Lynn Steg Awarded 2009 WRC Spirit Award

Congratulations to veteran WRC volunteer Lynn Steg recognized for her service to WRC with the 2009 Spirit Award during the center's holiday open house December 10th.  With more than 1000 hours in two years, Lynn has become a front desk fixture handling phone calls and welcoming visitors and clients.  Her unique style, considerable knowlege and warm, empathetic demeanor lends itself to the mission and purpose of Women's Resource Center.  WRC appreciates her dedication to those we serve.

Women's Advocacy Day

Register Now!

NC Women United Sponsors WOMEN'S ADVOCACY DAY
Wednesday, April 1st  Legislative Building, Raleigh

It is time for us to converge on Raleigh again to advocate for the Women's
Legislative Agenda!

Training - First Baptist Church

*        8:30 - 9:00: Registration
*        9:00 - 10:00: Advocacy Training: Overview of lobbying best practices
and the NC Women United issues

Advocacy Day - Legislative Building

*        9:00 - Noon: Registration - First floor 1200 Court (if you did not
register at the training and to pick up packets for legislators)
*        10:30 - 11:00: Press Conference - First floor press room
*        11:00 - 3:00: Issue experts available for consults - First floor
1200 Court
*        All day: Visits with your legislators - please make your own
appointments. Maps will be in your registration packet.

The Women's Legislative Agenda, along with issue talking points, will be
posted on NC Women United's website prior to the event. For those of you
who will not be able to attend in person, we will also have a virtual advocacy
opportunity for you coming soon!

We need your participation and support for this event to be successful and
to have the impact we need to pass legislation that furthers the mission
of NC Women United.

NC Women United is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed
to advancing public policies that support the full economic, legal and social
equality of women in NC.

Please forward to your friends and colleagues!  We look forward to seeing
you on April 1st!

Posted by Kate Tinnan, WRC volunteer

Rachel Carson’s Timely and Timeless Message

Rachel Carson was a very brave woman at a time when being a woman and standing up to a major American industry was, well, something maybe only a handful of women did.

Selected by the National Women's History Project to serve as the iconic model for this year's theme, "Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet," Rachel Carson is often credited with inspiring the modern environmental movement.

Cover via Amazon

She had been a naturalist and environmentalist all her life, getting a MA in Zoology from Johns Hopkins University in 1932. But it was her challenge to the manufacturers of pesticides like DDT that put her in the national spotlight. I am not only struck by her courage to challenge male-dominated agribusiness in 1962 but her forethought in so meticulously documenting her findings so that it would be virtually impossible to silence her. What she wrote became a substantial mainstay to the environmental movement. Just eight years after Silent Spring was published, the first Clean Air Act was passed.

Being the parents of a 15 year old naturalist, we often have conversations in our house about the environment, and we never miss a nature documentary if we can help it.

I was asked to write this post at the same time that Rachel Carson’s work came up in a vocabulary lesson my son was studying. I confess I did not know much about her from my school years but having a son so interested in nature, I have been exposed to a great deal of scientific information that I don’t believe I would have sought out on my own.

This pioneer named Rachel Carson has inspired us to visit the library this week to find her books and read them. She is a great American, a great woman and a pioneering environmentalist to whom many of us owe gratitude for her courage and tenacity. I wonder how she would feel if she were alive today – discouraged that some big industries are still plundering our natural resources, polluting our air, pouring filth into our water, or would she be encouraged by so many citizens advocating for the health of our environment, buying local and organic food, educating ourselves about what needs to be done to protect our planet, and voting for leaders who support science and environmental protection. And would she wonder who will win.

For more information on Rachel Carson, visit these websites:

http://www.rachelcarson.org

http://www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/carson.html

Posted by Kate Tinnan, WRC volunteer

The Most Admired Woman in My Life

She was only 13 when her father died. She was her mother's main companion until the latter's death when she was 28. Nevertheless, she earned a Bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in Psychology. And out of that generic preparation, she would create a career in corporate communications and marketing.

After a few years as a copywriter and in public relations for nonprofits, she opened her own public relations and marketing business at the age of 28. In a competitive market in Charlotte, where there are a number of large agencies established and still opening, she has had a successful business for 24 years. She even received the Public Relations Society of America/Charlotte Chapter Infinity Award for lifetime achievement in 2002.

