Women’s Independent Press

http://www.womensenews.org/story/business/110711/women-assets-demand-inclusive-company-boards

www.womensenews.org

Women are scarce on the corporate boards of leading companies; just 15 percent. As shareholders and networkers we can apply financial and social pressure to change that.

Women may be only 15 percent of corporate boards on Fortune 500 companies, despite what we’ve known for a long time: Women make 85 percent of the purchasing decisions about the products and services offered by those companies.

Journalist Amaya Gorostiaga, in an article in Business for Social Responsibility, writes that women control $20 trillion globally in annual consumer spending, a number that could hit $28 trillion in five years.

Facts like that rumbled into the annual meeting of the Women’s Funding Network earlier this year and electrified the global alliance of 166 non-profits that invest in women and girls.

It led us to consider a key question: Why not apply a gender lens to for-profit investing? Why not leverage our shares of stock to advocate for more women on boards?

Hundreds of women who lead women’s organizations and foundations were in the room. Many have personal assets and own stocks, which means they have an ownership stake in the companies that can be used as a tool for advocacy.

They also have information: In 2004 the Securities and Exchange Commission began requiring publicly traded companies to disclose in their proxy statements details about the director recruitment process.

Jacki Zehner, a former partner at Goldman Sachs, and Joe Keefe, president and CEO of Pax World Funds, led the discussion, which focused on bottom-line reasons to invest in companies that include women on their boards.

By the end, Zehner and Keefe urged shareholders to vote no on all-male corporate board slates.

“We can withhold support for all-male director slates, or instruct whoever is voting our proxies to withhold such support,” Zehner said. “If enough investors ask this of their investment advisers–or their retirement plan administrators at work, or their mutual fund managers–then we can begin to make a difference. In fact, if we each wrote a letter to the companies, and enclosed it with our proxy ballot, letting them know why we are saying ‘no’ to their board slates, the companies we own would begin to get the picture.”

By Mary Jo Smiley CMTPT, LMT

Jane had been involved in a relatively minor motor vehicle accident causing a whiplash injury to her neck. She was hit from behind and suffered head and neck pain right away. Within days she was experiencing severe headaches or migraines and went to her doctor. Jane felt that she was not getting much relief with over the counter medications. She was reluctant to use prescription drugs, but accepted the prescription from her doctor for stronger pain meds, but still got very little relief from the headaches.

She asked about massage because she had heard a friend rave about how well having trigger point therapy helped! Her Doctor was skeptical, but agreed. Medical massage is covered by most auto insurance companies.

Lets look at why treating the trigger points is so effective, non-invasive, empowering and should be considered for the first line treatment and not “last resort”.

An in-depth evaluation including an extensive review of medical history, details of the accident and Range of Motion tests should be part of the first session. We look for specific tender areas and restriction in muscles indicating the presence of trigger points. Trigger points are a hypersensitive “knots” of pain in a muscle that restricts range of motion, referring pain in a predictable pattern (usually) away from the site of the trigger point.

Consistent with a whiplash injury, many upper back and neck muscles were involved, two most prominently. One, the trapezius (illustration A) refers a very familiar pain pattern up the back of the neck and into the temples. The sternocleidomastoid (SCM for short) was the other. (Illustration B) These muscles check-reins excessive forward and backward motion of the head, which often happens in a whiplash injury.

The Upper Trapezius muscle usually has trigger points in it. The common pain pattern is the classic tension headache, up the back of the neck and into the temples. Almost ALL tension headaches are the pain pattern of this muscle.

The SCM can produce pain but in addition, this muscle often mimics; the symptoms of a migraine headache including tearing of the eyes, runny nose, nausea, dizziness, loss of balance and blurring vision.

After appropriate treatment with Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, Jane no longer had head and neck pain. All of the symptoms of the migraine headaches were resolved. In addition, she is no longer getting frequent “tension headaches” and knows what to do when she feel on coming on!

Trigger points are not always caused by trauma, most of the time they are caused by every day improper posture, repetitive motion, head forward postures while working or driving, old injuries (even 20 years ago or more), and a multitude other factors.

