In this issue:

Oprah Winfrey has spent $40 million to build a school for girls in South Africa. See story below

1. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, South Africa

Excerpted from an article by Stacy Gilliam and from a CNN report

In 2000, Oprah Winfrey vowed to give children in South Africa a chance at a better future. She made good on it yesterday with the opening of a state-of-the-art facility in Henley-on-Clip, a small town south of Johannesburg .

A host of celebrities and international dignitaries, including Nelson Mandela, joined Winfrey in praising The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, now ready to house 152, economically deprived girls. Ages 11 and 12, the students were chosen among 3,500 applicants - who Oprah personally interviewed -  who had to show academic and leadership potential, and have a household income of no more than $787 a month. Eventually, the $40 million academy will support 450 girls.

Described as lavish compared to other schools in the town, Oprah's academy responds to a struggling school system in which standards are on the decline and the dropout rate is on the rise. State-run facilities, particularly those built under apartheid, are reportedly overcrowded, lack basic needs such as books, and are wrought with gang violence, drugs and other social ills.

Class size will average 15 and teachers will be recruited from around the world, reflecting a multi-ethnic, multi-national diversity.

Built on 52 acres, the 28-building campus has top-notch classrooms, computer and science laboratories, a library, an indoor and outdoor theater, a yoga studio, and a beauty salon. According to reports, Winfrey chose the uniforms for the girls, the 200-thread count sheets, and personally tested the beds for comfort.

2. In The News

New Online Magazine for Latina Teenagers - Latinitas

Alicia Rascon and Laura Donnelly, who were journalism student together, noticed that Latina teens and girls didn't have a magazine that was really about them.  "We had a stack of about 20 teen magazines and looked at all the covers," Rascon recalled. "There wasn't a single Latina on the cover. We didn't see Latina bylines."  "There were no youth-protagonists in films who were not like drug dealers, gang members. Even if you look at Jennifer Lopez, she's only played a Hispanic once or twice, and that was to be a maid."

"When we decided the theme of the magazine, we decided it should be success-driven and empower the girls, highlight the positive things; how Latinas are being successful and accomplishing their goals."  A health article on smoking, a first-person account of battling a negative body image by a self-described borderline bulimic and a review of a local Mexican American rock band appeared in the first issue. Next came a "day in the life of a college Latina ," by a first-generation college student.

Latinitas is actually two magazines on one Web site: one for high school teens, the other for those age 14 and under. New content is posted monthly.

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Domestic Violence:  Navajo Women Have Few Safe Houses

Mary, a pseudonym to protect her identity, says her husband hit her with a 2-by-4, knocked out her teeth and laughed when he told her that she could commit suicide for all he cared.

She lives in Chinle, a town of about 6,000 in northeastern Arizona near the geographic heart of the Navajo Nation. The town has one stoplight, one grocery store, a small police department and no established shelter for domestic violence victims and families.

But it does have one place where women can go for aid and be heard, Ama Doo Alchini Bighan, a 17-year-old nonprofit organization funded by grants, donations and Arizona state that provides domestic violence services to the Chinle area on the Navajo Reservation and runs a safe-house network to provide temporary shelter.

The Navajo Nation's Department of Law Enforcement recorded about 2,500 cases in the second quarter of 2006.  The American Indian Health Council reports that American Indian women experience the highest rate of violence of any group in this country. Homicide is the third leading cause of death. Over 75 percent of Native American women murdered were killed by a family member or an acquaintance.

The tribe of over 180,000 people--who are known as the Dine, the Navajo word for "people"--lives on a 26,000-square-mile tract of land and has only two domestic violence shelters that provide beds.

The Tohdenasshai Women's Shelter, about 60 miles northwest of Chinle in Kayenta , Ariz. , can house up to six families in its double-wide trailer. If more beds are needed, women are referred to shelters off the reservation.

In the neighboring state of New Mexico , the Shiprock Home for Women and Children is able to shelter eight families in its temporary mobile trailer until their new facility opens next year. Women travel over 100 miles there to flee abusers. Due to the expanse of the reservation's 16 million acres, it is difficult for victims of domestic violence to find help.

