September 2009

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From the President

Talk the Walk

Hello VOW Supporters and Friends

We hope that you have been doing well during the recession, and that your life and opportunities look positive.

We are excited about our upcoming First Annual Beyond Borders Benefit. On October 17th, we will present the newly established Voices Award in recognition of the amazing work of Marisa Ugarte of the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition. Voices of Women will be celebrating its eighth year! We hope you can join us, tickets are selling fast!

http://www.voicesofwomen.org/docs/VOWPrsRelBeyondBorders.pdf

I write a monthly article for San Diego Network News (sdnn.com) on women’s issues, locally and globally. The following is an excerpt of one of my recent articles in which I highlighted the September 24-26 conference, Bearing Exquisite Witness, at the Institute for Peace & Justice, USD:

The three-day gathering of women and men from around the world featured theatre, story-telling, dance, film, music and poetry to raise awareness about the effects of violence, especially on women and girls.

When Voices of Women was founded, we utilized the power of theatre for our first fundraising event. We entitled the program Moving Moments in Time and featured local actors and musicians. At the conclusion, our audience asked us to “please do more of these, it helps us to understand global issues and to think about them in a different light.”

Would you like us to stage more theatrical events that illustrate the possibilities for peace and justice? Do let us know. And do tell us about any work you are doing for human rights. In future newsletters, we want to recognize the valiant efforts of our supporters and friends who have taken the VOW mission to heart.

Let me update you on VOWagers, the new “branch” of VOW. In recent months, we have partnered with Esther Taylor of Uganda, who founded Samaritan’s Hand in San Diego. A small group of us are planning to travel to Kampala early in 2010 with Esther, to work with orphaned children, girls and women to provide education and support that they need. We will keep you apprised of our activities. Let us know of your interest. As the year comes to an end, I express my gratitude for the extraordinary women who form the board of directors of VOW. They are committed, dedicated and passionate. And we thank you for your continued support of Voices of Women. Please join us!

JOIN NOW

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VOW in the News:

WITWIGO (What In The World Is Going On?)

Korea was the topic for our WITWIGO presentation on June 24, 2009 at the Mission Valley Library. Our speakers, Jean Renshaw, Ph.D. and Rosemary Straley, Ed.D, both experienced travelers in that divided country, helped us understand some of the history of the area along with some differences between the two Koreas. Rosemary George Straley, Ed.D., a founder of the George-Straley Foundation, presented a photographic essay of North Korea based on her experience visiting that country last summer. Jean Renshaw, PhD, Professor of Management and Organizational Behavior, and the author of Kimono in the Boardroom: The Invisible Evolution of Japanese Women Managers, discussed her research on women's leadership, culture, the interaction of work and family life, and gender roles in South Korea. The event was well-attended with curious and interested VOW supporters and guests. We were truly enlightened and grateful for their sharing!

The March Continues…

On August 20, 2009, several Directors on the Voices of Women Board participated in the 2nd Annual Suffrage Day Parade followed by the Suffrage Ball in celebration of Women’s Equality Day. We met at Balboa Park, many participants in 1930’s period dress, to celebrate the women who worked so tirelessly to secure voting rights for women. It was a spirited group, committed to equality for women. The event, organized by the Women’s History Museum, was followed by dining and dancing in the Balboa Park Club. Anne Hoiberg, VOW Board Director, was one of this year’s organizers and made sure VOW had a major presence at the event. It was great fun. Thanks Anne! “What do we want? Equality! When do we want it NOW!” Yes, the March continues…

Submitted by Carol Clarke,
VOW Board Treasurer
Board of Directors

 

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Women of Iran and beyond…

As excerpted from San Diego News Network Article “Women Define the word Shir-Zan” http://www.sdnn.com/?s=jenni+prisk&x=16&y=10

When you watched the events unfolding in Iran, you saw some astonishing acts by the women of that country. They fought off dissidents, interfered (and died) where they saw deeds of civil unrest or cruelty, and perhaps most important of all, they spoke up for human and democratic rights. The women in Iran have always been known as 'Shir-Zan', which means ‘lioness.’

Iran is not the only country where women face battles. In homes, offices, and sadly, everywhere in our global community, women face discrimination because of their sex. But this is supposing a woman is working or can work. We all understand that the current global economic climate is preventing both males and females from continuing in, or finding employment. Yet what about the countries where women are forced to stay at home, despite their professional qualifications, because of war, or terrorism, or a violent partner who suppresses them.

Women who are qualified for a myriad of roles are prevented from returning to their native Iraq because they hold inappropriate passports that won’t permit them to cross the border into their country. Or they cannot return because of death threats.

