Fifty/Fifty Leadership

NEWS
Researchers have produced an experimental vaccine that is 100 percent effective in preventing two types of cervical cancer caused by a sexually-transmitted virus. Over 12,000 women aged 16 to 26 in 13 different countries participated in the study of the Gardasil vaccine which targets human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, which cause 70 percent of cervical cancers, and types 6 and 11, which cause 90 percent of genital warts.

Among the women who received the vaccine, none developed pre-cancerous lesions or cancer cells, while 21 women among the placebo group did.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 10,500 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and another 3,700 will die from the disease this year.

Sports for Girls
There's a great website for girls that focuses on sports, camps, classes, training, products and more: http://prettytough.com/index.php

Women in Sports
Hadassah and Brandeis Institute have created a calendar of Jewish women athletes - definitely does not fit the stereotype of Jewish women! Some interesting facts: In 1893 Senda Berenson, director of physical education at Smith College, took the model for the brand new game of basketball--invented as a class exercise for boys--and organized the first basketball game for women.

Charlotte "Eppy" Epstein founded the National Women's Life Saving League in New York in 1914. She then went on to persuade the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union to allow female swimmers to register as athletes and to realize her goal of having women's swimming included as an Olympic sport. She coached her famous "Eppy" swimmers to dominate three Olympiads in 1920, 1924 and 1932.

In 1956 top-ranked British tennis player Angela Buxton--who faced religious discrimination throughout her career--teamed up with African American tennis star Althea Gibson. They won the women's doubles at Wimbledon as one of the greatest duos in tennis history.

For more information on the calendar: Jewish + Female = Athlete: Portraits of Strength from around the World: http://www.brandeis.edu/hbi/info.html#calendar

A Veteran Affairs Department survey from 2002 to 2003
The survey released this week by Rep. Lane Evans, D-Ill., found that almost 60 percent of women and 27 percent of men serving in the National Guard and military reserves have experienced sexual harassment or assault, the Washington Post reported.

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR WANTED -WASHINGTON D.C.
Thanks to Elena Ong, Public Relations Consultant for letting us know about this opportunity:

Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA37)

Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald seeks a Senior Policy Advisor effective the end of October. Candidate should have some Hill experience as he/she will contribute to oversight of legislative initiatives and liaise regularly with office legislative team.

He/she will research and review domestic/international policy matters, providing analysis and crafting legislation inter alia , on issues that include hunger, national security, economic trade, international development and the political/economic impact of HIV/AIDS.

Candidate should be prepared to attend hearings, briefings and carry out special project assignments as required and to have excellent writing, editing and IT skills.

Fax or e-mail resume and a writing sample to Shirley Cooks at 226-0549, or Shirley.Cooks@mail.house.gov by October 15, 2005.

OPPORTUNITY TO BE A COMMISSIONER
Thought about being a commissioner? Wondered if you should? How to apply? Where to get started? Are you qualified? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, now is the time to take action! The Glendale Commission on the Status of Women will have two positions to fill. Commissioner Raana Hasnat, whose term would have been up in December, has left the country and had to resign, leaving an open seat; Commissioner Karen McNight-Compton has submitted her resignation, opening up another seat. Commissioners serve 3-year terms and are limited to 2 terms.

Who can apply : Any registered voter who lives in the City of Glendale

How to apply : Pick up an application from the Glendale City Clerk's office, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale. Or download an application online at http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/government/boards_commissions.html - click "application" in second paragraph. Or call the City Clerk's office at 818-548-2090

Deadline : Applications are due at the City Clerk's office no later than October 26th at 5:30 p.m.

Then what : A panel of two City Councilmen - Mayor Rafi Manoukian and Councilmember Frank Quintero, will be confirmed at the Council meeting on October 11th; the panel will then review all applications, interview those they wish to, and make their selection. Selected candidates will then be presented to the full Council for approval.

More questions : Any other questions either about the process or if you need assistance completing your application, please call or email me: 818-243-2322 or paulinefield@charter.net

Please pass this along to anyone you know in Glendale that might be interested.

EVENTS
Meet Assembly Candidate Kelly Hayes-Raitt - Sundays in October
Sunday, October 9 and 23 - Santa Monica
Sunday, October 16 - Oxnard
Sunday, October 30 - Topanga
Kelly Hayes-Raitt is running for State Assembly next year in the 41st Assembly District. Be informed. Find out more about your candidate. There's no question you have about any issue important to you that Kelly will not answer. The 41st District is large so if you are in Santa Monica, Oxnard or Topanga, here's four opportunities for you to take an hour and find out for yourself. Each of these events will be in private homes so Kelly will be accessible. Don't miss this opportunity.

Forum on Ballot Initiatives
Saturday October 15, 10:00am to noon
LWV Pasadena Area presents Hot Topics, Cold Facts, a community forum on the ballot measures; Vosloh Forum; Pasadena City College; 1570 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena (access off Bonnie Avenue on east side of campus); Info: 626-798-0965

Screening of the PBS Documentary, Breaking the Silence: Children's Stories
Children Placed in Custody of Allegedly Molesting Parent Speak Out
Monday, October 17, 7:00 p.m.
Many Family Courts Are Failing to Protect Children From Their Abusers. The Filmmaker Himself, Dominique Lasseur, Will Attend This Film Screening. It is FREE and Open to the Public. Refreshments Will Be Served. 433 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.
Although many PBS stations will carry this show on October 20th , it does not appear on KCET's schedule.

