Poor and Needy

"Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. 

Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with  them." Mother Teresa

Women, Poverty & Economics

"Women bear a disproportionate burden of the world’s poverty. Statistics indicate that women are more likely than men to be poor and at risk of hunger because of the systematic discrimination they face in education, health care, employment and control of assets. Poverty implications are widespread for women, leaving many without even basic rights such as access to clean drinking water, sanitation, medical care and decent employment. Being poor can also mean they have little protection from violence and have no role in decision making.

According to some estimates, women represent 70 percent of the world’s poor. They are often paid less than men for their work, with the average wage gap in 2008 being 17 percent. Women face persistent discrimination when they apply for credit for business or self-employment and are often concentrated in insecure, unsafe and low-wage work. Eight out of ten women workers are considered to be in vulnerable employment in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with global economic changes taking a huge toll on their livelihoods.

The current financial crisis is likely to affect women particularly severely. In many developing countries where women work in export-led factories, or in countries where migrant women workers are the backbone of service industries, women’s jobs have taken the greatest hit. The International Labour Organization estimates that the economic downturn could lead to 22 million more unemployed women in 2009, jeopardizing the gains made in the last few decades in women’s empowerment.

In many countries, however, the impact goes far beyond the loss of formal jobs, as the majority of women tend to work in the informal sector, for example as domestics in cities, and do not show up in official unemployment numbers. Economic policies and institutions still mostly fail to take gender disparities into account, from tax and budget systems to trade regimes. And with too few seats at the tables where economic decisions are made, women themselves have limited opportunity to influence policy.

UN Women’s Approach

Advancing women’s economic security and rights has always been a core UN Women priority. UN Women supports women to reshape conditions at both ends of the economic spectrum — from boosting women’s participation in economic policy-making to supporting efforts to provide women and their communities with practical skills needed for securing sustainable livelihoods."

Article by UNIFEM. 

Original link: http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/women_poverty_economics/

"Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." Matt. 5:3

Sexual Harassment In The Workplace

"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination that is in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court made employers more liable for sexual harassment of their employees.  Moreover, 

The Society for Human Resource Management has reported  that 62% of companies now offer sexual 

harassment prevention training programs, and 97% have a written sexual harassment policy.

Below is a brief listing of recent harassment statistics.  However, it is important to point out that these only discuss formal complaints, and that the vast number of sexual harassment situations go unreported.

A telephone poll by Louis Harris and Associates on 782 U.S. workers revealed:

• 31% of the female workers reported they had been harassed at work
• 7% of the male workers reported they had been harassed at work
  
• 62% of targets took no action
  
• 100% of women reported the harasser was a man

Of the women who had been harassed:

• 43% were harassed by a supervisor
  
• 27% were harassed by an employee senior to them
  
• 19% were harassed by a coworker at their level
  
• 8% were harassed by a junior employee

Sexual harassment is unwanted and  unwelcome behavior, or attention, of a sexual nature that interferes with your life and your ability to function at work, home, or school.  Sexual advances, forced sexual activity, statements about sexual orientation or sexuality, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature all constitute sexual harassment.  The behavior may be direct or implied.  Sexual harassment can affect an individual's work or school performance, and can create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment."

Information provided by: sexualharassmentsupport.org

Getting Personal


I recently received a letter in the mail stating that a case I had to file nine months ago with the EOC (Employment Opportunity Commission) has been denied.


I am sure you have seen those sexual harassment commercials on TV, and like me you probably always thought it would never happen to you. Unfortunately I was wrong. Out of respect for my previous co-workers, I will not disclose the name of my boss, or the name of the company I used to work for. Basically a while back, I lost my job because I confronted my boss about sexual harassment. 


Taking a Huge Risk


There were many things that he did and said that made all of us women in the office feel uncomfortable. In fact, I eventually typed up ten pages of various events of sexual harassment in order to file the case with the EOC. These included things that he would say to me and the other women I worked with. Keep in mind that this is a man in his 60's who seems to hire only young, white, females. There is a tremendously high turnover rate at this small company. In fact, I learned after accepting the job, that the year before I started, there were ELEVEN women in my position before me. I was there just under a year, and based on the high turnover rate I am surprised that I lasted that long. 

I prefer not to get into details, but finally my boss's behavior went too far. My husband was at the point that if I didn't say anything, he would have gone into my boss's office and would have given him a piece of his mind. The next day, when I actually got the gumption to talk to him about his inappropriate behavior, I was forced to resign that afternoon. 

