June 2012
INSIDE
SUMMER'S TOP 12
BEAUTY TIPS [19]
TRAVEL TREASURES
IN YOUR BACKYARD
dana hoiles jewelry designs
[13]
w ith sp o r ts i n m i n d INFORM YOUR TEEN ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE [11]
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
COVER STORY
Major League
BLING
By Janice L.
COURTESY DANAHOILES.COM
By Jewel McFadden, Staff Writer
S
ure a sports jersey is a suitable way to show admiration for your favorite team, but Dana Hoiles, founder of The Dana Hoiles Collection, has a different idea. Hoiles is no rookie to cheering on her team from the sidelines. For the past 17 years, she has been married to 2006 Orioles Hall of Fame inductee Chris Hoiles. Chris has since moved on to become a catching and hitting instructor for the Orioles minor league system but the couple
has no shortage of games to attend with three actively athletic sons. It was through the many games Hoiles attended that she realized there was a missing link in her game day getup- a little sparkle. Dana says the design of two baseballs bats forming a heart came to her late one night. Anxiously she sketched down the concept. The following day Chris stumbled across the drawing lying on a nightstand and thought it looked like a good
idea. The Dana Hoiles Collection was born soon after. Fans might be surprised to hear that the designer has no formal fashion training, “besides being voted ‘most artistic’ in high school,” she jokes. Though the Baltimore-based collection is only a few years old, Hoiles has not only tapped into the jewelry industry but also offers sports enthusiasts a line of shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Hoiles tagged the fashion line “jewelry designs with sports in mind.” Buyers should be pleased to see the price range for the collection starts as low as $10.95. Higher end items such as the black diamond baseball earrings go for $1,592. Hoiles has most major sports covered including lacrosse and football, with new ideas constantly being generated. She reveals her favorite concept yet is the “kiss ball” where her very own lips are imprinted on a baseball’s “sweet spot.” The “kiss ball” can be found on a variety of T-shirts. During a visit in their whirlwind tour, Dana and Chris met with an array of fans at Greetings & Readings of Hunt Valley MD. Stephen Spund, Vice President of the independent bookstore, asserts that though the Hoiles’ have a recognizable name, once people see the jewelrythe talent is speaking for itself. “It is fun and the right price for everyone,” says Spund. One by one, fans stepped up to the The Dana Hoiles Collection display table for a meet and greet with the personable pair. Some fans reminisced over Chris’ glory days leaving with autographed photos, others asked Dana for advice on choosing the right necklace for a picky la-
crosse player but mostly everyone remarked how beautiful and surprisingly affordable the jewelry pieces were. “If my profits are less, that’s fine,” explains Hoiles in her objective to stay cost efficient. She does so by using quality but lesser expensive materials such as silver and pewter. By using a merchandiser in New Mexico as opposed to exporting overseas, Hoiles also tries to contribute work to the United States. The hands-on approach is earning Hoiles a good reputation. “Dana has truly created an incredible selection of fun, classy, and unique pieces that any woman who has a passion for sports can wear…” says Maria Wieters, wife of Baltimore Orioles All Star Catcher Matthew Richard Wieters. Meanwhile traffic on Facebook and Twitter for The Dana Hoiles Collection is heavy and filled with supporters from around the world. When Hoiles isn’t replying personally to fan inquiries, she is looking for new ways to get involved in fundraising efforts. Earlier this year Hoiles became a chair person for the Signature Chefs Auction chapter of March of Dimes. March of Dimes provides research and community services to help curtail infant mortality and the number of babies being born premature and with birth defects. Hoiles says she is grateful to have three healthy children. A trip to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) shook the designer and so she has made it a goal to contribute part of the See Sporty Style, Page 6 COVER PHOTO / COURTESY DANA HOILES
Rachael Grote | Owner/Graphic Designer 410.967.9073 | rachael@harmonizeddesign.com www.harmonizeddesign.com
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June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
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ContentsMind ~ Body ~ Spirit ~ Self From The Publisher’s Desk…
PUBLISHER'S NOTES
NOURISH YOUR
By Janet Davis-Leak, Publisher/Editor-in-chief Easy, breezy…..summertime is coming! If you’re like me, thoughts of summer means a time for chilling and relaxing (well, as much chilling and relaxing as one can do in today’s hectic world) and “the livin’ is easy”. Finding a shady cool spot to kick off your shoes, sip a tall glass of peppermint iced-tea, chill and relax. Ahhh, sounds good, doesn’t it? O.k., let’s stop dreaming and come back to reality. It’s hot (already almost 92 degrees, and not yet summer!), the air’s not working in my car, I’ve got 101 items on my “to-do” list left to do and on top of all of that… my feet are killing me! Need to meet with my editor and other staff members, I have a gazillion deadlines (yes, I said gazillion!) needing met, a dozen meetings to attend, (today alone) and it’s not even noon yet! Still need to make time to stop by the supermarket, the dry cleaners and the car repair shop (to get that air fixed, remember?) A friend’s having a “housewarming”, got to pick-up the gift, and oh, while I’m at it, may as well shop for a few other items that I’m needing around the house. And let’s not forget working in an hour of exercise in the evening. Whew! And this, all in one day! Not sure if I’ll ever be able, this summer, to find that spot to unwind and relax, but in my mind, at least, thoughts of summer will always be a time to chill, relax and take it easy. One of our all-American favorite past-times is baseball, and on our COVER this month, is Dana Hoiles, wife of ex-Orioles player, Chris Hoiles, who’s started a unique jewelry company featuring designs that are sporty and fun keepsakes especially for the female sports enthusiast. Visit her website to learn more about this great new business at: www.danahoiles.com. And keeping with the sports theme, but from a different angle is our WOMAN OF THE MONTH story on Angela Showalter, board member of Kidspeace, a private charity dedicated to serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children, families and communities, and wife of current Baltimore Orioles manager, Buck Showalter. Ms. Showalter discusses her dedication and commitment to the staff, children and mission of Kidspeace and invites the rest of us to get involved. Learn more about the program at: www.kidspeace.org. I would personally recommend your reading our CAR CARE section this month. Featured is the Caton Auto Clinic, owned and operated by Ken Steinbach and his son Scott, and which happens to be my personal car care auto shop as well. Besides the warm, friendly and expert service you receive, the business strives to make the environment woman-friendly by presenting an inviting waiting area with nicely appointed furniture; complete with a large flat-screen t.v. and women-focused magazines. Most impressive is the ladies room outfitted with women in mind, including a baby-changer. Both Ken and Scott value their female customers and have taken the extra step to ensure their comfort in a traditionally male-dominated environment. You almost don’t feel as though you’re at an auto-repair shop when you step through the door. Kudos to them! Furthermore, with years of experience behind them in the car care industry, they will now host our CAR CARE column beginning with the July issue. Please visit their website to learn more about their company and services at: www.catonautoclinic.com. As usual, our issue is packed with wonderful articles containing news and information that you can use; written by our talented and committed staff as well as supporting contributors. So, please find a nice spot to chill, relax, put your feet up (don’t forget your iced tea) and enjoy!
Janet
F
ailing to be punctual is the height of bad manners and will make you look unprofessional. Conversely, being punctual always scores bonus points. You will come across as someone who is efficient, organized and reliable. By being late for a meeting, you are effectively forcing your colleagues or clients to waste their time; hanging around waiting for someone to show up is deeply frustrating. Make sure you arrive for work punctually, or even better a few minutes early. This will ensure that you are ready to start the day on time. Workers who are consistently late are for the wrong reasons. re usually noticed n Given en the vagaries of transport systems, the tendencies of meetings to over-run, the unpreunpr dictable able emergencies of modern life, you cannot expect to be invariably punctual. punct If you see that you're going to be late, pre-empt the fall-out and call ahead.
Punctuality.
ENLIGHTENING Cover Story 2 Woman of the Month 4 Mom Central 5 Let's Get Organized 5
EMPOWERING Fitness 6 Move of the Month 6 Health 7 │ Medical 8 Sports 8
ENCOURAGING
OUTREACHING
SUSTAINING
ENRICHING
Green Living 14 Food 15 │ Gardening 14 Poetry Corner 13
Travel 13 │ Fashion 18 Arts & Entertainment 18 Beauty 19 │ Off the Shelf 15
EDUCATING
INFORMING
Advice 10 │ The Healing Place 11 Inspirationally Yours 10 Woman of Faith 11
Car Care 21 │ Wired 21 Ask the Homebuilder 14 Pet Care 23 Finance 23 │ Smart Woman 23 Education 20 Success Strategies 26
Career Corner 12 Her Story 12 │ Harford News 12 Community News 9
How I See It 24 Veteran Women 25 Political News 27 National News 28 International News 29 Editorial 30 │ Legal 22
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
WOMAN of the MONTH
Angela Showalter and KidsPeace raise awareness for foster care By Erin Frost, Managing Editor Currently 23 counties in Maryland and Baltimore City operate and support the ever growing foster care programs. The statistics are staggering; reported by the Children’s Defense Fund in 2011, one Maryland child is abused and/or neglected every hour and of those numbers at least one will die prior to their first birthday. This equates to one child dying roughly every 14 hours. In 2011 there were 7,052 children in foster care in Maryland alone; of those only 734 were officially adopted. Another 45,026 were being raised by their grandparents. It goes without saying that the need for awareness and funds for the foster care system not only in Maryland, but across the United States is extraordinary and urgent. Respectfully, many have taken a stand and are participating in awareness and fundraising efforts in Maryland, all in an endeavor to make tomorrow a brighter day for foster care adolescents. At the front of this remarkable coterie is Angela Showalter, spouse of Maryland’s baseball team manager for the Orioles, Buck Showalter. Soon after Buck Showalter accepted his position with the Orioles on July 29, 2010, he and Angela sought out charities with which they could associate. Angela felt getting involved in a charity in Maryland would be a great way to “immerse in the culture and really get to know the community members.” Happening upon KidsPeace, a private 130 year strong charity which serves the needs of children and teens may have been serendipity at its best. As a child Angela was often exposed to the foster care system. Her parents often brought in foster care children for the weekend, opening up their home and exposing those children to the vast opportunities and adventures that they otherwise may not have had. Said Angela, “Although it was only on some weekends, it made a lasting impression on me even at my then young age.” She recalled memories of picking up their weekend visitors at foster care facilities and felt saddened that they would come with virtually all of their belongings in one bag. “Once I became involved in KidsPeace, I realized after revisiting those memories of the foster care children my parents took in, that although those kids were impacted by my family, it was actually the kids themselves that truly impacted our lives. They made our lives better” said Angela. The idea of making a difference in children’s lives only solidified once the Showalters gave birth to and raised their own children, Allie, 25 and Nathan, 20. Being blessed
with a wonderful family and home, it is Angela and Buck’s passion to bring some peace of mind and comfort to as many children as possible. “It is every child’s right to have a safe home” said Angela. Some of the greatest challenges for Maryland foster children are faced by those who are aging out of the system. Youths that are 18 years and older are at the highest risk because as Angela pointed out, “they have few resources and often no support systems” once they leave the foster care system. While many youths whom are raised in typical families learn how to network with peers, school associates and within other social circle realms, foster care children often do not, leaving them independent and alone once released by the system. “Some,” said Angela, “are left to their own devices without basic social skills, living skills such as proper hygiene or life skills for things as simple as budgeting.” This makes living on one’s own and succeeding very difficult. As a board member for KidsPeace, Angela works very closely with Gina Seyfried, a volunteer coordinator for the organization since 2010. Together with other KidsPeace associates, Seyfried and Angela work diligently to raise awareness and host many yearly events in an effort to spread this important message and raise funds. May is National Foster Care month and in celebration of that KidsPeace hosted its 7th annual wine tasting event on May 24 at Corridor Fine Wine in Laurel, Md. The wine tasting was free and 30 percent of all wine sales went directly to the KidsPeace KEYS program. This program, an acronym for KidsPeace Empowering Youth to Succeed, provides life skills to youths ages 16-21 that are transitioning out of the foster care system within the Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Columbia areas. The KEYS program assists transitioning youth with skills such as how to fill out employment applications, apply to college, basic life skills such as financial literacy and myriad other services. One of KidsPeace biggest events, the 5K Trick-or-Trot race will be held for its 3rd year on October 27, an event that Angela is very much looking forward to. She encourages all that can attend to come and join in the walk or run which will take place throughout the historic streets of Canton while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Baltimore’s Patterson Park. Participants are also encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes and enjoy an amazing post race celebration where gift certificates and prizes will be awarded to the top runners.
COURTESY KIDSPEACEMARYLAND.BLOGSPOT.COM
Angela Showalter has been a passionate supporter of KidsPeace since moving to Baltimore with her husband, Oriole's manager Buck Showalter, in 2010. This year for the 5K event Under Armour will be donating t-shirts for the first 400 registered runners. Additionally, the Oriole Bird will be starting the race. Interested participants can now register live and receive additional information at http://www.kidspeace.
org/5Krun.aspx. “Anytime someone can step forward and help make others aware of a good cause, well that is all we can ask for,” said Angela. For those that cannot attend scheduled See KidsPeace, Page 7
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
Crafty Parenting….. When You Just Aren't By Amy Clark, Mom Advicecom I am not a crafty person although if someone could become a crafty lady on just a strong desire and urge to craft, I would be the queen of crafting. Instead of throwing my hands up and telling my kids that mommy just can’t do that stuff, I have made a commitment to be as creative as I can be. This may mean looking to others for guidance and lugging out a zillion books from the library, but I will do the best I can with my limited abilities. I want my children to remember how fun their mom was and how she wasn’t afraid to craft with them, even if their projects looked ten times better than mine. Let’s face it though, for people like me, crafting is a lot of work. When creativity doesn’t come naturally you may have to work at it more, but it can be a wonderful way to bond with your children and to teach them an appreciation for the arts. Here are some things that we are trying in our house: • Designate a spot in your house for all things crafty that will make it easier to organize your items. It can be something as simple as a plastic crate or it can be a cabinet where you store your art supplies. For houses with limited space, under-the-bed organizers can be a great place to store all of your supplies. Try to keep this stocked with paper, colored pencils, crayons, popsicle sticks, felt, scissors, pipe cleaners and anything else that can keep your child entertained. • Start keeping a file folder of craft ideas for your children. When you see something in a magazine or website, tear it out or make a copy of it for your file folder. When you need a stroke of inspiration in your day, pull out the file and work from that. • If you do a lot of work on the computer or find it easier to keep track of projects virtually, set a favorites button on your web browser for craft projects. I keep a virtual notebook of all the things that I would like to try and we try to do one project each week from this notebook and document it for remembering. • Composition books are inexpensive and are a great way to keep your children entertained. Younger children can draw pictures to tell stories and older children can fill these with tales from their own imagination. These composition books can also be made into nature books and you can send your children out to explore what is in their own backyard. Reference books and field guides can offer additional assistance in finding, discovering, and drawing what they find in nature. This not only makes them more aware of what is around them, but it also can offer a wonderful educational experience for learning about leaves, birds, bugs, and plant types. Pair a composition notebook with binoculars and send them on an exploration trip for the day. • Don’t be afraid to take your crafting show on the road. Some of the more messy crafts are great for outdoors and can keep the mess contained outside. Younger children especial-
ly love doing things unexpected outdoors and it is much easier to hose them down if they get a little carried away with their painting. Really the best way to teach your children about crafting is to be an example to them. When my kids see me working on something, they immediately want me to get out their own supplies so that they can be crafting alongside me. This is a special time for all of us and it is great to be able to share in our work together.
CRAFTY RECIPES
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MOM CENTRAL Pour lemon juice into a small glass or plastic dish. Soak one end of the cotton swab to write a secret message or draw a picture on a sheet of paper. When you are ready to view your secret message have an adult hold the sheet of paper near a light bulb. The heat will slowly turn the lemon juice dark brown and reveal a hidden message.
Tornado in a Bottle • 1- 16 oz clear plastic soda bottle with a cap (rounder the bottom the better the tornado) • 2 drops clear liquid dish detergent • 1 tsp. glitter Fill the bottle with cold water. Add liquid dish detergent and glitter to the bottle. Screw on the cap tightly. Holding the bottle by the neck, turn it upside down. Quickly rotate your wrist several times in a clockwise mo-
Fun Sidewalk Paint • 1/4 cup cornstarch • 1/4 cup cold water • 6 - 8 drops food coloring Mix cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl. Add food coloring and stir. Repeat the process to create different colors of paint. This paint can easily be washed away with water. You can use it to make hopscotch grids, cakewalks, even make believe roads and highways for toy cars.
Pudding Paint • 1 large package instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz) • 2 cups ice-cold water (less if you want to have a finger painting consistency) • Food coloring Whisk water and instant pudding together in a bowl for two minutes. Refrigerate for five minutes. Divide into several small bowls or muffin tins. Add 5-7 drops of food coloring to each bowl or tin and mix. You can paint with a brush or use them as finger paints.
