Women's Collaborative Circle

Loose Garments: Fighting for the Genuine Voice of Women

2012-01-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

With our blog Loose Garments we aspire to promote genuine women’s voices worldwide. We want to celebrate the fact that all women are unique, and allow this diversity to be more public. Some women love boxing or fashion, while others adore cooking or math. There is nothing wrong with this variety and, in fact, it is awesome! We want to celebrate the many complex layers that make up femininity, and rejoice the vast diversity of women.

We also want to empower women worldwide to help others in need. We feel that bringing awareness to women’s rights issues creates a sense of community, and ultimately contributes to progress: women can feel supported by a global network.

We are tired of the promotion of unrealistic and stereotyped portrayals of women, as it promotes mistreatment and violence against us. Gender is a complex and continuous variable, which has been forced into two simplistic dichotomies. Think about how ridiculous that actually is! Not only does the polarization of gender restrict women, it restricts men and members of the LGBT community as well. There are around 3.4 billion women on this earth, and it is unrealistic to expect that across the many personality traits we can all be perfectly divided into 2 basic groups: Man or woman, aggressive or submissive, and gentle or powerful. The reality is that we all vary in our personality traits and preferences. Estrogen isn’t strong enough to change every aspect of our personality.

Social psychology and neuroscience findings actually indicate that most gendered behaviors are learned through positive and negative reinforcement (“what a big, strong boy” and “what a sweet, pretty girl!”) and the Smithsonian recently called biological gender differences one of the biggest myths of the brain. Yet, the majority of women are not being fairly represented in government, in the media, in film or in magazines. We hope that the world can become more honest about the fact that women are complex and equal in worth, and we hope to amplify their many diverse voices.

Thank you to the fabulous feminist bloggers at Loose Garments for sharing your amazing blog with the WCC community! Go check 'em out!

Miss Representation - What Are We Going to Do About It?!

2012-01-16T21:28:00.000-05:00

Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2012

2012-01-10T19:48:00.000-05:00

January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Are you aware of this?

What is human trafficking anyway?

Well, in short human trafficking is slavery. Yes, modern day slavery. More specifically human trafficking is the buying and selling of human beings across national and international borders for the use of labor and sexual servitude. You may be thinking, "how can this be?" Well, it is estimated that there are over 30 million slaves in this world - more than in any other point in human history.

There are numerous organizations, campaigns, films and advocates such as The Polaris Project, Soroptimist, Not for Sale II, NightLight, GEMS, and The Project to End Human Trafficking. As well as resources such as 10 human trafficking videos in 2008 and 2009 and 10 essential human trafficking reads and action to take right now!

Volunteers Needed - Drop-In Program for Women in North Philly!

2012-01-09T19:52:00.000-05:00

A year ago, the CommunityCenter at Visitation (CCV) established a Drop-In Program for women activelyengaged in prostitution in the Kensington Neighborhood of Philadelphia. The Drop-InProgram provides an opportunity to reach out to, connect, and build relationshipswith women in this vulnerable situation of prostitution, poverty, and, usually,homelessness in order to invite each woman to look toward a next positive. Theprogram is a front-line service, enabling women to address immediate needswhile offering them connections to other services. The Drop-In is open Thursdayand Friday evenings from 9:30pm-12:00am. As its second year begins, the centeris committed to strengthening and expanding the program, particularly in addingStreet Outreach on Thursday and Friday evenings around 6:00pm.

The Drop-In Program is foremost a venue where women,who are typically socially isolated, are welcomed into a judgment freecommunity. From the Program, women have been placed in hospitals, shelters, andwith families or friends. Women are able to receive a healthy meal and a warmgreeting two nights per week. Women currently prostituting are on the peripheryof society and work in a neighborhood that is, itself, an outcast from the restof Philadelphia. In the sharing of food and stories in the center’s kitchen womenknow they belong and are heard, this societal belonging will bear an impact onwomen who are everyday isolated and used. The impact of the Drop-In is also onthose who choose to serve. It is an opportunity, as one volunteer shared, to“be present with another in her humanity.”

The Drop-In Program isstaffed primarily by committed volunteers and Social Work Interns and its basicsupplies (a meal, hygiene products, and coats) are donated by other volunteersand center partners. We would like to invite you and your organization to takepart in this developing and essential ministry. We provide training andpolicies meant to increase the safety of the women and the Program’s Volunteers.Please consider committing yourself to one night per month for either the Drop-Inor Street Outreach and know that I am happy to meet with you to answer anyquestions. We look forward to working with you in this important endeavor.

Please contact me with anyquestions: kowens@visitationbvm.comor 215-426-9422 ext. 34203.

Blessings,

Sr. Karen Owens SSJ

Director

Community Center atVisitation

Speaking Their Voices - Women and Girls of Beit Shemesh

2012-01-08T20:53:00.000-05:00

Beit Shemesh is a neighborhood of approximately 80,000 in Jerusalem, Israel. It is home to an ultra-Orthodox sect of Jewish people, along with many other residents. With an increase of immigrants, especially of American expatriates, there are rising tensions between the ultra Orthodox and other Orthodox residents. Most recently, an uproar began over the establishment of a new national religious school for girls, Orot Banot. Upon the opening of Orot Banot, there were violent protests from the most ultra-Orthodox men who feel the students don't abide by the special extra stringent rules of dress and lifestyle espoused by the ultra-Orthodox community. Many of these girls, as young as 7 years old, have been harassed, cursed at, spat on, and have had rocks thrown at them all in the name of what? God, real estate, "self-preservation"? This is mind boggling! Check out the video below.

Despite (and perhaps because of) these horrific offenses, women and girls in Beit Shemesh are speaking out! Their voices will not be extinguished. Anti-extremist rallies have also been held and hopefully will continue - if nothing else then to protect the right of our girls to live in a safe, violence-free world.

Robin Lim Wins CNN Hero of the Year -A Win for Human Rights

2011-12-12T22:30:00.000-05:00

Motherhood, should never be a death sentence and birthing in a clean, safe and healthy environment is a human right. That is why Robin Lim, a mother of eight who was born and raised in the Philippines, then moved to the United States became a midwife when she experienced the tragic death of both her sister and her newborn baby due to birth complications. Robin Lim or "Mother Robin" as she is so fondly called by communities of women, mothers and their families in Bali who she champions for on a daily basis.

Mother Robin, is the founder of Bumi Sehat Foundation International, a non-profit organization that provides maternal/fetal health care to pregnant women and their children throughout impoverished and underserved communities in Indonesia. Women's access to health care, including sex education, accessibility to contraception, menstrual products, and education is an ever increasing human rights violation. This is why individuals, groups, communities and organizations globally are celebrating the efforts of Mother Robin.

La Puerta Abierta - The Open Door: Support Their Campaign!

2011-12-02T19:57:00.000-05:00

Dear friends,

Please check out the link below to learn about our most recent effort to raise much-needed funds for ICFamWell's local initiative- La Puerta Abierta/The Open Door. Time is running out-- please consider your support!

We have been training local, bilingual practitioners to provide pro-bono individual and family counseling services for the Latino immigrant community of the Delaware Valley, particularly those facing language, legal and economic barriers to service. Most recently, we launched a Youth Mentorship Initiative that provides therapeutic support to younger, undocumented youth who do not have access to services elsewhere, because of their status. All training and services are free, as we are an entirely volunteer-driven organization.

For more information visit our Indiegogo campaign page HERE!

Please consider your support- in any amount. All donations are appreciated and bring us closer to our goal!. Even if you can't make a financial contribution, please spread the word to your friends and family. If you have a facebook account, please post and "like" us on facebook,and/or post a comment on our Indiegogo site. It all counts!!

Thank you so much for your consideration.

La Puerta Abierta

World AIDS Day 2011 - Getting To Zero

2011-12-01T17:06:00.001-05:00

Today, December 1st is World AIDS Day. Every year since 1995 when the President of the United States declared 12/1 World AIDS Day, each year has had a different theme focusing on fighting this pandemic.

This year is "getting to zero." Currently, there are 2.7 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS and over half of them are women. In our local and global communities education, prevention and action is key!

If you don't know your status, you should! There is no excuse. It is fast, easy and free. HIV testing information HERE.

If you need further information about HIV/AIDS please contact us at the WCC! We have years of experience in the field of HIV/AIDS and no question is a stupid, embarrassing or shameful one.
Contact us at hello@womenscollaborativecircle.org.

Great New Website and Resource - Bedsider!

