Rbt Wood Johnson launches Teen Dating Violence initiative

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has launched the largest national health initiative to stop the spread of teen dating violence. You can read their press release about this initiative by clicking HERE. The project is called Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships. It is the largest initiative ever funded to target 11- to 14-year-old youth to promote healthy relationships as the way to prevent teen dating violence and abuse. Check out the Start Strong website by clicking HERE. Their press release notes that

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experienced physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year. Even more alarming, a study released by the Multisite Violence Prevention Project reveals that half of all sixth graders say they are dating and 42.1 percent of these children report being victims of physical dating violence.

Many states fail to adequately address teen dating violence. Break The Cycle, a teen-violence prevention organization, gave A grades to only five states -- including Oklahoma! Read about it HERE and see Oklahoma's Report Card HERE.

Even still - those laws just react after the fact. What's needed is better awareness for young girls so they don't get into bad relationships in the first place. RWJ's Start Strong project focuses on four core strategies involving in-class curriculum, policy change, work with mentors and communications strategies to empower youth to develop healthy relationships.

Ovarian Cancer is "the silent killer" so you need to . . .

. . . watch for any of these symptoms:

Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion
Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
Ongoing unusual fatigue
Unexplained changes in bowel habits

If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask your doctor for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, a CA-125 blood test, and transvaginal ultrasound.

REMEMBER: A Pap Test WILL NOT detect ovarian cancer. However, the CA-125 blood test usually will BUT most insurance companies won't pay for it unless you have reason to suspect ovarian cancer. I recently asked my doctor for a prescription for a CA-125 blood test and she wrote it with the understanding that I'll have to pay the $148 myself. Seems like a worthwhile expenditure of funds to me.

National Cowboy...Museum's Exhibit on Women of the West

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum has an exhibit running from July 24 through January 10 entitled "Not Just a Housewife: The Changing Roles of Women in the West." Their publicity says:

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tradition held that women were expected to fill two roles, that of housewife and mother. This exhibit explores how some women were determined to step out of that tradition. As women traveled West, many were resolute not to follow the path expected of them, while others were forced to look for non-traditional lives. Some joined the rush for gold, some entered politics, some looked to the arts, while others ventured into the realm of gambling and prostitution. These women were praised by some and scorned by others. Without their courage, women of today could have faced an uncertain future.

You can read the longer press release HERE. and also HERE and a write up about the exhibit in The Gazette HERE .

(Thank you, Erin Kennedy, for emailing me about this exhibit!)

Women Make Movies (the program & website)

Women Make Movies is the world's leading distributor of independent films by and about women. For the third year in a row, films from WMM took home top prizes at Sundance.

ROUGH AUNTIES by acclaimed filmmaker Kim Longinotto won the World Cinema Documentary Jury Prize this year; and last year, THE GREATEST SILENCE: RAPE IN THE CONGO received the Special Jury Prize in documentary.

Additionally, WMM's well-established Production Assistance (PA) Program helps American women directors get their stories to the screen.

You can visit their website at www.wmm.com.

Spread the word: Job Opening at Oklahoma Women's Coalition

The Oklahoma Women's Coalition has an opening for a part-time contract employee to help with membership, newsletters, etc (see job description below). We would prefer someone who lives in Central Oklahoma, has work experience with a nonprofit organization, and is familiar with Quickbooks and eTapestry (a donor/membership database management program). Anyone interested can send their resume to info@oklahomawomenscoalition.org or to me directly (jeanwarner@cox.net). Here is the job description:


Oklahoma Women's Coalition Executive Assistant

Time: Average 10 - 15 hours/week
Status: Contract Position paid hourly

The OWC Executive Assistant would work an average of 10 – 15 hours per week
from their own home or office and utilize their own equipment. Flexible schedule.
This would be a contract position that would report to the Board Chair.

- Keep membership records on web-based dataset (eTapestry)
- Send membership renewal letters
- Send welcome/receipt letters to new members
- Pick up mail from YWCA in Oklahoma City
- Make bank deposits if necessary
- Maintain corporate records
- Review emails and either answer or forward to appropriate Board member
- Help prepare documents for Board meetings
- Take Board meeting minutes and draft official minutes
- Make arrangements for Board meetings
- Communicate with Board and OWC members when needed
- Assist with fundraising correspondence
- Assist with the planning and execution of Coalition events
- Assist with membership marketing
- Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
• Experience in keeping financial records
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team
• Minimum two years clerical or administrative experience
• Word processing skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software
• Ability and willingness to work cooperatively with others

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience maintaining a membership database system
• Experience working for a non-profit organization
• Experience in grant writing and reporting
• Experience in website updating and social media

Applicant may be subject to a background check prior to employment

Please submit resume to jeanwarner@cox.net by Friday August 14, 2009

Judge Sotomayor Approved by Senate Committee

From the National Women's Law Center:

Today, by a vote of 13 to 6, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. This outstanding nominee is one step closer to making Supreme Court history.

