Category Archives: Girls
Double-Latte Selection January 2012 – BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
Happy New Year!
This post marks the one year anniversary of the Double-Latte Project. I started this project as a way to give back in a small way and to highlight some great organizations and people in my corner of the internet. In 2011, I focused on the following three areas: Women & Politics, Public and Independent Media and people in my network. In 2012, I will be focusing on the 2012 Election, People of Color and Women and Girls and to start year two, this month’s Double-Latte selection is:
Why Highlight BLACK GIRLS ROCK!?
When I think about the issues that are important to me, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! encompasses many of them in one space. As a Black woman, it is really important to me to see positive images of black girls and women and all women really – especially women of color. However, looking to the history of the United States and the problems that people of color have had too many times Black girls, women and bodies have been looked at in a negative manner i.e., Hottentot Venus and Video Vixens. Organizations like BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and the various programs they have to support the positive growth of Black girls works to push back against historical negative stereotypes about Black girls and women.
When I was a kid, I was blessed to be involved in organizations like Jack and Jill and even participate in a local sorority’s debutante program where I learned many of the skills that are being offered by BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Additionally, my parents were educators who stressed the importance of giving back and worked to bring tutoring programs and other needs to marganized neighborhoods in my area. When I was older though, I saw how programs like those offered by BLACK GIRLS ROCK! were not as widespread as the programs for girls from my economic class and above. And I wished that these programs could be more widespread. Because from my perspective as a kid, a teen and even now adult, programs available to Black girls from “lower” income backgrounds were and are similar to the programs my parents worked on – focused on tutoring and college prep. Though these programs are indeed necessary and need to be continued and expanded, as well, so are the types of programs and activities being offered by debutante programs, Jack and Jill and well BLACK GIRLS ROCK! So when I started the Double-latte Project, I knew I had to find a way to highlight BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
Moving beyond class, as a smart and quirky Black girl, I suffered self-esteem issues because I was different from the stereotypes of what it meant to be “Black” and I was teased because of it. As a girl, I played volleyball and the viola…not activities that aligned with the “being Black” list of acceptable activities. However, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has opportunities for Black girls to gain an appreciation and love for all sorts of activities many that are not on the acceptable list of “being Black” activities like going to Broadway plays and going to overnight camp which I think is fantastic!
I love that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has a writing program and DJing workshops. In addition to expanding the opportunities for healthy personal growth for all Black girls I love how their programs expand ideas around what Black girls are able to do and like to do. And this is why I am highlighting BLACK GIRLS ROCK! as a Double-Latte Selection!
About BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
According to their website, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!:
is 501(c)3 non-profit youth empowerment and mentoring organization established to promote the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media.
Additionally, for the last two years BLACK GIRLS ROCK! have received national attention through the broadcasting of an awards show on the BET network.
Photo from the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Gala
So if you think that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! or even if you don’t, please check out BLACK GIRLS ROCK!’s website, follow them on Twitter or like them on Facebook and don’t forget make a donation!
NEW: The Edna Award $10,000 Award for a Young Woman Leader in the Social Justice Movement
Author’s Note: I heard about this new opportunity from a contact in my network. Feel free to share with others that you know. Also, the emphasis in this post is mine.
*Press Release for Immediate Release April 19, 2011 Contact: Sarah Massey, sarah@massey-media.com 202-445-1169*
The Berger-Marks Foundation Announces The Edna Award $10,000 Award for a Young Woman Leader in the Social Justice Movement
(Washington, DC) — Today, the Berger-Marks Foundation announces a new award of $10,000 for a young woman leader in the social justice movement. The Edna Award will spotlight significant contributions to social justice and bestow a significant honor to a young woman whose leadership has already fueled social change. The Berger-Marks Foundation brings the benefits of unionization to women. The foundation is accepting applications online now through July 15, and the award will be presented in the fall.
The mission of the Edna Award: “The Edna Award is given to a woman who has made an extraordinary contribution to social justice early in her career. The recipient’s outstanding achievements to date indicate that her ongoing work will significantly improve the lives of working women and men.” The award is named after Edna Berger, the foundation’s namesake and an early organizer at The Newspaper Guild-CWA.
“With the Edna Award, the Berger-Marks Foundation is expanding its commitment to young women. We want to spotlight their important contributions to social justice,” says Linda Foley, President of the Berger-Marks Foundation. “Women are organizing unions; women are leading campaigns for universal health care; and women are demonstrating to young people what social justice means. Our vision for this award is to highlight one young woman’s remarkable work for social change.”
