Which job would you rather have?

In each newsletter I will address an issue of concern that led to the formation of Fifty/Fifty Leadership, and that keeps it relevant today. There are more issues than there is space for here - or that you would have the time to read, so there will be no shortage of what to write!

Would you want to be a firefighter? E.J. Graff and Evelyn Murphy* reported in the Los Angeles Times recently that yes, "women will jump into a better-paying field, no matter how dirty or onerous the work, if they think they'll be let in. Just try supporting a child or two or three, and maybe a disabled husband on a waitress' or bank clerk's wages: It can't be done."

Note the phrase: "if they think they'll be let in." What does it take? How are women being kept out? Is it getting better - or worse? New York City's fire service, Graff & Murphy report, has 40 women who joined the department after a successful 1982 lawsuit. But these women are starting to retire, which means that within a few years, women will make up less than 0.02% of the 11,500-member firefighting force, according to Maureen McFadden, a trustee of the nonprofit organization Women in the Fire Service.

Women are being kept out by compelling them to take physical tests unrelated to job qualifications such as requiring women to lift more than Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permits. Women are being refused training, being subjected to hazing and held to higher performance standards than their male peers.

When pregnant their overtime is cut and "light duty" is refused. They are often forced to take time off without pay, isolated on the job and sometimes made to change clothes in the same locker room as the guys. Women are given numerous lateral transfers to the most tedious jobs and told to quit if they don't like it. Retaliation comes if a woman complains that an officer or supervisor has started grabbing, groping, leaving violently sexual notes, regularly demanding sexual favors and so on.

All these discriminatory devices are drawn from lawsuits that public safety departments lost or settled between 2000 and 2005.

How are we doing? Do we need to keep working for equality of opportunity? Where else are we being kept out? Would an extra $500,000 over the course of your working lifetime make a difference to you? That's the extra money that an average male makes over an average female. What are your thoughts? Write us - we'll include your comments in the next newsletter.

* Evelyn Murphy is a former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and founding director of the WAGE Project; E.J. Graff is senior researcher at the Brandeis Institute for Investigative Journalism, and most recently collaborated on Murphy's new book, "Getting Even: Why Women Still Don't Get Paid Like Men - And What to Do About It."

UPDATE
At our Strategic Planning meeting January 3 rd focusing on fundraising, our main objective was to identify how to develop a revenue stream that will allow us to proceed with our programs and to also make us eligible to apply for grants from foundations and corporate sponsors.

What the team came up with was - Bingo! That's right, Bingo! Mi Kim, Secretary of Fifty/Fifty Leadership, took on the Chair of the Bingo Committee and as March is Women's History Month, we thought that would be a great time to have our first bingo night. See below under Events for details of this fun evening! Thanks also to Yolanda Vazquez, Paula Leftwich Diana Davidson and Barry Allen who are working to make this a fun and profitable evening.

"Women and Technology: The Roles of History, Access and Self Esteem."

Teresa Bailey's presentation covered the issues of women not adequately and appropriately acknowledging their competence, talent and experience which costs jobs, promotions and considerable dollars. Teresa asked us to consider how we can add our own definition of technology and decide the kind of technology we would want to design and also that as in the corporate world where many women reach a certain level and then opt out, we must encourage women to enter the world of science and technology; to add our voice in the scientific and technological community.

After Terry's presentation everyone then jumped in and talked about what we can do about these discrepancies; how we can encourage young women to enter the world of science and technology and how we can bridge the gap between the low paying jobs we get shuffled into, and the more lucrative fields and positions that are now dominated by men.

The response to this event was so positive, that we will be repeating it in Los Angeles and in Orange County. If you would like to attend or would like the presentation in your area, send an email to info@Fifty/Fifty.us or call Pauline Field at 818.243.2322.

BOARD MEETINGS
Our Board meetings are a time when we can hear what is going on at Fifty/Fifty Leadership and get to know the amazing group of men and women who make up our Board. People who are committed to women's equal empowerment as leaders. Because we have people from many areas of Los Angeles, we are holding the meetings in different parts of town to help alleviate the traffic stress once in a while for each of us. If you have, or know of a conference room / meeting room that will accommodate approximately 15 - 20 people for an evening meeting, at no charge, please let me know. Congresswoman Diane Watson graciously hosted our Strategic Planning meeting in January - and her staff member, James Koopman stayed at work to close up after we left. Thank you, thank you.

For date, time and location of our next Board Meeting, please visit our website at www.Fifty/Fifty.us

1. Enhanced participation of women in development: an enabling environment for achieving gender equality and the advancement of women, taking into account, inter alia, the fields of education, health and work.

2. Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels.

