30 November 2008

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

I'm happy that my family moved out of my childhood home. Not happy that they all live in North Carolina, but happy that with all the changes in our lives, we are doing it in a new place. That said, the memory of my mom hangs over everything. Obviously she would have loved the kid and the nephew. But I know she would have embraced my youngest sister's step-kids and never referred to them as step-grandchildren. She loved kids.

But knowing all of that in the same house I grew up in? I couldn't handle that. Returning once a year to the town where she died is hard enough. Three years wasn't enough time for me to make memories where I can drive around and only smile.

The kids make things better. Seeing the kid play with her lil nephew was a highlight. They ran around the yard playing, kicking the ball, and even the kid playing "big sister" a few times. My youngest sister didn't come over for Thanksgiving, but her and her kids met the rest of us at Chuck E. Cheese on Friday. That was interesting...two kids, two teens and five adults spending way too much money on skee ball. My husband, henceforth to be known as Raider, and I took the teens to the mall for a quick Christmas/bday shopping spree.

It's amusing how buying those two kids a few small items made their day. I'm sure they are still trying to figure us out. Their dad married my sister and we only get to spend a few hours a year with them. Hopefully one of these days the kids will make a vacation out of visiting us.

The worst thing about traveling to NC for Thanksgiving? There are NO leftovers here!! Ugh, I could really had gone for a turkey, cranberry & mashed potato sandwich today with some green Jello for dessert. *sigh* Life throws ya curveballs and whether or not it hits you, it throws you off course.

I love parades!

Especially when they Rick Roll us

What I'm thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving all!

While there are some historical and racist issues with Thanksgiving, it is a tradition in mi familia. I prefer to focus on the gathering of loved ones to share one kick ass meal. So let's get to the thankfulness:

My Chicago family: When my parents & sisters left Chicago in 2000 it was weird not having immediate family so close. The in-laws & the nephew are still nearby, but just a jump-skip-and-a-hop away is our family of BFFs and partners-in-parenting.
My work: All of it. The daily interaction with young women with big dreams and the fact that I get to help them chase them. The writing that I do - Not just to share my opinions, but to share knowledge and engage in a conversation.
My activist family: I am sooo lucky that I get to work with such amazing women to address issues surrounding reproductive justice, mothers rights, and media on a regular basis.
My husband & daughter: They put up with all my crap, late night writing, and meetings on meetings on out-of-town meetings! I work as hard as a CEO, but not paid like one. For that alone, thanks.

I'm also thankful for all of you who read this blog and the others I contribute to on a regular basis. I'm thankful for everyone who followed me over here from my old blog. You are my inspiration! All the bloggers I read who push me. My family family who still loves me even with all the distance and my insane schedule that often leads me to be the worst daughter/sister/niece. Ditto for my long-distance friends. And especially thankful for my mentors who still sit down with me on a regular basis and listen to be drone on about how confused I am with where my career is going. Oy, y'all get to read me and move on. Imagine having dinner with me? The doxie also gets a shout out for defending our home. I do wish she weren't so defensive, especially at 2 am. I'm grateful that the career crisis the hubby was in earlier this fall went smoothly and he's in a kick ass job.

Lastly...to all my friends, online & off, coworkers, and just people I know who continue to tell me how fucking awesome I am at this and that. To anyone I left out, I'm thankful for you too. See, I'm not that awesome, I always forget someone!

gobble, gobble!

The B-word

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Monday night I made my WGN network debut (well, if you don't count catching glimpses of me at Cubs games) on the WGN News discussing the B word - BITCH.

I taped the segment a few weeks ago and it was pretty nerve wracking because the crew was coming to my house (clean up!), on a "vacation" day I had scheduled to watch my daughter & her BFF on one of many CPS teacher service days, I didn't know how the doxie would react with two strange men coming over, AND of course, it was my first on camera in a long time. But thanks to my peeps at the Women's Media Center, I had my talking points all written out.

