The Violence Against Women Act, otherwise known as VAWA, has been an important federal policy to combat against domestic violence and other violent crimes against women. The original passage of VAWA in 1994 was a landmark piece of legislation for women’s rights because it filled a void in federal law that had left too many victims of domestic and sexual violence without the help they needed. The bill must be reauthorized in 2010 before it expires in September 2011 therefore Congress has already begun the process of reexamining VAWA, and figuring out ways to strengthen key components of the bill.
Since the enactment of VAWA, the rates of non-fatal and fatal domestic violence have declined, more victims have felt confident to come forward to report these crimes and to seek help, and states have passed more than 600 laws to combat these crimes. Despite this progress, however, our country still has a long way to go in addressing the high rates of violence against women. Millions of women continue to be traumatized by abuse and recently it has come into the national spotlight with the physical abuse of Rihanna by Chris Brown. We know that one in four women are victims of domestic violence and one in six women are victims of sexual assault. In addition, 1.4 million individuals are stalked each year.
There are a lot of components to VAWA because violence can happen in varying forms and impact different populations. The future bill must address the following areas: children, court and law enforcement, communities of color, disabilities, health issues, housing, immigration, gay communities, military, offenders, older victims, prevention, privacy and technology, services, tribal issues, economic justice and the workplace.
That’s a lot to tackle but each is an important component to addressing the intricate puzzle of how and why violence takes place.
Programs to assist victims of domestic and sexual violence are particularly important during difficult economic times when these types of crime often increase and funding sources to support these programs evaporate. This was discussed in a previous Young Women Misbehavin’ blog entitled “An economy that’s more than just financially sick” which mentions that as “the economic downturn deepens, the new challenges faced by many people will be translated into increased stress, anxiety, anger and frustration. This can lead to an increase in domestic violence and child abuse.” The emotional toll this recession has had on families will be felt for years because financial stress is often at the epicenter of family and couple disputes.
Crisis centers and hotlines are reporting an alarming increase in victimization nationwide. A 2008 census by the National Network to End Domestic Violence found that in just one day, more than 60,500 adults and children were served by local domestic violence programs. Yet due to a lack of resources, almost 9000 requests for services went unmet. Therefore strengthening VAWA is crucially important as the country continues to push through and recover from the ongoing economic crisis.
Momentum is growing around how to engage men to end violence against women.
Throughout the world, there are an increasing number of successful programs that are changing social norms and attitudes about the acceptability of violence. Many of these programs engage men in changing their own behavior and also work with men and boys to end harmful traditional practices and domestic and sexual violence. Dialogue is happening about what are successful programs that are working to combat violence and include the involvement of men. This new line of thinking has a lot of potential and men must be part of the solution.
This summer advocates will be busy getting the current VAWA fully funded and technically correct, but work must begin now to draft next years’ VAWA reauthorization. Advocates will need the support and voice of the grassroots, especially those in the field engaged in domestic violence related work, to educate Congress about the importance of VAWA and why it should be protected and expanded. Together we can mount a solid and effective campaign of awareness and determination to pass a strong bill.
On Monday, confirmation hearings begin for New York federal appeals court judge, Sonia Sotomayor, for the highest court in the land.
As far as credentials, Sotomayor is the most qualified SC nominee in the past 75 years; however, her intellect has been under constant attack. Sotomayor has also been accused of letting personal beliefs color (excuse the pun) her rulings- yet there is no evidence of such in her record.
To date there have been a total of TWO women to serve on the Supreme Court. Hmmmm- last I checked women were more than half of the U.S. population…
Yesterday the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on school bullying featuring testimony from Sirdeaner Walker, mother of 11 year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, a victim of continuous bullying, who hung himself last April.
“School bullying is a national crisis and we need a national solution to deal with it,” Walker said. “Teachers, administrators and other school personnel need additional support and clear guidance about how to ensure that all kids feel safe in school.”
Walker has also become an advocate for the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would fund school programs to prevent bullying and harassment on the bases of actual or perceived sexual orientation.
This is not an isolated incident. Later in April, 11 year-old Jaheem Herrera of Georgia committed suicide, a victim of bullying… Eric Mohat… and have we already forgotten Columbine?
In May, I was rushing out the door to pick my daughter up from school when I heard the opening on Oprah. Two mothers were meeting for the first time who shared this horrible connection. The connection deepened as it was revealed that both were taunted for being/acting gay. I was visibly shaken to put it lightly.
