Clearinghouse is seeking students to work
in a variety of areas such as social worker
aides, recreation aides or office workers.
Those interested in horticulture, helping
kids and older people, or just helping in
general are also needed.
The staff at the Clearinghouse will help
find a volunteer job that is right for you. Call
them at 638-2664.
ey toward retirement, should thSusTAT
have the same right to a pension
share. The cost to the federal govern-
ment in payments of an annuity, would
be far less than the welfare costs that
the federal government might be
forced to pay to some who might be-
come destitute later in life.
? We do not wish to deprive a present
wife of any survivor annuity. We wish
payments to be made similar to the
way shares are provided under Social
Security.
*
Social Security is not presently being
received by most of these spouses be-
cause few paid into Scoial Security.
Their only source of income is what
alimony they have been granted and
what income they can earn in the rela-
tively few years they have left to work.
It is important that this information be
brought forward now. When writing a con-
gressman or senator it is helpful to de-
scribe one's unique circumstances. Tell
him how many years you were married
how many years were spent oversea_TAT
what services were performed, what health
problems were contracted by yourself and
family, the hardships undergone and any
other facts that demonstrate the worthi-
ness of help.
STAT
Donations Welcome
for Bookfair 83
Books, stamps and art objects are need-
ed for BOOKFAIR 83. Although this year's
donations have kept pace with those of oth-
er years, daily sales in the Bookroom have
diminished our stock. Fiction, non-fiction,
hard cover and paperback books are in
great demand. AAFSW members are
urged to search their shelves to make early
donations.
Overseas members are asked to be alert
for inexpensive, decorative art objects as
well as special issue stamps and first-day
covers.
The Bookroom has become a popular
stop-off place for book browsing and
buying after lunch. The Bookroom, located
in Room 1524, next to the Cafeteria, is
closed Wednesday, but is open every other
day of the week from 2 to 3 p.m.
For more information or to arranoe, for
home collection ooSTAT
room Superviso
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/11/19: CIA-RDP10-00750R000100310001-5