I admire her for having the courage and persistence to attempt all of this on her own. She is my little sister, Dorothy Waterfill Trotter.

--submitted by Betty Waterfill Stone, WRC Board member

Posted by Kate Tinnan, WRC Volunteer

Economic Security for Women and Families

Being a night owl, I am sometimes up late at night when CSPAN2 shows some really great panel discussions and congressional hearings. On Friday, March 6, a panel discussion sponsored by Legal Momentum aired about how the recession is affecting women and how the working demographic is and has been changing for women and families. It was a great discussion with timely statistics and anecdotal analysis for women and families.

The video clip below shows Representative Jared Polis from Colorado speaking on possible policy changes that will benefit working women and their families.




I highly recommend you go to see the entire panel discussion by pasteing http://www.cspan.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-A-16138 into your browser window or go to CSPAN and search for "Legal Momentum".

I was struck by how the place of women in the workforce has become the rule, vital to the stability of our economy. It’s no longer the purview of feminists that women should have the right to work – we now depend on women in the workforce more than ever. But women have less access to benefits, to job and retirement security, and still lack wage parity, earning $0.78 to every dollar a man earns.

Posted by Kate Tinnan, WRC volunteer

Obama pays tribute to women who helped preserve, protect the environment

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
March 3, 2009


WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

With passion and courage, women have taught us that when we band together to advocate for our highest ideals, we can advance our common well-being and
strengthen the fabric of our Nation. Each year during Women's History Month, we remember and celebrate women from all walks of life who have shaped this
great Nation. This year, in accordance with the theme, "Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet," we pay particular tribute to the efforts of women in preserving and protecting the environment for present and future generations.

Ellen Swallow Richards is known to have been the first woman in the United States to be accepted at a scientific school. She graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1873 and went on to become a prominent chemist. In 1887, she conducted a survey of water quality in Massachusetts. This study, the first of its kind in America, led to the Nation's first state water-quality standards.

Women have also taken the lead throughout our history in preserving our natural environment. In 1900, Maria Sanford led the Minnesota Federation of Women's Groups in their efforts to protect forestland near the Mississippi River, which eventually became the Chippewa National Forest, the first Congressionally mandated national forest. Marjory Stoneman Douglas dedicated
her life to protecting and restoring the Florida Everglades. Her book, The Everglades: Rivers of Grass, published in 1947, led to the preservation of the Everglades as a National Park. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993.

Rachel Carson brought even greater attention to the environment by exposing the dangers of certain pesticides to the environment and to human health. Her landmark 1962 book, Silent Spring, was fiercely criticized for its unconventional perspective. As early as 1963, however, President Kennedy acknowledged its importance and appointed a panel to investigate the book's
findings. Silent Spring has emerged as a seminal work in environmental studies. Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 1980.

Grace Thorpe, another leading environmental advocate, also connected environmental protection with human well-being by emphasizing the vulnerability of certain populations to environmental hazards. In 1992, she launched a successful campaign to organize Native Americans to oppose the storage of nuclear waste on their reservations, which she said contradicted Native American principles of stewardship of the earth. She also proposed
that Americans invest in alternative energy sources such as hydroelectricity, solar power, and wind power.

These women helped protect our environment and our people while challenging the status quo and breaking social barriers. Their achievements inspired generations of American women and men not only to save our planet, but also to overcome obstacles and pursue their interests and talents. They join a long and proud history of American women leaders, and this month we honor
the contributions of all women to our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2009 as Women's History Month. I call upon all our citizens to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the history, accomplishments, and contributions of American women.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.


BARACK OBAMA

How to stand out at a job fair

WRC volunteer Mary Ann Dore was featured in the Hickory Daily Record for a job seeking seminar she recently presented.

'‘When you’re in job search mode, you have to sell yourself’" Mary-Ann Dore, president of Act2Consulting in Hickory, NC, provided job seeking strategies at a recent workshop . Dore advised to identify three key strengths they possess and be prepared to discuss how those strengths could benefit a company

read more | digg story

What Issues are Important to NC Women?