2011-11-26T21:33:00.000-05:00

A new health campaignstarted by the Ad Council is aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies andhelping and empowering women find a method of birth control that is right forthem. Bedsider.org is a new website aimed to educate and empower women about their choices in birth control. The U.S. has one of the highest ratesof unplanned pregnancy in the entire developed world. Nearly one in tenunmarried young women (ages 20-29) has an unplanned pregnancy each year. Thismeans fewer opportunities to complete their education or achieve other lifegoals, and increased health and social risks for mother and child. Know your choices, ask questions and keep yourself safe while having fun!

Life's Defining Moments: The Moment I Knew

2011-11-16T20:24:00.000-05:00

Thank you for this opportunity to sharemy excitement with you and your readers.

We all have them. We're in the midst ofsome minor or major quandary and suddenly or not so suddenly, after muchtoiling and heartache, the clouds part and the view becomes clear. Deeperunderstanding breaks through the chaos and confusion and sheds the light weneed to propel us forward The Moment I Knew: Reflections from Women on Life's Defining Moments by Terri Spahr, Editor is a collection of thirty real-life stories or poems of just such events.

It has been a thrill for me to have mystory included in this candid, inspiring anthology. "This One's OnMe" chronicles my friendship with a sweet girl friend that ends inheartbreak. But then a surprising epiphany assures me that all is okay.

From concept to publication and beyond,Terri Spahr-Nelson and her Reflections From Women crew have labored tirelessly,keeping each author in the loop with regular emails andpublicity opportunities. Further, proceeds from the sale of TheMoment I Knew are donated to charities that empower women. To order acopy of the book and learn more about the Reflections From Women organizationand to learn how you can submit a story for future anthologies, please click onthe link.

WCC guest post contributor Grace Peterson is a married mother of four grown children. Sheis an avid gardener and writes a garden column as well as a garden blog. She ispursuing publication of a memoir and also authors a writing blog. Her essaytitled, "This One's On Me" is included in the women's anthology The Moment I Knew. She lives inwestern Oregon. Her blog is, www.gracepete.com.

Research Participants Needed - African American Girls and Physical Agression Study

2011-11-14T19:55:00.003-05:00

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

As many of you know, I am a doctoral candidatein the School of Social Work Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Mydissertation topic is “African American Girls and Physical Aggression: Aresilience study on how adult African American women overcame physicallyaggressive behavior post adolescence”. My study hopes to identify and interviewapproximately 12 college educated women who used physical aggression (fighting)to resolve conflict as an adolescent. For this study, I would like to interviewAfrican American women ages 22-32.

I choose this topic because African Americangirls who use physically aggressive behaviors to resolve conflict are perceivedto be a menace to society with a bleak future. However, in my experience, thephysically aggressive behaviors are a phase, much like other adolescentbehaviors in which the African American girl eventually outgrows. Some girls go on to graduate from college andoften become positive contributors to society. My goal is to conduct a studythat will demonstrate the resilience of these girls despite the negativemessages that many of them receive as an adolescent.

I am in need of your help. I am soliciting yourassistance in identifying participants willing to participate in the study. Thestudy is voluntary and there are no negative consequences for decliningparticipation in the study. For thosewho agree to participate they will receive a $25 gift card.

Again, it is important to state thatparticipation is voluntary and participants can withdraw at any point withoutconsequences. To participate in the study, participants must be willing tocomplete a short informational questionnaire and sit down for an audio taped oneon one interview. Both components combined should not exceed 2 hours.

If you have any additional questions orconcerns, please do not hesitate to email or call me.

Sincerely,

KietraWinn

Cell:(302) 494-9019

Email:kietrawinn@verizon.net

Professor X and the Half Breed - Half Breed Haven

2011-11-09T14:51:00.000-05:00

Magneto holds his hand up and with all his might, attemptingto bend the metallic water tower he sees in the distance. As he furrows hisbrow, he thinks about the sadness and anger that fuels him, about how differenthe is from the rest of the world.

Professor X can see the future, his telepathic powershelping to save lives and cities. Like Magneto, he feels out of place, butthere is this powerful emotion that rings inside his head, telling him Belong!Belong!

Last weekend after meeting these two X Men for the firsttime (yes, I know I am many decades late…) I had to ask:

What does the half breed do with his or her pain?

The X-Men, of Marvel Comic fame, present two courses ofaction for all of us half breeds.

Conform (to society, blend in and hide our superpowers) orSeparate (and celebrate our difference even if it means a life of eternalisolation)?

In the few months since I began my blog, Half Breed Haven, Ihave pondered this question trying to understand both what a half breed is, (Isit someone who is of mixed race or religion? Is it anyone who feels out ofplace? ) and what influences a half breed’s decision-making process around thequestion posed by the X Men- Conform or Separate?

At times I am Magneto, angrily crushing the skulls of thosewho don’t except me and then there are moments when I am Professor X, eager tobe considered an honored member of the place where I am.

I caught myself acting like Magneto this week when Icouldn’t pronounce a word with the right Hebrew accent and I said to my staff,“You know what I mean, I can’t say it in your accent” separatingmyself from everyone in the room. The looked at me quizzically, perhaps notunderstanding why I was isolating myself from them.

Happily there are also times when I feel like I reallybelong, like that email I got from my boss a few days ago telling me howeloquent I am in Hebrew and how I can’t use the “new immigrant” ticket anymoreto differentiate myself from the people around me.

Unlike Magneto and Professor X, more often than not, myreactions to feeling out of place are unconscious and reactive. My out ofplace-ness does not dictate everything I do, but it is always there, hoveringabove my soul like a humming bird, flitting around in and out of sight,reminding me that I am loved when I feel like a wall flower and kicking me inthe butt when I am feeling powerful, part of the group. I am a half and halfbreed- I have the fury of the outcast Magneto and the determination to belongof Professor X.

I guess we are all half and half -breed- We are at once likeMagneto and Professor X, toying with these alternate states of belonging and loneliness,forever searching for a place that makes us feel normal, whatever that is…

WCC guest post contributor TamarZaken is a social worker, informal educator and writer who lives in Jerusalem.She is the Director of Volunteer Service Learning at Memizrach Shemesh- theCenter for Jewish Social Activism in Israel. She started halfbreedhaven.com, a blog about mixed ethnic/racialidentity, in order to explore her Kurdish/Hungarian/Jewish/American/Israeliidentities, and to create a place for other halfbreeds (however they may definethemselves...) to discuss, deliberate, enjoy and celebrate their halfbreedheritage.

Feminist Social Work Practice - Continuing Education Class

2011-10-26T22:00:00.001-04:00

Hello, WCC Community! I wanted to share with you an upcoming opportunity for professional development!

I (Carly) am offering at Bryn Mawr College - The Center for Professional Development a continuing education class for professional social workers, professionals counselors and marriage and family therapists - Feminist Social Work Practice.

Feminist Social Work Practice

December 9, 2011

9am-12pm

3 CEUs - $65

Course Description:

There is little current writingor opportunity for discussion about the impact of contemporary feminist theoryon 21^st century social work practice and scholarship. This workshop is designed to offer social workers an opportunity to gain anawareness and understanding of feminist theory in the context of social workpractice. Participants of this workshop will 1) gain a basic awarenessand understanding of feminist theory in the context of social work practice; 2)discuss how gender-conscious services and programming can support socialworkers’ professional growth and work with clients; and 3) evaluate theircurrent professional needs for expanding the work with clients from agender-conscious perspective. Central to this seminar is addressing theneeds of women of various racial, ethnic, cultural, class, sexual, and nationalbackgrounds. Participants are encouraged to present case examples that wouldbenefit from exploration from a gender-conscious perspective, while maintainingthe confidentiality of their client. Handouts and educational materialswill be provided. This workshop is appropriate for all levels of post master’sdegreed practitioners who work in direct practice.

CarlyGoldberg, MSW, LCSW, isfounder and director of the Women’s Collaborative Circle, Bryn Mawr, PA, and isa doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of SocialPolicy and Practice specializing in feminist theory and social work practice.

For more information and to register please visit Bryn Mawr College Center for Professional Development website.

Anita Hill - 20 Years Later

2011-10-10T22:04:00.000-04:00

The following video is an excerpt from the 1991 United States Senate confirmation hearing of Clarence Thomas from the documentary Sex and Justice. 20 years later, Anita Hill is still speaking out about women's rights locally and globally through her legal, academic and professional pursuits.

Join Anita Hill, Kimberle Crenshaw, Gloria Steinem, Patricia Williams, Catherine Mackinnon and many others for a conference not to be missed! For more information, check out Sex, Power and Speaking Truth: Anita Hill 20 Years Later.

MAC Cosmetics + WCC = Fantastic Event!

2011-10-05T01:27:00.000-04:00

Dear Beautiful and Unique You,

There is no doubt in my mind thatbeauty truly comes from deep within. Ofcourse, a little lipstick or a fabulous new eye shadow can never hurt!