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Women's E News Announces its 21 Leaders for the 21st Century

Once again Women's ENews will honor women - and one man - who make and have made a major contribution to improving women's lives.  A few of those people being honored this year are Dena Merriam , founder of the Global Peace Initiative of Women, and Aloisea Inyumba , a senator in Rwanda's Parliament, both promoted the peace and cooperation of women on local and international levels.  Kathleen DeBold and Elizabeth Saylor both champion the rights of women who are often ignored.  Jackson Katz , is a former all-star football player who became outraged at the nonchalant way male violence against women was treated in society and committed his life to educating athletes at all levels about gender-based violence.

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United Way Report on Women and Girls in Los Angeles

Thanks to Monica Hubbard, Non-Profit Consultant for the following:

At a leadership summit held last month, a report was released identifying the plight and needs of the 5 million women and girls in Los Angeles County .

-- Poverty is a serious threat for woman-headed households:  26 percent of women who live alone and 40 percent of single mother families with children are poor, compared to just 11 percent of married couple families.

-- Child care is a make-or break issue for working women -- half of women make less than what they need in order to afford childcare (the average earnings for women is $34,941; however a single mother needs to make $42,936 to meet basic needs, including food, housing, childcare and transportation).

-- Nearly 40 percent of the county's homeless population of 88,000 is made up of women and children, according to the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. 32 percent of homeless school-age children are not attending school.

Several actions were proposed at the summit to address these issues, and United Way has committed to being a part of those actions.

To read the full "2007: State of Women in Los Angeles " report, go to http://www.unitedwayla.org

3. Help Buying and Maintaining Your Car

AskPatty.com is a New York based website that educates women about all things automotive, with a staff of female automotive experts who write articles and answer questions on repair, maintenance and car buying.  They certify dealerships as female-friendly after they have passed a course on how to communicate with women.

49% of the nation's dealerships do not have even one female salesperson, according to a survey by the National Auto Dealers Association.

Says one rep that has taken the course, "Sometimes the women don't feel comfortable.  This trains us on how to communicate a lot better.  I give them a lot more attention than I would before."

4. Two United Nations Awards -  Call For Nominations

Global Young Advocate Award

Nominations Deadline is January 12th

Please note that nominations for the Global Young Advocate Award (GYAA) are due on January 12!

Young people around the nation show their commitment to the goals and ideals of the United Nations on a daily basis.  UNA-USA is proud to recognize young professionals whose accomplishments demonstrate personal initiative and commitment to the United Nations through the Global Young Advocate Award.

Past Global Young Advocate Awardees have been recognized because of their volunteer activities, workplace initiatives, and social endeavors.  They have combined their passion for the United Nations with an ability to motivate others and create meaningful change.

The award will be given out at the awards banquet during the 2007 UNA USA Convention in New York City .  For more information on the Convention, visit www.unausa.org/07convention.

The criteria for the GYAA are:

1.         Nominee must be a member of UNA-USA in good standing between (and including) the ages of 21 and 40.

2.         Nomination may be made by any UNA-USA member, but if the nomination is not from the local chapter or division where the nominee is active, a seconding letter must come from the Board of Directors of that local UNA.

3.         Nominations must be submitted electronically by completing the "Global Young Advocate Award Nomination Form" and emailing to membership@unausa.org on or before January 12, 2007.

If you don't see the link for the nomination form, please visit www.unausa.org/07convention and click on "awards" for the nomination form and criteria.

2007 Perdita Huston Human Rights Award

The United Nations Association of the National Capital Area would like to announce the Fifth Annual Perdita Huston Human Rights Award. The Award was established in 2002 to celebrate the work of Perdita Huston, and to recognize the life and work of outstanding advocates for women's rights in the Third World . Previous recipients have come from South Asia and Africa , and have benefited greatly from the visibility and recognition that the Award brings to their work.

Nominations are invited from individuals and organizations to: nomination@perditahustonaward.com by the deadline of February 15, 2007.

The 2006 award recipient, Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, founder of Prajwala, is fighting human trafficking in India by rescuing, rehabilitating, and supporting trafficked women and girls. Dr. Krishnan is integrating India 's citizen, government, and business sectors jointly to arrange protective and rehabilitative services for women who have been trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation.

