WomanScope NewsMagazine

April 2012

INSIDE

CONSCIENTIOUS

PHILANTHROPY

TIPS ON HOW TO

GET GROWING [15]

MEET THE FIRST

FEMALE AIR FORCE GENERAL [25]

SIMPLE,

ELEGANT DINNER IDEAS [14]

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

COVER STORY PHOTO / RIC GUY

WOMEN IN

PHILANTHROPY...

By Janice L. Williams, Member, Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle

the Circle derives its strength from effectively integrating the talents, expertise and energies of its dynamic and diverse members.

The Circle is led by co-chairs elected every two years by the membership. Responsible for oversight of the Circle’s affairs and its relationship with the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), the Circle co-chairs conduct monthly Steering Committee meetings with other officers as well as co-chairs of each committee.

Members of the Circle can choose to serve on one or more of the following committees: Grants Committee »Post Grant Evaluation Committee »Education Committee »Membership Committee »Communications Committee » Your philanthropic journey begins when you become involved. As a Giving Circle member

CI RC LE

since 2001 to service organizations in our community.

When 52 women with a shared vision of what our region could be started the Giving Circle in 2001, little did they imagine that, by word of mouth, the Circle would soon grow to more than 350 members.

Each member represents a link in an evergrowing chain that enables the Circle to do collectively what none of us could achieve individually. Together, we have invested more than $2.3 million in organizations that focus on promoting self-sufficiency for women and their families in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

The Giving Circle enables its members to connect to each other, to the community and to causes they support to the extent they have the time and interest. Through four annual Full Circle meetings, committee meetings, Briefing Breaks and Site Visits, the BWGC takes a hands-on approach to enlightened philanthropy. A member-driven organization,

I LT BA THE

T

hrough collective giving and collaboration, The Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle seeks to improve life for disadvantaged women and their families in the greater Baltimore area.

The Giving Circle encourages members to participate in philanthropy through education, grant-making, and other communitybased activities.

By pooling and leveraging our enthusiasm and our intellectual and financial resources, we bring about change through the power of small grants. Our education programs broaden our knowledge of the crises in healthcare, employment, education, and housing, and show us how we can help in our community.

We work in committees, involving all who care to join, in a giving and learning process that makes a difference to us and to our grantees. Each member contributes $1,100 yearly to the Giving Circle, a fund of the Baltimore Community Foundation, and that has allowed us to award more than $2.3 million

you’ll M join OR G a distinN I EW V and OMEN’S GI a c c oguished mp l i s h e d group of women to learn first-hand about the needs in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. You can take part in the philanthropic decisionmaking process and have a direct role in deciding which programs to fund, or join one of our many other interesting committees. Do as little or as much as your schedule allows.

Our members are hardworking and compassionate, from diverse backgrounds and from all areas of the city and surrounding counties. Young mothers and retirees, lawyers and physicians, homemakers and social workers, See What Goes Around, Page 4

ra c h ael a el gro te • owne owner/des r/d es i gner ra c h ael a el @h armo a rm on nii ze zeddes dd es i gn.co gn. co m 4 10.96 410.

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April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

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ContentsMind ~ Body ~ Spirit ~ Self

PUBLISHER'S NOTES

From The Publisher’s Desk…

By Janet Davis-Leak, Publisher/Editor-in-chief Spring has arrived and we can finally come out from under our coats and blankets. I love spring with its air of freshness; giving one a sense of feeling alive and even being renewed. To honor the spring season why not plant a garden, try a fresh, new hair color or begin a new exercise program that calls for lots of fresh air and

NOURISH YOUR

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, 8 │ Sports 9 Medical 8

ENCOURAGING

OUTREACHING

SUSTAINING

ENRICHING

Green Living 14 Food 14 │ Gardening 15 Poetry Corner 15

Travel 15 │ Fashion 20 Arts & Entertainment 18 Beauty 19 │ Off the Shelf 19

EDUCATING

INFORMING

Advice 10 │ The Healing Place 11 Inspirationally Yours 10 Woman of Faith 11

Community News 12 Organizations Corner 12, 13 Her Story 13

sunshine? Whatever you do, do it with an open and transformed mind.

Speaking of minds, one of the things on mine right now is The Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) whose constitutionality is currently being debated before the Supreme Court. What’s at stake for ordinary Americans if the health care reform law is struck down? A lot!

Although key benefits of the ACA won't be

implemented until 2014, significant changes are already in place. For example, 2.5 million young adults ages 19 to 25 are now covered on their parents' policies. That could be lost! For Medicare, the first steps to close the gap in prescription drug coverage -- the notorious "donut hole" -- saved $2.1 billion for nearly 3.6 million seniors last year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That could be lost! State insurance exchanges that allow access to insurance for anyone who can’t get group heath care through the work place. That would be lost, as well as a host of other very important statutes. All together, if the current law is struck down, 31 million Americans who would otherwise be covered won’t be by the end of this decade, and then we’ll have to start all over again. That would be a shame.

Let’s hope they don’t.

This month’s offerings are as usual, interesting, informative and fun. Please read and enjoy them all, and don’t forget to support our advertisers!

Janet

PROPER PHONE ETIQUET TE FOR BUSINESS •

• • • •

Do not answer the phone with a hello. Instead say the company's name, greet and then identify yourself, "Bloomingdale's, Good morning, this is Kelly."

If you use the speakerphone, tell the recipient so immediately.

Never eat, cough or clear your throat on the phone.

Do not carry simultaneous conversation with someone in the room and the person on the phone.

Be courteous and polite. Your manners reflect the company!

Car Care 21 │ Wired 21 Pet Care 22 Ask the Homebuilder 22 Finance 23 │ Smart Woman 23 Education 25 │ Success Strategies 26 Taking Care of Business 27

How I See It 24 Veteran Women 25 Editorial 27 │ Political News 28 National News 28 International News 29 Legal 30

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

WOMAN of the MONTH

Diana Devine COURTESY OF THE LAVIDGE COMPANY

Devine has worked with the Native American community for over 30 years, focusing on culture and tradition to help overcome problems Diana Devine's career of helping the Native Americans, running a mutlimillion dollar non-profit company, and charitable work in her community has garnered her a nomination as one of the most intriguing women in the state.

Devine, president and CEO of Native American Connections and longtime Mesa resident, will be recognized along with more than 50 other women for her impact and leadership by the 48 Most Intriguing Women Project, a part of Arizona's centennial celebration.

She is the only Mesa woman among the 48 -- a number chosen because Arizona was the 48th state. The women were chosen from different fields and are all leaders or women who have had significant impact on a community or profession.

The purpose is to raise awareness of the impact of leading women in the state and hopefully engage them in strengthening Arizona, said Connie Robinson, chairwoman

Mesa resident among 48 women honored in Arizona

By David Rookhuyzen, The Republic, azcentral.com of 48 Women.

Robinson and other board members approached city, community, religious and education leaders across Arizona last year for candidate suggestions. They received 200 nominations and whittled those to 48 based on criteria of leadership, achievement or impact, Robinson said.

Those nominees are joined by four "legacy legends" -- former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, singer Linda Ronstadt, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and Secretary of Homeland Security and former Governor Janet Napolitano. The Sisters of Mercy at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix were also nominated as an institution.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/ ar ticles/2012/02/28/20120228mesawoman-among-honored-state. html#ixzz1qYJDwLmE

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND What Goes Around, from page 2 businesswomen and athletes, authors and musicians, we welcome one and all to join our endeavor.

All of the information you’ve just read comes directly from the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circles website and was developed by members who have given great thought and care to keeping the vision in focus, cultivating an engaged membership, and retaining the balance inherit to the concentric form of the circle. Every member, including new ones like myself, have a different perspective, bring new and different skills and talents, and enter the circle at a different point, usually joined by the hand of a friend or colleague.

As a development professional seeking support for a nonprofit human service organization, I observed their thoroughness in evaluating our request for support, reviewing

our organizational capacity, and observing our approach to providing care to those we serve. I wondered how they staffed the comprehensive review process they exercise with all organizations considered for funding. I wondered how they engaged large organizations with a track record for results as well as small organizations, much more grass roots in origin and approach – all improving the quality of life for disadvantaged women and children and all subjected to the same evaluation process. I learned that they accomplish their results through a fully engaged membership.

Each member engaged using their knowledge, their perspective, their skills, and their desire to have an impact on the lives of those served by the organizations we support.

Giving to a cause of your choice is a joyful experience. The Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle provides members the opportunity to

be so much more than donors. The Circle gives an ordinary donor like me the chance to engage in philanthropy. Not just giving to a single cause that provides an important service, but contributing to a host of well run, fiscally sound, organizations with far reaching documented results on the lives of those they serve.

Once the original circle was formed, my membership and each new member represents a pebble in the middle of a pond. That pebble starts a ripple of circles where the smallest is a group convened around a member’s kitchen table over coffee and multiplies into concentric circles of committees that execute the work of releasing a request for proposals, reviewing the requests, evaluating the data, understanding the need, understanding the case for support of each request, and managing the selection process –all while maintaining the balance and strength of the circle by balancing the work of the commit-

tees with comprehensive education available to all members and strategically planned to address cutting edge issues of the day.

The outer circle of the ripple is the strongest as it represents the total membership.

Balanced in the intent of our philanthropy, one members limited participation balanced by another’s engagement in multiple initiatives, and total balance maintained by an organizational structure where each committee is convened by co-chairs, each member has one vote and resulting in an organization with no hierarchy. Ultimately, whether it occurs at full circle meetings or around the kitchen table, the power in the Circle is the joining of women in the singular focus, to joyfully and purposefully, create a better future for women and families in communities where the complex realities of today’s economy require investment in an equally complex mix of solutions.

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

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MOM CENTRAL

The Vaccine Debate

By Leslie Orndoff, Staff Writer

Vaccines have a long history in disease prevention. It is said ancient Chinese people were inoculating against smallpox a little more than 1000 years ago. Inoculation, or variolation as it was then called, became increasingly more commonplace as the centuries progressed.

It wasn’t until late in the 18th century that a scientist named Edward Jenner developed the first successful vaccine for smallpox. He succeeded through injecting patients with cowpox, a milder virus in the same family as smallpox. This first vaccine was developed on the principle theory that those who are exposed to milder forms of a particular disease tend to escape the catastrophic results that come from virulent infection.

The possibility of severe disability or death from certain viruses led the scientific community to build on Jenner’s idea and create vaccines for many diseases that have plagued mankind for centuries. By 1900, vaccines against rabies, typhoid, cholera, and plague had been developed. As the century progressed, more vaccines were developed, decreasing incidences of debilitating infectious diseases like, whopping cough, polio, measles, and diphtheria among others.

According to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, children now receive vaccinations to protect against 14 different infectious diseases. There are some who feel these vaccinations are a necessary and vital tool in preventing childhood disease. It may shock some parents to learn that a study released by the Journal Pediatrics finds; 1 in 10 parents are delaying vaccinating their children, are refusing certain vaccines or are refusing to vaccinate altogether. They raise concerns about a rigorous immunization schedule starting in early infancy, the use of preservatives, and there is a fear that certain vaccines may cause autism.

According to the CDC, in 1983 children received a total of 10 shots to protect against disease. In the CDC’s 2011 Recommended Immunizations for Children ages 0-6, it depicts a clear schedule of no fewer than 25 shots.

That high number is reason enough for some parents to either avoid vaccinating their children all together, or to seek out alternative vaccination schedules like the one developed

by Dr. Robert Sears, MD. Sears advocates spreading the vaccine schedule over a longer period of time with no more than two vaccines administered simultaneously. In his book, The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child he writes, “If some of the theoretical problems with vaccines are real, this schedule circumvents most

of them. If the problems aren’t real, then the only drawback is the extra time, effort, and cost for the additional doctor’s office visits.”

Other doctors take issue with his abbreviated timetable. In an article published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Paul Offit, MD and Charlotte Moser, BS attempt to debunk some of what Sears is purporting. They conclude, “If more parents insist on Sears’ vaccine schedules, then fewer children will be protected, with the inevitable consequence of continued or worsening outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.”

Jenny McCarthy, an actress and author, has been an advocate against vaccinations since the diagnosis of her son’s autism shortly before his third birthday. She felt that her son developed this disorder due to vaccinations he received. Despite recent evidence to the contrary, many parents, McCarthy included, are unconvinced that there is not a link between vaccines and autism. McCarthy writes, “I know children regress after vaccination because it happened to my own son.” Many feel that perhaps ingredients like Thimerosal; a compound of Mercury, and Aluminum may trigger autism or could potentially cause irreparable harm.

In their article, Offit and Moser tackle the question of whether or not these additives are safe. They state, “It is hard to imagine a better conceived, better designed study on the subtle effects of mercury poisoning than that performed by the CDC.” The study concludes there is no significant difference in neurological or psychological development between those who are exposed to greater amounts of mercury verses those who are not.

Offit and Moser concur with current CDC studies which implicate, “…by 6 months of age, infants typically ingest 6700 ug (micrograms) of aluminum in breast milk, 37,800 ug in infant formula, or 116,600 ug in soy based formula.” They site numerous studies conducted by the National Vaccine Program Office that conclude the amount of aluminum contained in vaccines is not significant enough to change the current recommended vaccine schedule.

The choice whether or not to vaccinate a child is a very personal one. It is also one of the most volatile subjects that confront parents today. In an age where information and misinformation abound, it can be difficult to know which side to take. The only truth that is held by both sides of the debate is that it is deals with the love of one’s child and the visceral instinct to protect that child at all costs.

For more information on vaccines go to immunize.org or vaccineinformation.org.

COURTESY OF PBS/"VACCINE WAR"

Participants in a rally in Washington in 2008, including actress Jenny McCarthy, called for changes to both the ingredients in children's vaccines, as well as the vaccination scheduling

LET'S GET ORGANIZED

Creating a Sanctuary

By Nettie Owens, Staff Writer, Professional Organizer

In this world of constant stressors: work, family and health; where do you go to find refuge? Have you considered this place? For rest and rejuvenation, your bedroom is the place to start.

You already spend around eight hours in a day or a third of every year in this place. It should be peaceful, free of the forces that clamor for your attention.

As an organizer, when I begin work with a client, I start by helping to create a sanctuary. There should be a place you can retreat to, especially when the world seems to be spinning at an ever-increasing rate around you. As difficult as it may seem to focus on this space first, doing so will allow you to be more successful in all areas of your life. As a home organizing and decluttering expert, the Fly Lady, Marla Cilley, gives this description of your bedroom, “This is the room that is the heart of your family and your marriage. It should give you joy when you walk in there and fill your heart with peace.” She goes on to say that focusing on this room can be the launching pad for all other home maintenance efforts, give you more energy and allows you to heal faster from illness.

Go to your bedroom now. For the first time in your life, this directive should not be a punishment! Sit on your bed. Re-

flect on how you feel. What could you change in this room to make it a place of refuge? Grab a piece of paper and write down how you would like your bedroom to feel and at least five actions you could take to improve the peacefulness of your bedroom. Here are a few suggestions to get you started: donate the books that you will not get to reading in the next year, fold and put away your laundry daily or move this activity to another room, remove the trash and recyclables, wash or change the drapes, and add a chair near the window with a container for your favorite magazines.

Now that you have this list, do not think that it all needs to be accomplished today.

Set the timer on your phone for 15 minutes and set to work on one of the tasks on your list. Make it a priority to work for 15 minutes every day on this room until it is complete.

If carving out an entire room is too much for you right now, commit to setting up a corner of the room or reclaiming your bed. This exercise is about creating peace in a chaotic world, not about adding to your to-do list. Having a sanctuary will provide the space to mentally, physically and spiritually take on the stressors in your life. They will not go away but you will be provided with a retreat from the attack.

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

MOVE of the MONTH

FITNESS

Why isn’t the Weight coming off?

By Tonya Wigfall, Staff Writer/Fitness Trainer/Instructor We are three months into the year and you have not lost as much weight as you thought you should have or none at all.

Well, it should not be a secret that everyone loses weight differently and no pill, drink or fad diet is going to magically shed pounds.

What worked for your sister or girlfriend might not work for you. To lose weight and keep it off, you must make changes to your overall diet and exercise habits. More importantly, you have to be patient. Unfortunately, it takes a lot more time to lose the weight than it did to gain it! Ask yourself these five simple questions that might be the reason(s) why you are not reaching your goal.

1. Did you really devise a plan? Although it may sound cliché, “If you fail to plan, then plan to fail” it is true! Just saying you're going to watch what you eat or start exercising more is not going to work unless you think about how those changes are going to fit into your everyday life. If you want to stick to an exercise and diet plan, make realistic goals so you don't get discouraged AND write them down.

You should even write down when you have successfully reached one goal and devise a new one, if necessary. Losing 20 pounds sounds a lot more intimidating than writing down you

want to lose five pounds per month. Or, if one of your goals was to exercise three times per week, then you should have a calendar to track the number of days you exercised per week.

Whatever your goal, you have to have a written plan. Most successful companies did not get where they are today without a business plan.