Edible Play Dough • 1/4 cup peanut butter • 1/2 cup dry milk • 1/2 Tbs. honey • Plastic zip bag Pour peanut butter, dry milk, and honey into a plastic zip bag. Close bag and knead until mixture turns to dough. Do not reuse or store this dough. You can use raisins and assorted candies to add eyes, mouths, and other features to your edible creations.
Fruity Play Dough • 1 cup flour • 1 package Kool-Aid (any flavor) • 1 tablespoon cream of tartar • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1/4 cup salt • 3/4 cup boiling water (the original recipe called for one cup of boiling water, but I found it made the dough too looseaim for 3/4 cup and add more if needed) Mix all dry ingredients in bowl then oil, then pour boiling water in and mix thoroughly. Wrap in cellophane or air tight container and store in fridge. The play dough should last a few months.
Invisible Ink • 2 Tbs. pure lemon juice • Cotton swab
tion. When you stop rotating, a min-tornado will form inside the bottle. Using permanent markers, you can draw a picture of a city or landscape around the bottom of the plastic bottle. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the bottle to create a sky effect.
LET'S GET ORGANIZED
What’s New in Organizing: A Follow-up to the NAPO Conference By Nettie Owens, Staff Writer, Professional Organizer
From March 22 through March 25 the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) convened in Baltimore for their annual conference. And if you are thinking, “Wow! That would be a great conference to attend,” you are right! It is well organized, of course, and packed with great breakout sessions, motivating key-notes, cool new products and lots of networking. I came away with strategies to move my personal and professional life in the direction I want to go. Here are three great ideas you can use right away. 1. Take care of yourself first. If there was an underlying theme, this would have been it. Judith Kolberg, professional organizer and owner of FileHeads Professional Organizers said, “Nothing undermines organization more than fatigue.” I cannot think of a more true statement. On the surface, organizing may seem to be about neat boxes and labels but at its core, organizing is about the way you approach life, the value you place on things and how you handle your time. If you are tired, you are only going to be completing the bare minimum and organizing is probably not on your list. In a keynote by Joanne Lichten PhD, RD (a.k.a “Dr. Jo”), America’s On-The-Go-Health Guru expounded on the benefits of a three pronged approach to your health that included: improving your sleep, changing your eating habits and reducing stress. She is a new book coming out soon titled, Reboot Your Energy and I recommend you keep an eye out for it to clarify her three areas to improve. 2. Use time blocking. If your schedule is out of control, use time blocking to consistently know what you should be doing when. Time blocking allows you to remove distractions and avoid procrastination. To get started, draw a chart of your week Monday through Friday across the top and the hours
in your work day down the left side of the paper. Identify the kinds of tasks you complete in a day. Depending on your profession this will vary but for a service entrepreneur Michael Charest of Grow Your Business, Grow You Life suggests these categories: marketing, paid work, consultations, strategizing, and continuing education. Write down how much time each of these activities should occupy in a given week and block that time on your chart. You will then know that on Monday from 2-4 p.m. you will be following up with clients as part of your marketing activities. Your work will be more focused and you will get more done. 3. Set limits on digital. We are now tackling digital disorganization as well as physical. There are differences in the clutter in that digital is pervasive, endless and constant. Set limits on your digital clutter. Set aside time that that is ‘unplugged’ and remember to include leisure. Judith Kolberg, professional organizer, led the presentation on digital disorganization and raised the question, “What has happened with all the time that our digital devices have saved us?” Unfortunately, it has been reinvested in work instead of leisure. She recommends planning vacation time first and including one Saturday and Sunday of unplanned time monthly. And for all those messy bytes? Make a plan- use your computer to set rules to delete items on a regular schedule. Whenever you are presented with new information there is always a chance for that information to be overwhelming or exciting in the moment and then forgotten when you return to your regular routine. When you read a book or attend a meeting know your purpose, set a goal and make a plan to implement one new strategy you learned in order to continue to grow personally and professionally.
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
FITNESS
June...
Exercising Outside for the summer By Tonya Wigfall, Staff Writer/Fitness Trainer/Instructor The summer is here and warm weather is the ultimate motivation to get outside and start moving. Longer nights and extended weekends make summer an ideal time to exercise outdoors. Lazy weekends are nice, but don’t even think about pushing off your morning sweat session by an hour during the summer. It gets too hot, too fast, and you may be putting yourself at greater risk for heat exhaustion. Ideally, you should avoid exercising outside between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.—the hottest times of the day— and aim to head out early in the morning or (my preference) during the evening when the temperatures are cooler. The trick, however; is to sweat smarter, not harder; and, in many cases, for shorter periods of time. Doing brief, fast-paced highintensity workouts (such as climbing stairs) for a total of one and a half hours per week can yield the same result as if you exercised at a lower-intensity for four and a half hours per week. When exercise is performed at high intensity levels, 20 minutes is usually all you
need (or can tolerate) per exercise bout. Hello - that's an extra three hours a week you can save for something else during the summer! Whether indoors but especially when you are out, you are probably already slightly dehydrated by the time you feel thirsty. To avoid muscle cramps and dehydration, you need to drink up before, during, and after your sweat session. Drink 17 to 20 ounces of water two to three hours before you workout and sip another eight ounces during your warmup. While exercising, it’s recommended to consume another seven to 10 ounces every 15 minutes that you exercise. When you’re done, remember to rehydrate and perhaps weigh yourself. Weighing yourself can give you an idea of how much weight you sweated out. Drink eight ounces in the 30 minutes following a workout, and an additional 16 to 24 ounces for every pound of water weight you lost. Now that you have moved your exercise outdoors you also have to consider dressing properly. Black exercise tanks may be slimming, but they trap heat. Darker clothes are
going to hold more heat than lighter-colored outfits, so you are going to want to avoid the blacks, dark blues, and dark grays when it’s sunny out. Many sports clothing stores carry workout gear made from wicking material such as Nike’s Dri-Fit series or Under Armour. The material does wick moisture away from your body and then dries quickly. You're not absolutely dry but much more comfortable and much less likely to chafe, especially if you are a runner. So remember, stay hydrated and dress appropriately. Choose your exercises and time to exercise wisely because exercising outside for the summer can be both a fun and enjoyable switch from the monotony of exercising inside!
MOVE of the MONTH
TRICEP DIPS This compound exercise targets the triceps but involves both the elbow and the shoulder joint. It requires no equipment; just a sturdy chair. Note: If you have shoulder problems, you may want to avoid this exercise. To keep this move safe and effective, do not shrug the shoulders but rather keep them down and away from the ears as you perform the movement. 1. Sit on a sturdy chair with the heels of your hands on the edge, arms flush to the body. (Your legs should be in a 90-degree angle.) 2. Supporting your weight with your hands, slide/lift your butt/hips forward off the seat. (Your body should be a few inches in front of chair. You may need to move your feet forward a half step.)
3. Keeping the elbow inward/pointed straight back, lower body by bending arms (no lower than 90 degrees) toward the floor. (Your body should just clear the seat. Shoulders relaxed, keep hips close to chair focusing on the triceps and not the shoulders.) 4. Push back up without locking the elbows but do not use feet to help. Repeat for 10-15 reps. Note: For a more advanced version (in step one) position both legs straight in front of you with your heels resting on the floor.
(Baseball) Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend Sporty Style, from page 2 proceeds from The Dana Hoiles Collection to the March of Dimes mission. Ray Schulte of Schulte Sports Marketing & PR thinks Hoiles is just getting started. “She started with no financial backing; her line is driven through her passion,” says Schulte. With the iron hot, there are plans to secure a spot for the collection in retail stores such as The Orioles Store at Camden Yards, The Aberdeen IronBirds Store and Sports Legends Museum Store. You can find The Dana Hoiles Collection online at www.danahoiles.com. Stay tuned for future appearances by the Hoiles’ planned for Aberdeen and Ripken stadium.
Hoiles shows off samples of her collection
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
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HEALTH
Apps for Fitness By Sarah Woods, Health Writer Need some help keeping track of workouts, losing weight, or just maintaining general health? There’s an app for that. In the iPhone App Store, the top five apps in the health and fitness category are: • Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker from MyFitnessPal.com • MapMyRun from MapMyFitness • iTriage from Healthagen LLC • Weight Watchers Mobile from Weight Watchers International, Inc. • Lose It! from FitNow In Google Play, the top five health and fitness apps are: • Recipe Search from AllTheCooks.com • Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker from MyFitnessPal.com • MotoActv from Motorola Mobility, Inc. • OvuView Period Tracker from SleekBit • Period Tracker from GP International LLC Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker from MyFitnessPal.com is much more than just a calorie counter app, and is well-deserving of the first place position on the App Store List as well as a place in the top five Google Play apps. One of the most popular features of the app is the ability to scan food labels to enter their nutritional data into the food log. In addition to simply serving as a calorie log, this app can calculate the amount of calories needed each day in order to lose, maintain, or gain weight.
Calorie Counter also determines how much of each nutritional category is needed each day, and how much each food logged contributes to those nutrition recommendations. Exercise can also be logged into the app, which adjusts the caloric intake for the day. All of the data logged in the app can also be synched with the website MyFitnessPal.com, where users can participate in forums pertaining to fitness. MapMyRun and its corresponding website, MapMyRun.com, allows users to utilize the GPS in their Smartphone to map and save running routes as well as follow routes that other users have tracked. The app also has features that track duration, distance, pace, speed, elevation, and calories burned. MapMyRun is a fantastic choice for runners who are getting bored with their current routes or new runners who don’t know where they want to run. iTriage is an app created by two ER doctors to help the general public gain a better understanding about what symptoms may indicate, locations of the closest medical facilities, and directions to those facilities. The app even stores personal health records. iTriage can be a life saving tool in certain situations such as food poisoning, car accidents, and other health emergencies. It can also be helpful in non-life threatening situations like bee stings or poison ivy rashes.
Weight Watchers Mobile is the official app for Weight Watchers Members to track their points and use other members-only features. The Weight Watchers mobile app is one of the easiest ways to track Weight Watchers points during the day. Lose It! is primarily an app designed for weight loss. According to the website loseit. com, Lose It! users lose 12.3 pounds with the app. Like Calorie Counter and Diet Tracker, Lose It! provides users with a place to track calories, nutrients, and exercise. The Lose It! app also includes an option to scan the barcode on foods to enter them into the food diary. Lose It! boasts a user community where members can find support for weight loss. Recipe Search, the number one health and fitness app in the Google Play store, gives users access to over 40,000 recipes and online forums. Recipes can be bookmarked, sent to friends via email and Facebook, and added to shopping lists from within the app. MotoActv is a fitness app designed to track workouts while paired with a MotoActv de-
vice. MotoActive is designed to work with the Android operating system to track workouts and also has a GPS features to track running or cycling routes. Unlike many other fitness apps available, MotoActv does not neglect golfing athletes because it includes a golf tracker. MotoActive sets itself apart from the crowd by integrating itself with MotoActv devices. OvuView and Period Tracker are the final two apps in the top five Google Play store health and fitness section. Both apps serve an obvious purpose by tracking menstrual cycles. Both apps track symptoms and estimate fertility during the cycle. The main difference between these two apps is the user interface. OvuView has been said by some users to have a “mature appearance,” while Period Tracker seems to appeal more to younger women in high school and college. These apps can help with weight loss, emergencies, cooking, workouts, running routes, and thousands of other elements of fitness. Try one that will best suit your fitness and health goals.
Raising awareness for kids in need KidsPeace, from page 4 events, there are other ways in which help can be given. A one time or ongoing donation(s) are always welcomed, as are individuals and families who are able to volunteer-whether as a full-time foster parent or as a mentor on some weekends through their respite program. Individual donations are also graciously accepted said Angela. “Most of us are able to look around our homes and find something that we no longer use but that would be valuable to these kids, such as laptops, lightly used clothing and household items that would help them when they move into their own homes,” she said.
Other programs such as real estate donations, life insurance donations and wills are also fantastic ways to give to those who are in need. For a complete list of ways to donate please visit www.kidspeace.org/donate. aspx?id=3610 or email Ms. Seyfried at gina. seyfried@kidspeace.org. KidsPeace is also on Facebook and is a great place to find local events and news as well as to direct those wishing to help to find out where and how they can best do so on a local level. Visit and like KidsPeace today at www.facebook.com/pages/Kidspeace/108158979205746.
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
MEDICAL
Robotic Surgery for Treating Ovarian Remnant Syndrome and Other Issues By Dwight D. Im, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Gynecologic oncologist Dwight D. Im, M.D., is Director for the Gynecologic Oncology Center at Mercy Medical Center Sometimes a woman has her ovaries removed only to find out the surgery didn't remove all of the tissue, which can cause some serious complications--including ovarian remnant syndrome. Small pieces of ovarian tissue are left behind and it grows back, and sometimes, into a big mass the size of an orange or even a grapefruit. Symptoms of ovarian remnant syndrome include chronic pelvic pain, bloating, difficult or painful intercourse, and pain during urination and bowel movements. Women who have a history of endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease are at increased risk for incomplete ovarian removal. Women who have had numerous abdominal or pelvic
surgeries are also at risk due to the development of scar tissue or adhesions. Such adhesions can make it more difficult for the surgeon to remove the ovaries in their entirety. Further surgery is the only way to correct ovarian remnant syndrome. One approach is robotic surgery and an approach I refer to as "Imsway." IMSWAY is a robotic surgical alternative to traditional open and laparoscopic surgical approaches for addressing all manner of serious gynecologic conditions, including but not exclusive to, retroperitoneal hysterectomy, the removal of large fibroids, removal of severe endometriosis, surgical treatment of ovarian remnant syndrome, and other maladies involving the uterus. IMSWAY involves these elements: entering
SPORTS
A Warrior's Heart By G. Stotler, Staff Writer
COURTESY MULLEN MEDIA ENTERPRISES
While most 20-something women take yoga, Pilates or spin class to stay in shape, amateur boxer Amelia Moore burns out intense interval training five-days a week in order to dominate her opponents in the ring. Moore has been training in martial arts and boxing since the age of 11, and recommends it for women and girls of all ages and athletic ability levels. She believes that martial arts helps to develop confidence and self reliance that girls need to become strong women, especially during the middle school years when most girls face peer pressure for the first time. “In middle school, girls go through a lot of identity and confidence issues,” said Moore. “If you want confidence in yourself, if you want to know who you really are and how hard you can push yourself, train boxing or
martial arts and you will learn who you are and what you stand for.” Moore pointed out the perils today's girls face with pressure to wear designer clothes, drink or do drugs. “In the gym, people appreciate you for who you really are,” said Moore. “Nobody cares if you wear Prada or Abercrombie and Fitch. As long as you work hard, they are gonna be there for you. It will give you the confidence to stand up for what you believe in, to say no to the kid offering you a drink or a joint.” Moore's mother, Nancy Drew, a free spirited woman who has always encouraged her daughter’s fight career, sees boxing as a natural expression of Moore's personality. “I have always encouraged Amelia to do See Fighting for her Dreams, Page 9
the retroperitoneal space using the infundibulopelvic ligament; the medial leaf of the peritoneum; skeletonization of the ureter, water under the bridge, arriving at the origin of the uterine artery – IMSWAY. Using the da Vinci robot as a tool to enter the retroperitoneal space, it is possible to identify all the vital organs, big blood vessels and veins, and remove the ovarian remnants without injuring those vital organs. Women who have ovarian remnant syndrome will not have the usual post-menopausal symptoms associated with having their ovaries removed, like night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia and depression. Ovarian remnant syndrome is just one example of gynecologic pelvic surgeries that may be performed robotically. Until recently, the only choices women had when it came to hysterectomy was the traditional surgery, which meant a sizeable incision and a longer recovery; or the transvaginal surgery, which makes no incision, but the doctor can't see the entire abdominal cavity.
Using the da Vinci robot for robot-assisted hysterectomy is now a minimally invasive option for some patients. Currently, not every doctor does the operation as physicians must go through a long training process in order to be certified on the da Vinci robot. Some call this the future, but the future is here. Gynecologic oncologists are beginning to recognize that robot-assisted surgery is a viable option for cancer patients and, in fact, are rapidly becoming the gold standard. As a top-rated surgeon and leading-edge specialist in Robotic Surgery, Dr. Dwight Im was the first surgeon to be named a "Gynecologic Oncology Epicenter Surgeon" for the da Vinci robot. Dr. Im trains doctors from around the world in advanced, precision robotic surgery. As important as Robotic Surgery has become, not all patients are candidates for it and the need to perform Laparoscopic and Traditional Invasive Surgery still require superior surgical techniques.