Have chronic headaches or migraines?
Tired of hearing it’s all in your head?
Call our office and set up a free consultation.
Mary Jo Smiley CMTPT, LMT at Advanced Bodywork, Massage and Yoga might be able to help!
724-494-1468

June 24 – July 3 - Into the Woods, a Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim, interweaves the stories of our favorite storybook characters, but with a painfully poignant twist.

This charming musical tale touches on themes of growing up, accepting responsibility and the consequences of having your wishes come true. When Cinderella, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood and friends get what they wish for, “Happily Ever After” isn’t exactly what they expected it to be – tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children and students with ID

6 Allegheny Square East
Pittsburgh Pa 15212
412-320-4610
www.newhazletttheater.org

July 4 - Jane Neely Run for Your Life Relay 5K Race - 8:30am Kiwanis Park – for more information visit http://www.shaler.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=253

July 8 - Butler-Women’s Power Lunch – Join us for our kick-off networking luncheon for the ladies in the Butler area! Enjoy a great lunch and some warm networking with local women business professionals. Contact: suzanne@womenspowerlunch.com  or 724-452-5152 for more details
on prepayment – 1 pm – 3pm – Butler Country Club, 310 Country Club, Butler

July 8 - WOMEN’S NETWORKING LUNCHEON – Noon - South Hills Country Club - Lunch for Chamber Members - $15 - Bring a friend! - Lunch for Non-Members - $18 - Display Table $10 - Please make a reservation by contacting our secretary: Mary Dilla at: 412-884-1233 / secretary@bbwchamber.com  - Next Women’s Network Meeting Friday, August 12th

- July 9 - South Sudan is slated to become the world’s newest nation. But escalating violence in the border regions of Sudan and continuing instability in Darfur threaten the peaceful march towards independence – tearing apart families and displacing thousands of innocent civilians. We’ve asked you to take action to stop the violence – now we need your help to raise awareness and show solidarity with the people of Sudan on July 9th – visit https://secure3.convio.net/sdc/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=2300&2300.donation=form1&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr004=c5kab7g5×9.app332b  to donate today.

- July 8 and 9 – Jude Pohl Presents two special events featuring two of Pittsburgh’s finest entertainers – Laura Paterra in Broadway Then and Now - Krista Kaley in Krista Exposed – July 22 and 23 – Cabaret Dinner Theater (across from South Hills Village) – call 724-746-1178 for reservations

July 11 - PYGF “Take Your Daughter to the Course” Day - 5:30pm - 9:00pm
For registration forms or more information, call 412-363-3112 - reneabrams@aol.com

July 12 - 2011 Leadership Luncheon Series -11:30am - Rivers Club - http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=210349332337412&mid=45ae1c4G3d5b9223G24b1565G7&bcode=aGOsj1UI&n_m=wip%40fastmail.fm  for additional info

July 12 - CWE Open House – 5 pm – 7 pm - Come meet our staff, facilitators, and past participants- register for any program on the day of the open house to receive 10% off! - http://www.chatham.edu/cwe/events/openhouse/  to register.

July 13 - Brown Bag Lunch - 12:00 – 1:00pm - Speaker: Jane Sarra, JBS Business Advisors, specializes in executive coaching and business consulting - Topic: Creating Your Personal Brand - It is time to launch “YOU” as the new product brand. Join this discussion about how to introduce who you are, what you offer and how exceptional you are in an upbeat, enthusiastic 10-second handshake pitch or a 30-second elevator pitch. Know that you are leaving your audience with enough to spark their interest. This workshop will help you perfect your branding pitch - Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania - 1650 Main Street Pittsburgh – FREE - RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org.

July 15 - Pittsburgh-Women’s Power Lunch - 1pm – 3pm - Grand Concourse–Station Square - Come and enjoy lunch and business networking in grand style at this beautiful historic restaurant located right on the river. Summer is a great time to visit the shops and attractions in Station Square. Please RSVP me at suzanne@womenspowerlunch.com or prepay online at www.womenspowerlunch.com.