Interestingly enough, there was a new lawyer on staff at the time who knew how I and all of the other girls felt. When we told her some of the things that he had said, she noted how disgusting he was and how he always stared at her chest. When I told her about his recent behavior, she recommended that I write every single word and event down dating each one, just in case I ever "needed it." So that is exactly what I did. 


Now, perhaps in order to keep her job, it is my understanding according to the paperwork I received, that the same young lawyer is currently representing him and his company. Do I judge her? Again, no. Who am I to judge anyone, unless I walk a day in their shoes?  I can tell you that I disagree with her contradicting behavior and that I don't necessarily respect this behavior. But she is just another woman trying to find her way in what often seems, a man's world. Each of us have had to develop our own coping mechanisms.


Loosing More Than A Job


On the day I was forced to resign, I felt as though none of my co-workers stood by me. I specifically remember asking one of them as I was leaving why she wasn't saying anything, and she pointed to the other girls and said, "They're not saying anything either." They had all talked about the inappropriate things he would say, and they would all say how uncomfortable he made them feel. Unfortunately, when it came down to it, apparently I was the only one willing to stand up to him about it. When I left that day, I felt not only shocked at what had happened, but shocked that none of my co-workers, people who I considered close friends, would stand by me. I felt ultimately betrayed. 


I understand now, that it wasn't personal and that each of my female co-workers had to make choices for themselves. Perhaps they were bothered enough to talk about it weekly (even daily) among all of us girls, but it didn't bother them enough to risk loosing their job over it. I am not in any of their shoes, so though I may not understand or agree, I do not judge them. Regardless, it hurt me deeply. A few of these girls were friends that I would hang out with outside of work. Friends that have had me to dinner at their house and vice versa. In this process, I not only lost a job and a paycheck in a crappy economy, but I felt that I had lost my good friends. I am thankful that my friendship has since continued with one of the women still working there, and two others who no longer work there.


The Result


So I filed a complaint with the EOC. Now, nine months later I am finding out that because there are less than 15 employees at this company, my case is being denied. Apparently there is a state law that says a company must have 15 or more employees in order for them to pursue your EOC case. Apparently it is not worth their time and resources, since it is not a big enough company. I have spoken with lawyers who have considered taking my case and would perhaps be great at representing me. This is something I have considered, but I honestly am glad the whole thing is over.  


For the time being, I know that it would be really easy to write bad remarks on this blog, bashing my old boss or his company. That is something that most women might do, but I have more integrity than that and I don't see any good coming out of it.  I ultimately have to trust that God is my defender.

Was It Worth It?

I have since asked myself if it was worth risking my job in order to stand up for myself. The answer is yes, without a doubt in my mind. Though I was extremely upset that day, I left that place with my head held high. I left with self respect. I had done something incredible, I had taken a stand. Not only for myself, but for the other women I worked with, and for women in general. 

Thankfully, now I have a wonderful job with an excellent company. I have an exciting stress-free position with a respectable company that I never would have had if I was still stuck working in that miserable atmosphere. My husband has stood by me every step of the way and though it has been anything but easy for us, financially and emotionally, I have learned a lot. Looking back, I honestly can't say that I would do anything different. Though I would never want to go through such a traumatizing experience again, I know that I did the best I could with the situation I was dealt and I feel an enormous sense of self respect.

I learned a huge lesson that day. I learned that though it is 2011 and we have come a long way, unfortunately women still have miles to go in the area of equality. I learned that in the workplace it still may be required for a woman to keep quiet and not rock the boat, in order to keep a necessary paycheck. I also learned that a woman can speak up for herself and risk loosing her job, but gain so much more in return.

I hope you are encouraged by my story. I would love to know your thoughts. (It is easy to post, all you have to do is click "comments" and post.)


"But God is my Helper. The Lord is my Defender." Ps. 54:4

Gay Marriage

Obama Changes His Mind on Gay Marriage

Obama Claims Defense of Marriage Act Is Unconstitutional 2/23/11

Watch This Video:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4553761/obama-claims-defense-of-marriage-act-is-unconstitutional/

Vote But Don't Judge 

In Rom 1:26-27, the Bible says that homosexuality is wrong. Whether you agree with the Bible or not is not the point I am trying to make. Though it clearly says that homosexuality is wrong, so is lying, cheating, stealing, and so many other things that people do. That being said, who am I to judge another human being for something in their personal life? 