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
Fighting for her Dream, from page 8 whatever makes her happy,” said Drew. “She is such a strong, capable young-woman, and when she is in that ring she is an artist.” In high school, Moore excelled in a variety of sports both individual in nature such as track and field and cross country and team oriented soccer and ice hockey. On the track, Moore competed in the 100 and 400-meter dash as well as the high-jump where she advanced to compete in the state championships. Moore relished the team aspect of soccer and hockey, but chose to play goalie, a position that offered individual aspects similar to fighting. “In the goal, and in the ring you get that one-on-one competition,” said Moore. “You have to have a lot of confidence to tend goal and to fight. If you give up a goal or lose a bout you have no one to blame, but yourself.” After high school, Moore attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Rhode Island, before moving on to the Naval Academy in Annapolis. She credits these two institutions with instilling in her the mental toughness needed to succeed in the ring. “NAPS was tough,” said Moore. “The things they put us through made boxing seem easy. Even my Plebe year at Annapolis didn't compare to what I went through at NAPS.” While at the academy, Moore played goalie for the women's ice hockey team, but still felt a passion to box. “The coach at Annapolis wouldn't train women,” said Moore. “So I started training at Club One Fitness in Millersville. After I left the academy in my sophomore year, I stayed in Maryland to train there.” Club One, is considered a “white collar” boxing gym, with elliptical machines, weights, a mirrored studio, and an Olympic-size boxing ring. It bears little resemblance to the worn, dingy boxing gyms of the Rocky movies. Moore also trains alongside professional mixedmartial-artists James “Binky” Jones, Dan Root and Mike Young as a part of Team Maximum Fitness' Combat conditioning class. Maximum Fitness, located in Columbia, combines intense cardio workout with an equally intense strength and conditioning routine that is designed to simulate a rigorous fight. The class is taught using methods that give Moore an incredible workout without using the boring traditional equipment and routines. During a typical workout, she will go from throwing medicine balls, to hoisting heavy chains and ropes, to flipping a tractor tire across the floor with little rest in between. “Training alongside professional male fighters forces me to push myself to the limit,” said Moore. Most typical old-school boxing trainers don't recognize the benefits of this kind of training, but Moore knew that it was just the thing to propel her to success. “When Amelia came through the doors at Maximum Fitness, she was raw but very eager to start working hard,” said Chris Miller owner of Maximum Fitness. “She embraced the opportunity and challenge of working with strength and conditioning coaches and training with all male fighters. She is a young warrior that is destined for great success in boxing as well as life.” Baltimore MMA star Jones sees much potential in his young female training partner. “She pushes it to the limit every time she works out,” said Jones. “I think she is destined for big things in the sport.”
9
COMMUNITY NEWS
Baltimore Women Pool Money to Give $382,000 to 21 Local Nonprofits By Hilary Reser, Communications Officer, Baltimore Community Foundation Twenty-one Baltimore-area nonprofit organizations serving women and families will receive grants of nearly $382,000 from the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle, a fund of the Baltimore Community Foundation. The grants, ranging from $9,485 to $20,000, include programs to help asylum seekers navigate the legal system, older adults to maintain independence, students at all grade levels to succeed in school, and victims of domestic violence and of sex trafficking to obtain safe housing, counseling, and jobs. “Our grantees provide a broad range of services that target some of Baltimore’s most acute needs and underserved populations,” said outgoing Circle Co-Chair Ellen Bernard. Funds for this year’s grants came from annual donations of $1,000 by 377 Circle members. Since its founding in 2001 by 52 Baltimore-area women, the Circle has awarded 191 grants of approximately $2.7 million to125 Baltimore organizations. The Circle now has nearly 400 members. More than 90 Circle members participated in this year’s grant-making process. They reviewed 101 grant applications, and visited 58 prospective grantees’ sites to see programs in action. Circle members stay in touch with grantees to follow their progress, said outgoing Co-Chair Christie Coe. The Circle’s novel Grantee Connect program brings grantees together several times a year to share ideas on topics such as social entrepreneurship and use of technology, and to explore possible collaborative ventures. Read previous grantee success stories at the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle website, http://www.thebwgc.org. The 2012 grantees and their project plans are: Action in Maturity, $9,485; www.actioninmaturity.org To help 350 senior African-American women living in three federally subsidized HUD senior apartment complexes maintain independence. The grant will provide twice-monthly group bus transportation to grocery stores and big box stores, and individual transportation to medical appointments. Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma, $20,000; www.astt.org To help support an additional case worker at the only accredited treatment center for torture victims in Maryland. This center, which helps legal refugees seeking asylum in the U.S. navigate the legal system, learn English, and recover from trauma, has a 6-month waiting list. Women comprise 80 percent of its current 300 clients, most of whom receive services for about one year. Alternative Directions,Inc., $20,000; www.alternativedirectionsinc.org To support the Turn About Program, which helps women reenter society after incarceration, and the Children of Incarcerated Parents program, which facilitates children’s visits to incarcerated parents and promotes family reunification after the parent’s release. Asylee Women Enterprise, $10,000; www.asyleewomen.org To support a safe home for female asylum seekers, who have been persecuted, and often sexually abused and tortured be-
cause of their gender, religion, ethnicity, or political beliefs. This program also provides a caring community, job skills training, and help accessing legal and social services. Baltimore Curriculum Project, $12,180; www.baltimorecp.org To provide 3 weekly after-school classes in reading, math, science, and social studies to 75 children in grades 1-5, most in families that have recently immigrated to the U.S. The program aims to reinforce classroom learning at the Wolfe Street Academy, a charter school in upper Fells Point. Caroline Friess Center, Inc., $15,000; www.caroline-center.org To provide free training in the center’s certified/geriatric nursing program to 3-4 unemployed or underemployed women. The program trains 90 women per year at no cost to trainees. About 8 of 10 enrollees complete the program; nearly all obtain nursing jobs. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Baltimore, $20,000; www.casabalt.org To help fund the salary of a supervisor for volunteers who advocate for foster children within the Baltimore City Juvenile Court system. The supervisor’s presence will enable CASA to increase from 15 to 30 the number of older youth in foster care receiving oversight by a trained volunteer as they transition to independent living. Episcopal Community Services of Maryland, Ark Preschool, $20,000; http://www.ecsm.org/programs/ark.php To improve language and social skills in children aged 3 to 5 at the Ark Preschool, the only state-accredited preschool for homeless children in Baltimore City. These efforts aim to boost the children’s readiness for kindergarten. Grant funds also will help the children’s parents, often single mothers, find permanent housing, obtain jobs, and access community services. House of Ruth Maryland, Latina Victim Services in Baltimore, $20,000; www.hruthmd.org To support a bilingual client service coordinator who provides crisis intervention, education about intimate partner violence, referral coordination, and community outreach to at least 50 Latina victims of domestic partner abuse. Incentive Mentoring Program, $20,000; www.incentivementoringprogram.org To encourage struggling students at Dunbar High School and Baltimore’s Academy for College and Career Exploration to complete high school. Starting in the student’s freshman year, a team of 6-10 Johns Hopkins’ undergraduate and graduate student volunteers provides each student individualized tutoring and extensive support. They may take students shopping for school supplies, help them find medical care, or even go on camping trips with them. Since the program began in 2004, all student participants have earned a high school diploma or equivalent degree. Living Classrooms Foundation Girls' Empowerment Mission, $20,000; http://www.gemmaryland.org To support the Girls' Empowerment Mission (GEM) at Chesapeake High School, which aims to help girls from low-income homes complete their education and improve self-esteem. The GEM program serves 39 students, providing female mentors who see the girls twice a month, and talk with them by phone at least once a week. Participating girls have had better school attendance and fewer suspensions than non-participants. All have graduated, and many have gone on to college. Marian House Transitional Housing and Supportive Services Program, $20,000; www.marianhouse.org To support individual dormitory-style housing for approximately 85 homeless women or those recently released from prison, and their children, along with counseling, job readiness training, GED mentoring, drug/alcohol screening, financial guidance, and other services. Maryland Foster Youth Resource Center, $20,000; www.mfyrc.org To support aid to a growing number of clients at this center, founded and operated by former foster youth. Serving youths who have aged out of foster care, the center provides emergency food, shelter, and clothing. It also helps youths find stable housing, workforce development programs, employment, counseling, life-skills workshops, and other services. Maryland New Directions, $20,000; www.mdnewdirections.org To boost from 100 to 150 the number of low-income, unemployed Baltimore City women ages 21-65 receiving a job developer’s help to write resumes, complete online and paper job applications, and prepare for job interviews. The job developer also visits prospective employers, and attends job fairs seeking job opportunities for program graduates. My Sister's Circle, $20,000; www.mysisterscircle.org To fund cultural, educational, and recreational programs that
encourage growth and self-sufficiency in girls from families at or below poverty level. Launched in 2000, the program now serves 120 girls from late elementary school through high school age. My Sister's Place Women's Center, $20,000; http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/my-sisters-place To help provide meals and other services to homeless women and children at a day shelter in downtown Baltimore. The center focuses on women and children housed in overnight shelters or living on the streets. In 2011, it served more than 66,000 meals. Night of Peace Family Shelter, $15,000; www.nightofpeace.com To help provide food, shelter, case management, and a nurturing environment at Baltimore County’s only shelter for low-income families with children. The shelter, established in 2005 at the Salem United Methodist Church, currently averages 25 residents per day. Nearly all of families it serves are headed by a single mother. Northwest Hospital Center, Inc. Domestic Violence Program, $20,000; http://www.lifebridgehealth.org/Northwest/NorthwestHospitalDomesticViolenceProgram.aspx To support case management staff for a program providing 24/7 crisis intervention, emergency shelter, treatment, safety planning, and counseling for victims of domestic violence. Starting with 24 clients in 2004, the program served more than 800 women in 2011. It partners with public and private groups, including the police and the Women's Law Center. Our Daily Bread Employment Center, $20,000; http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/our-daily-bread/ To support a professional placement manager to help women who originally come for meals to prepare for and find jobs. The center provides computer access and assistance, skills assessment, skills training, GED/ABE and financial literacy classes, voicemail service, and cell phones. In 2011, 218 women completed job training, and 139 obtained jobs. Safe House of Hope, Inc. Drop-In Center, $20,000; www.safehouseofhope.org To extend hours of service at this West Baltimore center, which strives to help women in the sex trade pursue other paths, obtain needed mental and physical health services, complete a GED, and develop traditional job skills. The center, which has helped women aged 16 to 60, provides a free breakfast, lunch, clothing, personal care products, and household items. St. Mary's Outreach Center, $20,000; www.stmarysoutreach.ang-md.org To help seniors in the Hampden area complete paperwork for Medicare/Medicaid, energy assistance, prescription drug coverage, eviction notices, and taxes, and to obtain housing, transportation, and social security. This resource and referral center, established in 2003, helped 500 seniors with such services in 2011. It also offered social events and other programs. ABOUT THE BALTIMORE WOMEN’S GIVING CIRCLE Through collective giving and collaboration, the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle at the Baltimore Community Foundation seeks to improve life for needy women and their families in the Greater Baltimore area. The Giving Circle encourages members to participate in philanthropy through education, grantmaking, and other community-based activities. Since its founding in 2001, the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle has granted more than $2.7 million to nonprofit organizations serving women and their families in the Baltimore area. More information can be found at www.thebwgc.org. ABOUT THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle is one of more than 600 different charitable funds comprising the Baltimore Community Foundation. With assets of $157 million, BCF distributed $20 million in 2011 to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore region and beyond. Representing the common interests of a diverse pool of donors who care about Baltimore, BCF deploys grants, initiatives and advocacy to address issues facing the region today, while building a civic endowment to address the needs of future generations. BCF also offers donors customized support for their individual philanthropic goals, expert assistance in learning more about the causes they care about, and the opportunity to join others with similar interests to learn and give together. More information is available online at www.bcf.org.
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
ADVICE
W oman to Woman By Dr. Renée Parks, Staff Writer
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Dear Dr. Renée I love my boyfriend very much but I’m not ready for a commitment anytime soon. I recently overheard him talking to one of his friends saying that he plans on proposing. If he asks the question, I don’t want to hurt his feelings or break up with him, so how do I tell him that I’m just not ready? He could be the one but it’s not something I am prepared to deal with right now. ~No Wedding Ring Dear Ring, You need to be upfront with your boyfriend and let him know how you feel before he proposes. There’s a chance that he may have not bought the ring yet. The sooner you can stop him from going too far, the easier it will be to talk about the situation. If at all possible, you should avoid waiting until he pops the question to tell him that you don’t want a commitment. If you love him, though, you may want to give some consideration as to why you don’t want to go into a committed relationship. If it’s because you’ve been hurt in the past, then you might want to think about some relationship counseling. Explain your feelings to your boyfriend and if he’s really the one, he will understand and give you some space until you figure out what you want for your life.
Dear Dr. Renée, Help! I am happily married and have been for 11 years. I just recently started a new job and have met a really wonderful man who flirts with me constantly. I find myself flirting back with him because he is absolutely gorgeous and sends my blood bubbling. I still love my husband but I’m afraid that if I keep flirting with my co-worker that something is going to happen and I won’t be able to resist. What do I do? ~Feeling Flirty Dear Flirty, Many women flirt. The important thing is to not let it go too far. You may want to work into a conversation with your co-worker that you’re married. If he says that he’s married, too, then you may both just be doing some innocent flirting. If you find that he’s not married, however, you may want to keep your distance or let him know that it’s not going to go anywhere. If the flirting remains innocent and friendly, use those flirtatious feelings toward your husband. He’ll love all of the extra attention and you won’t feel so guilty. The important thing is that you let the flirting stay with flirting. If you act on it, there may be no turning back. Keep it fun and be honest about the fact that you don’t want it to go anywhere.
Dr. Renée is the author of The Four Paths to Ultimate Wellness, an amazing new book that reveals the secrets of how to feel fantastic, look more attractive and enjoy more of life’s pleasures. For more information, go to www.DrRenee.com or 410 630-6989. Submit your lifestyle questions to: Advice@AskDrRenee.com.
INSPIRATIONALLY YOURS
Spiritually Sound: Strengthening Our Spiritual Core By V. Lee, Staff Writer For most of us, one leg of our life journey – at least the one that we are first conscious of – began when we were pimply-faced, gangly teenagers trying to figure out where we belong in the world. We probably didn’t recognize all of the changes we endured as first steps in our life’s journey. As females, the changes we were going through were hormonally induced and easily recognizable: the beginning of our menstrual cycle, the transition from a flat chest to B – and sometimes D cups by the time we reached high school, and facial eruptions from acne. Our task on this first leg of our journey was to recognize and accept the physical changes we were enduring as necessary steps for maturity. Then maturity introduced new journeys – emotional, physical and spiritual ones – journeys which dictated that we approach them with the same diligence for recognition and respect as we did during the changes in our teenage years. But with the level of multitasking necessary for daily survival, these journeys likely got lost and emerged in our minds as stress. Instead of recognizing that we are not infallible and therefore human, we have spent our lives criticizing ourselves for every mistake or transgression. We rail at our reflections for choosing the wrong marriage partner or for how we’re raising our children. We punish ourselves for looking or living differently than our neighbors. We allow a build-up of negativity to weigh on our already burdened shoulders and bring us down to a point where we find it hard to get back up again. With each phase of our maturity, it was expected that we would understand that
as we journey through the rest of our lives, change would be a primary concept in our emotional, physical and spiritual growth. In theory, as we naturally evolved through changes, we would embrace them or reject them, celebrate them or mourn them. But never would we allow change to end our journey through life. As a healthcare worker, I’m privileged to have the opportunity to listen to patients while they are in the hospital. During their stay on my unit for a physical ailment, they come face to face with their emotional journeys and usually want to talk about them. Over and over I’m struck by the enormity of anger, frustration and sadness that drips incessantly like a leaky faucet behind curtains of smiles, jokes and sarcasm. I’m painfully aware that in addition to the many responsibilities that we inherited just for being women, we are struggling with the task of learning how to pick ourselves up, dust off, and continue on our journey. We struggle to find a remedy to move past the emotional turmoil we encounter when one leg of our journey leads us into enemy territory. We have no clue where to find the strength to physically pick ourselves up to find that remedy, apply it and step back onto our journeys path. We endure all of this stress because we’ve forgotten one journey – our spiritual journey. Just like we depend on the strength of our core – our abdominal and back muscles – to perform daily tasks and athletic endeavors, the strength of our spiritual core is necessary to move us through each emotional and physical change in our life journey. Depending See Spiritual Strength, Page 11
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
11
THE HEALING PLACE
WOMEN OF FAITH
Domestic Violence and Girls Religions for Peace, What Should You Teach Your Daughter? By Diane Spencer, Contributing Writer Many parents never talk to their daughters about domestic violence and partner abuse. Why not? For some, it’s because they don’t think it could happen to their daughter. But research shows that it’s irresponsible to think that any young woman is immune to partner abuse. In fact, while statistics vary, estimates indicate that as many as half of women will be victims of domestic violence at some point. Other parents avoid the subject because they feel they simply don’t have enough knowledge to know how to address the situation. So let’s talk about some ways you can arm your daughter against an abusive romantic relationship.