The final step is a vote by the full Senate, which is expected to occur sometime next week. The National Women’s Law Center strongly supports Judge Sotomayor and urges the Senate to swiftly confirm her.

Contact your Senators TODAY and urge them to vote to confirm Judge Sotomayor.
The strong vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee today underscores Judge Sotomayor’s extraordinary qualifications...

Judge Sotomayor would be only the third woman, the third person of color, and the first Latina and woman of color to sit on the Supreme Court. Contact your Senators and tell them to vote to confirm Judge Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court Justice.

Also read NWLC's article on "A New Justice on the Supreme Court: Why This Nomination Matters to Women"

Oklahoma's American Recovery & Reinvestment Act $$

Tom Clapper on the Oklahoma State Senate staff periodically sends out very informative emails. Today's was so good, I'm just pasting ght whole thing below. He has listed his attributions at the bottom of the text.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides over $300 billion in potential funding for states to deliver the services their citizens need, while also addressing an unprecedented fiscal crisis. States need to access, utilize, and account for (federal) funding as quickly and efficiently as possible. http://www.staterecovery.org/ is a service of The Council of State Governments (CSG) designed to help states: rapidly decipher potential funding opportunities and share best practices by tracking how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government are responding to and impacted by this historic (federal) legislation.


STATE RESPONSES -- Under this heading Oklahoma has its own web page http://www.staterecovery.org/oklahoma#okcertification which reports that Oklahoma has 330 active recovery projects identified for ARRA funding, totaling $1,683,524,738. It lists the five priorities of Governor Brad Henry for Oklahoma’s share of the recovery plan dollars:

●Create new jobs and jump start Oklahoma’s economy;

●Train Oklahoma workers and educate Oklahoma students for the good jobs here today, and the new jobs created tomorrow;

●Rebuild Oklahoma’s infrastructure—roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, mass transit, broadband, health infor-mation technology, and schools;

●Protect struggling Oklahoma families, helping them make ends meet; and

●Invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to create jobs, save money and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

PORTION -- Oklahoma’s portion of the federal stimulus package is just over $2.6 billion and includes (estimates):

●$37 million--Workforce
●$31 million—Public Safety
●$316 million—Education
●$63 million—Environment
●$78 million—Low income housing, assistance, grants
●$107 million--Energy
●$542 million--Transportation
●$578 million--Budget stabilization
●$950 million—Health and Human Services


GOVERNOR -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry issued Executive Order 2009—14 on March 11, 2009, establishing the ARRA Coordinating Council. Governor Henry appointed State Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage to oversee the stimulus process, particularly the expendi-ture of federal funds. Secretary of State M. Susan Savage will track the initiative and obtain information about federal guide-lines and potential uses for stimulus dollars. Several state agencies, including the Office of State Finance, Office of the State Treasurer, and Office of the State Auditor and Inspector are publishing a newsletter on the State Finance web site http://www.ok.gov/OSF/documents/ARRANewsletter_sc_03062009.doc.


FLEXIBLE FUNDING -- Addressing the question ‘How are states using the $8.8 billion available in the Government Ser-vices Fund of the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund?’ the overall breakdown is:

●Public Safety—28.62%
●Elementary/Secondary Education—14.63%
●Public Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)—7.85%
●Repair of Public School Facilities--.8%
●Repair of IHE—2.62%
●Medicaid—2.9%
●Public Assistance—1.3%
●Transportation--.9%
●Other—19.24%
●Undetermined—21.15%

Uses outlined for the 19.24% ‘Other’ includes:

●Administration—15.54%
●Infrastructure—13.58%
●Economic Development—12.04%
●Government Services--12.02%
●Health/Human Services—11.95$
●Housing—9.2%
●Local Support—9.26%
●Scholarship/Education--8.32%
●Innovation/Technology—5.34%
●Agriculture—2.57%

OKLAHOMA intended use of these funds are as follows:

●Public Safety—5.89%
●Elementary/Secondary Education—32.79% (excluding repair of facilities)
●Public Institutes of Higher Education—29.47% (excluding repairs of facilities)
●Repair of public schools—2.85%
●Medicaid—9.5%
●Public Assistance—2.67%
●Other—16.83% (Infrastructure)”


The above was directly quoted, abstracted and/or condensed from material found at http://www.staterecovery.org/ a service of The Council of State Governments http://www.csg.org/. For more infor-mation please contact CSG at staterecovery@csg.org or Bvoit@csg.org for Oklahoma information.

Chickasaw Nation to honor Lisa Johnson-Billy & Tessie Mobley

On August 13, the Chickasaw Nation will host their Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Riverwind Casino near Norman. Inductees are Lisa Johnson-Billy, Daniel Worcester, the late Tessie Mobley and the late Overton Love.

