Category Archives: Gender
Re: Jill Biden Description in Her Recent Op-Ed (11 Aug 2011)
Author’s Note: I recently wrote a letter to the Accuracy Department at USA Today in Response to my reading of a recent Op-Ed Dr. Jill Biden wrote on the Somali Famine
Dear Mr. Jones,
I recently read the Op-Ed that appeared in your paper, I read the article online, on 11 August 2011 written by Dr. Jill Biden and Former US Senator Bill Frist. While I was happy to see your newspaper address a needed issue via the opinions section I was shocked to see Dr. Jill Biden not only listed without her full title but only as the wife of Vice President Joe Biden: “Jill Biden is the wife of Vice President Biden. Bill Frist is a former Republican senator from Tennessee.”
I understand that space is of the essence in journalism but considering the large amount of work and contributions Dr. Jill Biden has made to improve, most recently, Community College Education, I wish your paper would have taken a few more words to include the fact that Jill Biden is a Dr. (PhD) and is an educator instead of simply referring to her marital status connection to a prominent man in politics.
I do hope that you consider updating this Op-Ed to reflect Dr. Biden’s occupation and not just her marital status as occupation references are standard in Op-Eds especially by those prominent in politics. Furthermore, please refer to this LA Times article from 2009 where Dr. Biden shares that she prefers to be referred to as Dr. Biden. If you have a policy similar to the papers mentioned in the LA Times article please consider the alternative attribution: Jill Biden, PhD.
I thank you for your time and consideration. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
Take care,
DNMP Politico
Double-Latte Project July 2011 – WUFPAC (Women Under 40 Political Action Committee)
Earlier this year while discussing Double-Latte Selection Running Start, I mentioned that I discovered Running Start while doing a paper on Women’s Political Action Committees. This link to Running Start is this month’s Double-Latte Selection the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee (WUFPAC).
Why WUFPAC?
Like Running Start, I selected WUFPAC because of my deep desire to help increase the number of women in politics around the world. Additionally, I have selected WUFPAC at this time because the 2012 election cycle is approaching quickly and well in the words of the meaning of the most well known and many times imitated Women’s PAC EMILY’s List - Early Money Is Like Yeast.
I also like WUFPAC because unlike Double-Latte Selection The 2012 Project, WUFPAC is focused on getting young women elected to office and those under 40 of either gender are of slim supply in electoral office in Washington. In many ways, WUFPAC is like two birds in one stone- one bird is women and the other bird is youth at least based on Washington standards 
About WUFPAC
According to their website:
WUFPAC was started in January 1999 by a group of young women, representing diverse political and geographic backgrounds, gathered together in Washington, DC to discuss the role of young women in politics. Recognizing that political capital is built by political tenure and frustrated by the low percentage of women currently holding political office, they created WUFPAC to support the efforts of young women running for Congress and statewide offices. WUFPAC was incorporated as a Washington, DC non-profit corporation in January 1999 and filed its statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission soon thereafter. The first WUFPAC executive board was assembled in the early months of 1999. WUFPAC has been active in political cycles since 2002.
Final Thought on the importance of WUFPAC
Looking to the progress that women in politics have gained from increasing numbers of women presidents to even a legislature having more women than men (Rwanda), the importance of engaging women in politics at an early age is more important than ever. What if Hillary Clinton had started running for local office at 25 or even 30? What about the youngest Congressman who is just shy of 30? Based on the current age of many politicians he could just possibly be in politics for the next 30 y ears and climb into several other higher political positions. WUFPAC highlights this importance of starting early in politics with the hope that women who start earlier have the potential to move up the political ladder thus increasing the probability and percentage of women who are in political positions of power in the long term. I also think that WUFPAC addresses a specific need of women running in the United States, though more and more I see that this is needed in other countries as well, money. Unfortunately, money is needed to run for political office in the US and lots of it. In 2010, over $1 Billion dollars was raised and spent on all political races. Check out Open Secrets for more information and statistics about money and elections.
Basically, if we the people desire to make political change it takes more than finding a great candidate it also takes funding that candidate at a level that allows them to compete with the status quo. I love that WUFPAC does that for two demographics that need more representation in politics – women and younger US citizens!
Double-Latte Project March 2011 Women, Action & The Media! (WAM!)
Happy Women’s History Month! In honor of Women’s History Month I wanted to feature an organization that reflected women but also reflected an issue that has become really important to me public and independent media. Women, Action & The Media! (WAM!) combines both of these wants making it a great selection for The Double-Latte Project.
Why WAM?
I decided to select WAM! because in recent years I have seen the importance of public and independent media, just re-watch or visit the mainstream media coverage of the 2008 Presidential election, and I feel that WAM! has programs that supports those interested in public and independent media and/or want to hold mainstream media accountable for the information or “information” they share.
I encountered WAM! in 2009 when I went to their annual conference in Boston. I had the opportunity to volunteer and I enjoyed having the chance to meet and interact with bloggers and others who we were interested in media and activism focused on women’s issues. It was here where I first heard about live tweeting and where I met really cool bloggers and activists like: @blackjew, @clbergpowers, @jennpozner & @jaclynf the Executive Director of WAM!. Hopefully, I can make it to the 2011 WAM! it Yourself event in NYC. Not in the New York City area? They are WAM! It Yourself events all around the country and the world.
About WAM?
WAM! is an independent non-profit focused on gender justice in the media.
From their website:
WAM! connects and supports media makers, activists, academics and funders working to advance women’s media participation, ownership and representation. Our work is part of an advocacy movement for gender justice in media.
