Fifty/Fifty Leadership

NEWS
This edition of the Equality Standard is in celebration of the election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the new President of Liberia (photo below)

U.S. WOMEN'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
If you own your own business, you might be interested in learning about this national organization.

If any of these questions comes to mind, I ask you to look at whether you would have the same questions if they were men? One of the problems we face here at home is that we have a double standard - yes, us women.

We will vote for a man - even if he is mediocre, has been in jail, has used or is using drugs, or if he has very little in the way of qualifications necessary to doing the job of being our representative.

When we look at voting for a woman, however, what I hear over and over is that they have to be excellent. They have to have a proven track record. And more.

Analogously, it has been shown in studies that men will go after and accept a job that they know nothing about, have no idea if they can do it, but they are willing to take the risk and accept the responsibility. Us women, on the other hand, want to have our i's dotted and our t's crossed, we want to be at least 75% sure that we can accomplish the task before saying yes. So, when we are looking at who we are going to vote for - at any level - federal, state, county or city - I ask that you look at whether you are deciding on one standard, or two.

Whether or not you are interested in leading our country, perhaps you would be interested in leading the city in which you live. In Hillsdale Michigan recently, Michael Sessions, and 18-year old senior in high school won election to be come the town's Mayor! He was a write-in candidate and won by two votes. Previously he had run for vice president of the Hillsdale High School student council - and lost. He campaigned with the $700 he earned in a summer job at the beach and beat the incumbent, 51 year old Doug Ingles. Can we have a young woman's picture here soon.?!

Also, taking ginko bilboa for six months may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 60%. This was reported by doctors at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. In the lab Ginko also stopped some ovarian cancer cells from growing.

UNICEF, HEIFER INTERNATIONAL, Fifty/Fifty LEADERSHIP - HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT HELP
As well as some really beautiful cards to send this season, UNICEF has some lovely toys and gifts that you'll fall in love with. Go to www.unicefusa.org and spend at least some of your gift-giving money this way - your money helps early childhood development, immunization programs, girls' education, child protection, fighting HI/AIDS and more.

Heifer International wants you to buy a cow.or a goat or a baby chick. or just a part of one. For as little as $10, you can buy a share of a sheep. Entire communities depend on wool and meat from sheep. For $50 you can buy a share of a Heifer. A good dairy cow can produce four gallons of milk a day - enough for a family to drink and share with neighbors and still have enough left over to sell - which earns money for school fees, medicine, clothing and home improvements. Go to www.catalog.heifer.org or call them toll free at (800) 422-0755

Fifty/Fifty Leadership has made it easy for you to buy your gifts online and donate to them in one easy step! Simply go to the website, www.Fifty/Fifty.us , click on the Products page, click on the link to Amazon or to Fundit.Org and shop! A portion of every dollar you spend on these sites will come back to Fifty/Fifty - without you having to do anything and without it costing you anything!

SERVICES YOU CAN USE
Many of our readers, supporters, subscribers and contributors have businesses that offer services that many of us need. If you could use any of these services, I recommend that you give them a call. Perhaps they can provide what you need.

Writing, Editing, Website Development - Linda LaZar, an editor with Business Life Magazine here in Glendale, developed the Fifty/Fifty Leadership website. Not only does she do a very professional job, but she is terrific to work with - prompt, knowledgeable and creative. Email her at LindaLaZar@comcast.net

Do you have a pantry, a closet or a garage that is so disorganized it is impossible to find anything? Are you getting ready to sell your house and want to find out what you need to do to make sure you get top dollar for it? Then you need Clutter and Beyond, a service provided by Catherine Yesayan. Reach her at 818-244-3051

Or perhaps it is your office that needs organizing. You are busy, your assistant is busy, and your office is in disarray. You can't find files, messages, contracts. You're overwhelmed. What to do? Call Chris Reiter at 626-795-1800 and cry help. You'll be glad you did!

Ever want to ask a quick legal question and don't know who to call? Or afraid of some big bill that would result from a simple call? One way to solve the problem is to sign up with a pre-paid legal service - its like insurance for your legal needs. Give Bruce Malter a call at 818-203-3618 and he'll explain it to you - and he probably has a program that's right for your needs.

EVENTS
SHOPPING MONTH!
Instead of fighting the traffic and the hordes of other shoppers, why not shop in the comfort of home! Pour yourself a nice hot cup of chocolate (or a marguerita if you prefer!), and go online to find many of the gifts for those on your list.

