Health

Who cares about girls?

Posted on by Lisa Kays

While catching up on a little television this week, I saw some promos for a new documentary series about to start airing on the Oxygen network, wherein correspondent Lisa Ling will be asking, Who cares about girls?

The first part of the series, which will debut on Sunday, March 25th at 10 p.m. ET on Oxygen, will focus on the lives of girls whose mothers are in prison.  The next one will focus on child labor and prositution in India.

Each episode will look at the challenges and circumstances facing girls worldwide, as well as the efforts of those trying to help.

Sounds intriguing, particularly since girlhood these days, at least for me, has become a fairly confusing concept. lagunabeach.jpg

It seemed so clear-cut when I was experiencing it, before girls at 12 started wearing clothing and makeup more revealing than I ever felt comfortable wearing at 25, and before Laguna Beach showed high school kids experiencing levels of drama, maturity and complexity in their relationships and behaviors than I have been able to muster at 30.   

Before I could walk into the Nordstrom’s juniors department with a girlfriend and find age-appropriate "going out" clothing, and have to turn to said girlfriend to ask, "Is this too revealing?"  Followed by, "Wait a minute, this is how 13 year-olds dress now?" 

"Yeah," she said.  "Wierd."  90210cast-1.jpg

We were brought up when 90210 was as racy as things got and we were darned near scandalized if anyone even considered going beyond kissing.   

(And where we could at least console ourselves, if we started to feel a little less pretty, or less exciting, or less dateable than the girls on television, that they at least weren’t real–unlike with Laguna.)

Now, I look at young women, and I don’t know how they manage amid all these mixed signals and expectations.  I watch Laguna Beach and find myself, at 30, completely intimidated by these kids, who are like, 16.

And I wonder, then, how do  young women negotiate this?   

Then there are the girls I worked with in Africa, who face totally different negotiations, like trying to acquire the skills to convince their fathers that they’re worth educating, or finding time (and lamp light) to study at 10 p.m., when they finally finish hauling water, cooking the family meals and caring for younger siblings.  Or maintaining the sense of self, and perseverence, to continue with school at all, when every aspect of their culture and family generally tells them that this is useless, that they’re not worth it, that an education, a career and self-sufficiency are not their place. 

So, indeed, my sense of girlhood is fairly confused lately, and filled with concern. 

I don’t know how girls these days manage, in many respects, and I’m very curious to see what aspects of this Lisa will cover, and how. 

And what will surface as the strategies that are working to give girls more hope, and enable them to tap into their fullest, most positive potential, despite all the crazy messages and signals they’re being bombarded with.

My hope is that the feeling I emerge with is not that the one thing girls share worldwide is vulnerability, or victimization, but hope, intelligence, resilience and the ability to stand up to whatever pressures might be pointing them in other directions.

I guess I’ll have to tune in to find out. 

And in the meantime, drop a comment to let us here at The Women’s Foundation know what your thoughts are on the issues and pressures facing girls these days–here in the U.S. or abroad.

If you were Lisa Ling, what angle would you cover?  What solution would you surface? 

What story would you tell, if you could tell the world about girls these days, and who cares?

Seventh Generation helps women get back to basics.

Posted on by Britton Walker

In the back of everyone’s mind we know that there are basic things we take for granted.  Unless you are face to face with want of the basics, they’re generally not in your daily thoughts.

This is what happens to me, until I’m reminded by someone close to me who is either suffering themselves or tells me about someone else’s suffering, and all of a sudden I’m hit over the head with the reality of life.

My positive bubble is then popped and I try hard to find the upside of things.

Today was one of those days, when my childhood girlfriend e-mailed me a note about the joyous topic of feminine hygiene.  (As both of us have studied health as well as feminist theory, it is not surprising that she would send me this.)

The note refers to a campaign that the Seventh Generation cleaning and paper product company has posted, called TAMPONTIFICATION. 

Through this campaign, Seventh Generation has committed to donating a box of sanitary products to a women’s shelter in your chosen state just for clicking on a link.

It is a reminder to me that once again, my current life situation has enabled me to go on with my daily routine of work and play while others may not be so lucky because a basic need is overlooked.

The upside is that a company has also taken an interest in this, and even though our capitalist society bell is being rung by having us click on their retail site, I like to think that they are also creating an awareness of the needs of others and therefore giving us as individuals a chance to participate in being part of the community we live in.

Also – it’s a really cute interactive moment on the Internet. 

You have to check it out.

2007: Your Year for Helping Women and Girls!

Posted on by Lisa Kays

2006 hasn’t been a bad year for us girls.   

  • The Nobel Prize went to Dr. Muhammed Yunus, father of micro-credit and the Grameen bank, of which 90 percent of small business loans go to women lifting themselves out of poverty and onto the pathway of possibility. 
  • The first vaccine against cervical cancer was approved and made available to young women.  
  • Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House.
  • A 2006 report found that women are earning more degrees and credentials than ever! 
But then again, things can always be better.
 
  • Despite all those degrees, the wage gap between men and women is still growing.
  • Attacks on women reminded us that domestic violence is alive, well—and life threatening.  
  • Half of the world’s women continue to give birth without skilled care.
So, since much remains to be done to ensure that countries, communities, schools and families are safe, equitable and empowering for women and girls, Washington Area Women’s Foundation presents you with…
 
Your Calendar for Helping Women and Girls in 2007
 
January: Click to prevent! 
While setting up your annual doctor’s exams, check-ups and monthly reminders to do breast exams, take a moment to visit The Breast Cancer Site and sign up for daily reminders to click to provide a free mammogram to a low-income woman! 
 
February: Teach a girl the power of the purse! 
When reviewing your W-2s and savings strategy with your financial planner, take some time to teach a young woman in your life—a daughter, cousin, niece or neighbor—about the value of saving, investing wisely and planning for her financial future! For resources, click here!     
 
March: Turn celebration into action! 
Celebrate Women’s History Month with your book club by celebrating a female author and turning your collective reading into giving by starting a Giving Circle and investing together in women in your local community!  Read about Giving Circles and then learn how here! 
  
April: Spring clean someone to success! 
Clean out that closet and set up another woman for success through Dress for Success!
 
May: A meaningful Mother’s Day!   
Celebrate the Mom who has it all by supporting a woman who can become it all! Give a gift honoring your mom to the women’s foundation serving your community. Goodsearch your way to it, and catalyze a donation every time you click! 
 
June: Put your money where your values are!   
Invest in or support a woman-owned business! Need to find a new doctor or dentist this year? Narrow your search by supporting women’s practices. For other ways to show off your pro-woman purchasing power, use directory’s like this one showcasing women-owned businesses!
 
July: Patriots practice philanthropy!   
Show your patriotism through the American tradition of generosity! Give a gift on behalf of an important woman in your life—a mentor, teacher, mother, friend, colleague or sister—to your local women’s foundation, a domestic violence shelter or another organization that benefits women.         
 
August: Beat the heat, be a mentor!   
School’s about to be back in session, so get away from the heat by surfing your way to a local mentoring program! Young women everywhere are inspired and encouraged by role models who show them the value of education, encourage their interests and help them build the skills that will make them great students and citizens. Just look at what’s happening in Silver Spring, Maryland!  
 
For resources on mentoring programs in your area, consult Mentor, visit Dollar Philanthropy for an inspirational word on the value of mentoring or check in with your local women’s foundation—which most likely supports excellent mentoring programs for young women in your area! 
 
And remember, mentoring isn’t just for the young!  As women move into non-traditional careers or from low-wage jobs to professional careers—which is happening daily thanks to local women’s foundations—they need mentors and support!  Check in to learn how you can be a part of transforming lives and building futures!  
 
September: Become a political maven!   
School is back in session! Keep learning by studying policy initiatives that empower women and girls, whether on a national or state level. In 2007, likely policy areas to watch are living wage (90 percent of all long-term, minimum wage earners are women!), mandatory paid sick and maternity leave (We are the only country in the world without mandatory paid maternity leave!), the Earned Income Tax Credit, subsidized child care and affordable college education. Choose three issue areas, track them, and be sure to e-mail or call your representatives to let them know where you stand!

October:  Trick or trivia!
Don’t get tricked on your trivia…know your facts!  Check out these little known census facts about women in the U.S.! 
 
November: Put the giving in Thanksgiving!  
Bring the three T’s to the season of Thanksgiving: time, treasure and talent! Create a year-long plan for volunteering time at an organization whose mission you believe in, set up automatic monthly contributions to your local women’s foundation and contribute your talents by helping other women file their tax returns, providing financial training and education, teaching English to recent immigrants or providing career development courses! Get in touch with your local women’s foundation to learn how you can get involved!   
    