Lisa Johnson-Billy of Purcell is a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (Republican-District 42). First elected to this post in 2004, she is the first woman and American Indian elected in the district. In 2006, she began the Oklahoma Native American Caucus and serves as co-chair. She is also vice chairwoman of the Republican Caucus in the House of Representatives and serves as deputy whip. Johnson-Billy previously served six years as a legislator for the Chickasaw Nation and was an educator in the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Oklahoma.

Born near Ardmore, Tessie “Lushanya” Mobley was a world famous operatic soprano in the 1940s and 1950s. After she sang in the Hollywood Bowl for the 1929 Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, a promoter arranged for her to perform in Germany. She debuted with the Chicago Opera Company at the Teatro Verdi Opera House in Italy and eventually traveled and performed throughout Europe. She was known as the "songbird of the Chickasaws."

Inductees make a red carpet entrance at 6 p.m.; the Native-themed banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend but reservations are required for the event. They expect 525 so you'll want to arrive early for good seating. Make your reservations by contacting Brian Cooke at 580-559-0781 or e-mail brian.cooke@chickasaw.net.

Source. Ada Evening News (http://www.adaeveningnews.com/local/local_story_182101958.html)

OU Engineering Prof Amy Ceratore receives national honor

Amy Cerato, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, teaches civil engineering and environmental science. She is among the 100 recipients nationwide to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President Obama. That is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers starting their independent careers. Congrats, Amy! Read The Oklahoman story HERE and the Lafayette College Alumni News article here . Here is the White House press release (Amy is under the National Science Foundation which is listed towards the bottom of the list).

~ Vote for the YWCA to receive $100,000

July 15 through September 13 the Allstate Foundation will allow the public to vote for the recipient of a $100,000 grant. All organizations competing for the grant share the foundation's goal of economically empowering victims of domestic violence.

You can vote daily for the YWCA at http://www.clicktoempower.org/

Women's Leadership Conference , Nov 13 at UCO. in Edmond

The Edmond Chamber of Commerce and Edmond Medical Center will present a "Women's Leadership Conference" on November 13. The theme is "Women Helping Women." The conference will be held at the University of Central Oklahoma's Nigh Center. Read more abut the event HERE. To become a sponsor of the event, click HERE for more information.

Drug Companies are Throwing Money at Congress

According to an NPR study "In three months -- April, May and June -- America's biggest drug makers spent $40 million lobbying Congress on health care." No wonder Congress wanted to delay the vote on health care reform (keep those dollars coming!). Read about it here.

Alabama Ranks 3rd Lowest in Women in Legislature; Okla & So Carolina are worst)

Breaking news on the AP wire from the National Conference of State Legislatures; view the WKRG.com News Flash HERE.

Why is it that New Hampshire's state legislature is 37.3 percent women and Vermont's is 33.2 percent while Oklahoma's is only 11.4 percent women?

Bummer. Besides supporting our 17 women legislators, let's each try to talk one remarkable women into running for the Oklahoma State Legislature. It is NOT too soon to begin raising funds, etc so do it NOW!

~ why the declining number of Republican women in state legislatures?

Linda Feldmann had an interesting article in The Christian Science Monitor July 20, 2009 entitled:

"Why GOP is trending away from women in state legislatures: A study shows that the percentage of women in the Republican caucuses of state legislatures is shrinking – a concern, since statehouses develop political talent for the national stage."

The article reports on research conducted by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey. I heard about this when I attended N.E.W. Leadership's reception in May because CAWP's director, Debbie Walsh, was the keynote speaker. I still find the data and findings staggering.

See how and WHY the number of women - especially Republican women - in state legislatures is dropping. Click here to read the article.

Disney's "A Christmas Carol" train tour in OKC Aug 21-22

If you have kids or are a kid at heart, mark your calendar because Disney is doing a train tour to 40-cities---including Oklahoma City. The "A Christmas Carol" train tour will be in Oklahoma City on August 21, 22 and 23. This family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public. For more information, visit www.christmascaroltraintour.com

~ Caution - multi-tasking while driving can kill you

Thank you, Elda Davis, for sharing this. The newspaper article is worth reading. Elda reports that:

My good friend Linda Doyle was killed in an accident by a driver who was distracted while on a cell phone. Her daughter, Jennifer, is the cellphone counterpart to MADD.

This week, Channel 9 is airing a series called Text-ti-cating, which highlights the dangers of using a cellphone while driving.

There is a very in depth article appearing in the NY Times Sunday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/technology/19distracted.html?_r=1&hp

I think you will find it enlightening. Oklahoma Legislators are mentioned.

The LINKS are coming to OKC

Over 500 members of the Links, Incorporated from 17 states in the Central Area of the US will be in Oklahoma City for 5 days beginning July 27. Founded in 1946, the Links is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. Learn more about the Links by clicking HERE.

They will be using the Renaissance Hotel, the Sheraton Hotel and the Cox Convention Center. The Links national president, Dr. Gwen Lee of Chicago, will deliver the keynote address at the civic luncheon on Friday. This is a great honor for our fine city. I got to speak to the Links several years ago and was so impressed by this remarkable group of African American women leaders. I'm hoping I'll get a chance to attendor at least stick my nose in for a little while.