North Carolina Women United, a statewide advocacy group, hold meetings around the state every other year to ask local women what concerns and issues are on their mind and how our state legislature can help. The release below showcases the results of the 2008 discussions.

2008 NCWU AGENDA ASSEMBLIES COMPLETE AN HISTORIC YEAR

2008 marked the 20th anniversary of the local Women's Agenda Assemblies across the state of North Carolina. Since 1988, members of the public have been meeting once every other year to discuss and prioritize social and political issues of importance to women and their families.

Last year, between August and December, eight agenda assemblies took place across the state, comprised of a total of 388 women, in the following counties: Buncombe, Alamance, Guilford, Orange, Mecklenburg, Cumberland, Wake, and Pitt.

Although every category received significant support, the total of the counties' assembly votes prioritized the four general categories of importance in the Draft Agenda for 2008-2009 as follows:

1st - Health Care
2nd - Economic Self-sufficiency
3rd - Civic Participation
4th - Violence Against Women

Many thanks go to the women and men who donated their time and effort to see that the 2008 assemblies were a success: NCWU Agenda Assembly Committee members (Anne Mackie, Polly Williams, Becky Mock and June Kimmel) Authors of the 2008-2009 Draft Agenda, and Anne Mackie for her special introductory section Authors of the assembly handouts from Planned Parenthood, Democracy Now, and the NC Justice Center NC Council for Women Regional Representatives Local Women's Agenda Assembly Leadership, Organizers, and Donors Elena Everett and Independent Voices for the DVD production of the Agenda Assemblies AND MOST OF ALL - a special thank you to all of the 388 assembly participants from across North Carolina!!!

For more information, please contact: Jenny Brobst, NCWU 2008 Statewide Agenda Assembly Coordinator, jbrobst@nccu.edu (representative from the NC Association of Women Attorneys to NCWU). Post was written by Jenny Brobst.

Thoughts on 2009 Inauguration Event at Ridgeview Recreation Hall

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to share in the experience of watching the Inauguration event at Ridgeview Recreation Hall with my co-workers from the WRC and with a community of people. We all stood together, applauded together, prayed together, and cheered together as we watched our 44th President take his oath of office. The atmosphere felt like I was right there in Washington. I know that I would not have had the same experience watching the highlights of it later in the day at home.

The Ridgeview community also made the event extra special by having three talented youth read their essays on their thoughts of the election. Also, two community groups of Hmong and African-American young ladies shared their cultural dances in celebration. Bravo to the Ridgeview community! There are times when we should all take a few moments out of our busy schedules to come together as a community and celebrate the very important events of our country.

Posted by Twila Hartford, WRC Support Services Coordinator

A Word About The Woman Who Influenced Me The Most

The most influential African American woman in my life is my mom, Frances Willette Goode Dula. My mom, known by those in our community as Willette Dula was born and grew up during the Great Depression. She and her family had precious little possessions. As so many did during that era, they struggled just to have food on the table and a roof over their heads. However, through all of these difficult times, she learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and faith in God, values she passed along to my siblings and me. She also taught me the great value of education. My mom was the first person in her family to graduate from high school. Many days she had to walk to school in all types of weather. But, no matter how harsh the conditions, she went anyway. She wanted to go to college but was unable because her family couldn’t afford to send her to college. In spite of lacking a formal college degree, she became a well respected nursery school and daycare teacher. She is a natural teacher who instinctively knew how to inspire, encourage, and motivate the scores of children she taught over the years, including me. For you see, she was my first teacher who taught me the power and the importance of the 3Rs and so much more. Where I am today is because of who she is.

Arnita M. Dula - City of Hickory Staff Attorney
WRC Board Member

Lighter Side of Divorce...

Did anyone hear Bob and Sheri last week? After attending the seminar about "The Legal Aspects of Separation and Divorce," I felt much more informed about my rights as a woman and mother, but the next morning on my morning commute was so pleased when I heard a much lighter conversation regarding what can be a very scary time for many women. Lisa talked on the show about her new book that discusses dating post-divorce. Check out the following link to hear it for yourself.

Posted by Connie Connelly, WRC Intern