Safety

DCWA: Safety for women anything but small talk.

Posted on by Natasha Pendleton

The following is the third post in a series covering aspects and angles on the DC Women’s Agenda’s recent white paper, Voices and Choices for D.C. Women and Girls: Recommendations for City Leaders 2007.  The D.C. Women’s Agenda promotes the advancement, equality and well-being of women in D.C. This series of blogs is an extension of a very important proposal of recommendations to city leaders to truly make tangible changes in the D.C. metropolitan area.

Supporting the voices and empowerment of women and girls in D.C. is one of the main objectives of the DCWA and the DCWA white paper, Voices and Choices for D.C. Women and Girls: Recommendations for City Leaders 2007. 

To support women and girls in D.C., we must first educate ourselves and our communities about the obstacles that women and girls in D.C. battle daily. 

Unfortunately, one of the main obstacles that stagnates the empowerment of women is a lack of safety, whether from the risk of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. 

According to the National Organization for Women, women are 10 times more likely then men to be assaulted by an intimate partner.  And according to the District of Columbia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “In 2005, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) received 27,401 domestic-related crime calls—one every 19 minutes.” This statistic only represents crimes that are reported–we estimate that there are many more that go unnoticed.  (The Women’s Foundation’s Portrait Project also features some excellent statistics on health and safety for women in our region–check out a recent post on street harrassment in D.C. for details.) 

A violent environment affects every aspect of a woman’s life.

It is much more difficult for her to hold a job.  Her partner may go to great lengths to ensure that she is, in fact, not able to hold a job. Often, an abuser will make her late for work, call repeatedly throughout the day, or worse yet, come to her workplace.  All of these things make it extremely hard for her to keep a job when her employer knows that there are others out there who do not have such problems.  Without a job, it is very hard for a woman, especially if she has children, to leave an abusive situation.  How will she pay for food or be able to afford an apartment?

We must recognize that a lack of safety is a catalyst to expedite other issues such as homelessness, problems keeping a steady job, possible mental illness, drug abuse/addiction and low self-esteem. 

To ensure safety for all women and girls, there are a plethora of changes that city leaders can make:

  • Provide funding and publicity to increase access, availability, and awareness of comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other violent acts.
  • Promote and fund the Commission on Violence Against Women (or the local D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence) and their mission to increase public awareness and provide comprehensive services for the physical and psychological needs for victims.
  • Ensure that the commission is comprised of a variety of government agency representatives as well as community-based service providers to actively involve the community and allow a diverse, wide spectrum of people to feel some ownership. 

When there are adequate programs available to women to mitigate the problem of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, women are much more likely to leave their abusive situation.

Having access to a safe shelter will allow a woman and her children a place to stay while she seeks the necessary services to better her situation, or to save up enough money to find a new place to live. 

Medical services will help her heal physically. 

The availability of case management services and counseling will help her heal emotionally from the atrocities that she had to deal with, as well as assisting her in getting her life back. 

With services such as these providing the means for women to get out of their abusive situations, we will begin see the numbers of survivors rising. 

Discussing a daunting topic like this is not small talk. 

We must continue to protect our own–ourselves, the women in our lives and the women and girls in our community.

As one of the most infamous passages of the U. S. Constitution states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  This phrase evolved from the Virginia Declaration of Independence, in which articles 1-3 outline the relationship between the government and those that are governed by claiming, “All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights of which… [they cannot divest;] namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.”

One can not pursue happiness, whatever that may be, without safety.  Safety for all is one of our inherent natural rights.

Thus said, let’s continue our right to “pursue safety,” for “all men” (that means women, too).

Previous and related posts and information:
DCWA: Calling all city leaders!
DCWA: Economic security is key to the city’s health.
The Women’s Foundation’s Portrait Project (with a section on the health and safety of our region’s women and girls)

About the blogger:
Natasha Pendleton is a summer intern with Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW), a convenor of the DC Women’s Agenda.  She is currently a senior attaining a bachelor of arts degree in sociology with concentrations in law and society and urban and regional planning at Cornell University.  She serves as theatrical director of an anti-oppression theatre troop, which performs for more than 5,000 people nationwide (annually) to promote diversity and racial harmony on college campuses.  A native of Chicago, Natasha was motivated to come to Washington, D.C. this summer to work with WOW by issues of social and economic justice that have pressed upon her heart for some time.  Natasha truly believes that not only is the government accountable, but it is our responsibility to be informed citizens to challenge the state of local policy.  And furthermore, as those informed citizens, it is our responsibility to raise voices and awareness so that all people, especially women and girls, can live in safe, fair, and thriving communities.

