An article from the Tucson Citizen, dated 4/2/92

Christains needn't apply. Women's group flier draws fire.
By MARK THOMAS SWENSON/Citizen Staff Writer

  Christians not wanted.
  That's the implied message in a Tucson Women's Commission flier
seeking new applicants, says a critic of the city-funded agency, who was
recently appointed to the commission.
  The flier says the commission "particularly encourages applications
from women or men with the following backgrounds: Asian/Pacific Island
(sic) [sic], Hispanic, young, disabled, employed in non-traditional
fields for women (carpenter, mechanic, etc.), employed in a for profit
business, Jewish and others not in a Western Christian faith tradition."
  Patricia Moore said that is blatant religious prejudice against
Christians and wonders how the Tucson City Council can endorse and fund
such agroup.
  "Is this reflective of our city father's views?" she asked.
  Moore, who was appointed last week to the commission by Pima County
Supervisor Ed Moore (no relation), said the flier is an example of the
"special interest narrow-minded" focus of the women's commission.
  Tucson City Council members said they were apalled when the flier was
read to them by a reporter.
  "I hope it's an hones mistake," said Councilman Bruce Wheeler.
  Councilwoman Molly McKasson called it a poor choice of words.
  Marcia Niemann, executive director of the commission, said most of the
commissioners come from Christian backgrounds and were trying to attract
people of other faiths.
  "We may need to find better language," she said.
  "We're not saying we won't take a Christian, but what we have are some
gaps right now in terms of diversity," Niemann said.
  "That sounds discriminatory to me," said Floyd Thompson, equal
employment officer for the city.
  Supervisor Ed Moore agreed.
  But Assistant City Attorney Merle Turchik said the language is not
legally discriminatory.
  Patricia Moore, who takes her seat on the commission July 1, said she
hopes to bring some balance to the "radical feminist adenda" of the
commission.
  Ed Moore had vowed to find someone to infiltrate and cause trouble for
the 16-year old commission after supervisors voted, 4-1, last month to
give TWC up to $40,000 next year in exchange for five appointments to
the commission.
  Patirica Moore said the commission is nothing more than a political
advocacy group pushing the agendas of the National Organization for
Women and the Women's Political Caucus.
  Niemann said NOW and WPC have no connections to the commission but
agreed the TWC is a feminist advocacy group.
  "We were created by the City Council that gave us the mission that,
yes, can be defined as feminists working for equality," she said.
  The city gives $56,000 a year to the commission.