July 19 – Pittsburgh Job Fair – 11 am – 2 pm – Pittsburgh Marriott – 112 Washington Place Pittsburgh - http://www.coasttocoastcareerfairs.com/career_fairs/details/PA/Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh_register_0711.html  to register

July 21 - Disability Resource Breakfast - 8:30 – 9:30 AM - Speaker: Lindsey Smith, Health Coach at The Real You - Topic: The Real You, Your Relationship with Food - Learn how you can create a happy, healthy life time relationship with food and nutrition that is flexible, fun and free of denial. Find the food and lifestyle choices that best support your desire to make gradual, sustainable changes and best enable you to reach your current and future health goals - Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, 1650 Main Street Pittsburgh – FREE - RSVP: 412.782.5344 x 209 or volunteersofamerica@voapa.org.

Women’s Power Lunch—Westmoreland County (NEW!!)
July 22, 2011
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Solstice Restaurant
911 Green St. Greensburg, PA15601
Cost: $30.00 (Prepayment Required)
RSVP: Melanieansell@comcast.net
Online Payment: www.womenspoweerlunch.com
412-848-0165

July 22- Clever Connections Networking Lunch - 1-3pm - Peter’s Place in Bridgeville - Register Online: www.PittsburghProfessionalWomen.com

July 22-24 - Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has completed the 2011 musical line-up for the Pittsburgh Blues Festival, presented by First Commonwealth. The 17th Annual Festival is once again at Hartwood Acres - Tedeschi Trucks Band, Blues Caravan “Girls With Guitars” Lionel Young, John Nemeth, Tommy Castro, Johnny Winter - Visit the Blues website at www.pghblues.com  for ticket information; tickets are on sale now.

July 28 - North Shore - Join Pittsburgh Party for a Purpose……”hosting fun, creative and affordable parties for diverse young-minded individuals, while raising funds and generating support for nonprofit organizations in Southwestern Pennsylvania. July 28th’s PGH Party for a Purpose benefits Girls on the Run at Magee-Womens Hospital and Venture Outdoors. More details to come in our July e-newsletter, or check back at www.gotrmagee.org/events.

July 28 - Twelfth Night on July 28th. As you know, Quantum is known for bringing theatre to unusual places all over Pittsburgh, and Twelfth Night will be no exception. Full of music and staged outdoors in Bloomfield, under the Millvale Street Bridge - Each show has a Ladies Night scheduled for the First Wednesday of each production: Wed, Aug 3; Wed, Oct 12; Wed Dec 7 – Call Showclix 1-888-71.TICKETS if you have any questions or to reserve your tickets - http://www.quantumtheatre.com/twelfthnight  - To save over 20% of the single ticket price per show Subscribe now to the above dates.

July 31 - South Park Theatre Gala at Nevillewood - $45/person. Complete details on the first page of the website http://www.southparktheatre.com/.

We are holding our annual “evening with the stars” fundraiser this summer and if you can make a donation (a gift card, a product, etc.) for our silent auction, it would be greatly apprecited. The proceeds of the auction go toward offsetting our production costs.

Our annual budget is $125,000 so as a grant committee member once told me “you do so much on so little!” Your donation would have a huge impact on maintaining the vitality of our theatre and continuing our mission of providing quality, affordable theatre to children and adults in the region. (We charge only $2 admission for our children’s theatre shows and only $12 for our Main Stage shows so our theatre is very accessible to all.) Please mail your donation (it’s tax deductible!) to Pat Kaley, Scott Towne Center, Suite A-113, 2101 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220, and note that it is for the South Park Theatre Gala.

August 1 - Clever Connections Networking Dinner - How to Create a Video Media Kit For Your Website with Special Guest Speaker Gina Catanzarite, Emmy Award Winning TV Producer - 6-8pm - BRAVO! Robinson Township 211 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, Register Online at www.PittsburghProfessionalWomen.com.

August 13 - Small Business Basics Workshop – 8:30 am – 12 - This half-day workshop is designed for women interested in starting or expanding a business and covers small business legal, marketing, and financial issues.

August 17 - FOR WOMEN WHO WINE - Please Join The Musuneggi Financial Group & Single Steps Strategies for an Evening Of Wine, Conversation, Networking & Education While we are “Wine-ing” down the summer - 6:00 PM -Crowne Plaza Hotel South, 164 Fort Couch Road Bethel Park – No Cost But Donations To “Dress for Success” Are Always Welcome - Guest Speaker: Mike Gonze, Dreadnought Wines - To register for you and your guest log onto www.singlestepsstrategies.com , e-mail info@singlestepsstrategies.com  or call 412-341-2888. Registration deadline is August 8th - Seating is limited so register early.