For more information on the award, eligibility, and the nomination/selection process, go to http://www.perditahustonaward.com/

5. U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce 2007 Guide to Women Contractors

Online Version - The USWCC Guide to Women Contractors  will also be provided online so that you may keep your listing updated and so that any qualified buyer may easily search, find and contact women-owned businesses regarding upcoming opportunities.

NEW: USWCC | New Deal Marketplace and New Deal ProjectPlace
Now through USWCC | New Deal you may take part in the revolutionary Marketplace ProjectPlace storefronts . Setup your own online storefront or project/service listing through our online marketplace gateway. Certified women-owned businesses may take part in our special SupplierPlace where registered buyers may shop your preferred corporate and government offerings.

Certification and Authentication - Through this central repository of women-owned firms, the USWCC will also consolidate the certification of women-owned businesses and extend the prestige of the USWCC brand to all women-owned firms by providing an official "USWCC Certified Women-Owned Business" authentication to all firms currently holding qualified certifications from government and third-party certifiers.

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce is the leading advocate for women on economic and leadership issues, the USWCC is creating economic and leadership opportunities for women by building a strong community voice, lobbying for you, and providing programs and benefits to support the growth of our women across America.

U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce , 1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 300 , Washington , DC 20004   888-41-USWCC

6. Events

Please let us know of events in YOUR area that we can post here.  If you know of conferences, programs that will inform, educate and inspire, we will consider them for publication.  Ed.

HEDY EPSTEIN, HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR/ HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE FROM KIPPENHEIM TO PALESTINE

 Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 3:30 p.m.

Beverly Hills Public Library Auditorium, 444 Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 
(Parking at 450 N. Rexford Dr. between Santa Monica Blvd. and Burton Way).  Sponsored by Women in Black-Los Angeles and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom  Call 323-993-3322 for more information

Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 4 p.m.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Long Beach, 525 E. 7th St. (Atlantic Avenue at 7th Street) 
Long Beach, CA 90813 
(Parking lots on Atlantic Avenue and 7th Street) 

Sponsored by Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Long Beach Chapter  http://www.stlukeslb.org/epf.html, and by Women in Black - Los Angeles and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 5 p.m.

UCLA, Ackerman Union Second Floor Lounge (room 2414), 450 Hilgard  Use Westwood Bl. entrance to campus,  Westwood , CA 90095

Sponsored by Students for Justice in Palestine  Call 310 806-2686 for more information

Hedy Epstein was born August 15, 1924, in Freiburg , Germany . She lived with her parents Ella and Hugo Wachenheimer in Kippenheim , Germany . Her family, originally from Spain, had lived in Germany for many generations. 

On May 18, 1939, Hedy went to England on a children's transport to flee Nazi Germany. Five hundred children were on this transport, part of the almost 10,000 children that England took in between December 1938 and September 1, 1939, the beginning of World War II. Hedy's parents perished in Auschwitz . 

After the war, Hedy returned to Germany , working as a research analyst at the Nuremberg trial of the Nazi doctors who performed medical experiments on concentration camp inmates.  In 1948 she came to the US and became active in the causes of civil and human rights and social justice, including fair housing, abortion rights, and antiwar activities. As a peace delegate, Hedy journeyed to Guatemala , Nicaragua , and Cambodia in 1989. Hedy has also visited the Israeli Occupied West Bank four times since 2003 to witness the facts on the ground. 

