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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I just completed the online survey from the
Board of Directors of Rendezvous and lodged a concern about their almost total
disregard of female artists. This isn't the first time I've called it to
their attention. I think I've lodged a complaint just about every year for
the past four or five years. Last year they had only one female, a
really fine young MHS performer, Shiloh. There were no other females
performing on that stage Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. This is the norm,
not the exception. If you share this concern with me, would you
please add a comment to the survey. I think there will be no parity,
or even consideration of parity, until it becomes a significant
issue. I'm not even considering staying home; this is my celebration,
too. I relish being a member of a community that prides itself on equity
and fairness--and I believe the members of the Rendezvous board feel that way,
as well. Would though, they would practice that belief in a more
substantial way. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And, yes, I know in the past there have been some
remarkable women performing on the Rendezvous stage--Tish Hinojosa, the Dixie
Chicks, and Kate Campbell were all wonderful, as was Mavis Staples--I was
hoping Mavis' appearance was the beginning of a trend, but it
didn't happen. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sue Hovey</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>