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Counterbalancing Reality Television

January 27, 2012, by AAUWguest

via technorati.comA few weeks ago, I was at home with my three little sisters — ages 8, 17, and 19 — watching television. The two teenagers are fans of Love and Hip-Hop, which is a show about the daily lives of wives in the hip-hop music industry. They watch it every week. When I was home, I decided to watch the show with them as a form of bonding. I am not a dedicated fan of reality television and was not completely cognizant of the show’s content, but I was looking forward to spending time with them.

When the show began, I was in complete disbelief and felt embarrassed! The women were disrespectful to each other. They were manipulative, overly sexualized, venomous, tremendously emotional, angry, excessively sensitive, desperate, and always trying to physically fight one another (about a man or money). They act like what some people may consider “air heads.” Sadly, these are not unusual depictions of women on reality television.

As a black woman, I was unquestionably concerned — even livid — at the way I was being portrayed.

I continued to watch the show, optimistically waiting for a change of behavior or character. My expectations were not fulfilled. I glanced at my sisters and saw that they found the women’s behavior entertaining, which significantly increased my concern. Has this become the norm for women on reality television?

Young ladies are idolizing these women, which is both frightening and heartbreaking. Someone must do something!

Being the activist that I am, I decided to write to the network. I am not sure if it will make a momentous difference, but someone has to step up.

Shows like this make me wonder, What does the future hold for the coming generations? The media, especially reality television, is teaching them that it is standard to behave disrespectfully toward each other. It is telling them that they must be excessively sexualized or “plastic” in order to be considered beautiful.

As an educated and self-aware young woman of the 21st century, I take it upon myself to lead by example. I do this not only for myself but also for my little sisters and other young women in today’s society.

As an older sister and mentor, I vow to teach my sisters the appropriate way to behave in public. I will show them that their strengths go beyond just their looks.

I am thankful for organizations like AAUW because they permit women to soar high. It motivates and educates all women to be the leaders of tomorrow.

This post was written by National Student Advisory Council member Wilsar Johnson.

Posted in Student Advisory Council, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments »

Every Task Matters, Even the Boring Ones

January 27, 2012, by AAUWguest

My first internship was not very glamorous. At the volunteer-run Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, I did countless hours of data entry. My main job, which I spent about 60 hours doing, was entering volunteers’ information into a new computer program. Transferring the information from hundreds of paper documents to the online system was tedious, time-consuming, and boring. But surprisingly, it was important.

My experience as an intern was similar to that of many high school and college students who start out volunteering and interning at nonprofits and other organizations. Often they are stuck doing busy work — making copies, typing, and answering phones. It is easy to get frustrated by that work, but one of the best lessons I ever learned is that every job matters.

It is imperative to realize that even the most mundane tasks help an organization’s mission and propel it toward reaching its goals. Think of those small jobs as the building blocks of the foundation of the organization. Groups like AAUW could never lobby Congress, have programs like $tart $mart, or publish Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School without individuals fact checking, calling for donations, or holding local branch meetings. Changing the world is a collaborative mission, and every task plays an integral role in reaching that goal.

Always remember to focus on the bigger picture. Though typing for hours was difficult, in the end, having every volunteer’s information in the computer system made it easier to contact, organize, and mobilize them. This directly enabled more volunteers to go out and educate people about reproductive health issues.

So next time you are disappointed by the dull job you are assigned at your internship, remember that what you are doing is the first step toward enabling something amazing to happen.

This post was written by National Student Advisory Council member Samantha Abril.

Posted in Student Advisory Council, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Atrévete a Soñar ¡Edúcate! (Dare to Dream: Get Educated!)

January 25, 2012, by AAUWguest

Atrévete a Soñar ¡Edúcate! — or Dare to Dream: Get Educated! — will kick off its fourth annual conference for young Latinas on January 28 at Illinois’ Elmhurst College. Founded by Connie Baker, former president and longtime member of the AAUW Elmhurst (IL) Branch, this conference grew out of the 2007 AAUW National Convention in Phoenix, where Baker learned about the Adelante Mujer conference for Latina high school students. She returned home with the idea to create a conference for Latina girls and their mothers. Her aim was to encourage girls’ academic achievement from middle school through college as well as success in a professional career. The conference targets middle school girls in an effort to influence their decisions about college education and careers.

To develop this program, Baker recruited Latina educators, professional women, community activists, and many talented members from local AAUW branches, including the AAUW Lombard (IL) Branch, the AAUW Wheaton-Glen Ellyn (IL) Branch, and the AAUW Downers Grove (IL) Branch. Thanks to the support of these branches and other organizations, Baker and the Dare to Dream conference were awarded a 2008–10 AAUW Community Action Grant.

