Champions of the Family:
Cecil and Linda Ash Represented UFI at the United Nations

By Dennis Durband, UFI's Director of Publications
September 18, 2007

Cecil and Linda Ash, 2007 recipients of the United Families International Champions of the Family Award, had their first experience in New York City in 2004 as delegates to a national political convention. They had been very active in the Arizona chapter of United Families International as well. So, it only made good sense when they were asked to attend a conference at the United Nations while they were in the Big Apple.

That conference led Cecil and Linda to an eventual two-and-a-half year commitment to live in Manhattan and represent UFI at the United Nations. They returned to Arizona for good in the summer of 2007. The parents of five children and three grandchildren recenly reflected on theirr U.N. experience, upon the announcement of their Champions of the Family award.

Plunging in at United Nations

Cecil and Linda began attending conferences at the U.N., including the Commission on the Status of Women, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), a disability conference and the International Conference on Population and Development. Almost immediately, Linda reported, “My husband and I are seeing and hearing things that are so foreign to us. I'm becoming quickly aware of how much the institution of the family is truly under attack here at the United Nations.”

The most enjoyable part of their U.N. experience was working with the pro-family/pro-life coalition of individuals from NGOs (non-governmental organizations) who faithfully observe conference proceedings. Among the coalition are individuals from the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, the National Right to Life Committee, Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, The Heritage Foundation and others.

Cecil said, “It is enjoyable to have the support of like-minded people. There is a strong commitment by those attempting to support family values.”

When the six-month period had ended, the Ashes were just getting their appetites whet for international policy.

Cecil said, “We enjoyed it so much. There is a learning curve involved, and we went back because it is for a worthy cause.”

During the time they lived in New York, the Ashes reported their activities and observations through the Ash Archives on the UFI website. There were heart-wrenching stories of incredible suffering and hardship, as well as courageous opposition to powerful anti-family forces. Among the more notable posts was Linda's speech at the UN Disabilities Conference. Here's a February 9, 2005 entry from that speech:

“Distinguished delegates, a nation is only as strong as its families. I ask this conference to support the recommendations of Jordan, Jamaica, the Holy See and other distinguished delegates who have expressed their support of language that preserves and strengthens families.”

We have selected additional entries from their posts below:

“As I have heard story after story of the plights of women throughout the world, I am reminded that behind every face is a struggle. I just never imagined how monumental the struggles.”
“Women Speaking Out for Reforms,” March 6, 2007

Legalization fails to stop any of the abuses associated with illegal prostitution, such as brutal physical violence, the influence of organized crime in the sex industry, or the trafficking of women for purposes of prostitution. Indeed, countries where prostitution has been legalized in an effort to reduce its harms have experienced quite the opposite result—huge growth in the illegal sex industry. … There is a saying that there is no right way to do a wrong thing. Does legalizing a moral wrong make it right? Does it remove the terrible consequences or lessen their burden?”
“A Case Study in Legalizing Immorality: NGO Shadow Report on the Netherlands,” January 24, 2007

“And what finally happens to these glamorous prostitutes? Wracked by disease, they finally end up of no further use to their clients or ‘employers.' The heavy toll is not just physiological, but emotional and spiritual as well. Their lives are damaged, destroyed—and the CEDAW Committee is there to make sure such ‘rights' are not denied.”

“The young woman from the Netherlands pleaded with the CEDAW Committee to force her country to prohibit prostitution and stop its damaging effects on women and girls and society. As I listened, I looked at the CEDAW Committee member who last year insisted that countries decriminalize prostitution. I wondered what she was thinking. I'm not sure she was listening.”
“Lives Damaged and Destroyed: Update from the CEDAW Committee Meeting at U.N. Headquarters in New York,” January 23, 2007

“We learned that 250,000 young girls are trafficked into Bombay every year. These young girls experience beatings, rape, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, skin disease and insomnia, not to mention the emotional trauma of being taken from home and family and the innocence of youth. After two or three years of this lifestyle, most are then just thrown out on to the street and abandoned.”
“The Heartwrenching Stories of Prostitution and Trafficking,” July 5, 2005

“Predictably, the CEDAW Committee immediately countered by insisting that the laws of Namibia be changed to legalize abortion. Namibia 's spokeswoman was amazing. With a smile on her face, she calmly but firmly announced: ‘The people of Namibia make the laws of our country, and they chose life.'”

“Such courage and clarity seemed to catch the committee off guard, and the debate on that dangerous topic ended there—for Namibia . It was inspiring to see this wonderful African delegate take a stand for her country, for mothers and for the unborn. I only hope that other countries will follow suit.”
“They Chose Life,” January 18, 2007

Anti-Family Bureaucracy

The U.N. bureaucracy is very anti-family. Though New Zealand sends an anti-family delegation to the UN, Cecil met wonderful people from that country who support our cause. There are a lot of good nations whose people are pro-family. But I would characterize the policies and employees of the U.N. as anti-family. There is an old saying that bad cases make bad law. The last time we were at CEDAW, the committee was bringing up women who couldn't inherit land, divorce, get child custody or get an education. There have been a lot of stories of brutal leaders and men who abused their wives. The U.N. is generally anti-male and promotes policies trying to liberate women and children from parents. They have misidentified the solution, which should be appropriate protection for women. The U.N. tends to minimize the role of the father in the household. It treats both parents as equals in all respects, failing to give appropriate recognition to the individual roll that each parent plays in family development.

The current U.S. administration is the coalition's best ally. Muslim countries are supportive of families, as are most African countries, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Among the troubling things at the U.N., the Ashes are most concerned about CEDAW, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Commission, the Status of Women and the growing lack of transparency at the U.N.

"There is a tendency for more and more meetings to become closed to NGOs," Cecil said. "Delegations don't like our coalition listening in and taking action. We saw a big difference between our first and our third years there. It used to be that all the meetings were open and now many are closed. A representative from The Heritage Foundation said there is an attempt to meet more often on the social issues in Geneva , Switzerland and other cities to hurt U.S. lobbying efforts, since many conservatives will have more difficulty traveling the farther distance.

Everybody Needs to be Involved

The Ashes believe it is important for parents to give time and attention to their own families to discuss current issues and problems.

“Be aware of what's going on around the world,” Cecil said. “I think everybody needs to be involved, attend conferences, write letters to the editor and people of influence who support families.”

Now that they have concluded their important work at the United Nations, the Ashes believe that representing families at the U.N. should be a priority for those who believe in preserving and protecting the family unit. They are hopeful that another couple who believe in the importance of protecting the family at the U.N. level will step forward to continue this important watchdog position.

We welcome Cecil and Linda home and thank them for their service to the cause of the family unit.

UFI President Carol Soelberg said, “It's hard to imagine more dedicated people than Cecil and Linda Ash to the cause of defending life, marriage and family. They have been indispensable to our efforts, and we have the greatest admiration for them both. Their generosity of time and living in New York were greatly instrumental in our success. Cecil and Linda are extraordinary people and we very much enjoy working with them.”