The DC Women’s Agenda, DC Employment Justice Center and Wider Opportunities for Women are all Grantee Partners of The Women’s Foundation. 

Safety first, street harrassment never.

Posted on by Lisa Kays

When the Washington City Paper ran a cover story this week called, "Nice ass!: Not even grandmas are safe from D.C.’s street harrassers," I picked it up, and then read about it again on the blogosphere.

Where, I must admit, I was a bit shocked by the criticism the authors took for it, particularly in reference to Kimberly Klinger’s companion pieces, "I’ve Got Your ‘Hey Baby!’ Right Here" and "Diary of a Catcall Hater."  Because even after reading Feministing’s critical take on the pieces, I was still left with the same feeling, that regardless of the potentially racist undertones or naivety and varying degrees of sensitivity of the reporter, I was glad it was documented.

And honestly. 

Because to me, what is important (and harmful) about street harrassment has everything to do with its affect on those who are harrassed–the women and girls simply trying to make their way around the city. 

So I appreciated Klinger’s honesty in documenting those affects–the frustration, the growing disrespect, the mistrust, and, yes, potentially, racist sentiments (however illogical she admits they are)–and the ensuing conflict and confusion she feels as a result.

Because they are an honest outshoot and piece of the experience.

And yet another great reason to end it. 

Because the point is that if behavior is unwanted, it should be stopped.  There is no need to discuss it within a framework of race or culture or diversity. 

When women feel unsafe, the behavior is not okay.  Full stop.

I guess I was far less concerned reading the article about the racial undercurrent and discussion, perhaps because I was so busy being horrified by the behavior the women experienced on the streets, and by the sense of entitlement shared by the men who did it, over the women’s reactions, space and sense of self.  A few samplings: 

It’s tough in D.C.  Especially with white girls.  They are stuck up, man.  Bi#@$.

It depends on what she looks like.  If she’s a slut, you have to treat her like a slut.  If she’s not, I say, ‘How you doing young lady?’

"F-you bi#*%, you ugly anyway.’ (Street harrasser to a woman who confronted him.)

The reporter states, "I’m thinking maybe Klinger’s approach is a bit too academic. Contreras seems like a good guy on the lookout for a good woman.  Maybe the shouts are just men trying to pick up women, no different than starting a conversation at a bar, just more…matter-of-fact."

Yeah, no.  And here’s why.  Because at the core of Klinger’s feelings–and the feelings of many of the women interviewed in the article–is not racism, or even mild irritation, but fear: 

I"ve become scared and angry.  And I f-ing hate it…I can’t hate them for any reason connected to their race…I can, however, hate them for the way they disrespect me.

I guess I would [appreciate the compliment] if I weren’t feeling annoyed, threatened, and scared.  The tone of most harrassment is very hostile.  Sometimes it escalates to full-on yelling. 

It hurts, it really does.  It takes away from your self-esteem.  It’s hard to hold my head up when I deal with this on a regular basis. 

The armchair sociologist in me knows it’s all about power–that the men who harrass are just trying to look tough in front of their friends or assert their dominance…but what i hear is all about sex and shame.  Shame on my part, anyway, as I hunch over to hide myself when I hear some jerk tell me what he’d like to do to me.  It’s great fun.

(For more on women’s experiences with street harrassment in D.C., visit Don’t Be Silent: Speak Out Against Street Harrassment in D.C.)

Because a woman in a bar is surrounded by other people, is in a safe zone, and can be said even to perhaps be, by location, making herself available to social interaction with strangers.  To someone wanting to strike up a conversation, and from whom, she can, if she wants, safely extricate herself verbally, and if necessary, with assistance from those around her. 

Walking down the street, alone, is a different experience, and one that makes come ons, pick-ups and catcalls from men you don’t know very different from being approached in a social setting.  It is scary, and puts women in a vulnerable position. 