The increased uprising of the Taliban is affecting the women of Afghanistan and forcing them to stay inside their homes, which often become unsafe havens. And then there are the uprisings in Sudan, and Congo, and Zimbabwe and the Middle East, and the list goes on.

And what about our own country? Many women, and men, are struggling to pay bills, get healthcare, get a good education for their kids, or even just to fill the car with gas. And far too many women are subjected to domestic violence and sex trafficking.

Women have wombs and as a consequence have been charged with the responsibility of nurturing future citizens. That’s a pretty big deal when you think about it. A young mother develops skills and feelings she didn’t know she had when her newborn is placed in her arms. The “lioness” comes to the fore. As she matures, through most of her life she is nurturing and supporting someone…either a partner, or a boss, or child, or other women who can be complete strangers.

Women work behind the scenes to administrate, orchestrate and cultivate. Women come together easily to collaborate. As we have done, with you, at Voices of Women. Please continue to walk with us on our journey!

Jenni Prisk, VOW Board President and Founder

 

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MEET the BOARD

Educator and Community Activist Extraordinaire Virginia S. Loh, Ph.D., VOW Secretary
As shared with V.P. Anne Rast

You provide such wonderful energy and a wonderful support to VOW, tell us what attracted you to VOW.

I fell in love with the women. Edith Fine lured me in; then, I met Anne Rast at a theater event and then, I met Jenni at some VOW events. I knew I had to be a part of this amazing group of women and Bobby (Anne Rast’s husband who is an ardent supporter of VOW). I'm also always seeking ways to educate myself more on women's issues and want to do more to empower women, locally and globally; I felt that VOW was a good fit. Plus, I've had fun. And, Bobby’s guacamole, of course!

Where did you grow up, go to school and how did you end up in San Diego?

I am Virginia from Virginia who attended to the University of Virginia. I was the first person in my family to be born in the U.S. and I was born in northern Virginia, Fairfax County so that's how I got my name--an old lady's name. Ha!

I have a Bachelor in Arts in English Language and Literature, and a Masters in Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education specializing in Learning Disabilities 7 (K-12) from the University of Virginia. Upon graduation, I received the "Outstanding Woman Scholar in Education" award. I earned a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Literacy from SDSU-USD in May 2008. My dissertation, for which I received a Beiter research grant award and of which I have published peer-reviewed articles and conducted presentations, was a qualitative study on the cultural authenticity of Asian-American children's literature. I like to think that I am recognized as an expert in this field.

After I finished grad school at UVA, I decided to drive west. I drove across country by myself. I saw the landscape change and because of the time zone, became a morning person for the first couple of weeks I was out here. But, that soon ended. (I'm a vampire by nature; I’d much rather sleep during the day and work at night.) I have quickly acclimated to San Diego. You can't beat the weather. I do miss East Coast autumns but I love living here. I have an amazing network of friends and of course, I adore my boyfriend and dog. I've been here since 1999; I thought that I was only going to stay 2 years and 10 years later, I am still here and have no plans of moving.

Tell us about your profession and your interests.

For the past five years, I have been teaching graduate courses in education at SDSU, USD, and NU. I am also the Director of Wells Academics in La Jolla and a published children's author; my debut book, The Jade Dragon, was published by Candlewick Press in 2006. In addition to presenting my academic work, I have also been invited to book signings and other such author events. I write a biweekly column for AsiaMedia Inc. and am working on several other manuscripts for publication. Having served as a K-12 practitioner for local school districts, I have worked with diverse student populations and am an expert in various instructional methodologies. I have a strong knowledge of teaching pedagogies, assessments, and educational research and theories. This year, I've focused on my academic writing and have co-written a chapter on children's literature for a major college textbook and a strategies book for using nonfiction texts.

I am committed to teacher excellence, educational policy-making, and student achievement. In addition, I am actively involved in community Boards and organizations: Voices of Women, Holiday Bowl Committee, Feaster Charter School Board, Junior League of San Diego, UVA Club of San Diego, ALBA Community Day School, Organizing for America, etc. I believe that empowerment and agency are the keys to academic and social success.

My interests: Reading (am a bit of a bookworm), playing piano badly, crocheting and knitting scarves and blankets only, writing stories but not necessarily finishing them, traveling to places that are not hot or humid, buying expensive shoes that I'm too scared to actually wear, laughing loudly (very loudly).

What experience in your life influenced you to be who you are today?

All my experiences, good and bad. I am who I am because of the choices I have made and because of the people in my life. I feel that I have been very lucky and/or blessed--I have been surrounded by so many good people. It's really about the people in my life--who you choose to be in your life is probably the most important decision you can make. I owe much gratitude to the Dunns and Batchelders and Lipscombs for shaping me during my formative years and for giving me the confidence that I needed to survive and succeed; mostly for never turning me away when I showed up for dinner. :)

What do you see as your future plans?