I never got to meet the producer, Pam, but we chatted on the phone quite a bit before and over the past few days. She seems like an awesome woman and I hope we can work together again in the future. Antwan is amazing. He was super nice and seemed genuinely interested in the conversation. The gold star goes to the camera man who had to make sure I looked good, Antwan & I sounded good, AND kept the doxie & her collar with all her tags from ruining a shot. Yup, Annie was all up in the camera man's arms at some points of the interview. It was pretty cute.

I want to be clear on one thing - I do not condone calling a woman a bitch in anger. I do believe that women, yes it's a woman thing, can call each other one in jest or in a congenial way. I haven't used bitch with my friends in a long time thou. When I was in my 20s, I did say beatch a lot. The first time I can recall being called a bitch, not in the good way, had to had been on the playground by a boy. The first clear time by another girl was in high school when someone I thought was a friend took an effort to stroll over and tell me in my ear. Um, thanks. I think that's when I started to try to reclaim it...that and a few other words that girls get called in high school.

The motherly advise I give is from one my partners-in-parenting, Cinnamon, who loves to tell the kid stories of disarming bullies without lifting a finger.

While I haven't heard any direct negative comments about the segment, I did hear some indirect questions about why this segment mattered, aren't there other things we should be talking about, and so forth. I address this issue over at WIMN's Voices.

The best part of the segment for me was getting the word out about Bitch magazine. Maybe a few more feminists saw the piece and thought, "Even if I don't agree with Veronica, I need to check out that magazine!" Because the magazine really embodies how we can reclaim the word and use it in a positive manner.

Thanks for all the congrats from all the friends, coworkers and family.

Is Linda Sanchez a bad role model?

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
(There are new rules & an extended deadline)
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Latino Politics Blog reports that Linda Sanchez, Congresswoman from California, is pregnant. AND SINGLE!

Linda Sanchez is not married but is engaged and planned this pregnancy. Not the ideal way to go about things, especially in a community with a teen pregnancy rate that is twice the national average and a rising out of wedlock birthrate. Sure, at 39, Rep. Sanchez’s biological clock is ticking, and her window of opportunity shrinking. But come on, in a community lacking role models on the national scene, I wouldn’t have suggested that she announce this pregnancy prior to at least having a civil wedding ceremony. There are wedding chapels all over Southern California, and we are in close proximity to Las Vegas…. why not get married now if you plan to do it anyway?
Other options would have been to have some of her eggs frozen for insemination and implantation at a later time. Not as exciting as conventional baby making, but it could have bought her some time to plan a wedding and pursue her legislative agenda once Obama takes office in January and the next session of congress kicks off.

WOW..."have some of her eggs frozen for insemination and implantation at a later time." Because we all know that it's just that easy, right chicas? Perhaps because our Latina wombs are so damn fertile we get knocked up so easy that even thawed eggs have no choice but to implant and develop into a bebe. Sheesh!

So here's my feminista take on this. IT'S HER FUCKING CHOICE!

Here's a woman who is an elected official, 39-years-old, and making her own money. I'm not one to tsk-tsk single mamahood, even for us Latinas. If we're old enough to get knocked up, we're old enough to make that choice. Yes, I don't like to see teens have babies, but I also don't like to see people marry just to make things "look right." Marriage is overrated in terms of providing cover for unplanned pregnancies. Marriage should always be about love and making a statement about that love, NOT about making children legitimate.

Linda can be a great role model by embracing motherhood, bringing the lil bebe to Congress, taking a fabulous maternity leave, and helping POTUSe Obama to pass legislation that allows every Latina, heck every WOMAN in this country has access to safe & affordable child care, health care, and every bebe gets access to health care.

I doubt that Linda's pregnancy will create a spike in teen-aged Latinas "choosing" single mamahood. Latina Lista has a nice list that one could say is the beginning to really addressing the problem with single teenage Latina mamahood:

1. TEACH realistic sex education in the schools. Recognize the fact that teens are having sex and have safe sex materials available for their use.