So, think of it as your own business (weight loss) plan!

2. Are you consuming enough calories?

Yes, cutting calories is crucial to weight loss but those are “bad” calories that we are referring to that come from refined sugars like colas, for example. If you don’t eat enough calories, your body goes into starvation mode, which can slow your metabolism. Women tend to underestimate their daily intake by about 800 calories, says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet. Many experts (including myself) recommend keeping a food and exercise journal so you can track your eating and exercise habits precisely.

This is one of the most effective ways to reach your weight loss goals. I am not saying this is a practice that you have to do for the rest of your life, but with modern technology today it is far easier to track your calorie intake. The real key is to make sure you are getting an adequate number of calories from protein, car-

bohydrates, and (yes) fat. Certain food apps will help you effectively track this. Of the three macronutrients, protein helps you build lean muscle, so make sure you're getting enough.

Good sources include lean beef, tuna, and chicken breast. Also, never eat less than 1,200 calories a day. For a helpful website to figure out how many calories you need to maintain your current weight, go to caloriecontrol.org/ calcalcs.html.

3. Are you eating meals frequently? Eating two large meals a day may seem logical but it surely is not. Some experts recommend five to six small meals per day while others say eating three meals per day is perfectly fine too. I believe it is totally your discretion. What is a more important factor is making sure that you DO NOT skip breakfast. Eating a healthy and balanced breakfast helps jump start your metabolism for the day and will prevent you from overeating mid-morning or later in the day.

The best way for me to describe it is simple: You are doing what the word implies, breaking the fast. For example: If you go to bed at 10:00 PM and get up at 6:00 AM, by 7:00 AM (at the latest) you should be eating your breakfast.

That is about 12 hours you have gone without food if you ate your last meal at 7:00 PM. Did you really expect your body to move around and function with no fuel (food) to go on? (Think of it this way: Would you drive around all weekend, come home and leave your car on empty, then expect to be able to drive to work on Monday morning? Of course you wouldn’t!) After breakfast whether you choose for your next meal to be a mid-morning snack or your lunch, you should be consistent. By eating frequently you don’t give your body the opportunity to feel hungry but in the same vain you should never feel full after eating either. This is where knowing your calorie requirements are important (See #2). If your schedule allows it, you should eat at the same time every day. Once this habit is in place (and if you are consuming healthy, usable food) your body’s internal clock will practically let you know when it’s time to eat if you’re burning your fuel effectively and your metabolism has increased.

4. Did you include strength training into your exercise program? It’s very easy to get cardiovascular activity (walking, jogging, biking, etc) in daily but strength training is equally as important as cardio. Whether it’s the use of actual weights (dumb bells) or your body weight, this practice should be incorporated into your weight loss and exercise plan. Woman shouldn’t be afraid to work out with weights especially as we age. If you want to burn calories and fat even when you're at rest then you need to strength train. Strength training at least three times per week will not only help to build or maintain muscle and reduce your body fat percentage but help you to increase your metabolic rate, which means you

MOVE of the MONTH DUMBBELL STRAIGHT-LEG DEADLIFT This exercise targets your hamstrings as well as your glutes and core. As a bonus, it can improve the flexibility of your hamstrings because it stretches these muscles every time you lower the weight.

Starting Position: Grab a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip and hold them at arm's length in front of your thighs.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.

Ending Position: Without changing the bend in your knees, keep your back naturally arched, bend at your hips, and lower your torso until it's parallel to the floor.

Your arms should be somewhat dangling with your hands reaching toward the floor. (You may go lower, if your range of motion allows you to.) Pause, then squeeze your glutes, thrust your hips forward, and raise your torso back to the starting position.

are burning calories even at rest. This is another reason why consuming enough protein is important as mentioned in #2.

5. Have you changed your exercise routine? If you have been doing the same exercise routine since the beginning of the year, it might be time to change it up a little. Mixing up your routine is key to burning fat and calories, otherwise your body will adapt to the workout. Consider the F.I.T. Principle which is the Frequency (or number of times you workout per week), Intensity (or how hard you are working out), and Time (or length of time you are exercising during an exercise bout). To really torch fat and calories, you do have to occasionally step up the intensity of your exercise.

This might be where you have to solicit the assistance of a personal trainer. Working with a personal trainer regularly can help push you hard enough so that you will start to see the results you are looking for.

Losing weight by no means is an exact science or as easy as answering these five questions but it is a start. So, if you answered “no” to any (or all) of these questions, you just might have found the answer to this question: “Why isn’t the Weight coming off?

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

Stress Solutions Part 2: Herbal Stress Solutions

By Sarah Woods, Health News Writer The previous article in the Stress Solutions series focused on ways to relieve stress by manipulating the environment. Herbal solutions for stress are abundant, as are herbal remedies that claim to be beneficial but are not.

With so many herbs and supplements available in the U.S., one of the obstacles of taking herbal stress remedies is determining which ones are beneficial and which are a hoax. Many herbs and supplements have powerful effects on the body, and it is important to first consult a doctor or pharmacist and do thorough research before beginning an herbal regimen. The remedial powers of the following herbs have been studied and documented by researchers, and are only a minute sample of the hundreds of herbs available at many pharmacies and herbal retailers.

Gotu kola is an herb that has been used for thousands of years for everything from varicose veins to respiratory conditions. It is native to India, Japan, China, Indonesia, South Africa, Siri Lanka, and the South Pacific. The medicinal part of the plant lies in its stems and leaves, although it grows pink and purple flowers that become small oval fruit.1 The Clinical Journal of Psycho-

pharmacology studied the herb in 2000 to determine its effects on stress and found that it may have anxiety-relieving qualities. However, the dosage used in the study was 12 grams, which is quite high, and doses of this strength have not been sufficiently studied to determine their safety.2 Gotu kola can be found in capsule, powder, or liquid form and is generally marketed for its better-supported benefits of increased circulation to heal varicose veins, although some retailers market it for its anxiolytic qualities.

Lemon balm, well known for its calming effects, has been used since the Middle Ages.

The herb can improve a person’s mood and is often recommended for use in people with depression. Lemon balm has been shown to decrease anxiety, promote sleep and ease pain, which can subsequently decrease stress levels.3 Some studies of lemon balm have been inconclusive, but others point toward promising clinical support for lemon balm as an anxiolytic. Rosmarinic acid, a substance found in lemon balm, was shown in a study to inhibit GABA-transaminase.4 GABAtransaminase is an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter GABA. Low levels of

7

HEALTH this neurotransmitter can negatively affect mood, leading to higher levels of stress and anxiety. Most herbal retailers stock lemon balm. Lemon balm can be found in liquid, capsule, leaf, salve, cream, and power forms.

Another substance known to affect GABA levels in the brain is Valeriana officinalis, more commonly known as valerian. Valeriana officinalis is a perennial plant with a distinctive, unpleasant odor. Hippocrates wrote the first documents about valerian in the second century.5 Valerian releases a certain dose of GABA depending on the amount of the herb taken, and also inhibits GABA breakdown. This GABA interaction gives valerian its anxiolytic and sedative effects. Valerian is a nervous system depressant, so it is important to keep that in mind when drinking alcohol or using other depressants. Studies on valerian have proved it to be effective in alleviating stress in social situations without producing noticeable sedation in addition to helping with sleep disorders caused by stress.6 Herbal retailers sell valerian in capsule, tablet, and liquid form.

Passiflora incarnata, commonly known as passionflower, has shown promise for anxiolytic effects without decreasing job performance. When studied beside the drug Oxazepam (a prescription benzodiazepine), there were no significant differences found aside from the increased job performance of the passionflower subjects.7 Passionflower is a climbing vine that can reach ten meters in

Spring Allergies

By Sarah Woods, Staff Writer It’s springtime. The flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing, and 35 million noses in America are running.1 Pollen is the most common culprit of seasonal rhinitis, also known as hay fever. Hay fever is the common combination of symptoms such as runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing and coughing. People experience hay fever when allergens come in contact with their immune systems.

When pollen or other allergens like dust or mold are inhaled and come in contact with the mucous membranes of the body or are otherwise ingested, the immune system causes inflammation and attempts to block the foreign substance from entering the body. Hay fever is an overreaction of this immune response, and doctors have yet to discover why the body reacts so drastically to common environmental substances.2 The best way to handle spring allergies is to prevent them. In addition to avoiding spending time outdoors when pollen counts are high, there are several ways to prevent pollen from entering your home. Close windows, refrain from using fans that bring air in from outside, use air filters in the most frequently used rooms, and don’t hang laundry up to dry outdoors. After spending time outdoors, wash the clothing that was worn and take a shower to prevent spreading allergens indoors.3 Despite the best efforts to avoid allergens,

height. A passionflower varies in color from magenta to blue and has five white petals with five sepals. The parts of the plant used for medicinal purposes are the flower, stem, and leaves.8 Passionflower can be found at most herbal retailers in capsule and liquid extract form.

Footnotes: 1 University of Maryland Medical Center. (2011a). Gotu Kola.

Complimentary Medicine. Retrieved December 19, 2011, from http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/gotu-kola-000253.htm 2 Mandile, M. N. (2002). Gotu Kola. Natural Health, 32(4), 34.

3 Johnson, T. (2008). Quick relief from anxiety and stress without tranquilizers. Life Extension, 26-32.

4 6-7 , Head, K., & Kelly, G. (2009). Nutrients and botanicals for treatment of stress: adrenal fatigue, neurotransmitter imbalance, anxiety, and restless sleep. Alternative Medicine Review, 14(2), 114-140.

5 NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. (2008, January 16). Valerian. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet. Go, . Retrieved January 2, 2012, from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/valerian 8 University of Maryland Medical Center. (2011b). Passionflower.

Complementary Medicine. Retrieved January 2, 2012, from http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/passionflower-000267.

Gotu kola, an herb that may have anxietyrelieving qualities, is available in capsule, powder, or liquid form

it is often impossible to prevent all seasonal allergy symptoms. Some doctors prescribe medications to help combat seasonal allergies or recommend over-the-counter medications.

However, not all allergy medications are the same. It is important to contact a health care professional before beginning or stopping any medications, even if it is an over-the-counter allergy medicine.

Antihistamines are a class of drugs that decrease the effect of a substance secreted by the immune system called histamine. The release of histamine causes inflammation and congestion, so it is responsible for the majority of the seasonal allergy symptoms.

Many physicians recommend nasal antihistamine medication as a first line of defense against seasonal allergies.4 Intranasal antihistamine sprays include the prescription medications Astelin (azelastin hydrocholoride) and Patanase (olopatadine hydrochloride). Studies have shown that intranasal antihistamine sprays are more effective at managing hay fever symptoms than intraoral antihistamine medications.

Researchers predict that the most recommended allergy treatments in the future will include a combination of intranasal antihistamine and intranasal corticosteroid medications.5 Over-the-counter intraoral antihistamine medications can be divided into drowsy and non-drowsy groups. Antihistamines that can cause drowsiness include Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) and Tavist (clemastine). The newer See Pollen, Page 9

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

MEDICAL

HEALTH: PRESS RELEASE

Time to take snoring seriously?

By Dr. Liu, Mercy Loud snoring is often considered a funny topic or simply an annoyance. Today, however, we know that snoring should be taken more seriously, as it can be indicative of a life-threatening disorder known as sleep apnea—a chronic condition that occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep.

There are a variety of causes for sleep apnea, from upper airway obstruction, to a failure of the brain to initiate breathing, and it can be made worse by other medical conditions like heart failure and stroke.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is just one “flavor” of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) anomalies, and the most common. Others include obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and central sleep apnea (CSA).

People with OSA may stop breathing for 10-20 seconds or even longer, many times throughout the night. In addition to loud snoring, other symptoms include choking or gasping during sleep, non-restorative sleep, sleepiness during the day, lack of alertness, impaired cognitive functioning, slower reaction times and difficulty in concentrating.

About 12 million American adults suffer from OSA which is typically more common among men— about one out of every 25 middle-aged men versus one out of every 50 women of the same age range.

However, the onset of menopause in women increases the risk of developing sleep apnea five-fold. OSA is more common as we get older; about one out of every 10 people over the age of 65 have some form of OSA. Risk factors include being overweight, having a narrow airway, a thick neck, hypertension, smoking, alcohol intake, use of sedatives and tranquilizers, and a family history of the disease. Ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders, also are at higher risk of OSA. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (also known as “Pickwickian Syndrome”) occurs in severely obese patients who fail to breathe either fast enough or deeply enough. The result is blood that is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide, even while awake. Like sleep apnea, OHS patients may stop breathing altogether intermittently during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is often in patients who have OHA. If untreated, these condition strain on the heart and can cause heart failure, leg swelling and other symptoms.

Central sleep apnea is a less common form of

OSA can be treated through the use of a CPAP devise which keeps airways from closing during the night

sleep disordered breathing, but can be associated with a history of heart failure and stroke. In central sleep apnea, the patient makes no effort to breathe during the night, and this is often associated with sleeplessness and recurrent awakenings throughout the night.

Perhaps the biggest challenge in dealing with sleep disordered breathing is simply making people aware of these illnesses and encouraging them to seek out help. According to a Wisconsin sleep cohort study, more than 90 percent of women and 80 percent of men with moderate to severe sleep apnea were undiagnosed. A diagnosis is made based on the patient’s family and medical histories, a physical exam, and oftentimes a sleep study, such as those conducted at Mercy Medical Center’s Sleep Center.

Patients will sleep in the center overnight and are monitored by a certified sleep technician under the direction of a sleep specialist physician. Patients have electrodes affixed to their scalp, face and limbs which record the sleeping patient’s breathing and body movement during a sleep study or polysomnogram (PSG). Recordings of brain, eye and muscle activity, breathing, heart rate, lung function, and blood oxygen levels help the specialist make an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

To facilitate in this process, Mercy’s Sleep Center features individual temperature controls for each room; adjustable-firmness mattresses; private restrooms with showers and other amenities; flat screen televisions and capacity for bariatric patient studies.

Treatments for OSA range from lifestyle changes (such as avoiding alcohol, losing weight, stopping smoking), breathing devices, and surgery. A device much like a mouth guard is another potential treatment option. In cases of more severe OSA, your doctor might recommend a nasal CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP delivers air through a mask at slightly higher than normal pressure, thus keeping your airway from closing.

Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms may wish to seek help: excessive sleepiness or fatigue, loud snoring, trouble falling asleep, and restless or disrupted sleep. These symptoms may also be a sign of other disorders include restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and periodic limb movement disorder, all of which can be evaluated in Mercy’s Sleep Center. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea for instance can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, irritability, learning and memory problems, weight gain, impotence and headaches. In addition, studies indicate that OSA can lead to more on-the-job injuries and even fatal car collisions.

Patients who are suffering from these issues are encouraged to see their primary care physician to determine if they need to see a sleep specialist. For an appointment to discuss sleep issues, please call 410332-9145. Physicians may also refer patients directly to the center for a sleep study by calling 410-3329777. The Sleep Center at Mercy offers overnight study appointments seven days a week.

National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run Houston, Texas March 8, 2012--- Sisters Network® Inc., (SNI), the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization will host it's 3rd Annual Stop the Silence® National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk/ Run. Online registration is open. The event will be held Saturday, April 14, 2012 in downtown Houston at the Discovery Green Park, 1500 McKinney, Houston, TX. 77010.

Participants can register for $30.00 per person or $300.00 for team (minimum 10). Walk t-shirts will be given to each registered participant.

To register NOW, log on to www.stopthesilencewalk.org. For more information, call 866-781-1808.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American women. The incidence rate of breast cancer is higher among younger African-American women (under age 40); than among white women.

The incidence rate of breast cancer is 12% lower in African-American women; however, the mortality rate is higher compared to white women.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Councilwoman Wanda Adams are scheduled to be in attendance.

The 2012 Honorary Chair is Cynthia M.A. Butler McIntyre, National President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. KBXX 97.9 Radio media personality, Nnete will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies.

National sponsors to date include Eisai, Capital One Bank and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. National media partners include Rolling Out Magazine, Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine. Local sponsors include Pepsico, Sysco Corporation and Kroger. Regional and local media partners include Comcast; D-Mars.com; Forward Times Newspaper, Houston Style Magazine; Health & Fitness Magazine; Jazz Walk of Fame; the Wash Allen Show and Womenscope Magazine.

Since Sisters' launched the National African American Breast Cancer Walk two years ago, the event continues to attract more women and men from around the nation. For the 2012 walk, more than 6,000 women and men are expected to walk in honor of the women they love and celebrate who have survived breast cancer and those who are no longer among us.

"It is such a powerful and moving experience to witness thousands of individuals walking together to increase breast cancer awareness in the African American community. Sisters' is so blessed to continue to have the support and participation from our community and sponsors," said Karen E. Jackson, Founder/CEO, Sisters Network Inc. "Our mission is simple, we must Stop the Silence in the African American community about the devastating impact breast cancer continues to have amongst our women. African American women are dying to young. Awareness, self-exams, mammograms, ultrasounds and knowing your family history can save our lives. We have to talk about breast cancer. Sisters Network is committed to being at the forefront of the discussion," added Jackson.