Teach her that she’s a strong, competent individual.
Build your daughter’s sense of selfworth and confidence. You can do this in many different ways: give her opportunities to tackle challenges, to be good at something, and to solve problems without being rescued by you too quickly. Find ways to foster her belief in herself and her abilities, and in what she can accomplish. When you do this, you will empower her. Girls are still often socialized to “make nice.” They’re supposed to get along, and to avoid ruffling feathers. Teach your daughter that she has a powerful “NO!” and that she doesn’t have to put up with anything that isn’t respectful and loving from anyone. Focus less on convincing her not to hurt other people’s feelings, and more on teaching her to both give and demand respect in all her relationships.
Teach her how to set standards and choose a great partner.
You talk to your daughter about setting goals and having standards for the kinds of friends she has, for the grades she wants to get, for the college she’ll choose. Teach her that she can set the bar for what kind of partner she chooses as well. Even before she begins to date, you should talk to her about setting standards for any relationship she’s involved in. As she grows, you can even share with her a little bit about your own standards you had (or didn’t have) and where it got you. One of the best things to teach is how to evaluate a potential partner.
Have her watch the way someone treats others, and help her understand that this is a good indication of how she’ll be treated down the road.
Teach her to watch for red flags.
Knowledge is power. Teach your daughter to watch for these warning signs of domestic violence: • Controlling behavior: Domestic violence doesn’t usually start with physical violence. Typically, the abuser will begin to find ways to manipulate or control a victim: isolating her from her friends and family, controlling what she wears, stipulating where she goes and who she talks to. This is a major red flag that indicates the potential for domestic violence. • Emotional abuse: Physical violence is often just around the corner when a partner begins degrading a person, calling her names, treating her disrespectfully, and harshly criticizing her. • A violent temper. Someone who easily flies off the handle and uses violence to deal with his problems can easily choose to display that same violence in a relationship. This especially applies if he is already demonstrating violence and disrespect towards his family and friends. • The cycle of violence. There’s a pattern—the cycle of violence—that regularly appears in abusive relationships. It begins with “the escalating phase” (typified by anger, arguing, blaming, controlling); then moves to “the violent phase” (where the victim is physically attacked); then to “the making-up phase” (where the abuser cries, begs for forgiveness, vows to change, etc); then it starts all over once the victim takes the abuser back. Help your daughter understand the danger in allowing herself to be treated badly the first time, so she won’t become trapped in the cycle of violence.
Teach her that she can always come to you and tell you anything.
As parents, we hope our children know this truth, but we have to tell them. Often. Check in with her and know the people she’s friends with. Get to know them, along with the people she dates. Make sure she knows that there are other adults besides you she can talk to if she needs to. But most of all, make sure that there’s no doubt in her mind that if she needs help, you will always be there for her.
Strength to get through the hard times Spiritual Strength, from page 10 upon your own personal belief system, there are ways to strengthen your spiritual core. Attending regular church services is recognized by many as an important part of life’s journey. Fellowshipping with people of like mind and focus and exploring scripture references is essential to making the right choices, prayerful living and maintaining a sense of inner peace. Whether attending a brick and mortar building or watching a televised service provides a sense of security and foundation. For supplement or substitution, there are also a multitude of inspirational blogs, motivational speakers, and self-help books that are additional guideposts along your journey. One of my favorite self-help books is Iyanla Vanzant’s, “Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color.” Susan Taylor’s “In the Spirit” – derived from her monthly
columns in Essence Magazine – is another favorite. In addition, I have found lessons to strengthen my life journey in: Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie,” Joyce Meyers’ “The Confidant Woman,” or the “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul” book with encouraging stories that honor women at every level of maturity written by Linda Ellerbee, Kathy Lee Guilford and Oprah Winfrey. And have you heard of Liberia’s Mother Eliza? I’m currently reading Lorry Lutz’s book, “When God Says Go” about the courageous and spiritually sound Mother Eliza and her 100 years of inspirational strength. We are all travelling individual paths on a journey with similar forked roads, detours and road blocks. A strong spiritual journey will ensure that our journeys continue without end.
Women's Mobilization By Ms. Madiha Awais and Kathryn Lohre of Religions for Peace RELIGIONS FOR PEACE PURPOSE Guided by respect for religious differences and a belief in the power of multi-religious cooperation, Religions for Peace mobilizes religious communities to collaborate on deeply held and widely shared concerns. Multi-religious cooperation unleashes the hidden assets of religious communities and is more powerful, both substantively and symbolically, than the efforts of individual faith communities acting alone. When religious communities recognize their shared values, mobilize their collective assets, and work together, they can have a decisive impact where it is most needed. WOMEN'S MOBILIZATION PROGRAM Religions for Peace recognizes that women of faith around the world have enormous capacities for leadership and effective action in all areas of human development. The Women's Mobilization Program was established in 1998 to advance the role of religious women in international development, peace-making and post-conflict reconstruction. The two overarching aims of the program are to ensure that the concerns and perspectives of women are mainstreamed in all of Religions for Peace's programming and to build the capacity of religious women of faith organizations to engage in peace building and sustainable development. GLOBAL AND REGIONAL NETWORKS In 2001, the program launched the first-ever Global Network of Religious Women's Organizations. The network serves as a tremendous resource for women of all faiths; it helps them communicate and learn from each other and builds bridges between faithbased organizations and major international agencies. At present, the Global Network includes more that 850 Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Indigenous, Sikh and Zoroastrian religious women's organizations. Some organizations in the network have a membership as large as 5,000 groups, while others have less than five. More recently, the program inaugurated four regional women of faith sub-networks in Africa, South East Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. RESOURCES The Women's Mobilization Program fuels both the global and regional networks by disseminating information, offering training programs, and providing various publications. In addition to its bi-yearly newsletter, the Program has also published various handbooks and resources, including: A Woman's Place: Religious Women as Public Actors; Women of Faith Transforming Conflict: A Multi-Religious Training Manual; and the Global Directory of Religious Women's Organizations. Additionally, profiles of various network members, several of which are posted on the website, are a means for documenting the historical contributions women of faith are making to conflict transformation and for sharing their strategies. CAPACITY BUILDING OF WOMEN Today, the Women's Mobilization Program continues to convene and train women religious leaders and representatives at local, national, regional and international levels. True to its mission, Religions for Peace is building the capacity of women of faith to take on increasingly visible leadership roles in transforming conflict, promoting peace, and advancing sustainable development.
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
CAREER CORNER
NOT JUST WORKING HARD, BUT WORKING SMART
WomanWords...
“
My address is much like my shoes. It travels with me.
By Stephen B. Thomas, Global Career Development Facilitator at Maryland New Directions
Not many folks are used to hearing the phrase diversity of tactics when it comes to the job search process. But I’m writing today to remind you of that phrase, and encourage you to ingrain it in your memory as one of the key components to cutting your job search time in half. The first thing an average job seeker does when they say to themselves – or out loud – “All right! That’s it! The job search starts today!” is what? If you guessed check for online job listings then you would be right on the money. And how is that working out for them? In the sense that it saves them time, it’s great. One can apply for more than 10 jobs in one hour, so long as they have all their materials saved in their computer: cover letter template; resume; references. You can stay in your pajamas! You don’t even have to shower! And you probably won’t receive a response. Richard Bolles, author of the best-selling career guide What Color Is Your Parachute indicates that there’s a return rate of 7 percent for applying for jobs online. In a report published in early 2011, jobs2web.com stated that for every job offer made to those who applied for a job online, there are nearly 90 applications that were rejected. If you’re tired of a single-digit return rate on your job search efforts, then take some of the following suggestions to heart. Build your personal network in your career field. Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for work, and be specific about it. Give them
a hard copy of your resume, and ask them to pass it along to people they know who are hiring or know someone who is. Better yet, if you’ve done some Informational Interviewing, then the people in your personal network are already connected to the field in which you want to work. Make sure you ask them who they know, and if you can be introduced to them. Visit the business where you want to work. Wear your most professional-looking interview outfit, print up your resume on some fancy stationery, and stop by unannounced. Ask to speak to the manager, and indicate that you’re excited about any opportunity to work for the company and make an enormous positive impact on their success. All you need is 10 minutes of their time to explain just how great of an asset you’ll be for their company. In other words, schedule the interview for yourself. Become a volunteer or an intern someplace where you would like to work. You will be able to keep your skills current, build your contacts in your career field of choice, earn positive references for future job applications, and it’ll keep you in front of someone who can hire you when a position becomes available. And set the schedule yourself: 2 or 3 days a week, maybe after the lunch hour, so you can spend time on other job search methods. Questions or comments: info@mdnewdirections.org
HARFORD NEWS
True Housewives Supports Local Community Events By Heather Ziehl, Staff Writer
Women In Defense Mid-Atlantic Chapter Golf Tournament Friday, June 22, 2012 - Fallston, MD Proceeds from this tournament will be used for the Fisher House, Support Our Heroes, and STEM Education. We will have a great day of golf at the beautiful Mountain Branch Golf Club. The event will include a breakfast and 4-person best ball. Following the golf there will be a cocktail happy hour, dinner, and dessert served during the awards ceremony. Please email Diane (randysiler@msn.com) or follow the link below for registration and event information: http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/20287-APGShowcaseGolfTournamentByWID/index.html
About True Housewives True Housewives is a group of dedicated women working together to improve communities and enhance awareness for charitable, non-profit and small business organizations. You DON'T have to be a "HOUSEWIFE" or even a "WIFE" at all to join! Our members (of all ages) are married, single, divorced, widowed, with children or without and all vary in profession. They all have one commonality that unites them, a passion for making a difference in their community and setting a positive example! For more information about True Housewives, go to www.truehousewives.net or email heather@truehousewives.net.
”
I abide where there is a fight against wrong.
~Mother Jones HER STORY
The First Lady of Pharmacy By Meghan Murphy
B e s s i e Olive Cole was born on November 14, 1883 in Mount Carmel, MD, the daughter of Jordan B. and Nancy ElCOURTESY MSA.MD.GOV len Wheeler Cole. She grew up in Baltimore County and attended Franklin High School in Reisterstown, graduating in 1902. Prophetically, “Miss Bessie Olive Cole was destined to become a second Susan B. Anthony,” recalled her class historian. After graduating, Ms. Cole became a stenographer and clerk for Sharpe & Dohme, which was then a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Baltimore. While working there, she attended the Baltimore Business College, graduating in 1903. It is safe to say that Ms. Cole’s interest in pharmacy began while she worked at Sharpe & Dome. To prove this, she enrolled at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Maryland while still employed at the company. Even with the first woman graduating from the school in 1858, it was still unusual for a woman to enroll there. In 1913, Cole received a Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree and the Gold Medal which was an award bestowed to the student with the year’s highest average. Within that same year, Ms. Cole became a license pharmacist in Maryland, as well as D.C. in 1916. In 1915 she became an active member of the American Pharmaceutical Association. During the years 1916-1920, Dr. Cole (who she was then known by) was a manufacturing pharmacist in D.C. Also during this time, she worked for the government in the War Risk department. In 1920, when professional schools of the University of Maryland merged, Dr. Cole began her long career as a faculty member of the School of Pharmacy. For the next eight years, she was
the Associate Professor of Botany and Materia Medica. Also in 1920, Dr. Cole became the secretary of the faculty of the school of Pharmacy, a position she retained until her retirement in 1953. 1920 proved to be a very important year for Dr. Cole as she was admitted to the University of Maryland’s School of Law. She then earned a Bachelor of Law degree in 1953. Because such degrees were awarded alphabetically (at the time), Dr. Cole being only 1 of 5 women in the class, became the first woman to graduate from the UMD School of Law. While Dr. Cole never actually practiced law, she used her knowledge in the pharmacy classroom. From 1923 to 1928 she was a lecturer of pharmaceutical law; from 1928 to 1932 was the associate professor of business methods and pharmaceutical law, and from 1932 to 1947 was associate professor of economics and pharmaceutical law. The next two years were exceptional in Dr. Cole’s career as she became the first woman to hold the position as Dean of the school of pharmacy in 1948. In 1949, she also became the first woman to hold a full professorship at UMD. It was also believed that that achievement had never been accomplished by any other woman in the United States up until that time. Over the course of her career, Dr. Cole received many accolades for her contributions to the pharmaceutical field. Perhaps the most exciting and honorable one was when, in 1966, the Maryland Pharmaceutical Association established the Bessie Olive Cole museum in a memorial building at the Baltimore campus of the school of Pharmacy. At the time of her death on June 5, 1971 Dr. Bessie Olive Cole had become known as the “First Lady of Pharmacy in Maryland”. As recorded by her in a magazine article, Dr. Cole truly “blazed a trail for other women to follow”. http://www.msa.md.gov/megafile/msa/ speccol/sc3500/sc3520/014300/014381/ pdf/stevenson.pdf
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
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TRAVEL
POETRY CORNER
A LITANY FOR SURVIVAL ~ Audre Lorde, The Black Unicorn
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOUNTVERNONLADIESASSOCIATION.COM
Explore the beautiful gardens, museum and education center at Mt. Vernon's 500-acre estate.
Sticking Closer to Home Amazing travel destinations in your own backyard By Jenna Swartz, Staff Writer This summer, you don’t need to head far from home to have amazing adventures. Take a look at these things to do all over Baltimore, Washington D.C., and the Delmarva area. Visit the National Aquarium at the Baltimore Harbor and explore everything from rain forests to aquatic paradise to exotic jungle creatures, without ever leaving the state. Also nearby: the Maryland Science Center, ESPN-Zone, and Fort McHenry, where the American national anthem got its roots.1 If you’re more in the mood for a tranquil day of museum hopping, try the Walter’s Art Museum and the Maritime Museum, to admire masterpieces and sea-faring relics. Take a look at the Constellation—the last Civil War vessel afloat or check out the Basilica, the First Catholic Church in America. The architecture of Federal Hill and the Cross Street Market are beautiful places to admire as well. Near Hampden, stop in for the annual Hon’ Fest or watch the Baltimore Orioles play at Camden Yards. If you want to see Washington D.C. in a new light, take an eco-friendly travel tour by bike. See famous sights like the Vietnam War Memorial, Jefferson, Lincoln and WWII memorials on wheels. An evening bike tour across the city lets you immerse yourself in the beautiful lights, architecture, and ebb and flow of our nation’s capitol. You may also enjoy exploring D.C. by bike at your own pace. Take your full day rental bike to Smithsonian Museum, cycle along the Potomac River, or head to one of the area's extensive bike trails.2 Journey to Mt. Vernon and see George Washington’s mansion in Northern Vir-
ginia, just minutes away from D.C.. Mount Vernon’s new museum and education center makes it a full day excursion you won’t want to miss. Step right into the past with a tour of the 14-room mansion, restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740s. The 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family will make you want to hearken back to another time. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables.4 In Mardela Springs in the Delmarva area, paddle a canoe or kayak through saltwater marshes and cypress swamps on the Eastern Shore. Let nature take you to a soothing, peaceful place. You can also fish, fly fish, clam, and crab on expeditions along with a variety of hunting options.3 In the Delmarva area, enjoy fresh-caught seafood served with locally grown produce. Many different summer festivals celebrate the watermen of the Chesapeake and the ponies of Chincoteague.5 Visit Assateague Island National Seashore, the Sea Museum in Ocean City, the Delaware Seashore State Park, or Ocean City’s Jolly Roger Amusement Park for some good old fashioned fun outdoors or on a rollercoaster.6 No matter where you end up traveling, don’t forget to take that sense of adventure with you—that way you always have a splendid time and greet each new sight with fresh eyes. 1 http://www.traveladventures.com/Destinations/WashingtonDC/Side-Trips/Baltimore 2 http://www.ecofriendlytours.com/Washington-DC-Districtof-Columbia.html 3 http://visitmaryland.org/PressRoom/Pages/Marylandsatisfiesquestforoutdooradventure.aspx 4 http://dc.about.com/od/touristattractions/tp/Top10ThingsToDo.htm 5 http://www.delmarvadrives.com/delmarva-adventures 6 http://attractions.upt ake.com/virginia/delmarva/971420844.html
For those of us who live at the shoreline standing upon the constant edges of decision crucial and alone for those of us who cannot indulge the passing dreams of choice who love in doorways coming and going in the hours between dawns looking inward and outward at once before and after seeking a now that can breed futures like bread in our children's mouths so their dreams will not reflect the death of ours: For those of us who were imprinted with fear like a faint line in the center of our foreheads learning to be afraid with our mother's milk for by this weapon this illusion of some safety to be found the heavy-footed hoped to silence us For all of us this instant and this triumph We were never meant to survive. And when the sun rises we are afraid it might not remain when the sun sets we are afraid it might not rise in the morning when our stomachs are full we are afraid of indigestion when our stomachs are empty we are afraid we may never eat again when we are loved we are afraid love will vanish when we are alone we are afraid love will never return and when we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed but when we are silent we are still afraid So it is better to speak remembering we were never meant to survive
14
GREEN LIVING
Who Makes the Best Natural Sunscreen? Several manufacturers have developed safe, natural sunscreen By Marc Lallanilla, About.com Guide Sunscreen and sunblocks have improved greatly in recent years, and high-SPF natural sunscreen with organic or natural ingredients are now widely available. The bad news is, many sunscreen manufacturers are still marketing products with ingredients that don't provide real protection from the sun's harmful UV radiation, or that contain harmful or untested ingredients, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a consumer health and safety advocacy group.
