Cosmopolitan held it's Ultimate Women of the Year awards in November and it was well-attended. Among the winners were Ruth Jones, winner of the 'Ultimate Funny Woman' Award, Kimberley Walsh, winner of the 'Ultimate Women's Woman' award, Sarah Brown; Jessica Ennis, winner of the 'Ultimate Sports Woman; and Vernon Kay.
They are posed outside Number 10 prior to a breakfast reception hosted by Sarah Brown for the winners of Cosmopolitan's Women Of The Year Awards at Downing Street on November 12, 2009 in London, England.
Global Woman presents its 1st Annual Portrait of a Global Woman Photo Contest. What is a global woman? That is the question that you, the photographer, can answer with your lens. This photo contest offers photographers from around the world an opportunity to capture and share their vision of the essence of a Global Woman.
The following prizes will be given out:
1st prize is $1,000 and the winner will have their photo printed full page, in the magazine, with a bio printed inside, and showcased on the Global Woman website. 2nd prize is $500 and the winner will have their photo printed in the magazine and on the website. 3rd prize is $300 and the winner will have their photo printed in the magazine and on the website. Along with the winners, the honorable mentions will be published in the 4th Edition of the magazine in a 6 to 8 page spread, and may be published on our website in a slideshow as well. Those honorable mentions will each receive a $25 gift card or one year subscription to Global Woman magazine.
How to enter:
Go to the submit page and pay the entry fee--$25 for a general entry or $40 for an entry and a subscription to Global Woman magazine—and upload up to 5 photos. They must be 72 dpi, and in JPEG or TIFF format. Each photograph must be labeled with your first and last name, and a number to identify each picture (for example: dorthea_lange1.jpg). Finalists will be required to send in high resolution files for publication in the magazine and on our website. Photo illustrations and wholly digital creations will not be accepted at this time. Photos created by digital and film cameras will be accepted. By accepting these rules you certify you are the copyright owner. The contest will run from October 16, 2009 through January 15, 2010. Global Woman magazine reserves the right to cancel the contest at any time, for any reason, without prior notice or obligation.
Global Woman is a premier quarterly magazine and monthly webzine that covers the latest issues on women around the world. The publication serves to connect women from coast to coast and beyond, catering to their needs and giving voice to the many issues that affect their daily lives.
CNN has an annual award they give to ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things in their corner of the world. Among the nominees this year are two women who are doing remarkable things.
Betty Makoni - Zimbabwe - Betty Makoni is a child rape survivor who is giving voice to other child rape victims. Makoni was raped by a shopkeeper when she was 6 years old. Her mother told her not to say it in public. In later years she witnessed her father kill her mother and realized that silence can be deadly. Determined to make a difference for other girls, she started an organization called the Girl Child Network. Forced to flee Zimbabwe because of her efforts, she has continued the work in the United Kingdom. A documentary, 'Tapestries of Hope', has been made about her efforts in Zimbabwe.
Andrea Ivory - Florida - Andrea Ivory is a survivor. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she realized that had it not been for the regular mammograms she received, she might not have caught it in time. She also realized that for uninsured women, the likelihood that it would be caught in the end-stages was highly likely. Determined to make a difference, she started the Florida Breast Health Initiative (FBHI) to help reach out to this underserved group and educate them about breast health.
FBHI has partnered with a local hospital to provide free mammogram screening to this particular population. The impact has been felt in her community and many of the volunteers who go door-to-door are recipients of the benefits of the free mammograms. Some of them had their breast cancer caught in enough time to treat it.
Ivory is determined to continue making a difference for as many women as possible and hopes to expand this help beyond the Florida Borders.
These two women help embody what heroes are made of. Congratulations to both ladies on their nomination. No matter who wins, they are heroes to the people whose lives they have touched.
We always want to raise girls who are passionate about computers, science and math, and there are many sites that help cultivate that passion. The problem comes after they get older and want to continue to hone their technical skills. Where do they go? One really good site is Girls In Tech, which was started by Adriana F. Gascoigne.