Journal Record's 2009 "50 Making a Difference" Named

The Journal Record has announce the 2009 honorees for their "50 Making a Difference" program. The grand winner will be named at their 7 pm banquet on October 1. Individual tickets are $150, and corporate table sponsorships are available. Reservations for the banquet can be made by calling Kari Koster at (405) 278-2820 or by visiting their website (www.journalrecord.com).

I'll never make made it into the elite group of Oklahoma women who are honored this way but I DO love to attend the banquet and hope some of you will plan to attend, too. It is a great night and this year's keynote speaker is Imaculee Ilibagiza, Rwandan genocide survivor and author of Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.

The link to the Journal Record article is at http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=100538 but the Journal Record usually makes you sign in as a subscriber (boo hiss) before you can view their articles. Anyway, try the link and see what happens.

Here are this year's honorees; congratulations to them all:

• Ann Archer, Integris Comprehensive Breast Center, Oklahoma City.
• Cheryl Borelli, BancFirst, Oklahoma City.
• Katy Boren, Cox Communications, Oklahoma City.
• Sylvia Burgess, Cameron University, Lawton.
• Barbara Butner, Calm Waters Center for Children & Families, Oklahoma City.
• Shelley Cadamy, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City.
• Priscilla Cude, First Bethany Bank, Bethany.
• Linda Dzialo, Lawton Public School, Lawton.
• Amy Eldridge, Love Without Boundaries, Edmond.
• Robyn Elliot-Scribner, The Chickasaw Nation, Ada.
• Robyn Ewing, Williams, Tulsa.
• Staci Freudiger, Valir Health, Oklahoma City.
• Caroline Boecking Gist, Putnam City Public Schools Foundation, Warr Acres.
• Rhonda Godwin, Investrust NA, Oklahoma City.
• Margo Gray-Proctor, Horizon Engineering Services Co., Tulsa.
• Debbie Harrison, Oklahoma Environmental Management Authority, El Reno.
• JoAnn Haysbert, Langston University, Langston.
• Cathryn Hibbs, Deaconess Hospital, Oklahoma City.
• Lori Westbrook Hill, Morgan Stanley, Oklahoma City.
• Pat Hoerth, Turtle Rock Farm, Red Rock.
• Gail Huneryager, Crowe & Dunlevy, Oklahoma City.
• Jia Bane Johnson, Choctaw Electric Cooperative, Idabel.
• Sandy Scaffetta Johnson, Anautics Inc., Oklahoma City.
• Marti Jourden, St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City.
• Cathy Keating, Express Employment Professionals, Oklahoma City.
• Kerry Robertson Kerby, Kerry Robertson Communications, Oklahoma City.
• Karen Langdon, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Inc., Tulsa.
• Debbe Leftwich, Oklahoma Senate, Oklahoma City.
• Janet Levit, University of Tulsa Law School, Tulsa.
• Melanie Macdonald, World Neighbors, Oklahoma City.
• Susan McCalmont, Kirkpatrick Family Foundation, Oklahoma City.
• Ann McFerron, Turtle Rock Farm, Red Rock.
• Teresa Moisant, Moisant Promotional Products, Oklahoma City.
• Vanessa Mushrim, Eide Bailly, Oklahoma City.
• Cathy O’Connor, City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City.
• Colleen Payne-Nabors, Mobile Cardiac Imaging LLC, Tulsa.
• Mary Blankenship Pointer, UMB Bank, Oklahoma City.
• Brenda Porton, McCurtain Memorial Hospital, Idabel.
• Lisa Putt, Willis HRH, Oklahoma City.
• Joyce Reed, Griffin Communications LLC, Oklahoma City.
• Kathy Lee Santangelo, Midwest Regional Medical Center, Midwest City.
• Sue Lynn Sasser, University of Central Oklahoma Center for Economic Education, Edmond.
• Jeanna Sellmeyer, Asset Group Inc., Oklahoma City.
• Katrina Shaklee, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond.
• Robyn Sunday-Allen, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Oklahoma City.
• Rebecca Dunning Switzer, Switzer Talent Agency and Trapeze LLC, Norman.
• Marsha VanHoutte, Choctaw Police Department, Choctaw.
• Kristy Ventimiglia, HR Solutions, Oklahoma City.
• Penny Mills Voss, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Norman.
• Mary Whitson, SandRidge Energy, Oklahoma City.

OK County Sheriff's Department Collecting Used Cell Phones

If you donate your old cell phone to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s department, they will refurbished it and give it to an older Oklahoman of a victim of domestic violence. The cell phones are modified so that the user can only dial 911. You can watch a video and also read about the program HERE.