To support your great new look fromMAC this evening, the following questions are offered as a tool to help you getto know one another and more importantly, yourself.

With Much Admiration,

Carly Goldberg, MSW, LCSW

Founder and Executive Director

Beautiful You

What does beauty mean to you?

Who are the people in your lifethat you consider beautiful?

Where do you see beauty in theworld?

When did you first learn you werebeautiful?

When did you first accept youwere beautiful?

What makes you unique, distinctand beautifully you?

How do you nourish and care for yourself?

Who in your life can you turn toand rely on to help you reflect on the unique and beautiful person that youare, especially on days when you can not see it for yourself (and we all havethem!)

Voices from the WCC/MAC event:

Thanks for a fun event lastnight…The best thing about the event was the camaraderie with the other women.It was like we were all cheering each other on. Everyone was very complimentaryto everyone else, even if we had just met that night. – Cara

Thanks so much for including uslast night! It was such a fun evening with so many wonderful ladies! - Kate

I had a great time at the MACevent. It was a great night for trying something new and over the past fewmonths I have been pro "try something new." It was great to be aroundother beautiful women and to have candid conversation about beauty as well ashonest and frank conversation about when we first knew ourselves to bebeautiful. So thank you for organizing afabulous event that simply allowed us to re own ourselves through our words,our diversity, our laughter, and of course makeup! Thanks again! – Ahyana

Hey! I went to MAC today andsaw one of the makeup artist from last week. She said we were an easy goinggroup and we inspired her so much! – Bridgette

Hey Carly, thanks for havingthe event tonight. My wife was really happy to get out and I think she reallyenjoyed it. She was really in a different world on the car ride home. – Husbandof a Participant! ;)

Occupy Wall Street With Your Voice!

2011-10-04T14:16:00.000-04:00

Mic check? Mic check! On the Women's Collaborative Circle Facebook page I recently posted resources for people to learn about the uprisings on Wall Street in New York City and spreading to other cities nationwide.

To learn more check out Occupy Wall Street and We are the 99% and make your voice heard!

Michelle Bachmann on Our Girls' Healthcare - Take a Stand!

2011-09-18T22:50:00.000-04:00

Art Caplan and DSW students at the School of Social Policy and Practice

I am privileged have been in class yesterday with famed bioethicist Arthur Caplan. His jovial nature by no means masks or underplays his steadfast commitment to medical ethics. Case in point, Caplan this week took on a candidate for the GOP nomination for president, Michelle Bachmann. She very irresponsibly and ignorantly misspoke about the side effects of the HPV vaccine Gardasil. Bachmann stated as reported on the Iowa Caucuses website that "she met a woman whose daughter suffered mental retardation as a result of the vaccine... [t]here are very dangerous consequences."

Beyond the absolute absurdity of her statements which hold no medical or scientific accuracy, she is doing great harm to girls and young women nationally! Bachmann, through fear, is potentially taking away a powerful tool that could be of great benefit to girls. Take a look at this video!

How can we help in this situation? We need more individuals, groups and community organizations to not let politicians, people of power and women to use reckless political tactics! Here are the facts:

1. There have been no reported major side effects such as "mental retardation" or death from the HPV vaccine.
2. You can not acquire mental retardation as a side effect!
3. 40 years ago cervical cancer used to be the leading cause of cancer related death among women.
4. Today protective measures such as the Pap test (or Pap smear) which screens for cervical cancer greatly reduces the risk of death.
5. Get tested annually!
6. HPV - the human papilloma virus - is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) where certain strands of the virus cause cancer.
7. Though abstinence is one way to protect yourself from a STD like HPV, it may (unfortunately) not always be in your control or ways in which you chose to engage in sexual relations change. Protect yourself.
8. Education is key to prevention! Know the facts and share them!
9. Speak out against misinformation and abuse of power such as Bachmann's or any other so called "figure of authority."
10. Share this post and others like it widely on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites!

That’s MY Baby

2011-09-13T21:11:00.000-04:00

The joy of becoming a new mother is a completely amazing andmiraculous feeling. Your body goesthrough metamorphosis and your emotions go along for the ride. You are on an extreme high one day and a miserablelow the other. The upbeat “workprofessional” image I had constructed went straight out the door; as I wassuddenly overcome with urge to say exactly what I was feeling at any givenmoment. Conversely, I had anuncontrollable need to let the tears pour out at random commercials and sappylove songs.

At the end of the nine-month process, you have co-created a newlife and it’s a glorious process. Overthe next few months, you bond with your baby and relish at all her milestones. The thought of leaving your child for even amoment seems unimaginable…. Nevertheless, you know that that time will come, soyou enjoy every second with your child.

It was important for my partner and I for one of us to stayhome with our daughter for the first year and that person was me, due to mytotally crap job and poor employment choices. Then I became an awesome “full-time” mom, but the cost of living on oneincome in one of the most over-priced cities in the US was starting to take atoll on us and our finances.

No sweat, I’ll just go back to work… during the worst economyor country has known in over a generation. Great!

Miraculously I wasable to secure a job working for a great organization within walking distancefrom our home. Then the daunting taskof finding care for my child became a 24/7 research project. I interviewed nannies, visited countlessdaycares and in a moment of insanity, considered moving my mom to the state toprovide fulltime care.

In the end, I found a wonderful daycare close to home. Giventhat my daughter has spent nearly 100% of her time with one or both of herparents, I thought she would have some sort of mental fit; and I would bearound to come a retrieve her for the care provider. I decided to enroll my daughter a week earlyas a mutual trial for all parties.

I drop her off on a cloudy Monday morning, and thought Iwould go home and read and do some cleaning. In my mind, I was waiting for the call to console my baby who missed mesenselessly. I waited – no call.

When we went to pick her up on her first day, she waslaughing and playing with the others babies. I thought to myself, “good – she enjoys being here.” As the week progressed, my daughter was becomingadjusted quite easily, me on the other hand, I was going through some sort of psychologicallybreakdown (yet again). My daughter ismoving on and what does that mean for me?

On the lastday of her first week, I dropped her off and she smiled at her care providerand rested her head on her shoulder. Myheart broke, I mean she rarely does that for me and now this woman has reachedthat level in less than a week.

Then therealization of motherhood kicked me in the butt. I realized that she is my daughter andtherefore, we will always have a special bond, but she will also make newrelationships throughout the course of her life. The relationship with her care provider isjust the first of many new relationships. I am happy that she is a loving, open child.

Now that sheis happy and secure, I will focus on my new work and the ever-evolving natureof motherhood.

AboutCC our guest blog contributor. Formercommunity organizer, worked for SEIU, CHANGE (Industrial Areas Foundation),Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. She is an active blogger, writing about personal stories and reflectionson various topics relating to race, class and gender issues atwww.causereaction.blogspot.com.

A Tribute to 9/11/01 - My Social Work Perspective

2011-09-06T20:04:00.000-04:00

I was 23 years old the morning I got onthe 1/9 subway line from 235^th street station down to ChristopherStreet and 7^th Avenue. I was basking in the calm and quiet that isthe West Village in early morning beginning anew and recovering from the rhythmsof the previous night. Small Ecuadorian men were washing and sweeping thesidewalks clean, keeping up appearances outside hot spots such as BabboRistorante and charming four-story brownstone residences where wealth residesand poverty sleeps overnight on its stoop. The contrast is striking; it always is in major urban playgrounds. Thelines of vulnerability are not often blurred and everyone knows their place. 5^thavenue and Washington Square north was no exception; until that morning. Thatmorning, everyone was vulnerable.

September 11, 2001 was my first day of classes as a transfer student atNew York University’s then Ehrenkranz School of Social Work (NYU). Walking to class that morning I was notconsciously thinking how entering the academic and professional world of socialwork would change my life or how the sense of a plane “flying low” would changethousands of people’s lives. Momentslater on the corner of Washington Square North and University place wordinstantaneously spread that a plane was indeed flying low and hit a building–the world trade center.

In disbelief, a group of us rushed to 5^th avenue andWashington Square North and at the crossroads of extreme wealth, sickeningpoverty, starving artists, underserved domestic workers caring for others’children, inquiring academics, and international passersby – in that moment,the portrait so often photographed through the outline of the arches with itsiconoclastic shapes and romantic visions were awash. Beyond the historical WashingtonSquare Arch I stared in disbelief at an unthinkable an unimaginable sight. Asight so unimaginable my brain could not comprehend the unfolding atrocity thatwould forever make its mark on our individual and collective histories. Amidthe confusion, noise, chaos and unfolding reality that the United States wasunder attack by terrorists, I clearly heard our school’s faculty members mutterto one another, “this is going to change our profession forever.” Those words felt profound, daring andprophetic, but at that time I couldn’t imagine how.