2. PROMOTE a "Better Future" program to parents starting in elementary school. Underscore the benefits of education and family communication. Instruct parents on what is proper television programming for children to watch and age-appropriate clothing. Create more opportunities for parents to share time with children, especially in middle school and high school.

3.INSPIRE students to see beyond today with innovative programming, field trips, guest speakers, projects, etc.

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE of the work being done by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and implement their research and ideas for teens.

*I'm also still due to review her and Loretta's memoir as sisters in Congress.

EVENT:: Oakton Community College WGS Conference - March 2009

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
(There are new rules & an extended deadline)

****************************************************************

I just got the acceptance email and am super psyched! Full details will be forthcoming...

Oakton Community College
Women’s & Gender Studies Conference – March 2009

“Chicago Feminisms: Past, Present & Future”

Roundtable Discussion: “Work & Family: The Final Feminist Frontier?”

Mothers have a long history of organizing for better schools, childcare and labor conditions.
And, we have been at the forefront of opening the doors and cracking the ceilings that have led
to women’s advancement in the workplace. But, despite the tremendous progress we have made, many of us continue to face an uphill battle when it comes to trying to earn a living and pursue a career while caring for our children and families.

The roundtable will focus on how societal shifts in recent decades have disproportionately affected mothers and explore some of the remaining obstacles to their economic security - from pay inequality and employment discrimination to a lack of supportive workplace policies like paid maternity leave and flexible scheduling. The workshop will also include an overview of local and national advocacy efforts underway to address these issues and engage participants in a dialogue in which they will be encouraged to share their own ideas for creating change.

Three Chicago-area moms will lead the conversation, drawing on their personal experiences and
stories of other activists who are taking to the Internet, the streets, and the halls of government to tackle the unfinished business of the feminist movement and, hopefully, make a difference.

Discussants will include:
Veronica Arreola, director of the Women in Science and Engineering program and assistant
director of the Center for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Illinois at
Chicago. Veronica is a long-time member of the Chicago feminist community, devoting her
time to such causes as the Chicago Abortion Fund and Women In Media & News. A veteran
blogger, she can be heard online at Work It, Mom!, Chicago Parent and Viva La Feminista (to
name a few) and is a frequent speaker on all things feminist.

Catherine Caporusso, an attorney who represents plaintiffs in employment and civil rights
cases. Catherine is the President of the Northwest Suburban chapter of the National
Organization for Women (NOW) as well as a member of the board of Women Employed, the
Illinois chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, and National NOW's Mothers
and Caregivers Rights Committee. She is a frequently invited lecturer on employment law issues, and blogs for Work It, Mom!, a website devoted to working mothers.

Rhonda Present, founder & director of ParentsWork, an Illinois parents’ organization she
started to give voice to the struggles today’s moms and dads face and bring them together to
advocate for change. Most recently, Rhonda led a successful campaign that mobilized over 300
parents in pushing for a more “family-friendly” schedule in the Evanston public schools. Her
views have been featured on The Huffington Post and MomsRising.org as well as in the Chicago
Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, and Chicago Parent magazine

Monday morning wake up

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
(There are new rules & an extended deadline)

****************************************************************

This week at Work it, Mom! I tackle the odd position the New Hampshire Senate finds itself in with respect to women being the majority.

I'm headed to North Carolina for dinner at my dad's so I hope to have posts written & scheduled for your holiday reading pleasure! I'm gonna miss the doxie during the travel, but thankfully the neighbors upstairs have a house sitter so I don't have to worry about the house.

My latest AWEARNESS posts include:

I'm super behind in emails, but I'll get to them some day!

Update on fake clinics

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
(There are new rules & an extended deadline)

**********************************************

Last week I wrote about fake clinics aka crisis pregnancy centers and how there is a good chance that with Bush's last minute regulation changes, they would get Title X money.