I did not see the show, but on the drive home had a serious and frank discussion with my 12 year-old about bullying. I recounted the story of these two boys her age who ended their young lives- I will never forget the sadness in her eyes. She reported that she had not witnessed any bullying at school but still I urged her to tell me if she ever did and felt afraid to intervene.
Facts:
Currently 41 states have bullying laws on the books.
Sixty percent of middle school-age bullies have criminal convictions by age 24.
Adults who were bullied as children have higher rates of depression and lower self-esteem than those who weren’t bullied.
We need to take this very seriously- parents, teachers, policy makers and communities- let’s talk. It’s time to practice the virtues of tolerance and respect, otherwise how do we expect our children to learn them?
Is it ever appropriate to ask a woman if she plans to freeze her eggs? In today’s changing times, many young women are focusing on pursuits like graduate school and mobilizing themselves in their professional careers. Shifting priorities among many younger women and the evolution of society that now permits women to work toward professional success has lead to some career-focused women to put off having children a bit. And, that is ok. Or, at least it should be.
With today’s technology, there are so many options from which single women and married couples can choose to ensure they have families – surrogates, adoption, in vitro fertilization, for example. However, women and couples should be given the option to discuss these decisions freely as they wish, or not. Society often appears to not be able to handle an older woman who wants to have a child, or a younger woman who doesn’t (at the moment). People are then pretty quick to lay on the pressure based on what conventional birthing-age standards may be.
With magazines reminding us that our peak fertilization age is 20 years old, our mothers playing with every toddler in sight, the enormous risk of birth defects after age 35-ish, and of course our hair stylists asking “So, are you just going to freeze your eggs?” – or maybe that was just my stylist – society and family opinions are creating undue pressure on younger women who really do have some time to develop professionally before they have a child. We all know that pressure and stress can’t be good for fertility, though, so everyone should think about just laying off a bit.
Most women are feeling the pinch of the economy these days. Whether it’s because you’ve lost your job, your salary isn’t covering the bills or you are attempting to stay within a budget, we are all trying to figure out how to better handle our finances. Even if we are all in the same boat somehow, it can be a never-ending struggle.
Women manage 83 percent of the country’s consumer spending.
This wields a lot of power but also the responsibility to be mindful about how we spend. As women we have control in our grasp and have a great stake in helping to turn our economy around. However sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin: how do you shape up personal finances and what steps to take toward financial stability and freedom.
I wanted to share some tips that I am trying to help improve my finances and live a more financially honest life:
Pay the bills on time: It may not seem like a big deal to miss a payment but those late fees add up.
Spend within your means: Now this is a tough one. Many women love to shop and I am no different. However part of the reason we are in this economic mess is because we were not living within our means. Our country went through a “keepin’ up with the Jones” period and we are now paying the price. I am guilty like everyone else but trying to make a conscious effort to buy what I can afford. We all need to make some tough choices and prioritize what is a need and what is a want. Could you uncork a wine bottle instead of going out? Do you really need another pair of black shoes? The ability for our economy to bounce back and remain stable will be influenced by consumer spending and consumers making smarter choices about their purchases.
Shop smart: If you have extra cash, spend it, but do so wisely. Look for sales and buy items that last. And realize when you’ve maxed out on your budget, you must proceed with caution. Figure out ways to save, such as buying groceries and making lunch rather than eating out everyday.
Borrow with care: It’s empowering for a woman to own a home, get an education or own a car. However each of these usually involve taking out a loan so do it with care. While mortgage and education loans are considered “good debt” take on an amount you can handle and remember that these loans will stick with you for a long time. A home should be no more than three times your annual income and ideally you should be able to pay off your car in 5 years.
Monitor your finances: One of the best things about the Internet age is the ability to view your bank accounts on-line. You can check them often and know when your money is being withdrawn or added. If you have a hard time keeping track of how much money you are spending, use on-line banking or consider establishing an account at www.mint.com. This innovative website allows you to create a budget and track exactly how you are spending your money.
Save when you can: Whether it’s utilizing your company’s 401k account or putting money into a savings account, try to put some money away for emergencies and retirement. Admittedly I need to take my own advice on this one, but I’m trying to get better.
Be generous: In hard times it’s easy to wallow in a bad situation, but remember that there are many who have it worse. For those of us with a roof over our heads, food on the table and a job to go to- we have it pretty good. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what we don’t have or the vacation you want to take but can’t afford, but there are thousands of people nationwide who are not able to afford the basics. When you have the time, lend a hand and it will put your situation in perspective.