Shop at Amazon.com. While you’re checking off gifts on your list and feeling good about how easy this is, you will feel even better because Amazon.com will send a percentage of your sales to Fifty/Fifty Leadership! It costs you nothing and Fifty/Fifty Leadership programs benefit! Just go to www.Fifty/Fifty.us/Products, click on the Amazon link and shop away.

Books, Books, Books - What a great gift books make. When you click through to Amazon.com by going to www.Fifty/Fifty.us/Products. Fifty/Fifty Leadership gets a percentage from everything that you buy.

Any writers on your list? Give them the gift of motivation. The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't by Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Mabel Liota will bring wonderful skirts, belts, jewelry, gifts and the Entertainment Books. You provide the refreshments, some music and everyone will have an afternoon of fun and shopping. Her holiday schedule is filling up fast, so call or email her today and begin the fun! freespiritangelme@msn.com 310-721-7038

Maybe what you need is to organize your pantry, a closet or your garage. Give yourself the gift of getting organized – call Catherine Yesayan of Clutter & Beyond at 818-244-3051 – you’ll be glad you did

Character & Ethics Project Awards
Thursday, December 8, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Central Library auditorium, Louise & Harvard, Glendale
Rosemary Montana is one of those people you can count on. You know, someone who doesn't make a fuss, just does what they say they are going to do. I first met Rosemary when I was heading the committee to establish the Glendale Women's Commission and she gave much of her time to help. Rosemary also helped me on my campaign for election to Glendale City Council. Recently at the Commission's "Gathering of Sisters" event, she was there staffing the booth and networking with everyone for the Business and Professional Women's club of which she is a member. Rosemary will be receiving a Character and Ethics Award. Do come and support her. For more information email adel@nextblock.com

Jane Roberts of 34 Million Friends of the Women of the World
Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 p.m.
UNA Pasadena is hosting Jane Roberts who will speak at Café Culture, 1359 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. Jane, a Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, founded her organization, 34 Million Friends, as a result of the current administration's withholding of $34 million in funds for reproductive health in developing countries, funds that had been approved by Congress. She felt that if just 34 million people gave $1, we could replace that much needed fund. Come find out more. The $10 entrance will benefit the work of the United Nations Association. For more information call Sherry at 626-449-1795

Self-Defense Class
Saturday, December 17, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thanks to Lana Lott, staff to the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women for letting us know about this training:

Los Angeles Center on Assaults Against Women (LACAAW) will be hosting a self-defense class in Pasadena. These classes are designed to focus on three areas of self-defense for women: Awareness, Assertiveness & Physical Techniques

For information and registration call (626) 584-6191. Donation requested; no woman turned away due to lack of funds. To register, please complete this form and mail with your check for $50.00, coupon, or Visa/MasterCard # to: Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, 892 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite D, Pasadena, Ca. 91103. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

Sense & Sensibility? No, It's Sex & Sensibility
Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 p.m.
Planned Parenthood is hosting a discussion at All Saints Church, Pasadena with Deborah Roffman, a leader in the field of Sex Education, about how to talk with your children about sex.

Please RSVP by January 19 th to 626-794-5737 - Buff Megaw ext. 130 or Sue Keppler ext. 105

Cruise to the Western Caribbean
February 12 - 19, 2006
Doesn't that sound lovely? And if that wasn't enough, this cruise is put on by Ms. Magazine!
Among a star-studded cast of speakers, our own EllenSnortland will be performing her show, "Now That She's Gone," which Gloria Steinem says 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."

Among the other speakers are Kim Gandy, President of NOW, Dolores Huerta, political activist and President of her Foundation, Carol Moseley-Braun, former U.S. Senator and Presidential Candidate, Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority, Martha Burk, author of "Cult of Power", Kakenya Ntaiya from Kenya who works for the UN Population Fund as a youth advisor and who's mission is to help the women in her village by opening a school for girls, a library, a maternity clinic and more.