Funds raised from the Stop the Silence® 5K Walk/Run benefits Sisters Network Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) which provides support to women facing financial challenges after diagnosis. The national program provides free mammograms and financial support for medical related lodging, co-pay, office visits, prescriptions, and prosthesis. Last year, over $50,000 was raised and set aside to provide free mammograms and support.

ABOUT SISTERS NETWORK INC. Sisters Network® Inc.,(SNI) is a leading voice and the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. The organization's purpose is to save lives through breast health awareness and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country. Currently, Sisters Network is located in 20 states and has over 42 affiliate chapters nationwide. The national headquarters is located in Houston, Texas. http://www.sistersnetworkinc.org

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

9

SPORTS

Baltimore Burn Shines Brightly

By Keith Henry, Staff Writer The Baltimore Burn opened training camp in 2011 inside of a church. In addition, the Burn just entered the Women’s Spring Football League (WSFL).

However, not many folks in Baltimore have known about the Burn despite the fact that they’re in their 12th year of existence. The defending WSFL Champions opened camp early in January looking to build on their championship run and turn the pressure upon their opponents.

Opponents of the Burn weren’t very happy last season, according to some of the players.

The chief complaint was that they hit too hard.

Burn offensive lineman/linebacker Kelly Harrison explained, “The difference is that we train harder than everybody else. When they play each other, it’s kind of like powder puff. But when they play us, it’s like this is real football.”

Anytime opponents were complaining about the Burn style of play, it was a sign that most of the league wasn’t ready for this type of game. It was evident as the Burn went undefeated in 2011.

In 2012, first-year head coach Jon Randall, who is in his 4th year overall, expects nothing less than success. The Burn plays a punishing type of football that has continuously forced teams to waive the white flag of surrender.

“The Baltimore Burn is known for our physicality. Some teams don’t want to play us because what we stress is conditioning. Ninety percent of the time, we work more on the conditioning for that 4th quarter,” said Randall.

One game in particular showed an example of just what the Burn does. Randall explained that against the Steel City Renegades (Pittsburgh), the Burn defense injured their quarterback in the 3rd quarter. Shortly after that, Steel City had to forfeit because they didn’t have a back-up quarterback to put in the game.

Coach Randall wants his Baltimore Burn to win the national championship on the field this time around. Randall mentioned that the Arkansas Rampage had to come to Baltimore instead of them hosting the game in nearby Kentucky because of the Burn’s spotless record.

However, Arkansas didn’t show up and the Burn was awarded the national championship as a result of a forfeit.

This season, which starts April 14th, the WSFL expanded from six to 12 teams in the last year. This means more challenges for the defending champions. And that is something the Burn is ready to tackle.

Among their challenges is that each player had to pay fees which goes for their equipment. The players are not paid to play the game as the league is a non-profit. The funds

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BALTIMORE BURN

The Baltimore Burn went undefeated in 2011, and are eager to begin a new season April 14th

from the gate receipts go straight to the team for travel expenses.

The Baltimore Burn has contributed a lot in the community in recent years from visiting veterans hospitals to holding clinics for youth football teams in the Baltimore area. The Burn worked out with the Forest Park Black Hawks youth football team as they warmed up for their football game in 2011.

The Burn and team coaches want more people to know that they’re here and they’re looking for a lot of support from the Baltimore community. The admission is $10 to come to the games. The Burn plays their games at Art

Modell Field at Mergenthaler High School located at 3500 Hillen Road in Baltimore. “This team has been around for 12 years. My goal is to get it to where people know who we are,” said Randall.

Supporters of the Burn can bring their families out for a game at an affordable price.

“This team is family oriented,” said Tanya Savage, Burn quarterback.

The Burn hosts the New Jersey Titans on April 14th @ 7pm to open up the season. For more information on the Baltimore Burn, check out their website at burnbaltimore.com.

Pollen, pollen everywhere

Pollen, from page 7 OTC antihistamines Clariten (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine) do not cause drowsiness.6 Many doctors recommend these medications to patients who have mild allergies that do not require a more aggressive prescription treatment.

Prescription and over-the-counter decongestants are commonly used in combination with antihistamines. Allergic reactions often result in inflammation of the mucous membranes, which causes congestion of the nasal and sinus pathways. This type of drug decreases inflammation by constricting blood vessels, which decreases blood flow to the area where the blood vessels are constricted.7 Decongestants come in nasal spray and oral forms, with one major difference between the two; nasal spray decongestants only constrict the blood vessels of the mucous membranes that they come in contact with and exert the effect on a targeted area of the body. Oral decongestants can affect several areas of the body, and

are more dangerous for people who have blood pressure problems. Unfortunately, nasal spray decongestants can have a “rebound effect” on the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity if used for a longer period of time than directed, which could make the congestion reappear with a vengeance.8 The third type of medications most commonly used to combat hay fever symptoms is nasal corticosteroids. Nasal corticosteroids are only available with a doctor’s prescription and work as an anti-inflammatory to help decrease congestion. Common names for nasal corticosteroids are Nasonex, Flonase, and Omnaris.9 The rate of hay fever in the United States is rising each year, although researchers are unsure of the cause of the increase. Epidemiologists estimate that seasonal allergy symptoms affect up to 40 percent of the population. More research on the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis is needed in order to decrease its prevalence.10 Footnotes: 1 Web MD, “Spring Allergies”, 2012, http://www.webmd.com/allergies/spring-allergies.

2, 3, 6, 9 University of Maryland Medical Center, “Alergic Rhinitis”, 2011, http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/allergic-rhinitis-000003.htm.

4, 5 Michael Kaliner, MD, Berger, MD, W., Ratner, MD, P., & Siegel, MD, C. (2011). The efficacy of intranasal antihistamines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 106(2), S6-S11.

7, 8 Web MD. (2010, August 3). Decongestants for Sinusitis. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ decongestants-for-sinusitis 10 W F Schoenwetter. (2010). Allergic and mixed rhinitis: Epidemiology and natural history. Allergy and Asthma Proceedings: The Official Journal of Regional and State Allergy Societies, 21(1), 1-6.

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

ADVICE

W oman to Woman

By Dr. Renée Parks, Staff Writer

Q

Q

A

A

Dear Dr. Renée, I bumped into an ex-boyfriend and we exchanged numbers. He has been calling me and surprisingly showing much more interest than when we were together. I really enjoy our conversations and thinking about maintaining a friendship with him again. He also knows that I have a boyfriend. Am I falling for a game? Am I wrong for even allowing him back into my life? ~ Buddy Cautious Dear Buddy, It’s quite possible that your ex could seem to be more ‘into you’ this go round but then again, we often get amnesia about what went wrong with an awry relationship in the first place. You know that old saying, “you never miss your water until the well runs dry?” Time passed tends to be somewhat of a panacea for what ails us especially when our needs are not being met in our current relationship. Do not be naïve Buddy. New relationships always start out wonderfully, even when it’s the second-time-around. Regardless of what it looks like, the only relationship that we are having is the relationship with ourselves. While the names and faces have changed, we usually start off in a new relationship where we left off with a past relationship. It really doesn’t matter if you get back with your ex or stay with your current boyfriend. If you do not work out your own issues you will only create a ‘repeat performance’. The most important thing that you need to remember is that there is only one common denominator and that is you.

Dear Dr. Renée, My boyfriend of almost three years recently suggested that we ‘cool down’ our relationship and give us space, without ending it all together. He doesn’t want us to date others during this “time-out” How should I respond to something like this? ~ Aha Moment Dear Aha, You should be very happy that your boyfriend was man enough to be up front and tell you exactly what he wants. More often than not, we are in relationships with people who are unable to say what they truly feel. It sounds like your boyfriend wants to have his cake and eat it too. It seems he wants a little time to “be single” and keep you waiting in the wings in the event he feels like reuniting with you. If you are choosing to hang out in limbo then by all means, oblige your partner’s request. However, if you want to keep your options open if Mr. Right comes along then thank your boyfriend for his honesty and run swiftly in the other direction.

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 about her book and the 2012 Ultimate Wellness Tour go to www.TFPTUW. com or 410 630-6989. Submit your lifestyle questions to: Advice@AskDrRenee.com.

INSPIRATIONALLY YOURS

New Year, New Beginnings

By V. Lee, Staff Writer I thought my friend Sharon was kidding three years ago when she told me she had joined the Atlanta Xplosions football team.

Football? Was she serious? What would motivate a 47-year-old woman who already has the challenge of taking full-time care of her cerebral palsy son, want to play football? I thought that it might be a passing notion – a fantasy in her mind and she would surely come to her senses soon.

Then the postman brought me my courtesy Atlanta Xplosion t-shirt in the mail.

A few months later, I got the opportunity, not only to see my friend in action, but two whole teams of 30- and 40-something women in jerseys, helmets and tight pants, out on the field tackling each other while the rest of us cheered them on.

Sharon’s motivation was simple.

“It’s something I wanted to do. So I decided to just go ahead and do it” she said.

I can understand that. Can’t you? It’s the same reason I started running two years ago when I was 47 years old. It’s also the reason I’ve decided to go back to school to get a degree in English, the reason I labor so hard on my writing, the reason I want to join a bowling league and learn to make pottery. I want to do these things so why should I let a little thing like turning 50 hold me back?

Following my goals regardless of my age seems like a logical choice for me. Is it a logical choice for you? Are you still exploring your options? Do you believe that you have options? Or have you reached a stopping or settling point in your life that won’t allow you to think of anything else but staying put. Someone even gave it a name: maturity. There’s an unwritten rule in life which means that a mature woman stops, stands still and lets herself be the rock that her children and husband lean on while they pur-

sue their goals and dreams. Theoretically, it sounds like a noble gesture. You’d do it wouldn’t you? If it meant that your family would be happy, you’d gladly let your goals simmer on the back burner right? Of course you would. But where would that leave you and your state of mind? And furthermore, why are women living our lives by rules that have the potential to tear us down?

Maybe you don’t think that the way you are living your life is tearing you down. Perhaps you believe that a woman in her 40’s or 50’s should have already decided on a workable direction for her life and she should stick with that. After all, you’re middle aged now. Starting over to do something new isn’t something that you should be pursuing now. This is the time in your life when you should be reaping rewards from all the hard work you put into following this footpath.

That’s a sound thought if you’ve actually had the good fortune to realize all of your dreams and goals early in life. But what if that’s not the case? Should you feel guilty and immature for wanting to realize those dreams now?

Sharon didn’t think so.

“I don’t think I’m too old [and] I’m not doing anything to hurt [my son]. He’s getting everything he needs and I think me getting a chance to do the things I’ve wanted to do actually makes me a better mother.”

It wasn’t long ago that a woman’s role basically required her to confine her life to her home and what was in it. Her life was only defined by how she handled her role as wife and mother. Her happiness was their success and happiness. And although society’s rules have changed for women, some women still forfeit challenges after they reach a certain age. We tend to choose stability over See Growing Older, Page 11

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

11

WOMAN OF FAITH

THE HEALING PLACE

Finding Your Voice: A Personal Story

By Angelica Harris, Staff Writer Women and girls who spend their lives being abused can often lose their voice. They can become timid, believing that they are not worthy of being listened to; that their thoughts, words and desires have no importance.

I know what that's like. From the time I was about nine or ten years old, until I was in my early 20s, I lived silently with abuse. And even after I escaped from those abusive situations, I still kept my emotions quiet, stuffing them inside me until I nearly burst, and those emotions had to somehow escape. I finally found an outlet that helped me express all that I was feeling, and that outlet eventually helped me heal.

As a young teenager, my uncle molested me.

He was sneaky, but he would touch and grab me in places no man should put his hands on a child.

When I tried to tell my parents, my uncle made up lies about my behavior, and my parents believed him, not me.

During this time, and until I became an adult, my mother beat me. Beatings from her were the norm throughout my childhood. Mom would grab whatever was handy, a belt or a wooden spoon, and beat me repeatedly. I wasn't a bad child, but as my mother became mentally ill, she took out all of her unhappiness on me. Perhaps because no one intervened, no one spoke up, I learned that being silent was somehow safer. If I could stay under the radar, maybe I wouldn't be noticed. I might walk on eggshells all day, but I might avoid further abuse.

But my habit of silence cost me throughout much of my life. When I was 20-years-old, I was drugged and date-raped, and as a result of that rape, became pregnant. I had no one to turn to, and I terminated the pregnancy. Still, I kept quiet.

Eventually, even as my life moved on, and I got married and had children, I didn't speak of the turmoil going on inside of me as a result of my past. But inside, I felt such guilt over the abortion, such a sense of unworthiness from all I had endured. I would tell myself "I'm horrendous," or "I'm a monster." I even reached the low point of holding a straight edge razor against my wrist, seriously contemplating suicide.

The only panacea for me was writing. From the time I was 16, I wrote poetry, and as an adult,

I began to write fantasy fiction. Even though I could not speak the words, putting them down on paper helped me express what I was feeling. Eventually, I decided to write a memoir that would help make some kind of sense of what I had gone through, and I called it Living with Rage: A Quest for Solace. Coincidentally, about the same time, I began writing a poem for a contest and found myself confronting my past head on.

As I worked on the poem and the book, one phrase kept coming up, "blood on my hands, blood on my hands." I knew that this blood was my own, from the beatings, as well as the blood from my unborn child's.

I wrote this poem, allowing the pain to wash over me as I put my voice down on paper, expressing my anguish, my guilt, and my questions of worthiness.

Between writing that poem, called "Life Wracked with Pain," and writing my book, I began to slowly find my voice, my strength. When you look at people who have been abused, you can look at their body language. If you saw me back then, you'd see my shoulders were drawn to my neck, my arms were folded across my body, holding me tightly, and my head was down. I was closing myself to the world, for fear of being hurt or rejected.

As I wrote, I was able to say what I wanted to say without anyone's judgment. And to my surprise, as I began to allow people to read what I had written, I found support and comfort.

Although writing helped me feel secure enough to express myself, it is not the solution for everyone. Each person has to do something that they love that brings satisfaction—just for you. Whether it is through dance or drawing, creating jewelry or playing a sport, it is essential to give yourself the gift of finding what ignites, excites or sustains you and then use that to help you find your own voice.

About the Author: Angelica Harris, author of Living with Rage: A Quest for Solace, is a victim, survivor, and now a conqueror of sexual and domestic abuse. By lending a voice to those who have been abused, Angelica increases awareness and support for those affected. Partnering with Amnesty International and the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT), Center for the Women of New York (CWNY), Angelica speaks and writes about these issues. You can learn more about her at www.angelicaharris.com.

Growing older, but still Growing Growing Older, from page 10 adventure – a more mature and acceptable choice.

Even our choice of activity changes with age.

When we are younger we choose activities that exercise our muscles and keep our heart healthy.

When we get older our activity choices are to sit and play cards, sit and play bingo, sit in our office job, then come home and sit in front of the television. We spend our middle-age sitting, settled and admiring others, marinating in shoulda-coul-

da-wouldas. We’ve forgotten that our own lives haven’t stopped just because we aged another year.

We’ve forgotten how alive we felt when we had goals to work for and how healthy our bodies were when we pursued those goals. We didn’t worry about weight gain, or heart disease, stroke or depression. We felt free.

So let’s hear a resounding cheer for freedom and aging with style, grace and dignity!

Get ready! Get set! Hut! Hut!

Nuns of various faiths discuss harmony and peace in Hindu Holy City Courtesy of www.interlog.com VARANASI, India (UCAN) -- About 200 women of various faiths have recently met in an ancient Indian city of spirituality to discuss how they can promote religious harmony and world peace.

Maitri Bhavan (friendship house), a Church-run center for interreligious dialogue, and Tera Panth, a Jain group, jointly organized the Aug. 12 program in northern India's holy city of Varanasi, 780 kilometers east of New Delhi.

Nearly half the participants who attended the three-hour program on "Religious Harmony and World Peace" were Catholic nuns. The others represented Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Jain traditions.

Acharya (teacher) Sarad Kumar Sadhak, a Jain leader, told UCA News that his group collaborated with the Catholic center to bring the women together because "increasing terror and violence" has made people pessimistic. "A pessimistic society" does not last long, while women have "become the symbol of peace today" and can help reduce conflict and foster peace, he explained.

Father M. Santiago, director of Maitri Bhavan, added that sharing religious experiences and views would lead to peace because it would improve relations among religions.

Sadhvi Kalyani Devi, a Hindu ascetic woman, began her address to the meeting by extolling all religions. The nun, who is from a Hindu religious school for women, also chanted slogans from the Veda, an ancient Hindu religious text, and prayed, "All be happy, all be healthy, no one may suffer pain."

