Disparities Still Exist for Women in Minnesota-Three Reasons For Gap

Among women of color, the disparities are more extreme, with some
making 56 cents for every dollar earned by a white man

St. Paul, Minn.

Women's Foundation of Minnesota and The University of Minnesota's Center on Women and Public Policy released research today that states, Minnesota women on average are paid $11 dollars less each year than men with the same jobs.

*The gap exists in every occupation, including those dominated by women

THREE REASONS FOR GAP

Lee Roper-Batker, the president of the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, said economists site three reasons for the income gap. She said women often choose careers that pay less and employers sometimes punish women who take time off to have children. "And the third thing economists say is just unexplainable," she said. "We don't know to attribute the wage gap to so we just call that good old fashioned sexism." The report said Minnesota women are clustered in low-wage jobs.

MOST HOMELESS ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Families headed by single women are most likely to live under the poverty line. On an average night, women and children make up two-thirds of the state's homeless population.

That statistic is played out every day, said Liz Kuoppala, the executive director of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless. She works in northern Minnesota, on the Iron Range. "We talk to homeless women in rural areas who are staying up in a tent," she said. "Up in my part of the state, they climb down steep embankments to mine dumps where there's access to water."

DANGER OF ASSAULT

The research shows girls and women also live in danger of assault. It said one in every three women in Minnesota will be the victim of sexual or physical assault by middle age.

According to the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, that adds up to 250,000 women at any given time, a population that could fill the Metrodome four times. "It has become so normalized that many of our young girls believe it is inevitable," said Suzanne Koepplinger, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center in Minneapolis.

Indian women have the highest rate of sexual assault in the state -- 42 percent of Indian women are victims. "I heard a story about an elder giving instructions to working with young girls and she said don't tell them if they're raped this is what they should do, tell them when they're raped, this is what they should do," she said.

POOR HEALTH

The study also found women and girls in Minnesota have poorer health than men and boys.
Girls are less likely to be physically active than boys. Forty-eight percent of 12th grade girls participate in sports, compared to fifty-nine percent of boys. A majority of the state's women are now considered obese or overweight and women in northeastern Minnesota have disproportionately high cancer rates.


Links:

Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center
http://www.miwrc.org/

University of Minnesota's Center of Women and Public Policy
http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/wpp/

Women's Foundation of Minnesota
http://www.wfmn.org/

Minnesota Coalition of the Homeless
http://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org/

Minnesota Public Radio
http://minnesota.publicradio.org

World Pulse
http://www.worldpulse.com/node/22009

Help Kiana Firouz Seek Asylum from Iran

The UK Home Office recently rejected the asylum appeal of lesbian filmmaker and actress Kiana Firouz—a move that could lead to her deportation to Iran, where she faces a minimum sentence of 100 lashes or even the death penalty for “unrepentant” homosexuality.

The UK ruling has put the life of the 27-year-old in serious danger. Firouz starred in the film Cul de Sac, which is loosely based on her life. In it, she portrays the struggle of lesbians under the Iranian regime. The movie, which premiered in London on May 20, could cause serious problems for Firouz in Iran, where homosexuality is illegal.

The UK Times Online reports that the Home Office, in defending the rejection of Firouz’s appeal, acknowledged the danger she would face as a lesbian in Iran but argued that Firouz could escape harm by being discreet about her homosexuality.

Given the public nature of Firouz’s activism, however, there is little chance that she could fly under the radar in her home country.

You can help Kiana Firouz fight this ruling by urging the Home Office to reverse its decision. Send a letter to the Home Secretary Theresa May in support of Firouz’s case for asylum, and help Kiana Firouz remain in the UK.

Links about Kiana Firouz's story and petition online

Sign the petition!
http://www.petitiononline.com/kianaf/petition.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7131310.ece

Cul De Sac movie trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbQiB3rkh4

Black Women's Health Imperatitve Tackle Depression:Find a Therapist That’s Right for You!

Tune In Today at 2 p.m. listen live!
http://asoft362.accrisoft.com/blackwmnshlth/index.php?cid=375027&src=gendocs&ref=listenlive&category=Multimedia&curlid=9

One out of five Black women suffers from depression.