Well now we have something we can do about it. Feminist Majority thru their Feminist Campus program launched a petition:

Deceptive Advertising Practices and Federal Funding of Fake Clinics!

Join us in demanding an end to false and deceptive advertising practices and federal funding for fake clinics by signing the below petition!

Many so-called “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” or “pregnancy resource centers” pose as full-service health clinics and lure women in with promises of “free” pregnancy tests and “options” counseling for unintended pregnancies. Some even advertise under “abortion services” in the yellow pages. Instead, these so-called centers often use erroneous medical claims and manipulation to dissuade or delay women from obtaining an abortion or birth control. And millions of federal and state tax dollars are being used to support these fake clinics. Tell Congress we will not be silent while so-called crisis pregnancy centers ride the “gravy train” of federal funding and endanger women’s health.

So what are you waiting for? Go sign!

My blog & I are an ESTP

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
(There are new rules & an extended deadline)
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ESTP - The Doers

The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

What's your type?

Apply for the 2009 Progressive Women's Voices program

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
(There are new rules & an extended deadline)

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There will be a second year of training progressive women to transform the media landscape!

The best part of this call? The entire three class schedule is out. So clear your calendars feministas and apply today! If I can get in, you can get in...so get to it...And good luck. I personally encourage Midwesterners to apply. We need more of us represented. It's all paid for (except the drinking, unless a certain Rachel Maddow-loving staffer brings wine to dinner), so don't complain you're too poor. Of course, child care will be an issue...Alas, I have no easy answer to that one.

I never did write up my last thoughts on the training. I don't want to do that now. It wasn't a perfect training, but I hope that some of the pains of being the first year will mean the second year participants will go smoother. It really has come in handy lately.

Selection Criteria:
Progressive Women’s Voices seeks self-motivated women who are committed to serving as strong progressive voices in the media. Criteria for selection to the program include:

Demonstrated background and expertise in a particular issue area that is covered in the media
Ability (with additional training and support) to articulate progressive messages in your issue area
Identification as a progressive feminist
Ability to inspire and motivate others through communications
Time and ability to commit to a rigorous training program and ongoing media visibility
Commitment to participating in program for a year and to pitching and supporting your own media presence with our help and resources
Evidence of interest in the media and willingness to engage in new media experiences

Our application process is designed to be transparent and rigorous. We are seeking participants who represent diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, and levels of experience.

2009 PWV Class 1 Schedule:
Dec 15: Application Deadline
February 6-7: First Training in NYC
March 6-7: Second Training in NYC
April 3-4: Third Training in NYC

2009 PWV Class 2 Schedule:
March 10: Application Deadline
April 24-25: First Training in NYC
May 29-30: Second Training in NYC
June 26-27: Third Training in NYC

2009 PWV Class 3 Schedule:
June 1: Application Deadline
July 24-25: First Training in NYC (Blogher weekend!)
August 28-29: Second Training in NYC
September 25-26: Third Training in NYC

The election is not over in Illinois

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
****************************************************************

The thing with electing a Senator to the White House is that my home state is now down one Senator. So our Guv aka GRod gets to appoint someone to that position. Most people think that he HAS to appoint another African-American to the position. He actually has a lower approval rating that W. and hasn't said whether or not he's going to try for a 3rd term. So...people are expecting him to pander. It goes without saying that smart money is that he will appoint someone who is already in elected office.

That leads me to POTUSe's Chief of Staff...Rahm...my former Congressman. Since he's leaving, his seat is like that last bratwurst at a Super Bowl party...everyone thinks they deserve that seat. The fun thing is that GRod doesn't get to appoint this one, oh no, there's going to be a special election! Many names have been rumored, but only a few have actually said "Yes." What makes this even more, um, interesting for observers is that rumor has it that Rahm wants his seat back in two years AND Illinois law says that you don't need to live in the district you will represent. Yup, technically I could run for that seat even thou I live in Jan Schakowsky's district.