Another Hindu nun, Sadhvi Acharya Medha Devi, told the participants that the "ultimate aim" of every religion is to promote "human goodness through self renunciation." The nun, who is principal of a local college for women, said: "There is only one God for all religions. Due to ignorance we divide God." Sadhvi Kundan Rekhaji, a Jain nun, stressed the need for people to "believe in human unity because we are children of One Almighty." Non-violence should be the basic conduct of human life, she said. "Today, violence and crimes are increasing because we are denying the truth of non-violence," she added.

Bhikhuni Karma Sonam Palmo, a Buddhist nun, urged the participants to follow their own religion to advance

world peace. "We all need to appreciate other religions with their own philosophy and traditions," she said. Only those who practice their own religion, she pointed out, can appreciate other religions.

For Brahmakumari (virgin of Brahma) Saroj, religion means "peace, love and joy," essential to promote harmony and peace. "Self realization of our origin is the basis of all religions," Saroj noted, and people should realize they are children of one God. Brahmakumari is a Hindu order for ascetic women. Her companion, Brahmakumari Vandanaji, added that religion and peace are "deeply related" since religions are the source "of love, service, purity and mercy."

Sister Imelda Kulapurthazha, a Queen of the Apostle nun, told the gathering she has found similarities in the teachings of all religions. "We need to see the indwelling God in every human being," the Catholic nun said, and this attitude "is essential for promoting peace and harmony."

About 12 nuns from Sister Kulapurthazha's congregation, which she formerly served as provincial, attended the program with her. One of them, Sister Pushpita Joseph, told UCA News she was "happy to see" women Religious of other faiths coming together. She said the meeting had helped her and her companions develop "a positive attitude" toward other religions.

Sister Vardani Kindo, novice director of the Sisters of Providence of Gap, said she found the participants open and respectful to each other. She brought her novices to the meeting, she told UCA News, because learning the traditions of other religions is an "integral part of our formation."

Holy Cross Sister Gracy, who also came with some novices, said she felt "contentment" on seeing "the goodness in other religions." In her view, all religions stress love, peace and service, and their followers should stress such common values and rise above differences to bring about peace in society.

She said the program would help Religious novices "learn and grow in the spirit of openness to other religions."

Tenzin Tsephel, a Buddhist woman, told UCA News, "The religious experiences of other faith have enriched me."

12

www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS

Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore Launch New Programs, Receive City Honors

By Phila Hoopes The economy may be bleak, but prospects looked bright for Maryland entrepreneurs and job-seekers on the evening of February 6, as the Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore and the City Council joined to celebrate the beginning of National Entrepreneurship Week (February 18-25).

As the Showcase Baltimore speaker before the Council, WEB interim president Y. Maria Martinez told her personal success story to highlight the organization’s impact on individual lives and the economy.

In 2001, when she was a young, unemployed, single mother fleeing domestic violence, the House of Ruth had referred her to the Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore for career counseling and training …and with the help of WEB’s counselors and mentors, she realized a mission for her life.

Remembering her family’s struggles to find home care for her father’s asbestosis, she used WEB’s business training programs as a springboard to develop Respira Medical, now a leading Mid-Atlantic provider of individualized home care for respiratory patients.

Today a recognized leader in state business circles, Ms. Welch Ramirez spoke with deep gratitude of the people who gave her a new start. “I could not have done it without WEB,” she said. The Council affirmed her tribute as they unanimously passed a resolution to honor National Entrepreneurship Week “as a time to focus on innovative ways that entrepreneurship education can be used to help our children unlock their dreams.”

Later, while WEB graduates and staff mingled in a networking reception with City Council members and WEB supporters from the Baltimore NAACP and Small Business Administration, Board members commented privately on plans for the coming year.

WEB will be part of the City’s outreach to entrepreneurial youth in the coming year, said Vice Chair Jorge Robert. “We are reach-

ing out to different segments of the population, older and younger populations, Baby Boomers who are done with one career and now want to start something of their own, and students in high school.” Despite the organization’s woman-centered name, he noted, WEB serves both women and men.

The 23-year-old nonprofit is currently launching its first youth program in Patterson Park through the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. “We emphasize the importance of education,” said Ms. Welch Ramirez. “This is not something for young people to do instead of going to college. It’s important that they realize they have the capability to become a whole person (integrating entrepreneurship and education).

In fact, this is how many of the students pay their way through school.”

The organization’s youth outreach is only one of many programs in the works for 2012, she added.

“We’re making our online curriculum culturally competent for the Hispanic population,” she said. “We’re developing an outreach for the Piscataway Indian tribe, which was just acknowledged. We’ve just started to put a together a curriculum for veterans at Walter Reed – these are people with incredible skills, who are now looking to reinstate themselves in society. We help them to take those skills and apply them here. Our program is mobile; we can take it anywhere, to any part of the state, wherever it’s needed,” she said.

The interim president was quick to give a bow to WEB’s support network: her mentor, the Hon. Marvin L. ‘Doc’ Cheatham, Sr., former President of the Baltimore NAACP, and Tessa Hill-Aston, current President, help WEB to bridge with the Hispanic and African American communities.

Small Business Administration liaison Tonia McCoy partners with WEB’s outreach to churches and veterans, as well as helping women entrepreneurs navigate through the SBA programs. Finally, the Rev. Anthony McCarthy, Director of Government Relations for Respira Medical, represents WEB to faith-based communities.

“WEB isn’t Maryland’s best-kept secret anymore,” Ms. Welch Ramirez said with a broad smile.

In fact, WEB’s ambitious goals and history of success may give onlookers a false impression of wealth, said PHOTO/WEBINC.ORG Board President Mary Wamsley. “We still need support,” she said. “EveryParticipants at a RAMP UP course, a twelve-week one says they love WEB; City Counprogram developed to teach skills for creating and cil members have volunteered with sustaining successful businesses

us; we’ve developed amazing relationships.

And people go through our programs and then graduate and go on with their lives. “ As with many nonprofits, tough economic times have hit WEB hard: the former 18-member staff is now down to five employees and a team of volunteers, “including ten Board members,” Ms. Wamsley said. While

the organization accepts financial donations, as well as in-kind services such as catering and products such as paper or office supplies, she added, “we eagerly welcome volunteers. We’re looking for people to help us train entrepreneurs in all fields – finance, legal, accounting, etc. We welcome anyone who resonates with our mission!”

ORGANIZATIONS CORNER

WHY EMPLOYERS HIRE

By Stephen B. Thomas and edited by Brigitt Thompson, Maryland New Directions

Businesses don't care about you.

This may come as a big shock to many job seekers out there, but when it comes to recruitment, the truth is that businesses are looking for the best candidate for the job.

They're seeking employees who communicate well and are eager to discuss the many ways they can add to the business and its success. A manager seeks someone who keeps the company, and the most effective way to utilize its resources, in focus. In short, a manager needs to see a clear potential for “work”—commitment, productivity and results.

When it's time for a job search, this crucial piece of information is quickly forgotten. Why does this happen?

It may be because there's such a push to find one's passion when seeking a new job.

You may be thinking, "Now's my chance.

I'm finally going to hold out for the job I really want. No more ‘survival’ jobs for me...

This time, I'm following my heart."

You dive into your job search with tremendous passion and gusto, your heart flowing onto the page as you type your cover letter, expressing heartfelt love for the work you feel you were born to do. You gush on the phone when talking to the receptionist or stoic HR administrator, asking to speak with the hiring manager because you know you're “the one for the job.”

If you are granted an interview, this is where the trouble starts. An employer asks

some of the standard interview questions: What experience do you have in this field?

Give me an example of how you used your customer service skills (or some other specific skill) on the job. Do you have any specific numbers to back up your claims of effectiveness on the job?

The business perspective crashes through the door like the cold, hard, unforgiving reality that it is. Passion crumbles under that weight—not supported by statistics, numbers, outcomes or examples.

Don't let this catch you off-guard.

Here are some things that are helpful to know when you are putting together your job-seeking materials: What skills do I have that make me perfect for my dream job?

How have I used those skills in the past to be a positive difference-maker for my previous employers or volunteer sites? What actionables, outcomes, and results can I discuss in a cover letter or interview that ensure that not only can I talk the talk, but walk the walk?

Keep the passion; that will help you make it through the rough spots of your job search so you can hold on to those dreams and not knuckle under to a mere “survival” job. But don't let that passion be your only guide. You need to back it up with solid data as much as possible. Let the employer know that you're coming into the job search with your heart and mind in the right place.

WomanWords...

“

It's so clear that you have to cherish everyone. I think

that's what I get from these older black women, that every soul is to be cherished, that every flower is to bloom.

”

~Alice Walker

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

13

ORGANIZATIONS CORNER

The Spirit of a Woman celebrated at Non-Profit’s First Women’s Conference

By Kisha Belton On Saturday, March 17, 2012 the Greater Baltimore Section of the National Council of Negro Women hosted the Spirit of a Woman conference at the Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys in Baltimore, MD. Over 100 women convened for a day of workshops aimed at improving quality of life for women, their families and their communities.

GBS-NCNW (www.gbs-ncnw.com) is a not for profit organization whose mission is to advance opportunities and quality of life for Africa-American women, their families, associate members and communities through advocacy, community services and personal development programs.

Attendees enjoyed an opening ceremony including the play of African drums, giving Libations, and the signing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” GBS-NCNW President, Francena Bean-Waters surprised conference chairs with citations from the Maryland House of Delegates.

During the mind workshop Dr. Renee Parks, Ph.D. and founder of The Universal Wellness Foundation, and Mary C. Douthit, founder of Sisters in Spirit, addressed the importance of “Creating Balance in Your Life.” Both emphasized the importance of taking a holistic approach to gaining and maintaining a healthy state of mind. Douthit revealed the therapeutic values of aromatherapy. She also advised that some essential oil products branded as aromatherapy do not have therapeutic power.

In addressing “A Healthier You,” Dr. Wanda Ramsey, internist in integrative medicine explained that the manifestations of stress sometimes go unrecognized. In her practice, rather than treating the symptom, Dr. Ramsey digs into the root cause and addresses it with her patients. Moderator Sharon Jennings-Rojas, M.Ac., L.Ac., RT (NADA), shared an overview of the acupuncture mapping of the body, opening the group up to the idea that a pain in one place may be caused by a deficiency in another area.

In the “Penny Savers and Purse Strings” workshop Baltimore City Comptroller Joan Pratt, CPA emphasized saving first and budgeted spending later. Pratt gave great tips on how women can avoid impulse shopping by leaving the house with a budgeted amount of cash and no credit cards. The workshop was moderated by Zen Smith

whose accounting practice focuses on educating clients to make wise financial and tax decisions.

At the luncheon keynote speaker and founder of “Greatness Now®,” Mischa P. Toland’s uplifting presence filled the room and encouraged the ladies not to chase the dream, but to be the dream. A silent auction was also held to benefit the Fieffe Foundation for Haiti. GBS-NCNW has worked with founder Molver Fieffe to raise monies for a Haitian women’s school since before the hurricane and continues to raise funds to rebuild the school after its destruction.

PHOTO / KYLIS WINBORNE

The closing spirit panel entitles “Let Yourself Soar” was led by Antoinette Duren, Administrative Assistant to 40th District Delegate Barbara Robinson. Panelists included Francesca Brooks, LCSW; MSW; Addictions Counselor, Diane Bell-McKoy, President/CEO of Associated Black Chari-

ties, Alison Velez Lane, Esquire and CEO/ Director of Leadership Consulting and The Campaign Train Group, and Cynthia Bryant-Pitts, President of Cynthia Bryant-Pitts and Associates. The panel addressed legacy, entrepreneurship, advocacy and philanthropy, or LEAP.

HER STORY

A life commited to advancing women's rights

By Meghan Murphy

Edith Houghton, a native of Buffalo, NY was born on December 22, 1879. Her parents Alfred and Caroline were of the progressive sort and felt that their daughters would benefit from a solid education.

After her parents’ deaths from suicide and stomach cancer in 1892 and 1894, Edith and her sisters were sent to live with relatives.

It was their mother’s dying wish that they attend the Bryn Mawr College of Pennsylvania, known for its exceptional views on the education of women. Edith graduated Bryn Mawr ahead of her class in 1900 with dual degrees in chemistry and mathematics.

Upon her graduation from Bryn Mawr, Edith Houghton enrolled at the Johns Hopkins University. As a sophomore, she became interested in the performing arts and left Baltimore for a brief period to study acting.

She later found it wasn’t the life for her and resumed her studies at Hopkins. While studying there, Edith discovered she was becoming increasingly interested in women’s social concerns. She soon met fellow student Donald Hooker and the two wed on June 14, 1905 in Baltimore. Donald shared her views and together they founded the Guild of St George, a home for unwed mothers and their babies.

Though the home had helped many young

feel connected with like-minded women throughout the state.

Most importantly, the MSN informed its subscribers of the issues and needs surrounding the working class woman and her environment. The publication eventually became the official “voice” of Maryland’s suffrage movement.

Additionally, Edith Hooker contributed to the advancement of women’s rights and devoted time to several other side projects that were dear to her. Some included being a committee member of the Advisory Committee of PHOTO COURTESY OF MD STATE ARCHIVES the Maryland Social Hygiene Society and editing small publications destitute women, it closed after five years due warning the public about venereal to case overload. In the years to come, the disease. Mrs. Hooker passed away on October couple would help co-found Planned Parent- 23, 1948 at the age of 70, leaving behind five hood of Maryland. children and a legacy that continues to captiIn 1909, Edith founded the Just Government vate suffrage history enthusiasts both here in League of Maryland, an organization intended Maryland and the nation. for the promotion of women’s suffrage rights.

Fun Facts: Edith Houghton Hooker was She became president of the league in 1910 one of the first women admitted to JHU which later became affiliated with the notoriEdith Houghton Hooker was the aunt of the ous National American Woman Suffrage Associa- late famous movie star, Katharine Hepburn! tion (NAWSA). In 1912, she and Donald cre- SOURCES: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/woated the Maryland Suffrage News, a publication menshall/html/hooker.html http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/o/s/Margo-Hthat became the chief symbol of the JGLM. Moser-VA/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0004.html Its primary focuses were “the latest count of http://www2.citypaper.com/news/story.asp?id=2473 http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/exhibits/suffrage/nawsa.html pro-suffrage states, techniques for countering anti-suffrage arguments, and helping women

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

GREEN LIVING

FOOD

How to Go Green: Laundry

Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens Recipe Re-print from www.atasteofhome.com If you're looking to add a touch of elegance to your dinner table, we suggest these moist Cornish game hens. A blend of sage, lemon, onion and garlic give this entree outstanding flavor.—Taste of Home Cooking School, Greendale, Wisconsin

By Team Planet Green Planet Green, Team. "How to Go Green: Laundry" 11 January 2012. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/greenlaundry3.htm> 28 March 2012.

Don't think of laundry as a mundane household chore -- think of it an opportunity to go green! Because by reducing the amount of hot water you use, washing only full loads, and switching to eco-friendly detergents, you can make a huge dent in your environmental impact. (And save some moula, too.)

Did you know?

- Between 75 and 80 percent of your clothing's lifecycle impact comes from washing and drying.

- The average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water.

- An Energy Star-qualified clothes washer can save you $550 in operating costs over its lifetime.

- 90 percent of all energy used by a washing

DIRECTIONS

PHOTO COURTESY OF MYSZA831_CREATIVE COMMONS

machine goes to heating the water; only 10 percent is used to power the motor.

- Using phosphate-free detergents will get your clothes just as clean, but is far gentler on the environment.

You'll find dozens more tips and facts like these in our latest guide, How to Go Green: Laundry, one in a series of dozens that we're rolling out to help you go green in your everyday life.

Want more? Check out How to Go Green: Summer for the best green tips of the season. Or, check out more of our guides on How to Go Green on TreeHugger.

PHOTO BY: TASTE OF HOME

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 70 min. │ Yield: 2 Servings

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • •

2 Cornish game hens (20-24 ounces each) 12 fresh sage leaves 4 lemon wedges 6 whole green onions, trimmed, divided 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 6 small red potatoes, halved

• Place hens in a greased roasting pan, breast side up. Gently lift skin from breasts and arrange sage leaves underneath the skin in a single layer. Place two lemon wedges and one green onion, cut-up, into the center cavity of each hen. Tie legs of each hen together; turn wings under backs.

• In a small bowl, stir together oil, butter, lemon juice and garlic. Brush half of mixture over hens. Sprinkle hens with salt and pepper.

• Bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Add potatoes and remaining whole green onions to roasting pan. Brush hens with remaining butter mixture. Bake 40-45 minutes longer or until meat juices run clear and potatoes are fork tender.

• Remove hens to serving platter. Stir red potatoes and green onions to coat with pan drippings. Serve potatoes and onions with hens.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving equals 980 calories, 67 g fat (22 g saturated fat), 379 mg cholesterol, 1,398 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 63 g protein.

Originally published as Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens in Taste of Home Cooking School Collection Spring 2008, p47

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

15

GARDENING

Spring “to-do” list Spring Garden Maintenance From The Helpful Gardner

The Bonsai Tree

G Deadheading I

Remove spent flowers from bulbs, but leave the rest of the plant as is for the time being.