Women can apply for the award themselves or be nominated by others. The application requests a short essay, resume and two letters of recommendation from each nominee. All applications should be submitted online at http://bergermarks.org/news/2011/EdnaAward_apply.php Nominees must be 35 years or younger on 12/31/2011. Applications will be accepted through July 15 and finalists will be notified in August. Young women from labor unions, women’s groups, workers’ rights groups and other areas of social justice are encouraged to apply.
“The Berger-Marks Foundation and the Edna Award honor the vision of a social justice movement where all workers have an opportunity to lead. I encourage all young women to apply for this award and become involved in shaping a just future,” says AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Liz Shuler. Secretary-Treasurer Shuler is working to engage the new generation of workers both within and outside of the labor movement through the AFL-CIO Young Worker Outreach Program and its “Next Up Young Worker Summit.”
Last year, the Berger-Marks Foundation examined the relationship of young women to the union and social justice movements and issued a report, Stepping Up, Stepping Back: Women Activists “Talk Union” Across Generations. Among many key findings, the project identified the need to foster leadership development by creating pathways for new activists to move up the ranks. “The Edna Award demonstrates the Berger-Marks Foundation’s commitment to further engaging the next generation of social justice women leaders by creating a special honor just for them,” says Louise D. Walsh, Chairperson of the Berger-Marks Foundation.
Double-Latte Project April 2011: Running Start
Running Start has to be one of the best discoveries I have made doing school work (well beyond tools that directly help me to do my school work better). A few years back I did a graduate certificate in PACs and Political Management and in my PAC class we had to do a project about a PAC sector and of course I choose Women’s PACs 
While researching Women’s PACs, I learned about WUFPAC (Women Under Forty PAC) and from their website I saw a link to this program and when I clicked over I just KNEW I had to get involved with this organization (I mean here was an organization that was working to increase the number of women in politics by catching women early when they were teenagers! I said to myself, “I am all about increasing the number of women in politics!” Then there was the whole why didn’t they have this when I was a teen…maybe I would be running for office instead of wanting to run campaigns/encouraging other women to run 
) Anyways…I say all of this to share that this month’s Double-Latte selection is Running Start!
Running Start Programs
So Running Start has so many great programs (they are so great every time I get the emails I think to myself oh things I miss about living in DC). Their most frequent program is their Path to Politics program. Basically, each month they have a different event about an aspect of running for office tailored towards young women professionals. One of their newer programs, is the Star Fellowship that encourages college aged women to intern on Capital Hill. This program pays (its a stipend) you to intern on Capital Hill (FYI- that doesn’t happen much & I’ve interned on Capital Hill). There are other programs I could share but I couldn’t talk about Running Start without sharing their Young Women’s Political Training Program. I have been honored to assist with this program on a small level twice and the young women that come into this program are an inspiration to me (you can read a bit more about my reflections & quick information about the program here).
About Running Start (from their website)
Founded in early 2007, Running Start grew out of the non-partisan Women Under Forty Political Action Committee (WUFPAC), which financially supports young women running for federal office. Running Start was formed when it became clear that the pool of young women considering careers in politics and running for elected office was far too small. Young women and girls need to be educated about politics earlier in life if the make-up of the political leaders in our country is to transform. We must instill in the next generation that public service is admirable and achievable. Running Start provides young women and girls with the skills and confidence they need to become the political leaders of tomorrow.
Running Start supports the young women who will shape tomorrow’s world. We aim to plant the seed of interest in politics so that they will run earlier, climb higher through leadership, and share more in the decision making power of their country. These young women will bring in new ideas to help solve old problems, and will raise issues unique to their lives that have otherwise been overlooked in politics.
Applications Now Open! Running Start’s National YWPL High School Program
Please forward the below information to any high school aged young women you know, this is a FREE program except for a $10 application fee and travel costs. The application is due 16 Feb 2011! I have placed some information about the retreat below but I encourage you to visit www.runningstartonline.org to view the application and to learn more about this amazing program that introduces young women to politics.
I had the pleasure of volunteering for this great organization when I lived in the DC Metro area and the young women that I have met witnessing this program are AMAZING! These young women inspire ME to follow my dreams! I wish I had something like this when I was in high school…so PLEASE share this opportunity with a young woman you know. Let us together take female political leadership to the next level!
Finally, in 2009 program received 30,000 applicants for about 50 spots. Please encourage the young women in your life to not only apply but to apply EARLY!
Good Luck to Any Young Women You Have Apply!
- DNMP Politico
Click the image to get to the YWPL Application. Click the Link Below for the "Race to the Capitol" Opportunity.