My future? Who knows? When I was growing up, I wanted to be President of the U.S. and now, I know better. :) I hope to be living, reading, writing, working traveling, and making a difference somewhere. I have been very fortunate in that I have experienced many different things; as a result, I have learned to let go of five year plans. When opportunity comes, I want to be available.

In the immediate future, I would like to work on a campaign to battle aliteracy (the ability to read but choosing not to), which starts with bringing back “Reading Rainbow.” I am heartbroken about the end of that show; I thought it did an amazing job of motivating kids to read and increasing prior knowledge. Plus, I really like the theme song.

Things I want to do before I kick the bucket: finish a half-marathon, learn how to swim and ride a bike (I know! Don't judge!), open up a school and library, pay off all my debt, learn how to tap and flamenco dance (any dancing that requires noisy shoes), play “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on the guitar, read all the Pulitzer Prize and Newbery Award-winning books, enter a hot dog eating contest, and travel to all seven continents.

And what do you see in the future for VOW?

I see more young professionals joining the cause. I see everlasting friendships. I see outreach programs all over the globe. I see a paid administrative staff. I see local, national, and global changes. I see lots of friendships and even more laughter. Virginia,

Thank you for taking the time to be interviewed and thank you for being you! We sincerely hope your plans include VOW! OF COURSE!!! :) 

 

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The Meaning of Women's Equality Day

While celebrating Women’s Equality Day on August 26, the day we commemorate the 19th Amendment ratifying women’s right to vote, many of us pondered why women’s rights are still of little importance to most people. Enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in late January and the lifting of the “gag rule” pertaining to global reproductive health education gave us hope that women’s issues would again receive attention and resolution, only to be disappointed with a fizzling of concern about such items on the women’s rights agenda as ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the end of violence against women.

At the national level, President Obama identified three treaties, one being CEDAW, which he sent to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent. It was hoped that CEDAW ratification would occur before International Women’s Day on March 8; however, senatorial hearings have yet to be scheduled, much less a vote in the full Senate.

On June 26, President Obama appointed Lynn Rosenthal to serve as his White House Advisor on Violence against Women. We are eager to learn about her plans to end gender violence.

In California, women were disappointed when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger cut millions of social service funds from the budget. With the stroke of his pen, the Governor eliminated state funding of shelters for victims of domestic violence! Perhaps such action indicates that the Governor has signaled the end to violence against women and that there is no need to provide a safe haven for abused women. He will now have to serve as the leader to teach men and boys that women and girls are not to be slapped, punched, pushed, kicked, verbally abused, burned with cigarettes, raped, strangled, knifed, shot, run over, sexually abused, chopped up, threatened, or psychologically abused.

However, in the event that he has not ended all forms of physical, sexual, and psychological violence against women and girls by Super Bowl weekend, the time when soon-to-be-shut-down or filled-to-capacity California shelters turn away domestic violence victims, the Governor should graciously open his homes to all domestic violence victims to save their lives and protect their children. With 16,759 domestic violence and 845 rape cases reported in 2008 to law enforcement in San Diego County alone, the Governor has his work cut out for him: to end violence against women and girls to support his action of eliminating shelter funding.

Women’s issues continue to be shifted from front and center into another holding pattern while other “more important” crises dominate our lives. However, all crises impact women, such as health care reform, wars, and occupation. It's time for all of us to beat the drums for health care reform and women’s rights—and an end to all forms of gender violence, including wars.

Anne Hoiberg, VOW Board of Directors

 

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PROSE CORNER

Not so In the News…

The nightwalkers WALK,
and the politicians TALK
while the bills languish in the house…

She was 12 when she SCREAMED her last breathe as she, and the unwanted wanted child in her womb, died…
She was 10 when she ESCAPED the beatings and rapes of the husband from whose tyranny she could not hide…
She still CRIES continually from the one good eye of her acid redesigned face,
and cover-girl no longer HIDES the black and blue where fists have left a trace…
She lugs her four kids from place to place as she ANGRILY curses the babies daddies, and their distended bellies GROWL in-between each monthly sub-sidy…
While the men who are men RACE here and there as mentors, fathers, cousins, and brothers to those who have no others…
And the women and orphans
sing a song of DESPAIR as they try and
raise one another…
“My God, hast thou forsaken she or has man in his quest for POWER and LUST exchanged her flesh for currency quoting ‘In God We Trust’?”

So the people wrote a new song CREATED from the fragments of tattered notes, the voices of justice SINGING in unison….

A CHANGE IS COMING, IT MUST!!!

P.S. Perkins, Author
VOW Board of Directors