For early blooming shrubs such as forsythia and viburnum, prune them as soon as blooms have passed.

Early spring is also an ideal time to prune your roses.

Pull weeds from your beds and borders before they have a chance to take hold and spread.

G Composting I

Tend to your compost if it has been neglected over the winter. If you do not have a compost bin, spring is a great time to start one.

G Tools I

Spring is a good time to prepare your tools for the oncoming gardening season and to make any necessary repairs or new purchases. You will be happy you have done so when summer sets in.

G Plant I

Spring is a great time to add new plants to your garden. Be sure, however, that all threat of frost has past.

Plant such things trees, shrubs, hardy annuals, and summer blooming bulbs.

G Fertilize & Mulch I

Fertilize and mulch beds and borders. Spring is also a good time to fertilize fruit trees. If you applied heavy winter mulch for protection from the cold, you will need to clear it away.

G Staking I

Stake plants that may be prone to wind damage during the unpredictable spring weather.

G Lawn Care I

PHOTO COURTESY OF THEGARDENCENTRAL.COM

Spring is the best time to start a new lawn from seed.

For established lawns, you should start mowing in the spring, but don’t initially cut the grass very short for the first few times.

Of course, whether you start these chores in early, mid, or late spring depends on the climate where you live, taking in to account such factors as when the threat of frost has past or when the ground is thawed enough to dig. I hope these tips will give you a good idea as to where to focus your attention in your garden this spring. Enjoy!

Traveling outside the US

By Jenna Swartz, Staff Writer Whether you’re going it alone or just new to traveling, be sure to consider women-friendly locations that are accepting, respectful, friendly, and safe. Singlemindedwomen.com lists Chicago, Alexandria, and San Diego as the top three places in the U.S. for single women to live, making them all destinations you can feel comfortable visiting.3 All three boast robust cultural flavor, fabulous shopping, and bustling nightlife. However, if you’re looking to journey outside the country, there are many other women-friendly spots to explore.

Amsterdam is a great location for women because English is widely spoken there, and public transportation is available. Evelyn Hannon, editor of Journeywomen.com, an online resource for women travelers, recommends it. “The Dutch are completely pragmatic and believe that women should be

~

By Marge Piercy

G Weeding I

Every season brings a different set of chores in the garden. Spring is an exciting time for gardeners as preparations are made for the bounty and beauty of the garden as it awakes from winter hibernation. It can also, however, be a bit overwhelming to know how to prioritize your gardening time at this time of year. Here is a helpful list of chores that should be tended to in the spring.

G Pruning I

POETRY CORNER

independent. I seldom experience male harassment in that city.”1 Aside from its breathtaking countryside, Ireland’s bed and breakfasts and lively pubs make it a good place for women travelers.

The country’s many family-owned bed and breakfasts allow travelers to feel like part of the local culture, while providing the opportunity to meet and interact with locals and other travelers. Interacting with locals and other travelers is helpful for finding authentic, less well-known places to eat, relax, and sightsee that may not be mentioned in guidebooks. By interacting with different locals, women can also get the skinny on the places it’s best to avoid, too.1 For women with an eye on budget, Costa Rica is a plus. This destination has many comfortable, safe accommodations available for less than $40 U.S. per night, and Costa Rica offers both ecotourism and luxury ac-

The bonsai tree in the attractive pot could have grown eighty feet tall on the side of a mountain till split by lightning.

But a gardener carefully pruned it.

It is nine inches high.

Every day as he whittles back the branches It is your nature to be small and cozy domestic and weak; how lucky, little tree, to have a pot to grow in.

With living creatures one must begin very early to dwarf their growth: the bound feet, the crippled brain, the hair in curlers, the hands you love to touch.

TRAVEL commodations. Van shuttles shared with a small group of tourists around the country is convenient, and makes relying on public buses and rental cars much less necessary.1 Traveling with others also lessens the risk of ending up lost and alone.

Many experts say Singapore is perhaps the safest Asian city, and one that should be considered by female travelers. The variety of shopping is one draw, with a mix of interesting flea markets and contemporary stores.

Singapore’s waterfront is also a good place to stop and recharge one’s batteries. The waterfront has a number of bustling food vendors for adventurous appetites.2 For travelers who want to try Canada, Vancouver is ideal. Canadians are not known to be overly flashy or affectionate, so women won’t have too many problems with strangers and catcalls.2 However, women should still stay on well-lit streets if out late at night.

When booking a new trip, remember that many destinations are a safe as you make them, says Leyla Giray, creator of Women on

the Road, a website for women who love to travel solo. Female travelers should journey with their guard up. That means staying alert to pickpockets and overly affectionate men and being cautious about going out late every night. Whenever walking alone, women should make it a point to avoid cell phones or headphones to be aware of their surroundings. Wherever it is women travel, remaining alert and aware will keep them out of harm’s way.

1.

http://www.50plus.com/travel/destinations-that-are-friendly-and-not-so-friendly-for-women/949/ 2. http://blog.hostelbookers.com/top-cities/best-cities-for-women/ 3. http://singlemindedwomen.com/women-travel/single-inthe-city-top-10-cities-for-single-women/ 4. http://www.women-on-the-road.com/

PHOTO COURTESY OF HCCMIS.COM

BALTIMORE GREEN WORKS

4TH A N N U A L E C O B A L L MARCH 16, 2012

•

M A R I T I M E PA R K & M U S E U M

RIC GUY, PHOTOGRAPHER

GREATER BALTIMORE SECTION-NCNW

SPIRIT OF A WOMAN CONFERENCE M A R C H 1 7 - 2 0 , 2 0 1 2 • RADISON HOTEL AT CROSS KEYS KYLIS WINBORNE, PHOTOGRAPHER

TOP: Presenter Wanda L.Ramsey, MD BOTTOM: Panel of presenters

TOP: Attendees of the Conference BOTTOM: Registration table

Presenter: The Honorable Joan Pratt, CPA, Comptroller, Baltimore City

18

www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Hunger Games is no feminist manifesto

By Kate Heartfield, The Ottawa Citizen

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) share a love interest in the hit movie The Hunger Games.

PHOTO/ MURRAY CLOSE

If you know anything about The Hunger Games books and movie, you know the protagonist is a 16-year-old girl who hunts and fights at least as much as she swoons and gets rescued. This has been hailed, in reviews and in the blogosphere, as revolutionary. (A New York Times review recently called Katniss Everdeen “a brilliant, possibly historic creation” and “a new female warrior.”)

Having been raised on Pippi Longstocking, Robin McKinley’s Damar novels, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I’m less than gobsmacked by Katniss Everdeen’s femaleness. If the mere fact of a female action lead is still such a big deal for Hollywood, it’s a good thing the movie’s doing so well.

But please, let’s not invest the books or the movie with too much feminist significance.

The books can’t carry that responsibility.

They’re interesting page-turners with some truly imaginative flashes, but no one should ask them to be manifestos. There’s nothing in the books to challenge orthodoxy or give patriarchal parents the slightest bit of discomfort at finding it on their kids’ reading tables.

Those who portray Katniss as a feminist icon enjoy contrasting her with Bella Swan, the heroine of the Twilight series. Bella’s main decision is whether to hook up with the sensitive vampire or the brooding werewolf. Katniss faces a similar dilemma: will she choose the sensitive artist or the brooding hunter? Hunger Games fans insists that the romantic plot is not central, but Team Peeta and Team Gale are nicely strung along from beginning to end. The choice between Peeta and Gale is never incidental for Katniss; it’s defining. Romance exists in the Harry Potter books but it’s never linked to Harry’s character arc as tightly as it is for both Katniss and Bella.

There’s nothing wrong with Katniss having these love interests, but there’s nothing challenging about it, either.

I can hear the Hunger Games fans cry

out: But Katniss doesn’t want to choose either of them, for the longest time! She doesn’t want to get married!

Right. She tells us, over and over, that she doesn’t want to get married because she doesn’t want to have children. Love, marriage and child-bearing are all inextricable in Katniss’ world view, and all associated with an absence of choice. There’s a thin, tedious plot device about Katniss needing to keep up her pretence of a relationship with one of the boys, to convince everyone that it was real in the first place. The notion that a girl might genuinely fall for a boy, then later, end the relationship never seems to occur to her, or her friends, or her enemies.

For most of the trilogy, as she moons about how she doesn’t want to bring a child into the world and therefore can’t marry, there is no indication that Katniss is even aware of the possibility of birth control.

This is weird, since she lives in a future world with advanced medical technology.

Much of it is not readily available to her class, but her mother and sister are healers, and even in primitive societies, such women have tended to have a few tricks up their sleeves. Is it credible that Katniss would have grown up without the slightest inkling that women could make choices about reproduction?

Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight novels, is a strict Mormon. Much has been made of the chastity theme in her books. But a parent with conservative social values who liked Twilight for those reasons would have no trouble with The Hunger Games. There is very little mention of premarital or extra-marital sex other than prostitution. If there is birth control, nobody talks about it. Ditto for abortion. If any of the characters is gay, it’s never mentioned.

(Some characters are black, though, which became obvious in the movie and horrified some fans who hadn’t read closely and took to social media to express their disappoint-

ment. This makes me sad.)

Suzanne Collins had every right to write The Hunger Games as she chose. It’s her story and it’s a good one. Between writer and readers, that’s all that matters. But if we’re looking at the books as social barometers, I don’t think it’s coincidental that this highly successful young-adult fiction has plenty of gore but very little sex.

Katniss has no ambition, no interest in politics beyond a personal vendetta.

She’s motivated by love for her family. She

might be kick-ass but she isn’t threatening to our social order. There’s no controversy over women taking up archery or martial arts. There is controversy these days in the United States over access to birth control.

The relationship between female power in The Hunger Games and the real feminist battles of 2012 is comfortably remote.

It’s hard enough to write decent novels.

They needn’t always be revolutionary social commentary too. Let’s just enjoy The Hunger Games for what they are.

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

Maintain Your Youth Aging gracefully starts on the inside

By Kathleen Novak, Staff Writer When you think of April, a few events might come to mind. Easter, Earth Day, or maybe you get excited about playing pranks on April Fool’s Day. For me, April holds a very personal special meaning. When I flip to April on my calendar I think of becoming another year older. April is my birth month and I used to look forward to it with excitement. Now the month brings thirty days of reflection and anxiety over what I haven’t accomplished. This leads to serious goal planning for the year ahead. Cake, presents and parties have lost their sparkle. Instead, I focus on my life, where I have been, and where I want to go.

The art of aging gracefully has been researched and written about countless times.

Most of the articles and books focus on appearance and encourage an updated skin care regime to make your wrinkles vanish.

Maintaining a youthful appearance is the most obvious path to youth but let’s be real, in the long run it is not the most important.

We are all aware that a balanced diet and regular exercise is an important step. Doing so will take care of your body, keeping it healthy so that it has the strength to carry you through the rest of your life. In a culture that idolizes youth these two obvious tips are the

only information we are fed. Look young and you will lead a glorious life.

What about well being though? There doesn’t seem to be a lot of instruction offered on maintaining a healthy outlook on life regardless of what you look like on the outside. Even if you are in tip top shape and are incredibly beautiful, if you don’t feel sound mentally, it is going to be hard to find the motivation to tackle life.

So, how exactly does one stay positive while aging? Start by looking inward and you will soon be sipping from the fountain of youth.

Reducing stress in your life will change your outlook tremendously. While that can seem overwhelming and maybe even impossible, focus on what you can change. Eliminating unnecessary stressors will help clear your mind and provide you with the determination and drive to confront the burdens that are not so easily addressed.

Be optimistic about your life. Aging brings wisdom, confidence and relief. Hopefully, as you get older, the hard lessons have all been learned so that you are less likely to make the same mistakes that were made in your youth.

Reflect on where you have been in your life and hold no regrets. You can’t move forward unless you know where you have been. Strive

19

BEAUTY to be optimistic everyday using humor and gratitude as tools. Keep interested in the world around you. Follow news, start a pottery or yoga class, spend time browsing the library looking for topics and books that interest you. Do something daily to keep your finger on the pulse of the world.

Also, remember that change can be difficult but often it is necessary to open new doors that lead to positive experiences. Adaptability is vital to aging since life is always moving and changing. Negative thinking makes everyday a struggle and can hold you back from so much. Face change head on, grab it by the horns and make it work for you.

Cutting out bad behaviors can only lead to good things. Quit smoking for good, refrain from heavy drinking, indulge in a full night’s sleep regularly, and take it easy on the sweets.

Nasty habits can be a pleasurable quick fix, but long term they hurt us and most make us age faster. Stopping can be difficult, but the rewards are many and overcoming them will flood you with pride.

Throughout your life always remember that aging is about going inward and defining ourselves by things that have less to do

with outer beauty but about experiences and wisdom learned.

I will leave you with a quote from the stunning Jane Fonda, who at seventy-three is the epitome of aging gracefully.

“Learn who you really are to become a full person. It takes a lot of courage because the culture is telling is we are supposed to be this way or that way. Try to be authentic; try to discover it. And stay interested. That’s much more important than being interesting”.

PHOTO/ COURTESY CELEBRITYVALUES.COM

OFF the SHELF

Growing Up Beautiful

By Lori Jones Reprint from Womensbookreviews.com In the summer of 1986, three young American models are chosen to join a modeling agency in Europe's fashion capital of Milan. United as roommates by chance, Star, Joanne and Casey soon find their dreamed-of careers as models taking paths as different as their personalities.

Star, who leaves behind a waitress job along with a handful of crumpled up dollar tips, sees her beauty as a way to move to the top of Milan's social strata.

Joanne, raised in a privileged lifestyle, is expected to continue an Ivy League education, which doesn't interest her as much as a young photographer she meets on a casting.

Casey is a naive seventeen year old who is ready for adventure, even the dangerous kind.

Together, these three learn the funny, unexpected and sometimes ugly truth about growing up beautiful.

About the Author, Lori Jones Jones began her modeling career at the age of 21 after realizing that working at an insurance office wasn’t right for her. After briefly attending classes the Barbizon School of Modeling, and with only six headshots, Jones was signed to the Los Angeles branch of Wilhelmina Agency, one of the most prominent and well-known agencies in the modeling industry.

After working with famed model Wilhelmina Cooper herself for only a few months, Jones was sent to Europe for exposure and to gain experience. Initially expected to stay only for a few months that summer, Jones extended her stay for six years, continuing to work and travel as the jobs demanded.

Jones and her family have lived in Palos Verdes for over 18 years. Her older son graduated from Palos Verdes High School last year, and her youngest is a currently a sophomore.

She is currently working on a sequel to Growing Up Beautiful, which is expected to be released later this year. In addition to working on her sequel, Jones also teaches private modeling and audition classes through C!IX photo studios.

20

www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

FASHION

My Bougie Baby Age appropriate clothing line for girls

By Jewel McFadden, Staff Writer Have you ever thought to yourself, “Girls are growing up way too soon”? Whether it’s the raunchy television shows and movies, explicit lyrics in mainstream songs or a shifting society suggesting less clothing is always more, one can’t help but notice that children aren’t quite children these days. But one such mother is making it her job to ensure innocence never goes out of style.

Wendy Pittman is a parent, philanthropist and founder of My Bougie Baby. Launched in early 2011, My Bougie Baby is the result of Pittman’s realization that store clothing made for young girls was too mature for her 8-year-old daughter, Tiffani Rae. “I just found that when shopping for her I just couldn’t find the right look … it’s either over the top too pink or over the top too sexual,” Pittman said during an interview with FOX 5 News, Washington DC. However, the Virginia-native is not just making clothes that are age-appropriate. Young fashionistas can be picky, so Pittman concentrates on trendy clothes that girls are eager to wear.

Take, for instance, the imoga “alli” skirt.

Bright contrasting daffodils decorate the full skirt that hits just below the knee. Bold patterns were all the rage this year so your little girl will be right on trend for a decent price ($20). Adjustable waistbands guarantee buyers get their money’s-worth and nothing says kidfriendly like machine-washable100 percent cotton.

Another fan favorite that looks like it was taken from the runways is the Maggie coat. The ruffled trench screams couture with a military edge, standup collar and chic belt. Most of the items from the My Bougie Baby collection cost less than $50.

Critics have fallen in love with Pittman’s creations. “The coolest part about My Bougie Baby is that the clothing looks like mini versions of womenswear,” style blogger Avenue Swank wrote. “It does a very clever job in keeping kids just that – kids – while allowing them to match the style and fashion sense of their mothers and other fashionistas alike.”

The My Bougie Baby showroom houses an array of charming garments for girls. “The assemblage is a mix of girly, funky and free-

spirited looks size 4 through 14 and focuses on smart, comfortable and affordable clothing without sacrificing quality,” boasts the company’s Website.