I have held onto those seemingly prophetic words for nearly a decade,though throughout my academic and clinical career I have only seen glimpses ofhow I expected those words to manifest. In obvious and direct ways the NYU social work faculty as well asneighboring schools and community social workers participated in providedcrisis counseling, assisting with victim services and relief efforts of varioussorts. There was no shortage ofvolunteerism, and I was aware of our faculty and the social work community atlarge working tirelessly on behalf of the victims, survivors, City of New Yorkand our country. The obvious applicationsof social work was apparent in providing trauma based therapeuticinterventions, concrete social services such as navigating survivor funds inyears to come and assistance with benefits, shelter, clothing, food, etc., andshortly in subsequent years research and literature supporting our knowledgebase of trauma work. However, I had asense that this attack, this literal crash would shift perspectives andconsciousness as to the environment and global world that we are now living andworking in as social workers.

The Right Way? Musings from a Summer Internship

2011-09-06T11:07:00.000-04:00

For most people,the first word that comes to mind upon hearing the words Planned Parenthood(PP) is abortion. Because of thesensitivity associated with abortion, people seem to solely focus on that issueand disregard all of the work Planned Parenthood does. Before this summer, I knew it performedabortions, but I honestly did not know what else it did. During my summer volunteer position at PP, Ilearned of the vital medical services it offers to women. I did not understand why people wanted to getrid of such an organization. It allseemed to be because of one word: abortion.

On one of myscheduled work days, a day when abortions are performed, there are anti-choice protesters that gatheroutside of the building holding signs. Ialso stumbled upon this one website iamemilyx .blogspot .com which is a collection of stories written by activists and staff ofPlanned Parenthood from all over the country and focus on the anti-choiceprotesters and their encounters with them. Some PP locations have to have escorts walk with women who want anabortion to protect them from heckling and harassment of the anti-choiceprotesters. I read about how one groupof anti-choice protesters rented the building next to a PP location andadvertised “Free Pregnancy Tests.” Inreality, this was to lure women in and pressure them into not getting anabortion. I just did not realize how farthese protesters would go to prevent women from having an abortion. I understand that people have theirmorals. They have every right to do so,but what a woman wants to do with her body is her choice.

The negativeopinions surrounding PP just kept appearing to me and overwhelmed me. One thing I had to do for PP is phonebank. Because I assumed that thesepeople were not against PP, I did not expect any negative responses, but I wasso wrong. I gave my usual response of“OK. Thank you. Have a nice day,” but some people’s hostile reactions got tome. Here I was making a harmless andpolite phone call and in response I got to hear how you “abhor” what “mypeople” do. As if I am some kind ofalien or different kind of human being just because I think a woman has theright to choose what to do with her body. Just because we had differing opinions concerning what PP does andrepresents does not give them a reason to be rude. Even though I had only listened to two nastyresponses, I was still really affected by them. That along with everything else made me think, “If there are so manynegative and hostile reactions, there mustbe something wrong with what I’m doing.” I know that is immature and childish thinking, but for some reason, thatthought just filled my mind. Then, ofcourse, my line of thinking went to, “Am I doing something wrong then?” At that point, I just broke.

With the help oftalking to my mom, I realized that I was absolutely not doing anythingwrong. My work with Planned Parenthoodreflected a personal opinion of mine, and not everyone agreed with thatopinion, which is absolutely fine. Imean, not everyone is going to agree with me that mixing hot chocolate andcoffee is absolutely amazing. Or thatSia is an amazing songwriter/singer. It’s a fact that there is always going to be someone who disagrees withyou on something. I realized this and Ilearned to accept that even though I don’t agree with anti-choice protestersand the methods in which they express that, they have the right to do so. But the work that I did with PP this summeris helping millions of women everywhere, and I absolutely proud of that.

Ariana is a guest post contributor to the WCC blog with her ongoing column, The Right Way? Ariana is currently a senior at Bryn Mawr College where she is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Her intention for the column is to share her experiences during the last two years in her college bubble before she enters the big and scary real world. She hopes you enjoy her posts because she certainly enjoys writing them.

"I'm Too Pretty To Do Homework" JC Penney T-Shirt

2011-08-31T12:57:00.000-04:00

JC Penney Ad

For those of you who may have missed this ad (to the right), this is how one major outfitter, JC Penney is styling our girls for back to school!

As you can see this discounted shirt reads, "I'm too pretty to do homework so my brother has to do it for me." What?!?

The shirt is then marketed with the following copy, "who has time for homework when there's a new Justin Bieber album out? She'll love this tee that's just as cute and sassy as she is."

Are you kidding me?! Of course, when I first saw the link to this ad by a friend of mine on Facebook I thought this was a joke. Alas, it was not!

First thing this morning I called JC Penney to do some investigative social activism (that means call to question them until their heads explode) but Diane, the woman I spoke with (who was only a supervisor at the call center in Pittsburg), really didn't have much to say in the way of my specific questions. What she did share with me was that her daughter recently graduated as valedictorian from her high school (sans brother to help her) and she found this shirt offensive too.

What I did learn was that Diane was unaware of who the buyer for such products are and wasn't sure how I could find out. However, what she did note was that much of the clothing comes from overseas (read: sweatshops in China) or the screen print itself (such as the words and images on this shirt) and are then sent to the U.S. for printing. So, two things then came to mind - 1) is this how the global market perceives our American girls? And 2) is there anyway for big corporate giants to be socially responsible? Well, I can't answer the first one without a long and speculative dissertation, but I am glad to report that JC Penney did in fact remove this item from their website. As TODAYMoms reported this morning:
UPDATE: Well, that was quick. JC Penney is apologizing and pulling the shirt from shelves. The retailer issued this statement:
"jcpenney is committed to being America's destination for great style and great value for the whole family. We agree that the “Too pretty” t-shirt does not deliver an appropriate message, and we have immediately discontinued its sale. Our merchandise is intended to appeal to a broad customer base, not to offend them. We would like to apologize to our customers and are taking action to ensure that we continue to uphold the integrity of our merchandise that they have come to expect."
Here are some other links to women's organizations, social media outlets and bloggers who too were outraged: The Consumerist, Care2, Jezebel, and The Village Voice. Good work everyone!

A WCC Event - Sponsored by MAC Cosmetics and Nordstrom!

2011-08-29T22:17:00.001-04:00

WHO: M.A.C Cosmetics and the Women's Collaborative Circle.

WHAT: A FREE 2 hour workshop! Come out to relax, have fun, play and receive a free makeover! Learn and share how to bring out your inner and outer confidence, power, beauty and sassiness.

WHEN: Thursday, September 22, 2011. Arrive at 6:00pm for socializing, food and raffle prizes courtesy of Nordstrom!

Workshop will be from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

WHERE: Nordstrom at the King of Prussia Mall - 190 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA19406.

WHY: Because we love you!

*** Please RSVP to carly@womenscollaborativecircle.org by September 19th.

Space is limited to 15 women, so act fast! ***

... AND BECAUSE MY MOTHER LOVED NOTHING MORE THAN TO TALK TO WOMEN AND PUT LIPSTICK ON THEM!

My mother's vanity. Photo by Yael Glick.

My mother, Jane, died a year ago this past August. With the many wonderful memories, great sadness and life lessons she left with me, she also left her deluge of empty M.A.C cosmetic containers.

She used to tell me that she came out of her mother's womb wearing a full face of makeup! I never doubted this. One part artistic expression, one part profession, but mostly a way to "show face" even in the midst of grave illness, my mother loved her makeup. Rarely would a day would go by that I did not see her artistically and with verve put on her makeup and get dressed to perfection. Rarely would a day go by when I would see her and she wouldn't comment, "Don't you want to just put on a little more lipstick?" The answer for me was almost always a resounding, NO! While I did and do wear makeup, it is not at all in the same spirit as my mother.

My mother reaped much joy from spending hours at the M.A.C counter at Nordstrom, often buying something that I deemed she didn't need. What she needed more, however, was what went with the purchase: striking up a conversation with another customer, listening to her life story and telling her that there isn't anything a great new lipstick couldn't fix! These impromptu M.A.C-counter-therapy-sessions were just what Jane ordered.

So, here I am last week with several bulging bags of half-used and empty M.A.C containers. I know that M.A.C has a recycling program - bring back six empty containers and get a free lipstick. What was I going to do with twenty new lipsticks?! I mean I got one (Lady Bug - a tomato red) but more than one would take a lifetime to wear. So, in the spirit of my mother I spontaneously gave away her empty containers and gave nearly 20 women (mostly mothers and daughters this past Sunday) all new lipsticks! It was bittersweet but mostly sweet.