Featured in AAUW’s 2010 annual report, Dare to Dream is preparing for yet another successful event. The conference is now at capacity, with 500 girls and their mothers, 18 schools, and 100 volunteers participating. Dare to Dream is an opportunity to focus on mothers’ education as well as their roles in their daughters’ education. Students and their mothers attend workshops on topics ranging from careers, campus life, and navigating the American school system to mothers as mentors and college preparation.

The conference encompasses many levels of education and also includes a college fair. This year, the Elmhurst College admissions office has helped recruit seven colleges and universities to participate. Many of these universities bring Latino or Latina admissions counselors to further the cultural connection the girls can make with higher education.

During the panel discussions, girls engage with high school and college women, many of whom previously attended the conference, as well as professional Latina women, including police officers, doctors, and businesswomen. This year’s keynote speaker, Jackie Camacho-Ruiz, is a successful entrepreneur and author who will speak about her personal experiences and overcoming obstacles and hardships — such as arriving in the United States when she was about the same age as the conference participants. Kate Skegg, media contact for Dare to Dream and an AAUW member, perfectly sums up the conference as “a day of inspiration” for both mothers and daughters.

Although the conference lasts only a day, the experience leaves a lasting impression on the girls’ lives. Last year’s attendees were given silicone rubber bracelets inscribed with “Dare to Dream: Get Educated! Atrévete a Soñar ¡Edúcate!” Skegg spoke recently to one participant, who said, “Every time I look at my Dare to Dream bracelet, I feel inspired!”

This post was written by AAUW Fellowships and Grants Intern Elyssa Shildneck.

Posted in Educational Programs, Students & Educational Issues, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Making Military Sexual Assault Visible

January 24, 2012, by hollykearl

Kori Cioca (center) with Legal Advocacy Fund Program Manager Holly Kearl (left) and Janice Weinheimer, Holly’s grandmother (right)

Did you know that, according to the new documentary Invisible War, about 20 percent of women in the military are raped by coworkers, as are 1 percent of men? Did you know that the Department of Defense estimates that about 19,000 women in the military were raped in 2011?

Not only is rape an epidemic in the military, but prosecution rates are also low and retaliation against people who report it is high. The reporting process has to follow the chain of command, and this often makes it difficult to report the crime, let alone see justice. Of women who reported being assaulted, 25 percent said that the person they would have to report to was their rapist. Another third said that the person they would have to report to was a friend of the rapist. Of the few rapes that are reported, only 8 percent are ever prosecuted and just 2 percent end in conviction.

Survivors are not staying silent, however. They are making visible an issue that has been invisible for too long.

Nearly 30 current and former members of the military are suing Donald Rumsfeld, the former secretary of defense. They allege that they were raped by co-workers and that Rumsfeld’s failure to act on the issue of sexual assault in the military amounts to a violation of their constitutional rights. Filed in February 2011, AAUW began supporting this workplace sex discrimination lawsuit in the spring of 2011.

On December 13, 2011, a U.S. district court judge granted the Department of Defense’s motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs and lawyer are appealing the case, and oral arguments will be held in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in the coming months.

To try to create a legislative fix to the problem, in November Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention Act (STOP Act) to address structural changes needed in the military.

This issue also is being brought to light by Invisible War. It premiered this weekend at the Sundance Film Festival, and it features several of the plaintiffs from the lawsuit, including the named lead plaintiff Kori Cioca. It also features the attorney, Susan Burke, and Speier.

Two days before the film premiere, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the Pentagon is preparing a series of initiatives to curb sexual assault in the military. While this is a positive step, many people are skeptical that anything will actually change. Sexual abuse in the military has been in the headlines off and on since the Tailhook scandal in 1991, and though military leaders promise over and over to change things, very little has been done. The high rate of assault continues.

I flew to Utah this past weekend and had the privilege of attending a screening and survivor speak-out with the subjects of the film. It was an experience I won’t soon forget. I cannot do justice to their stories, pain, and courage in a short blog post, so I simply recommend that you watch the film when it’s widely available and host screenings for your friends and community groups.

In the meantime, please contact your representative about the STOP Act, donate to AAUW to help offset the legal costs of the lawsuit, and visit the Invisible War website to learn about other action you can take.