After graduating from University of Maryland, Pittman embarked on a robust decade-long career as a business woman, Pittman launched the clothing line after having a difficult time findcollecting numerous ing stylish clothing for her daughter that wasn't too mature accolades for excellent customer service United Communities Against Poverty. Pittman along the way. Since growing her fashion com- organized a well-received gourmet pizza and pany, Pittman has used the success to strength- ice cream social for two of UCAP’s displaced en the Washington, D.C. community. mothers. Additionally, My Bougie Baby doPittman serves as vice president for Courage nates 10 percent of the store’s sales to Courage for Kids. The nonprofit organization gives at- for Kids. risk youth support programs to help improve Pittman has her work cut out with plans their welfare through financial aid and volun- of launching an infant collection and extendteer efforts. In one of their many projects, Cour- ing the accessories line for My Bougie Baby. age for Kids partnered with Bright Beginnings But with her muse, Tiffany Rae, a supportive Child Development Center to unveil the GIVE husband and a prospering son in college, she is BACK-pack Initiative. Give BACK-pack sends sure to do well. preschoolers to class with uniforms, shoes and Find ways to style your little girl fashionably book bags filled with school supplies. and sensibly at www.MyBougieBaby.com or Recently, Courage For Kids teamed up with look out for Pittman at one of the many expo My Bougie Baby to support homeless moth- shows she hosts around the metropolitan area. ers and children in Prince George’s County’s

April 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ www.womanscopenews.org

21

CAR CARE

Tire Myths...and Reality

and are not intended to be converted into anticipated or promised tire mileage.

By Rik Paul, Courtesy of Motor Trend

is a weak spot that could lead to tire failure.

"Black and round." If that sums up the bulk of your knowledge about tires, you could be missing out on some key facts.

MYTH: I should inflate my tires according to the pressure indicated on the tire sidewall.

FACT: The handwriting's not on the wall-

-the tire sidewall, that is. Molded into the sidewall is the tire's maximum inflation pressure, not the manufacturer-recommended pressure. For normal operation, follow inflation pressure recommendations in the owner's manual or on the vehicle placard located in the glovebox or on the door post.

MYTH:

All-season tires are so good that winter tires are never needed.

FACT: In some parts of the country, this may be true, but if you live in the northernmost states or in Canada, the traction provided by winter tires can't be beat. Winter tires reign supreme in rural areas where snow remains on the road for days. They provide 25-percent-improved traction in deep snow over all-season tires. Metal-studded tires deliver up to 40 percent greater traction on hard-packed snow and ice over all-season tires, but many locales have restrictions regarding the use of studs.

MYTH: A tread pattern is needed to pro-

MYTH: Never rotate tires from side to side, only front to back.

FACT:

FACT: Radial tires can be crossed from side to side in the rotation pattern. The old front-to-back rule applied to bias ply tires.

Regular tire rotation--every 6000 to 8000 miles--promotes more uniform wear for all tires on a vehicle. (Goodyear recently designed a light-truck tire system that requires no rotation; the Wrangler RF-A provides a rear tire with a different tread design from the front tire).

vide great traction on dry roads.

A racing slick--a tire without any tread--provides the ultimate in dry traction due to the maximum amount of rubber touching the road. A tread pattern, with its groove voids, actually compromises this adhesion capability on dry roads. The role of tire tread is to act as a squeegee on wet roads to remove water from under the tire and channel it through the grooves for improved wet traction.

MYTH: Performance tires wear out faster

MYTH:: Put your new tires on the drivewheel position to get the most traction.

FACT: Performance tires may wear out fast-

FACT: This is only true on a rear-drive vehicle. In all cases, install new tires on the rear axle. Most tire buyers purchase new rubber for the drive-wheel position to get the most traction; however, by doing so they transfer most of their traction capabilities from the rear and make it susceptible to oversteer.

The vehicle's rear will fishtail and swing out in fast cornering or emergency maneuvers.

because of the sticky compounds.

er than conventional family-car tires; however, tread rubber polymers aren't the culprits. In fact, new polymers and ultratensile steel constructions make performance tires last longer than ever. Industry-wide, performance tires average about 45,000 miles in tread life, similar to the figures for familycar passenger tires. Fast wear usually is due to high-horsepower vehicles fitted with the tires and aggressive driving. Jackrabbit starts and quick stops can shorten the life of any tire.

MYTH: Wide tires provide better traction under all weather conditions. In fact, putting oversize snow tires on a car delivers better snow traction.

FACT: The opposite is actually true. Wide

tires tend to "float" on deep snow, and the tread lugs never have a chance to "dig" through to the road surface to gain traction. Narrow tires are a better option in deep snow. The tire acts similarly to a knife cutting through butter; the blade works best when using the narrow edge to push through the butter rather than the wide flat side of the blade.

PHOTO/RIK PAUL

MYTH: Sticking your fingernail in the tread can help you pick the tire with the softest compounds, and thus, the best adhesion.

FACT: It's sort of like kicking the tire, but with another part of your anatomy. Tread compounds only tell part of a tire's story.

Tread pattern, tire shape, and tire footprint shape on the pavement provide clues to its adhesion capabilities. Don't rely on the fingernail test.

MYTH: The government tests tires for traction, temperature resistance, and treadwear and assigns grades molded onto the sidewall.

FACT: Uniform Tire Quality Grading is a federal law that requires tire manufacturers to grade their own tires for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. Tire manufacturers, not the government, test tires and assign their own grades. Unfortunately, the government has not prescribed a formula for converting the manufacturer test results into universal grades; therefore, the numbers are not objective. According to the Federal Trade Commission, treadwear grades are for comparison purposes only

MYTH: An undulation on a tire sidewall FACT: An undulation is created where ma-

terials overlap each other in the tire carcass, and it actually is the strongest part of the tire. Still, motorists perceive a "wave" on the sidewall as a defect. Goodyear's new ultratensile steel reinforcement eliminates this

material splice and overlap. Ultratensile steel should reduce sidewall undulation in polyester-reinforced tires.

MYTH: Before you buy a car, kick the tires.

FACT: It might not tell you much about the vehicle or tires, but it could tell you whether your shoe padding is adequate.

Read more: http://www.motortrend. com/womt/112_9903_tire_myths_and_reality/viewall.html#ixzz1qyL2176F

WIRED

CREDIT/Euclid vanderKroew on Flickr under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Prior to the arrival of electronic computers, teams of human "computers", mostly women, worked eight-hour shifts, six days a week

Women Were First Computer Programmers

By Nathan Ensmenger, WeNews.org In this excerpt from "The Computer Boys Take Over," historian Nathan Ensmenger explains that the first computer programmers were women because managers expected programming to be low-skill clerical work. They were wrong: The job required skill and ingenuity and these women persevered.

(WOMENSENEWS)--The low priority given to programming was reflected in who was assigned to the task. Although the ENIAC (the first general-purpose electronic computer) was developed by academic researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Electrical Engineering, it was commissioned and funded by the Ballistics Research Laboratory of the U.S. Army.

Located at the nearby Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the laboratory was responsible for the development of the complex firing tables required to accurately target long-range ballistic weaponry. Hundreds of these tables were required to account for

the influence of highly variable atmospheric conditions (air density, temperature, etc.) on the trajectory of shells and bombs.

Prior to the arrival of electronic computers, these tables were calculated and compiled by teams of human "computers" working eight-hour shifts, six days a week.

From 1943 onward, essentially all of these computers were women, as were their immediate supervisors. The more senior women (those with college-level mathematical training) were responsible for developing the elaborate "plans of computation" that were carried out by their fellow computers.

In June 1945, six of the best human computers at Aberdeen were hired by the leaders of the top secret "Project X " -- the U.S. Army's code name for the ENIAC project -- to set up the ENIAC machine to produce ballistics tables. Their names were Kathleen McNulty, Frances Bilas, Betty Jean Jennings, Elizabeth Snyder Holberton, Ruth Lichterman and Marlyn Wescoff. Collectively they were known as "the ENIAC girls." Today the "ENIAC girls" are often considered the first computer programmers. In the 1940s, they were simply called coders.

22

www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

ASK THE HOME BUILDER

PET CARE

National Spay Neuter Month Contemplating The Use of Skylights in Your Home

By Aileen Gabbey, Staff Writer, Executive Director, MDSPCA

Each February, animal welfare groups across the country celebrate National Spay Neuter Month, including a special ‘Spay Day USA’ sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States the last Tuesday in February. You may have heard from Bob Barker, it’s important to get your pets spayed and neutered! February is a great time to book that appointment.

Little Clifton is a perfect example of why it’s so important to neuter our pets. He was found on Clifton Avenue in downtown Baltimore. Several MD SPCA staff and volunteers, Katie Flory, Shelley Donald, and Justin Yelton, were returning from a school talk when they spotted the tiny kitten on the side of the road. The poor thing! The little guy was happy to have some help and came right over to them!

Skinny and flea-ridden, Clifton needed lots of care. Upon arriving at the Maryland SPCA, he was treated for his fleas and given a good meal. For probably the first time in his young life, he had a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in. Thanks to our wonderful foster program, Clifton spent several weeks in the home of our volunteer Joyce Miller.

Kittens need to weigh at least 2.2 pounds in order to have neuter surgery prior to adoption. Clifton needed to gain some weight!

After several weeks in his comfortable foster home, Clifton returned for his neuter surgery before his adoption. I’m happy to report that Clifton was adopted by his foster mom!

The Maryland SPCA is proud to save animals like Clifton from a sad life on the streets. We also know how important it is to prevent homeless animals from being born in such cruel environments. Spaying and neutering is the best way to reduce the number of stray and homeless animals. In 2011, the Maryland SPCA spayed and neutered almost 9,000 animals to combat pet overpopulation so that there are fewer poor, struggling kittens lacking a home like Clifton.

Spaying and neutering also has other advantages: fewer incidents of certain forms of cancer, reduced inclination to bite, less drive to roam and become lost, and a generally less-anxious pet. You can find more information about spay and neuter on the Maryland SPCA’s website at www.mdspca.org or by calling its Spay Maryland hotline at 855-798SPAY. Celebrate Spay Month and Spay Day with us!

By Sarsfield Williams, Staff Writer When it comes to home designs, style and functionality should always be achieved. It will be better if you can hit two birds with one stone by finding a home design that is unique and at the same time serves a number of purposes.

With the rising cost of electricity, it is practical for a homeowner to come up with ways on how to save on energy without compromising the beauty of the home. A trend in design that is making a comeback is skylights in homes. It was highly popular during the 1980’s and today’s homeowners are open to this idea because of the variety of benefits that it provides.

Think of it as a window that is tilted or placed on the top allowing an even sunlight distribution throughout the whole area. This is also perfect especially if you want to get some fresh air without having to go outside for a walk. At the same time, it could provide you with a view of clear skies at night for a romantic setting. Skylights are literally windows in the roof. They allow you to bring the beauty of the blue sky into your home and at night they can display the majesty of the stars and the moon.

They also provide the interior of your home with the warmth and brightness of natural daylight. They enliven a home dramatically while cutting down the need for artificial light, thus

reducing your electricity bill.

A skylight is a good device to enjoy natural light and fresh air, which refresh the mind, body and soul. Sunlight helps to fight depression, increases working efficiency and provides a healthy atmosphere in homes and work environments.

In 2010, the National Research Council See Sunshine, Page 23

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.

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

23

FINANCE

Spring Cleaning Can Uncover Tax Deductions

WomanWords...

“

The family unit plays a critical role in our society and in the training of the generation to come.

”

~Sandra Day O'Connor

By Candace Bahr, CEA, CDFA and Ginita Wall, CPA, CFP In the springtime a person’s thoughts turn to — spring cleaning! We have to admit that spring cleaning is one of our favorite chores. Why? As we weed things out, we discover treasures we forgot we had, and when we’re done our shelves and closets are clutter-free and accessible. Aside from freeing up space, cleaning has financial advantages as well. If your one-time treasures have turned to trash, by donating them to those who are less fortunate, you might turn them into tax savings.

The limits for how much you can donate to charity don’t affect many of us. The deduction is limited to 50% of your income, and donations of property to certain organizations, such as veterans’ organizations, fraternal societies, nonprofit cemeteries, and certain private non-operating foundations, or to be used by an organization., are limited to 30% of your income. Unless the stuff in your closets are really, really valuable, those limitations probably won’t affect you.

But here’s a limitation that will apply to you: to garner a tax deduction for donations, you must itemize your deductions. That means your eligible medical expenses, long-term care expenses, interest, taxes, etc. must exceed the IRS standard deduction.

To take a deduction for property donated, it must be in usable condition, and you must establish its fair value. For most clothing and household goods, that’s the thrift shop value. You can use the Turbotax program “It’s Deductible” to

determine the value for most household items, or download a copy of “Determining the Value of Donated Property” from the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov. You’ll also need a signed receipt that proves you made the donation.

If you are thinking of donating a car to charity, there are things you need to know. Giving a clunker to charity used to be straight-forward.

Find the value in the Kelley Blue Book or other valuation service, ask a friend to help you deliver the car to the charity, then drive off with a tax break.

But lately the donation is more complicated, thanks to some people got greedy and deducted much more than their old autos were worth.

Now instead of establishing the value yourself, your deduction is limited to the amount the charity gets when it sells the vehicle. So what you thought would be a $2000 deduction, based on Blue Book value, turns out to be only $1500 if that’s all the charity can sell the vehicle for. That puts you in the peculiar position of not knowing the amount of your deduction until after you make the gift.

Just like other deductions, your gift doesn’t reduce your taxes dollar for dollar. So a $1500 donation may save only $300 to $500 in taxes.

And there’s your dilemma: go though the hassles of fixing up your car and selling it, or take the easy more generous route of donating it and getting a tax deduction.

So let the sunshine in Sunshine, from page 22 Institute for Research in Construction in Canada, recently discovered that a new type of cell in the retina is responsible for regulating circadian rhythms.

Ongoing research has found that these cells have other connections to mental and emotional wellbeing and that they are sensitive to wavelengths that are more prevalent in daylight than in most electric light sources. This has led applied researchers to focus on using daylight to achieve more healthy naturally lit environments. The science has moved rapidly since the last substantive reviews of the health and well-being effects of daylight, windows and views, making it the perfect time for urbanites in

particular to consider the effects of light through the use of skylights in residential buildings.

Fortunately, advances that have been made in window construction are also applicable to skylights. Skylights are now labeled by the federal Energy Star® program and the National Fenestration Rating Council. By considering such factors as heat losses and gains, solar gains, ventilation, or potential leaking you can minimize the problems skylights pose while enjoying the benefits.

Due to its energy saving components, a number of people are now considering incorporating skylights in their residential design. It’s ideal to consult with the experts in this field. Home builders that offer installation could be a great help with evaluating your current energy usage and the potential savings a skylight can provide. On average we have experienced a 30 percent reduction in electric usage. With a little help, you too can be on the road to great home savings and more beautiful natural light in your home.

Continued progress.

Next Month: We Explore Color in Interior Spaces Please forward your questions or comments to: “Ask the Home Builder.” You can email me at swilliams@aspirehomesllc.com.

SMART WOMAN

Telemarketing Fraud

By Mediallio Green, Senior Writer Every year, Americans lose about $40 billion dollars attributed to telemarketing fraud. Telemarketing fraud is when personal or financial information is given to callers from a slightly familiar or unfamiliar organization. It is one of the most common scams to date, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation because of the demographic it targets, and the many different types associated with it. Luckily, you’re getting all of the insider information on what to look out for as well as tips on how to avoid falling victim to this expensive scam.

One-half of Americans targeted by telemarketing fraud are the elderly, ranging from ages 56 to 65. This population is at high risk because they have resources such as home ownership, pensions, investments, and Social Security. The elderly are also targeted because they are usually home during the day. Seniors are susceptible to such scams because they are deeply worried about their financial futures, especially afraid of not being able to pass down resources to their children and grandchildren. During an AARP study, they found that senior citizens who fell victim to telemarketing fraud all shared the same characteristics: they believed fraudulent pitches, couldn’t detect if the pitch was dishonest, and they had difficulties ending the phone conversations.

Even though seniors are targeted, there are many different forms of telemarketing fraud that a large number of Americans fall victim to every year. The top telemarketing scams are sweepstakes and magazine sales, and stay-at-home job opportunities. Typical sweepstakes scams give a pitch that says, “You have won a fabulous prize, but to receive it, you have to pay taxes or fees or buy something” (Telemarketing Fraud Against Seniors).

This can be dangerous because winners of legitimate contests have taxes deducted from their winnings or pay them directly to the government.

Magazine sales scams pitch that you can subscribe for just pennies a day or renew your current subscription at a low rate. The danger in this scam is that you’re giving your financial information over the phone. Additionally, the caller pressures you to act immediately without providing direct contact information to the publisher.

Stay-at-home scams are gaining momentum. They are notorious for asking newly hired employees to pay $50-$100 for starter materials or for a “good faith” payment. This scam promises unlimited wealth and continued success, while providing vague information such as never giving the company’s name or telephone number. Stay away from any work-at-home scams that use free web hosting and email services. They will also use a Post Office mail box, while never disclosing their real address.