WAM!’s hosts several events and trainings throughout the year as well as an annual conference.
Links of the Week 10 September 2010
Top Five
Where’s the outrage over immigrant slayings in Mexico?
Who Gets to Review and Be Reviewed? Authors, book critics drawn from narrow pool
10 Years of “Feminism is for Everybody”
The Worst Toys Ever Made for Girls–Our Top Picks
I don’t agree with all of the comments the author makes here, like I think she needs to better explain how she is okay with women choosing pole dancing as a career and then have issue with the doll for girls, but this post will make you think and ponder what do you think is appropriate for the young girls in your life. I have to say that in the past year I have been shocked to see how even the youngest girls (age 1) assimilate to society’s gender roles for women. I’ll end with this…if you are going to buy a girl in your life pregnant Barbie I hope you are prepared to have a conversation about sex that explains all options from abstinence to contraception to protection.
Quote of the Week
“Attendance issues aside, folks are more football obsessed than ever. More people watched the last Super Bowl than voted in the 2008 presidential election. Hallmark Cards reports that the Super Bowl has surpassed New Year’s Eve as the biggest at-home party of the year. It has become the second-slowest day for weddings in America and the second-greatest day of food consumption, after only Thanksgiving.”
Michael Wilbon in The NFL rules ingloriously over the sporting landscape (Emphasis is mine).
Photos of the Week
Source: PolicyLink.org and Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: PolicyLink.org and Bureau of Labor Statistics
These photos come from the blog of PolicyLink.org Equity Blog where they discuss The Jobs Situation in Black and White. These photos and the post makes me wonder which “Main Street” US politicians are really worried about because the “Main Streets” of Black and Latino communities have had many of epic problems they now are using as sound-bites to get re-elected for decades!
Women & Politics
Republicans fear echoes of Alaska in Delaware primary
‘I had no idea who she was’: Meghan McCain breaks her silence on Sarah Palin
Politics
Dominicanos protestaron contra extradición de traficante de personas
APD recomienda eliminar Liga Municipal Dominicana
Cancelan cincuenta dirigentes PLD en Cámara de Diputados
Other
Who Owns the Civil Rights Legacy?
Sour Apples: Strike at Mott’s Plant Underscores Disconnect in Corporate America, Union Says
Finding Inspiration Through Music
Single-Minded: Being Black Abroad
Inauguración de “México 200 Años”
Capital internacional mira mais lucro no Brasil
Oldies but Goodies
America’s 5 Worst Deadbeat States
Women We’ll Be Reading 200 Years From Now
What Do Latinas Really Think About Feminism? / Join the Summer of Feminista
Links of the Week 3 July 2009
Top Five
(In order)
Michael Jackson: Our Brother, Not our ‘N**ga’
Limiting migration: People Protectionism
This article reminds my why I miss my The Economist subscription…but budget cuts had to happen. I may try the online subscription though.
Letters from Luvvie: Dear BET (Guest Post)
Except for some of the language use, I don’t curse or use foul language, this post took the words out of my mouth. I am really disappointed in BET and I have been for years.
What Would Buffy Do? Notes on Dusting Edward Cullen
A Latin American Perspective on the Crisis (Part 1)
Don’t forget to check out part 2.
Photo of the Week
Source: marketplace.xbox.com
Quote of the Week
“Sorry sweetie, but Soulja Boy wants to “super soak” you too, and you’re dancing while he says it.” from BET brainwashing our kids.
Politico
Palin Stepping Down This Month
Powell ‘concerned’ about Obama’s agenda
‘Family Friendly’ White House Less So for Aides
Obama’s Border Fence
A Now on PBS article and show discussing the Border Fence that President Obama plans to complete and the fact that the fence may not/probably not produce the desired effect.
States Struggle to Meet Budget Deadlines
Another Batch of Obama’s Ambassador Picks Have Money-in-Politics Ties
I know that Obama is not the first President to reward those who donated or raised money during their campaign but the practice still saddens me as it is another downside to the US Political Culture. Read the article to links about all of Obama’s Ambassador selections. Thanks to OpenSecrets.org for doing work that I cannot do!
Economy
Dumbest Moments in Business 2009 Mid-Year Edition
Other
Wedding Disasters
Hardee’s and Quiznos Try to Out-Sleeze Burger King
Jackson left behind an ‘Endless’ Supply of Music
Oldies But Goodies
Chef-executive Obama’s Barbecue Time
Obama recently held a BBQ for local school students. I have to say when he does things like this I think he is so great!
Hallie Berry and Jamie Foxx: Whats the Financial Value of a Kiss?
Check out the radio show link in this article. An interesting description that discusses the challenges of being a Black actor in Hollywood.
Help for Paying Off Your Student Loans
This is an issue near and dear to my heart aka I have plenty of loans to pay off :{ Please share with others and teach students to be mindful of the debt they choose to take on to pay for their education expenses.
Women, Power and Politics – NOW on PBS
In March, I volunteered for the Center for American Women in Politics‘ Ready to Run political training. During that time I had the honor of hearing and meeting PBS Senior Correspondent Maria Hinojosa. She is an amazing woman and I am so happy about her work at NOW on PBS.
Last September, Maria Hinojosa did a special Women, Power and Politics that focused on women and politics around the globe and in the United States. Her story goes to New Hampshire, Rwanda and Chile. I finally had a chance to watch this story and was impressed with the coverage.
To watch the video and learn more about this story visit: http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/437/index.html
