Women Orange County

Sen. William Campbell attributes his poor Senate and committee attendance to his gallbladder operation. Interestingly, the operation did not keep him from becoming the Senate's second-highest earner for outside speaking engagements. Maybe it is just a matter of misplaced priorities. GAIL REISMAN Co-chair WOMEN FOR: Orange County

Re "Huntington Police Officer Is Cleared in Man's Killing," Feb. 28: The exoneration of the Huntington Beach police officer who killed Ted Franks reaffirms the fact that lawmen (and women) in Orange County truly have a license to kill. RICHARD V. GUNTON Huntington Beach

Dana Parsons' column ("Dornan's Bully-Boy Reaction to Adversary Is Revealing," March 8) criticizes WISH, as well as Bob Dornan and Bill Dannemeyer, by stating that it does not support contemporary women's issues. Mr. Parsons should realize that there are many women in Orange County who plan to support and vote for Dornan and Dannemeyer primarily because they agree with those two politicians' views on women's issues. BONNIE O'NEIL, Newport Beach

AIDS activist and volunteer Pearl Jemison-Smith will speak next week about "The Changing Faces of AIDS." Jemison-Smith is one of the county's most visible activists, working with patients and their families for 14 years. She is a founding member of both AIDS Walk Orange County and the AIDS Services Foundation. Her speech, sponsored by Women For Orange County, is free and open to the public. It will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine.

WOMEN AND AIDS: Nationwide, AIDS is one of the leading causes of death for women. In Orange County, women make up just 79 of the 1,798 AIDS cases reported through February. . . . Two new support groups have been started locally for women uncomfortable in male-dominated AIDS groups. "Women are so busy taking care of others--husband, children--they don't see the need to take care of themselves," said AIDS activist Pearl Jemison-Smith, leader of the Irvine group.

A benefit to help homeless women in Orange County will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 27 in Newport Beach. The event is sponsored by Orange County--The Woman's Foundation, a group that works to improve opportunities for women and girls. Proceeds from the fund-raiser, to be held at Sapori Ristorante, 1080 Bayside Drive, will be used to provide food, clothing and shelter for homeless women. Tickets are $35, which includes dinner and entertainment, and may be obtained by calling (714) 768-1712.