The beautiful Angels gathered around the speaker phone, dressed stylishly while exchanging banter with Bosely. They listened attentively, hanging onto every word of their employer, Charlie.
I was a devoted fan tuning in everyday, afterschool at 4pm. I couldn’t wait to see the case assigned the private investigators of The Charles Townsend Agency- the Angels- and how Kelly (my fav), Sabrina and Jill (then Kris/Tiffany/Julie) would get out of the danger that awaited at every turn.
Although Farrah Fawcett-Majors (Feb. 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) left after the first year (w/ recurring cameos to follow), she debuted on the hit show which was wildy popular among women during its run (1976-1981), which made her an international star. Although Charlie’s Angels was created to appeal to a male audience, it had the opposite effect. Young women dominated the viewership, tuning in to watch the stylish, strong and independent women excel in a male-dominated industry.
After leaving the show, Fawcett-Majors went on to receive Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her television work and approval for off-broadway performances. Fawcett-Majors was also known as a sex symbol whose 1976 poster remains the best selling of all time – more than 12 million copies sold.
Fawcett- Majors, cultural icon and mother, lost her battle with cancer on June 25, 2009 after periods of remission and the making of Farrah’s Story, the poignant documentary of her herioc struggle with the disease filmed by friend Alana Stewart.
If there was ever a time for Americans to get involved in service and volunteering it is now. Recently the Obama Administration unveiled a new service initiative entitled “United We Serve”. This program is designed to encourage all Americans to engage in sustained, meaningful community service to help tackle our nation’s leading social problems. A revamped interest and focus on the value of service has been sparked due to the economic crisis and realizing the benefits it brings not just for the people on the receiving end, but also those who give freely and unselfishly of their time.
Just in the six short months since taking office, the Administration has proactively tried to refocus Americans on engaging in sustained service by passing the Serve for America Act and establishing the United We Serve initiative. Historically Americans have had a strong dedication to service however in recent years with the number of natural disasters inflicting our country, people have a stronger understanding and appreciation of the concrete results that can happen when many volunteers come together. The country has a keener sense of how volunteering can positively impact a community, especially populations in need, to solve our nation’s most pressing issues. And right now we are facing a lot of challenges that government cannot solve alone.
According to a study done by the Corporate for National and Community Service, the federal agency that oversees and manages our nation’s volunteer programs, over half (57.7%) of adult volunteers are women. These volunteers span a wide age range mostly between the ages of 25 and 55 and offer a varied array of services. A new trend has emerged in recent years especially since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina called “long-distance volunteering”. Long-distance volunteers travel outside of their communities to give service and commit for either a short-term or long-term period of time. Women make up over half (51.6%) of long-distance volunteers further showing that women are an important component to service in this country.
Now more than ever there are opportunities for women to get involved in service. The recently unveiled United We Serve program includes a new website, www.serve.gov, to support this initiative. The website serves as a one-stop shop to find and create service projects in communities nationwide, share stories about successful projects, download toolkits, create your own service opportunity and establish goals on how to measure community impact. The United We Serve summer initiative begins on June 22nd and runs through the National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11th.
In addition, the recently passed Serve for America Act is a milestone piece of federal legislation for the national service movement and the largest expansion of civilian service since the Depression. It will dramatically expand national and community service programs such as AmeriCorps, and strengthen the infrastructure for volunteerism within the nonprofit community. For more information please visit the Corporation for National and Community Service website.
Volunteering is a great way for women to try out different interests and get involved with helping their community. It allows women a chance to explore their many talents whether that is mentoring a child, building a home, supporting a museum, helping out a nurse, or coaching a team. Every volunteer opportunity presents a woman an opportunity to learn more about herself and her strengths. In addition, there are service events around the country that focus just on female participants.
For example, the St. Bernard Project in New Orleans organizes a yearly “Women’s Rebuild” so that women from around the country can join together and build houses for a week. Over 200 women attended this year’s Women’s Rebuild and participated in this week of fun, hard work and gratifying accomplishment that they helped displaced residents move back into their homes. It’s especially empowering for women to engage in manual labor and witness the fruits of their work come together as they build, mold and design things. Rebuilding a house takes teamwork, hard work and skills that women possess but it’s not an activity most women think they are suited for or often participate in during their daily lives. However when women witness how their physical work can create the pieces needed to build a home many are surprised and excited they can accomplish projects often considered a “man’s role”.
No matter what activity a woman decides to engage in she will be giving back her talents to her community and witnessing the fruits of her labor. I look forward to seeing how this renewed enthusiasm for service takes hold in our country and transforms women’s lives.