Something that should not be part of any woman’s life experience, no matter where she is from, where she is walking, or what she is wearing–or what the harrasser intends.  Because a compliment is no longer a compliment if it doesn’t feel good to hear it. 

So I’m glad, as we approach selecting local nonprofits for this year’s Leadership Awards around health and safety, that this issue has been raised and documented locally–in all of its confusion, conflict and ugliness.

Because our Portrait Project revealed among its findings on local women and girls that:

  • Despite the overall decline in violence, local women and girls expressed an alarming sense of personal insecurity.  Vulnerability to violence and lack of personal safety were two of the strongest themes that emerged when women were asked about the issues that affect their lives.
  • More than 22,500 reprots of violence against women were made in 2000 alone in Washington, D.C.
  • That same year, women made up 50 percent of all reported, violent crime victims in the District of Columbia.
  • The rate of reported rapes in Washington, D.C. from 1997-1999 was markedly higher than other jurisdictions and exceeded the national figure. 

As Denise Snyder, executive director of the D.C. Rape Crisis Center–which offers training in dealing with street harrassment [and is a Grantee Partner]–said in a Salon piece, "Too sexy for my shirt", "Women who’ve lived lots of places tell me it’s worse here than anywhere else." 

The article goes on to say, "Quantifying an essentially untraceable phenomenon is extremely difficult, but it’s certainly true that street harassment is a historically controversial topic here.  In 1990, a summer series of three Washington Post articles on street harassment — one journalistic, one essayistic, and one op-ed — caused a firestorm."

And history repeats itself.

I just wish that we could focus on the real root of the problem–the harrassment, and the power imbalances and disrespect for women that it indicates, and on stopping it–than on discussions of how it’s talked about or who is doing it or what it means or whether or not it’s just innocent or if it’s really that damaging.

Because it is.

As Klinger said in her article, "Why should we accept that?  Why can’t I hate that?"

Exactly.  

All issues of race aside, that seems pretty black and white to me.

DCWA: Calling all city leaders!

Posted on by Jessica Goshow

The DC Women’s Agenda (DCWA) is a local advocacy and policy coalition that began in the spring of 2003 and works to promote the advancement, equality, and well-being of women and girls in D.C.–and it is a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation. 

DCWA is a coalition of a diverse group of advocates, service providers, and individuals who work together to address issues of social and economic justice that women and girls face on a daily basis living in our community. The DCWA is co-chaired by the DC Employment Justice Center and Wider Opportunities for Women (also Grantee Partners of The Women’s Foundation!)

During monthly meetings of the DC Women’s Agenda about current events in the District affecting women and girls, the coalition determined that in 2007, as D.C. brought in a new Mayor and City Council, that it was an important time to build awareness of these issues among our new city leaders. 

Emerging from these discussions is a white paper, "Voices and Choices for D.C. Women and Girls: Recommendations to City Leaders 2007," which outlines for our city’s leaders and citizens the key issues and challenges facing D.C.’s women and girls. 

The paper gives concrete suggestions for what changes are needed and addresses topics such as economic security, housing, health and health education, criminal justice, safety, leadership and accountability and girls.

Each section provides information and statistics about the problem, and gives specific recommendations about what resources and programs need to be created and what must be improved upon that already exists in order for women and girls to thrive in the District of Columbia.

The paper puts all of the information at the fingertips of the politicians.

The white paper was distributed to the Mayor and all members of the D.C. City Council, as well as each member of the DC Commission on Women.  We also sent it to the two Congressmen who are in charge of the Congressional Committee that has oversight of the District (Chairman Henry Waxman and Ranking Member Tom Davis) and to DC’s Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, so that, if they want to, they can hold the Mayor and city leaders accountable on these issues.

The white paper was also distributed to a number of organizations that serve women in the District. It can also be accessed on TheWomensFoundation.org. 

Over the coming weeks on this blog, we’ll be going through each section of the white paper to discuss and highlight key elements and to illuminate what life would be like for women and girls in the District if the recommendations were to be acted upon. 

We hope to create awareness, as well as lively discussion and debate on the important facts outlined in the paper, and what action on the recommendations could mean for the women and girls of this city, as well as the city as a whole.  

