Opening Remarks

This recording opens with the reading of a letter of greeting from the Mayor of Irvine, California addressed to the attendees of the ABS Conference. The official title of this year’s conference is “Full Partnership an International Conference on the Equality of Women and Men.” Judge Dorothy Nelson, Chair of the NSA of the USA is then introduced. Judge Nelson praises the conference planners for bringing together “unmatched” talents. She recalls the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984 in which thousands were killed in India. The Chinese news media asked how she, as a US judge would have handled the situation. She said there needed to be mediation and women at the “council table” applying the principle of Bahá’í consultation. More than 3,500 newspapers reported her remarks. She also reiterated the Bahá’í principle of the “mother" as "the first teacher" and therefore females need to be educated before males if finance is an issue. Dr. Robert Henderson, secretary general of the US NSA is next introduced. He reviewed the history of black American women from slavery forward, emphasizing the role of women, white and black, in elevating every department of society. He closes by calling for “full-partnership” between women and men.