The Wisconsin, "Grinch who stole collective bargaining rights" politicians came to Washngton, DC this week to pick up their corporate payback checks from a DC lobbying firm for their efforts. They were met with a gold ole fashioned rally of union workers of firefighters, teachers, service employees, students and others chanting "Scott Walker's got to go" and holding signs such as the one reading "Big Money Buys Bad Law". It was a spirit filled group who poured into the building lobby where the Wisconsin lawmakers were meeting and onto the streets. The legislators were in town to pick up checks from the corporations who benefit from their efforts to silence the union and strip their collective bargaining rights. Those workers consist of teachers, nurses, firefighters, streeet cleaners and police, to name a few. I spoke with 2 firefighters in town from Wisconsin who are optimistic about recall efforts. They say that almost half of the signatures needed for a recall have been … [Read more...] about Wisconsin Lawmakers Come to Washington, DC to Get Paid
Archives for March 2011
Women to GOP: We’re Fighting Back
Most consumer protection laws protect against bait and switch practices. Bait and switch occurs when a store or retailer advertises one product to steer you into the store and then switches you to another product. Republicans, during the midterm election, advertised that the American people need and want jobs. House Speaker John Boehner, (R. OH) in an August, 2010 speech, said “….the American people have had enough—of Washington politicians talking about wanting to create jobs as a ploy to get themselves re-elected while doing everything possible to prevent jobs from being created.” Over and over throughout the campaign, Rep. Boehner asked “where are the jobs.” Implicit in his campaign remarks was that Republicans would deliver on their jobs promise, if elected. Instead of delivering the promised goods, Republicans have gone out of their way to do anything but create, promote or introduce jobs bills to Congress. As we heard after taking the oath of office, Speaker Boehner, delivered … [Read more...] about Women to GOP: We’re Fighting Back
Women’s History Month and Celebrating Powerful Women
Powerful women, throughout the world, exude traits of determination, resilience, passion, commitment, patience, overcoming odds and a winning spirit. When we think of powerful women, thoughts of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, first Lady Michelle Obama, Australian’s first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s first woman president, to name a few, come to mind. I also think about the Positive Ladies Soccer Club. The Positive Ladies Soccer Club is comprised of HIV positive women, in one of Zimbabwe’s poorest towns, who decide to form a soccer club to show they are winners and not losers. The women come from Epworth, a town with hardly any electricity and running water and a high incidence of AIDS. 1 in 4 persons are infected with HIV in the town. It was the women’s desire to show the world that they still have life and could compete in a tournament and fight stigma against them. I recently had the opportunity to view the … [Read more...] about Women’s History Month and Celebrating Powerful Women
Billie Holiday, Coretta Scott King among 11 to be honored in National Women’s Hall of Fame
Singer Billie Holiday, educator Donna Shalala and civil rights champion Coretta Scott King will be enshrined with eight others in the National Women's Hall of Fame. The 2011 honor roll includes Barbara Mikulski, the longest-serving woman of the U.S. Senate, and Lilly Ledbetter, whose lawsuit against Goodyear sparked a pay equity act in Congress. The women will be inducted Oct. 1 in Seneca Falls, N.Y., where the first known women's rights convention was held. Established in 1969, the hall acclaims women who have made valuable contributions to society and to the freedom of women. More … [Read more...] about Billie Holiday, Coretta Scott King among 11 to be honored in National Women’s Hall of Fame
Have You Been Tested for Aids/HIV Lately?
Today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Bloggers from around the country are blogging about it. Created by the Office of Women’s Health, it is recognized on March 10th of every year with the goal is of bringing women together to encourage dialogue and educate women and girls about the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic on our lives. Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States. Though much progress has been made in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, women still represent 27 percent of all new AIDS diagnoses, with African-American women making up an overwhelming 66 percent of that number. In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%. These startling statistics are the driving force behind the day's message. Today, over 1,200 blogs are all uniting to represent the courage of all the women … [Read more...] about Have You Been Tested for Aids/HIV Lately?
International Women’s Day is March 8
March 8 marks the 100th celebration of International Women’s Day. While there is so much work to be done in America, for women’s equality, there is so much greater work that remains throughout the world. So, on today, Women’s International Day, I thought it would be good to reflect on the many blessings that we enjoy as women in this country versus those that are still lacking in countries abroad. Two years ago, I attended the first awards ceremony for Peace X Peace.org (pronounced Peace by Peace). Peace X Peace is an organization which empowers, encourages and amplifies women to build and sustain peace around the world. They are based in Washington, DC. Two of their 2009 Peace awards honorees were Suraya Pakzad, founder of Voices of Women, who is from Afghanistan and filmaker Abigail Disney. Pakzad spoke about the risks Afghanistan women take every day just trying to get an education to read and write. While President Obama is making education a priority and focusing on girls … [Read more...] about International Women’s Day is March 8