In her autobiography, published in Germany Erinnern Ist Nicht Genug (Remembering is Not Enough,) Hedy adds, "remembering must also have a  present and a future perspective. " 

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Monday, January 15
CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee will be one of the keynote speakers at the annual gala dinner at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel

For details about this and other events leading up to the 15 th , contact Wendy Gladney-Brooks at 626.791.3847 wendy@personalservicesplus.com

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Wednesday, January 17
HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNITY COALITION MEETING WITH YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Coalition Meeting

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. VIP dinner ($35 per person)

7:00 p.m.  Cargo Innocence Lost

After the Coalition meeting, there will be a dinner, followed by the opportunity to meet the award winning producer Michael Corey Davis, who is the producer of the film, Cargo Innocence Lost.  He will introduce his film on human trafficking.   When the film ends, there will be a panel discussion which will include from members of the LAPD who work on human trafficking.  Others invited speakers are Sheriff Baca, and other elected officials.  Please rsvp to anne.dunn@lacity.org for the meeting and to YouthHumanRights@aol.com for dinner and a movie

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Gloria Steinem says, "Ellen Snortland's one-woman play, "Now That She's Gone," is what good theater is all about. Her funny and tragic, particular and universal story sends us home with a better understanding of our own."

2 Benefit* Performances in
Beverly Hills and Pasadena in February!

Thurs., February 1, 7:30 p.m.
Ms. Magazine/Feminist Majority Foundation
433 S. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills , CA 90212
(street parking & additional self-paid parking at Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1150 S. Beverly Dr .)

Mon., Feb. 5, 7:00 p.m.
Throop Memorial Unitarian Church
300 S. Los Robles
Pasadena , CA 91101
(street parking & additional parking across the street in lot)

General Admission: $25 (tax deductible donation)
Students, Seniors and Limited income: $10
Tickets available at the door at both venues

Now That She's Gone is a play that explores Ellen Snortland's often wacky, irreverent and sometimes torturous relationship with her Norwegian-American mother. Now That She's Gone has been described as a Lily Tomlin/Garrison Keillor/Eve Ensler hybrid...passionate, poignant and funny in turns.  A memoir piece with Eleanor Roosevelt, sex, drugs and lutefisk, the play and performance have received rave reviews and standing ovations in California , New York , and Washington , D.C.

*The proceeds from both of these staged readings go toward the producing of the documentary film, "Beauty Bites Beast," fiscally sponsored by Fifty/Fifty Leadership, a 501 (c3) non-profit.

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Monday, February 26
THE WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP REVIVAL TOUR

Orange County 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Also on:

March 29 - Minneapolis , Mn

May 29 th - Chicago , Il

June 7 th - Louisville , Ky

Meg Wheatley of the Berkana Institute promises a wonderful gathering that will stimulate your curiosity about where your own leadership can be of most benefit and inspire you to offer it in service to the needs of this time.

The Berkana Institute, which connects and supports pioneering, life-affirming leaders around the world who strengthen their communities by working with the wisdom and wealth already present in its people, traditions and environment. 

For exact locations and more information, contact Zoe and Patricia or call them, (949) 642-8295 for Orange County, lana@berkana.org for Minneapolis and Louisville, kygupta@uic.edu for Chicago.

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Wednesday, March 21
TAKE ACTION, CREATE CHANGE: REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM DAY

Sacramento Convention Center
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Hosted by the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom.  Register by January 31 at a special early bird rate - $40 by January 31.   Scholarships available, visit registration page for details.

Join hundreds of pro-choice advocates from around the state for an exciting day of legislative visits and workshops.  Educate your legislators about commonsense ways to prevent teen pregnancy and improve family communication. 

EDUCATE your Legislators; CAUCUS with Women's Health Advocates from all over California ; PROTECT Women's Health Rights; LEARN about Emerging Issues

If you need hotel accomodations, CCRF has booked a block of rooms at the  Holiday Inn Express Sacramento Convention Center at 728 16th Street . Call 1-800-282-0204 and say you are with CCRF.  Rooms are $99 per night and must be booked by February 27.

To contact the organizer, go to:  http://ccrf.eventbrite.com/

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Saturday, March, 24
H.E.R. CONFERENCE TO CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Mark your calendars!  The Health, Empowerment and Resources Conference for women and girls will take place Saturday, March 24 th at Woodbury University , Burbank , California .  Fifty/Fifty Leadership is partnering with the YWCA of Glendale to bring educational and inspiring programs and speakers.  More to come!

