Women's Policy Inc Recaps the 2009 US Congress as it Impacts Women

Women’s Policy, Inc. (WPI) has produced a summary of legislative action affecting women and their families in the US Congress in 2009. Entitled "WPI's 111th Congress, First Session At-A-Glance," it is available at http://www.womenspolicy.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=9745.

What did they follow as "women's issues"? Lots of topics including:

Adoption
Breast Cancer
Child Support
Children’s Health Insurance
Domestic violence and sexual assault in the military
Early childhood education
Employment
Equal Pay (passage of Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - P.L. 111-2)
Family and Medical Leave
Hate crimes
Health Care Reform
HIV/AIDS
Housing
Indian Health
Infant Mortality
International Women’s Day
Juvenile Justice
Microloans made to women-owned small businesses
Military families
Missing children
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Women’s History Month
Nutrition programs
Ovarian cancer
Postpartum Depression
Sexual Assault
Small Business
Stalking
Teen Dating Violence
Violence against women
Women and business

Best Tech Story of the Past Decade is _______?

This Week in Tech this past week discussed what was the most important technology issue/program.product of the past decade. What do YOU think? Here are a few possible answers. Which one would YOU vote for?

1. Democratization of media/publishing (RSS, blogs, Twitter, YouTube)
2. Smart phones and applications (Blackberry, iPhone, Android)
3. Social networking (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn)
3. Cloud computing & managed hosting ala Amazon, Rackspace, Google
4. Mobility/work anywhere (laptops, netbooks, Internet cards)
5. Apple's resurgence (iPod, iTunes, iPhone, app store)
6. Satellite radio and geolocation devices
7. High definition TV, Bluetooth, 3D video
8. Mars Rover landing, discovery of water on Mars and the moon
9. Insights coming from the genome project
10. CERN research/ Large Hadron Collider
11. Other - Googlization of everything? solid state drives? high speed Internet?

What do YOU think? You can watch episode # 228: "The TWIT of the Decade" hosted by Leo Laporte with guests Kevin Rose and Robert Scoble on YouTube below:

Women Are Tech Geeks, Too!

Check out all the women who had successful tech startups in 2009 at http://women2.org.

YWCA of OKC's 5K Run April 17 Benefits Sexual Assault Victims

A woman is sexually assaulted every 2 minutes. Thanks to the YWCA of Oklahoma City, help is available to heal in the aftermath of this tragedy. To raise awareness for sexual assault victims and to raise funds for victim assistance programs, the YWCA is hosting the 2 Minute 5K! Join them on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Stars & Stripes Pavilion off of Lake Hefner. Registration starts at 8:30 and the 2 Minute 5K starts at 9 a.m. The One-Mile Family Fun Run will start at 9 a.m.

Leading up April 17, each participant will have their own personal web pages to help raise money to support YWCA programs to help victims of sexual assault and to help prevention education programs. For more information on this project, click here. For more information on the 2 Minute 5K, please contact Josh Beasley at jbeasley@ywcaokc.org.

Caregiving in the US 2009 (from wanda deBruler)

Wanda DeBruler notes on her blog:

Caregiving is still mostly a woman’s job and many women are putting their career and financial futures on hold as they juggle part-time caregiving and full-time job requirements. This is the reality reported in Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, the most comprehensive examination to date of caregiving in America. The first national profile of caregivers, [...]

Read more of this post

10 Myths About Domestic Violence

Suzane Smith has a post on her blog entitled “10 Myths About Domestic Violence” at http://www.x-raytechnicianschools.org/10-myths-about-domestic-violence/. Check it out and let me know if any of them surprise you.

Remembering our female US war veterans

Statistics show that female service members have much higher rates of divorce and are more likely to be a single parent. When they do seek help at VA medical centers, they are screening positive at a higher rate for military sexual trauma, meaning they indicated experiencing sexual harassment, assault or rape. Some studies have shown that female veterans are at greater risk for homelessness. The VA estimates that about 10 percent of homeless veterans are women.  Read full story by clicking here...