~ Kathleen Parker on Sotomayor confirmation hearings

Kathleen Parker rarely has anything nice to say about feminists -- or liberals or Democrats for that matter. She admits in her July 20 column "I'm partial to men" which is an understatement! So I expected her to side with the Republican men questioning Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor during her confirmation hearing. Not so; even male-defending, Republican-leaning Kathleen Parker took offense. Here are just a few lines; you really should read the full article though.

Followers of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings were witness to a now-familiar phenomenon. Women are treated differently than men in such settings.

To wit: Questions posed to Sotomayor about her temperament -- is she a bully? -- probably wouldn't be posed to a similarly qualified man.

And

More troubling were questions based on anonymous hearsay aimed at Sotomayor's bench personality. Here's what women hear when men ask a female candidate about her temperament: "Are you really the bitch everybody says you are?"

Men can be temperamental and still be great; women are merely impossible to deal with. Why is that?

Spot on, girl.

Sunday is the anniversary of the 1st women's rights convention in the US (Seneca Falls, NY)

On July 19-20, 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. This was the first women's rights convention held in the United States. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott wrote the "Declaration of Sentiments" for the Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention, deliberately modeling it on the Declaration of Independence. You can read the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments by clicking HERE.

In Okla, 1st-time domestic violence offense could be a felony now

Jamie Birdwell has a good article in The Oklahoma Gazette at http://www.okgazette.com/p/12776/a/4295/Default.aspx It is about Senate Bill 1020 that passed this spring in the Oklahoma Legislature. Authored by Senator Jonathan Nichols (R-Norman), it changes the penalty for first time domestic violence offenders.

It used to be that someone convicted of a domestic violence offense for the first time got a maximum of 1 year OR had to pay a $5,000 fine. Thanks to passage of SB 1020, now if there is a "prior pattern of physical abuse" the abuser can get up to 10 years in prison for the first time offense. Why does this matter? Because in 2008 there were 23,853 reported cases of domestic violence in Oklahoma. The state also ranks 4th in the nation in women killed by men.

Oklahoma enjoys the best of both worlds regarding tobacco use

Dave Blatt with the Oklahoma Policy Institute reports that:

After yesterday's bleak revenue report, a glimmer of good news: this afternoon we posted an entry to our blog on state tobacco tax collections in the just-completed fiscal year. We found that while tobacco sales went down...tobacco tax revenues went up. Read the full post for the details and our explanation for what was going on by clicking HERE.

Oklahoma women receive Emmy nominations

The Emmy nominations are out. Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth is nominated for her role in "Pushing Daisies." Tulsan Jeanne Tripplehorm is nominated for her performance in the HBO movie "Grey Gardens."

Other Oklahoma connections this year: Tripplehorn and Mary Kay Place (from Tulsa) are part of "Big Love" which was nominated for outstanding drama series, Holly Hunter was nominated and her series, "Saving Grace" takes place in Oklahoma City, "The Amazing Race" is nominated for best reality competition series and Christine Volkmer from Choctaw was part of that production and "Saturday night Live" is nominated for outstanding variety, music or comedy series and Tulsa native Bill Hader is part of that production. Winners will be named during the 8 pm September 20 broadcast on CBS.

Women & Wealth: Strategies to Thrive in Tough Economic Times

My dream is that 5 years from now women's organizations in Oklahoma will be working together to host programs like the one below that is taking place today in San Diego, California.

Women face unique challenges when it comes to financial security. To address this issue, join the California Women's Legislative Caucus, the California Commission on the Status of Women, the California Women's Agenda and the New America Foundation's Asset Building Program for a lunchtime discussion on how financial empowerment strategies can create asset ownership and savings opportunities for women throughout California who aspire to be financially secure.

Last Wednesday, I attended an excellent event in Muskogee - the Women's Leadership Conference. It had lots of corporate underwriters but was hosted by one entity - the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce. I want to see events like that one co-hosted by a number of women's organizations and open to the public. Maybe there are some planned for Oklahoma women; if so, please let me know the details and I'll advertise it. I know plenty of women who'd love to attend!

Muskogee Women's Leadership Conference a Success!

I was delighted to be a part of yesterday's Women's Leadership Conference hosted by the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce.

Kudos to Sue Godwin, Indian Capitol Technology Center, who chaired the event and the other women who planned and carried out this event.

The photo is from the closing session which featured (left to right) former State Senator and current chair of the Oklahoma City Public School board, Angela Monson, Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, Tri-County Technology Center superintendent (just retired) Anita Risner, and former Chief of the Cherokee Nation Wilma Mankiller (click to enlarge image).

Everything I attended was excellent but I especially enjoyed the luncheon speaker Elaine Dodd who is former Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and now works as VP-Fraud Training with the Oklahoma Bankers Association. She was filled with good ideas on how to succeed in life PLUS she shared tips on how to avoid the many kinds of financial scams out there these days!

~ Only 17 Women in the Oklahoma Legislature

I'm preparing a PowerPoint presentation for an address at the 5th Annual Women's Leadership Conference hosted by the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce.

Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation in the number of women serving the state legislature.

This is one of the "slides" (current female Oklahoma State Senators).