Click Here for Race to the Capitol Contest
Additional Information About the YWPL Retreat:
The girls will learn about political leadership by working with inspirational women leaders, including Congresswomen and other elected officials and leaders in business, media and law. Experts in public speaking and advocacy will train them. We will put their own leadership in the context of the history of women in politics, and show them how vital their participation is. The girls will have the chance to practice their own leadership skills with both their peers and experts in the political field. They will learn by doing, and most of the sessions will be highly interactive. By the end of the summer retreat they will have gained confidence in their own leadership abilities, and be ready to bring their leadership to their schools and communities.
Links of the Week 5 Feburary 2010
This week is light on politics but I still hope you enjoy!
Happy Reading,
DNMP
Tale from Black History/Photo of the Week
Henrietta Lacks and her husband David in 1945.
Henrietta Lacks’ ‘Immortal’ Cells
Top Five
Even though we are only one month into the new year, I feel like we have lost so many people. Well this feeling hit closer to home with the loss of Howard Zinn. Professor Zinn, a former professor at my Alma Mater Spelman College, spent his life fighting against the status quo. Check out this video link and I encourage you to read his book “A People’s History of the United States.” I now see a need to read this book now more than ever!
Against Discouragement – 2005 Spelman College Commencement Speech by Howard Zinn
Professor Zinn spoke at my commencement speech in 2005 and now that my five year college reunion is quickly approaching and nostalgia increasing these words are more heightened than ever.
This article has great arguments for both sides of the issue. A must read especially for those who have young women in their lives.
Building Haiti’s Economy, One Mango at a Time
Alpha Kappa Alpha Lawsuit Dismissed
Quote of the Week
“My hope is that whatever you do to make a good life for yourself—whether you become a teacher, or social worker, or business person, or lawyer, or poet, or scientist — you will devote part of your life to making this a better world for your children, for all children. My hope is that your generation will demand an end to war, that your generation will do something that has not yet been done in history and wipe out the national boundaries that separate us from other human beings on this earth.” Howard Zinn 1922-2010
Video of the Week
How to Get Our Democracy Back: Lawrence Lessig
The link above is to the full video and the clip above is the shorter YouTube video of the segment.
Politico
N.J. Gov. Christie Vetos Delaware River and Bay Authority Budget
Barack Obama Attends Georgetown-Duke Basketball Game
So this is borderline politics but I thought this was a cute segment. Nice to see the President humanized.
Women & Politics
En Español
Reciben primeros 700 taxis amarillos de tres mil que circularán en Santo Domingo
Other
Learn About Amy’s Organic Kitchen
Oprah did a feature on one of my favorite food companies, Amy’s. Check out the video and check out Amy’s at your local grocer.
Traveling as a Vegan Requires the Proper Frame of Mind
Oldies But Goodies
Johsua Allen Harris’ Inflatable Bag Monsters
Battle of the Bags: Paper vs. Plastic
A great interactive feature that will allow you to assess your impact on the environment if you decrease your use of paper and/or plastic bags.
Links of the Week 17 July 2009
Top Five
(In Order)
Report Identifies Characteristics of Sustainable Nonprofits
Hello From Havana
A very interesting breakdown of the ruling style of Raul Castro that includes his speaking style, sense of humor and policy changes since coming to power in 2008.
Vice Presidency Has Changed Over The Years
Interesting look at the position of the Vice Presidency and what has been done in recent administrations to change that role.
What Gov. Palin Forgot (Sen. John Kerry)
Sen. Kerry discusses a recent op-ed that Gov. Palin wrote showing that global warming is indeed a problem using examples from the state of Alaska.
Solutions: Help Madison Avenue find FauxBama Girls
This is an interesting blog search plus a chance to give little Black and Mixed girls a chance of exposure. Read post for details and disregard dates as this was tweeted this week.
Quote of the Week
“Being white and male is seen instead as a neutral condition, the natural order of things. Any “identity” — black, brown, female, gay, whatever — has to be judged against this supposedly “objective” standard. Thus it is irrelevant if Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. talks about the impact of his background as the son of Italian immigrants on his rulings — as he did at his confirmation hearings — but unforgivable for Sotomayor to mention that her Puerto Rican family history might be relevant to her work.” from A Sotomayor Sense of Justice.
Photo of the Week
Source: Keith Knight via BlackNews.com
If I Lived Inside the Beltway…
I would go to National Geographics DC African Diaspora Film Series from 23-25 July. Only $10 General Admission and $8 for Seniors/Students. Click Here for Details.
Politico
The Future of U.S. Policy in Iraq
The first 30 minutes contain the speech and the rest is question and answer.
Quotes of the Day from the Sotomayor Hearing
These quotes are from the first day of the hearing.
Amtrak unveils first rail car funded by stimulus
The House Releases Its Health-Care Reform Bill
Emily’s List: Read My Lipstick
Emily’s List now has a blog. Check it out.