Apply NOW to Serve on Statewide Oklahoma AAUW Student Advisory Council

Please spread the word ! ! ! ! !

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:
There is being established an inaugural Statewide Oklahoma AAUW Student Advisory Council (SAC).
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is one of the world’s largest women’s organizations that aims to bring awareness to women’s equity issues. As a coalition of female student leaders across Oklahoma, the State Student Advisory Council members will have the opportunity to. . .

 Represent the voices and experiences of college students
 Develop as leaders
 Network with state and national leaders
 Gain valuable résumé-building experience
 Develop relationships with new mentors

Student advisers serve one-year terms from Mid-February 2010 through Mid-January 2011. The purpose of the Statewide Oklahoma AAUW Student Advisory Council is to build awareness of women’s issues amongst women in higher education as well as to introduce college women to the on-going perplexities and inequalities that face women in Oklahoma.

Members will have a weekend orientation full of fun, learning, fellowship, and networking. Also, members will be gifted with two assigned mentors and the opportunity to gain many more through various networking activities.

Applications are open to any college woman (graduate or undergraduate) that is interested in women’s issues. For an electronic copy of the application or questions, please e-mail Kendra Smith, National Student Advisory Council member, at Kendra-Smith@ouhsc.edu

View and download the APPLICATION FORM by clicking HERE.

View and download the INFORMATION FACT SHEET by clicking HERE.

Pink Golve Dance for Breast Cancer

If you haven't discovered Guy Kawasaki, ALLTOP and Holy Kaw! then get Goggling. Here is a recent post on Holy Kaw!

Holy Kaw! All the topics that interest us

Pink Glove Dance the most viral nonprofit video ever?

Posted Dec 11th, 2009 at 3:48 PM and seen 2895 times

With more than 4.4 million views, chances are you’ve already seen this video of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center employees getting jiggy for breast cancer awareness. In fact, Ramya Raghavan, Nonprofits and Activism Manager at YouTube, surmises that this video could be the most viral nonprofit video in all of YouTube history.
Maybe it shows that we could generate a lot of good if we just allowed ourselves to have fun and be a little silly—and maybe coordinate some awesome dances with pink gloves.

Save time reading news by creating a personalized MyAlltop page

Buffy vs Edward: Twilight Remixed

Have you seen the mashup yet of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Edward Cullen of the Twilight series? Great fun! Check out "Buffy vs Edward: Twilight Remixed."

Which is the Best "Car Finder" iPhone Application?

Finally there is a way to remember where you parked your car -- if you use an iPhone. Edmunds.com had a piece on their website recently (see below):

(Enlarge photo) Car Finder lets you note  the level you parked on in a large parking structure and the location of your car, and it uses Google Maps to lead you back to your ride. (Photo courtesy of CinnDev) (Actually, see Car Finder Plus below; it is the updated version)

(Enlarge photo)
G-Park allows you to place a "pin" when you hit the Park Me button, and when you're ready to return to your car, press "Where Did I Park" and Google Maps provides turn-by-turn directions. (Photo courtesy of PosiMotion)

Actually I found several other apps including Find My Car, ,Park'n Find (read review), Car Finder Plus, Where Is My Car and there are several more!  Have any of you had any experience using one of these application?  If so, please tell us if you had a good or bad experience and what you recommend!   THANKS!

Event Dec 11, OKC: UN Assoc - Panel on Reducing Landmines in the World

The United Nations Association of Oklahoma City will be hosting a panel discussion on December 11, 2009, and requests your attendance and participation!

The theme for the discussion is "Clearing a Path to a Safer World." The panelists will be addressing the problem of landmine use, steps taken to rectify the problem, suggestions as to what more could be done to address the problem as well as the reality of those actions being taken on an inter-national level. The event is to be held at 6 p.m. in the Walker Center for Arts and Sciences on the Oklahoma City University campus. It promises to be a stimulating dialogue on the issue of human rights and the Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign that engages individuals and community groups in the United Nations’ effort to resolve the global landmine crisis.