Delight in a remarkable experience of politics, prose, reflection and analysis, coupled with the enjoyment and rejuvenation of basking in the sunshine and fun of the Western Caribbean! This year's cruise will make stops at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, Montego Bay, Jamaica, George Town, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. Interested? Go to www.msmagazinecruise.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

"Great necessities call out great virtues" Abigail Adams. As expressed by Abigail Adams, no matter how challenging the mission, one of our greatest virtues is our willingness to help others. Please continue your good work.
Sharon Collins, Fundraiser

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Thank you for your diligence in sending out emails to keep us informed. Your job/task is not an easy one and I am certain you are underappreciated. Liked the "plug" for Unicef . . . we (I) tend to forget the basics on some of the worthwhile, track-record/ proven help organizations (I would not even classify Unicef as a "charity").
Bobbie De Weese

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Re: the article for youth to get jobs, the organization is the Glendale Youth Alliance, not the Glendale Youth Authority. Please run a correction. Thanks.
(Unsigned)

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In response to the new format:

The Equality Standard looks GREAT! Wonderful edition. To answer your questions:

Do you like the general layout? Yes, very much so.
Do you like the inclusion of pictures? Absolutely, a little break in text makes it friendlier and funner to read.
Were you able to open it with ease? No problem.
Is this color scheme easy to read? I would go a bit darker with the text, but leave the headlines and banners the same. I found the lighter pink hard for longer passages, but it's a nice highlight.
Is there something you would like to see more of - or less of - in The Equality Standard? Doing a great job.
Any other comments? Thanks for putting it out!

Lana Lott, Staff to the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women

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I liked your new colors.
Catherine Yesayan, Realtor, Clutter Buster

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I love the equality standard! Also, best thing about this issue.....the Hunger Project is still going. I was part of that at the beginning!
Linda Maxwell, We Care For Youth

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This has got to be your best issue ever!! The Rosa Parks Article, The UN Against Gender Bias, The Anti War Grannies, etc. This is such an incredibly professional publication!

You asked for feedback on the new look..... in a word ... outstanding. The text is brief and has impact.... a rare combination. The color is very pleasant (but I am, of course, prejudiced) and the pictures break up the text and add depth and emotion. It would be nice to have the table of contents linked to the specific story. Just a convenience, not a necessity.
Cheri Jasinski, Consultant

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Thank you for all that you do to keep us informed about issues that matter to women, and opportunities for learning and activism. While I feel myself moving into a more reflective period, I still appreciate knowing that these opportunities are out there.

Re feedback ... I'm probably an anomaly. I hate e-mail with html. I'm interested in content and happy to forgo all "bells and whistles" to get at the information as fast as possible.

Re your specific questions:

Do you like the general layout? It's OK.
Do you like the inclusion of pictures? No
Were you able to open it with ease? Yes
Is this color scheme easy to read? Yes
Is there something you would like to see more of - or less of - in The Equality Standard? I'm not interested in articles -- just 2-3 sentences with a link to the article, if you want to include articles. I don't know who your readers are. If they are like me, they already get many listservs from national activist organizations and subscribe to many different print and online publications. What we *don't* get enough of are the announcements about local events of interest -- lectures, meetings, workshops, seminars, screenings, etc. For example, Joan Didion is speaking in Pasadena on Friday night, but unless you subscribe to the Vroman's Bookstore newsletter you may not have noticed. Digging out that kind of information and getting it out ASAP is a HUGE service.
Any other comments? Don't stop!

Monica Hubbard, Consultant

SUBSCRIPTIONS
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EDITOR'S COMMENTS
Another year almost done. Perhaps while you are rushing around preparing for the holidays you could stop, take the time to reflect back on this past year. What have you accomplished? What accomplishments eluded you? What are you most proud of this year? Least proud of? Who do you most want to write a note, an email or make a phone call to, letting them know how much they mean to you?

And what about the coming year. Rather than "new year's resolutions" that seem to be made knowing that they are not to be kept, instead think about making some real commitments. To yourself. To your family. To the community. When it comes to December next year, what would you like to be able to look back and say you have done, had a hand in, helped make happen?

For myself, I am going to continue putting my family at the top of my priority list - it had not been for a while and I saw how that does not work for me. I am also breathing new life into my business and management consulting practice, which not only provides me a living, but gives me the satisfaction of helping others to benefit from their talents and creativity.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanucah, Kwanzaa, or no holiday, I wish you a month of joy.

FINAL WORDS
"No job will ever snuggle me in bed, stand with me beside my mother's casket, help me raise my child or love me when I am at my worst. Only my husband can do that. No job will ever call for me urgently during a thunderstorm, write me a carefully scrawled Mother's Day card or tell me he wants to marry me when he grows up. Only my son can do that. In a world of downsizing, corporate mergers and business maneuvers that have left many of us on the outside looking in, I have learned to appreciate the view."
Mary Mapes, 60 Minutes Producer accused of bias and fired from her job after 25 years and author of "Truth and Duty: The Press, The President, and the Privilege of Power"

Happy Holidays!
Pauline Field
818.243.2322

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