The site pulls together the things women love to do (socialize), and marries it with conferences, workshops, social engagements, and recruitment events. Adriana's vision and mission is to provide a place for women to cultivate ideas around their careers and business concepts involving technology.
Women get a chance to share technical knowledge, access resources and develop their businesses. This is a great site for those interested in networking with like-minded technical folks.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Women and children are usually the biggest victims of war but their voices are rarely heard in peace negotiations. The United Nations has decided to change that by implementing Security Council Resolution 1820 which acknowledges, for the first time, the use of sexual violence as a war tactic in times of conflict.
Hopefully this will help make the peace negotiation process a more effective one with positive outcomes for women and children around the world.
October is a month focused on two issues that affect women--breast cancer and domestic violence. Domestic violence has gotten more focus since a surprisingly popular show, "Real Housewives of Atlanta", has had two cast members use their past experience to help raise awareness to the prevalence of domestic violence in the U.S.
Lisa (Lisa Wu-Hartwell) and Nene (born Linnethia Monique Johnson) have both revealed that they have been victims of domestic violence. Nene has started an organization called Twisted Hearts Foundation, that is dedicated to helping raise money to help women escape their violent situations. Although the fundraising events are fun to watch, the issues are serious. They have had hat parties, high heel races, and other fun events. Congratulations to the ladies for sharing what can only be described as a difficult time in their lives. They are to be commended for trying to help others break the vicious cycle.
There are several signs to look for that will tell you if you are in a violent relationship. Get tips on how to get away safely. If you know someone who has anger management issues, help them find a place to get help.
Stay safe and work on building your self-esteem up. Keep good friends around you at all times and RUN from anyone who has a hard time managing their anger. Stay safe.
Our young girls today are in dire need of a self-esteem lesson. There seems to be a misconception that if you do something that is deemed 'wrong' in the eyes of your man, they have every right to lift their hand and teach you a lesson. Case in point is the whole Rihanna - Chris Brown domestic violence case.
I happened across the Steve Wilco show (not really my cup of tea, but the sight of an all-girl audience dressed in pink t-shirts caught me attention) and he was posing the question to the audience of teen girls. The question was, "Who thinks that Rihanna got what she deserved?". Several girls put their hands up. One girl said that if her husband or boyfriend was cheating on her, she would " go off" on him, and fully expected the same from him. Wilco was shocked that anyone would put their hands up. He told them that they need to know that they should NEVER allow any man to hit them under ANY circumstances. I think it is a sad testimony to the kind of wolrd we live in where we accept violence as the norm.
Fathers, teach your girls that violence against them is not okay. Let them understand that anyone who is willing to use his hands to influence your decision should be cut lose FAST! Teach your sons that talking IS an option. It's THE option. Hitting is not okay (wait a minute...isn't that what we tell our 3-year olds??) and should never be considered the way to get what you want.
For women who think hitting is okay, please share why and under what circumstances. Those who disagree, share your thoughts.
Global Woman Magazine is now at a newstand near you and the magazine features some phenomenal women.
Read about Angelique Kidjo and the work that she is doing to help get girls educated AND out of marriage until they are at least past high school age.
Want to find out what phenomenal female visionaries are out there? Read all about them and their mission to make a difference in unique ways around the world.
Sheila Johnson is working hard for CARE. See what makes her a phenomenal Global Woman.
Let's not forget the artistically gifted Korto Momolu whose 2009 line is featured in the magazine.
There are more articles and and reviews and wonderful gems of all the things that make us all truly global women. Get your copy today. You can sign up for a subscription here.
We women really don't know our own wealth. PepsiCo does! So strong is their faith in our determination to spend tons of money on low-calorie, healthy alternatives, they have come up with a new snack--Snackfood popcorn clusters.