Who Makes the Best Natural Sunscreen? EWG has investigated hundreds of popular sunscreens and found many to be unsatisfactory, while others do a good, safe job of protecting skin from sun damage. The following products are among the group's best buys in good-quality natural sunscreens that are readily available and contain few if any harmful ingredients: • Alba Botanica Mineral Sunscreen • Badger Sunscreen for Face and Body • Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive or Baby • California Baby Sunscreen Lotion or Sunblock Stick • Jason Natural Cosmetics Sunbrellas: Mineral-Based Sunblock • LaRoche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream • Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff or Sun Stick • Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen • UV Natural Sunscreen or Baby Sunscreen For the safest protection, use sunscreens that contain a minimum of 7% titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Also, avoid sunscreens that contain insect repellent, oxybenzone, benzophenone-3 or artificial fragrances. (Most of the natural sunscreens listed above are available in unscented or fragrance-free PHOTO /GETTY IMAGES formulas.)
How to Use Natural Sunscreen The EWG, Consumer Reports and the American Cancer Society also recommend the following safe, smart tips for sun protection: • Use sunscreen that's rated SPF 15 to 30 • Apply sunscreen to kids' sensitive skin first • Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun • Wear sunglasses with UV protection • Put on a tightly woven shirt and a hat • Avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun's ray are strongest • Stay in the shade as much as possible (though this doesn't offer complete protection from UV rays) • Reapply sunscreen often • Buy new sunscreen yearly -- it loses its potency over the winter • Don't forget your kisser! Use a good SPF 15 lip balm, too
www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
GARDENING
Express Patio Makeover By Joe Swift, Greenfingers.com Joe Swift has got some handy suggestions on transforming a patio or city garden in a jiffy This is the perfect time of year to give the garden a quick makeover. As the garden is being seen more and more as an outdoor room somewhere to relax, eat, play and generally enjoy, the patio or terrace area becomes the place to concentrate most of your efforts. Whether it just needs freshening by filling a few planting gaps or something a bit more drastic it's worth doing it now so it can be used to its maximum potential throughout the summer. First thing to do is to hire a pressure washer and pressure wash any decks, paths or patios - they'll come up like new and inspire you to do more. As the fear of frosts is now over you can get in some bedding and more tenderplants into the garden. Rather than the standard geraniums and busy lizzies, why not try something a bit different? With their brilliant flowers and exotic foliage the Canna lilies (Canna x genaralis) will add a real tropical holiday feel to the garden and work as well in pots as they do in the ground. Osteospermum 'whirlygig' (cape daisy) is one of the funkiest bedding plants around. The powder blue centres are perfectly set off by the white and mauve paddle-shaped petals. Again they can go pretty much anywhere as a filler
and if you're in a mild area or are really lucky they'll come back again next year. I'm a firm believer that fewer large plants in large pots look better than lots of small ones randomly dotted on a small terrace. With lots of water the bamboos such as the black bamboo (phyllostachys 'nigra') or the golden bamboo (phyllostachys 'aurea') do well in pots (add some supergel granules to stop them drying out). They will add real height without spreading too far and look fantastic in small city gardens. Try bold coloured pots (golds, reds and burgundies) or a really, effective and simple trick is to paint existing terracotta pots with a masonry paint. Other big plants, which make an instant impact and also look great in small space are banana palms (musa basjoo)- perfect for the shady garden and Canary Island date plam (phoenix canariensis). Articles reprinted with premission from Greenfingers.com
ASK THE HOME BUILDER
10 Questions to Ask a Home Builder Before You Build a Home By Jack Taylor Are you hiring a home builder to build a new home for you? If so, there are several things you should know about the builder before you sign a contract and agree to using their services. With this list of top 10 things to ask a home builder before you build, however, you will certainly get great service and great results.
Do You Have References? Make sure to ask the home builder for references and then call the references to check on the builder’s work.
Are You Licensed? Only deal with a home builder that is licensed to perform the type of work you are requesting. By working with a licensed builder, you can take comfort in knowing that the builder has fulfilled certain criteria that is important to the job.
completed homes that you can walk through. By taking a walkthrough, you can get a better idea of the quality and determine if you like the builder’s work.
Are You Currently Working on Any Homes? Visiting the building site of a home that is in the process of being built is a good way to get an idea of how the builder operates and the quality of the craftsmanship as the structure is being built.
Have You Ever Filed for Bankruptcy? When a home builder files bankruptcy, its customers are left hanging without a home. If the company has filed bankruptcy in the past, it may do it again. It is best to stay clear of companies that have filed bankruptcy.
Have You Ever Operated Under a Different Company Name?
Some companies change names in order to avoid legal troubles. Find out the other names the company has operated under and be sure to check into those names as well.
What is Your Status with the Better Business Bureau? The Better Business Bureau monitors businesses and complaints that customers may have placed against the company. You should ask the company about its standing and then check for yourself.
Are You Insured?
When Will the Project be Completed?
The home builder should be insured against problems that may arise during the building process, which will keep you protected. The builder should also be insured to protect the workers that will be building the home on your property.
How Much Will this Cost Me?
How Can I See Samples of Your Work? Some home builders offer walk through models of their
The home builder should give you a schedule that will help you keep track of when different stages will be completed. The home builder should give you a cost quote, which should be written into a contract so there are no unexpected expenses.
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
15
OFF the SHELF
THE POSTMISTRESS By Sarah Blake Review by Judy Stanton, Courtesy of Women’s Book Reviews
I really enjoyed reading The Postmistress. Though it is yet another Holocaust story, through the character of Frankie Bard, the story and the atrocities are very personalized. To me, this female reporter was very real, and her concern as to whether she was really being heard is still an issue today. How do reporters embeded with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan handle such terror? Despite the huge growth of media, they are likely still concerned about what they report being heard, motivating people to action, and, the interest-
ing perspective of not always being there to know how a story they have begun.... especially about a person's life....ultimately ends. But Frankie Bards's was not the only story being told in this book, which keeps bringing you back to find out how the lives of Postmistress and the town doctor and his wife touch Frankie's life, beyond just their hearing her on the radio. The inexplicable craziness of life circumstances-- the whimsies of fate -- that sometimes make the difference between life and death, is another theme explored in the book. Interestingly, the supposed "story" introduced at the very first of the book... the postmistress who didn't deliver mail... turned out not to be the most interesting part of the novel to me. Very well written, a compelling read. If you like historical fiction, you will truly enjoy the Postmistress.
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FOOD
Simple Tips For Healthy and Tasty Summer Eating Contributed by www.culinarynews.com
Summer may bring to mind outdoor picnics with hot dogs and chips, but a Purdue University expert says the season also provides the perfect opportunity to plan delicious, healthy meals. "I think it's almost easier for people to eat healthfully during the warmer months than it is at any other time of year," says Laura Palmer, a Cooperative Extension Service specialist in foods and nutrition and a registered dietitian. "The abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, combined with the chance to grill foods, offers many tasty alternatives to the high-fat foods we might associate with summer." Palmer offers the following suggestions for making the most of summer with foods that are both appetizing and nutritious: -- Be meat savvy. Choose lean cuts of beef, including round, sirloin and loin cuts. Tenderize the meat to increase flavor and texture without adding fat. Marinate in salsa, low-calorie salad dressing, wine or citrus juices. "Grilled chicken breasts, turkey tenders and lamb kabobs also make great alternatives to high-sodium hot dogs and hamburgers," Palmer says. -- Aim for variety. Kick up the health factor of grilling with vegetables and fruits. Cooking vegetables on the grill adds flavor. Make ka-
bobs with fruit and grill on low heat until the fruit is hot and slightly golden. These healthy snacks also make consuming the recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake simple. -- Don't forget to stay hydrated. Summer heat can cause dehydration. "Water is the best option when temperatures soar, but you can add slices of lemons or strawberries for natural flavor," Palmer says. -- Make eating healthy a priority this summer by focusing on simple snacks that don't take much prep work. Keep fresh berries in the refrigerator to add to salads, yogurt and ice creams. Wash fresh green beans to dip in yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese. Keep healthy extras, like lettuce and tomatoes, in your produce bin. Try homemade popsicles by freezing 100 percent juice. Cut up raw vegetables to serve with low-fat dips. "Fruit smoothies are a snap to make. Just toss some fresh fruit, yogurt and milk in your blender," Palmer says. "Your options for healthy summer eating are limited only by your imagination." The Department of Foods and Nutrition is part of Purdue's College of Consumer and Family Sciences. More than 250 undergraduate and 50 graduate students are enrolled in the program.
FROZEN FRUIT SMOOTHIES Recipe courtesy Food Network Kitchens Apt. #
State
Ingredients: Zip
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*Please mail checks/money orders to: WomanScope NewsMagazine • 2400 Boston Street, Suite 102 • Baltimore, MD 21224 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
• 1 frozen banana, peeled and sliced • 2 cups frozen strawberries, raspberries, or cherries • 1 cup milk • 1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice • 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or to taste
Directions:
PHOTO COURTESY FOODNETWORK.COM
Put all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve. Cooks note: For non-dairy smoothies, substitute 1 cup rice milk for the milk and yogurt. Or, use soy yogurt or milk instead of dairy.
PEOPLE AND PLACES
KIDSPEACE ANNUAL WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER M AY 2 4 , 2 0 1 2 • C O R R I D O R F I N E W I N E , L A U R E L , M D PHOTOGRAPHY, CHERYL JOSEPH, WSNM STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PEOPLE AND PLACES
ART ADOPTS A CHILD BENEFIT M AY 6 , 2 0 1 2 • M O N A C O H O T E L , B A L T I M O R E , M D KRISTIN MATTHEWS, PHOTOGRAPHER
SUITED TO SUCCEED HOLDS ANNUAL
SUIT-A-PALOOZA FUNDRAISER M AY 2 4 , 2 0 1 2 • P A T R I C I A A N D A R T H U R M O D E L P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C E N T E R AT T H E LY R I C RIC GUY, PHOTOGRAPHER
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
2012 Performers include Holly Near, Mary Watkins, Toshi Reagon, Melanie DeMore, Emma's Revolution, Big Bad Gina, Nervous But Excited, Sugarbeach< Jamie Anderson, Leela and Ellie Grace, Sharon Katz and The Peace Train, Ladies Must Swing, Summer Osborne, and Chris Collier. The National Women's Music Festival is a four-day musical and cultural extravaganza that incorporates all facets of women's lives. It's a jam-packed long weekend where choices for things to do range from workshops, concerts, comedy, theatre presentations, a marketplace, newly released films and videos, a live auction, spirituality series, writer's series and much, much more! Attendees come from all genders and cultures, cutting across ethnic, racial, sexual, age, and ability boundaries. Likewise, Festival programming reflects many points of view; a diversity of ideas and topics are explored and discussed in a safe environment. Festival is an environment in which philoso-
FASHION
phies and politics are open for discussion, not mandated or judged. Mainstage concerts are routinely interpreted for the deaf. Interpreter services can be provided for workshops and other Festival events upon request. Volunteer opportunities and work-exchange of four-hour workshifts is available for reduced-price registration. This is limited and arrangements must be made prior to the Festival. Past performers include Cris Williamson, Kate Clinton, Karen Williams, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Linda Tillery, Jamie Anderson, Holly Near, the Dance Brigade, Melissa Ferrick, Sawagi Taiko, Ferron, Ellis, Ember Swift, Betty, and Margie Adam to just mention a few. Guest speakers have included Geraldine Ferraro, Rita Mae Brown, Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, NPR reporter and writer Margot Adler, Katherine V. Forrest, artist Judy Chicago, Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders, Pat Califia, Betty DeGeneres, Anita Hill and Judy Goldsmith.
Preakness is a season unto itself at local boutiques Baltimore dress shop owners place their bets on
big inventories of prints, bold colors and huge hats By John-John Williams IV, The Baltimore Sun
Lisa Schatz starts her Preakness shopping eight months early, at the September fashion trade shows in New York City. In addition to her regular buys for spring inventory, she's learned to add items featuring bold colors and fun prints that will stand out at Maryland's biggest horse race. Usually boutique owners purchase clothes for four seasons â&#x20AC;&#x201D; five, if you count resorts. But in Baltimore, where Preakness-goers buy duds that sometimes veer from national spring trends, window displays are peppered with color combinations such as yellow and black, bold prints and funky hats that reflect the quirky traditions of the race. Preakness is its own buying season. "When we're doing spring buys, we have to predict the future," said Schatz, who owns Cupcake, a women's wear boutique in Fells Point. "If we don't get the buying right we are in big
trouble. May and June are my big months, and Preakness is a huge part of that." "The Preakness is a main event," said Nancy Lattman, owner of L'Apparenza, a boutique in North Baltimore that features an extensive line of popular designers such as Alice + Olivia, Jay Godfrey and Tory Burch. "It is a social event where people go out and buy a dress specifically for that event." Fashion experts say Preakness is not just a social event, it's a clothing event. "Everybody likes to really get dressed for it," said Sima Blue, owner of the Green Spring Station women's boutique Trillium. "Everyone wants something new and fresh to go to Preakness with. From the infield to the corporate area, there is something for everyone." The days leading up to the big race are the most stressful for boutique owners. "My last five days have been spent hustling Preakness inventory into the boutique," said Schatz the week before the race, as she hung several colorful dresses, including a black-andyellow color-blocked crepe sheath by Black Halo. "Between now and Friday it will be dress mayhem. Everyone will be here buying dresses." At Gian Marco, a menswear boutique in Mount Vernon, owners Marc Sklar and John Massey hire two additional salesmen and an extra tailor the week of the Preakness to accommodate the influx of business generated by the event. Out-of-town customers start shopping for clothes the Wednesday before the race. By Thursday, the boutique is bustling. On Friday, the boutique is "bedlam," according to Sklar. See Preakness Style, Page 19
PHOTO/ COURTESY WASHINGTONPOST.COM
June 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ www.womanscopenews.org
12 Summer Beauty Tips Makeup & Hair Advice for Summer By Julyne Derrick, About.com Guide
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2
Colored Hair Needs Protecting
The sun will turn colored hair all types of wild colors. Protect your color with a protector like Fekkai SunShine Shield Spray. My stylist, Antonio Gonzales of Eva Scrivo Salon, agrees. "I was at a really nice hotel in South Beach and this woman comes out of the pool and applies her hair masque. I was like, 'You go girl!'" says Antonio. "She was protecting her highlights."
3
Blah Hair? Get Thee to the Hair Colorist
Summer, like winter, requires its own special beauty tricks. After all, it is in summer that your eyeshadow becomes a greasy pool in your eyelid creases, your hair falls flat or frizzes to a crisp and your hair color looks like mud against your tan. But have no fear, there are fixes to your summer beauty problems. To keep you looking best, here are my ten favorite beauty tips for the hot season.
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Embrace, Don't Fight, the Elements
Humidity can wreak havoc on curly and straight hair. But instead of fighting the elements this summer, try to embrace them. Curly
hair is uber-sexy in summer. Keep away the frizz with product such as Phyto Plage Protective Sun Veil ($20) after a shower or swim. Your curls will will be protected, but they won't frizz up. Superstraight hair "doesn't say summer," says stylist Mark Townsend in the July 2008 issue of Harper's Bazaar. Put your flatiron away for the summer and let hair dry naturally. Most hair has some wave in it, and beachy waves never go out of style. If you are near an ocean, get in it. Saltwater has wonderful effects on all hair types. You'll love the look once your hair has dried.
Nothing is more gorgeous in summer than lighter hair. I look particularly fantastic with light blonde highlights around my face. Nothing shows off a tan better than highlights. Plus, color can add body to fine, limp hair. When choosing a summer color, stick to natural colors. The sun will naturally lighten hair, so you don't want to go to an extreme. Got black or brown hair? Consider caramel highlights or opt for all-over hair color a shade or two lighter than your current color. I suggest getting hair professionally colored or doing it yourself with a store-bought box. But beware the old lemon juice trick you did in junior high: Lemon juice will naturally lighten hair, but it is also wickedly drying.