Last month, Byllye and Ngina led a thought-provoking discussion on Black women and depression. This month, they are bringing you expert advice on how to find the right therapist.

With the insight, passion and wisdom that have won them a loyal following on BlogTalkRadio, Byllye and Ngina will shed light on an issue not often discussed - Black women and depression.

Terrie Williams will unveil the truth about the faces of depression - helplessness, dissatisfaction, illness, loss, addiction and anger - and offer strategies for tough times and exercises for recovery, as well as answer your questions.

Listen to Cheryl’s Advice on First Wednesday: Conversation with Byllye and Ngina Wednesday, June 2, 2 p.m.

Cheryl will provide unique insight into an issue rarely discussed among Black women - seeking professional help for the emotional and mental health challenges that many of us are facing.Cheryl will take your questions live on the radio or via e-mail. Call 646-381-4662 with your questions beginning at 2 p.m. EST or submit them prior to the show at

http://asktheexpert@blackwomenshealth.org

Stay in touch with Black Women's Health Imperative at http://blackwomenshealth.org

Cheryl Chisholm, is a licensed therapist and director of the Imperative-produced documentary, "On Becoming a Woman: Mothers and Daughters Talking Together a few links to flim provided below:

http://www.wmm.com/filmcatalog/pages/c124.shtml

http://www.movierevie.ws/movies/1030675/On-Becoming-a-Woman-Mothers-and-Daughters-Talking-Together.html

Art Work for Change:Women and Violence

This is an ongoing exhibit coming to a city or country near you. if you are in any of the areas listed below take some time and go see it!

Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women and Art An International Contemporary Art Exhibition


Thirty-two contemporary artists from 25 countries address violence against women and girls globally and their basic human rights to a safe and secure life.


The beauty of this project is that it combines the highest integrity of art with important social messaging and storytelling to help create awareness, inspiration, and address systems for positive social change and action.


Exhibition curated by Randy Jayne Rosenberg



Remaining Dates:

Museo Universitario del Chopo, Mexico

September 8 – November 7, 2010

Chicago Cultural Center, USA

January 22 – April 10, 2011

Global Health Odyssey Museum,Ctr. for Disease Control, Atlanta, USA

January 25 – May 23, 2012

Program Partners:

Amnesty International, Art for Amnesty, CounterQuo.org, Emergent Media Center at Champlain College,

Family Violence Prevention Fund, Global Fund for Women, International Rescue Committee,

Population Media Center, UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),The Voices and Faces Project

You Can't Tell An Accident to Stop or Pause

You Can't Tell An Accident to Stop or Pause
By: Direct Wisdom

Alone yet free
only way to truly be
at least, that's what she was taught
re-calling lessons of :
don't be afraid to smile
keep your true joy inside
don't share your intentions, dreams, secrets
and even your laughter
learn how to hide
be seen, not heard, kill more bees w/honey, always keep your own money
don't start none won't be none but if you do, you know what to do

if you... if you... if you want to survive
if you... if you... if you want to survive

Silent yet deadly
gaze equaled personality
at least, that's what he thought
re-calling stories of:
everything but the kitchen sink, beaten into and out of sleep
building strength from childhood scars
living less, classic broken home, fridge resembles neighborhood bar
head of household yet only twelve stealing cookies, cakes, soda
afraid of momma but not of jail
learned to lie for safety and convenience
remembered the golden rule don't tell

if you... if you... if you want to survive
if you... if you... if you want to survive

They say opposites attract
polarization happens everyday
the magnetic pull of your destiny lies in wait
so there they are attached to tragedy succumb to false reality attracted to malady
but you can't tell a accident to just stop or pause

She programed to expect less but yearn for more
gratification of self never was covered, besides she learned they will love you when you let them lay inside.
so a pool of yeses, head nods are a birthright and a occasional whisper of at least he better then the last one

He has nothing begins to believe in and subscribe to it,just living for right now
self-love was not only foreign,unattainable but not tolerated besides he rather make it daily so clinic visits, buckets of I'm sorry and when I get out this time, become second nature of the tongue.

