1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONFIRMED
2. FOUNDATION TAX STATUS RESOLVED
3. MALETSATSI MACEBA
4. "INSIDE THE STRUGGLE: THE AMY BIEHL STORY"
5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
6. SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS
7. AMERICAN AIRLINES
8. FREESA DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA
9. NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
10. CARMELITE MONASTERY
11. SKI HARRISON (RUTAN & TUCKER)
12. BISMARCK MYRICK
13. GLOBAL PARTNERS (LOS ANGELES, JOHANNESBURG)
14. SECOND ANNUAL CELEBRATORY CONCERT

The weeks subsequent to the Christmas season have been eventful and productive for the Foundation.

As provided for in its Bylaws, the Foundation has confirmed its first Board of Directors, comprised of eight members. This Board will guide the Foundation through its formative stages and we are gratified that people of distinction and compassion have volunteered to serve:

Stephen John Stedman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Johns Hopkins University
Washington, D.C.

Kennell Jackson, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Carole Sams-Hoemeke
Development Division
University of San Francisco H. S.
San Francisco, CA

Scott Meinert
Attorney
Fresno, CA

These outstanding directors join Linda, Kimberly, Molly and Peter Biehl-representing the Biehl family. Back To The Top

STEVE STEDMAN was an influential academic mentor and close friend to Amy. He was a Senior Fulbright Scholar, lecturing at South Africa's University of the Western Cape while Amy was a Fulbright Scholar associated with that institution. Amy wrote a chapter for Steve's most recent book. Steve spoke at Stanford University's memorial service for Amy. He is regarded as an expert on socio-economic-political affairs in the Southern African region.

KENNELL JACKSON was primarily responsible, with his Stanford colleagues, for awakening Amy's interest in Africa, its history and potential. Dr. Jackson was advisor to Amy on her Honors Thesis in her final year at Stanford. He spoke at Amy's memorial service in Newport Beach and was a principal organizer of the Stanford University memorial service. Dr. Jackson's most recent book on African-American history will be published this year.

CAROLE SAMS-HOEMEKE was Amy's close friend at Stanford University and a sorority sister. Amy respected Carole's ability to get things done. Great humor and genuine caring punctuate Carole’s organizational abilities and persistence. In addition to her full professional calendar, Carole is about to be a first-time mother.

SCOTT MEINERT is a recent law graduate of Willamette University, following his undergraduate studies at Stanford University. Consistent with his lifelong interest in athletics and with his intercollegiate basketball career at Stanford, Scott plans a career in sports law. Scott loved Amy, understood her issues and beliefs and shared her respect for the people Amy was determined to help and to serve. His perspective is unique.

The Biehl family is very excited that these gifted and highly regarded people have consented to Board service. Each Director is abundantly qualified; each is completely committed to making the Foundation a success. Back To The Top

On February 22, the Amy Biehl Foundation was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. Subject to adherence to federal and state guidelines, the Foundation can now sanction tax-deductible contributions, in keeping with certain guidelines.

ˆ A gift made to the Foundation, for which nothing is given in return, is 100% tax-deductible.

ˆ A gift made to the Foundation, for which something is provided in return, is tax-deductible only in an amount greater than the value (fair market) of what is provided in return.

Whereas this summary is oversimplified, it provides a foundation that can be verified by any contributor to the Foundation. The Foundation can now commence fund-raising efforts to support its grants program. Back To The Top

Tangential to the focus of the Amy Biehl Foundation is the compelling need of Maletsatsi Maceba. She was Amy's close friend and comrade in the struggle for democratic government and gender rights in South Africa. She was with Amy when Amy died.

Amy was a strong advocate of Maletsatsi and a supporter of her education in the law.

While beyond the scope of the Amy Biehl Foundation, the financial requirements of Maletsatsi's education are being addressed, as described in this report by Carole Sams-Hoemeke:

Since August, 1993, I have been working with many sources to raise funds to assist one of the witnesses to Amy's murder, a witness whose testimony was critical for the prosecution's case. Maletsatsi, the woman in question, has been forced to leave her township and family to live in protective housing at the University of Western Cape because of her testimony and participation in the trial of Amy's murderers. Nonetheless, she has stood by her testimony, putting her own life in danger to bring justice to the death of her white friend--extraordinary and inspiring in a land on the verge of cultural and political revolution.

Many direct and indirect threats have been made on Maletsatsi's life, threats that are being taken very seriously. The USIS, the USIA in Washington and the University of Western Cape have all worked together to provide Maletsatsi with safe housing and protective transportation anywhere that she goes. She is attempting to continue her studies and has one year until completion. She is also working to assist with the upcoming provincial elections. Maletsatsi then plans to go to law school and become a prosecuting attorney.

As I've called various resources on this quest to assist this friend, I have been impressed by the extent to which people have made themselves available to help me. Some were touched personally, because they knew Amy. Others were touched by the story and were hopeful to assist in support of the democratic process. All have been impressed with the efforts of Maletsatsi and the other witnesses to bring justice to their community, even at the risk if their own safety.

One person who has given a great deal of his own time on Maletsatsi's behalf is Doug Robison, a Stanford classmate. His efforts inspired the Palo Alto-University Rotary Club to establish a scholarship in Amy's memory, the Scholarship of International Peace and Understanding. Maletsatsi has been awarded this scholarship for two years. These monies sponsored her for two months worth of housing and transportation at the University.