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Tuesday, May 22
Gala Benefit Dinner
Honoring 21 Leaders for 21 st Century 2007

Cocktail Reception 6pm
Dinner 7pm
Tavern On The Green
Central Park West & 67th Street, New York City

To make a reservation or for more information on this event, email Natasha@womensenews.org

7. LEADERSHIP CIRCLES - Update

Now that the holidays are over, we will be working on this program again.  If you would like to help with the completion of the Leadership Circles documentation and packaging, please email us at info@Fifty/Fifty.us and let us know.

Leadership Circles are small groups, held in homes, offices, restaurants, church halls, community rooms, etc.  They provide 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.

8. THE FREEDOM ACADEMY - Update

On Sunday, December 10 th Fifty/Fifty Leadership hosted the first briefing on the Armenian Freedom Academy .  With a full house, the potential and some of the barriers to having this first Academy were discussed and many of the attendees have expressed an interest in participating in putting it on.

With the holidays, nothing further has been done, but we expect to continue development shortly.  If you have not already expressed an interest and would like to be involved, please email us at info@Fifty/Fifty.us and let us know.

 The Freedom Academy will bring 12 young women who have been identified as potential leaders of their communities to the United States for a year-long program to develop their leadership skills. It is the assertion of the creators of the Freedom Academy that there is a dire need in developing countries for powerful leadership, especially for the untapped human leadership potential in previously neglected leadership talent among women and girls. If the 8 Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations are to be met by the year 2015, it is absolutely essential to create fast track leadership programs for women. After attending the Freedom Academy program the graduates return home to be integral to developing, implementing and leading projects designed to bring their homeland into line with the 8 Millennium Development Goals.

9. ABOUT Fifty/Fifty LEADERSHIP

10. MEMBERSHIP - Tell a Friend

Becoming a member in Fifty/Fifty is your statement that you want to add your voice to help transform our culture such that when leaders are chosen, they are chosen equally - women to men. What else is in it for you?

• Your subscription to this newsletter, The Equality Standard so you'll have facts about women and girls locally, nationally and internationally, plus learn about events of interest in Los Angeles, New York, D.C., Sacramento, and more

• Discounts at many events put on by Fifty/Fifty Leadership

• Your name will be added to our website as a supporter of the work we are doing

• Your membership may be tax deductible - please check with your tax professional

Can you be involved without becoming a member? Yes. Subscriptions to The Equality Standard are $12 per year. As a special offer for the launch of this new newsletter, if you subscribe between now and December 31, 2006, you will receive the newsletter until December 31, 2007. You can pay by check or credit card. Please send your check or the credit card information below to Equality Standard, P.O. Box 11202, Glendale, CA 91226 or you can call or email your credit card information to PaulineField@charter.net , 818-243-2322

(Click here for printer-friendly subscription form)

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11. Support Fifty/Fifty Leadership While You Shop

Fifty/Fifty Leadership is now listed on Giveline.

If you're unfamiliar with Giveline, it is an online retailer which gives an average of 16% (up to 33%) of sales to your selected nonprofit organization. It's simple: you shop in the online store, choosing from over one million bestselling name-brand products, and with each transaction Giveline will send Fifty/Fifty Leadership a significant cash donation.

Giveline.com is an online store created for the community-minded shopper, offering more than a million bestselling products including books, movies, music, electronics, housewares, gifts and more. Every purchase generates a substantial donation to Fifty/Fifty Leadership - an amazing average of 16% of store sales, sometimes as high as 33%. Giveline has great products, great service, and great prices - the only difference between Giveline and other major online retailers is that every purchase earns money for our organization. Check it out today, and if you decide to buy, remember that Fifty/Fifty Leadership will earn significant funds in support of our mission!"

So, click here and start shopping! http://www.giveline.com/charitypromote.asp?V=V087912649&p=&mc=MC000&S1= - exclusivelink

Or if you are more comfortable shopping through Amazon.com, click on the Fifty/Fifty Leadership website and click on the link to Amazon.  Every time you purchase something through Amazon, Fifty/Fifty Leadership is credited with a percentage of your purchase.   

http://www.Fifty/Fifty.us/Products.htm

12. FINAL WORDS

This month's final words are from Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win a Nobel Prize. In Kenya , Wangari Maathai held several distinctions including serving as Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife. She founded the Green Belt movement in Kenya.