Stop the Next Steubenville

March 17, 2013
Stop the Next Steubenville

I live in a world where a bunch of high school kids witnessed two boys conducting sexual acts on a falling down, throwing up drunk girl and didn’t intervene; they took pictures. I live in a world where these kids didn’t think they’d get in trouble for what happened and shared pictures, videos, texts and tweets about the rape via social media and cell phones. I live in a world where friends of the boys recorded a video laughing about what happened and then posted it to YouTube. I live in a world where the attorney for one of the boys engaged in victim-shaming by raising the victim’s drinking and flirting as part of the defense. I live in a world where some high school football player in Ohio just tweeted about the verdict, “Considering this thing happens all the time, I’m not sure why it’s a fuss.” I live in a world where kids in my town tweet things like, “I need change. In my weekends. Hoes. I need bitches. With class,” and “pole dance on my dick hoe.” I live in a world where I am relieved but shocked when two boys are found guilty of raping a [...]

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Take Action Tuesday: Demand Action

March 12, 2013
Take Action Tuesday: Demand Action

Sign the petition urging Washington to: - Require a criminal background check for every gun sold in America - Ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines - Make gun trafficking a federal crime, with real penalties for “straw purchasers.” Urge your members of Congress support these legislative priorities. Don’t think we need common sense reform? Watch this video and then click here for the petition.    

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Monday Memo: Use an Agenda

March 11, 2013
Monday Memo: Use an Agenda

Running a meeting? Use an agenda. Chairing a meeting without an agenda is like piling your coworkers and or clients into a bus and taking a trip without a map. That’s only productive if you’re goal is to see who is a back seat driver, who gets motion sick, and how many blue cars you spot along the way. Most of the time, when you gather a group of overworked, pressed-for-time workers, it’s for a more meaningful reason. If you don’t have a clear reason, don’t have the meeting. If you do, make it clear with an agenda. Your agenda should: - define the objective of the meeting - identify who will speak, on what topic, and for how long - serve as the road map for the meeting - be circulated in advance of the meeting so participants can prepare. Agendas are so important, especially for women leaders who report being ignored or marginalized in meetings.Use an agenda to your advantage. It only takes a few minutes to create.                

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Today is HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

March 10, 2013
Today is HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

I’m wearing my red pumps today in honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The Red Pump Project® is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. The red shoe is intended to be a symbol of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. After all, Awareness is Always in Style!™ There are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Almost 280,000 are women. Black and Latina women represent 24 percent of all US women combined, but account for 82 percent of the estimated total of AIDS diagnoses for women in 2005. HIV/AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death in women in the United States age 25-44 years. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years. High-risk heterosexual contact is the source of 80 percent of newly diagnosed infections in women. According to a CDC study of more than 19,500 patients with HIV in ten US cities, women were slightly less likely than men to receive prescriptions for the most effective treatments for HIV infection. The largest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses during [...]

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How to Make Women Happy at Work

March 8, 2013
How to Make Women Happy at Work

Just in time for International Women’s Day, Accenture has released the results of its latest global study on work life priorities. It’s no surprise to me having just interviewed 100 working women for my forthcoming book Mogul, Mom & Maid: The Balancing Act of the Modern Woman, women crave work life flexibility.

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Strollers for Smart, Busy Women

March 7, 2013

Since our mission is to deliver news and information to smart, busy women, we were happy Bugaboo, the mobility company, asked us to share the below video created to inspire modern families to live life on the move. I love strollers – I had four different kinds when my kids were small. It can be intimidating to try new things when you’ve got a new baby, or even to just do the things you used to love to do. But with the right set of wheels, you feel confident you can get where you want to go, go for a run, pack what you’ll need, fit into spaces you want (like on the bus, in between aisles at a store, or through a museum) and explore your ever changing life. I wish Bugaboo had been available in the U.S. when I was in the market for strollers. Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Bugabooi via Evolve Media’s Springboard Video. Opinions expressed herein are the author’s and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bugaboo.

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Thank Goddess It’s Friday

March 1, 2013
Thank Goddess It’s Friday

Thank goddess it’s Friday. How was your week? I was glued to my desk and will be all weekend too. I could have used this nifty keyboard. It’s functional and matches many of my necklaces. Designer Hella Jongerius created the keyboard/plate combo at the request of MoMA as part of an exhibit on the future of working. Alas, it’s not for sale. Enjoy the weekend!

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Good News: VAWA Passes

February 28, 2013
Good News: VAWA Passes

Good news. Congress paased the Violence Against Women Act today, and the bill included provisions protecting Native American, immigrant and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender victims of abuse. It now goes to President Obama for signature. The last Congress failed to renew the act, first signed by President Clinton in 1994. VAWA helps victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking access needed services, and it improves the criminal justice system’s ability to investigate and prosecute violent crimes against women. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. An average of three women in the United States lose their lives every day as a result of domestic abuse. This is important legislation. Here is the final vote tally. And here is the fabuolous Representative Gwen Moore speaking in support of the bill.

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Ignorant Legislator of the Week: State Rep. Mark Warden

February 27, 2013
Ignorant Legislator of the Week: State Rep. Mark Warden

And we have another Ignorant Legislator of the Week. New Hampshire State Rep. Mark Warden said some people like being in abusive relationships. Watch the video if you too can’t believe a legislator could really be that ignorant. He said, “Some people could make the argument that a lot of people like being in an abusive relationship. It’s a love-hate relationship. It’s very, very common for people to stick around with somebody they love who also abuses him or her.” Discussing a bill that would reduce assault from a misdemeanor crime to a violation-level offense in cases that don’t result in harm or injury,  he continued, “People are always free to leave.” Of course they are Mr. Representative. As long as they have the financial means and don’t care that leaving is when women are at the highest risk of injury or violence. Warden later told the Concord Monitor his comments were probably taken out of context. I don’t think so.