Other
Top 10: Subtle Ways to Tell Her She’s Fat
I found this article horrendous but I have to admit that a few of the suggestions were clever. Please don’t try these “tips” at home!
Colleges Could See Decline in Number of Large Gifts
PETA Playmates Hit Capitol Hill to Dish Vegan Hot Dogs
Movie Studios Make Strides in Diverting Waste, Recycling Sets
Kmart’s Christmas in July: Inspiration or Desperation?
My vote is for desperation but it is a pretty crafty idea but what are they going to do come November and December to get people in their doors if they have done all their shopping in July?
Oldies But Goodies
Obama Watch Special: Back to Africa
Convention Committees: Sectors & Industries
Another useful document from OpenSecrets.org.
You Want To Run For Office. Now What?
A story about a woman who decided she wanted to run for political office that participated in The White House Project’s political training program for women.
Links of the Week 5 June 2009
Top Five
Biden’s staff shoulders task of steering committee
Death to All Black TV Shows (Except the Ones Made By Tyler Perry)
It is really sad that as the diversity of the United States is growing the diversity of network television is decreasing. We as citizens should not have to go to BET (my issues with this network I will save for another day) to see shows with “black folks” or go to Univision to see shows with “latinos.” To all the political pundits and people that claimed racism/race issues in the United States died with the election of President Obama, this story is only part of my argument that counter those statements.
Obama May Need to Show ID in More Places Than East Harlem
This is a good article discussing how Obama’s election has not stopped the negative perceptions of Black males in this country.
Update on Recovery Act Lobbying Rules
Men Follow Men and Nobody Tweets
The Harvard Business School did a study about men, women and Twitter.
Politico
Barack Obama Still Courting Pennsylvania
Obama Rewards Donors with Plum Posts Abroad
Did Regan Cause the 2008 Crisis?
Quote of the Week
“According to the United Nations Population Fund, three fifths of the world’s one billion poorest people are women and girls. Of the nearly 1 billion adults in the world who cannot read, two thirds are women.” From Wal-Mart Foundation and CARE Team Up to Empower Young Women Around the World. Not the biggest fan of Wal-Mart but I am glad that they are doing some good through their foundation.
Photo of the Week
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with other Foreign Affairs Ministers from the Americas.
From Clinton abandona la Asemblea de la OEA y asegura que no hay consenso sobre Cuba. Photo credit goes to AP/Clave Digital.
Health
Meat: the Slavery of our Time
This Foreign Policy article discusses how eating meat will become obsolete in the future.
10 Easy Ways to Eat Natural
Besides the negative comment about co-ops…I love co-ops, there are some good tips in this article.
Health Risks of Too Little Sleep
As a first year graduate student this past school year…I definitely saw the health risks of too little sleep.
6 Alternatives to 87,000 Slices of Bread
There is a video in this article that you have to check out.
International
Somali Bantus gain Tanzanian citizenship in their ancestral land
An Online Atlas of the Millennium Development Goals
A very interesting look at the world’s progress towards the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. There are interactive maps for each of the goals…just wish I could print or save the maps.
North Korea’s Next Kim: Dad’s Favorite, Kim Jong Un
Sports
WNBA Team’s Jersey Sponsorship Could Set The Standard
Spalding iHoop
This is a bit much…but will probably be seen on future episodes of MTV Cribs though…sigh.
Links of the Week 22 May 2009
I am slowly working my way back to blogging. This week’s links are light but still some good things to check out. Happy reading. -DNMP
Top Five
Running Start – Empowering Young Women to Dream Big
Running Start is a great organization that I volunteered with when I lived in DC. I like to get involved when I can which usually involves spreading the word about the organization and its programs.
The Meaning of Michelle Obama
Survey delves into high birth rate for young Latinas
Hip Chicas
This is a cute site for young girls. The focus is on Latinas but the five girls are in a band and they travel across the Americas. There is a focus on environment and other sustainable activities.
Swine Flu & Factory Farming
Blunt but to the point: There is no such thing as Mad Tofu Disease.
Politico
Biden Urges Pennsylvanians to Back Specter
En Español
Hipólito Mejía saluda el acuerdo entre Vargas Maldonado y Fernández
Business/Economy
Next in Line, But Don’t Say Nepotism
This article features a Spelman Alumna from my class. Go Class of 2005!
Oldies But Goodies
A Career in Community Organizing Becomes an Enviable Option
This article actually features a Morehouse Grad I know who has also studied in the DR. Cool guy…good article too.
Other
The Downside to Obamamania
Obama Chia pets and tattoos…no wonder more Americans are okay with socialism.
Boston Foundation report offers new data on nonprofit sector at a time of economic crisis
7 Habits of Highly Effective Twitterers
This is good for people who Tweet for business or networking purposes.