The Bible also says in the New Testament, "Judge not, lest you be judged..." Matt. 7:1. It is a shame that Christians misrepresent the loving heart of God so often. It is sad to me that just because the Bible  says homosexuality is wrong, Christians in the past, have been mean and hateful towards gay and lesbians. It is wrong to hate anyone. Who are we to condemn any person for their actions? Whether you agree or disagree with the Bible or the current laws concerning gay and lesbian rights, it is not for us to judge peoples hearts. How would you feel if other people were judging you and your lifestyle? Vote as you feel convicted, but perhaps it's best to leave the judgement part up to God and focus on loving one another rather than condemning someone if you disagree with their lifestyle.


"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16


What do you think?

Go Out And Make Your World Happen

Advice From Me to You


Go out and make your world happen, don't just let life happen to you. In order to get what you want and be who you want to be you must be proactive in life, and not wait for things to fall into your lap.


This is a principle I live by and wanted to share with you. Going after what you want in life may come easier for some than for others. I consider myself a "go getter," but that doesn't mean that I am not scared sometimes. And it certainly doesn't mean that I have always been successful at everything I have tried. 

There is power in our choices. There is power in our motivations. There is power in our actions. Fear and our lack of motivation and actions can also be powerful. They can subtly yet powerfully hinder us from reaching our goals.

Carpe Diem!

Seize the day, or you may have herd the famous term, "Carpe Diem!" It is never too late to change the direction your life is going in. If you want to make a change in any area of your life, you must first have the following mindset: "I am going to give different to get different (results)." You have to say to yourself, I am not just going to sit here and let life pass me by. I am going to pursue what I want and go for it. I am determined to be the person that I want to be. 

Often times we are our own worst enemy. We also tend to be our own worst critic. If you have an idea or a dream, go for it! Worst case scenario, things don't go exactly how you planned. If you end up not being as successful as you had hoped, that doesn't mean that you have failed. It means that you tried something and probably learned a lot along the way about yourself and the situation. 


What is it that you aspire to do? What are some of the things you have dreamed of? Set goals for yourself in order to reach your dreams. Then, when you meet those goals, set higher goals the next time around. What kind of person do you want to be? You have more influence than you think you do to create the kind of life that you want. Of course there are always things in life that are out of our control, things that are only in God's hands. I believe that we ourselves are partly responsible for creating our own experiences, and we can do this while asking God for help along the way. What are you waiting for? Go out and make your world happen!


Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt. 19:26

"Inconceiveable" A Story About In Vetro Fertilization

A Medical Mistake

Carolyn and Sean Savage struggled to have their first three children. They wanted to try for a fourth using embryos left over from the in vitro fertilization procedure that brought them their daughter previously. Ten days after the embryos were transferred, the doctor called them saying that Carolyn was pregnant with someone else's  child. This couple decided to have the baby. Then after giving up the child for the other parents, Carolyn was at high risk and could not have another child. It was then, that the Savages decided to use a surrogate mother to have their fourth. 


Current Event 2/12/11


This is the video link to an incredible story... http://www.clicker.com/tv/dateline-nbc/inconceivable-part-1-1346161/






In Vitro Fertilization

One of the better-known fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization (IVF) essentially involves fertilizing an ovum in a laboratory dish and then transferring the embryo to a woman's uterus. IVF treatment is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) method suitable for couples with any one of various causes of infertility, including tubal factor infertility, endometriosis, and certain types of male factor infertility.

IVF Cost and Financing

The cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is generally about $12,000 per cycle. However, the treatment does not always work the first time it is performed, so some couples choose to undergo multiple cycles. Learn more about how financing can be used to offset the cost of IVF.

In the United States, the live birth rate for each IVF cycle started is approximately:

• 30 to 35% for women under age 35
• 25% for women ages 35 to 37
• 15 to 20% for women ages 38 to 40
• 6 to 10% for women ages over 40

Information is provided by the American Pregnancy Association and DocShop.

".....your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Ps.139:16

20 Richest Women / Budget Tips

Debt

It is important for women to be educated financially so that we can make good choices when it comes to money. According to BBC World News, "Men are less likely to seek help for spiraling debts than women - even though they face a greater risk of bankruptcy." Though women are more likely to declare themselves bankrupt, in general there are more women filing than men. 30% of single women declare bankruptcy. 26% of single men declare bankruptcy. The rest are couples, 44%. 