Many others opened doors for me. The director of the Global Fund for Women, a SF group, introduced me to several foundations and individuals, including the Ford Foundation, and opened the door for dialogue with these groups. The World Affairs Council in SF also offered suggestions for possible funding sources. A reporter for KPIX in San Francisco who has been to South Africa and met Maletsatsi, provided great ideas for how to approach some of these resources. The list goes on and on.

I think Amy would be glad to see that people are talking and working together on behalf of others. She herself was attempting to find financial support for Maletsatsi's educational pursuits prior to her death because she believed that this young woman could make a difference.

Moreover, the anonymous gift of an Oregon family contributes each calendar quarter to Maletsatsi's legal education in the hope that "...she will fulfill Amy's dream for her. Back To The Top

This carefully-prepared documentary-produced by the family in cooperation with ABC News "Turning Point" was recently awarded the Alfred I. Dupont/Columbia Journalism award for distinguished television journalism. Described by presenter Tom Brokaw (NBC News) as the "..Pulitzer of television", the award was the only such recognition given a television news magazine-formatted program. Back To The Top

So many people and organizations continue to provide vital support and encouragement to the Foundation, it is impossible to acknowledge every-one. However, certain contributions of service and assistance have been invaluable to the Foundation's progress and must be noted. Back To The Top

Our travel link with South Africa would not have been possible without the constant support of this wonderful 61 year-old airline and its caring people. Each time travel to South Africa has been required, management of South African Airways has extended itself to make the journey possible. Throughout its system, S.A.A. employees have provided us with an incredible level of service and consideration and we hope that any friends of the Foundation will fly S.A.A. to and from South Africa whenever possible. U.S. Reservation number is 1-800-722-9675. Back To The Top

Now a travel partner with S.A.A., our friends at American Airlines, particularly Geoff Gregor and the outstanding Admiral's Club crew at Orange County, have been generous almost to the level of embarrassment in support of our travel. Our years of loyalty to American are continually reinforced by the caring attention of its senior people. Back To The Top

Our continuing gratitude goes to FREESA, who, in March, made a grant of $5000 in memory of Amy Biehl to ThAM (The Ecumenical Action Ministries/Cape Town, South Africa). ThAM has developed a project to create a worker-managed clothing factory that would enable both the organization and its participating women to become economically self-sufficient. We hope to continue a close working relationship with FREESA in the future and value its insight into the South African situation. Back To The Top

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

At its prestigious Harriman awards dinner at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on March 1st, the National Democratic Institute made special mention of Amy's contributions to South Africa's democracy. Linda Biehl joined a large and distinguished gathering in Washington, D.C. for the occasion, at a table hosted by Maurice Tempelsman. Back To The Top

This Indianapolis-based order of sisters recently honored Amy in its "The Woman's Prayer Companion" which celebrates the ordinary and not-so ordinary joys and sorrows women share in the seasons of their lives, as well as celebrating women of inspiration from Biblical to present times. Amy is celebrated on August 25, the day of her death. Back To The Top

A great friend of the Foundation and of the Biehl family, Ski Harrison contributed all of the legal work required to incorporate the Foundation and to acquire its tax-exempt status. The value of this service to the Foundation is considerable and permits us to reserve our financial resources for grant purposes. Back To The Top

Our friend Bismarck Myrick who, as Consul-General of the United States in Cape Town, has been of continuing and gracious assistance to family and Foundation is sworn-in as Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Lesotho on March 24 in Washington. We congratulate Ambassador Myrick on his appointment and thank him for his support of foundation efforts in the Cape Region. Back To The Top

In a great gesture of support and goodwill, Muhtadia Rice of Global Partners recently announced that the Foundation will be principal beneficiary of the proceeds from sale of official South Africa election ballots, to be marketed worldwide. Acquired from the Mandela government at auction, the ballots are a powerful and colorful symbol of the cherished South African democracy for which Amy gave her life.

Available framed or unframed, these official election ballots are available by contacting the Foundation (FAX 714-645-0330) or Global Partners (1-800-777 VOTE). We are grateful to Global Partners for its contribution of a percentage of all ballot sales to the Amy Biehl Foundation. Back To The Top

Set in the incomparable "City by the Bay", the second annual celebratory concert will be held on April 27 at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall.

Thanks to the generous assistance and support of the Great American Music Hall (a landmark concert hall since 1907) and General Manager, Claire Pister, a great evening is ensured. It promises to be a second great gathering of friends of Amy and supporters of the Foundation.

Artists are being confirmed as we go to press, but we promise a full evening of top bands from both the Bay Area and L.A., with some possible celebrity cameos for good measure.

Approximately 650 concert tickets will be available, so we encourage everyone to reserve early because a sellout is automatic. Newsletter recipients will be given first opportunity to reserve tickets for the concert and/or the dinner that will precede it. This first opportunity will be held open until April 14, 1995. Reservations may be faxed to the Foundation at 714-645-0330 using the form at the conclusion of this newsletter.

A commemorative T-shirt will be produced for the event and can be ordered by mail or purchased at the door. Once again, the T-shirt will be designed by artist Eric Drageset and underwritten by friends Rita Falkstein and Bruce Messerinan.

A poster commemorating the event will also be offered.

Official South African election ballots may be ordered by mail or purchased at the door.

Assistance with hotel reservations is available by faxing the Foundation at 714-645-0330. Blocks of rooms in some of San Francisco's great hotels have been set aside at special rates. Spend an incomparable evening and a beautiful weekend in the "City by the Bay".

We look forward to welcoming as many Foundation friends as possible for this important event.

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