Thus, if GRod appoints say Jesse Jackson Jr. or Luis Gutierrez to the Senate, their seats will be open and we'll get another feeding frenzy in their district. And another rumor has Obama snatching up more Illinois elected officials (kid-Treasurer for instance) and thus could trigger many appointments and special elections (which aren't cheap mind ya!).

Whew...so this means that Obama's election to the White House could mean months of GRod butt-kissing, special elections and honestly some political turf wars for months to come. Oh and did I mention that we have aldermanic elections for Chicago in 2 years? If I get another email about exploratory committees I might scream. Then again, that's the fun of living in Chicago.

Monday wrap-up

This week's giveaway: The American Journey of Barack Obama
****************************************************************

Today's Work it, Mom! post is about the struggles of a working mom, especially in light of Michelle Obama's new role as First Lady.

My latest AWEARNESS posts include:

And lastly ex-lion tamer tagged me with the 5 interesting things meme:

I constantly crack my knuckles and I hate it. I seriously can't stop.
I can't stick to a diet to save my life...To save the kid's yes, but not my own. Why?
It seriously freaks me out that the kid looks like me...I try not to think about it, but my husband likes to remind me.
I find it interesting that there are people who have no online presence. Like what's up with that?
I sometimes think about moving back to my childhood 'hood and doing something out there.

GIVEAWAY:: The American Journey of Barack Obama

Thanks to my friends at Hachette Book, I am offering a copy of The American Journey of Barack Obama to ONE lucky reader!

I have a copy of my own and it's beautiful. There are photos we've all seen and some that we haven't, including one of Obama giving his anti-Iraq War speech in 2002. Oh, if only any of us at Federal Plaza had an inkling what was in store for him then. I guess if anyone did, they would have videotaped it!

To enter this drawing you need to:
1) Write an entry on your blog about [edited to add] anyone in the Obama family or Inauguration Day. Are you planning on heading to DC? Planning a party? It's on a school day, so are you going to let the kids stay home?
2) In your entry link back to this post. [edited to add] If you already posted something, yes, you can just edit in a link to this post to an older post.
3) Comment so I know to look for your post.

COMMENT. Just comment and leave your email address. I want to give this fabulous book away, so please enter.

Winner will be determined by your COMMENT number and Random.org.

DEADLINE is Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at midnight. EXTENDED!

Update on Larry Summers

According to Politico.com, the uproar that fellow feminists & myself made at the idea of Larry as Sect. of the Treasury has gotten him scratched off the short list.

The women’s opposition to a possible Summers’ appointment was the explanation some Democratic sources are hearing for why the Obama transition team has crossed Summers off their list. The Obama team doesn’t want to kick off its administration with a controversy nor go head-to-head with an important constituency when there are other qualified candidates, political operatives speculate.

My WMC Commentary was also picked up by the following sites:

Edited to add: I wrote about this at AWEARNESS as well, but posed the question "Did feminism score its first victory of the Obama era?" Please come over, read, and comment!

NARAL sets the online curve AGAIN

When I consult people and orgs on being an online presence, I always give props to NARAL Pro-Choice America for not just embracing online technologies, but using them the way they should be used. That's why I shouldn't had been surprised when I got the press release yesterday that NARAL is launching a new micro-site with videos:

A web site, www.MyFreeWillPower.com, will feature these videos as well as other technologybased interactive ways for new activists to get involved with NARAL Pro-Choice America’s work, whether it’s taking action on a choice-related issue, forwarding videos to friends, joining our social-networking groups, or participating in contests to promote the pro-choice message.

The revolution will be blogged or broadcast in some format people...get with it.

Fake Clinics -- Bush's farewell gift to us?

There's a great article in the current issue of Ms. about fake pregnancy clinics and how college campuses are referring students to them.

When Nina Lopez, 19, a student at Santa Monica College in California, learned that her school routinely referred students concerned about possible pregnancies to a “pregnancy resource center,” or “crisis pregnancy center” (CPC), she was concerned...