Jessica Goshow is DC Employment Justice Center’s (DCEJC) legal and policy associate.  Being that EJC and Wider Opportunities for Women are the co-chairs of the DCWA, she was involved in the coordination, writing, and reviewing of the white paper.

The DC Women’s Agenda, DC Employment Justice Center and Wider Opportunities for Women are all Grantee Partners of The Women’s Foundation. 

Women's Health Week inspires concern, hope, action

Posted on by Sherell

Kicked off on Mother’s Day, the week of May 13-19 was National Women’s Health Week, which was also honored here in Washington, D.C.

I’ve been reflecting on it a lot. I think it could have been advertised more aggressively.  I can’t even remember how I found out.  I think I read it in a small section of the Express.  Like so many women’s health issues, it just wasn’t that obvious and didn’t seem to garner the attention it warranted.     

The phrase “Women’s Health Week” makes me think about the many health problems that are unique to women. Even though that week has passed, I hope the women who did know about it took some extra steps to get to know their bodies better and learn healthier living habits.

Thinking about how historically, women’s health hasn’t been taken as seriously as it should be in the medical field, my mind drifted back to older examples of the lacking priority given to women’s health.  One such example is the birth control supplement Norplant, and the devastating effects it left on some of the women who used it.  In 1996, an astonishing number of at least 50,000 women filed lawsuits, claiming they were not informed about all the side effects of Norplant (depression, headaches, irregular bleeding, etc).  Wyeth won all their court cases, but did offer $1,500 as an out-of-court settlement accepted by a little over 30,000 women.

In addition to Norplant, I thought about weight and the many health complications many women experience because of eating disorders or unhealthy eating in general. All these troublesome thoughts took my mind back to Naomi Wolf’s The Beauty Myth because it has a great, personal reflection on eating disorders (and health problems in general) specific to females.  So many things run through one’s mind when you hear the term "eating disorder."  Though they are becoming more serious in the lives of men, too, I still thought about the health complications that come with binge eating or undereating in relation to women, as they are disproportionately affected by them.

What about women’s access to affordable, quality health insurance?  How many women don’t go to the doctor, knowing something isn’t working right with their body, because they can’t afford to and/or have no insurance to?  I was shocked to learn that in our region, 12-14 percent of women are uninsured, and that these women are more likely to receive late-stage diagnosis of certain cancers due to lack of access to preventative screenings.  

This starts to cut into issues of race and class, as they all intersect. 

I didn’t really come to any one conclusion after these thoughts.  I guess I immediately thought about the overwhelming health problems that face us when I read about Women’s Health Week. 

It just reiterated for me the long journey that women have to continue to successfully climb in society.

Though we’ve got a long way to go, I’m excited that The Women’s Foundation’s Stepping Stones initiative recognizes the importance of health in the lives of women and girls in the Washington metropolitan area, and will be planning and launching specific work around health in the near future.  In fact, it’s already begun with our Leadership Awards Program, which is seeking out innovation and quality programming in health and safety on behalf of women and girls in our area! 

Also, I get to take in a lot of proposals from organizations doing work that impacts the health of women and girls, and seeing the different projects and programs going on makes me aware of the overwhelming problems, but also of the fact that people are out there who care and are determined to make a difference. So many motivated individuals and groups are creating programs and initiatives to address the many health problems facing women and girls in our area.

Personally, I am guilty of not putting myself to the test last week!  Perhaps I could have scheduled my annual physical, started a new exercise schedule, or incorporated healthier foods into my diet.

But, of course, health isn’t something that we should relegate to one week of intense focus.  So even if you didn’t get the chance to really sit down and reflect on how to better change and evaluate your health, you still can, anytime!

My first step for this week is to set aside a specific timeslot in my week to exercise for at least half an hour.  We have to begin somewhere!

What will you do to take care of yourself? 

News and Views of Note: Week of May 14, 2007

Posted on by Lisa Kays

See below for a round-up of what was news this week in the world of philanthropy, social change and women and girls in the Washington metropolitan region and beyond:

This month is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  In celebration, Feministing has invited API women to offer their voices to the blog. 

Among them this week, Kiran Ahuja, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, reflected on being a young leader.  She writes, "That I am one of the youngest leaders in the national women’s movement is telling and highlights a serious challenge for the movement – where and when do we make room for new, young and diverse leaders, and when do we see that the inclusion of them determines the success of our movement?" 