SAVE THE DATE!

August 26 -Celebrate & Share Bonnie DiCarlo and JoAnn R. Forrester Invite you to the
3rd Annual Breakfast at the Rivers Club - Celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment! - Oxford Centre Downtown, Pittsburgh -7:45 am - 9:30 am
Donation - $35 Birthday August 26? FREE! Honorary Sponsors- $91.00
Table of 10: $350 - Bonnie DiCarlo: bonnie255@aol.com  412-480-5247, JoAnn Forrester: selfimagebz@aol.com  412.440.6969

August 26 - Do you enjoy golfing? Maybe you enjoy relaxing by the pool or pampering yourself at a spa. Are you adventurous? Is rock climbing or off-road driving more your style? Join us and all that the Five Star Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands, has to offer! Registration is now open for Womansplace 18th Annual Golf Event to End Domestic Violence! Sponsorships, Golf & Special Packages are available now! Advertising opportunities are also available for those who would like to donate items for the live auction! http://womansplace.org -All proceeds benefit crisis intervention programs for victims of domestic violence and teen dating violence prevention programs!

September 1-4 - Pittsburgh Delegation to the 2011 One Young World Summit - Zurich, Switzerland
Bringing together and connecting the best and brightest young leaders from around the globe to address major global challenges
Launched in 2010 in London, One Young World is the premier global forum for young leaders from around the world. One hundred highly recognized global corporations sponsored or sent young leaders to the conference, which has been referred to by CNN as the “Young Davos.”
To apply, candidates must:
• Complete the registration form
• Submit a personal statement (of no more than one page in length) which outlines what the candidate can contribute at the Summit and how the candidate hopes to benefit personally and professionally from attending the Summit.
• Provide a current resume and/or narrative biography.
• Submit two letters of reference from people who can assess the candidate’s personal and professional qualities. (Ideally, one letter should be from an employer and one from the leader of an area non-profit.)
• Agree to use Social Media to share experiences during and after the Summit.
Candidates should email their application to oyw@worldpittsburgh.org  by Thursday, June 30, 2011.
Candidates will be notified if they have been selected by Friday, July 15, 2011.
For more information about One Young World, please see www.oneyoungworld.com.
For more information about being a part of Pittsburgh’s delegation to the One Young World Summit in Zurich, please contact oyw@worldpittsburgh.org.
September 5 - WESTMORELAND YOUGH TRAIL CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL LABOR DAY POKER RUN

Pre-registrations for this even must be received by August 15th, 2011 to
ensure receipt of free event T-Shirt

The Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter of the Regional Trail Corporation will hold its Seventeenth Annual Poker Run on Labor Day. The walking/biking non-competitive event will start at the Arthur H. King Access Area of the Youghiogheny River Trail in West Newton. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used by trail volunteers to maintain, preserve and enhance the Youghiogheny River Trail section of the Great Allegheny Passage.

The Poker Run consists of three events: 1). A walking, jogging, wheelchair optional, four mile flat course. 2). A level 12 mile bike ride that runs south along the Youghiogheny River to Smithton Beach and back. 3). An endurance 20 mile bike ride that runs south along the Youghiogheny River Trail to Whitsett and back. All cyclists are required to wear an ANSI or SNELL approved helmet.

The Poker Run is not a race. Participants walk or ride at their own pace taking as little time, or up to two hours, to finish their course. At checkpoints throughout the course participants will pick a playing card to develop a poker hand. At the end of the course each poker hand is tallied and the person with the best hand in each of the three events receives a cash prize award. Afterwards a raffle is conducted and all participants are eligible to win more than 75 door prizes of various kinds and values that have been donated by regional businesses and merchants who support the trail and what the trail brings to our area. A mountain bike is the grand prize give away. There will also be a half-the-take drawing.