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Foundation Is Out, Tinted Moisturizer Is In If you refuse to go bare in summer and can't imagine life without your foundation, consider putting away your foundation for the season and trying a tinted moisturizer. I'm warning you, you may never go back to your old foundation. Lighter than foundation, tinted moisturizers still cover flaws but feel less "cakey." And while foundations can feel as if they're melting off your face, tinted moisturizers won't. Most women are darker in summer, so if you insist on using your foundation, consider one shade for summer and a lighter one for winter. My favorite tinted moisturizer is Laura Mercier, which contains SPF -- a bonus all year round.
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Go for a Bold Nail Polish
If you are flaunting your toes all over the
BEAUTY place this summer, then consider painting your nails a fun, bright color. Bold colors such as hot pink or bright orange (don't laugh) are especially popular this summer and look great on most skin types. Bright colors are especially striking against dark skin. When choosing your summer shade, consider your sandals. I plan to stick with my light pink -- anything brighter clashes with my favorite summer shoes. Sigh.
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Don't Forget to Protect Your Other Parts
Studies show while most women know to put sunscreen on their faces, they skip their chests, hands and necks. Their faces age well, but nothing else does. Who wants to have 80-year-old hands and a 60-year-old face? My advice: When you apply sunscreen, take a couple minutes to slather it on your check and neck. Use whatever's leftover on your hands. It's important to apply sunscreen a couple times throughout the day. One application in the morning won't necessarily last a full 12 hours.
7
Avoid Common Bra Faux Pas
Sundresses are all the rage right now in New York, but every day I see at least a half dozen pairs of saggy boobs bobbing about like elephant trunks. A bad (or no) bra can really throw off an otherwise cute look. And there's really no excuse for it since these days they make bras for every kind of dress. Tank tops are fun, but visible bra straps are tacky. Make sure to do a bra strap check before heading out into public.
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Pick the Right Self-Tanner
The other day I saw the gorgeous model Helena Christensen in the West Village. First I thought, "Oh look, there's Helena! We're the same height!" Then I thought, "Oh my. Helena's a victim of the orange, splotchy, bad self-tanner legs." I've seen quite a few orange women wandering around these days, a shame considering there are so many great self-tanners on the market that look super natural. See Summer Beauty, Page 21
Preakness Style, from page 18 "By Friday evening we're done," he said. "Saturday is the race. And Sunday, everybody goes home." Stocking a boutique for Preakness takes some knowledge about the event. The race's official drink and flower is the black-eyed Susan, so yellow-and-black combinations are popular. "Whenever I buy for Preakness, I think about lots of color," said Blue, whose boutique's window features Preakness-wear such as a neon print floral dress and a sea-foam and red floral print with cutouts on the side, both by Nanette Lepore, as well as a green and white silk wrap and a jewel-adorned emerald green shift dress, both by Milly. Lattman, who has worked in women's retail for more than 30 years, has loaded her boutique with Preakness-themed frocks. She estimates that 80 percent of her dresses are purchased with the race in mind. "The main thing is color â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially this season," Lattman said. "Everything this season is pink, orange or yellow. I dress them in the dresses that they can go out in. The dresses are very festive and very happy."
PHOTO/ LLOYD FOX, BALTIMORE SUN
Lisa Schatz, owner of Cupcake, shows some of the Preakness dresses they have for sale at her store in Fells Point.
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www.womanscopenews.org â&#x20AC;˘ June 2012
EDUCATION
Anne Arundel Community College president Martha Smith reflects on retirement She's leaving her job after 18 years; will stay as consultant By Joe Burris, The Baltimore Sun In one of her final duties as president of Anne Arundel Community College, Martha Smith stood before this year's graduating class during commencement and engaged in a moment of call and response that had all the trappings of a student pep rally. Smith implored the 1,998 graduates Thursday to pursue careers that speak to their passions, then several times instructed students seated to her left to utter, "Do what you love," while telling the right side of the room to say, "Love what you do." Over and over again, the graduates bellowed the chants, some with the kind of loud-decibel roars most often associated with the Ravens faithful. Then they gave Smith a thunderous ovation after her speech, a tribute to a president whose mark on the school has left many in its community saying that they hate to see her go. "I have so many friends who are devastated that she's leaving," said AACC student Schaeffer Seabrook. "She's so amazing." Smith, 63, who became AACC's fifth president in August 1994, announced her retirement in April last year. She will officially step down as president Aug. 1. Last month, AACC named her successor, Dawn Lindsay of Glendale Community College in California. Smith has agreed to continue working for AACC as a consultant. AACC spokesman Dan Baum said that the school's board of trustees has entered into a five-year deal with Smith that offers annual compensation of $140,000 as well as health and retirement benefits at a reduced rate. Smith's annual salary as president of AACC was $234,000. In her 18 years as president, Smith opened an on-campus Center for Applied Learning and Technology as well as an off-campus Sales and Service Training Center and Regional Higher Education Center at Arundel Mills and a Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute in Glen Burnie. The school's new library will open in August. During her tenure, the school was named the National Alliance of Business' Community College of the Year. "She's been very motivating, very inspiring and always there for us," said Abdul Khan, AACC student association president. "It will definitely be hard to fill her shoes." She spoke at Thursday's commencement before the largest graduating class in the school's 50-year history. "What I'm most proud of is what this place does for individual students in helping them change their lives," said Smith, who during an interview in her office on Tuesday broke down crying when asked what experiences she had
Lindsey (above left) will be the new president after Smith (above right) steps down taken from the school in 18 years. "The 18 years I've had here is one of the richest possible gifts a person could have in their lifetime," Smith said. "When you come to commencement and you look out at those graduates, you see America, and you see that year after year after year. Fortunately the numbers keep growing. That's a really good thing." But the end of her tenure has come with challenges. Last year, AACC trustees approved a $110.6 million operating budget proposal that included a tuition-and-fee increase of $16 per credit hour, the largest such increase in school history. Smith said that budget shortfalls, particularly in what she called "unprecedented" cuts in government funding, have made her last year as president a difficult one. She added that budget concerns are among the biggest challenges that Lindsay will face in the coming years. "I think she's walking into ... a much better situation than that of [fiscal year] 2012," said Smith of Lindsay. She added that increased student fees for this year will give the school more revenue entering next year. She said that the state has already pledged increased funds for colleges and added that AACC officials believe they will be successful in petitioning the county to restore some of the funding lost in last year's budget. But she added that she believes the school made the right decision in choosing Lindsay from more than 120 applicants. "She gets why we're here," said Smith. "We're here to help students become successful and either transfer to four-year schools or enter the workforce." After her commencement address, AACC officials presented Smith with several gifts, including an AACC T-shirt with the words "Lifelong Learner" on the back. AACC students past and present lauded her for guiding the school through difficult times over her last few years. "I really admire all the challenges she overcame during her 18 years, but more specifically, with the past year or two when we've had some challenges with the budgeting and County Council," said Morgan O'Brien, who graduated from AACC last year with two associate degrees and is now a student at Towson University. "I really feel so honored to be one of the students she's touched."
June 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ www.womanscopenews.org
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WIRED
Female 'Stereotype Threat' Brain Drains U.S. STEM By Rosalind C. Barnett and Caryl Rivers, WeNews commentators Negative perceptions are still choking off women's access to careers in science, technology, engineering and math. But if girls are encouraged in the early grades they will benefit, along with the U.S. economy. (WOMENSENEWS) -- Ideas about women not being "hardwired" to do math are falling like dominos in the research area. We'll go into that later, but first the big question: Deep down, do girls and women really believe it? And will they take steps, as they grow, to make high-paying careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) a reality? New research finds that the answer may be no. Even when girls say they believe this message, they don't really believe it. Researcher Pascal Huguet of Aix-Marseille University in France found in 2009 that middle school girls did less well on a math test when told that boys generally did better in math than girls. Even girls who denied they held a belief in girls' inferiority did poorly. Without the negative information, they score nearly as well as men. Too often, girls just know what parents and teachers want them to say about female math ability. But in fact, by middle school, the cause is already lost for many girls. Stereotype threat--that confidence-killing burden of anxiety--has already set in. Girls and boys in elementary, middle and high school take math and science courses in roughly equal numbers, and girls perform at least as well as boys. Recently, girls swept the top prizes in the first ever Google science fair. More good news comes from the Girl Scouts Foundation, which recently reported that girls are now saying they can have a career in STEM. Its study finds that 74
PHOTO/ US Army Africa on Flickr, under Creative Commons (CC BY 2.0)
percent of teen girls are interested in STEM and 82 percent see themselves as smart enough to have a career in STEM.
Ominous Horizon
But if those teens look ahead a few years, they could see a horizon that looks ominously more narrow. Even as college-educated women have increased their share of the overall work force, they hold a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees, particularly in engineering. Women with a STEM degree are less likely than male counterparts to work in a STEM occupation; they are more likely to work in education or health care. This is important for women's financial futures as well as the country's technology. Women with STEM jobs earned 33 percent more than comparable women in non-STEM jobs. Rebecca Blank, acting deputy secretary of the Commerce Department, warns that the lack of women in STEM is harming U.S. ability to compete in the global innovation marketplace. A 2011 report from her department finds that while women fill close to half of all U.S. jobs they hold less than 25 percent of the ones in STEM. Fortunately, there is a window of opportunity we should not ignore. A team led by psychologist Anthony Greenwald at the University of Washington discovered that although girls in the early grades see math largely as a male preserve, they haven't yet made the connection that "because I am a girl, math is not for me."
Learning 'Math is for Me'
So there is a short period of time in elementary school during which girls are relatively open to the idea that they can enjoy and do well at math. They can learn that math is for them. If they don't, they will never find their way to collegelevel studies in math and science. It is a step forward that many girls in middle school today are getting the message that "of course girls can do math and science." But these messages are often way too late. We need to do all we can to help math-and-science girls believe in themselves. We also need to help them believe that STEM careers are not for lonely male "nerds." Engineering and science are typically collaborative efforts, with teams working closely on complex problems. The image of the socially awkward loner, working alone with test tubes in a dingy lab, is a far cry from reality. Also, we know that women often look for jobs that have a social impact; where they can do good while they do well financially. STEM offers plenty of that. Scientific teams drastically reduced childhood leukemia, are saving the everglades, preserving sea turtles in the Caribbean, reducing AIDS in Africa, learning how to save lives by predicting volcanic eruptions and solving crimes through forensic science. This is too often not what girls think when they hear the words "math and science." We need to adjust that picture. Boston University journalism professor Caryl Rivers and Rosalind C. Barnett, senior scientist at the Brandeis Women's Studies Research Center, are the co-authors of "The Truth About Girls and Boys: Challenging Toxic Stereotypes About our Children" (Columbia University Press).
Look hot... despite the heat Summer Beauty, from page 19
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Keep Your Makeup From Melting Off Your Skin
For years I watched helplessly as my eyeshadow melted into my eyelid crease by the middle of the day. Then I discovered MAC paints, which work like an eyeshadow primer. Shadow sticks to the "paint" and won't budget the entire day. To keep eyeshadow from creeping into your eyelid crease, prime lids with an eyeshadow base, which acts like a primer. A good base should also hold your eyeliner, but to ensure it also doesn't rub off on lids, apply eyeshadow over the line to "set it." Better yet, skip the pencil eyeliners for summer and opt instead for a liquid liner, which won't budge as the day wears on. As for mascara, waterproof mascara is a great bet.
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Don't Be Afraid of Shine
Dewy skin is gorgeous. Don't overpowder your face because you're afraid it's a grease pit. Instead, try blotting papers.
Pink, Flushed Cheeks are Gorgeous
Nothing's more natural in summer than pink, flushed, "just-backfrom-a-run" skin. To get this look, apply bronzer on all the bits the sun would naturally hit: forehead, cheeks and nose. Then apply a pink blush on the apples of your cheeks.
Pull Hair Off Your Face
Keep the sweat off your neck with headbands, ballerina bands, ponytails, loose buns or even kerchiefs. All are gorgeous looks for summer.
CAR CARE
Caton Auto Clinic A family business that cares By Erin Frost, Staff Writer
Caton Auto Clinic first opened its doors in 1975, then known as Milex Tune and Lube. Founded by Albert M.C. Steinbach, a year later the name was changed to its now well known name, Caton Auto Clinic. Originally operating with six bays, Steinbach sold his profitable business to his son Ken in 1983. Since that time Ken, along with his son Scott who joined this three generational family business in 2010, have worked diligently to make the business community oriented and it now hosts 36 bays; making it one of the largest independent and most successful auto repair shops in Maryland and surrounding areas. In addition to Caton Auto Clinic, the owners also oversee Lee Myles Transmissions, American Car Care Center, and Engine Exchange with pride. Caton Auto Clinic owners and staff serve all their clients with immaculate customer care and respect. From hood to trunk, their entire customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and concerns will be met with stellar service from a family that cares. A member of the Better Business Bureau and AAA approved, Caton Auto clinic is located at 6009-6013 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, Md. 21228. For more information you can visit their website at catonautoclinic.com or call 410-788-3838.
Ken Steinback, along with son Scott, are commited to excellence, both in car repair and customer service
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
LEGAL
Women's Rights After Divorce
Women have rights as far as pensions are concerned By Jodee Redmond, Contributing Writer Women's rights after divorce as far as their former spouse's pension can be difficult to understand, even for lawyers. Federal and state laws determine how this important asset should be split when a marriage breaks down. It would be a mistake to simply assume that your legal counsel will be looking after things automatically. Before you sign a divorce agreement or go to a hearing, you need to educate yourself to make sure you get the money you are entitled to.
Women's Rights After Divorce: Pension as Marital Property
In a divorce, the pension plan is considered a marital asset. When its value is considered, it may be the largest item that needs to be negotiated between divorcing spouses. If you or your spouse have the following kinds of benefits, they may be divided with other marital property in a divorce: • Individual Retirement Accounts • 401(k) Plans • Company Pension Plans • Military Pensions • Government Employee Retirement Plans (Federal, State, or Local) Right to Pension Requires Special Procedures When a woman who is going through a
divorce wants to be awarded a share of her husband's pension plan, it's not enough to indicate to her husband and the Court that she is making a claim for this asset. A court order will need to be issued directing that the pension plan administrators release a certain portion of the plan to the wife. In the case of a private pension plan, she will need the judge to issue a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). Preparing the QDRO If the wife is making a claim for a share of her husband's pension, then her lawyer will probably be the one preparing the document. To get all the paperwork completed properly, the lawyer needs to be familiar with the federal and state laws that govern splitting pensions on divorce. In addition, the wife's legal counsel must find out how the rules for the pension plan in question work and the procedure to follow to submit the QDRO to the pension administrators.
Individual Retirement and Divorce
Accounts
The rules for splitting Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are different from other types of pension plans. This investment is easier to split than a pension plan; it can
Harford Land Trust Announces “Campaign to Preserve Our Lands” Harford Land Trust is seeking broad community support for its mission with a fundraising initiative timed to coincide with its 20th anniversary
Timed to coincide with its 20th anniversary in 2011, the Harford Land Trust (HLT) announces the launch of its three-year “Campaign to Preserve Our Lands” which is designed to increase awareness and raise funds to further land preservation in Harford County. While the campaign was officially launched at HLT’s annual meeting in March 2011, according to Harry Webster, president of the nonprofit’s board of directors, the initial phase of the campaign solicited donations exclusively from current members and donors. During this “quiet phase,” several generous gifts were made to the HLT, including one substantial donation that was matched through 100 percent participation by the HLT board of directors. Now, HLT is kicking off the next phase of its campaign by reaching out to the general public for support. To date, the HLT has raised $60,000 towards its end goal of $250,000. Says Webster, “It is the goal of the HLT to become the citizens’ institution that keeps giving… from next month through hundreds of years from now, when sensitive watersheds, natural open space and agriculture are threatened. During an era of historic growth and expansion in Harford County, this campaign will position us to be successful in protecting these irreplaceable natural resources.” Organized in 1991 by local residents, the HLT joins over 52 other land trusts protecting land throughout Maryland. The HLT provides Harford County landowners, private and public, resources and tools to help them conserve their land and protect the natural resources. To date, HLT has helped protect more than 10,109 acres, holds easements on 1,226 acres of land, and has acquired 204 acres for public use. The HLT has also provided technical and financial assistance to numerous other landowners who want to preserve their land, and is an active partner with other like organizations, assisting them in their preservation efforts.. The HLT is a volunteer-driven nonprofit, comprised of a board of directors and 500 members. There are several ways for Harford County residents to join in the HLT’s efforts to protect and preserve Harford County’s agricultural and natural landscapes, including becoming a member or volunteer, making a donation or sponsoring its Campaign to Preserve Our Lands. For more information please visit www. harfordlandtrust.org or call 410-836-2103.
be divided between the parties under a court order or as part of a divorce judgment. Tax Free Transfers Under federal legislation, funds in an IRA can be transferred to the other spouse under certain circumstances: • The transfer is one of the provisions set out in a divorce agreement or decree. • The money is transferred from one person's IRA directly into the other spouse's IRA. Both conditions must exist to transfer the funds without their being subject to federal taxes, plus a penalty of 10% of the amount transferred. If you receive money from your spouse's IRA as part of a divorce settlement in cash, you have 60 days in which to deposit the funds into your IRA before you will need pay the penalty. Pensions and Survivor Benefits One item that should be covered in any divorce agreement or decree is the issue of survivor benefits. A company pension plan often pays 50% of the benefits to a surviving spouse for his or her lifetime. A former spouse can receive this payment, but only if the issue is specifically addressed in the agreement or the decree. If the husband dies first and the issue of
PHOTO/ iSTOCK
survivor benefits was missed for whatever reason, the former wife will not be entitled to receive payments from the husband's pension plan. For the purposes of this article, it was assumed that the issue of dividing pensions was part of women's rights after divorce. Nowadays, a growing number of women earn more than their husbands do and thus have their own pension plans that are subject to division on divorce. The issues here could just as easily apply in a situation where a husband wants to ask for a portion of his wife's pension plan.