This impromptu act caught the attention of the makeup artists at the M.A.C counter that morning and in the spirit of paying it forward, they offered to give me and a group of women free, private makeovers! I was touched and wanted to take things one step further. I thought, what better way to share in the spirit of giving than to offer the WCC community a FUN and EXCITING night out!

Don't miss out on this fantastic event!

RSVP by 9/19 to reserve your spot to carly@womenscollaborativecircle.org.

{While this is a free event, donations would be greatly appreciated! The WCC thanks you for your support!}

Lesbians of Long Island - A Short Documentary

2011-08-27T20:02:00.000-04:00

Hey there WCC community! I wanted to share with you a shout out we received from Beryl Fine. Beryl is a New York City based photographer and filmaker who contacted the WCC in the hopes of us sharing her newest endeavor - a short documentary film called Lesbians of Long Island. Here is what she told us:

Lesbians of Long Island is a short documentary by yours truly Beryl Fine. The film centers around my aunt Lisa, her partner Lois, as well as their sidekick pooches Paddy and Abby (do you see how we love poetry?).

My exploration of my aunts began in August of 2010 when I moved from San Francisco to New York in hopes of expanding proverbial horizons (artistically and metaphorically). My aunt Lisa opened her home to me as I transitioned to a New York state of mind, (I grew up on the left coast in Santa Cruz, California). My family is not a traditional one bound by deep seeded ties. Growing up we rarely visited, moving in with Lisa was an introduction, but also developed into my first real experience getting to know her as a relative and friend. Soon I began to realize that Lisa and her partner Lois where quite the dynamic duo of smart ass antics and abrasive crass humor. They are two peas in a pod that complimented one another in perfect symmetry. I was living under my aunt’s roof for two short months before realizing I should begin to record my time spent in Long Island. What began to manifest was that these lovely ladies where not only totally normal (I use that phrase loosely) but also companions who are in love.

There is a prescribed notion in the media that love is bound by some kind of struggle and a battle which must be fought. What I want to communicate with Lesbians of Long Island is that love is not an intangible beast that must be conquered. Instead I pose the idea that it is normal and so essential that it fits seamlessly and effortlessly into the lives of Lisa and Lois.

These lovely ladies don’t fit cultural personification of “gay”, actually that’s the furthest adjective anyone could use to describe their lives. My aunts are typical Jews living in Long Island. They posses no flamboyant qualities. They shop at Sam’s club and they watch CSI and King of Queens EVERY NIGHT and on the weekends they go to Carvel for chocolate soft serve ice cream. Paddy (a pit-bull mix) and Abby (a king Charles Cavalier Spaniel) act as their partners in crime following them at their heels and completing the equation of their amore.

I’m a believer that talk is cheap and that seeing is in fact believing. I have launched a fundraiser for my project on Kickstarter. I’m asking the world at large for help with the financing of this short. The money will be used to spread the love and joy that is Lesbians of Long Island. It will help pay for international and domestic film festival admission fees, it will also help with production costs, distribution and other miscellaneous fees that generally get racked up when producing a film. I’m asking the world to help me raise $3,500, a small feat which I know I can accomplish with your help.

Check out her project and support the film!

Vacation Time!

2011-08-22T08:28:00.001-04:00

Hey WCC community! We will be away for the next week on a much needed vacation! Check back next week for new posts and exciting announcements about events at the WCC.

As always, for more information about the WCC please visit our website at www.womenscollaborativecircle.org and feel free to contact us at anytime!

Behind the Scenes at the WCC - TEDx Philadelphia Coming Your Way!

2011-08-11T06:46:00.000-04:00

Well, what can I say - I am TED obsessed (as you can see by the various posts here on this blog with TED speakers)! Then, I was invited by TEDx Philadelphia committee member E Bond of rough draft books (a totally amazing, creative and awesome woman and bookbinder) to share my ideas for the upcoming TEDx Philadelphia event. Well, I was honored. I never have a shortage of ideas so I couldn't wait to meet with like minded folks and brainstorm. This idea hour did not fail! There were so many amazing men and woman from various walks of life in Philadelphia. I wanted to share with you a sneak peak of the behind the scenes look of the making of the November 8, 2011 event at Temple University's Performing Arts Center!

Telling The WHOLE Story About Our Uterus and Other Girlie Parts

2011-08-10T12:12:00.001-04:00

Ok, so this one is not nearly as bad (or bad at all for that matter) as the Psychology Today blog post I wrote about earlier in the week, which you can read more about here. But, I had to comment on this one. Dr. Lissa Rankin founder of owningpink.com wrote for her Psychology Today blog, Owning Pink about "How to Have the Talk With Your Daughter." I was happy to see that this was a post and an important one at that, however two things stood out for me: 1) there was only mention of meses or a period in the context of having babies and 2) no discussion of how getting your period and having a regular cycle is about keeping your body healthy and in balance.

So, in true blog post reader reaction form, here is my comment to Dr. Rankin's blog post:

Dr. Rankin,

First, let me say that I love your site and book (which I look forward to getting). Second, I am glad to read such a positive post encouraging open communication with girls about their bodies and especially around their periods. However, the one thing that I would personally and professionally like to add to the conversation of menses with girls, is the message that getting your period is not only about having babies, but also keeping your body healthy and in balance.

Often, I hear the conversation with girls around getting their periods connected to the process of "having babies," as you too suggested. The problem is, while this is true - socially, culturally, and at times biologically not every girl can or will want to have a baby. Sending a message to girls at a very young age that their bodies are absolutely and inextricably connected to making babies, only seems to perpetuate the pitfalls of socially constructed gender roles. This message that we often unknowingly and without ill-intent send to our girls through conversations around periods, does not leave much room for choice around what they will and will not do with their bodies when they are older.

I agree with you that you can not start too early having age appropriate conversations with girls and boys about their bodies, especially giving them language with which they can speak of and make sense of their bodies. I do however, think that it is also our duty as parents and professionals (doctors, social workers, teachers, etc.) to give them the full picture and be conscious of how seemingly simple messages we send have more profound meanings. This is a topic that I write frequently about on my organization’s website and blog – www.womenscollaborativecircle.org and would love for you and your readers to check out! Thanks!

Just when you think you can let your guard down and breathe easy for a moment... alas, you can not! ;)

Despite this snafu in a grander conversation we often have with our girls around their bodies and was reinforced by Dr. Rankin, this post here "15 Crazy Things About Vaginas" may totally have made up for it! Thanks, Dr. Rankin!

So I Had a Baby, Can I Get a Job Too?

2011-08-09T11:42:00.003-04:00

Image from www.tanyabrown.org

Domestic Goddess

Domestic Diva

Mommy on Duty

Or the boring title Stay-At-Home-Mom

Whatever you choose to describe the incredible work we do, either of those titles listed on a resume or cover letter is a sure fire way to get your application tossed into the wastebasket (or recycle bin). So what do you do when you are a Domestic Diva seeking to re-enter the work place?

Like many first-time parents, it was important for my partner and I to have one of us remain at home and provide full time care for our daughter during her first year of life. The reason I was solicited to serve as the Domestic Goddess was due to my stunning post-natal figure and the fact I made a series of poor employment choices and at that time had a totally crap job.

Things were going splendid for us and I began to re-think that whole Women’s Liberation thing, and then one day I glanced at our bank account and determined it was time to go back to work – STAT! After all, we reside in the heart of one the of the Nation’s most expensive cities and Domestic Diva’s are only for the brilliantly rich (not moderately poor).

Time to find a job! No sweat, I have an MBA and years of work experience, this should be a piece of cake. I’ll just go back to work… during the worst economy or country has known in over a generation.

Great!

Now what to do about that year gap on my resume? Should I just state that I have been home with my beautiful baby? NO! NO! and NO!

Here is why I learned never tell a potential employer you were home with a baby:

1) It literally translates to: You care more about your personal choices than you would our company.

2) You will take time off from work to tend to a sick child, losing site of your bottom line.

3) If you are able to land an interview, employers may inquire about your child care and how it may affect your availability

So what should you do?

1) Volunteer: If you are able to volunteer one evening or weekend, this could aid in explaining your work hiatus, while retaining your skills

2) Virtual Assistant: This is the best fit for a domestic goddess, allows you to retain work experience at your own pace and keeps your resume current with employment

3) Add Mom on duty to your resume: If you have been an at home parent for several years, consider adding those skills to your resume, i.e.: managing home budget, planning events, etc.

I hope this help all those Mommies on Duties facing the daunting task of finding employment during this economic crisis, when many employers are not considering reviewing the skills of the unemployed.