October 8 - Teal Ribbon Comedy, An Ovarian Cancer Research Benefit - Stage AE, 400 North Shore Dr., Pittsburgh - 6:30 p.m. - Pittsburgh’s own Billy Gardell, star of the CBS hit show “Mike & Molly,” headlines “Teal Ribbon Comedy”, an Ovarian Cancer Research Benefit.- Proceeds will benefit ovarian cancer research being conducted at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC and Magee-Womens Research Institute - Contact: Denise Wickline, 412-641-8950 - Tickets: $30-$50 Website url: http://www.mwrif.org/384/teal-ribbon-comedy.

FYI

Congratulations to the SoleMate runners who participated in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health Plan Half Marathon, and FedEx Ground Relay. These dedicated runners have raised over $8,000 for Girls on the Run at Magee-Womens Hospital. With 2 weeks left in their campaign, visit http://www.active.com/donate/SoleMates2011/magee  today to help support our mission to “educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.”

The entire staff behind the 2011 Pennsylvania Conference for Women are grateful for your involvement as a supporting organization and your commitment to helping us build awareness and enthusiasm for the event! Please visit www.paconferenceforwomen.org  or call 512-432-1943 for more information

The Place for Reiki, 139 Steuben Street, Ste. 100 Pittsburgh, 412-920-2911 - the-place-for-reiki@earthlink.net - Visit http://www.the-place-for-reiki.com/  for the complete schedule of classes for July to September

Women’s Law Project Western Pennsylvania, 401 Wood Street, Suite 1020, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412-281-2892) infopitt@womenslawproject.org.

On June 16th The International Labor Organization (ILO) adopted the Convention on Domestic Workers, a treaty which will guarantee the labor rights of domestic workers around the globe. “Domestic workers” includes any workers who work in or for a household or households such as nannies, chauffeurs, and housekeepers. Human Rights Watch states that of the estimated 50 to 100 million domestic workers worldwide, “the vast majority are women and girls.” 7.5% of female employees worldwide work in the domestic sphere.

Many countries do not provide the protections to domestic workers that they afford those employed in other fields. For this reason, domestic workers face “a wide range of grave abuses and labor exploitation.” It is believed that in many countries these human rights violations are allowed to continue due to a lack of legal protections exacerbated by discrimination against women and girls.

“Discrimination against women and poor legal protections have allowed abuses against domestic workers to flourish in every corner of the world,” said Nisha Varia, senior women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “This new convention is a long overdue recognition of housekeepers, nannies, and caregivers as workers who deserve respect and equal treatment under the law.”

The new treaty demands that domestic workers have some of the basic labor rights that those who work in other spheres already enjoy. These rights include: “reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, a limit on in-kind payment, clear information on terms and conditions of employment, as well as respect for fundamental principles and rights at work including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.”

The treaty applies to all domestic workers, including migrant workers and child laborers who are especially vulnerable to labor rights abuses. Migrant workers, who compose a large proportion of those employed in the domestic sphere, “are often at heightened risk of exploitation due to national policies that link workers’ immigration status to individual employers as well as excessive recruitment fees, language barriers, and employers’ confiscation of passports.” The Convention on Domestic Workers demands that migrant workers receive a contract that is enforceable in the country in which they are employed and calls for national governments to strengthen international cooperation.

The Treaty also helps children, who make up nearly 30% of all domestic workers worldwide. Prior to the convention, many national governments excluded domestic work from child labor laws, meaning that some children worked long hours at young ages. The treaty sets a minimum age for domestic work and ensures that work does not interfere with the education of children above that age.

The United States played a leading role in advocating for strong protections of domestic workers in the treaty and was one of the 396 out of 475 delegates who voted for the convention. However, it is unlikely that the U.S. will ratify the convention as labor laws are primarily regulated by states and this convention would require numerous federal regulations. This is unfortunate as currently New York is the only state which has enacted a domestic workers’ bill of rights.

But despite the fact that the convention is unlikely to change federal law in the U.S., the increased awareness that the treaty will bring could prove beneficial.

The importance of this convention is to bring the plight of domestic workers into the national spotlight, not necessarily changing U.S. laws, said Ana Avendano, the assistant to the president at the AFL-CIO, who also participated in the ILO conference. In many parts of the world, domestic workers are explicitly excluded from labor laws and standards, she said.