Liezl Tomas Rebugio, also of NAPAWF, writes in "Connecting the Dots: Human Trafficking and Reproductive Justice," "The trafficking of women and girls is the quintessential example of reproductive oppression. ‘Get your laws off my body’ was a slogan used in the 1970’s during the women’s movement. But how does that apply to trafficked women and girls whose bodies are not treated as their own, but are treated as commodities?"

The Women’s Foundation in the News!

A May 11, 2007 Washington Times editorial, "Lasting security a Mother’s Day wish for many," by Adrienne Washington, advocates thinking in terms of long-term investments in women’s economic security for Mother’s Day, and not just in terms of long-stemmed roses–and she discusses Stepping Stones and Training Futures, a Grantee Partner, as examples of how to do just that!  

Stepping Stones Research Briefing Related News!
On May 11, 2007, The Women’s Foundation, in partnership with The Urban Institute, hosted the second annual Stepping Stones Research Briefing, featuring research on financial education and wealth creation, child care and early education and microenterprise development–with each topic examined from a gender lens.  To download the audio, or to check out the panelists’ presentations, click here!

Peter Tatian, a senior research associate with The Urban Institute, was quoted shortly thereafter in an article in the Examiner on subprime mortgages in our region, and their impact on increasing rates of foreclosures.  This topic was also explored at the briefing through Meghan Gallagher’s presentation, "Female Borrowers in the Washington Mortgage Market" and on The Huffington Post, where Jon Goldin-Dubois discussed how mortgage foreclosures are skyrocketing due to increasing sub-prime lending and a lack of regulation by the government.

Local Philanthropy and Activism

The Washington Post reports on more than 90,000 people–primarily women and mothers–throughout 37 states and Washington, D.C. who are "Pushing the Motherhood Cause," by meeting to mobilize around "six main issues: family leave, flex time, health insurance, child care, fair wages and children’s activities, such as better after-school programs. Their proposals are not new, but together they create a ‘motherhood’ agenda that has attracted a fresh enthusiasm."   

Women and Health and Safety
Health and safety is the focus of this year’s Leadership Awards Program and an issue area under Stepping Stones. See below for research and discussion that informs and impacts the health and safety of women and girls on a local and national level.

On Feministing, Jessica asks whether "Women-only hotel rooms"–designed to increase safety for women in hotels–are really a valid safety tactic, or whether it’s just a way of separating women instead of trying to improve the world they live in?  She asked a similar question about Brazil’s women-only train cars, designed to curb sexual harrassment. 

An article by Allison Stevens with Women’s eNews, "Bush May Veto Bill That Would Help Protect Hate Crime Victims," explains that, "Women’s rights groups are making a last-ditch push to enact legislation that would expand existing "hate crimes" laws to include gender and other categories such as sexual orientation, gender identity and disability."  Acvocates of the bill say that it would greatly benefit women and girls.  "Women could stand to gain substantially from the law," reports Stevens.  "The bill would add significant resources for prosecution of crimes in which the victims were targeted for their gender, as was the case in two high-profile shootings last fall in Pennsylvania and Colorado."

On Poverty and Economic Security

Education is a crucial component on the pathway to economic security for many.  In Give and Take, Peter Panepento discusses in, "Scholarships: What’s a Donor to Do?," the difficulty faced by those who want to fund college scholarships for those with the greatest need.  Citing research, Panepento writes, "The major problem…is many donors are operating under the false perception that students with the greatest needs are those coming out of high school.  But…many ‘needy’ students are adults returning to school, single parents, and students who hope to transfer from community colleges into four-year institutions."  In a similar cord, Siu Lang Panoke, a graduate student at American University, writes about her experience funding her education as a single mother in her blog post, "Economic Status Should Not Hinder Higher Education" on Real Women, Real Voices, the National Women’s Editorial Forum’s blog.