Aaah...now that is a wonderful thought. We can eat these healthy snacks and still feel good about ourselves. We also have the option of eating healthy (it will help boost our energy), exercising, and getting into a healthy lifestyle. That should work just as well. But if you'd rather just help increase Pepsico's bottom line and enable several families to keep their jobs by purchasing a snack geared specifically to women.
Nadya Suleman has, by virtue of having her eight children, created a firestorm of conversation about the ethics of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and fertility clinics, and the questions that need to be asked. How does an unemployed mother of six children with exhausted parents (lends to the possibility that she really has nothing to do with them, other than the nightly hug she claims to give) get a doctor to provide a service that is extremely expensive for the average person? She had won a work injury settlement that gave her enough money to start to make a home for herself, but she spends it on herself, not the children she wants to surround herself with to take care of a selfish need for love.
There are so many questions that have yet to be answered, and the ones that have been, have raised more questions. The laws have not caught up with IVF, but it is increasingly apparent that it is going to have to. There should be intelligent questions asked, censure of those who will do what they need to do for money, and an ethic board that oversees the doctors that are in the fertility clinics.
I was reading an article the other day that talked about a new trend in dental offices--dental spas. Apparently dentists are finding that if you are a relaxed and happy patient, you are more likely to pick those optional procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, and braces (well optional for some).
Some of the spas even offer manicures, pedicures, eyebrow waxes and hair services. I think that this could be a little confusing for your husband/significant other who might see you go to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned and then come back out looking almost like a model (relaxed and glowing). Hmm...it is getting close to Valentine's day so that may not be a bad thing.
The trend seems to be catching around the world with Bangkok Dental Spa claiming to be Asia's first dental spa. Ther is the Zen Dental Spa in South Africa which promotes dental tourism, and Beach Dental Spa in Kerala, India. Seems like a great idea. What are your thoughts?
Linda Lowen wrote on About.com that Michelle Obama was the first, First Lady, to bring a gift for the outgoing first lady. Now that is truly a class act.
I think that as our girls grow up watching Michelle Obama balance work and home with her grace and dignity, they will learn that it is truly a great thing to be a true lady AND we can balance work and home without sacrificing either.
There is much to be said about Laura Bush who, though she was never quite in the limelight like her husband, worked hard to make a difference (and did). She also was one of the first to stand up for Michelle Obama when the media and the McCain camp were on the attack about a statement Mrs. Obama made.
Women, we are definitely in the presence of two great ladies who have managed to keep their femininity without sacrificing their independence. We would do well to take note.
Barack Obama's election has been galvanizing on so many levels, for so many people. It was great for me to listen to Les Nubians and Angelique Kidjo as they shared the fact that his running for office marked a milestone in a struggle that people of color, in particular, have had. It, however, was also a nod to the fact that if we follow our dreams, we can achieve whatever we want.
Women have worked hard to make a difference around the world, and are probably more aware than anyone else about the realization of dreams despite inequities. As a Kenyan-American, Barack Obama's election is important because his father comes from a tribe that has long been marginalized and put down. The area his father grew up in is extremely underdeveloped, but Obama's election may change things as people make a trek to an area that has long laid ignored. It also gives hope to a people who have been struggling against unfair odds to survive to make a better future for their children who can look to the President of one of the most powerful countries in the world, and say, you too can be like him. He is one of us!
Domestic violence is a growing problem that is now considered a public health issue. There are times when women remain with the men that are abusive to them, citing several reasons including the fact that they are there for the children, they don't know where to turn, or they are safer remaining with the abuser than they are leaving (if the abuser threatens to kill them if they leave).
Are these reasons good enough for women to stay? Are the women just weak willed? Share your experiences or suggestions with us.
I would like to get comments about a topic that is very unfamiliar to women in the U.S. The topic is Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation, most commonly known as FGM/C.
Female genital cutting/mutilation is the removal of the female genitalia (clitoris and in some cases, the labia). It is performed with unsterilized instruments and in unclinical settings.
Global Woman has spoken out against FGM/C since the launch of the magazine. We welcome your comments and support in this matter.