“What happens to many workers in most cases is already illegal,” Avendano said. “When these workers complain about their conditions, now people are going to listen”

The International Labor Organization’s Convention on Domestic Workers has the potential to give labor protections to millions of domestic workers around the world, the majority of which are women and girls. While the convention will not necessarily change U.S. law, it will likely increase awareness about the issue of labor exploitation and encourage people to respect and utilize existing laws which protect domestic workers. While the convention will not eradicate human rights violations of domestic workers, the international recognition of the need for domestic workers to be afforded the same rights as other workers is a step in the right direction.

Led by Jeannine Hensley, Foreword by Adrienne Rich
Publisher: John Harvard Library
Review by Kathryn Atwood

Anne Bradstreet is generally considered to be the first serious poet of the American colonies and one of its first female writers. Born in England in 1612, Bradstreet was raised and educated in a comfortable English home before traveling to the New World when she was 16 to seek religious freedom: she and her family were Puritans. Her poems, written in New England and distributed among family members, were taken to England in 1650 for publication without Bradstreet’s knowledge. A second edition, with additional poems (and Bradstreet’s blessing) was published during her lifetime and then a third, with still additional poems, was published posthumously.

Finally, a fourth edition was published in 1867 which included previously unpublished Bradstreet writings known as the Andover Collection. The current John Harvard Library edition, a reprint of its definitive 1967 collection, includes all previously published material as well as an updated bibliography and a Bradstreet chronology.

Understanding the initial poems in this collection is greatly enhanced by the foreword and introduction (by Adrienne Rich and Jeanine Hensley, respectively) which explain that Bradstreet was trying to keep her English education alive in the colonial wilderness by writing extremely long, erudite poems having little to do with her surroundings: “The Four Elements,” “Of the Four Humours,” “Of the Four Ages,” “Of the Four Seasons,” and “The Four Monarchies.”

The first edition also included a fairly lengthy poem praising, in great detail, the reign of Queen Elizabeth while it simultaneously questions the unfairness of gender issues:

. . . Now say, have women worth? Or have they none?
Or had they some, but with our Queen is gone?
Nay masculines, you have thus taxed us long,
But she, though dead, will vindicate our wrong.
Let such as say our sex if void of reason,
Know ‘tis a slander now but once was treason.

Apart from several fascinating poems such as this one, many of Bradstreet’s early works, appreciated at the time of their publication, suffer a bit of a disconnect from 21st century readers, especially the lengthy ones previously mentioned. But these writings were apparently essential preparations for the more strikingly personal poems that followed, those that are most often anthologized and known in this century by students of early American literature, such as “To My Dear and Loving Husband,” a poem originally published in the third collection:

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold . . .

Another poem from this collection called “Before the Birth of One of Her Children” reveals Bradstreet’s fear of death only because it means parting from her loved ones:

. . . If any worth of virtue were in me,
Let that live freshly in they memory
And when thou feel’st no grief, as I no harms,
Yet love thy dead, who long lay in thine arms.
And when thy loss shall be repaid with gains
Look to my little babes, my dear remains.
And if thou love thyself, or loved’st me,
These O protect from step-dame’s injury . . .

“In Memory of My Dear Grandchild Anne Bradstreet” shows the tension Bradstreet often felt between her love for life and her Christian beliefs:

. . . More fool then I to look on that was lent
As if mine own, when thus impermanent.
Farewell dear child, thou ne’er shall come to me,
But yet a while, and I shall go to thee;
Mean time my throbbling heart’s cheered up with this:
Thou with thy Saviour art in endless bliss.

Bradstreet’s theological beliefs are further documented in the Andover Collection (the last section of the current edition) and contains various poems and prose, the first of which, “To My Dear Children,” documents Bradstreet’s spiritual odyssey meant to be read after she had died: “The method I will observe shall be this: I will begin with God’s dealing with me from my childhood to this day.”

“The Words of Anne Bradstreet” places all of Bradstreet’s writings clearly within her biographical framework and as such is the definitive tool for understanding this important colonial poet.

The mission of the Building Change Film Festival is to open the viewer’s eyes to the injustices that we see in the world by screening films that will celebrate struggle, shed light on these injustices, and show us possibilities for a better future.