Riane Eisler in AlterNet discusses in, "What’s a Mother’s Worth?" how women over the age of 65 are twice as poor as their male peers.  She writes, "There’s a reason poverty so disproportionately hits women. Most of these elderly poor women were, or still are, caregivers — and according to most economists, the people who do the caring work in households, whether female or male, are ‘economically inactive.’ Of course, anyone who has a mother knows that most caregivers work from dawn to dusk. And we also know that without their work of caring for children, the sick, the elderly, and maintaining a clean home environment there would be no workforce, no economy, nothing. Yet current economic indicators and policies fail to include this work as ‘productive work.’"  On our blog, we also discuss the financial issues surrounding women and retirement.

On May 11, Washington Grantmakers’ Children, Youth, and Families, and Health Working Groups hosted a funders’ briefing on regional children’s issues.  The Washington Grantmakers’ blog reports in "Lines on a Map But Real Barriers for Children, "Some of the challenges facing area children stem from the fact that while families can move within the region, governments stop at the borders. There are gaps in funding and services because state governments’ scopes are too narrow to address certain problems.  Through regional collaboration, Washington Grantmakers members have an opportunity to leverage resources and coordinate in a way that has proven difficult for area governments, and to make a difference in the lives of our region’s children."

The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Give and Take reports that, "Congressmen Issue Food-Stamp Challenge," to raise awareness about poor Americans.  "From May 15-21," explains the article, "four lawmakers are buying food based on the average food-stamp benefit, which is about $3 a day."  They’re blogging about their experience at the Congressional Food-Stamp Challenge site.

On Philanthropy and Nonprofit Capacity

Just as our recent Philanthropy Forum discussed the legacy of giving across families, so too is the Community Foundations of America examining best practices in family philanthropy in an essay, "Giving as a Family."

Generation change and nonprofit leadership has been a significant topic of conversation recently, fueled largely by the release of research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund indicating that leadership transitions from the Baby Boom generation to Generations X and Y will become more common within the nonprofit sector.  The report, Generation Change and the Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations, offers recommendations on how a variety of stakeholders can improve the hand-off from this generation of leaders to the next.  On a similar note, the Initiative for Nonprofit Sector Careers examines the "missed connections" between nonprofits and new recruits out of college in its report, The Next Generation of Nonprofit Sector Leadership.

And that’s it for this week.  Enjoy catching up on the lastest news and views, and don’t forget to drop us–or the sites you visit–a comment or two about your thoughts! 

Enjoy your weekend! 

News and Views of Note: Week of May 7, 2007

Posted on by Lisa Kays

As I’m going to be out tomorrow morning for the 2007 Stepping Stones Research Briefing, this week’s News and Views of Note will be published a tad early.  Enjoy! 

See below for a round-up of what was news this week in the world of philanthropy, social change and women and girls in the Washington metropolitan region and beyond:

In Our Region

On Tuesday, the Washington Post featured an article by Pamela Constable called "For Some Muslim Wives, Abuse Knows No Borders" which documented how domestic violence is impacting some Muslim women in our region and provided information about organizations working to assist them.  Among those quoted was Mazna Hussain of the Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church, a Grantee Partner.  For an additional perspective, Amal, who blogs at Improvisations: Arab Woman Progressive Voice, provided a post called "When the Battered Women are Muslim" and shared her views on how Islam has also been used as a tool to curb domestic violence.    

A worker’s center near Gaithersburg run by one of our Grantee Partners, CASA of Maryland, was the victim of arson last Friday.  Investigators have not yet assessed the motive behind this act, but CASA suspects that it is an act of backlash against the immigrant populations with whom CASA works.  "We see this as a natural consequence to the ongoing debate over immigration,” said Christy Swanson, program director for Casa of Maryland, in the Washington Post.  "We also consider it a hate crime.”   The fire and CASA were also discussed in an AlterNet article that described the event in the context of two other recent hate crimes against immigrants in Alabama and Washington, D.C.  The Women’s Foundation is proud to partner with CASA on their work on behalf of immigrant women in Maryland and extend our support as they work to repair the damage caused by the fire and continue with their important work. 

Capital Community News recently featured Grantee Partner Lydia’s House in an article, "Living in the Zone: Divine Inspiration Propels Ward 8 into Transformation," which describes the efforts of founder Patrice Sheppard and her husband, Pastor Eugene Sheppard, to bring additional business development and affordable housing to Ward 8 through the development of Trinity Plaza.  The article states: “When we first got here it was like the OK corral!” says Patrice.  "Today it’s obvious that the Sheppards’ efforts are transforming the appearance of the once infamous lot. The Zone is a highly visible building that adds a fresh, clean look against a strip of rundown store fronts and liquor marts."