This panel discussion is being hosted by DeEtta Cravens, who is the reigning Miss Black Oklahoma City University and has been a girl scout for 16 years! She may be reached at (405) 743-7872 or at dcravens.stu@my.okcu.edu to answer any further questions. Attendance is free and open to the public, but donations are certainly welcome!

Tips on Leading and Standing Out (from The White House Project)

For a treat, take a few minutes to just browse the website of The White House Project. They offer a lot of interesting information about women - and some good tips like:

14 Ways to Lead in Your Life
and
18 Ways to Stand out in a Crowd

What I want for Christmas (Roku)

Roku SD Netflix Player ($80, roku.com)

If someone you know uses Netflix, he or she needs Roku. In less than five minutes, I had this little black box plugged in to my television, connected to the Wi-Fi in my home and synched to my Netflix queue.

Netflix lets members who pay at least $9 per month stream more than 17,000 movies and TV shows using Roku or a computer, and the list is growing. I still had to use my computer to add new titles to my queue, but it was easy to scroll through them on the TV screen and pick something to watch.

The Roku SD is $20 less than the original model. It would be a good bet for someone like me, who still has an old-school boxy television. By the time I get a flat-screen TV, this kind of feature will come built in. If you're shopping for someone who already has a house full of high-definition TVs, this isn't the right Roku. Instead, pick the $100 Roku HD, which can stream high-def video, or the $130 Roku HD-XR, which uses the latest Wi-Fi technology to send that video to farther-away TVs in the house.

Source. Yahoo News -http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091204/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_holiday_tech_gifts_budget

Oh and did I mention it also plays programs produced by Leo Laporte's netcast network TWIT.TV?

Event Dec 9, 5pm, OKC: Launch of new book - "Skirvin"

Y'all come!!!! The Full Circle Press will launch the book Skirvin on Wednesday, December 9 with a public reception and book signing at the Hilton Skirvin Hotel beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The Hilton Skirvin Hotel and The Full Circle Press will host a reception and book signing--open to all--on Wednesday, December 9 at 5:00 p.m. at the Hotel honoring authors Steve Lackmeyer and Jack Money.

Steve and Jack, who co-authored OKC: The Second Time Around, are skilled journalists and thus, able to recognize that the nostalgic outpouring of community affection that accompanied the restoration and reopening of the Skirvin, Oklahoma City's grand hotel, were reflections of a much larger story.

The Skirvin which will be one hundred years old next spring has been at the center of our community life, and its story and the larger than life individuals who owned and operated it mirrors the history of our city.

The book is a spirited narrative of a remarkable institution, filled with fascinating vignettes and including more that two hundred pictures. Come and meet the authors and help us celebrate this important milestone.

Remember this event is not at Full Circle, but at the Hilton Skirvin Hotel.

OU Launches Center for Social Justice

The University of Oklahoma recently launched the Center for Social Justice to educate students and inspire them to respond to local and global challenges. Under the direction of Dr. Jill Irvine, Head of the OU Women's and Gender Studies Program, the new program will include internships, mentoring, service learning, and an activist-in-residence program. It also hopes to offer a minor in justice studies beginning in the fall of 2010.

Dr. Irvine (seated left in photo), Charlotte Bunch, director of the Center for Women's Global Leadership in Douglas College at Rutgers University, and General Rita Aragon (at podium) spoke at the official program launch. For more information, call the program at 405-325-3481 of visit their site at http://wgs.ou.edu/.

Rep. Anastasia Pittman Addresses Sexting Craze

OKLAHOMA CITY – Over 50 percent of 14-24 year olds have experienced some form of digital abuse, and 3 in 10 have sent or received nude pictures through text messages, said state Rep. Anastasia A. Pittman, who plans to file legislation next session to address Oklahoma’s problem with sexting.