We are looking for feature length, mid, and short films (25 minutes or less) themed around social justice issues, preferably those that have relevance to Southwestern Pennsylvania. This is open to a full range of issues including; the environment, poverty, LGBTQ issues, racial and gender equality, prison/police reform, food justice, peace and human rights issues. Ideal films will demonstrate the power and value of filmmaking as a vehicle for exploration of social justice issues and will motivate viewers to seek solutions and promote change. There is no age limit and all genres will be considered. We are requesting recently made films from 2009 to present.

Selection will be based on technical quality, relevance to local social justice issues, and the Festival objective of including a diverse range of issues.
Films will be screened at several venues across Pittsburgh during this 5-day film festival. The Building Change Film Festival is one of the major components of Building Change: a Convergence for Social Justice that will be held October 13-15, 2011 at the Sen. John Heinz Regional History Center. The Convergence is a grassroots, movement building conference with participatory workshops at which participants will learn about current issues and share their skills to make real impact. For more information about Building Change, visit www.buildingchangewpa.org.

The early submission deadline is July 15th, 2011.
The late deadline is August 10th, 2011.
Regional Short Film Submissions:
Building Change is also interested in seeing short films of local or regional relevance created strictly for the Convergence. We are seeking films 25 minutes or less that are created by people living in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and focusing on relevant social justice issues in this region. Please tell us about your idea for a short film below, along with any information (title, run time, etc.) you have and then plan on submitting your short film for review by August 31, 2011
For information on how to submit, please visit http://trcfwpa.org/building-change-film-festival
Aurora Matthews
buildingchange@trcfwpa.org
100 N. Braddock Ave Ste. 302
Pittsburgh PA. 15208
(412) 243-9250

By Anne fleming
http://www.women-drivers.com

Road trip season has begun. With many of us watching our spending, we will inevitably feel the “pump pain” of filling the tank as the price is approaching almost $4 per gallon, with some service stations already topping $4.

With the price of gas reaching all time highs, the traditional American road trip will be more costly than ever. For those who choose to drive, you can cut down on gas consumption by taking a shorter route, or simply plan a getaway that’s a shorter distance away. Online sources such as AAA’s regional fuel cost calculator will provide you the estimated fuel cost of your journey.

Here are some further tips from www.Women-Drivers.com for saving money particularly on road trips, and being savvy about making the most of your gas:

1. Give yourself plenty of time so you can ease up on the pedal.
Speeding and quick acceleration can lower your gas mileage by
33% at highway speeds.
2. Avoid heavy traffic (which leads to idling), by researching and planning your route ahead of time. Be aware of construction zones by going online first, or utilizing Google Maps on your smart phone for road conditions in major cities.
3. Make use of the dozens of gas apps on smart phones, which guide you to find cheap gas while on the road.
4. Keep luggage and items packed inside the car instead of strapped on top of the roof, to decrease aerodynamic drag. According to fueleconomy.gov, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.
5. Fill with regular fuel rather than premium. Also, find a gas station that uses little or no ethanol, which is reported to get you only half as far as a tank of gasoline alone.
6. Use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle, which improves your gas mileage.
7. Use “overdrive” when travelling at a high enough speed, so the engine operates at fewer RPMs which in turn, uses less gas.
8. Charge up your electronic, mobile phone or other tech gadgets at home first instead of using your car battery, which drains the gas. While on the road, try to use other outlets for charging.
9. If you’re able, wait until your gas tank is down to a quarter full before you refuel. Driving on an emptier tank equals a lighter weight car, which increases your fuel economy.
Every little bit helps. Changing your driving habits can let you keep money in your wallet to spend on other activities.

Family caregivers may not have time to accompany a senior loved one to the doctor. However, if the senior is willing, it could be vital that an older adult have someone there. That’s because there’s a lot of information that a senior’s doctor should know. A health professional must be told the medicines that older adult is taking, whether that senior has allergies, if that loved one is being treated by another doctor for an illness or is not taking the medications that have already been prescribed. If no one is available to go to the doctor with a senior, it will help to write down all that information for a parent.