Posted in AAUW in the News, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

AAUW’s Wish List for the State of the Union

January 24, 2012, by bethscott123

On Tuesday, January 24, President Barack Obama will give the annual State of the Union address. Obama has heard from organizations all over the political spectrum about what they think his priorities should be for the next year. AAUW is no exception. Below, in no particular order, is our wish list for President Obama’s 2012 State of the Union address.

  1. Make “women” part of the speech. In last year’s hour-long speech, the president said “women” once and “woman” twice. Our national priorities should reflect women’s priorities — and that includes acknowledging women’s critical role in our nation’s economy and civil society.
  2. Promote pay equity and economic opportunity for women. Obama should prioritize funding for programs that promote equal economic opportunities for women and funding for technical education for women in nontraditional fields. While passing any legislation is tough in this environment, he should take steps to prioritize all executive branch equal pay enforcement initiatives.
  3. Affirm women’s reproductive rights. The president should reaffirm his commitment to protecting every woman’s right to safe, affordable, and comprehensive family planning and all reproductive health services. He should warn Congress that he will vigorously oppose attempts to restrict these services or to limit coverage of preventive health services, including contraception.
  4. Prioritize the Violence Against Women Act. Since the Violence Against Women Act was first passed in 1994, it has played an enormous role in strengthening anti-violence efforts and helping to protect women nationwide. The act, which has always been bipartisan, is now up for reauthorization. The president should make it a priority and challenge Congress to pass it this year.
  5. Make sure higher education is within everyone’s reach. Higher education is the key to success in today’s economy. Obama should reaffirm his past pledge to increase college graduation rates, especially for women and nontraditional students, and urge Congress to fully fund the critical Pell Grant program.
  6. Provide a world-class education for every child. The president should urge Congress to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide all students with equal opportunities to learn. Obama should also reiterate his commitment to holding schools accountable for the success of all students as Congress works on this legislation. He should challenge Congress to enact legislation to protect educational quality by preventing the layoffs of hundreds of thousands of teachers.
  7. Enforce Americans’ civil rights and demand funding to do so. Obama should demand that Congress fully fund the federal agencies that protect and enforce Americans’ civil rights.
  8. Help women who serve in our armed forces. Women who serve in the military and women veterans face unique challenges, ranging from elevated risks of sexual assault while on active duty and higher rates of unemployment after leaving the military. Obama should commit his administration to implementing robust reforms that help these women, who have spent years serving their country.
  9. Call on the Senate to move on judicial and executive nominations. Obama’s judicial nominees have been confirmed at significantly slower rates than those of previous presidents, creating judicial vacancies throughout the country. Delays in confirming executive nominations mean that the government cannot operate at peak efficiency, a critical need in this economy. Coincidentally, these nominees include greater percentages of women and minorities, who are still underrepresented in these roles. The Senate should be prompted to act on judicial and executive nominations without delay.

This is our wish list. What is on your wish list for the State of the Union?

AAUW and the White House will be using Twitter to talk about the State of the Union all week. Leave questions you have about the speech in the comments section below, follow AAUW on Twitter @AAUW and @AAUWPolicy, and learn more about what the White House is doing at www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2012#get-involved.

Administrator’s note: House Republicans are hosting a State of the Union digital fact check and social Q&A on GOP.gov/SOTU tonight. Tweet your question for House Republicans using the #SOTUGOP hash tag or by visiting GOP.gov/SOTU.

Posted in Educational Programs, Equity in the News, Social Justice, Students & Educational Issues, Supreme Court, The AAUW Community, Voter Education, Women & Economic Security, Women and Civil Rights, Women and Work, Women's Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Another Year of “Roe” and Protecting Women’s Rights

January 23, 2012, by bethscott123

Today is the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, but it’s not a very happy birthday. Over the last year, we’ve seen unprecedented attempts to limit women’s control over their own bodies. States passed 83 laws restricting access to abortion, nearly four times as many as the 23 laws passed in 2010. Five states banned all abortions after 20 weeks of gestation; seven now require an ultrasound, or the offer of one, prior to the procedure; and eight will no longer allow private insurance plans to cover the procedure. Several states are fighting to bar abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood from receiving government funds even for the nonabortion services they provide, and the House of Representatives has voted to strip Planned Parenthood of all federal funding.

So the fight continues. AAUW has made the protection of full reproductive rights a policy principle since 1977 and strongly supports the right of every woman to safe, accessible, affordable, and comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services. Study after study has shown that women and their families do better when women are able to plan their pregnancies. For example, the expense of unintended pregnancy leads to economic insecurity for women and their families. Every woman has the ability to make her own informed choices regarding her reproductive life within the dictates of her own moral and religious beliefs, and no politician should insert herself or himself when it comes to this personal decision.

