Recently I was interviewed by Jeannie Yandel on KUOW about my life as an educator and activist. I mentioned that I decried the system of segregating people by age in our society and hoped that I would never end up in my polyester pants sitting in a rocking chair without interacting with younger people.

A young boy in second grade heard the interview and wondered if I could be one of the giraffes his teacher had been talking about--giraffe meaning anyone who sticks one's neck out to change things.

His mother called me and asked if she could bring her son over to meet me and soon we were sitting in my office talking about what
it means to be a giraffe.
 
When asked what I did to reach out to make a difference, I answered that I was an activist who was either a founder or founding member of
many groups in the Seattle area. I related that I had gone to a special meeting in downtown Seattle many years ago where changes were
being discussed in the policy to fire pregnant women from their jobs. I mentioned that I had taken a half day off without pay to attend the hearing because I myself had been fired four times for being pregnant and I wanted to tell my story so that changes would be made.

As a result of this hearing and the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in our state, which many people worked so tirelessly to pass,
young women today have the rights that I never had earlier in life.
 
Yes, I risked a lot sometimes but needed change has to be started by someone and many people like me have been starters.

It is a knack to know when starting something will light a spark in other people in a community so that change for the better can be accomplished. I have been able to sense when others are ready to act to make change and I have been very proud to help make things happen.

And now, thanks to a young student who cares, I am a giraffe.
 
What is my cause today? Alerting the public to drug peddling on television.

There are millions of people sitting in front of television drug ads moaning about each one and wishing they would go away. A group of us older women decided to do something about it. We produced a position paper and are getting support from every organization that will endorse this cause.

We are finding Web sites that are devoted to reducing the drug peddler's power to influence even young children who watch
television, as they say, "Ask your doctor if it is right for you."

This has led to the realization that corporations have become persons under the law but without the responsibilities. Just surf the web for Corporate Personhood and find out what it all means. You will be surprised.
 
Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 206-935-8663.