The Home Instead Senior Care® network has worked with Humana Points of Caregiving® to develop a resource that also will help. An information management tool and the Senior Emergency KitSM website include a doctor visit worksheet and other valuable resources. Listed below are some questions to discuss with your senior’s doctor.

What is your main health concern right now?
Do you have any new symptoms, such as pain?
What changes have you noticed in your health since your last visit?
If you currently take medication for pain or any other symptom, how is it working?
Have you started any new medications? What are they? Do you have any side effects from the
medicines you take?
Have you seen other doctors before this visit? Have you had diagnostic tests or other treatments?
Do you want to discuss those results?

For fifteen years, the Home Instead Senior Care® franchise network has been devoted to providing seniors with the highest quality care in their own homes, and to arming families with the information they need to make the best decisions about caring for aging loved ones. Family caregivers can visit www.SeniorEmergencyKit.com for more information and resources to help them track their seniors’ medications.

Until next time, if you, or any organization of which you are a part, is interested in learning more, please contact our office. We would be happy to speak to your group free of charge about this subject, our services, or even employment opportunities.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Champagne, Human Resource Coordinator
Home Instead Senior Care
1102 S Braddock Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Phone: (412) 731-0733
Rebecca.Champagne@HomeInstead.com
________________________________

1.That Billie Jean King was born on November 22, 1943 in Long Beach, California?

2.That at the Los Angeles Tennis Club in 1955, Billie Jean was barred from
posing for a group picture of junior tennis players because she was wearing tennis shorts and not a tennis skirt?

3.That Billie Jean was the first female athlete in any sport to earn more than $100,000 in a single season($117,000, 1971?

4.That in 1973 King lobbied for, and obtained, equal prize money
for men and women at the US Open?

5.That Billie Jean Founded the Women’s Tennis Association (1973),
the Women’s Sports Foundation (1974), Women’s Sports Magazine
(1974) and co-founded GreenSlam, an environmental initiative
for the sports industry (2007)?

6.That Billie Jean was the first woman to coach a co-ed team in professional sports (Philadelphia Freedoms, WTT, 1974)?

7.That Billie Jean defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history - the Battle of the Sexes in 1973 and that this match is remembered for its effect on society and its contribution to the women’s movement?

8.That Billie Jean was the first woman commissioner in professional
sports history (World TeamTennis, 1984)?

9. That Billie Jean was one of nine players who broke away from the tennis establishment and accepted $1 contracts from tennis promoter Gladys Heldman in Houston. The revolt led to the birth of women’s professional tennis and the formation of the Virginia Slims Tour and Women’s Tennis Association?

10. That Billie Jean was named Global Mentor for Gender Equality by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2008 and received the NCAA President’s Gerald R. Ford Award in 2009, recognizing her contributions to improving higher education and intercollegiate athletics?

11. That Billie Jean continues to be a leader in the fight for equality and recognition in the GLBT community, and has been honored by many of the leading GLBT organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and Lambda Legal Foundation?

12.That Billie Jean currently serves on the boards of the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation?

13.That Billie won her first Wimbledon title 50 years ago?And was the Only woman to win U.S. singles title on four surfaces (grass, clay, carpet, hard courts)?

14.That Elton John wrote his No. 1 hit Philadelphia Freedom for Billie Jean?

July 8 and 29 - KRANNERT CENTER AND FOX/ATKINS PRESENT OUTSIDE AT THE RESEARCH PARK 2011 - 6:30pm –FREE - Krannert Center for the Performing Arts once again joins forces with Fox/Atkins Development, LLC, for a two-show series of summer concerts at the U of I Research Park. Both concerts are free and open to the public. OUTSIDE at the Research Park plays upon a simple concept: great music, fresh food, a green state of mind, and an open, relaxed environment. The performance space and seating area are located just south of the building at the corner of First Street and St. Mary’s Road in Champaign. The tree-lined, grassy space has hosted thousands of audience members each summer since the inception of OUTSIDE in 2007 - Headliners for the 2011 series will be Austin’s high-octane flamenco/rock/world music/guitar magicians known as Del Castillo on July 8 and the Appalachian flat-pickers/Brazilian cross-cultural collaborators of Matuto on July 29 - Visit www.KrannertCenter.com  or call 217/333-6280 or 800/KCPATIX (527-2849).