Guest blogger, Chanda is a 30-something former community organizer, turned free-lancer and part-time blogger (causereaction.blogspot.com). I am a true east-coaster, meaning; I have lived in six states between North Carolina and Maine. Currently, I reside in the Washington, DC metropolitan area with my partner and amazing daughter.

Intersecting Identities: How I Navigated Feminism, Yoga and Dieting

2011-08-08T08:00:00.005-04:00

I’ve been a feminist since before I knew that word existed. And for most of that time, I hated my body.

Ironic much?

I spent most of my twenties living, breathing, marching and signature-collecting feminism. To say I wore it as a badge of honor is about the most understated way I can say it. I didn’t get in people’s faces about it so much as have it inform everything I did, including my career choices.

As I attended meetings and participated in consciousness-raising, the topic of body image would come up occasionally. And every time it did, I rolled my eyes to myself and hoped for the conversation to be over soon. If I knew ahead of time that the topic of a meeting was body image, more likely than not, I skipped it.

I didn’t dislike talking about body image, exactly. It’s more like I didn’t see the point of it. “The media socializes women to hate their bodies,” blah, blah, blah. When were we going to get to the real injustices women faced?

Concurrent to all of this, I was on diet after diet after -- literally. I rarely discussed this with my feminist sisters. I thought it would be uncouth to talk about being on a diet (although I certainly wouldn’t have been the only one to do so), so I didn’t. Also, dieting, body shame, and disordered eating are usually pretty private behaviors, and I fit right into that mold. I figured if I didn’t say it out loud (at least much), I wouldn’t give other people the chance to agree that, yeah, I really did need to go on a diet.

Surprisingly, what ended up bringing together my feminism and body image struggles was yoga. I started practicing yoga in this same several year span that brought me feminism and the depths of my dieting despair. Similar to dieting, I often kept my yoga a secret. I thought people would be embarrassed for me if they knew a curvy gal like me was practicing yoga, so I kept hoping for the day I’d be thin enough to both enjoy my practice and share it with others.

As I continued to develop my sense of how I wanted to live in the world and who I wanted to be, I started to cast off other people’s expectations about who/what/how I should be. I also desperately wanted a yoga practice that met the needs of my body and made me feel safe, comfortable and empowered rather than crappy about how my belly was getting squished in forward bends or my boobs were about to suffocate me in Shoulderstand. I made the decision to not wait any longer for that to happen. I became a yoga teacher and started my own business, Curvy Yoga, teaching and writing about body positive yoga for people of all shapes and sizes.

It is in Curvy Yoga that these seemingly disparate parts of myself join and find voice. Through the freedom of moving in ways that are tailored for curvy bodies, I’ve found space for both feminism and body positivity. I’ve seen that body image isn’t a trivial issue; rather, it’s something that all of us live in in one way or another, every day. I’ve also learned how much getting bogged down in dieting instead of eating intuitively and moving joyfully robs us of our happiness. And not only that, it keeps us limited in what we imagine we can do, which is pretty much the opposite of what I want as a feminist.

So here I am today: a curvy feminist yogini. And it doesn’t feel ironic at all.

Guest Blog Contributor Anna Guest-Jelley is the Founder of Curvy Yoga, which is all about lovin’ the body you have today. Through Curvy Yoga, she offers yoga designed to fit the bodies of people of all shapes, sizes and abilities as well as messages of body positivity and meeting yourself where you are--both on and off the mat. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Emergency WCC Blog Post!

2011-08-07T22:11:00.000-04:00

Image from Luscious Lactivist

Hello WCC community! I am not sure I ever wrote an "emergency" blog post, but I thought this was warranted. The lovely Karen Kleinman over at The Post Partum Stress Center brought this blog post from the Psychology Today website to the Facebook community (thank you Karen, oh and here is her response to this post on the PT website). The post, "Did you get last week's message? Pushing Formula is Evil" written by Dr. Darcia Narvaez, has been one of the most outrageous and ethically irresponsible pieces of writing I have read in some time (ironic, since her professional work is centered in ethics - see her bio here).

Here was my response:

As the subject heading suggests, I am not even sure where tobegin. I thought this post was possiblyintended for The Onion or an equally satiric online news magazine but alas, itis not. To make matters worse, PT blogsare typically not a platform for propaganda, so this leaves me wondering, areyou interested as a psychologist and one who seemingly specializes in ethics,to actually help women realize their full potential as mothers or perpetuatethe multiple manifestations and experiences of shame and oppression alreadyexperienced by women and mothers on a daily basis? In fact, as I am writing this comment, Ithink this post is antithetical to your so called professional efforts andengagement in ethics and quite unprofessional to boot. In your numerous publications, is thereanywhere that states as a therapist the ethical thing to do when you think yourclient may be headed down a path that you subjectively perceive as being“wrong” or disagree with is to tell them what they are doing is “evil”? Is that what you were teach your universitystudents?

As a mother to a beautiful, healthy, happy and immenselysmart formula-fed 5 year-old, therapist, feminist activist and researcher mywork on a daily basis centers around advocating for the health and well-beingof both women and children nationally and globally. Among many of my professional and personalefforts is to offer education and advocacy around the benefits ofbreastfeeding, as well as the benefits of knowing your own personal physicaland psychological boundaries and what works for you as a mother and woman inthe environment that you live. While Ihave no problem with bluntness, as you suggest you feel you need to be, I toobelieve in bluntness. So, not toconsider women in their social, political, physical and psychologicalenvironment and to flat out say with such seemingly lack of consciousness andnaiveté “Moms, if you hateto touch and be touched, you can change. Ifyou, like me, developed an avoidant attachment style, youlearned to shun intimacy. With a loving partner, you can change. You canlearn to cuddle and enjoy it.” Really?! Do you have a magicsilver bullet treatment to work quickly with adults who have an avoidantattachment style in time for women to feed their kids before they starve todeath, because since formula is risky, evil, junk, they shouldn’t eat untiltheir mom’s attachment and relational style is repaired, right?

If this is sounding like a personal response, that’s becauseit is. I take very personally themessages that are sent specifically by women on behalf of other women thatfunctions to take away any opportunities for choice and agency, let alone womenwho are in positions of power. Whilethere is definitely a time and a place to offer women, new moms and moms-to-be objectiveinformation, as well as supportive and encouraging words and resources toimplement this important and life-giving information so that they can make thebest decision for themselves and their families, this is not what you did. You used terror tactics. I didn’t know we as therapists were in thebusiness of needing to cure individual’s misgivings with terror and hurt? Whatyou did was more like providing an environment of shame, fear, hurt andindignation. Was this really the onlyoption of communicating the importance of breastfeeding? I really hope that youare able to reflect on your post and see if you can not reconsider yourapproach in working with women around breastfeeding and maternal mental health,we really need each other to support, nurture and care for one another’soverall well being without fear of attack, shame and guilt.

I really personally and professionally needed to share this with you loyal WCC community members and blog readers... hope you will feel free to comment, share your voice here an on the PT website!

Behind the Scenes at the WCC

2011-08-06T07:43:00.000-04:00

What motivates us to do all the hard work we do at the WCC? You! That means you in all your unique and multiple identities and experiences of self. Without it and without your stories, I am certain our world would be a really boring place. Sometimes, though, all of these unique parts of ourselves and our numerous life roles can get very confusing and overwhelming, and at times we can feel lost. But at the WCC we recognize that navigating multiple identities is a fact of our 21st century global and interconnected lives.

So what does this all mean exactly? Well, take a look at the following videos from TED, for example. TED is a global platform to share and spread ideas worth knowing about. The WCC thinks that YOU and your stories are worth knowing about. Sharing pieces of ourselves with each other may help us feel more comfortable in our own skins and generate greater clarity and purpose in our lives. I love these TED videos where actress Thandie Newton and novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speak about their stories, identities, and experiences within a larger cultural context.

What is your story? How do you experience your self and your multiple and complex roles? Do you at times feel overwhelmed? Share your thoughts with us; we would love to hear them.

Behind the Scenes at the WCC - Latch On America Event

2011-08-05T11:27:00.000-04:00

As promised, I am reporting back from the Latch On America event. In full disclosure, this is my second time writing this post. I wrote this post immediately after coming back from the event, all charged up to tell you about it and then with a one mistype, I erased the whole thing! Here is take II.

{University of Pennsylvania, College Hall}

Upon arriving at the event, I was able to put my judgments aside once I inquired about the location and motivation for this particular event stop. I was told that each city on the campaign trail had an opportunity to put in a bid for the location of the parked bus and accompanying event. Since one of Milk for Thought's calls to action is education and research around breastfeeding, the University of Pennsylvania won the bid for Philadelphia, as the university apparently plays a big role in breastfeeding research and advocacy. Despite the obvious academic setting it appeared that there were many community members participating. There were a lot of moms, babies, and older kids from a cross-section of Philadelphia's diverse communities. Additionally, I learned about MANY resources in the Philadelphia area to support first-time as well as seasoned mothers and families from all socio-economic backgrounds whose needs vary greatly (FYI - many of these resources will be added to the WCC website resource section in the coming days).

