Dare.

The Year in Women

All of this information is from the December 2008 issue of Marie Claire. I just picked my favorite parts of the article. Pick up the magazine for the full article and more!!

Katie Couric justifies her $15 million salary with a deftly withering interrogation of Sarah Palin

Arianna Huffington's eponymous blog seals its status as the election go-to for the liberal-leaning, catching 5.5 million unique visitors per month and reaching an estimated value of $100 mill.

Tina Fey rockets up the Hollywood power lists

Stephenie Meyer rides the vampire trend to multimillionairehood, with 12.2 million books sold and a $37 million movie hitting theaters this month.

Ten of the world's billionairesses are self-made. Ten years ago, none were.

Let's have a little lesson...

For anyone who plans on having sex but isn't quite ready for a baby...

I am in a Gender and Women's Studies class right now and we recently had a big discussion of reproductive rights. Abortion tends to dominate all discussions of reproductive rights, but I am not interested in debating or even really discussing with any of you about your views on abortion (at least definitely not on my blog), but I do believe we should make a point that access to effective and affordable birth control is of the utmost importance at this point. If nothing else, EDUCATION about effective birth control is important. So, let's talk...

Option 1: Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Small piece of plastic with copper inside it that is inserted into the uterus. It prevents implantation of a fertilized egg. It lasts up to 10 years, can result in heavier periods, and may increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease among women with multiple sexual partners. IUDs do NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
(Reportedly 99.9% effective)



Option 2: Hormone Regulation Methods
The pill
An Oral contraceptive that contains combinations of two hormones: progestin and estrogen. Side effects include nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, and headaches. Usually work by preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). They also thicken the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg.
(Reportedly typical use - 92% effective, but perfect (daily, same time) use - 99.7% effective)
The minipill
Contains no estrogen and a small dose of progestin and has fewer side effects than a regular pill, and it works by thickening cervical mucus and/or preventing ovulation.


Norplant
A contraceptive device that lasts 5 years. Six flexible capsules are inserted beneath the skin on the upper arm where they release progestin to suppress ovulation. Implants are continuous long-lasting birth control without sterilization and can be used by women who cannot take estrogen. The ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use is stopped. They implants can cause irregular bleeding and the possibility of pain and scarring upon removal.
(Reportedly 99.9% effective)


Depo-provera
An injection of synthetic hormones that suppress ovulation for 11 to 13 months. There are similar side effects as the pill, including depression and heavier, more frequent periods. The effects are not easily reversible and it may take up to a year before a woman is fertile again.
(Reportedly 97 - 99.7% effective)


NuvaRing
Flexible, transparent ring about 3 inches in diameter that is inserted vaginally once a month. It releases a continuous dose of estrogen and progestin. It remains inserted in the vagina for 21 days and then is removed and discarded and a new ring inserted.
(Reportedly 92 - 99.7% effective)




Option 3: Barrier Methods

Diaphragm, Cervical Cap, Shield
Barrier methods that are inserted into the vagina before intercourse. They fit over the cervix and prevent sperm from entering the uterus. They work in conjunction with spermicide jelly that is placed around the rim of the device.
(Reportedly 84 - 94% effective)


Spermicide
Jelly used with items above. Spermicidal foam is inserted into the vagina with a small plunger. Unlike many other methods, spermicides are available at any drugstore. These (and the items above) work best when used in conjunction with a condom. Much less effective when used alone.
(When used alone, reportedly 74 - 80% effective)

Condom
Male condom is a latex rubber tube that is unrolled on the penis. The female condom is a floppy polyurethane tube with an inner ring at the closed end that fits over the cervix and an outer ring at the open end that hangs outside the vagina. Condoms block sperm from entering the vagina. Condoms are the only form of contraception that offers prevention against sexually transmitted diseases generally and HIV/AIDS in particular. All health care providers emphasize that individuals not in a mutually monogamous sexual relationship should always use condoms.
(Reportedly 85 - 98% effective)