Sexting is the sharing of sexually explicit photos, videos and chat by cell phone. More than a quarter of young people have been involved in sexting in some form, an Associated Press-MTV poll found.

Pittman said the problem has hit home and has now become a serious problem in our own state and parents need to be aware. Currently, Oklahoma has no laws specific to “sexting”; however the act of sexting breaks numerous other laws.

“Sexting is becoming surprisingly common among Oklahoma teens. We need to educate not only the kids about the risks and liabilities involved but the parents. Parents, don’t be afraid to ask your kids about this – this is a crucial issue on the rise in our state,” said Pittman, D-Oklahoma City. “Sexting seems to be the newest craze for teenagers, and it is a very dangerous craze that could lead to numerous consequences.”

The practice has led to child pornography charges against teens in several states. Earlier this year, three Pennsylvania high school girls who sent semi-nude photos and four male students who received them were all hit with child pornography charges.

Currently in Oklahoma it is unlawful when a person facilitates, encourages or solicits sexual conduct with a minor by the use of technology, which includes any cell phone or computer. The crime is a felony charge that can result in up to 10 years in prison.  The law also states that every person who willfully and knowingly photographs, prepares, publishes, distributes, gives or exhibits any obscene material or child pornography is guilty of a felony punishable by 30 days to 10 years in jail.

“These teenagers see their behavior as free of consequences if they get caught and assume it’ll just be a slap on the hand. They are unaware of all the legal consequences involved,” said Pittman. “Not only is the sender of the obscene material breaking the law, but if the recipient forwards that picture or video to someone else, they too are breaking the law.”

The study conducted by MTV further showed that 12 percent of those who have “sexted” have contemplated suicide, which is four times more likely than those who haven’t, and targets of digital abuse are almost three times as likely to contemplate suicide as those who haven’t encountered it, and nearly three times more likely to have considered dropping out of school.

“Not only are there legal consequences involved but also there are so many emotional consequences,” said Pittman. “These teens don’t realize when one picture meant for one person gets shared with multiple people, it can destroy their sense of self-worth. We need to stop them from ever getting to that point.”

The Oklahoma City Democrat said she plans to file legislation clarifying the applications of the current law, and also hopes to launch a statewide campaign to deter teens from sexting. When it comes to online behavior, only half think their actions could come back to haunt them, and 1 in 4 believe that their digital actions could have legal consequences.

Pittman noted that MTV recently unveiled “A THIN LINE,” a new multi-year initiative to empower America’s youth to identify, respond to and stop the spread of digital abuse.  Digital abuse is an emerging issue that includes behaviors like “sexting,” cyberbullying and digital dating abuse.   

MTV’s “A THIN LINE” will address digital abuse issues through a series of on-air, online and real world initiatives, including integration in MTV’s top-rated programming, an MTV News special focused on Sexting, True Life: I have Digital Drama, thought-provoking PSAs, innovative online and mobile tools and the “Redraw the Line Challenge” -- which calls on young people to submit innovative digital antidotes to digital abuse. Today, MTV also launched www.ATHINLINE.org where young people can access information, resources and support on issues related to digital abuse.

“I applaud this effort. This is a serious issue that is finally getting national attention. It’s about time we start the discussions of what we can do locally to protect the innocence of our children,” said Pittman.

Source. Oklahoma House of Represenatives Media Division, Dec 4, 2009

Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor Leaves Office with a Goodbye Letter

Tulsa has been blessed with TWO remarkable women mayors - Susan Savage and Kathy Taylor.  Below is what she had to say as she prepares to leave that office.


Dear Tulsans,

On Monday, I will complete my final day as Mayor.  In these final days, I have reflected on my time serving this great City.  It has been both an honor and a privilege. It is a journey I will always look back on with fondness and a deep sense of pride over what we have been able to accomplish, working side by side, as a community.