Ten problem areas in your budget (according to womensfinance.com)

• Focus on fixed expenses: Just because they're "fixed," it doesn't mean they're not negotiable. Many items are fixed only in that they come out of your paycheck every month, or you write checks for them automatically–like rent and life insurance.
• Rent or mortgage: Your home is your castle, but can you afford the one you have? Moving is not something you're going to do tomorrow, but if your castle is eating up more than 25 percent of your income, start making long–term plans.
• Utilities: Turn down the heat and air conditioning. Analyze your phone needs. Do you need so many lines? Is your cell phone essential?
• Insurance: If your term life insurance policy is five or more years old, you're in for a pleasant surprise: you can almost certainly get a better rate. Increase the deductibles on your auto and homeowner's policies, and drop collision insurance if your car is paid for. Don't skip disability insurance, though. If you can't work due to a disability, you could jeopardize everything without insurance.
• Groceries: Is there really that much of a difference between generic and name brand products? Do you really enjoy the prepared foods you buy? Could you make something fresh and simple–and cheaper?
• Clothing: What can we say? The biggest enemy of a clothing budget is impulse. You need a strategy. Make a list of what you need. Shop from your list. Buy the best you can afford. Think about all the stuff hanging in your closet.
• Transportation: This item can eat up 50 percent of a budget. Take a hard look at where you can save. Set a budget for transportation. Negotiate for bargain air fares. Cars are better made and last much longer than they used to. Get one you like. Take good care of it–and keep it two or three years longer. Ride your bike instead of driving short distances.
• Household and babysitting help: It's tough cutting corners here. If you've found a good caretaker for your children, don't cut his or her pay. Supportive people to help in your business and home can make your life run much more smoothly.
• Credit: This one has a lot of opportunities for reductions. Pick up two months' worth of credit card bills and total up the interest you paid. If you pay off your credit cards, you will save that much every month.
• Taxes: Contribute to your 401(k) and make use of healthcare and dependent care spending accounts at work.
• So look at discretionary expenses to see what you can do. Think of positive lifestyle changes. Vacations, too, can be thrilling without being costly if you do some research and plan a trip that allows you to explore and further an interest. You can find the fat in your budget–it just takes a little creativity and willingness on your part. 

Here are some budgeting tools from Suze Orman: http://www.suzeorman.com/igsbase/igstemplate.cfm?SRC=SP&SRCN=layout_suzetools&GnavID=110




According To Forbes: Top 20 Richest Women in the US
"The list is entirely confined to today's active megastars."


http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/17/richest-women-entertainment-tech-media-cz_lg_richwomen07_0118womenstars_lander.html


"A sensible man (or woman) watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them...." Prov. 27:12

Lara Logan, News Reporter Raped in Egypt

"During the Feb. 11 attack, Logan was stripped of her clothes, punched and slapped by the crowd, according to the Times of London (via the Daily Mail.) She was beaten with the poles demonstrators used to fly flags during the protests, and red marks on her body initially believed to be bite marks turned out to be the result of pinching.

As she was being abused, the crowd of roughly 200 men chanted "Israeli" and "Jew," apparently believing her to be a spy. Egyptian state media had been reporting that Israeli spies were disguising themselves as television crews.

Finally, a group of women and approximately 20 guards rescued Logan, 39, from the mob and took her to the Four Seasons Hotel for medical treatment. She was flown out of Egypt hours later and taken to New York, where she spent five days in a hospital. She was released from the hospital on Wednesday to recover at her home in Washington, D.C., according to CBS." 


-AOL News


A thank you to CBS reporter Lara Logan for letting her story be known.

"On Friday, the world watched a gleeful, giant celebration. History was made, President Obama told the world. Men and women danced in the street. Fireworks lit up the sky over Egypt. Although there had been bloodshed and pain, it paled in comparison with what a disparate group of people had done when they came together in peace. The people had toppled a dictator.

On Tuesday, CBS released a statement, short and straight, that punched people in the stomach with its staccato message. Amid that joyful party, there had been "a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating."

Lara Logan, CBS News' chief foreign correspondent, had been surrounded by more than 200 people in Cairo's Tahrir Square, separated from her colleagues and attacked.

After the news came the responses, in three distinct categories:

• Those who blamed her for being beautiful and blond in a foreign country.

• Those who blamed the Muslim country.

• Those who blamed journalism for not doing enough to protect women.

The responses make a terrible situation so much worse. (And cost at least one man, Nir Rosen, his job.)

Here's why this story is not just about Logan:

A 2008 study by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights found that 83 percent of Egyptian women and 98 percent of foreign women experience public sexual harassment, from groping to assault.

Here's why this story is not just about Egypt, either:

In 2000, in New York's Central Park, an assault similar to Logan's occurred during a parade. Seven women were attacked. In the United States. Attacks occur everywhere, every day. Again and again.

The assault did not happen because Logan was a reporter in a dangerous country. It did not happen because that country happens to be Muslim. It happened because sexual assault occurs every single day to women everywhere in the world.