Option 4: Emergency Contraception Pills (ECPs)
Used after unprotected heterosexual intercourse. Commonly known as the "morning-after pill." ECPs are effective if taken up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, although they are most effective if taken within 12 hours. They provide a high dose of the same hormones in birth control pills to prevent ovulation and fertilization. They DO NOT terminate a pregnancy, but rather PREVENT one from occurring. They are available by prescription only.
(Reportedly 74 - 89% effective, depending on how quickly they are taken)


Basically, for whatever reason, just get educated about birth control. The best way to prevent abortions is to use birth control to prevent unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. Although, not all unplanned pregnancies are unwanted! Just be safe!! Ask your gynecologist, your mother, your teacher, your friend. Ask!!


(I took some of the descriptions for these things word-for-word from my GWS book. It's is called Women's Voices Feminist Visions and it's by Susan M. Shawn and Janet Lee.)

My Zine

So I've decided on the 12 women I am going to highlight in my Zine for my Gender & Women's Studies class. They are in no way an exhaustive list of those I think are most important, just a list of interesting women who have exhibited strength in their various areas of expertise. What do you think?

(In no particular order)


1. Angelina Jolie - celebrity & ambassador


2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer - fictional character


3. Ellen Degeneres - talk show host, celebrity & gay rights advocate


4. Hilary Clinton - politician


5. Jane Austen - author


6. Queen Elizabeth I - royalty


7. Madonna - musician


8. Frida Kahlo - artist


9. Coco Chanel - entrepreneur


10. Martha Graham - dancer


11. Rosa Parks - heroine & icon


12. Margaret Mead - anthropologist



The ones I didn't pick for my list, but would deserve to be on ANY list of strong, influential women in history (along with many others) are: Mary (Mother of Jesus), Cleopatra VII, Estee Lauder, Joan of Arc, Anne Frank, Hellen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt

Body By Glamour

Go to Glamour.com and sign up for Body By Glamour and/or the 30 day Makeover!!

I did!! Then be my "buddy" and we can encourage each other!!

It will be awesome! Get ready for summer!!!!

I'm being serious.

I really do need your help. If you have time...

Not many people have really commented on my Strong Women blog.

I would like to have a whole page with different ideas people have of strong women and examples and things like that.

If you don't have time, it's not really a big deal. I'll just do half a page. But if you do have time, I would REALLY appreciate it!!

Here's the link.

I Love Joss.

Vagina Monologues 2008

REMINDER!!!!

"As part of the 2008 V-Day College Campaign, the students of University of Kentucky are proud to present a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds for local organizations working to end violence against women and girls."

Friday, February 15, 2008 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 16, 2008 7:30 pm

Worsham Theater
UK Student Center

$7 for students
$10 general admission

Courtney & I will be attending the Friday night performance. If you want to come with us, please let me know!! I would love it!!!

Also, if you can only go to the Saturday night performance and have no one to go with, again, let me know because I will totally go with you!!!

Iron Jawed Angels

I'm taking a Gender & Women's Studies class this semester. Tonight, we watched Iron Jawed Angels. It's a movie about the struggle for women's suffrage. It meant more to me than I thought it would. We are so blessed to be a part of a generation with a voice and a vote and possibilities that reach far beyond any who came before us. We should strive to honor the women who fought so hard for the liberties we now possess. And I believe it is our right and responsibility to use that vote to end oppression and prejudice for others now, no matter what mask that prejudice may appear as.

Anyway, I think you should watch it.

Glamour

I think Glamour magazine is one of the best magazines you can buy! On top of the fact that it is all about girl-power which I LOVE (ahem, Buffy!), it also has excellent advice and stories. You should check them out!!

Real Beauty

All women have at some point fallen victim to it. Not necessarily an eating disorder, but the comparison between ourselves and other women. It is an ongoing struggle. One that the media does not help to solve.

This video made me really emotional. It's a very real issue for a huge amount of people. And it's not enough just to say, "you're beautiful."

But it's a start.