On Philanthropy

Dollar Philanthropy’s Carol Kirshner spoke this week with Dr. Keith Taylor of the Modest Needs Foundation, raising a number of interesting issues and points around the meaning, potential and purpose of philanthropy, giving and compassion.  Taylor, who founded Modest Needs to provide small grants to individuals and families to prevent the downward spirol into poverty, discussed his perspectives on the cycle of poverty, economic security, donor involvement in philanthropy and re-defining the way people think about giving.  "Philanthropy is not just about empowering the individuals in need of compassion. It’s about empowering each of us to demonstrate meaningful compassion, as we can, with whatever we can afford to share.  And to me, that kind of empowerment, which tangibly affects both the donor and the recipient, is the only kind of power worth having."   

TIME magazine released its TIME 100–"the 100 men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world," and a special section of 12 Power Givers, which are summarized for easy reading by OnPhilanthropy, which also asks the fun question, who is missing and who shouldn’t have been included?  Prompting me to note, simply, that Oprah Winfrey seems an interesting omission from the power givers section, particularly this year when she opened her school and caused such a buzz.  What do you think?

Hispanic Business‘s article, "Building the Foundation" documents the deliberate movement behind the Destino Hispanic Legacy Fund and, by default, the rise of philanthropy "among Hispanics for Hispanics."  Locally, a similar effort is underway through the Washington, D.C. Hispanics in Philanthropy collaborative, of which The Women’s Foundation is a founding supporter.     

The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Give and Take is hosting a number of interesting discussions, including one asking whether diversity isn’t enough of a priority for foundations and another questioning the value of giving circles.  Then there is advice on the three quick steps to attract young people to charities.  I’ve no doubt that members of our community have a great deal to contribute to these ongoing debates and dialogues, and hope you’ll stop by and leave your two cents.  If you do, be sure to let us know!  

On Women and Work

The Huffington Post this week featured two interesting posts on the issue of women and work, including Jill Miller’s "Working Women Under Attack, Again," which documents her perspective on recent concerns about the future of the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and harkens back to those wage-gap issues that have been so oft-discussed of late.  Additionally, Maria Kefalas takes on Single Mama Drama and discusses the economic factors behind the "non-marital childbearing trend."

And that’s it for this week!  Don’t forget to drop us a line about your take on the news, the views or something we missed! 

See you next week, and happy Mother’s Day! 

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.

Deamonte's story is hardly an isolated case…

Posted on by Lisa Kays

I hate going to the dentist as much as the next girl, but I have to tell you, these days, I’m feeling pretty grateful for the privilege.

Hearing Deamonte’s story yesterday, and then reading Robyn Fleming’s thoughts on this tragedy of a 12-year old boy dying because of a lack of basic dental care, spurned Siobhán to learn more about how widespread this problem is among children.

We were both stunned by what she found.

The American Journal of Public Health reported in July 2005 about American children that, "More than half of all low-income children without health insurance fail to go to a dentist for cleanings."  Their report contrasts these children with those who do have private or public dental coverage, among whom only 20-24 percent failed to visit a dentist for preventive care in the previous year.

The Child Trends Databank explains that, such as was the case for Deamonte, lack of dental health in children can have serious consequences.  "Untreated dental problems or poor oral health in children can result in problems in eating, speaking, and sleeping, poor performance in school, poor social relationships, difficulty concentrating, poor self-image, and problems completing schoolwork," the Databank says.  "Children with early childhood dental problems also often weigh less."

The breadth and depth of this issue only brings home Robyn’s point even further, that Deamonte’s tragic death is far from an isolated case, and that, as she so eloquently states, "The larger problem here isn’t just about access to dental care. This is a problem that so often is overlooked or ignored by this country as a whole.  This is an issue of those that have and those who have nothing. This is about poverty!"

Thinking about this story, and those words, I can’t help but think back on my pre-teen days, when one of my biggest problems, and sources of pain and anguish, was the $2,000 set of braces that were slapped on my face for purely cosmetic purposes. 