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Do Women Make Better Business Leaders?

February 27, 2013
Do Women Make Better Business Leaders?

Do women make better business leaders? According to a recent study women bring significant advantages with measurable results in communications, initiative and emotional intelligence. Check out the video to learn more about the study.

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MAKERS: Women Who Make America Documentary Airs Tonight

February 26, 2013
MAKERS: Women Who Make America Documentary Airs Tonight

You won’t want to miss the MAKERS documentary, founded by filmmaker, Dyllan McGee, which airs tonight, February 26 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS. The film tells the story of how women have helped shape America over the last 50 years. The film includes interviews with Gloria Steinem, Marlo Thomas, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

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Thank Goddess It’s Friday

February 22, 2013
Thank Goddess It’s Friday

Thank goddess it’s Friday. How was your week? There’s more snow expected in the Northeast this weekend. That’s okay; sometimes you can’t get enough of a good thing. We happen to love snowy weekends almost as much as we we love turquoise-colored necklaces. And this beauty from Elva Fields is our new obsession. Visit EvaFields.com for more bold. statement pieces like this.  

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5 Mobile Apps That Increase Productivity

February 22, 2013
5 Mobile Apps That Increase Productivity

Do you ever wish you could get things done faster, easier and with way less hassle? Do you dream about being more organized and more in control of your life? Increasing your efficiency and productivity not only saves you time, but it also gives you peace of mind because you know that everything is taken care of. These five apps will help you be more productive on a daily basis so you can breath easy and enjoy your newly found free time. Evernote Everyone loves Evernote, the productivity world’s darling. The free app aims to help you “remember everything” by allowing you to capture, store and jot down anything you might want (or need) to recall later. You can save photos, create audio recordings, upload pictures of notes or receipts, store owner’s manuals and keep track of travel itineraries all in a single place. Using smart search technology, Evernote has the ability to search any of your documents, written or typed, so that you can easily find information. Evernote is the digital equivalent of your brain, but instead of forgetting things, it remembers and recollects information when you need it. Best of all, Evernote syncs with all of your devices [...]

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Who Are the Women Who Inspire You?

February 20, 2013

In time for Women’s History Month, The MamaFesto, The Eloquent Woman and I created a list for The Skinny Scoop of women we admire. Whose courage, talent, and passion inspires you? Click on your favorites and see how your list compares to other women. Tell us, which of these women do you admire?

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I’ll Be Back

February 15, 2013
I’ll Be Back

Sorry ladies, I gave myself an unplanned vacation to deal with work deadlines, book deadlines, parents, flu and snow removal. Be back soon!  

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Snow!

February 8, 2013
Snow!

I hope you are all safe and warm.

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Thank Goddess It’s Friday

February 8, 2013
Thank Goddess It’s Friday

Thank goddess it’s Friday. How was your week? Mine was busy. And now I have an equally busy weekend ahead. Maybe I should start a thank goddess it’s Sunday column too. No doubt, coffee keeps me going all seven days. And on the days I need some extra support, I drink my coffee from my grandmother’s cup. Then I ask her to send me some of her strength.What are your rituals for getting through life’s hectic moments?

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Women in Science

February 6, 2013
Women in Science

Here’s an interesting infographic from CityTownInfo.com that breaks down the challenges and opportunities for women interested in scientific careers. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, women hold less than 25 percent of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) jobs. This, despite the fact women represent close to half of all workers in the U.S. Courtesy of: Citytowninfo.com

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Love and Necklaces

February 6, 2013

Even feminists like me like a good love story. And what I really like is the green necklace worn by the actress in the below video. Renowned director and screenwriter, Steven Antin, best known for his film Burlesque, directed this heartfelt and lighthearted story about a chance meeting between two strangers. Enjoy! Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Tacori via Evolve Media’s Springboard Video. Opinions expressed herein are the author’s and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Tacori.

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Take Action Tuesday: Ratify the ERA

February 5, 2013
Take Action Tuesday: Ratify the ERA

The Equal Rights Amendment was written in 1923. It took 49 years to pass Congress but it was never actually ratified because not enough states supported it . Recently, Representative Tammy Baldwin introduced legislation  (H.J. Res.47 ) to remove the Congressionally-imposed deadline for ratification. If Baldwin’s  legislation passes, the ERA will need just three more states to finally pass. If H.J. Res 47 fails, years of work will be undone. Sign the petition urging the Administration to support the legislation to eliminate deadlines on the original 1972 ERA. Isn’t it time the Constitution reflected and protected the rights of women? Click here to sign.        

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Celebrating Two Women Tonight

February 4, 2013
Celebrating Two Women Tonight

Today would have been Rosa Parks 100th birthday. Parks sparked a boycott and a movement when in 1955 she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on bus in Montgomery, Alabama. While best known for her bravery on the bus, Parks was a lifelong civil activist. In a proclamation marking the day President Obama said, “As we mark the 100th anniversary of Rosa Parks’s birth, we celebrate the life of a genuine American hero and remind ourselves that although the principle of equality has always been self-evident, it has never been self-executing. It has taken acts of courage from generations of fearless and hopeful Americans to make our country more just. As heirs to the progress won by those who came before us, let us pledge not only to honor their legacy, but also to take up their cause of perfecting our Union.” Also today, fifteen-year old education activist Malala Yousafzai released her first public statements since she was she was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen. Yousafzai recently underwent surgery; news outlets have reporterd that the surgeries were successful. Related articles VIDEO: Malala: ‘I am getting better’ Malala Yousafzai speaks publicly for first time since Taliban attack [...]

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