WomanWords...
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There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.
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~Susan B. Anthony
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
23
FINANCE
SMART WOMAN
How Do You Spell Success? By Candace Bahr, CEA, CDFA and Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP In case you haven’t heard, women’s financial stars are on the rise. Women now hold almost 50% of all corporate management positions and control more than half of the private wealth in America. Are you a working woman ready to step up your progress toward greater prosperity and accomplishment? Start with your own definition of success based on your talents, interests, goals and dreams. What will your successful life look ook and feel like? Once you have a firm ideaa of where you want to go, you’re ready to figure out how to get there. Check out what other energetic etic and enterprising women are doing and follow their lead. Here’s what we've noticed about bout successful women: they start with h a vision. Whether it’s Debbie Fields’ desire sire to bake an irresistible cookie, Oprah’s wish to presp es pr es-ent people with inspiring role models models, Doris s, orr Do D ori riss Christopher's "Pampered Chef" f" lovee off labor-saving lab borbor bo r-saving r-s kitchen gadgets, it all begins with personal th a pe erson on nall passion. pas a si sion on. n. For For us Fo us,, it was a determination to help financially-challenged p financial ally ly-c -ch hallllen ha enge en ged ge d women wo w ome men n take charge of money matters. Wherever you begin your path to career and personal satisfaction, how you grow and how you prosper depends on a good fit between your work and your unique interests. These ideas from today’s successful women will help you get started on your own map to the life of your dreams:
Seek your Mentors
All successful women cite the great benefits they received from mentors, role models, advisors who offered practical inside
knowledge about the career path they had chosen. Look for mentors whose work style you admire. Use your talents. Recognize your strengths, the special talents that you offer, and build on them as you develop your career path.
Communicate Well
Listening with p patience and empathy, speaking with attention atten to the audience’s needs interpreting others’ and expectations, expect messages both spoken and unspoken workplace skills you are all invaluable inv can develop deve and enhance.
Challenge Yourself Chall
Have fa faith in yourself and show it taking risks, looking for opportuby takin and facing challenges to learn nities, an and grow professionally. p
Enjoy E njoy yo your Life and Work
The Th he mo m more re you find f to love about your life, the tth he more more positive posit itive energy e you will exude. Prosperity gratitude p pe riityy ggrows rows ro ws ffrom rom m gr ratitud for what you already have. You will You Yo wiillll be be more more mo r attractive attra ttract ctiive to others oth and more appreciated.
SStay tay Focused Focused
Hold a steady course toward your goals with patience and enthusiasm for the journey. Every step in the right direction is progress toward your dreams.
Stay Connected
Build a network of friends, colleagues, contacts, and references to support you in your life and work. As you give to others, so shall you receive. When a need arise, your network awaits.
Why Do Cats Purr?
PET CARE
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff Contentment, comfort, security... for many pet owners, the humming purr of a squinting cat is the unmistakable signal that their feline is happy and healthy. 1. In many ways this is true: behaviorists believe the original function of purring was to enable a kitten to tell his mother that "all is well." This often occurs during nursing. A kitten can't meow and nurse at the same time, but can purr and nurse without any problem. The mother often purrs back, reassuring the kitten using this tactile, resonant communication. This is why your cat purrs when petted, instinctively giving the signal "all is well," a message you can both feel and hear.
Veterinary Perspective... When a cat is purring, it is almost impossible to hear the cat's heart or lungs very well, making examination of vital signs difficult. Oddly enough, many cats will stop purring if they're near the sound of running water. This is why you may see your veterinarian turning on the faucet in the exam room in an attempt to get your cat to stop purring - so your cat can get a better exam.
But this isn't the only message purring may signal: 2. Older cats purr when they play or approach other cats, signaling they are friendly and want to come closer. 3. Cats also purr when they are distressed or afraid. Sick and injured cats, and those in veterinary offices often purr. It is thought that this is the cat's way of reassuring and calming herself. Purring is one of several methods of non-verbal communication felines use to convey their moods and needs. Others include squinting or slow blinking, stretching, scratching, facial rubbing, and spraying. So the next time your cat is purring deeply while curled in your lap, try purring back - she'll know what you're saying!
PHOTO COURTESY PAWESOME.NET
Felines use purring as one of several non-verbal methods of communcation
Identity Theft By Mediallio Green, Staff Writer We’ve heard of identity theft, but here is a slight refresher: identity theft it is a crime where an individual(s) obtains key personal information such as a Social Security Number for their personal gain. It can start with stolen mail, a lost wallet, a data breach, or a computer virus. Yes, even a standard email or Facebook account can be a threat. Identity theft victims of past and present, the information below will help clear your name and give peace of mind. Through the Fighting Back Against Identity Theft forum, fueled by the Federal Trade Commission, they’ve provided some pretty straightforward tips. The first course of action is to have the police fill out a report under your jurisdiction’s identity theft or fraud code (if you’re state doesn’t have a fraud code then take a Miscellaneous Incident’s report). With a police report they’ll help get rid of fraudulent debts and bad credit reports. Secondly, call the toll-free fraud number of any of the major credit bureaus below and close any accounts that have been hacked: Equifax: P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 1-800-525-6285 www.equifax.com Experian (TRW): P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com TransUnion Corp: P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92834 1-800-680-7289 www.transunion.com Third, file a complaint with the FTC through their online complain form. Lastly, pick up a copy of Taking Charge: What To Do if Your Identity is Stolen – this explains how to minimize risk and recover from identity theft. From a case back in 2010, a woman named Diane Solomon was a victim of identity theft. Her Yahoo account was hacked through, Solomon believes, downloading a worm or monitoring service through the Internet. The hacker found personal information and a personal photo of hers to make a Facebook account. From there, the culprit sent personal messages to her friends asking for money. Luckily, Solomon shut down the Yahoo and Facebook accounts within the hour. If you find that you are an identity theft victim, do as Diane Solomon has done; she acted fast and rational by shutting down both accounts. No one wants to be a victim of anything. We feel violated in some way, but there is a way to get the ball rolling so justice can be served. File a report and complaint, call the toll-free numbers, and don’t hesitate to reach out to organizations such as the Identity Theft Resource Center.
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
HOW I SEE IT
Being “First” Doesn’t Ensure Victory By Kevin M. Briscoe, Staff Writer
ever been deployed to a combat zone! More often than not, I One! approach my column with Ever! tongue firmly planted in “At the schoolhouse, you’re training in cheek, gazing irreverently doctrine,” King countered in a New York at life. But, there is nothing Times interview. “You don’t have to go to funny about how gender, intertwined with combat to teach a sergeant how to transpolitics, continues to drive the national diaform a civilian into a soldier.” logue. So, this month, outrage replaces huTimes reporter James Dao called combat mor. experience “the essential currency” that, beLooked at the through the prism of racause it’s out of reach for women in highcial and gender equality, the world is full of profile Army jobs, prevents them from “es“firsts”; those who shattered a glass ceiling tablishing their leadership bona fides.” to ascend to heights long denied for reasons Claiming that she abused her power far removed from actual ability. Yet, while and created a “toxic” environment at the we simultaneously celebrate and clamor for school, King’s supeequal representation, riors suspended her even the best of us are last November. But, hamstrung by our naif the the Army reinstated tional hang-ups. are dragged into the fray, King four days after Take the case of comshe initiated legal acmand Sgt. Maj. Teresa L. do tion last month for King. reinstatement and When she was named the rest of us have? to extend her service as the first female combeyond her mandamandant of the U.S. Artory retirement in my’s drill sergeant school August, saying that the accusations against in 2009, the move was applauded far and her could not be substantiated. wide. At the time of her appointment, King For the Kings of the world, being “first” said: “Training is my forte. I expect people is a good thing; it sets the standard, lighting to meet standards and exceed them.” the trail ablaze for others to follow. But, if King, 50, who is black, did indeed set exthe best of us are dragged into the fray, what acting standards, even rejecting candidates hope do the rest of us have? who were slightly overweight or reprimandOnly the threat of legal action kept Sgt. ing instructors for their own failure to tow Maj. King from getting bounced from the the line she set. But, she was undermined by Army by a chain of command envious of an envious old-boy network that questioned her notoriety and her by-the-book demeanhow a woman with no combat experience or. Nicknamed No Slack, King has said: It could train the trainers who send our boys really doesn’t matter if you’re male or feoff to war. male, if you enforce standards, people will Really? Here’s a newsflash: women can’t respect you.” serve in combat! Tragically, she was wrong. Another newsflash: only one other school commandant—out of about a half dozen—had
“
best of us
what hope
”
PHOTO/ COURTESY ARMYLIVE.DODLIVE.MIL
King, the first female commandant of the U.S. Army's drill sergeant school, has been suspended under unsubstantiated accusations
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
25
VETERAN WOMEN
New shelters help rising number of homeless female veterans By Annie Gowen, The Washington Post Four years ago Veronica Witherspoon was stationed in Baghdad, enduring roiling sandstorms and near-daily rocket fire as she worked as a Navy petty officer at Camp Victory. By January, she’d left the military, lost her job as a civilian contractor, split with her husband and ended up virtually homeless, bunking with family members. Deeply ashamed of her predicament but desperate for a way out, she ran across a story on a military Web site for a new program for female veterans called Final Salute. The women-only shelter for veterans opened its doors in November in a quiet culde-sac in suburban Fairfax County, Va. The group home, the brainchild of an Army captain who was once homeless herself, is one of a small but growing number of womenonly shelters that have opened up across the country in recent years to cater to a rising number of female veterans who have wound up on the streets after their military service. Though the overall number of homeless veterans declined 12 percent between 2010 and 2011, the number of homeless female veterans is increasing, the VA said in a draft report this month, and these women are now the fastest-growing segment of the homeless veterans population.
“The increase of homeless women veterans is significant, and it does suggest that we have to address this as an emerging issue,” said John Driscoll, president and CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Officially, homeless female veterans number about 3,328, a figure that doubled from 2006 to 2010, according to an estimate from the Government Accountability Office, although the GAO says the data is incomplete and the actual number is likely higher. Many of them are mothers, middle-aged or suffering from some kind of disability. Last year the VA served an estimated 14,847 female veterans who were homeless, formerly homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, according to Stacy Vasquez, deputy director of its homeless veterans initiative. The VA acknowledged in the report that there was an “acute” need to improve services for the growing number of female veterans, because they are more likely to be diagnosed with mental health problems, to have suffered sexual trauma during their military service and to have a greater risk of homelessness than their male counterparts. “We have a demographic shift in the makeup of our fighting forces and it’s starting to appear in homelessness, with more
PHOTO/ COURTESY VETLAWYERS.COM
A homeless Veteran looks at business attire at a Stand Down in Washington D.C. in 2011 women leaving the military and becoming homeless,” said Daniel Bertoni, the GAO’s director of disability issues. Traditionally, “a lot of the systems of support have been geared toward men. A lot of these shelters don’t support children.” The federal government has poured millions of dollars into its transitional housing and permanent voucher program for low-income people and the disabled since 2008. In addition, the government spent $60 million last year on prevention help with mortgage or rent payments and other needs. But more than 60 percent of the transitional housing programs are not suitable for families, Bertoni said. His report found that many women who contacted the VA for help didn’t get referrals to community programs or that those who were eligible for a voucher could end up waiting for months for an available slot. Jas Boothe - the Army captain who founded Final Salute - lost her home to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and a month later was diagnosed with adenoid cancer. When she turned to the VA to ask whether it had any help for single mothers, she said, it had nothing to offer her. It was like “a slap in the face,” she said. Boothe, 34, ultimately got back on her feet with a new husband, another baby and a career as a program manager for employment with the National Guard. Once she was reestablished, the first thing she wanted to do was to create a refuge for women like herself. “God put it in my head that I can do something,” she said. “I didn’t really have the money, but I thought: This is my calling.” She sunk $15,000 of her own money taking a cash advance on her credit card into the group home, in an ordinary-looking brick Colonial in Fairfax County within earshot of whooshing Interstate 66 traffic. An American flag flying outside and red and white impatiens and blue angelonia planted in the front yard are the only visual references to the military veterans living inside. The program - funded by private donors gives residents two years to get back on their
feet. They must commit to job training and, if working, contribute 20 percent of their income toward food and utilities. The shelter can house up to eight women and children at a time and has a waiting list of 20. Witherspoon moved in in April, and she enjoys the camaraderie of the three other former soldiers and two children who are now her roommates. Last week, the group cooked pasta and chicken in a kitchen, laughing about the overstuffed refrigerator and debating who was next up for “KP” - “kitchen patrol” duty. Her roommates teased the diminutive Witherspoon about her sunny personality; a dimpled giggle is a near-constant with her. “I’ve got to make the best of a bad situation,” Witherspoon, 30, said. “A bad situation is on the streets,” said Caroline Smith, 41, a property manager and resident, as she washed dishes. Sandra Strickland, 43, said she ended up at the house in November after she split with her husband, lost her job and was facing eviction. She served six years in the Army stateside during Operation Desert Storm. “There was a moment when I was like, ’Where am I going to go?’ “ she said, as she prepared spaghetti and salad for her kids, Heaven, 8, and R.J., 6. “I was just like, is this really real? Is this really happening? ... I was seriously considering living in my car.” Her lowest point came when she was about to lose her apartment and was sitting in the parking lot of a Home Depot on the phone with the VA, learning that no housing vouchers were available and realizing the VA had little to give her but a list of homeless shelters. “There was such a feeling of hopelessness,” she said. “What am I going to do if the VA can’t help me?” Shortly after that, a friend connected her with Boothe, and she moved in November. She is now working again as an exhibits coordinator for an aviation association. “It’s been a saving grace,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “I don’t even have words. ... It was just like a big burden had been lifted.”
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
SUCCESS STRATEGIES
How do we Change That Problem Person? By Ann Hosmer, Team Management Specialist, Building Winning Teams
So, how do we force that problem person on our team to change? The answer? We don’t force anything. What’s more, we can’t. Think about a time when someone in your life tried to change your behavior. How did you respond? The only person that can change that person is that person when they are ready to make that change. That will happen when and only when they become aware that what have been doing no longer brings them the results they want. As long as applying a specific behavior such as intimidation by arrogance works for someone, they have no incentive to change. Sooner or later, however, the me-centered style of operating brings the pie back in our own face enough times to generate re-occurring PAIN. When we feel enough PAIN, we become ready to change. Absolutely no one changes until THEY are ready! Each of us gains something from the way we choose to behave. What we gain is based upon a core belief we are holding, which is not necessarily the truth. The first step toward making a change is to first become aware of that belief that brings us grief.
Become an ally, not an adversary, to help create the change
We begin by examining an issue of our own, asking ourselves a few simple questions: What belief do we hold around this issue? What are we gaining from holding this belief? What are we giving up? What result is holding this belief creating in our life? You will move to a deeper level of consciousness, allowing yourself to make the change inside before it will show up in the work place. We can apply this same process when we hold an initial conversation with another person.
Are we operating from EGO or EMPATHY?
The word EGO comes from the Latin meaning for I am. When we hold an inflated EGO, we act upon a situation primarily to benefit us RATHER THAN another person. Like a magnet, EGO attracts other people with inflated egos. It repels just about everybody else. EMPATHY is walking in the shoes of the other person. When we make a decision based upon EMPATHY, we think first about how it benefits another before us. By
thinking of others first, we make it easier to connect with them from the heart and build relationships. Conversely if other people perceive us as selfish, as in “Joan’s all for Joan,” they avoid getting close to us. EMPATHY encourages communication while EGO prevents communication. EMPATHY creates connection while EGO creates alienation.