Seems embarrassingly ridiculous compared to the pain and anguish that Deamonte’s mother must now be suffering–all because her son wasn’t able to get a toothache treated.

Response to the death of young Deamonte Driver

Posted on by Robyn Fleming

In today’s world, we hear of tragedies on a regular basis. From Hurricane Katrina to the "War on Terror," pictures of devastation and chaos constantly bombard us to the point of numbness.  I personally always struggle with wanting to be informed about the world around me and taking action on how I can contribute, and also sometimes wanting to be the ostrich with her head in the sand.

However, I refuse to put my head in the sand and ignore the tragedy of a young Maryland boy whose life had to end merely because he was poor!  I refuse to stay quiet about the fact that we live in the most prosperous nation in the world, spending billions of dollars for weapons and war, but can’t help a little boy who needed basic medical attention.

For those who have not read the story, a young 12-year old boy lost his life because an infection from a rotten tooth spread to his brain.  After two surgeries, and weeks in the hospital, young Deamonte Driver lost his fight for life.  Furthermore, his family may be left with thousands of dollars in medical bills!

I knew the mother of that little boy.

Alyce Driver was in a vocational training program that I taught.  The goal of the program was to target economically disadvantaged single, head of household women and train them to enter non-traditional career paths, with the hopes that they will have higher wages. The goal was to also offer supportive services to assist these women, many of whom were facing severe personal circumstances.

Alyce, along with many other women, came to this program as a last hope.  Hope that they will learn something new, hope that they will find support and assistance when they couldn’t get it anywhere else, hope for another chance at life!

Alyce had that hope that she could do better.

She attended school even though she was going through extreme domestic circumstances. She struggled to come to school everyday although she didn’t have money for Metro and was temporarily homeless.

Alyce and her son didn’t deserve this to happen to them. No one deserves something like that to happen to them.

This is a woman who sought help. She was someone who strived for more for herself and her family.

I worked very hard during my tenure working in social services in the Washington metropolitan area to find resources for these women. For me, who had access to telephones, fax machines, e-mail and Internet, it was still difficult to reach these organizations.  After they were reached, it was even harder to get clear answers or adequate follow through.

I feel as if I failed Ms. Driver.

But in reality, we all failed Ms. Driver.

The larger problem here isn’t just about access to dental care. This is a problem that so often is overlooked or ignored by this country as a whole.  This is an issue of those that have and those who have nothing. This is about poverty!

People can say, “Why didn’t this mother take her sons to the dentist earlier?” “Why didn’t they practice healthy dental hygiene?” “Why didn’t that mother feed her boys a proper diet so their teeth would be strong and immune systems healthy?

Many people want to point the blame at the mother or family, but we really need to be pointing the blame at ourselves.  Those who have the privilege of having a home to go to every night, have a steady job which offers comprehensive healthcare, and have the means to seek preventive care and live healthy lives often do not understand how hard it is for those less fortunate.  But instead of trying to learn and help, they ignore it or say things like, “Aren’t our taxes paying enough?” or “These people are lazy and they deserve what they get!

What has ever happened to empathy? What happened to us being our Brother’s, or in this case, Sister’s Keeper?

Imagine being in an abusive relationship, with no friends or family to support you.  Imagine having no car to take you to your job or simply the grocery store?  Imagine having children who depend on you and being powerless to give to them. Imagine being homeless and then separated from your children.  Imagine going to social service organization after social service organization for help and constantly being turned away.

The privileged few do not or can not imagine such an existence, but for thousands of women in the Washington metropolitan area, that is their daily existence!  And for many more women that are living paycheck to paycheck, imagining that existence isn’t very hard!

What makes situations even worse is when you have social service organizations claiming that they do not have funds or resources to wholly support those who they are supposed to help, but looking at their office parking lots you will see top of the line cars and catered events!

Women are the foundations of all societies!  We not only give birth to the future, but we are in charge of raising, nurturing, and protecting our future.

How can we look towards a bright future when we can not support the women and children of today?

They say the hardest loss or pain a person can ever face is the loss of a child.

Alyce Driver just didn’t lose a child, we all did!

We all should be in pain for this injustice. From this pain and loss, I hope something positive can emerge — that nothing like this ever happens again!

Robyn Fleming is a former staff member of Goodwill of Greater Washington, a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation.