Archive for January, 2009
Out with the Old…
Posted by joyinhome on January 16, 2009
Posted in Politics | Tagged: economic crisis, Politics, power | Leave a Comment »
Peace out…
Posted by joyinhome on January 16, 2009
Posted in Economy, Families, Politics | Tagged: economic crisis, Politics, power | Leave a Comment »
Just saving fashion?
Posted by egehl on January 15, 2009
I think Michelle Obama is going to be a dynamic and impactful First Lady, and I am excited to see what she brings to the office. I was fortunate to hear her speak during the Democratic National Convention in Denver and was awe struck by her poise, intelligence, passion and keen understanding about the issues facing today’s women.
So I have found it interesting, and a bit humorous, that the media’s focus about her lately is her taste in clothing and whether she can ”save the fashion world” because she likes to buy modestly priced clothes at stores like J.Crew and White House Black Market. While I certainly love my fashion fill like the next gal, I am more excited about the work she will do to help women acheive their professional and personal goals.
One of my favorite interviews of Mrs. Obama was with Larry King during the campaign. It was in that interview that she so articulately talked about her concern and commitment toward what she deems as two of her top priorities: helping women acheive a better work-life balance and supporting women veterans and their families. When she spoke I wanted to cheer!
These are top issues facing women and I look forward to the impact she will have in these defining areas (more than whether the yellow outfit she wore on the Tonight Show sold out).
Posted in Families, Successful Workplaces, Worklife Balance | Tagged: fashion, michelle obama, women veterans, work-life balance | 2 Comments »
The Simple Life
Posted by businesswom on January 15, 2009
One mother + two kids + one bedroom = simple living. “Overwhelmed by consumerism and sobered by the economy, more Americans are embracing the less-is-more philosophy of voluntary simplicity, trading possession obsession for personal fulfillment,” says Allison Glock in her O Magazine article.
Simple living is back! Well, was it ever here? The Simple Living Institute in Florida was featured in “O”, so I checked out their not-so-shockingly simple website to see what they’re about. The non-profit basically promotes living on the bare necessities, environmental and community stewardship; and finding love, joy, and contentment through life experiences instead of possessions. From this, the promise of a clear head, better health, and more stable finances is said to follow.
Posted in Economy, Families, Lifestyle, Uncategorized, Worklife Balance | Tagged: economic crisis, Economy, environment, family, women's health, work-life | 1 Comment »
Balancing Act
Posted by gansie on January 15, 2009
Nope, not talking about work life and personal life.
Nope, not talking about fats and vitamins.
Nope, not talking about partisanship and statescraft.
I’m talking about:
(1) Balancing my interest in Michelle Obama becoming a brave public servant and speaking out about important issues for working women and their families.
(2) But also caring deeply about what Ms. Obama will be wearing for all of the inaugural balls!
The Washington Post fashion critic, Robin Givhan (a Pulitzer winner as well as the woman behind the Clinton-Cleavage controversy, and I do ask that you read the entire article, for it is very well done and did not deserve the negative press), ran a contest soliciting dress designs for the to-be First Lady.
And you know what, I’m eating it up. I of course care about the issues, and her support for veterans (women veterans!) and their families, but you know what, I want some fun.
I want some fashion.
I want a First Lady that is less robot-like and more woman-like. And I can’t wait find out what (who!) she’ll be wearing on this most important day.
photo credit: awesome blog covering Mrs. O’s wardrobe
Posted in Feminism, Lifestyle, Politics | Tagged: fashion, first lady, michelle obama, robin givhan | 2 Comments »
Everyone wants a piece of the pie
Posted by egehl on January 14, 2009
These days you don’t have to work in public policy to hear the barrage of information about the economic recovery package. As we all know, Congress is working right now through their infighting and political differences to craft a gigantic stimulus package within President-Elect Obama’s parameters – a bill that includes job creation, middle class tax cuts, innovative ways to tackle the energy crisis and building our infrastructure, to name a few.
As expected, every special interest group and constituency is lobbying feverishly for a big piece of this ever growing pie. It’s hard not to be tempted because as the price tag grows everyone feels a bit drunk with money as those green dollar signs dance in our eyes. However when those dollar signs come to rest, you can feel the quiet nervousness about whether this stimulus package will do the trick, and can we avoid the yucky word “depression”.