In 2005 and 2006, 14.8% of the members of the Oklahoma Legislature were women; today it is 11.4% (see Center for American Women and Politics).

So talk a girlfriend into running for the Oklahoma House or Senate. The Oklahoma Republican or Democratic Party officials will help them - they just need to be encouraged to run.

~ Seen Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince yet?

Have you seen the newest Harry Potter movie yet? Did you like it? Is it the best one yet?

I still love the first just one for sheer surprise value.

I've bought the tickets and and am will see it with my friend Lindsay on Thursday night.

Can't wait.

~ Fun outing to Gold Dome to view Respect Diversity art exhibit

Visit the Gold Dome (23rd and Classen Blvd in Oklahoma City) to see a great display of student art created for Respect Diversity this year. It is only on display until August 5 so get on over there and then enjoy a treat at Cuppie and Joes.

The Respect Diversity Foundation is based in Edmond and exists to help people of all ages live, learn and work in our increasingly diverse society. The exhibit contains numerous examples of "respect diversity symbols." Great stuff. Learn more at www.respectdiversity.org/. You can view the 2009 winners by clicking here.

~ Have you checked out the federal "American Recovery" website yet?

By now you know that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is an "unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, save and create millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The ARRA is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression. With such at stake, the ARRA provides for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability so that you will be able to know how, when and where your tax dollars are being spent. Spearheaded by a new Recovery Board, this Act contains built-in measures to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending."

The quote comes from the new Recovery Website. You can check it out at http://www.recovery.gov/.

(I'd sure like to see that "Reporting the Progress" graph line go up at a steeper angle.)

Tulsa's Irma Russell picked as Dean, Univ. of Montana School of Law

Irma Russell, formerly a law professor at the University of Tulsa College of Law, is now Dean of the University of Montana's School of Law. Russell is the law school's first female Dean. A graduate of the University of Kansas, she is a national leader in environmental and energy law. Read more here.

~ Who are Oklahoma's 50 most powerful people?

Each year FRIDAY newspaper (Nichols Hills Publishing Company) mails ballots to over 200 Oklahomans asking them to vote on the 50 most powerful people in Oklahoma. They are given 96 people to choose from - and can add additional names. The results were printed in FRIDAY on July 3, 2009. There were 51 people listed because there was one tie; the top 15 were ranked and the balance were listed in alphabetical order.

Among the 51 people, there were 3 women:

#1 Christy Everest (CEO/Chair - Oklahoma Publishing Company)
#15 Mary Fallin (Member of the US House of Representatives)
and Jari Askins (Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma)

The City Manager of Oklahoma, Jim Couch, made the list but Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor didn't.

Do you think that this list is overly weighted towards people in Central Oklahoma?

Are there any other Oklahoma women you think should have been on this list?

Here are the 48 men listed:

#2 George Kaiser
#3 Larry Nichols
#4 Burns Hargis
#5 Clay Bennett
#6 Aubrey McClendon
#7 David Boren
#8 Brad Henry
#9 David Thompson
#10 Mick Cornett
#11 Jim Inhoff
#12 Gene Rainbolt
#13 Tom Love
#14 Tom Coburn

And, in alphabetical order:

Mike Anderson
Bill Cameron
Jim Clark
Tom Cole
Jim Couch
Pete Delaney
Drew Edmondson
Carl Edwards
Bob Funk
David Green
Harold Hamm
Robert Lorton III
Stan Lybarger
Ed Martin
Tom McDaniel
George High
Ron Norick
Russell Perry
Tom Price
David Rainbolt
George Records
John Richels
Dick Rush
Lee Alan Smith
Bob Stoops
Tom Ward
Roger Webb
Roy Williams
Stanton Young

Do you know who these people are? Maybe you should since FRIDAY says they are the 51 more POWERFUL people in our state.

FYI, click HERE to view FRIDAY'S list from 2006 (only 3 women that year, too) and HERE to view the front page that year.

~ At least one woman a minute in the developing world dies in childbirth

Read one personal account of why and how this statistic can be reduced. Then think about coming to Africa with me when I organize my next mission trip to Meru, Kenya. :-)

~ What? Again! Another Oklahoma man sets his girlfriend on fire.

This time the incident occurred in Tulsa. Read the story here.

Can you even begin to imagine how painful it is to have second- and third-degree burns on 80 percent of your body? It makes passing kidney stones sound pleasant. (She isn't expected to live but -- before she was sedated - she told police is was NOT an accident.)

When the last guy in Oklahoma set his girlfriend on fire, the cops charged him with ARSEN because it had stiffer sanctions that domestic violence. What is wrong with that picture? I wonder what the police will charge this bozo with.

~ Tulsa's Top Attractions are __________?

According to the Journal Record's "Attractions in Tulsa Area" list (July 2, 2009), Tulsa's #1 attraction based on estimated annual attendance is . . . the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum. It features 2,800 animals, 84 acres and is open 363 days a year!