They say:
I saw it coming
why didn't she...why would he...
damn he should have...I bet she tried ….
you know y'all quick to do that..heard a unanimous you ain't never lied

everyone calms down starts to agree
recalling there own mishaps, close encounters
shaking their heads in disbelief
feeling lucky nonetheless
and who would've guess it turn this way
you heard them say: man just the other day
they cool then at it again
one stood quiet thinking
were was his so-called ...what happened to her so-called friends

then everyone forgets
shoulda woulda coulda's ain't never saved a life
today would be no different

They say opposites attract
polarization happens everyday
the magnetic pull of your destiny lies in wait
so there they are attached to tragedy succumb to false reality attracted to malady
but you can't tell a accident to just stop or pause
learned to lie for safety and convenience
keep your true joy inside
remembered the golden rule don't tell

if you... if you... if you want to survive
if you... if you... if you want to survive


* This poem touches on themes of gender, stereotypes, traditions, roles, domestic violence, self-esteem, men, women, childhood, abandonment, self-hatred, friendship, gossip, destiny, karma, hardships, containment, anger, survival, secrets, tolerance, history, relationships, silence, values, memory, displacement,unwarranted compromise and belief systems.

Women Living With HIV Launch Human Rights Survey

Call for Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health Services With HIV Services to Address Epidemic Among Women



Please take the survey and spread the word!


National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2010 comes just weeks after the United Nations announced that HIV is the leading cause of death among women globally.


In the U.S., a woman tests positive for HIV every 35 minutes, and nearly one-third of all domestic HIV infections are among women -- up from 8% in 1987. AIDS continues to be the leading cause of death among African-American women ages 25 to 34. Yet the general perception is that women are not vulnerable to contracting HIV -- and women are dying as a result.



Multiple members of the U.S. Positive Women's Network (PWN), a national membership body of women living with HIV in the United States, have personal experience with this issue. "Everyone is at risk for HIV," says Demetra Tennison, Peer Educator at Women Rising Project in Austin, TX. "But many providers don't perceive women as being at risk or are uncomfortable talking about it. I told my doctor that my husband was positive, and he didn't offer me a test. I was diagnosed late and got into care late, because of a missed opportunity on my physician's part."

Advocates specifically call for integration of sexual and reproductive health services with HIV services. "Early HIV diagnosis means less transmission and better health outcomes. Yet we see missed opportunities for HIV prevention and diagnosis throughout the medical system," says Dr. Monica Gandhi, director of HIV Consult Services at San Francisco General Hospital. "Women show up for sexual and reproductive health services multiple times a year. Every one of those appointments -- for pap smears, contraception care, and routine check-ups -- is an opportunity for HIV education, screening for HIV risk factors like domestic violence, and testing."

The PWN also notes that over half of all people living with HIV are not in regular medical care, and that co-location of sexual and reproductive health services with HIV services has enormous potential to transform women's ability to access care.

HIV-positive women across the United States have organized to urge the Obama Administration to finish health care reform, demand a gender-sensitive National HIV/AIDS Strategy, declare HIV an urgent crisis facing women and demand, the immediate appointment of an openly HIV-positive Black woman to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). Events will occur in locations as diverse as Philadelphia, PA; Oakland, CA; San Diego, CA; Washington, NC; Washington, DC; and Boulder, CO.

Advocates also stress that an effective response to the domestic HIV epidemic must address social factors that put some communities at disproportionate risk. "We have the tools to end the HIV epidemic. What we need is political will to address structural issues including homophobia, gender inequity, and the deep racial and economic disparities that drive the rising rates of HIV among our most marginalized communities," says Waheedah Shabazz-El, a Muslim and Philadelphia-based trainer with the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project, who was diagnosed in 2003.


In honor of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the PWN has launched a survey to track the extent to which HIV-positive women's human rights are being realized in the United States. This survey is the first in a series, and focuses on testing and disclosure, reproductive justice for women with HIV, and the criminalization of HIV.


Please take the survey and spread the word!


Learn more about the PWN -- and join the PWN's mailing list.


This article was provided by Positive Women's Network USA.