Everyone has a stake in this package of “last hope” because our businesses, local governments and citizens are really hurting. And while all constituencies have a stake, I wonder how will it impact women? 
One of the biggest concerns for many women is job loss and how to stop the hemorrhaging of unemployment. According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for adult women last month was 5.9 percent and growing steadily. A large emphasis of the recovery package is growing infrastructure and “green” jobs, and my hope is that these jobs will not solely be in male dominated fields. It is important that this package include job creation opportunities across the board so that women have equal opportunities. In addition, other important aspects that also need to be considered because of their impact on women: increased funding for affordable child care, expanding SCHIP and supporting state paid family leave insurance programs. In this time of economic uncertainty, I hope that the Congress and new President think broadly and across gender lines because women are depending on it.
Posted in Advocacy, Economy, Politics | Tagged: Economy, gender roles, recovery package, unemployment, women, workplace | 2 Comments »
The New Face of Feminism
Posted by gansie on January 12, 2009
Posted in Feminism, Global | Tagged: barack obama, Feminism, gender roles, men, Politics | 6 Comments »
$.66…do I hear $.67? $1?
Posted by joyinhome on January 9, 2009
As an Afrcian American woman, on average, I am paid 66 cents for every dollar a man makes for the same work. Today the House passed two bills aimed at closing this wage gap… Senate- here it comes. How long will it take and will I reap the benefits?
Equal pay for equal work. Such a basic concept but somehow the workforce hasn’t gotten it right for women.
Posted in Advocacy, Economy, Families, Pay Equity, Successful Workplaces | Tagged: Pay Equity, Politics, race, Successful Workplaces, women, workplace | 3 Comments »
Misbehavin’ Notification: Equal Pay
Posted by gansie on January 9, 2009
Working Women Cheer House Votes to Close Wage Gap
BPW/USA Lauds Support for Working Women and Their Families
Washington, DC — Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing today both the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (HR 11) and the Pay Check Fairness Act (HR 12). “These two pieces of legislation provide a crucial one-two punch in the fight for equal pay for women and the passage today is an important step towards closing the persistent and sizable wage gap that remains between men and women,” said BPW/USA CEO Deborah L. Frett.
“Passage of these bills in the first days of the 111th Congress is clear recognition that wage discrimination is still a very real problem in the United States,” continued Frett. “This wage gap not only impacts the economic security of women working today, it also directly affects women’s future economic security therefore, challenging the stability of the family as a whole.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women who work full time earn, on average, only 78 cents for every dollar men earn. The figures are even worse for women of color with Black women only earning 66 cents and Latinas 54 cents on the dollar.
Frett stated, “Women deserve equal pay for equal work and a fair shot at challenging pay discrimination. Pay discrimination costs women between $400,000 to 2 million in lost wages over a lifetime; they retire with less money and endure economic instability throughout their lives. During a recession, women tend to be impacted most severely; it is the perfect time to protect their economic security.”
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act rights the wrongs done by the Supreme Court in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., reinstating previous rules protecting workers and ensuring people who have been discriminated against can seek vindication in a timely matter. The Paycheck Fairness Act is a comprehensive bill that would create stronger incentives for employers to follow the law as well as increase penalties for violations; strengthen federal outreach, education and enforcement efforts; and prohibit retaliation against workers who ask about employers’ wage practices.
“BPW/USA members have worked tirelessly for passage of this legislation and they now call on the U.S Senate to follow the House’s lead and quickly pass these crucial bills,” Frett said. “American women are looking for concrete action to improve the economic security of working families and this legislation is an important first step.”
Posted in Advocacy, Career Advancement, Misbehavin' Notification, Pay Equity, Politics | Tagged: equality, lilly ledbetter, Pay Equity, Politics, power, workplace | Leave a Comment »
Link Love: Knockin’ On Equity’s Door
Posted by gansie on January 8, 2009
Hundred and Eleventh Off to a *Fair* Start [Feminste]
Will Paycheck Transparency Make it Clearer [Pink Magazine]
“If Barack Obama wants people to get the justice they were denied in the past, he should get someone to deny their civil rights now.” [Colbert Report]
Posted in Advocacy, Career Advancement, Pay Equity, Politics | Tagged: equality, gender roles, Link Love, Pay Equity, workplace | 2 Comments »