Lopez, a member of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) on her campus, decided to check out herself whether one particular center recommended by her school was actually offering a full range of choices to young women. So she went for a pregnancy test at the center, which promises “informed pregnancy and sexual health choices” in its brochure and which, according to its website, has medically trained staff and offers medical consultation.

As someone who works with college students, this is scary. I have noted that there are at least 3 of these fake clinics listed on a resource board on my campus. It's something that I've mentioned to a few people, but honestly haven't made it a priority. There have been many other larger fires to attend lately...sadly.

But what is even scarier is the update that Ms. posted:

The Bush administration is planning an 11th-hour rule change that could open a new spigot of government money to “crisis pregnancy centers”—fake, anti-choice clinics whose mission is to convince pregnant women not to have abortions (see Ms., fall 2008).

The proposed regulation, pending action by Bush’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Michael Leavitt, would give health care workers the “right to refuse” to provide women abortion referrals, unbiased counseling and even--depending on interpretation--birth control. Not only would this mean that U.S. women were no longer guaranteed full information from their health care providers, but, according to reproductive rights group SEICUS, it could also open up federal Title X funding—the bread-and-butter of comprehensive family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood—to CPCs. Currently, Title X funding is reserved for clinics that provide women full, unbiased counseling about their reproductive options.

If made available to CPCs, Title X dollars would join the millions of dollars that CPCs rake in already from federal abstinence-only and marriage-promotion pots. Competition from CPCs has already caused some full-service clinics to scale back, says Bill Smith, vice president for public policy at SEICUS.

HOLY CRAP! Title X monies to go to these fake clinics? When there are women in this country who have a hard enough time finding and getting to clinics for real reproductive health care?

Example 12,398 why if anyone thinks the election was the end of anything is sorely wrong. Bush still has time to screw this country over and over and over.

Normally I'm not one to push Mary Kay products. I still twitch when I hear their name...too much animal rights protesting in high school not to mention Berkley Breathed cartoons. BUT...I know from a very trusted source that Mary Kay did change their ways and are bunny safe. And then this just came thru on my Facebook that I had to pass along to y'all because I love the Chicago Women's Health Center:

Mary Kay rep and Chicago Women's Health Center supporter, Marsena Holsopple, has generously offered to give us 50% of her profits from now through December 31!

Now you can pamper yourself, do holiday shopping, and support CWHC at the same time--all you have to do is go to www.marykay.com/marsena and type CWHC in the memo line when you check out.

In addition to cosmetics, Mary Kay offers soaps, lotions, skin care, sunscreen, lip balms, fragrance, gift certificates, and a variety of luxurious spa products. Marsena will also provide complimentary gift wrapping and delivery of gifts to your home or office.

Another way you can help: spread the word about the promotion! Forward this great offer on to your friends and family.

Also, if you or anyone you know is interested in career opportunities with Mary Kay, Marsena will donate $5 to the health center for everyone who comes with her to a career event.

www.marykay.com

Source: www.marykay.com

Why the marriage ban is discrimination

At both my Work it Mom! post and AWEARNESS post on the marriage ban in California, I've had commenters who "aren't homophobic, but applaud the ban." Not to mention my letter to my fellow Latin@s.

Here's why the ban is discriminatory. Plain & simple marriage bestows economic & social benefits to the couple. By keeping same sex people out of these benefits, that is discrimination. Marriage itself is both an economic and a romantic partnership. In fact love entered the marriage realm way after marriage was just an economic partnership.

Marriage is also a contract with the government and one with your deity. Most of the reactions I have heard and read about same sex marriage involve ones deity. So I propose that you take your god and leave...leave behind the economic benefits that the government gives you. If your marriage in the eyes of your god is so fragile that you can't stand the thought of two women in love, then leave the economic benefits behind.