Growth happens when we take responsibility for our part in the results we are getting
We take action based upon a belief we hold about a situation; becoming aware of that belief will help us to: • Recognize our part in creating the result that appears in our life • Revisit the underlying belief to help determine how to create a different result By mentally stepping outside of ourselves and observing our actions as though we were watching a movie, we begin to understand when we are acting out of EGO and when we are acting out of EMPATHY. Try this example on for size: Samantha has been working in sales for about a year for a major health insurance company. Initially she partnered with her sales manager Jim and other salesmen to do joint presentations in the field. They closed almost every sale and her commission even on a split case was handsome. Since then, Samantha has been doing presentations alone with very little success at closing the sale. When her sales manager introduced the sales team to new products, Samantha declined to prospect the business market alone, stating that she worked better in a joint presentation. Samantha has come to rely upon primarily two salesmen as partners. However, both are making plans soon to move on to another opportunity outside of this company. Samantha is experiencing some anxiety over having to make presentations on her own once again. A major underlying belief that Samantha may hold is: a. 50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing? b. I can’t get the sale working by myself? Samantha is coming from: a. Ego? b. Empathy? What Samantha is gaining by holding this belief is: a. Self-confidence from learning and applying the techniques of her partners?
b. Dependency upon others to do the parts of the sales process that she does not want to learn? c. More insecurity around selling? What Samantha is giving up by holding this belief is: a. Her power to take the initiative to learn the sales process and become excellent in her field? b. Commission dollars that go to a sales partner who may not always be there? c. The opportunity to switch roles and become a role model to help new people succeed? What Samantha is creating in her life as a result of her belief is: a. A professional life of co-dependency? b. Using the joint work as an educational opportunity, instead of a crutch, to really shine in sales? You may try this at home. To gage your sensitivity to others, explore scenarios like
this last one. Consider multiple choices to the 5 statements, selecting the one which appears the most likely fit. For best results engage a trusted friend or co-worker to provide input. Here is an opportunity to see your part in creating your results and where you can make changes. Once you master this process, you can become the role model to help a problem co-worker make that necessary change in them.
Freebees I can provide the free report entitled Ego or Empathy with multiple life examples. Request it by emailing me at annhosmer@ buildingwinningteams.com with S U C C E S S STRATEGIES in the subject line.
e s a Ple rt
po p u s s! r r e u s o erti adv
June 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org
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POLITICAL NEWS
Why Do Women Vote Differently Than Men?
Despite stereotypes, men are actually more fickle at the voting booth By Libby Copeland
PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES-CHIP SOMODDEVILLA
Mitt Romney achieved success in Iowa by winning over a greater number of women voters. This election cycle, as with just about every other, there is considerable handwringing about where the women voters will land. Which candidate will alienate women and which one will say just the right things? (And what do women want to hear, anyway?) Among the GOP candidates, Newt Gingrich’s woman problem has been especially chewed over; there’s the matter of his cheating and his three marriages, not to mention the condescending way he’s spoken of Michele Bachmann. Perhaps in desperation to connect with that mysterious species of voter, the Woman, the candidate’s efforts recently yielded the headline: “Gingrich Sheds Tears in Meeting with Iowa Mothers.” But why do women vote differently than men? For decades women have been more closely aligned with the Democratic Party and men more likely to identify as Republicans. And even among a single-party electorate, there is variation between the sexes. We know from Iowa entrance polls, for instance, that Ron Paul placed third despite having much more support from male voters, whereas Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney achieved their virtual tie by winning over more women than men. As predicted, Gingrich fared poorly with women, though in fairness he faired almost as poorly with men. The gender gap—the difference between how men and women vote—represents on average a seven point gulf between the sexes during presidential elections. Though there was evidence of some voting differences between the genders as far back as the 1960s, many political scientists date the emergence of the modern gender gap to the 1980 election, which served as the culmination of years of change in women’s lives.
By then more women were working, more were single and living on their own. The women’s movement reinforced the growing sense that women’s political interests could and should be different than those of their husbands and fathers. And then Ronald Reagan came along. According to Susan Carroll, a senior scholar at the Center for Women and Politics at Rutgers University, two of Reagan’s stances in particular alienated women. One was his hawkishness; women tend to report lower levels of support for defense spending and use of military force. The other was Reagan’s efforts to trim back the welfare state. As Carroll points out, women are more likely to be the recipients of government aid. They are more likely to be poor, more likely to be old, and more likely to be single parents. (Surprisingly, it does not appear that “women’s issues” like abortion rights or the Equal Rights Amendment were then, or are now, a major driver of the gender gap, according to political scientist Karen Kaufmann. Public opinion polls show men and women closely track one another in their views about abortion, for instance.) So did women move away from Reagan and his party in disgust? No. Rather, women’s emerging belief in their own political entitlement permitted them to stay right where they were. “Reagan struck a chord with men, so men moved in a more Republican direction while women stayed put,” Carroll says. And in the wake of Reagan, Carroll says, the parties remained more polarized, helping to harden men and women’s party identifications. Kaufmann, of the University of Maryland, has looked at long-term election study data from 1952 to See Women Voters, Page 28
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
NATIONAL NEWS
Gov. Brown's Budget Forsakes California Women By Susan Rose, WeNews commentator In California, women and children are falling behind and the governor's proposed budget will only accelerate those trends. Susan Rose urges legislators to read the impact statement of the Women's Foundation and make bold revisions fast. (WOMENSENEWS) -- The revised budget that California Gov. Jerry Brown released last week spurred the Women's Foundation of California and others group to stage a Stand With Women protest on the steps of the Capitol. For good reason. Brown's budget will eliminate $8 billion in funding for health care, welfare, pre-school, child care and higher education. Having been a county supervisor for eight years, I am well versed in the budgetary process conducted annually by the government. Public budgets are about setting priorities and in the end reflect the values of elected decision-makers. County governments are responsible for delivering social services and providing safety nets for their residents. Often the debate is over funding for public safety versus public health and well-being. Police and fire protection services are often pitted against health clinics and food stamps, and prioritized. In Sacramento, that annual struggle over the governor's proposed $91 billion budget continues with the poor and the vulnerable losing out. Women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities don't have the political clout to make politicians value them or represent their needs and interests. In the governor's budget message he demonstrated his priorities by focusing on debt reduction, education and public safety. If Brown's budget goes through in this form, state welfare and health care programs for the poor will be cut by $2 billion. This includes Medi-Cal, CalWORKS, child care, In Home Health Services and other welfare and human service programs. If the tax measure on the November ballot does not pass, K-12 and community colleges will lose $5.5 million and the Cal State and UC systems will lose half a billion dollars. This is a no-win game. The governor and the legislature do not have a long-range vision. Here's the conundrum: • Cut child care and women cannot go to school or work; • Cut education or vocational training and women cannot prepare for work or raise their incomes; • Cut health care and women and their families will either avoid treatment or go to emergency clinics instead; • Cut government jobs (mostly held by women) and women may have to go on unemployment;
AP FILE PHOTO
Californa Gov. Jerry Brown faces backlash for his proposed budget, which would eliminate $8 billion in funding for social services.
•
Cut home-health services and the sick or disabled will lose health care and caregivers will lose their jobs. Any one of these losses will harshly impact single-parent families, children, people with disabilities and the elderly. In January, the Women's Foundation released its "Falling Behind" report, which documents the losses women and children have suffered during the last five years due to the recession and budget cuts. It finds California experiencing one of the country's widest gaps between the rich and poor, with single mothers hit hardest. It also finds that budget cuts have made it harder for seniors (65 and older) and women with disabilities to retain housing and secure food. There's also a growing number of women in poverty, according to the report. During this period, the percentage of single-mother families below the poverty line grew from 31.7 percent to 35.4 percent, an increase of 3.7 percentage points. The number of older women in poverty is higher than the number of older men, and grew from 9.5 to 11.2 percent. The report provides the data legislators and the governor need to develop a budget that is fair and equitable before June 15, when the budget is scheduled for adoption. Elected officials should be pressed to use this data to shape policies and devise wise revenue solutions. California, like many states, is faced with a budgetary tsunami, and our leadership has chosen the wrong path to resolution. Now is the time for acts of courage in Sacramento. It is a crucial moment in California history. Are we a caring and compassionate state or more concerned with balancing the budget at the expense of the least fortunate? Legislators must choose the latter. They must reject a slash-and-burn approach that will make the gap between rich and poor in the
golden state ever more extreme. Susan Rose served for eight years on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and is the former executive director of the Los Angeles City
Commission on the Status of Women. She is a member of the board of trustees of Antioch University Santa Barbara.
The coveted female vote Women Voters, from page 27 2004 and observed that men’s support for the Democratic party declined from the mid-’70s through the eight years of Reagan’s presidency, and has remained at that lower level, with small fluctuations, ever since. In contrast, she writes, women’s voting and party identifications look about the same as they did 50 years ago. Women’s identification with the Democrats represented something different from, say, the movement of white Southerners en masse from the Democratic to the Republican Party. Rather, the gender gap amounted to a group developing distinct electoral preferences for the first time, and is similar to what might be called the church gap. According to Ronald Brownstein, prior to the ’70s, the frequency with which a voter attended church had no bearing on who he or she voted for. But in 1972, church-goers have aligned themselves with Republicans, and they have remained there ever since. Of course, voters still shift along the political spectrum a good bit, and when they do, men appear to move more dramatically. Studies have shown that Americans tend to act as a counterweight to the size of government. When government spends more and enacts bigger programs, Americans tend to become more conservative and to want a smaller government. When government shrinks, Americans want it bigger. Looking at social survey data going back to the 1970s, Paul Kellstedt, a political scientist at Texas A&M University,
found that if women move just a little bit to the right or left, men will move many more percentage points. This asymmetrical movement causes the gender gap to expand and to shrink. The idea that women’s political views remain relatively stable while men’s fluctuate contradicts some of our assumptions about gender. For one thing, the male voter is typically seen as the standard for the public at large, with women and other groups as viewed as mere special interests. (This is despite the fact that the majority of voters are women.) Men are representative; women are outliers. As Time magazine put it in a 1982 story on the gender gap, “Why can't a woman vote more like a man?” This thinking may help explain our permanent election-year fascination with all those moms—Soccer Moms and Hockey Moms, Walmart Moms and Security Moms—whose identity don’t extend beyond their children, and whose beliefs and purchasing patterns are thought to offer the answer to the presidency, if only they can be riddled out. Yet it turns out it’s the dads who are changeable. Kellstedt doesn’t know why men tend to be so much more responsive to changes in government policy. He speculates that men tend to consume more political information and may therefore be more sensitive to the news coming out of Washington. Either that or, as he likes to joke in speeches, men are just more “moody.”
June 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ www.womanscopenews.org
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Afghan woman pushes for rights from behind the wheel By Miriam Arghandiwal KABUL (Reuters) The morning after the Taliban fell Shakila Naderi shed her head-to-toe burqa, sat behind the wheel of a car for the first time and asked her husband to teach her how to drive. Now Kabul's only female driving instructor, she teaches women a rare skill that confronts harsh opposition in ultra-conservative, Muslim Afghanistan. "It bothers men when women drive," Naderi, 45, said from behind her desk in her four-room driving school near Kabul's city centre, decorated with traffic signs and instructions in her native Dari. "But I wasn't scared of them then and I am not scared of them now," she said, adjusting her green headscarf. Naderi opened the school four years ago with her husband Iqbal Khan, who as a taxi driver took pity on women he saw struggling to find transportation in a country where many will not speak to men other than relatives. Women have regained rights such as education, voting and work since the removal of the Taliban and their austere rule a decade ago, but they enjoy far less freedom than men. Women complain of unwanted gazes and physical harassment on the cramped, crowded minibuses that are often the only method of urban public transport.
When Naderi Driving School opened, Naderi received verbal threats from the more conservative sectors of society, who decry driving as un-Islamic for women. Those have died down, she says, but male drivers often taunt her and try to chase her car off the road, sometimes causing her to swerve dangerously. Families also bar daughters from driving, fearing it could lead them astray. Naderi's own two daughters have been prohibited by their husbands' families from learning to drive. TAKING CONTROL OF ONE'S LIFE A white headscarf wrapped around her wrinkled face, student Khanum Gul Obedi, 46, says she wants to take control of her life. The mother of two teen daughters has a disabled husband and cannot afford to take taxis with fares of 300 Afghani ($5.50) per ride. She walks for hours around Kabul every day dropping her kids off at school and buying food. "I never opened a book in my life besides the holy Koran , I never entered through the doors of a school," said Obedi, who is illiterate like most Afghan women. "I got married and felt imprisoned, but now I can control things and I feel like I've been set free."
PHOTO/REUTERS-MOHAMMAD ISMAIL
The school once mustered only one to five students for a 36-day course, a precursor to applying for a license. Classes now number up to 80, and some students travel from nearby provinces. In a room filled with car parts and smeared with grease, Naderi also teaches women how to deal with breakdowns. Naderi and her husband must read out driving manuals to students in a country where more than 80 percent of women cannot read or write, an illiteracy rate double that of men. Their work has paid off. Kabul issued a record 312 driving licenses to women last year, the traffic department said. Herat in the west and Mazar-e-Sharif in the north gave out 64 and 48 respectively to women taught mainly by other women but also by some men.
The government backs Naderi's school and has encouraged female employees to attend. But the couple's ads on billboards are often defaced or torn down. "Boys tease me because I want to drive," said college graduate Mersal Nawabi, 21. "But I am encouraged by my brothers and father." Student Obedi says she would never take driving lessons from a man. "This is Afghanistan. People talk and by having a woman instructor gossip is kept to a minimum". As Naderi leaves her school and walks towards her car, a group of men nearby scream: "Hey you! We can drive too". "I react to them as men would," she says with a grimace. "Once I got out of my car, yelled back and slapped one so hard he bled. Then I got back into the car to teach the girls". (Editing by Amie Ferris-Rotman and Ron Popeski)
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www.womanscopenews.org • June 2012
ON HER MIND
Your Life as you make it By M. Bolton, Staff Writer “Self efficacy.” If you have high self efficacy, it means that you believe life is within your control and feel confident you have power over what happens to you. I remember learning about the concept in college and the way it resonated with me as something that made sense. I recall thinking what a nice thing that must be to have, because there is so much in life that we can’t control or see coming. In school I was also introduced to the concept of cognitive filters; what we choose to retain, what we let affect us and what we disregard as “noise”. It is how human beings manage everything that they interact with in life; there is simply too much to take in so we subconsciously filter things out. Every one of us has these filters, but they are involuntary and established as our adult thought-processes take shape. If you are a predominantly negative person, your brain will identify and harbor the negative things you encounter. Meanwhile a more optimistic person may quickly forget these instances or fail to notice them in the first place. Thus our neurological pathways develop, our perspectives form and we shape our own reality. Every day we are bombarded with more than we realize. We have to use our filters to
focus on certain things more than others, or else we would be pulled in a million different
focus on what made me feel happy or opportunities in my life I did have a say in. Before I hadn’t realized how much energy I had spent hoping to change people or situations that weren’t in my power to change, and I think that is one of the hardest things to come to terms with in this life. I still struggle
“ positive things...fulfilling to who I am, I decided to only put my energy into
”
and it has made all the difference
directions. We subconsciously choose what to give our attention to and that becomes our lives, while everything else is compartmentalized as “noise”. I began to think about my own cognitive filters; what I was disregarding as noise and alternately, what I was giving the majority of my energy to. Was it unfulfilling relationships? Gossip? Things out of my control? Suddenly it hit me like a brick wall; I was doing all of the above. I decided to consciously work on recognizing my thought patterns so I could adjust them if they weren’t serving me positively anymore. Instead of wasting my time on things that weren’t worth it, I would
with it sometimes, but now the little things that used to bring me down I hardly notice anymore. My mental health has been an ongoing project for me since graduation and going out
into the world to find where I belong. Feeling overwhelmed is not uncommon and I know I’m not the only one. But I see things differently now; I feel more in control. My filters have shifted, and my self-efficacy has grown. I no longer get the sense that I am a petal in the wind that is just being swept along without direction or control. I realized I have the power to change my mind, and know what my reality is. I don’t have to let everything affect me, I don’t have to carry it with me if it is not in my best interest, and neither do you. I decided to only put my energy into positive things that were fulfilling to who I am, and it has made all the difference. This would be a good time to use the “cup half full” metaphor, but I realize it is overplayed and I know you would probably stop reading after such a cliché. So let me instead say that there is beauty in everything when you look for it, and your mind is the most powerful tool to make this life what you want it to be.
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