Saturday, March 31, 2012

March Donation - National Women's Law Center

I decided to make my March donation to the National Women's Law Center. They were founded in 1972, and since then they have succeeded in getting new laws enforced that help women and families. The National Women's Law Center focuses on child care, health care, education, employment, and other issues that affect women.

I wasn't able to donate as much as I wanted because my husband and I are actually moving into our new house today. My bank account took a big hit when we bought the house, but I was able to donate $100 this month. Hopefully next month I'll have a little more money to spare (and more time to blog).

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Women Money Power

I attended the Women Money Power Forum today. It was hosted by the Feminist Majority Foundation. The guest speakers were wonderful. Sandra Fluke's speech really stood out to me. She explained that the recent attack on women's reproductive rights has proven that we are not living in a post-feminist world. I am glad she made that point because several people I know believe that feminism isn't necessary any more. Many people think that men and women are equal because women can vote, have careers and live on their own. Well, we have a long way to go before men and women are truly equal. The forum today gave me hope that we are headed in the right direction.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Woman of the Week - Eleanor Smeal

Eleanor Smeal is the founder and president of theFeminist Majority Foundation. I chose her as the Woman of the Week because I will be attending the Women, Money, and Power Forum tomorrow. I'm really excited about all of the speakers including Eleanor Smeal, Sandra Fluke, and several other leaders of feminist organizations. I am looking forward to being in the same room as all of these wonderful women.

Eleanor Smeal joined the National Organization for Women in 1970, and she served as president from 1977 to 1982 and from 1985 to 1987. After leaving NOW in 1987, she founded the Feminist Majority Foundation. Smeal has dedicated her life to gaining equal rights for women, and I am grateful to her for her commitment to fighting for women's rights. She first became interested in feminism when she found that there was a lack of child care facilities while she was working on her thesis while raising her small child in the 1960's. During the 1970's, Smeal joined NOW and moved up in the organization. In between her terms serving as president of NOW, Smeal wrote a book called "Why and How Women Will Elect the Next President." The book focuses on the gender gap in female and male voting patterns. Eleanor Smeal is such an inspiration, and I am so looking forward to seeing her in person tomorrow!!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Woman of the Week - Sarah Colonna

Sarah Colonna's memoir "Life as I Blow It" is frickin' hilarious. I'm about halfway through the book, and I can't put it down. Colonna is a writer and a roundtable regular on the "Chelsea Lately" show. I have always enjoyed watching Colonna on the roundtable, so I decided to download her book. It's about her life growing up in Arkansas. She talks about her parents going through a divorce and how it changed her life for the better because she was able to have two lives. I like that she's so positive and she can turn anything into a joke. Even if you don't watch "Chelsea Lately," I highly recommend reading "Life as I Blow It."

In her book, Sarah Colonna talks about learning at a young age that having your own money gives you independence and freedom. I completely agree. I was talking to a friend the other day about finances, and she was surprised that my husband and I have separate bank accounts. I can't imagine only having one account. I need to have my own money. I don't want an allowance, and I don't want to ask permission if I want an expensive haircut or a new pair of boots. Of course, every couple is different, but I'm grateful that I have my own career and my own money!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Woman of the Week - Mo Isom

My husband told me about a female kicker who tried out for the Louisiana State University football team last week. I just found out today that she didn't make the team. Mo Isom would have been the first female football player for LSU. Even though she didn't make the team, Isom confirmed that she would keep practicing her extra points and field goals. I'll be interested to see if she tries out for the team again in August. I think she should go for it!

My husband and I have had several "heated discussions" about the possibility of a female NFL player. I think that there will be a female kicker in the NFL sometime in the future. My husband adamantly disagrees. He doesn’t think there will ever be a female NFL player. Agree to disagree. I really believe that women can do anything men can do. One day a huge, super-strong woman who will come along and dominate the NFL (or at least kick a few field goals)!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Woman of the Week - Sandra Fluke

I am proud of Sandra Fluke for not accepting Rush Limbaugh's half-hearted apology for calling her a slut and a prostitute. Limbaugh only apologized after he was pressured by his sponsors. Fluke has been in the spotlight for the past few days because of Limbaugh's hateful comments. Fluke is a passionate women's rights activist. She graduated from Cornell University in 2003 and then worked for five years for a nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence. She is now a third-year law student at Georgetown University. Fluke has spent the past three years lobbying to get her school to change their health care plan to cover contraception.

After reading about Sandra Fluke and everything she has accomplished for the feminist movement, I knew I had to choose her as Woman of the Week. She has handled Limbaugh's comments with dignity and composure. I don't think I would have been able to be as calm as she has been. If I were in Fluke’s position, I would probably let it slip that Rush Limbaugh is a disgusting waste of space. Or I might mention that he is so insecure with his own miserable life that he has to pick on people who are stronger/wiser/better than he is.