Keep in mind that even though three types of telemarketing fraud were given above there are many others such as: charities, advance fee loans, telephone slamming (unauthorized switching of telephone service from one company to another), 900/800 numbers or pay-per-call services, travel packages, and recovery scams.

Also on the rise are telemarketer timeshare scams. June 11, 2011, federal prosecutors were targeting Palm Beach County, Florida telemarketers in alleged schemes to rip-off individuals trying to sell timeshares. James Michael Tomasso, Wensley Robin McFarlane and Nicholas Charles Higgins conned $3 million from numerous clients promising to sell their owners timeshares, but those sales never took place.

If you don’t like being cheated out of a great of deal money, then please take a moment to review a few important tips on how to avoid telemarketing fraud: • Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company and always check it out first • Always ask and wait for written material • Obtain a salesperson’s name or business identity (including a phone number or mailing address) • Don’t pay an advance for services • Be wary of companies that insist on sending messengers to your home to pick up money • Don’t pay for a free prize • Never send money or give out personal information Lastly, this is the most important piece of advice anyone can give you, always take your time making a decision. Taking your time to mull over any information might save you peace of mind and a few hundred dollars.

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

HOW I SEE IT

Why I Love Women … or the Anatomy of a Relationship (in 700 Words or Less)

By Kevin M. Briscoe, Staff Writer

What better way to debut my new “As I See It” column than with an open love letter to the fairer sex?

The Beginning

I love women and all their variations in shape, size, skin hue, station in life, sexual orientation or political persuasion. Indeed, it’s very easy to find something physically attractive on the modern-day Eve: her smile, her sexy haircut or even the way she fits into that knock-off Balenciaga gown. When she walks into a room, she takes my breath away.

That’s not to say that every woman will raise my pheromones and compel me to into a lustful frenzy. While physical attraction is dependent upon many things, including my personal taste, I must confess that outward beauty is what initially

“

This is the point where the relationship might seem most fulfilling. You giddily chat up your girls about me, extolling my virtues as a combination of smarts and good looks.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to keep my mancard, I’m a little more circumspect around my boys about my new lady, but they know my nose is wide open. While we both think we’re on cloud nine, the real relationship— the stage that makes me reconsider my current aversion to another marriage—begins when we cast aside the “representatives,” allowing our warts-and-all true selves to emerge and concluding that our love is long-term.

As it turns out, I may only rub your feet under duress. As one of the women in the 50+ age range that I tend to meet, you may be more anxious to get married than you let on. But, once we get to this point, the hon-

as I close the distance between us, praying the

inside beauty matches the outside,

”

I'm also contemplating the odds of rejection

drives me toward engaging a woman. I really can’t tell how smart you are from across the room; I’m really just fixated on the way that gown contours your beautiful tall/thin/short/plus-sized body. And, as I close the distance between us, praying the inside beauty matches the outside, I’m also contemplating the odds of rejection. Will my witty banter and recall of banal facts and trivia leave you unimpressed? Is the acrossthe-room eye contact for real or are you just near-sighted?

The Middle

For the sake of discussion, let’s say that the initial hellos evolve into a pleasant conversation and talk of future dates. This is where the negotiations begin. According to one lady friend, both parties are now interacting through their “representatives,” or alter egos that represent only the best of us. Over dinner and cocktails, we highlight our virtues (Me: “I’ll rub your feet every day.” You: “I’m not looking to get married anytime soon”), and do our damndest to make ourselves irresistible to one another.

We both emphatically promise to maintain this level of honesty and open conversation from this day forward.

esty and open dialogue we promised each other will yield tremendous benefits. We find now that it’s a multitude of mundane things that draws us nearer … when you walk around the house in my shirt from last night, subtly scented with my cologne, say to hell with your diet and get knee-deep into a plate of ribs or give me the “look” (not the one that signifies that my foot is firmly in my mouth; the one that says “You might get lucky tonight!).

The End

Some relationships end. Maybe my reluctance to rub your feet reveals a level of selfishness you find hard to endure; maybe your insistence on getting married when marriage was allegedly off the table indicates an emotional dishonesty that I can’t live with. Whatever the reasons, if we choose to go our separate ways, we must depart with a purpose-doing what we can to mend our broken hearts and maintaining our self-respect. Forget about being friends for now …it rarely works out that way in the near-term; focus on you.

I’ll focus on me … while remembering why I love women.

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

25

EDUCATION

Public Law 111-29 or "The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act 2010" What Does It Do?

By Heather McCubbin, Staff Writer Before The New Lunch Law: Cheese Pizza, Canned Pineapple Tidbits, Tater Tots with Ketchup, Chocolate, Strawberry or White Milk.

After The New Lunch Law: Flatbread Pizza or Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce, Carrots, Tossed Salad, Fresh Fruit, Chilled Apricots, Low Fat Chocolate or White Milk.

This is just a sampling of what your elementary school aged child has eaten and will eat. Last year, many school menus didn't have the option of a tossed salad and other essential vegetables. For years, nutritionists, parents, and government officials, have been asking for a healthier lunch menu for school aged children. For the first time in 15 years, a major overhaul has been done to school lunches. Sodium content, saturated fats, and Trans fats need to be reduced as well as adding more whole grains. Children won't be able to purchase french fries every day or have corn with every meal.

President Obama signed the "Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act" on December 31, 2010 which included a six cent per meal increase to help pay for the healthier meals. How did we get to this point where school lunches need to be overhauled?

The National School Lunch Program (NSP)

was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946. It was a program to provide low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students through subsidies to schools. In 1994, the NSP launched an initiative to teach the children the importance of healthy eating, which was implemented in 1996. On December 13, 2010, President Obama signed PUBLIC LAW 111–29, or "The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act 2010", which gives the government "more power to decide what foods can [be] offered in…meals, as well as in school vending machines…". The bill will boost spending on child nutrition by $4.5 billion over the next 10 years. More fresh fruits and vegetables will be available to children as part of the menu as well as impulse items (Gatorade, yogurt) that can still be purchased separately.

According to www.schoolnutrition.org, the foods served by cafeterias in schools do not make children obese. Children typically lose weight when they come back from summer vacation and begin eating at school.

While important, the changes being made to school lunches will not prevent obesity. A child will need to exercise and learn to make healthy eating choices at home and school.

IMAGE BY FLICKR USER USDAgov

School lunches will now be required to have less sodium and fat and more whole grains However, even offering the carrots on a lunch tray isn't going to get a child to eat them.

Dr. Stephen Kleinsmith, Superintendent of schools in Nixa, Missouri, feels this new government program won't work. "You can put on the menu more fruits and veggies, but if you don't get the beans and the broccoli in the tummy of the child…it goes to the trash cans instead," he says. While schools may try fun games or ways to get children to eat the healthier food, Dr. Kleinsmith says, "Often those efforts still don't pay off, and now the district will have to pay up for food that may still wind up in the trash can anyway."

Vending machines in schools provide huge revenue and even if the sugary snacks and drinks are removed, and replaced with healthier alternatives, students will still find ways to get that chocolate bar. Hopefully, when presented with an alternative to cookies, or water instead of soda, the students will begin to make healthier choices.

This bill is just a baby step in the ultimate goal of helping our children make better choic-

es and reduce the number of children who are obese. According to www.kidshealth.org 1 out of 3 children are overweight or obese.

Obese means having a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. In 2007, more than 30.5 million children each day got their lunch through the National School Lunch Program, which means millions of children who buy or receive free lunches, are obese. While eating healthy begins at home with the choices parents offer, offering up healthier alternatives to pudding or ice cream in school may help reduce that percentage over the next decade.

Department of Agriculture. Food and Nutrition Service. "Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program." Vol. 77, No. 17, January 26, 2012. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ pkg/FR-2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf. Accessed February 3, 2012.

Frederick County Public Schools Elementary School Menu, January 2012, www.fcps.org. Accessed February 1, 2012.

Longley, Robert. "USDA to Require Healthy Recipes for School Lunches." http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/ Usda-Requires-Healthy-Recipes-For-School-Lunches.htm. January 19, 2011. Accessed on February 3, 2012.

Malkmus, Ann and Paul, " Healthy Days: Does School Lunch Law Go Far Enough?" http://ampm.hacres.com/index.php/health-news/doesschool-lunch-law-go-far-enough/ Accessed February 6, 2012.

Oliver, David. "Superintendent Skeptical of Obama's School Lunch Law", December 13, 2010, http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_ id=370696 accessed on February 6, 2012.

VETERAN WOMEN

Air Force Appoints First Female Four-Star General Courtesy of American Women Veterans organization The Senate confirmed March 26, 2012, the nominations of two Air Force Materiel Command senior leaders.

Air Force officials announced the confirmation of Lt. Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger to the rank of general with assignment to the position of AFMC commander, making her the Air Force’s first female four-star general. Officials also announced the Senate confirmation of AFMC Vice Commander Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II for appointment as commander of the new Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, to be located here.

Wolfenbarger was previously Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. As commander of AFMC, she will oversee 83,000 people with a budget of $60 bil-

PHOTO/U.S. AIR FORCE

lion annually for research, development, test and evaluation. The command provides the acquisition management services and logistics support required to develop, procure and sustain Air Force weapon systems.

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

SUCCESS STRATEGIES

Mastering the Critical Connection 4 Principles that Work to Send Your Sales Conversions Soaring

By Ann Hosmer, Team Management Specialist, Building Winning Teams

Whenever you begin the process of convincing someone about the value of anything, you are selling. People buy for their reasons, not yours. As we go through these points, I will gratefully acknowledge a few of the fine sales professionals who have provided the material upon which this article is based. Here are 4 principles to help you make the critical connection with the person you most want to convert into a valued client.

1st Principle of Sales: Detach from the fear of hearing “No”.

Aspiring for excellence in sales, you must avoid becoming needy and showing your neediness, otherwise known as fear of rejection.

“To avoid showing neediness, you must never feel it,” says Jim Camp, author of "Start with No: The Negotiating Tools that the Pros Don’t Want You to Know". Instead concentrate on what you want, not what you need.

For example, neediness shows up when you tell yourself: “I really need this sale to pay my bills.” Think instead, ‘Regardless of what happens today, the right clients are on their way.’

“Oh really,” I hear you saying, “Just change my thinking?” You bet! That’s the first step.

Hang in there.

2nd Principle of Sales: Allow the other person to feel ‘in control’ and bring down barriers to the sale.

Do any of you remember the book entitled, “I’m OK, You’re Ok,” by Thomas Harris? Of the various degrees of Okayness, one that he shares is “I’m not O.K, but you are.”

If you recall, in the TV detective series Columbo starring Peter Falk, Colombo was able to bring his criminal counterparts to justice by adopting a style of appearing not quite with it. As a result, his suspects became less cautious, more relaxed, and easier to catch.

You can capture the same technique in your sales process. By allowing someone to feel in control, you allow yourself to be in control.

Thanks again, Jim Camp.”

3rd Principle of Sales: Direct your attention to how you can help this person.

This principle is two-fold. Part 1 is about you paying attention to your intention. Again, Jim Camp points out something golden: Goals focus upon what we want. However, when you convert your goal to a ‘Statement of Mission and Purpose,’ notice what happens: Your goal: Gain this person as a client and open the door to meeting some powerful people (all about you). Now re-phrase this goal as a Statement of Mission and Purpose such as: ‘Help Joanna see the value of this insurance to provide her peace of mind if she becomes sick or hurt and can’t work.’ (“Help this person see value in . . .” is all about what they want). Hear the

shift in focus?

Part 2 of this principle: Position yourself as a problem solver, not a product presenter.

Become aware of the POWER of asking the right questions to uncover the prospect’s ‘PAIN.’ Pain is a re-occurring problem, the result they do not want, or the result they do want, but can’t get. Avoid giving presentations in sales situations before you have identified their PAIN. Otherwise, you give away your power. Telling puts you on the defensive.

When you present a product as a solution before you know the the main problem, your roles become reversed. Instead of asking the questions that uncover the problem, you find yourself answering questions about the product you are presenting as the solution. You set the stage for confusion to rise, and your credibility to drop. By asking the right questions, you make it comfortable for the prospect to arrive at the decision they feel is right.

Remember, a confused mind never buys.

The vision of their PAIN has to be clear; so does the SOLUTION you offer before they will act upon your recommendation. Thank you, David Neagle, President, Life is Now for clearly making this point.

4th Principle of Sales: What goes up must come down.

Have you ever presented a proposal and watched your prospective client bubble with enthusiasm, and still raving as you say goodbye? Then, when you call back a day or so later, they condemn it with equal vigor?

What happened? You gave away your power again. The concerns they express in your meeting nurture your power to respond in a way that puts these concerns to rest.

When you see their enthusiasm rising, that’s the time to start asking another kind of question---the kind that gets them to see the pros and the cons of what you offer while they are in your presence, not later when they share the information with a colleague, who kills their enthusiasm by posing the questions you should have asked.

One more thing: Have all decision makers present to hear your proposal. Have your principle contact state clearly the decisionmaking process they use.

Decide right now to take the time to practice these four principles. You will surely MASTER THE CRITICAL CONNECTION. Recommendation for Further Study: Check out the next Super Sensational Saturday Workshop this month designed to go beyond the time and space we have here in this article. Delve deeper, and gain the skills you need to distinguish yourself from the competition. To learn more and to register, follow this link: http://buildingwinningteams.com/criticalconnection.

Contact Ann with your questions or comments at: annhosmer@buildingwinningteams.com with SUCCESS STRATEGIES in the subject line.

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April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

Ann Hosmer Building winning teams

By Erin Frost, Managing Editor

Business leaders and owners have gargantuan responsibilities and their successes are contingent upon many things.

An exceptional product or service is certainly a dominating factor to a business’s longevity, however, if the team backing that product or service is lacking, businesses are letting their most enriched resources fall by the wayside. Many of the world’s most lucrative companies and prominent entrepreneurs are stabilized by their best kept secret: a cohesive team.

Building that dream team does not always happen overnight. There will likely be bumps and bruises along the way. Meshing myriad personalities and personal aspirations may not come easily, even when the team’s goals are similar. Fortunately, there are experts that business moguls can turn to for comprehensive team building strategies. Their end result is a strong, goal oriented team all working at peak performance levels.

Ann Hosmer is an enigma within the business community. Her passion and expertise are to help businesses create, build and manage teams in communication and development. These include both virtual and in-house teams. Whether assisting an individual or multi-tiered business, Hosmer uses simplified, tangible formulas to increase communication among team members. She also teaches individuals how to use tools that will help maintain communications indefinitely.

Hosmer is the creator of Building Winning Teams. She works with entrepreneurs to build, develop and manage a team that effectively reaches her goals. Hosmer says that one of the most challenging areas f for solo entrepreneurs is to outsource their administrative tasks. “When a solo entrepreneur is their own webmaster and administrative assistant, the end result is that they are so tired at the end of the day, they don’t have the energy to work on making their business profitable,” she said.

By helping them outsource and delegate these tasks, time is freed up so that the entrepreneur can concentrate on building their businesses by meeting with clients and networking.

Some of Hosmer’s small business clients already have a team in place but are experiencing a lack of productivity or sales. In these

27

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS cases, Hosmer meets with team members, completes an initial assessment, then designs a targeted problem-solving plan.

Hosmer quipped that she often hears phrases such as, “I’m spending more time managing people than I am working on my business.” This, she said, is a definitive sign that her services are much needed. Communication issues, or lack thereof, are another clue that there are communication gaps within the organization. When communication breaks down, it can be toxic to a business’s success.

Often, these flaws occur because the systems in place are not working. Or, there is a “lack of systems altogether” said Hosmer. This happens particularly within businesses that have many virtual team members, making it difficult to get everyone on the same page. Virtual communication, she said, is one of the largest challenges today’s businesses face. But with proven communication techniques and commitment, it doesn’t have to be detrimental to an organization.

Hosmer likes to begin with the entrepreneur or the team’s leader. “A good leader is one who allows their team members to shine in their expertise,” she said. Knowing that, the purpose of bringing a team together is that each member is an expert at something that’s important to a business’s success. Each member is a piece of the puzzle. By allowing each member to contribute his or her expertise, the leader has created an open environment where each member feels needed and productivity increases. The leader is now free to lead without micromanaging and concentrate on his or her own tasks.

Organizations typically experience issues between peers, whether they be personality or task related. Troubleshooting an organization’s communication flaws can be complex and challenging. Typically, said Hosmer, the issue presented at first is seldom the real issue at hand. It is generally through probing and a systematic analysis process that she gets to the real root of a problem. This is done by meeting with each team member individually in a non-judgmental way and by creating an environment that emphasizes listening and offers feedback. Ineffective communication is rarely the fault of one person. Assessing how each person interacts with others and how others perceive that interaction is often the first step in mending breakdowns.

“Effective communication begins first and foremost with listening,” said Hosmer, who uses active listening exercises as one of her initial tools when working with entrepreneurs. Such exercises require participants first to listen without interrupting and second, to

e s a Ple rt

po p u s s! r r e u s o erti adv

detach from their anger. Hosmer teaches each person how to shift that debilitating emotion to one that is healthier and more effective.