The unrest and confrontation that was a result of the election in Iran has been at the tip of discussion all across the world. The central force in this opposition is the women’s movement and the struggle for equal rights in a community with history based on the oppression of women. An opinion article that I read this morning in Slate got me thinking about the force that has been going on behind the scenes for years and has come to fruition in the past weeks. It is the grassroots movement for the end of laws that discriminate against women and deny equal rights. The author started and ended by saying, “Regimes that repress the civil and human rights of half their population are inherently unstable.”
The results and handling of the election in Iran provided activists on the ground who have been quietly organizing for years, a platform to come together and oppose the political system as it is in place. They stand behind a candidate who has voiced his intention to overturn discriminatory laws and give women and men equal rights. They communicate that discrimination is not the norm and unite to make a difference.
Twitter, Facebook, and the internet have not instigated the outrage and uprising, but they have been the difference. They facilitated communication and awareness. They have allowed images, firsthand accounts, and information to reach people that otherwise wouldn’t know what was going on. We are no longer able to turn our head and look the other direction.
The image of a woman, 27-year old Neda Salehi is seen on posters throughout Tehran , the graphic video of her death transmitted across the internet. A young woman who was simply standing outside of her car has become the martyr for a generation and the symbol of the struggle of a population. In Iran and many other areas around the world there is not only inequality, but laws putting this inequality in place. Every change that is made, every step that is taken anywhere in the world for equal rights is a step in the right direction. Support causes you believe in; because even if you aren’t on the streets of Tehran, your actions and support can be transmitted around the world in a matter of seconds.
We all know the terrible Homer Simpson stereotype: fat, lazy, stupid father that marries a totally-together, attractive, smart woman. But you know what, sometimes pop culture surprises us.
In time for Father’s Day, here’s a salute to all those TV dads that proved it’s cool to fold laundry, care for kids and make dinner.
Top 10 TV Feminist Dads
1. Cliff Huxtable, The Cosby Show…because playing an active role in his kids’ life was almost as important as sneaking unhealthy sandwiches.
2. Danny Tanner, Joey Gladstone and Uncle Jessie, Full House…because raising three daughters takes the strength of three people.
3. Steven Keaton, Family Ties…because a free-loving hippy can grow up to be a responsible father.
4. Andy Taylor, The Andy Griffith Show…because being a single dad in the ‘60s was revolutionary.
5. Dan Conner, Roseanne…because as Roseanne as a wife, he deserved a trophy just for that.
6. Papa Smurf, The Smurfs…because leading a pack of little blue creatures is not an easy feat.
7. Charles “Papa” Ingalls, Little House on the Prairie…because he treated his daughters as equals even back in Frontier times.
8. Flex, One on One…because a former NBA player can successfully play the role of a single dad to a teenage girl, too.
9. Jason Seaver, Growing Pains…because working from home gave him the flexibility to be both bread winner and active father.
Do you have a feminist dad in your life? Honor him this Father’s Day by making a donation to Business and Professional Women’s Foundation. We support families in our endeavor to create successful workplaces; because if we didn’t have families—what are we working for?
On Monday, confirmation hearings begin for New York federal appeals court judge, Sonia Sotomayor, for the highest court in the land.
Most women are feeling the pinch of the economy these days. Whether it’s because you’ve lost your job, your salary isn’t covering the bills or you are attempting to stay within a budget, we are all trying to figure out how to better handle our finances. Even if we are all in the same boat somehow, it can be a never-ending struggle.
consumer spending.
instead of going out? Do you really need another pair of black shoes? The ability for our economy to bounce back and remain stable will be influenced by consumer spending and consumers making smarter choices about their purchases.
taking out a loan so do it with care. While mortgage and education loans are considered “good debt” take on an amount you can handle and remember that these loans will stick with you for a long time. A home should be no more than three times your annual income and ideally you should be able to pay off your car in 5 years.
Good morning Angels.
Although Farrah Fawcett-Majors (Feb. 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) left after the first year (w/ recurring cameos to follow), she debuted on the hit show which was wildy popular among women during its run (1976-1981), which made her an international star. Although Charlie’s Angels was created to appeal to a male audience, it had the opposite effect. Young women dominated the viewership, tuning in to watch the stylish, strong and independent women excel in a male-dominated industry.
her television work and approval for off-broadway performances. Fawcett-Majors was also known as a sex symbol whose 1976 poster remains the best selling of all time – more than 12 million copies sold.