Make sure women’s priorities, including reproductive freedom, are addressed in the upcoming election by joining the AAUW Action Fund’s It’s My Vote: I Will Be Heard, a nationwide voter education and turnout campaign. Women wield great power in America, and our voices will be heard in 2012. More than ever before, women are registering to vote and casting ballots in greater numbers and with more consistency than men. We are a powerful and influential bloc of voters, and our support of women’s right to control their own bodies will be heard.

Join us in defending Roe and this critical right!

Posted in The AAUW Community, Women's Health | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Ignore the Boycott! Eat More Cookies!

January 23, 2012, by AAUWguest

This past fall, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomed a new member into their ranks. This in itself is not news. However, the fact that this new scout is transgender — she is biologically male but identifies as female — meant that she faced some challenges before being allowed to join. She was originally denied entry into her local troop, but when Girl Scouts of Colorado found this out, they took action and released a statement saying, “Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization, and we accept all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade as members. If a child identifies as a girl and the child’s family presents her as a girl, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her as a Girl Scout.”

Unfortunately, some scouts and parents are not pleased about this decision and are trying to organize a boycott of Girl Scout Cookies in protest of this policy. This transphobic boycott and the attitudes that inspired it create environments that condone bullying and harassment based on gender performance — something that AAUW’s most recent research report, Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, has revealed to be a major problem in schools.

The decision by Girl Scouts of Colorado to be inclusive (and to be vocal about it) is a victory for the transgender community, for whom sex-segregated spaces like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are so often dangerous places to inhabit. Transgender individuals are one of the most marginalized and least understood communities in our country.

The Girl Scouts as an organization was founded to give girls opportunities — in activities like hiking, sports, and camping — that were at that point considered to be for boys only. As women working to eradicate gender-based barriers in all areas, we are all well aware of the harm the gender divide can cause to those who are looking to break free from gender norms. People who are transgender are breaking those barriers every day as they go about living their lives.

We need to show solidarity with the transgender community, and many people are choosing to do so by increasing their Girl Scout Cookie orders this year. I know I will be buying a few boxes of my favorite, Thin Mints, New Year’s resolutions or not! If you don’t personally know anyone who is selling cookies, find out where to get them in your community.

This post was written by AAUW Leadership Programs Intern Jessica Kelly.

Posted in Sex Discrimination, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

“The Iron Lady” and Margaret Thatcher’s Legacy

January 20, 2012, by hannahmoultonbelec

You’d think that one of the first women to lead a democracy would be considered a feminist heroine. If our abbreviated goals are to advance women’s representation in government and to open up every opportunity for us to be men’s equals, Margaret Thatcher’s legacy as Britain’s first woman prime minister should be celebrated as an unadulterated milestone for women.

And yet, for many feminists, wrestling with Thatcher’s story is much more complicated than that. Thatcher’s political career is back in the limelight because of the just-released biopic The Iron Lady, especially because of Meryl Streep’s already award-winning performance, which is exactly as amazing as you’ve heard.

The film is cathartic for anyone who is a sucker for seeing women break through sexist barriers. The Iron Lady tells a romanticized version of Thatcher’s meteoric rise from a grocer’s daughter to an unlikely parliamentarian to an even more unlikely prime minister who led the United Kingdom for 11 years. We see remarkable support from the men in her life — her father encourages her education, and her husband endears himself to us by his support of her early political ambitions and by how he answers Thatcher’s teary proclamation that she will never be a pretty, silent wife who is content to live a domestic existence. He replies, “That’s why I want to marry you.”

Moments like this — and like the ones where her political advisers convince her that she has what it takes to be more politically successful than she realizes — are chicken soup for the feminist soul. We so seldom see affirming depictions of fiery, determined, sharp women characters being loved and appreciated for being something besides easy on the eyes or submissive.

But unfortunately, in The Iron Lady, these feel-good moments conflict with the sometimes heavy-handed scenes where Thatcher callously chooses her career over her traditional women’s duties and the fact that she as a character doesn’t seem to trust or value any other women. Her mother isn’t supportive of her education like her father is, she has a distant relationship with her daughter, and the memory of being bullied by catty rich girls haunts her throughout the film. She even says at one point that she’s always preferred the company of men.

And then, of course, there’s the politics. The signature issues that The Iron Lady focuses on seem like a laundry list of things that feminists tend to advocate against: union busting, slashing social safety nets, and ignoring the systematic discrimination that affects many workers. The fact that we’re in a very similar financial and political climate now makes these scenes even more unnerving.

