IN THE NEWS

Spain lawmakers OK women's equality law
Thanks to Margalo Ashley-Farrand for sending us this:

Parliament passed a gender-equality bill aimed at getting more Spanish women into elected office and corporate boardrooms.

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

"Today is the first day of a different society," Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a self-proclaimed feminist, said during a debate before the vote.  Zapatero's 16-member Cabinet includes eight women, a first in Spain .

Highlights of the Law:   
Grants 15 days of paternity leave to new fathers, changing a little-used, current arrangement in which mothers of newborns can lend all or part of their 10 weeks' leave to the father. In 2013, the 15 days' leave will expand to a month.

Women must make up at least 40 percent of the lists of candidates that parties field in elections. It will be applied for the first time in May when Spain holds regional and municipal balloting.

In the business world, companies that achieve more of a male-female balance among their executives and at lower levels will receive favorable treatment when they bid for government contracts.

How Are We Caring for Our Children?

Thanks to Monica Hubbard, Non-Profit Consultant, Activist and Musician for making us aware of this:

Congratulations: Children in the United States do not have the worst quality of life in the developed world. That honor is held by Britain --with the United States a close second. America 's infant mortality rate is exceeded only by Hungary 's; New Zealand is the only country where more people under 19 meet violent deaths each year. On teenage motherhood, we're way ahead: forty-six births for every 1,000 girls between 15 and 19. The closest challenger ( New Zealand again) can manage only thirty. Children born in the richest nation on earth are also the most likely to be noticeably poorer than their neighbors: 21.7 percent of America 's children live in households whose income is less than half the national median. Britain , at 16.2 percent, comes second in the inequality sweepstakes.

This is just a small piece out of the report just issued by UNICEF, Child Poverty in Perspective: An Overview of Child Well-Being in Rich Countries . To read more staggering statistics, Click Here for the Unicef Report

Kenyan MP Nominated for US Award

Thanks to Kimani Kimani for keeping us up to date on news from Kenya

Ms Njoki Ndung'u, has been nominated for the US Secretary of State's award for courageous women. US Ambassador to Kenya Mr Michael Ranneberger said the embassy nominated Ndung'u for her efforts towards the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act.

Ms. Njoki Ndung'u

"Thanks to her dedication and perseverance, the subject of sexual abuse of women and children has become a household topic, bringing the critical issue out of the shadows," he said. 

In May, 2005, Ndung'u presented the motion of intention to bring the Sexual Offences Bill to Parliament. The Bill was passed into law in 2006. Before then, the law on sexual violence was spread through four different pieces of legislation, which complicated matters for victims, the police and judiciary.

The definition of the offence of rape was also very limited and the law categorised rape as an issue of morality. Sentencing was entirely at the discretion of magistrates and in many cases the punishment for offenders did not fit the crime.

It's not easy being mayor in Neiva, Columbia

Cielo Gonzalez

Mayor Cielo Gonzalez travels with 10 guards, has received a gift from President Uribe of a heavily armored SUV, and her house is buttressed by stacks of sandbags to absorb any blasts.

In the three years since she was elected mayor, would-be assassins planted 2 bombs outside the readio station where she took citizen calls every Thursday.  One bomb was in a parked sedan that draw authorities' attention:  it exploded as it was being towed away.

Why is she the object of these attempts on her life?  Because she supports the tough anti-guerrilla policies of the President.

SAVING ON HEALTHCARE

Thanks to Stephanie Schus, Consultant, for letting us know about a way to save some money on ever spiraling health care costs.

The Best Benefits health discount card is a low-priced membership card that gives you access to a national provider network that can save considerable money on things like prescription drugs, eyeglasses, contacts and dental care.  One membership covers everyone in a household, regardless of age or health history.  The company behind this specific card is the largest discount health care provider in the country, so their provider networks are very large and their savings are real.  (I personally saved over $200 when I got my mother prescription glasses two  years ago.)

To find out more, click onto the website.  Click Here for Health Care Savings

TAKE JUST A MINUTE

Thanks to Launa Romoff, Artist for letting us know about this

When was the last time you wondered if the women's shelters in your state were getting enough feminine hygiene products to meet the need? Fortunately, Seventh Generation, a green paper products and cleaning products company, actually thinks about this stuff and will donate a box of sanitary products to a women's shelter in your chosen state - just for going to the link below, choosing a state and dragging a heart into a little house.  Now how fun & easy is that?
  Click Here to Help

AND ANOTHER MINUTE

The United States stands nearly alone in its failure to ratify the Treaty for the Rights of Women, also known as the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The United States can provide a powerful voice for the women in Iraq , Afghanistan , and other countries around the world who need our help ending trafficking in women, educating girls, reducing violence against women, and ensuring equal protection before the law.