{Me at the Latch On America Event}

Among the many fantastic women (and men) in attendance were representatives from Belly Pilates, Penn Medicine, Choices in Childbirth, Breastfeeding Resource Center, Nurse-Family Partnership, MotherBorn, and Nursing Mother's Alliance.

What I began to think about during the event were the larger feminist, socio-political, and psychological implications of breastfeeding. Amie Newman wrote about these issues, including perpetuating the "mommy wars," work place safety, family planning, and reproductive health, in the Huffington Post in 2009 here. As a matter of fact, I learned that the University of North Carolina holds a yearly symposium on feminism and breastfeeding.

However, there is the flip side of this conversation that demands attention: what if for medical reasons you cannot breastfeed or you simply don't want to?  I love this post over at the Crunk Feminist Collective blog speaking directly to this issue. So, what do you think - is it ok to simply not want to breastfeed?

In my opinion, breastfeeding is a relationship between you and your child, just like any other relationship. For many women, breastfeeding may not be the right fit. No matter what the reason, I really don't think that it is another woman's place to judge. I think that while mother's milk may be "best," that does not mean that formula is inherently bad. This particular argument often gets ignored and in part leaves mothers who formula-feed their babies feeling bad, wrong, ashamed and villainized. This for me is part of the larger feminist conversation.

What are your thoughts on feminism and breastfeeding? Want to share your story with us? Leave a comment!

Behind the Scenes at the WCC

2011-08-03T12:38:00.000-04:00

I am about to head out in a bit to attend the Milk for Thought campaign stop here in Philadelphia! Check out their website - Milk for Thought and this video:

To be quite honest, I am concerned that this stop on the tour may not reach the most vulnerable of Philadelphia's moms who need the most support and education around breastfeeding. It is being held on the University of Pennsylvania's campus though I wish it was being held in a more vulnerable part of the city, say North or Southwest Philadelphia. Before I totally judge, I will head out and certainly report back with an update, information and pictures! Stay tuned!

Project SAFE Volunteers Needed

2011-07-30T20:47:00.000-04:00

Hey Ladies, do you care about women's sexual health? Then Project SAFE needs your help!

Project SAFE, an all volunteer public health organization for women participating in street based sex work in Philadelphia, is looking for new volunteers to help distribute safer sex and harm reduction supplies on the streets of Kensington. This is a great way to help women stay safe and really make a difference. For more information, please visit our website at www.safephila.org or email us at safe.phila@gmail.com.

If you are not able to volunteer but would like to help out, donations are much appreciated. Click here to donate now! Thank you for your support!

Sincerely, Unconvinced Spice Girl Fan

2011-07-18T22:03:00.000-04:00

When I was younger I lived and died for the Spice Girls. Iloved their sparkly outfits, their sassy personalities and I loved theirmessage: Girl Power. I remember when I was in first grade I dressed up as abrunette Baby Spice for Halloween, donning thigh-highs, a “Baby” nameplatenecklace and a t-shirt which my mother wrote “GIRL POWER” on in big blackletters. As a kid I ate it up, but once I got older I started to think aboutthe idea of Girl Power in a different way.

The basic idea behind the phrase is that girls are powerful.We can do anything we want and if you’re a lady then life is pretty good.Unfortunately, I think there are some problems with teaching these kinds ofblind positives to young women.

The first problem that I find with this whole idea is theword choice: Girl Power, power to girls. Actually I’m not a girl, I’m a womanand I would appreciate being addressed that way. It is bizarre to me thatwithin a phrase that is supposed to empower me there is a term used for achild. Kind of demeaning, don’t you think?

To me, the most obvious reason to why the whole idea of girlpower is kind of an issue is that it teaches girls and women that it’s allgood. It tells us that everything is fine and our position in the world is oneof strength and power and everything is awesome. When guess what, women are farfrom holding such a place in our society. I think the idea of Girl Powerencourages complacency in our position, when really we should be telling our youngwomen to get angry, stand up and fight for what we deserve.

I started thinking about this more when Beyonce came outwith her song, Run The World. The hook is, “Who run the world? GIRLS” and thesong is all about how girls run the world and can make men do whatever theywant. This is obviously ridiculous and again teaches girls the same complacencyand comfort with their marginalized position in society that Girl Power does.

When the song came out I found this awesome video. Thiswoman is saying exactly what I was thinking, and exactly what I hope peoplelistening to the song start thinking about too.

So as much as it kills me to go against my childhood idols,I don’t think that the Spice Girls’ message to young women was actually sohelpful. Maybe we should come up with a new phrase to encourage women to fightfor equality, not simply affirm them for no reason.

Blog contributor Julia A. Birnbaum is a 19-year old student at Sarah Lawrence College. Having lived outside the city since she was 3, Julia is a proud Philadelphian who has begun a recent love affair with New York. Though she is not entirely sure of what she’d like to major in during her collegiate years, Julia anticipates focusing on something involving writing and art. Julia suffers from an addiction to reality television and likes to spend her time with friends, writing poetry or blowing bubbles for her cat to pop.

To Shave or Not to Shave?

2011-07-10T17:20:00.001-04:00

Every woman has a different relationship with her body hair,and for this blog post I want to talk about it. It’s kind of awkward, I know,but the question of shaven verses unshaven legs specifically is one that I seecausing so many problems with women in my life, and myself included. So let’stalk about it.

What I’ve found is that the problem with female leg hairstarts with the social statement that is seemingly attached to it. The thingis, that most people see a woman’s unshaven legs as a symbol of her indignationtowards society’s expectation for her to go against something her bodynaturally does. In other words, hairy legs are often perceived as a badge ofcourage in the fight against societal pressures on women.

I know women who do not shave their legs to make astatement. They do it because they see no reason that they have to take thetime to do it while men don’t, or because it’s not right for societal norms toencourage them to do anything to their body that is unnatural. There are womenwho make all kinds of social statements with their unshaven legs, and I am sointo it! I too am a pissed off feminist and I love all the things these womenare trying to say! The problem? I don’t really think unshaven legs are a cutelook. I would love to walk around in shorts in the summer with my leg hairflowing in the breeze, loud and proud all to prove to the world that I don’tcare what they want me to look like, but truthfully, I just don’t think it’s agood look. I wish there was another way that I could display my identity as anangry feminist without having to go hairy. But this problem is not the only oneI think women have with the decision to go natural or not.

I have a very close friend who I think represents a largegroup of women in her leg hair turmoil. You see my friend hates shaving herlegs. She hates the time it takes, the fact that she has to spend money onrazors and shaving cream… she just hates it all. So she lives her life withnatural legs, and she doesn’t mind. The only time it is a problem is whenpeople look at her legs and think she is trying to make the big socialstatement I talked about earlier. Unlike myself and other women, she doesn’twant to wear her feminist identity on her sleeve; she simply just doesn’t wantto have to take the time to shave her legs, which is totally fair also!

So I think the problem with leg hair verses no leg hair isthe big, heavy statement that people have attached to it. It seems like thingswould be so much easier if we just let it be a choice about shaving or notshaving, and kept it just as simple as that. If a woman chooses to shave itdoesn’t mean she is a slave to the popular opinion of how women should look,and if she doesn’t shave then it doesn’t always mean she’s waiting for anopportunity to rant about man’s control on her and her body. I mean, come oneverybody; it’s just leg hair.

*JOIN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR LEGS OVER HERE ON THE WCC WEBSITE*

Blog contributor Julia A. Birnbaum is a 19-year old student at Sarah Lawrence College. Having lived outside the city since she was 3, Julia is a proud Philadelphian who has begun a recent love affair with New York. Though she is not entirely sure of what she’d like to major in during her collegiate years, Julia anticipates focusing on something involving writing and art. Julia suffers from an addiction to reality television and likes to spend her time with friends, writing poetry or blowing bubbles for her cat to pop.

The Right Way? Musings of a Mid-Semester Junior

2011-07-08T20:25:00.001-04:00

1. Think aboutwhat I want to do with my life.

2. Make a plan.

3. Meet with theguidance counselor.

4. Have doubtsabout plan. (See look #3)

5. Make a newplan.

6. Feelconfident about new plan. (See look # 2)

7. Meet withguidance counselor.

8. Have moredoubts.

9. Make newplan.

10. Feel trulyset with your new plan.

11. Mull overnew plan.

12. Talk aboutnew plan with multiple people.

13. Have doubtsabout new plan.

14. Go crazyfrom going from plan to plan.

15. Make a finalplan.

16. Laugh abouthow you think this is going to be your final plan. (See look #5)

17. Repeat steps1-16

Typicalexpressions for a mid-semester Junior:

Look #1 - Huh?