Ultimately, the film matter-of-factly lays out Thatcher’s platform — and her opposition’s — without making much commentary about who was right. And in the end, that felt like an appropriate choice. It allowed audiences to do her justice as a woman trailblazer without necessarily being alienated by her politics. Because regardless of what they espouse, the women and other marginalized people who become the first this or that are making it a little easier for others to follow in their wakes.

Posted in The AAUW Community, Women's History | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments »

The Value in “The Vagina Monologues”

January 20, 2012, by AAUWguest

“If your vagina could talk, what would it say?”

If you’ve never seen The Vagina Monologues, you may be wondering what exactly it is you are getting into when you buy your ticket. They talk about vaginas, but how much? Is it sad? Is it funny? What is The Vagina Monologues?

I thought the exact same things when I first saw the play during my freshman year of college. I was skeptical initially, but after seeing the show I practically vowed never to miss another performance. The Vagina Monologues talks about real concerns that real women have about their vaginas, their relationships, their attitudes, violence, homelessness, birth, sexual assault, femininity, disaster, life, and everything in between. The stories you hear have a very strong impact, and it makes for one hell of a show.

Now I get to experience the show from behind the scenes — I am producing this year’s performance along with two other amazing women at my school, Pacific Lutheran University. I also have the opportunity to perform in a monologue with them. Having this kind of leadership position allows me to be a part of something I love and to see how being a part of the show can be extremely valuable to those involved. Some of the issues addressed in monologues are emotionally heavy, and some cast members may have dealt with some of the same problems. Being on stage and performing is a way to tell a story that may not necessarily be yours, but it could be very close. It is therapeutic in a unique way.

Not only does this show benefit those who get to see it and the women performing, it also benefits one local and one international organization that address violence against women. The Vagina Monologues is a nonprofit production, and all proceeds from tickets and merchandise go toward beneficiaries picked by the performers as well as the V-Day campaign. This year’s production will benefit the women and girls in Haiti who were affected by the rise in sexual assault and violence since the earthquake in 2010 (picked by the V-Day campaign) and the YWCA in Tacoma, Washington (picked by me and my wonderful directors).

There is endless value in attending, participating in, and supporting a production of The Vagina Monologues, whether it is on a college campus or in a local theater. I encourage everyone to see a local performance of The Vagina Monologues this February to support the women in the show and those who benefit from the proceeds. Check out events.vday.org/ to find a performance near you.

This post was written by National Student Advisory Council member Kaitlyn Donahoe.

Posted in Student Advisory Council, The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

AAUW Artists

January 18, 2012, by kathrynmontiegel

We have long known that there are many talented members of AAUW. Our members have risen to the tops of their professions — medicine, law, science, academia, and many others. But they also have talents that are independent of their careers. With that in mind, for the past four years AAUW has hosted an art contest, inviting members to submit their masterpieces. All members can vote for their favorite entries, and the winning submissions are printed on notecards and sent to members to encourage them to contribute to AAUW. This opportunity to raise money is an important part of our work toward breaking through barriers for women and girls. And using artwork from members like Jane Winston and Jan Hersh makes these notecards uniquely AAUW.

A photograph taken by Jane Winston, a member of the AAUW Houston Peach (GA) Branch, was a winning entry in last year’s contest. This talented artist joined AAUW after the loss of her husband, who was her best friend, in 2003. In AAUW, she found a wonderful group of women who Winston says can accomplish anything. In addition to keeping up with her photography, she volunteers to read with fifth-grade girls at a local elementary school.

“Tuscan Window” ©Jane Winston AAUW Houston Peach (GA) Branch

Jan Hersh has been an AAUW member for over 27 years. She is an avid gardener who always keeps an eye out for fresh, beautiful blooms. During a trip to Santa Barbara, California, she took this contest-winning picture of a hibiscus covered in morning dew. Hersh has served as a board member for the AAUW Danville-Alamo (CA) Branch and credits her art with helping her to develop strong leadership skills, knowledge about her community, and an ongoing connection with people who enjoy making a difference locally and globally.

“Good Morning Hibiscus” ©Jan Hersh AAUW Danville-Alamo (CA) Branch

Are you a member of AAUW with a hidden (or not-so-hidden) talent in the visual arts? The 2012 contest is now accepting entries. Visit our gallery to see what artwork has been submitted for the 2012 contest or to look at past winners.

The 2012 AAUW Art Contest will be accepting submissions until January 31. Members may vote for their favorite artwork once per week from February 6 to March 4.

Posted in The AAUW Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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