In second place is the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks with the largest bull sharks in captivity which you can view via a one-of-a-kind, walk-through tunnel. There are also hundreds of other fascinating creatures. You can feed and even touch stingrays and small sharks (no thanks!). It is open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm and open until 9 pm on Tuesdays.

Other major attractions in and around Tulsa include the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, Cain's Ballroom, the Gilcrease Museum and the Will Rogers Birthplace Home and Ranch in Oologah, OK.

~ Ouch. Peggy Noonan on Sarah Palin in WSJ: "AFarewell to Harms"

Columnist and former Republican speechwriter Peggy Noonan has a scathing piece on Sarah Palin in today's Wall Street Journal. For example:

In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. ... She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm.

Hope no one ever goes after me like this! Check it out at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124716984620819351.html/.

~ Here we go again; wear a black ribbon in memory of Candace Vivian

Woman Killed in Northeast Oklahoma City Shooting (News9, Jul 09, 2009 )

OKLAHOMA CITY - A woman was fatally shot Wednesday night in northeast Oklahoma City.
Police were called to a home on N.E. 67th Street at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday where they found 38-year-old Candace Vivian killed by multiple gunshot wounds.

According to police, 36-year-old Billy Vivian, Candace's husband, and Candace were in an argument when the shooting occurred. Billy then fled the scene in the couple's vehicle.
At about 11:35 p.m. police found the vehicle parked near N.E. 63rd Street and Air Depot Road. Billy Vivian was found inside the vehicle with what police said appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Billy Vivian was transported to OU Medical Center in critical condition.
A 13-year-old boy inside the home made the call and police said they think Candace Vivian is his mother.

The boy and another child were in the home when police arrived. They had to let police in because the windows were barred, officers said.

Thank you, Marcia Smith, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, for calling this sad news to my attention.

Oklahoma rank close to the top in women murdered by their partners. Why is that?

~ What is your Favorite Attraction in Oklahoma City?

Guess what is the #1 attraction in Oklahoma City based on annual attendance.

It is Remington Park with an estimated annual attendance of 1,534,256 people.

In second place is the OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden according to the Journal Record's "Attractions in OKC" list (July 2, 2009).

After that comes the OKC Thunder (758,500), Frontier City (505,000), the OKC Redhawks (500,000), Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum (500,000), and the Science Museum Oklahoma (371,000).

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art ranks 10th, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural history (in Norman actually) ranks 11, the Crystal Bridge (Myriad Gardens) is 13th and the Oklahoma History Museum ranks 18th.

We need to work on that last one because the History Museum is way cool. Take your family there and let's get their ranking up a little higher!

~ On banning the global "Gag Rule" & a 2nd cervical cancer vaccine

From the Women's Media Center:

Senate Takes First Step Toward Banning Global Gag Rule
7/10/09
RH Reality Check: During the Senate Appropriations Committee mark-up yesterday, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) proposed an amendment to the foreign aid appropriations bill that would permanently negate the global gag rule by stipulating that foreign NGOs should not be disqualified from receiving US family planning assistance based on their providing services that are permissible in their own countries and legal here. (Disclaimer: Ages and ages ago, I worked in Frank Lautenberg's US Senate office on Capitol Hill.)


WHO Approves Cervical Cancer Vaccine Cervarix
7/9/09
AP via USA Today: The World Health Organization has approved a second cervical cancer vaccine, this one made by GlaxoSmithKline, meaning U.N. agencies and partners can now officially buy millions of doses of the vaccine for poor countries worldwide.

- Women aged 40 to 60: Take this health research survey via Internet for $

A researcher at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing is conducting an Internet study on the physical activity attitudes among diverse groups (Caucasian, Asian, African American, Hispanic) of middle-aged women (40 to 60 years of age).

In this study, each participant will be reimbursed with a gift certificate of 10 dollars per Internet survey and an additional gift certificate of 50 dollars per online forum discussion (6 months).

The survey will begin by asking participants a series of eligibility questions. If the study has filled their sampling quota for an an ethnic category, the participant will receive a message that states so.

You can visit the project website for more information at http://mapa.nur.utexas.edu/MAPA/

~ July 14, come for lunch and good advice - free!

Next week, there will be a no-cost educational event, Marketing Rxpo, aimed at educating small business owners on methods for marketing in the current economy.

When: Tuesday, July 14th from 10am to 1pm
Where: 2575 Kelley Pointe Parkway, Edmond. That's off Kelly between 15th and 33rd.

From noon to 1 there is a panel on marketing where experts will answer audience-submitted questions. There will also be free lunch (Jersey Mike's) for those who attend the noon panel - and RSVP!

On that panel will be Tim Priebe, owner of T and S Web Design in Edmond. Tim's firm is doing the website for the Oklahoma Women's Coalition (check out their website at http://www.tandswebdesign.com/).

If you have any questions, you can call Tim at 405-285-0348.