December: Create a legacy!   
Never too soon to plan for your legacy. Meet with your attorney about providing for organizations that assist women through a bequest in your will.          

Whew, see how time flies when you’re making a difference and changing lives?

Same Story, New Terrain

Posted on by Lisa Kays

This is my first blog to introduce myself as the Communications and Marketing Officer of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.

Whether in the United Arab Emirates or the United States of America, Windhoek or Washington,DC,it is undeniable that where women thrive, so do families, communities and countries.

One of my earliest introductions to this reality came during my service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, where I heard repeatedly, “To educate a woman is to educate a nation.”

To empower a woman is to empower a community. A nation. Future generations.

To grow. To thrive. To dream. To achieve.

In the years following this introduction—through my work in international development with a focus on African women, girls and community development—I came to internalize this idea as a foundational principle of my work.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am therefore thrilled (and thankful!) to be starting a new adventure applying the experience I gained in Africa to the work of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation—work that so deeply impacts my local community.

As I begin my work as The Women Foundation’s Communications and Marketing Officer and take in the history and stories of its unique approaches and successes, I am struck by the similarities that bridge women in communities across all continents.

And while I am sometimes frustrated by the challenges and the on-going inequities and injustices faced by women, I continue to be motivated, rejuvenated and energized by the power of women to come together to change their lives and improve their communities.

I can therefore imagine no more rewarding place to be than The Women’s Foundation! I look forward to meeting and working with you. Please feel free to drop me a line at lkays@wawf.org.

THEARC for Everybody

Posted on by marjorie

Yesterday, I had my second visit to the THEARC (The Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus), which is the new home of the Washington Middle School for Girls (WMSG) one of our Grantee Partners.

Anne Mosle, our fearless leader, and Barb Strom Thompson, who Co-Chairs the Rainmakers’ Giving Circle, also participated in the visit to meet with some of the WMSG students. Visiting with the WMSG students was pure pleasure. They are bright, articulate, engaged, and very honest. Most of them come from difficult family circumstances, but you would never know it by their spirit for learning and the goals that they have set for themselves. Yet, when looking at the neighbor that surrounds THEARC, you’re reminded that the girls are very much “at-risk.”

During the visit, a group of girls treated us to an a cappella rendition of their current favorite song they called “I Don’t Want to be a Murderer.” The passion with which the girls sang the song was the same passion that any young girl in any part of our region would sing a popular song. But, why where they singing a song about murder? Well to my surprise, the name of the song really is Unfaithful and it is a song about a conflicted young woman. I’m still not thrilled about the song’s message, however I am so glad that that WMSG allows the young girls to sing ‘their’ songs with passion while providing a creative learning space.

I wish that I had time to visit WMSG and THEARC everyday. It is a perfect reflection of what happens when vision, philanthropy, and political will sync up. I’m looking forward to THEARC 2.0 emerge in our region.

Women Deserve a Critical Mass

Posted on by marjorie

David Broder’s recent column in the Washington Post made me flash back to the final days of the 103rd Congress. I was working for the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and there was a strong interest in demonstrating that the 22 women elected to Congress during 1992 or “Year of the Women” had made an important difference in the types of bills that were introduced and passed. The Women’s Caucus did some analysis and learned that there were an unprecedented number of bills – introduced as well as passed by the 103rd Congress – focused on issues important to women and families.

That analysis, done 12 years ago by the Women’s Caucus, was an important illustration that not only do women in office make a difference, but the number of women in office makes an even bigger difference. We can thank Pat Schroeder and Olympia Snowe, who were the Women’s Caucus Co-Chairs then, for that first-ever documentation.

The Women’s Foundation reported similar findings in our 2003 report – A Portrait of Women & Girls in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The report also includes an ambitious set of recommendations for investing in women and girls in our region. One recommendation, in particular, urges that there be stronger investments in women’s leadership at all levels.

With the general elections three weeks away, transition teams are being assembled across the Washington region and a quiet debate among women’s advocates is happening. Some are questioning whether it is still important for us to put together a slate of women who are qualified to serve in cabinet positions and on local boards and commissions. It is puzzling after all these years of us knowing that the number of women makes a critical difference that questions are being raised.

Should we develop a slate of only women prospects? Yes! Advocates for women should identify and promote well-qualified women for key appointed offices. Not all will make it, but no newly elected or re-elected mayor, county executive, state office holder, or member of congress should be able to say that a qualified woman wasn’t identified for every key post.