Cancer Awareness Month at Shades of Culture
Thursday, October 20, 7:00 p.m.
Marie Callender's restaurant, 707 N. Pacific, Glendale. Come join this growing group of women over dinner. The speaker will address cancer awareness. Make new friends, renew old acquaintances. Join us. 7:00 p.m. Dinner 8:00 p.m. Program

Town Hall on Education
Monday, October 24 th , 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
State Senator Jack Scott invites everyone interested in improving student performance to attend this event. Glendale Adventist Medical Center Auditorium, 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale. Free parking. Call for more information: 626-683-0282

"Now That She's Gone"
Tuesday, October 25th, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Women of Washington presents Ellen Snortland in her one-woman show. Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Reservations are required. Members: $40, non-members, $50. Call 202-296-5922, visit the web: www.womenof.org or e-mail: womenofwas@aol.com for tickets or more information.

Election Day
Tuesday, November 8, 2005
If you vote absentee - please send in your ballots. If you vote in person, please take the opportunity to read the propositions, learn about them, and get out and vote on November 8th. For information about the propositions, go to the League of Women Voters http://www.smartvoter.org/2005/11/08/ca/state/prop/ . Or attend one of the Forums noted above.

Remember, it took 78 years of hard work for women to get the vote - let's take advantage of this privilege and use it . PLEASE VOTE!

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
Do you eat out - at fast food or regular restaurants? Go to the movies? Shop at Ralph's or Bristol Farms? Rent movies? Go to concerts? Stay in hotels? Rent cars? If you answered "Yes" to any of these and would like to save hundreds of dollars between now and November 1 st , 2006, then consider buying the Entertainment book! It is a thick book of coupons that includes all these categories and more. Fifty/Fifty Leadership, of which I am a Co-Chair, has them available for just $25 each - that is a $5 discount per book off the retail price that you will find at Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc. There are books covering three different areas: The San Gabriel Valley which also includes the Claremont and Ontario areas; The San Fernando & Santa Clarita Valleys; and Greater Los Angeles which includes the Westside, South Bay and Long Beach. You can pay by cash, check or credit card. If we cannot arrange for you to pick it up, add $2 per book for shipping. Call or email me at 818-243-2322 pfield@Fifty/Fifty.us

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
"You forgot about the election! There are serious measures on the ballot! People need to get out and vote!"
Chris Carson, Immediate Past President, Glendale-Burbank League of Women Voters

"The Equality Standard is a terrific source of information. As a community service/outreach provider, I began reading "you" several months ago in order to get to know and stay abreast of the politics and other issues of Glendale. I get community news and more. Our entire team and those we serve are so much more aware and knowing as a result of reading The Equality Standard. Please keep our subscription coming!"
Cynthia Nettles, Chair, Turning New Corners

EDITOR'S COMMENTS
I would say "Please join me" on the Glendale Women's Commission, but my first term expires in December so I am up for re-appointment. As I never take anything for granted, I am not assuming that I will be automatically re-appointed. I of course would like to continue serving the women of Glendale in this way, but it is not up to me. The same panel that will consider the appointment of new commissioners will be considering whether to re-appoint me. The Commission has been doing some great work and we need strong, interested people who will continue the work we have started. If you're not sure, call me and I will be happy to talk to you about all it entails and whether it is indeed a "fit" for you.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Ellen Snortland, fellow Board member at Fifty/Fifty Leadership, chided me recently when planning an event. One of our supporters volunteered to give of her time and expertise for a whole day to help us raise money. "That's just what we women do," Ellen said, "we give our time and expertise away for nothing as if we have no value." Good point. Over the years that I have been publishing this newsletter several people have asked me how much time I spend putting each edition together and it is a considerable amount of time. I am going to listen to Ellen's advice and put a value on my time. Because I do not want to exclude anyone from receiving the newsletter, however, I am not going to make it mandatory - kind of difficult anyway as its by email! I am going strictly on the honor system. If you cannot afford it, its my pleasure to send it to you. I do, however, thank you for honoring me and my time with your contributions.

Subscriptions to The Equality Standard are $12 per year, prorated monthly. So, for those of you willing and able to pay the subscription, please send a check made payable to Pauline Field for $15 for the period ending December 31, 2006 to Equality Standard, 1315 Ruberta Avenue, Glendale, CA 91201 or complete the credit card information below and email back to PaulineField@att.net

Billing Address ___________________________City_______________State___ Zip______

Card # ___________________ Expiration Date ___/___ 3 or 4 Digit on back of card________

FINAL WORDS
As it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought it timely to remember the words of Erma Bombeck when she found out she was dying of cancer. Thanks to Music Producer and Movie Director Nancy Montuori Stein for reminding me of this:

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it, live it and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God has blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. I hope you all have a blessed day.