Help strengthen the United States ' voice in support of global women's rights by calling on your Senators to actively endorse ratification of the Treaty for the Rights of Women.

To Act Now, Visit www.unausa.org/action .

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.

Now thru March 17th
Five Women Sculptors

Edgemar Center for the Arts & Michael E. Napoliello Gallery

2437 Main Street
Santa Monica
310.399.3666
EdgemarCenter.org

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 12-5 pm

Monday, March 12th , 7:00 p.m.
Pasadena Commission on the Status of Women

Ellen Snortland will be speaking about this year's United Nations Commission on the Status of Women from which she has just returned.

Jackie Robinson Center , 1020 N. Fair Oaks Avenue , Pasadena

626-744-7084

Tuesday March 13th , 7:00 p.m.
Nicho Night

Please join us at the Coffee Gallery at 2029 Lake Avenue , Altadena for a celebration of International Women's Day! 

Leigh Adams, artist-in-residence at LA County Arboretum will be leading "Nicho Night" where attendees will be invited to make their own nicho.  A nicho is a Mexican folk art shadow box that may house pictures, beads, jewelry - whatever the creator wants in order to personalize it.  You may commemorate the nicho to something in your past or to attracting something you would like in the future.  Come bring your treasures and be a part of this beautiful and colorful Mexican tradition! 

$10 Donation

For more information call Sherry at UNA Pasadena 626-449-1795

Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Expanding Horizons Women's Conference 2007

Thanks to Jeff Bassler, Engineer and Business Owner for letting us know of this event:

Citrus College , Campus Center , Glendora

Luncheon featuring keynote speaker

For more information:

(626) 914-5046

www.senate.ca.gov/sd29

Saturday, March 24 th , 11:30 a.m.
Champions for Peace:  Women Winners of the Nobel Peace Prize

AAUW-SFV presents Judith Sticks Stiehm, professor, author, consultant and feminist

Professor Stiehm is currently a Professor of Political Science at Florida International University .  Her book tells the life stories of the twelve women who have son the Nobel Peace Prize since its inception in 1903.  Her resume is extensive and this should prove to be a lively presentation.

The University Club

Cal State University , Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street , Northridge

For information and reservations, call Ginny Hatfield at 818-985-1579

Lunch is $20

Monday, March 26th and Tuesday, March 27th
Women's Equality Summit and Congressional Action Day

Washington , DC

The Women's Equality Summit & Congressional Action Day is convened by the National Council of Women's Organizations and the Younger Women's Task Force. This 2-day conference will bring together hundreds of women leaders, activists and students to kick-start our legislative agenda for the 110th Congress.

March 26: National Education Association, 1201 16th Street, NW , Washington , DC , 20036
March 27: Capitol Hill - Congressional Breakfast and Office Visits

For more information: http://www.womensorganizations.org/summit

Wednesday, March 21- 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Take Action, Create Change: Reproductive Freedom Day

Sacramento Convention Center

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/

Thursday, March 22
Global Organization for Leadership and Diversity (GOLD)

"21st Century Women Leaders:
Building Bridges Across the Pacific

The New Otani Hotel and Garden
120 S. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles , CA 90012

This symposium is the first of a series of leadership development programs designed to strengthen the training and presence of women leaders in the 21st Century global workforce, and bring together women leaders from the United States and Japan .

The GOLD symposium will facilitate new networking opportunities for learning about global business models; stimulate new collaborations; and explore new economic opportunities.

Cost: $225   Early Bird (on or before February 15): $175

VIP Welcome Reception with Consul General Kazuo Kodama

E-mail: info@goldleaders.org

Phone: 310-294-3760

Web: http://www.GOLDleaders.org

Sunday, March 25 - 2:00 - 7:00
Freedom Day

The idea behind Freedom Day is to mark the 200th anniversary of when transatlantic slavery was abolished in Europe , and to remind the world that slavery--human trafficking--still exists. 

March 25th is a call to awareness and action in our own backyard, and in our world.  This human trafficking conference will take place at Vanguard University and is being planned by young adult volunteers from various organizations including World Vision International, STOP the Traffik, and several universities.  It's also being supported by the Rescue & Restore Unity Coalition of So.Calif, of which the OC Human Trafficking Task Force, LA Human Trafficking Coalition, BSCC and our coaliton partners are members.

This conference is geared toward university students, young adults, and the public from Southern California .

It's FREE.   

Event website:  www.onevoicetoendslavery.com

5. LEADERSHIP CIRCLES

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.

6. ABOUT Fifty/Fifty LEADERSHIP

7. 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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8. 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

9. FINAL WORDS

Do you have a favorite quote? 
We would love to hear from you - and we will even give you credit!