~ NPR reports how, decades later, women pilots finally honored

Thank you. tom Clapper, for this great story. I am pasting the start of the story below with a link to the NPR website. There you can actually listen to the whole story.:

Decades After WWII, Female Pilots Finally Honored

All Things Considered, July 4, 2009 · President Obama signed a bill Wednesday granting the Congressional Gold Medal to a group of women most Americans have never heard of: the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP.

These were the first women to fly military aircraft. During World War II, they volunteered for noncombat duty, as test pilots and trainers. They freed up their male counterparts to go to Europe and fight in the war.

Click here to read NPR website story and listen to the story as well.

~ SMART (Single Mothers Academic Resource Team) helps Oklahoma women complete college

Today there are approximately 30,000 single parent students attending Oklahoma colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, these are women balancing parenting, college and jobs. SMART (Single Mothers Academic Resource Team) is committed to identifying and advocating for pathways so that all single parents can complete a higher education in Oklahoma.

SMART is the result of collaborative funding on the part of the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) and GEAR UP.

If you would like a free copy of the SMART magazine which discusses Oklahoma single moms attending college, contact Dr. Erin Taylor, SMART Project Coordinator at (405) 225-9163 or email her at etaylor@osrhe.edu/.

~ Terry Stuart Forst Is First Woman President of Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association

Congratulations to Terry Forst who makes history this month by becoming the first female president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association. Read The Oklahoman's article "Historic role awaits cattle group's leader" by clicking HERE.

~ Oklahoma's Pioneer Woman Museum

Last Saturday night, the YWCA of Oklahoma City presented me with their Embrace Award (thank you, thank you) PLUS the gorgeous statue in this photo!

It reminded me that I wanted to purchase "Pioneer Women' statues to present to women who do extraordinary things to advance the mission of the Oklahoma Women's Coalition. But it turned out I couldn't FIND a "Pioneer Woman" statue. Not even a little bitty one. I need to make a trip to the Pioneer Woman Museum and see if I can't talk them into selling statues on their website.

Speaking of their website, it begins with the following paragraph.

The Pioneer Woman Museum showcases the history of women in Oklahoma and their influence on the development of the state and nation and preserves the legacy of women from all races, creeds, and nationalities who have made significant contributions to the history of Oklahoma. The world-famous 30 ft. tall bronze statue commemorating the heroic character of the women who braved dangers and hardships to settle in Oklahoma is featured.

Now I am really inspired to make the trip to Ponca City!

~ On July 10, watch OKC Roller Derby team play Tulsa's team in OKC

Storm Predicted with Tornados and Thunder

So far the stormy season in Oklahoma has been mild. This will change on Friday, July 10 at 7pm when a 100 mile gap will close in on itself. Tornados and Thunder will crash into each other making women bruise, men scream and children hide their eyes.

Tulsa’s Green Country Rollergirls (GCRG) are traveling down the Pike to be smacked with some neighborly hospitality from Oklahoma City Roller Derby (OKCRD). GCRG are loading up their Thunder Dollz to see what kind of damage (if any) they can do against OKCRD’s Tornado Alley Rollergirls. The Historic OKC Farmers Market, 311 S. Klein, will be the site of this colossal storm.

Tornado Alley Rollergirls (TARG) are coming into this game with a 3 win streak and they are not ready to tarnish it. Ajax, a loyal TARG fan since its origination in 2006, has noticed “the team has really grown over the season. From bout to bout the girls are improving and playing together with increased team work. Going up against the gals down the road is going to be one exciting time and I can’t wait to see my home team send those Thunder Dollz back to Tulsa crying”
The two teams have befriended each other on and off the track. They practice together, socialize together and support each other at competitions. How will they fair as adversaries? Don’t miss any of the dramatic action!

Beer and merchandise vendors accept cash only. Tickets at the door are $12. Advance tickets can be purchased online at OKCtickets.com or from your favorite roller girl for $10. Tailgating starts in the parking lot at 5 p.m., and doors open at 6 p.m. The bout begins at 7p.m. and will consist of two 30-minute halves.

If you would like more information about upcoming events, how to join, how to be a sponsor or advertise with OKCRD, contact Tobi Bounds at 405-496-5918, events@okcrd.com or visit www.myspace.com/tornadoalleyrollergirls or www.okcrd.com

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Tornado Alley Rollergirls (TARG) was formed in April of 2006 under the direction of 8 innovative Oklahoma women. In March of 2008 the team created the league Oklahoma City Roller Derby (OKCRD) and became a Limited Liability Corporation. OKCRD promotes health, well being, and independence of women through their continued efforts to positively impact the local community while setting an example of excellence to all Roller Derby organizations. One of over 350 leagues worldwide, OKCRD competes against teams from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas, as well as other Oklahoma leagues.

~ NWLC: Supreme Court term ends with gains/losses for women

Wondering how women's issues fared in this year's Supreme Court session? Check out the National Women's Law Center report entitled Supreme Court 2008-2009: Outcomes for Women.