Look #2 - I feel confident.

Look #3 - I have doubts.

Look #4 - Look works for multiple statements like, "I have no idea what you are saying" or " I have no idea what I am going to do with the rest of my life" or even "Why does her face look like that when I told her about my new plan?"

Look #5 - Insane laughing. Look works for when you are making your millionth plan for your future and you actually believe this is going to be your last plan.

Ariana is a guest post contributor to the WCC blog with her NEW ongoing column, The Right Way? Ariana is currently a junior at Bryn Mawr College where she is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Her intention for the column is to share her experiences during the last two years in her college bubble before she enters the big and scary real world. She hopes you enjoy her posts because she certainly enjoys writing them.

{Disclaimer - WCC guest blog contributor, Ariana has now completed her junior year! Due to technical difficulties we are just posting her contribution now. The WCC community looks forward to following her on her continued journey.}

The F-Word

2011-07-03T22:13:00.004-04:00

It is no secret that the word “fat” comes with negativeconnotations for everyone in our society. It is also safe to say that the negativity of the word in many casesweighs far heavier (no pun intended) on females as apposed to men. In fact, this has been proven in researchtests in which people were shown pictures of overweight individuals and wherethe men were given cute labels like “cuddly” or “stocky”, the women got brandedwith “lazy” and the classic, “fat”.

This gross word is one that has rolled off of mean girls’tongues for so long, but there is a group of people who think they can turn itaround. The Fat Acceptance Movement, inparticular, NAAFA, The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is a groupof people who are committed to creating a society where no one is discriminatedagainst because of their size or health situation. Many of them believe that part of theirbattle is taking back the F word by making it either neutral or synonymous withwords like “fabulous” and “beautiful.”

I think that sounds lovely! The damage that the word hasdone on our girls is immeasurable. It’s true that people should be able to livetheir lives free of discriminatory words no matter what. But can it’s meaningreally be taken back?

Although I am obviously crazy about the idea of women beingencouraged to love themselves and their bodies regardless of its shape, as awoman of a certain size I find it hard to imagine a day when someone drops theF bomb on me and I don’t immediately deliver them a swift punch to theface. So is the word’s ickiness tootightly knit into our cultural vocabulary to be turned into a positive? Peoplein the fat acceptance community say no.

I decided to talk to my friend, a believer in the fatacceptance movement who often attends conferences and events within thecommunity. When I asked him why he prefers to use the word “fat” as opposed toa less controversial adjective, he told me that he doesn’t think it’s a termthat needs to be avoided, “I think that using a euphemism impliesthat there's something that needs a euphemism, you know? Because I don't thinkof fatness as having an intrinsic negativity, I don't want to speak about it ina way that makes it sound like I do.” When I asked my friend if he could seehis positive use of the word contributing to the construction of a world wherefat was used in a friendly way he was hopeful, “Obviously that's going to takea long time, but I'm personally really excited about the impact that it canhave on individuals. You have to admit that it's a pretty revolutionaryconcept. A lot of people have never ever been told that fat can be ok, andthat's hurting them and the people around them regardless of their size.”

What do you think? As a woman, can you picture yourselfstanding in front of the mirror asking your friend if you look fat in a dressand their response being “Yes, and it’s fantastic!” Could you be able to takethe power out of that 3-letter weapon and feel comfortable hearing the wordconnected to you?

For more information on NAAFA and the fat acceptancemovement, here’s a link to their website: www.naafa.org.

***JOIN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE F-WORD HERE ON THE WCC WEBSITE***

Speaking Their Voices - Comfort Women

2011-06-14T12:16:00.000-04:00

This is the story of the comfort women, 200,000 girls forced into sexual slavery during WWII in Asia. Their story is easily overlooked in histories of WWII and their voices effortlessly silenced, until now. The voice of "The Comfort Woman" is poignantly brought to life in a new documentary Within Every Woman, There is a Story... which is currently in production. Please support the film production in anyway you can: send this post to your friends, families and fans; "like" on Facebook; donate money on Kickstarter; or shout it from the rooftops ;) You get the idea!

Gladwyne Montessori School Tuition Scholarships Available!

2011-05-18T12:41:00.000-04:00

Gladwyne Montessori is a wonderful community of learning: fostering creativity, individuality, curiosity, responsibility, flexibility, connection, acceptance and joy in children ages 2-12.

We have limited spaces available for 3 and 4 year old students to attend Gladwyne Montessori for the 2011-2012 school year on a scholarship.

Please refer to the scholarship guidelines below:

Per EITC scholarship guidelines, families are eligible if their annual household income is not more than $60,000 plus an additional income allowance of $12,000 for each student and each additional dependent living within the household.

If you are interested in finding out more, please visit our website: www.gladwyne.org or call Robyn Stearne today at 610-649-1761 x 101.

Working Out Kinks in Our Blog!

2011-04-21T13:50:00.000-04:00

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

Motherhood in the 21st Century - Act 1

2011-04-09T10:38:00.000-04:00

Rally for Women's Health Philadelphia 2011

2011-03-18T20:18:00.000-04:00

First I would like to say thank you to the organizers of this rally. I know many of you are beginning you life’s work as social change agents - your passion and perseverance is already palpable. To the greater Philadelphia community, our sisters and our brothers from all walks of life, each with a unique story; I am honored to be standing here today among all of you to share in our collective experience.

My name is Carly Goldberg. I am a social worker, mother, wife, daughter, friend, women’s rights activist, and feminist. In all of my roles I work hard to make sure that everyone, without exception, has access to information to make the best decision about his or her own health. I am here today to encourage you and remind myself as well, that we have a voice and our voice matters! With one another, our voice can be strong and loud and I encourage you always to speak your mind and make your voice heard!

Now, despite my very busy schedule I have to admit, I have a vice that I don’t readily speak of, that is my addiction to reality TV. One show that I am particularly fond of is the Rachel Zoe project. I have no good reason to be invested in this show, I am not a fashionista nor do I really care about celebrities. But there is something about watching the main character scurry around during “award-season” trying to find the perfect outfit to mark the occasion. I sometimes wonder, why can’t Ms. Zoe start her work, getting ideas for a look earlier in the season. Why is it just a once-a-year deal? Well, I sort of feel the same way about March. March, which is women’s history month, is jam packed with women-centered awareness activities. March includes international women’s day, and women’s HIV/AIDS awareness day, not to mention March is social work awareness month. Though I enjoy the flurry of activity, as I do when watching the Rachel Zoe project, I not-so-secretly wish that this level of intensity, the care put into raising awareness, education and action took place all throughout the year! Though I am excited to be here with you today, I hope this is not the last time until next March that I see your soggy, yet dazzling faces again!

So I leave you with this, my top ten reasons why we should care about women’s health all year long!

Because our bodies should never be a battle ground for politicians!
Because women must be able to access health care without fear of violence, harassment, or intimidation.
Because young people must be able to get accurate information about their bodies and health and how to protect it.
Because women, men, and teens must able to make their own decisions about their health and their futures without government intrusion.
Because hangers, throwing ourselves down stairs and herbal concoctions should stay in our past.
Because HIV, STDs and cancer are not just a women’s reproductive heath problem.
Because our sisters of color are already silenced, let’s not make them invisible.
Because healthcare is basic human right not a privilege - regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.
Because our children matter.
Because your voice and your story matters - silence kills!

Thank you!

Rally for Women's Health 2011 - Philadelphia

2011-03-08T21:38:00.000-05:00

Rally for Women's Health 2011

On March 16th, 2011 a rally will take place at City Hall in Philadelphia.

It will be an opportunity for any and all individuals to come out and stand up for honesty and transparency in law making and state and federal funding around women's health.

The health and future of women and children has been threatened. The poor, non-white, elderly and parenting women in our city, state, and country face systemic attacks that could leave them with little to no support, and women’s health affects everyone.

Empower the women of Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Bring light to issues kept too long in the dark. Redistribute power to the people through education and support.

We’re not asking for much, but to change this little piece of our world...

And with music, passion and awareness – anything is possible.

For more information contact sp2rally@gmail.com

Speaking Her Voice - Nawal El Saadawi

2011-02-18T22:02:00.000-05:00

Nawal El Saadawi is an Egyptian feminist writer, activist, and physician who for the past several decades has been outspoken about women's rights in her homeland and speaking out against the powers that be. Check out the recent Root's interview with El Saadawi and Rebecca Walker.

He Had a Dream... What is Yours?

2011-01-16T21:50:00.000-05:00