As you can see, the second theme in particular is what Fifty/Fifty Leadership is all about.

In our next newsletter, we will report back from the Commission.

"Not Your Grandma's Bingo Night!"
Saturday, March 11, 7:00 p.m.

Featuring:
The Fabulous Bridget of Madison County and Bingo Boy -

PLUS

Playgirl Magazine's Man of the Year and National Rugby Champion Jerry Banks

"One of the hottest, most dangerous things to do at night" Los Angeles Magazine

Throop Church, 300 So. Los Robles, Pasadena (corner Del Mar)

7:00 p.m. - Registration. Pizza, Hot Dogs, Popcorn and Beverages available

8:00 p.m. - The Games Begin!

WIN GREAT PRIZES!

Passes to Disneyland, Hotel Stay, Theatre Tickets, Limo Servce,

Dinner for Two, Cosmetics, Gift Certificates

Prizes brought to you by Disney, Estrellita's Floral Arrangements, Glendale Hilton, A Noise Within Theater, Vogue Limousine Service, Favorite Place Restaurant, La Cabanita Restaurant, Nano's Café, Pasadena Playhouse, Pigment's Cosmetics, Sports Club L.A., Trader Joe's . and more!

Fifty/Fifty will host a performance of Andrea's show - if you would like to attend or would like to discuss having a performance in your area, email us at info@Fifty/Fifty.us or call Pauline Field at 818.243.2322

Leadership Circles are an opportunity to hone your leadership skills and learn new ones. Leadership Circles will help you recognize the leadership you already have and express it. "Leadership" has mostly been defined by men; through Leadership Circles we will add our voice to the definition of leadership. The program will be expanding nationally so that everyone who wants to be a leader will have a place to go to share successes, learn how to overcome barriers and break through the ceilings.

Mi Kim - Congratulations to Mi who has just joined a law firm that specializes in entertainment, business and real estate. If you are in that field and need a lawyer, give Mi a call at 310-903-7926.

Ellen Snortland - Has been enjoying standing ovations for her show, Now That She's Gone, whenever she performs it. Ellen will be performing while in New York at the Pen & Brush Club, 16 East Tenth Street - New York, New York 10003. If you know anyone in New York, let them know of this performance - they'll thank you for it! $15 General Admission, $10 Pen & Brush Club Members, $4 Students. light refreshments served. For Reservations: Pen & Brush office by phone: (212)475-3669, e-mail: penbrush99@aol.com

Tell us what have you done recently - or not so recently - that has been an example of what you consider leadership? As well as having a section on our website under the "Members Only" page, we will include in the newsletter success stories from you, as well as knowing what you have found helpful in growing your leadership skills.

A Special Invitation to Become A Member of

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I invite you to become a Member of the national leadership organization that will help transform this country so women are as often found in top leadership positions as men - Fifty/Fifty Leadership .

Fifty/Fifty Leadership's mission is to transform the culture within which we live to one that naturally includes women on an equal basis in the selection of leaders.

Your tax-deductible gift entitles you to exclusive Membership benefits and privileges like these:

Membership Card - You will receive a laminated card Identifying you as a Member

Adding Our Voice - You'll receive a complimentary subscription to our newsletter, packed with fascinating profiles of accomplished women, stories of how women became leaders, ideas on how to become a leader, and much more.

Access to the "Members Only" Section of our Website

Leadership Circles will have new information weekly; we will list events that are open only to our members. and more.

Discounts! Discounts! Discounts! We have very talented artists who are designing gifts especially and exclusively for Fifty/Fifty Leadership: A Fifty/Fifty Leadership Pin, Gift Cards, Wall Hangings, Plates, and more. These will be available to the general public and will be discounted to members. Great gifts for yourself and everyone on your list.

Members will also receive a discount to many Fifty/Fifty Leadership Events and Programs.

Enjoy Special Privileges - When You Join Fifty/Fifty Leadership's Leaders Circle

With an annual gift of $500, $1,000 or more, you'll join Fifty/Fifty's Leaders Circle. To thank you for your high level of support, you'll be invited to one or more private receptions during the year where you will meet our Board of Trustees and other key leaders from major corporations, philanthropic organizations, associations, the U.S. Congress, and clubs who have joined with dedicated people like you to support the mission of Fifty/Fifty Leadership.

Where your money goes - As we unfold our strategy we will be using your donations to do the following: Bringing Leadership Circles , which will help girls and women be leaders, across the U.S. Help launch the Freedom Academy which will bring young women leaders from developing countries to the U.S. for a year of leadership development before returning home to accomplish their projects . and more. Join Us!

SUBSCRIPTIONS
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