Much of communication is about perception, said Hosmer, and our perception changes depending on the emotions which are consuming us at any given moment. By creating a healthy space where everyone is allowed to feel their emotions and express them in a productive, anger-free way, organizations are more successful at communication. The line needs to be drawn at abusive communication, stated Hosmer.

“A person, once they feel they are being

heard, often becomes less defensive and easier to work with” cited Hosmer. Much of an employee’s current frustration is a direct result of feeling as though he or she hasn’t been heard, she stated.

Reflecting is also a tool Hosmer uses when teaching and giving workshops. “This goes back to perception too,” said Hosmer, “and with emotion often times comes misperception and misunderstandings.” By incorporating reflection techniques within communication, there is little question at the end of a session as to what each participant is feeling See Business Soltuions, Page 29

EDITORIAL

Don’t be afraid of the B-word

By Mia Bolton It is understandable we want to be liked by everyone- our friends, co-workers, boss, even acquaintances. We strive to make good first impressions and keep every relationship efficient and positive. But as society evolves and subsequently, gender roles shift, I can’t help but wonder what this means for women. Neither men nor women seek resentment, but it is interesting to examine how strongly our desire to be liked affects our actions.

As a young woman I have observed females making sacrifices simply to avoid causing a ripple in the water, and I have to admit I am guilty of this myself. I once gave up something I deserved because I didn’t want to be considered a “b****”. I thought by being as agreeable as possible, any tension would be avoided. I justified my silence with a variety of notions which only degraded me more.

“You don’t really need this”, “You didn’t want this anyway”, “It’s not a big deal” I told myself. Now I see I undermined myself to do what I thought would please everyone… everyone except me. The truth is, I cheated myself, and if I could go back and do it again, I would care less about others’ opinion of who I am and go after what I earned with determination and grace.

The line separating acquiring respect verses a nasty reputation is a fine one, which is why many women avoid it completely. Yet living in fear of being the “b****” is not worth giving up what we deserve because we want to be universally loved. In our quest to accomplish our goals there will be obstacles, but with stellar communication skills and humble confidence (there is such a thing), we can climb to the top and keep our friends along the way. So set the bar high girlfriend, and listen up.

It is a common misconception that one has to step on people to get to the top. You do not have to tarnish your reputation and relationships to succeed, but you cannot be afraid to take some risks. There may be people along the way who don’t understand, and you have to realize that you can’t control everyone. Reaping the benefits of what you have worked hard to earn is not a fault nor is it anything that can be held against

COURTESY AMAZON.COM/BY EPHEMERA, INC.

you. It is when you start stepping on others to get ahead that you begin burning bridges, so remember to remain respectful of those around you while on the road to achieving your goals. Perhaps offer advice and help to others; not out of arrogance, but as a friend with their best interest in mind. These little things will solidify your relationships in the face of your steps forward.

There are certain situations many of us find ourselves in which require the courage to speak our mind (in an appropriate way, of course). For example, if you are clearly be taken advantage of and unfairly compensated for what you do, instead of letting anger build up inside until you explode, it is much healthier for everyone involved if you address the problem before it becomes unbearable.

Go to lunch with your manager, or make some time to present your side of things.

When you are ready for this step, go into it prepared and with the right ammo; know the points you want to make, have the evidence to back it up, and then very clearly present what you are asking for. Making your point in a logical and concise manner is very hard to argue, and it is the best way to be heard.

It is closed-minded to assume that women going for what they deserve are “b****es”. I am telling you that persistence is an integral part of our lives, and there should be no shame in happily taking what you work for.

Friends, good work environment, dream jobYou can have it all. You just have to work for it, and never be too afraid to ask.

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

POLITICAL NEWS

We Need More Heels Running Around Capitol Hill Courtesy of Womenenews.org "[I]t will come, but I shall not see it ... It is inevitable. We can no more deny forever the right of self-government to one-half our people than we could keep the Negro forever in bondage. It will not be wrought by the same disrupting forces that freed the slave, but come it will, and I believe within a generation."

Susan B. Anthony, famously known and respected for introducing women's suffrage into the United States, and for playing a pivotal role in the 19th-century women's rights movement, made this statement before she died, and years before women were finally given the right to vote in August 1920. While she was not alive to see the enactment of the Nineteenth Amendment, she was one of the key influencers shaping women's role in politics and our country for decades to come.

Today, as women represent more than 50 percent of the population, and after more than 90 years of having the right to vote, why are we not seeing an increasing number of women in politics, either running for office or in policy making? And, more importantly, how can we exponentially close the gender gap for those in office and in leadership roles within government? Some would suggest that there has actually been a decrease in women running for office overall. According to a recent article in The Washington Post, "At a mere 16.8 percent of House membership, women's representation in

the United States' national legislature last year ranked 78th in the world, tied with Turkmenistan." The article goes further in saying that after the 2010 midterm contests, the number of women in the U.S. House dropped for the first time in over 30 years. There are now only 73 women voting members in the House.

It certainly isn't due to lack of interest.

Women are more involved than ever on a grassroots level. Influential political groups and PACs, like Emily's List (a pro-choice Democratic group to elect women to office) and the Tea Party Express, have women leadership and greatly influence the outcome of elections at a local and national level.

Beyond these political groups, women are, as of recent, more likely to vote in elections than men. In 2008, for example, 66 percent of women (70.4 million) voted in the general election, compared with 62 percent of men (60.7 million).

Even more confounding is the fact that in business and education, women have made significant strides. In business, although the gender gap remains wide, there are now nearly 20 women CEOs running Fortune 500 firms (more than ever before). And in education, women attend and obtain degrees from colleges and universities at a faster pace than men today, translating into increasing college en-

CREDIT/S. NADIA at NADIA WON'T SHUT UP.BLOGSPOT.COM

Woman may be quick to head to Capital Hill to bring light to issues, but they are more hesitant to enter the "old boys club" of politics, making up a mere 16.8% of House membership rollment for women.

So, while women are active participants in political organizations and getting out to vote, they are hesitant to actually run for office. So what gives? As Michele Bachmann's adviser, Brett O'Donnell, put it, "We've got to stop everything about whether a candidate has cankles, and how she does her nails, and does she wear her hair up or down." Although somewhat said in jest, there is absolutely some truth to the idea that women are treated differently. Looking back on the 2008 campaign, it seems like the media was more focused on Sarah Palin's wardrobe, hair, and style than her role as a vice presidential candidate. And beyond the media scrutiny, running as a woman can be an intimidating undertaking. Not only is there still is a perception of an "old boys' club" on Capitol Hill, but there seems to be a

self-fulfilling prophecy that women politicians aren't taken as seriously and will have a more difficult time winning.

Whatever the reasons, the country will only benefit from having more women in leadership roles. They should be part of the major decisions that directly impact women (contraception comes to mind) and bring an alternative viewpoint to the other issues of the day.

Just as many corporations preach "workplace diversity," we need a variety of perspectives in government decision making.

Susan B. Anthony paved the way for women to have a voice in politics. And remarkable women, like Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice, have continued to blaze that trail. No matter the obstacles and perceived difficulties, we need to continue encouraging women to run for office.

a problem for “over there,” not over here; Americans find it hard to believe that our large, wealthy, fully industrialized country boasts a maternal mortality rate comparable to that of a developing country. Of course, sexism, racism and ignorance allow us to downplay the issue; this is a “woman’s issue,” and isn’t considered as “serious” as illnesses that affect “everybody,” such as cancer. Worse, poor women of color are seen by some as less important because of their race, class, and gender. Sarah Silverman riffs famously on issues of racial and gender stereotyping when she asks, “When’s the best time to have a baby? When you’re a black teenager.” Though glib, this “joke” reinforces the stereotype that black women and pregnant black teens in particular, are less valuable than others in our society.

Of course, this pattern is not specific to expectant mothers. African-Americans have shorter life expectancies and higher mortality rates than their white counterparts; today, African-Americans are more likely to die of 13 of the top 15 diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, than whites. Poverty affects health; low-income majority-black communities suffer greatly from obesity, hyperten-

sion, and heart disease because of poor diet and lack of education regarding health and wellness. Many African-Americans suffer from inadequate healthcare, a problem that begins at birth and persists throughout life.

Of course, smoking and drinking, rampant in poor communities, also negatively affect expectant mothers.

Though African-American women comprise less than a quarter of American maternity wards, African-American women had the largest percentages of death in all four leading causes of maternal mortality: embolism, hemorrhage, infection, and hypertension, caused or exacerbated mainly by obesity. African-American mothers who die in childbirth are, as a whole, likely to be overweight. The United States sinks billions of dollars into obstetric care and attempting to reduce infant mortality every year; it is time to address the issues of maternal mortality, particularly among our most vulnerable populations. Proper nutrition, free quality healthcare, and public visibility are all ways to help solve this shocking and embarrassing problem.

NATIONAL NEWS

Maternal Mortality in the Black Community

By A. Elbez, Staff Writer The United States may be a global superpower, but we are failing miserably when it comes to maternal mortality. The current maternal mortality rate in the United States

PHOTO / BSILDER

is five times what it “should” be; according to a 2010 United Nations report, we are ranked 50th in the world for maternal mortality, next to Syria and Kazakhstan. These facts are both alarming and ironic, considering that the United States spends about $86 billion dollars a year on obstetric-related issues. African-American women, particularly those from low-income communities, are our most vulnerable population, with a rate of maternal mortality over four times as high as white women’s.

Data on and interest in this subject are scarce for several reasons. Firstly, American hospitals have no federal requirement to report maternal deaths, which may help explain the lack of public visibility. Next, maternal mortality is considered to be “passé,”

April 2012 • www.womanscopenews.org

29

It Takes Women to End Global Poverty

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

By Cassandra Q. Butts, WeNews commentator Women produce half of the world's food, earn 10 percent of the world's income and own less than 1 percent of the world's property. The U.S. Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation says its anti-poverty efforts aim to change these statistics.

(WOMENSENEWS)--Women work twothirds of the world's working hours and produce half of the world's food. Yet, women earn only 10 percent of the world's income and own less than 1 percent of the world's property.

While American women still earn about 77 cents for every dollar men earn and continue to work hard to close the salary gap, women in other parts of the world earn a mere 30 to 40 percent of what men do.

These are the women who never made it to a classroom, who often forgo already scarce food for themselves to feed other family members, who are unable to start their own businesses and who are likely to die in childbirth or from a preventable disease due to lack of basic health care.

The ability of families worldwide to pull themselves out of poverty -- through education, health and food security -- disproportionately rests on the shoulders of women.

Just ask Barbara Ayisa of Ghana. In her

village of Affumkrom, she spends her day growing onions and maize, while taking care of her children. Her husband provides some economic support, but is engaged in other activities, leaving Barbara to manage the household. She benefitted from assistance that teaches her how to store her maize until she can sell it at the best price, earning the most she can for her family.

When asked what additional assistance would help, Barbara responded, "A daycare center would be very helpful as I could take care of my farm and then go home in the afternoon to take care of my children. I am currently doing both things, which is very hard."

A solution this simple empowers women to contribute effectively to the sustainable development and stability of their countries. It helps close the gender gap and allows both men and women access to the resources necessary to prosper.

If their families and communities are to thrive, women need access to land, property, water, and technology for economic productivity. They need access to microcredit. They need access to education, training, nutritional and health care. They deserve laws and institutions that will legally secure and protect their access.

SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS The social perceptions that dictate how

women should spend their time and energy must also change. The ability of a country to overcome poverty is stunted, for example, when girls and women are expected to fetch water rather than spend their days in school or in CREDIT/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION income-producing activi- A Ghanaian woman from one of Millenium Challenge Corporaties. tion's projects pumps water Investing in girls--and the women they become-the role of American development assistance directly impacts a country's economy. in promoting gender equality worldwide.

Every extra year a girl spends in school inThe corporation integrates gender equalcreases her income by 15 percent to 25 perity into all stages of its assistance programs cent, according to http://www.girleffect.org. which total nearly $9 billion in large-scale In Kenya, some 1.6 million girls drop out of grants worldwide from selecting partner high school annually, costing the economy countries, to developing and implementing $500 million. If they finished school, these proposals for funding, to monitoring and girls would make 30 percent more money evaluating results. and contribute $3.2 billion more to Kenya's And as a groundbreaking leader in develeconomy each year. opment, MCC looks at how a country perWhen Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia beforms on a "Gender in the Economy" policy came the first woman president of an African indicator that assesses a government's comcountry, she used her inauguration speech in mitment to promoting gender equality to de2006 to publicly define the role of women termine if it would make a suitable partner in economic growth: "We shall encourage for an investment of development dollars. families to educate all children, particularly Linking development dollars to how committhe girl child. We will also try to provide ecoted a government is to gender equality motinomic programs that enable Liberian women vates change.

- particularly our market women - to assume This way of allocating development dollars their proper place in our economic process." can help build a country's capacity to redress Change, of course, does not happen overgender inequalities that would otherwise stynight. The Millennium Challenge Corporamie sustainable economic growth and povtion (MCC), an innovative and independent erty reduction.

U.S. Government foreign assistance agency, is Investing in policies that enable women on board, however, to do what it can. Created to be more economically productive benefits by the U.S. Congress in 2004 with strong bithem, their families, their societies and their partisan support, MCC provides poor, but nations. The time has come to match rhetoric well-performing, countries with grants to with results and implement gender-inclusive fund country-led solutions for reducing povstrategies that maximize the full strength of erty through sustainable economic growth. women and girls in achieving global prosperity.

These solutions are working to redefine

Business Solutions

Business Solutions, from page 27 and what points they were trying to get across.

“Simple techniques such as repeating back to the person speaking exactly what you heard is invaluable,” said Hosmer. Phrases such as, “I think I am hearing you say..” not only reinforces the fact that the receiver is listening, but also paves the way for the giver of the message to correct the listener should they have heard or perceived the message incorrectly. Once the message is precise, problem solving can begin and a transition can take place. This is also the time for each team member to ask additional questions.

After the initial assessment with the team leaders, Hosmer incorporates unique exercises and workshops such as, “PULL THE STRING: 5 Principles for Effective Bridging in Business Communication,” “DON’T SPRAY THE TREE: Team Problem-solving

— Resolution or Management?” and “TACKLING TOUGH COMMUNICATION” to assist businesses with issues and ensure a more productive and successful venture.

Hosmer is the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service and the American Red Cross 2007 Hometown Hero award, along with many others. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Washington College, a master’s degree from the University of North Colorado and earned her CLU from American College. She frequently lectures and performs workshops both online and in person. Visit buildingwinningteams.com for information on upcoming workshops or to schedule an introductory session with Ann Hosmer.

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www.womanscopenews.org • April 2012

LEGAL

Census Bureau: Mom is Designated “Parent,” Dad is “Childcare Arrangement” Aggregate: The Women’s LawProject In a move that should frustrate advocates, mothers and fathers alike, the Census Bureau’s recently compiled “Who’s Minding The Kids?” report counts fathers staying home with their children as a “child care arrangement.” This puts fathers looking after their children – or what most people call parenting – in the same category as a working mother hiring a babysitter or sending her kids to day-care.

In an interview with a New York Times parenting blogger, Census Bureau representative Lynda Laughlin said, “Regardless of how much families have changed over the last 50 years women are still primarily responsible for work in the home,” adding that the Census Bureau is just trying to collect accurate data on how “designated parents” arrange care for their children while they’re at school or at work based on “gender norms.”

But many parents and advocates are finding this explanation insufficient. One blogger asks,

How hard is it to have a “designated parent” question? ‘Which parent is the designated/primary parent (i.e. the parent that provides the majority of child care)?’

That is literally one question, Census Bureau. I am sure you can ask one more question in order not to erase men who provide the primary care for their children, and not to paint fathers as glorified babysitters.

Further, the participation of fathers in the “child care arrangement” formerly known as “parenting” has been increasing rapidly since women entered the workforce, with 32% of children with working mothers being looked after full-time by their dads in 2010, as op-

posed to 26% in 2005. The leap from one in four fathers acting as a primary childcare provider to one in three, over the course of only five years, is absolutely significant.

But the Census Bureau undermines the good news by continuing to assign the label of “designated parent” to the woman in the house, for no statistically valid reason.

It’s great to study “gender norms” and their evolution over time; it’s irresponsible to actively reinforce them in the process, and the United States’ biggest and most powerful data-collection agency should know better.

Over thirty percent of faCREDIT/limaoscarjuliet on Flickr under Creative Commons thers are acting as primary caretakers for their children know “Who’s Minding The Kids?”, they while their female partners work outside should add another question to their forms the home, and in 2012, few people doubt and let parents volunteer the information that many of those fathers’ daily childcare without being pigeonholed – not to menresponsibilities ultimately exceed their parttion insulted – by old-school gendered asners. Haven’t those fathers earned at least sumptions. the option of naming themselves “designated parent” when the Census Bureau inquires about childcare trends?

If the Census Bureau really wants to