Together, we built an event center, moved City Hall, invested substantially in our streets, revitalized neighborhoods and updated the city’s comprehensive land use plan for the first time in 30 years.  We positively impacted education, created and saved jobs and increased fiscal responsibility, efficiency and transparency in our government.  We did it together.

I hope that you, like me, will look back on this time with great memories of the new kind of energy we ignited in Tulsa. Thank you for the opportunity to be your Mayor.

Very Truly Yours,

Tulsa YWCA's Project Citizenship

YWCA Tulsa was one of 13 recipients out of 293 applicants for a grant from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant will provide $97,000 over the next year to enable YWCA Tulsa to offer specialized classes to meet the needs of refugees, the elderly, and other legal permanent residents hoping to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Congratulations to Maria Reyes and the entire Immigration & Refugee team for creating an exceptional program!

Oklahoman MJ Alexander Photographs Gloria Steinem and Alice Walker for Ms Magazine Cover

Oklahoma photographer and writer M.J. Alexander recently got to photograph women's rights activist and Ms. Magazine founder Gloria Steinem and author Alice Walker for the cover of Ms. Magazine. Other of her photographs are featured inside the Fall 2009  issue which is for sale on news stands now.

Alexander took photos of 144 Oklahoma centennarians for her wonderful book Salt of the Red Earth: A Century of Wit and Wisdom from Oklahoma's Elders - which, by the way, would make an excellent Christmas present!

You can watch a brief interview of Alexander on the YouTube piece below:

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation's Joan Merrill Honored for Lupus Research

Kuddos to Dr. Joan T. Merrill with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). She recently received the Lupus Foundation of American (Oklahoma Chapter) "Outstanding Achievement Award" for her many years of research on lupus. Merrill heads OMRF's Clinical Pharmacology Research Program and also teaches at the OU Health Science Center. Read more here.

Okie Gift Idea: Check Out the Resale Shops!

Money tight this season? You should spend a little time at the YWCA of Oklahoma City's resale shop - Our Sister's Closet. Located at 6012 South Western, it is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. They carry gently worn clothes but lots of other stuff, too. And the proceeds help support the battered women's shelter in Oklahoma County. Read more about it here. Sign up to get a monthly email from the shop by clicking here.

Can't get to Oklahoma City but like the idea of shopping at a good resale store? I hear Deja Vu Designer Consignment Store over in Tulsa is excellent. It is located in Lewis Crossing Shopping Center at 71st and Lewis. You'll find gently worn designer label clothes plus handbags, shoes and accessories at  affordable prices. Visit their website and click on "Gallery" to get a feel for the store. They are open from 10am to 5:30pm Monday through Saturday but call ahead just to be sure: 918-477-7700.

Go (RED) for AIDS, AFRICA, Ending Poverty As We Know It

Have you noticed that today, December 1, is World AIDS Day?  Everyone - including Google, Facebook and Twitter -- are working with the (RED) campaign to raise awareness of AIDS in Africa. The Twitter homepage is red and Twitter users are adding hashtags like #red and #aids to their tweets which turns them red too. Facebook is into it too - go see.  And (Google) added a link to its homepage with information on how you can help and join various movements. I know this from reading Mashable.com where I always go to get straightened out! I'm wearing one of the beaded pins we bring back from Kenya and sell to support AIDS widows and HIV positive women in Meru, Kenya.

Below are two photos from (a) our current project - collecting books for the library we built in Meru - and (b) a mission trip to renovate a children's ward in a Kenyan hospital where we met many patients either with HIV/AIDS or living lives radically impacted by someone with AIDS.

Oklahoman Phyllis Hudecki to Chair NAEP Business Task Force

Phyllis Hudecki is Executive Director of the Oklahoma City-based Oklahoma Business and Education Coalition. She has been tapped by the National Assessment of Education Progress program (aka The Nation's Report Card) to chair NAEP's new Business Policy Task Force. This group will look for ways to make NAEP results more meaningful to the business community.  Read more by clicking here.