It was just in the 1960s that we were allowed to marry someone from another race. The 1960s people! How can anyone argue for that today? And in another generation, people will wonder the same about same sex marriage bans.

I have hope for change, but only after a few more years of the youth of this country pushing us old people to wake up and smell it.

Monday morning wake up

I had been using Work it, Mom! Monday to alert you to my weekly column there as well as anything else. Well it's becoming AND anything else, so we need a new name. I'm thinking Monday morning wake-up. If you have a better idea let me know!

So here's your reading list for today:

* At Work it, Mom! I give a quick run down on how women fared in the election as well as my two cents on Sarah Palin. Dang, what am I going to write about without her?
* My latest posts at AWEARNESS:

* And if you missed it, I had a commentary on Larry Summers published on the Women's Media Center site. I'll expand on it at Girl w/Pen on Wednesday, so keep an eye out!

Today's another day off of Chicago public school kids, so I'm at home with the kid and Boy BFF. they are entertaining themselves pretty well while the doxie sniffs around them. I'm hoping to get them out & about in the afternoon. It's too cold for the park or zoo, so some inside play will be in order.

Wednesday is our first parent-teacher conference. Veteran moms, leave some words of advise please!

Only the election is over

the work is far from done.

Larry Summers Is Not the Change I Was Expecting

Here's my first commentary published on the Women's Media Center's website:

As President-elect Obama moves quickly to assemble his team, women leaders monitoring his choices have put up a red alert about a reported short-list choice as secretary of the Treasury. Veronica Arreola, an educator and advocate for women in the sciences, explains why.
Click here to read the full article:

WMC Reprint & Credit Requirements: The Women's Media Center grants permission to reprint free-of-charge with the understanding that media outlets credit the author of the piece and the Women's Media Center, as in: "by [author's name] for The Women's Media Center (www.womensmediacenter.com)." If the format allows it, please note at the end: "The WMC is a non-profit organization founded by Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, and Robin Morgan, dedicated to making women visible and powerful in the media."

Obama Fuck Yeah!

H/T Tiffany Brown
Art by Canadian illustrator Marc Johns

EVENT:: The Day After - A Feminist Town Forum

Thanks for joining in! To ask questions, please use the MOGLUS thread.

Overwhelmed by joy & the work ahead of us

That's what my Facebook status was last night and I still think it is true. The hubby keeps telling me to perk up. Obama's win was a validation of the goodness of people. Same for me, but I know that we have a lot of work still to do (not that he doesn't know that) and I'm focused on that.

I just posted my reaction to last night and work we have before us at Work it, Mom! It comes down to fighting for equality and last night showed us that if we have taken a huge step forward in terms of race in this country, we took a huge step backwards for LGBT rights. And that is so very sad for me, for us.

It's even more sad when I read on Pam's blog that the final vote for Prop 8 and who voted for it is looking like "70% of blacks, (with black women at 74%) voted for the amendment. That's about 20 points higher than any other racial group." I expect the break out for Latinos will be similar. That's a lot of work to do.

So let's get to it people...Join me tonight at 6 PM Chicago time to discuss what comes next.

Tell your story at CFW's Roe event

Tell your story (PDF) and help celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v Wade decision. On Jan. 21, 2009, Chicago Foundation for Women and the “Our Voices, Our Choices” coalition are hosting an event to hear the personal stories of women who encountered barriers trying to access abortion information and services—told by the women themselves and by those who have shared the stories. A moderated discussion involving the audience will follow the monologues. The evening event (time to be announced) will be at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. To share your story and possibly be included in the event, respond to the coalition’s Call for Submissions by Fri., Nov. 14. Download the Call for Submissions (PDF) and please distribute it widely.

Work it, Mom! Monday says vote

That's my post for today...plain & simple, vote.

And after you have voted don't forget to join me here for the feminist town forum! Do you know of any others happening? Let me know!

Last week's AWEARNESS posts included:

Vote

I received this from a listserv and thought I'd share.

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