Here's why this story is about Lara Logan:

That 2008 report also said nearly 97 percent of Egyptian women and 87 percent of foreigners do not alert police after an assault.

Logan did not stay silent. Through CBS's statement, her story was heard. It gave voice to an incident that happens all the time, every day. Maybe it will push one more person to tell their story.

For that, I say thank you."

-The Washington Post

By Melissa Bell  | February 16, 2011; 1:30 PM ET

Video Of Lara: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT-Hq117w8s&feature=player_embedded




"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped..."  
Ps. 28:7

Female Mentors

She Looks Up to You
What is a mentor anyway, and why does it seem there are not many around these days?

You might think a mentor is someone who lives by example. Perhaps... but I also think a mentor is anyone who is willing to just be real and allow others to learn from their mistakes. No one is perfect and I certainly think that none of us are qualified to be held up on a pedestal.

With mentoring it seems as if there is always those who look up to you, while you are somewhere in the middle, and then there are those whom you look up to.  I have many peers that I consider to be mentors. Most mentoring relationships are lateral, and include someone with more experience in an area or areas that the person on the reciprocating end can benefit from.  Some mentoring relationships are more horizontal. For example, I consider my closest friendships to be this way. These are the women who speak into my life, and when the time comes, I speak into theirs. In these relationships, my friend may be stronger in one area, and I may be stronger in another, so we mentor each other.

I don't know if I consider myself a mentor, but I would like to think that despite my many mistakes in life, I would have some sort of impact on the women around me. I am also ever so thankful for the strong women in my life, who I look up to. 

Do you consider yourself a mentor to other women? Whether you think of yourself as a mentor or not, you are. None of us are off the hook just because we don't feel like setting an example or don't want to be a mentor. You may not know it at the time, but there is always someone watching your life. 

In Search of Heros

Here is a quote from an article called "In search of Heros, Where are the Female Mentors?"

"It is NOT because of a lack of time—every person (male and female) that gains the respect of the mentoring request is already too busy. Taking the time to mentor is simply a matter of priorities. Those of us who mentor regularly are extremely busy with our careers and yet somehow....we realize the importance of a legacy....
A mentor does not have to DO anything special, they simply have to BE themselves and LISTEN and answer questions honestly. That is enough!

Where are our female heroes?"

Original Link: http://www.randyelrod.com/in-search-of-heroes-%E2%80%94-where-are-the-female-mentors/

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

Who do you look up to and why?

Empowering Women - A Path to Prosperity

It is a fact according to the World Bank that "Low gender gaps are directly correlated with high economic competitiveness." What does this mean for most of the world? Basically the higher the rates of gender equality a nation has, the higher the social and economic status that nation will have.


 January 5, 2011

"In many ways 2010 was the year of women in American politics: Female candidates were among the most visible in the midterm congressional elections, and more women became governors than ever before. In our country, women have a prominent voice in the debates that matter: political, economic and social.

But in much of the developing world the story is different...In these countries, women often lack essential legal and social rights, such as the right to own land or access credit on the same terms as men.
The key insight of the report is this: Empowering women is absolutely crucial in the fight against poverty.


When women are empowered to go to school, enter the workforce, be entrepreneurs, own property and get reliable access to credit, they not only invest in their businesses, they invest in their children's health, nutrition and education. In other words, they invest in the future.

According to the World Bank, "Only 20 out of 128 economies surveyed have equal legal rights for men and women in several important areas for entrepreneurs and workers." Of the 20 economies with equal legal rights, only one is located in sub-Saharan Africa: Botswana.

In a number of African countries -- including Rwanda, Cameroon and Togo -- men have the legal right to forbid their wives to work. This means that in virtually all of sub-Saharan Africa, and in much of the developing world, half the population has a more difficult and costly time starting and operating a business or a farm than the other half.

Taken together, these constraints help us understand why 70 percent of the world's poor are women.

Creating change is difficult, especially in the face of a hostile legal and regulatory environment or, perhaps more challenging, when confronted with tradition or other cultural obstacles that thwart women.

But there is hope.....placing women's empowerment front and center in the human development debate has the potential to pay large dividends, not only for women around the world but for their children. And that will contribute to a brighter future for us all." 

- Author Karol Boudreaux is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center, lead researcher for Enterprise Africa and board member of Indego Africa. Ben VanMetre is a master's fellow at the Mercatus Center and George Mason University.


http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/05/opinion-empowering-women-a-path-to-prosperity/


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not against your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and He will make your paths straight." Prov. 5-6