From the Desk of Dean Waite

Doing Kindness for Katie

zwaite — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:17:15 +0000

Doing Kindness for Katie

Written by Leiba Estrin and Sara Weinstein

To contact Leiba and Sara please email lestrin@chatham.edu

What do you do after the untimely death of a fellow student?

Katie Walters was a friend to many. She was 20 years old, and a woman of convictions. She was both serious and spontaneous. She liked to have fun. No one could forget her beautiful smile. As one friend commented, “When you were with her, she had an incredible ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the world.”

What do you do when a friend passes away?

“To everything there is a season

A time to live, a time to die…”

To everything there is a purpose under Heaven.”

We may never know the purpose of her death. But we can learn from the purpose of her life. Katie noticed others. Everyone agrees that Katie was very kind. As Esther L. Barazzone, the President of Chatham University, said at the recent Memorial Service for Katie, “In Katie’s memory, stop and do an act of kindness for someone. It may be the hardest thing to do. It may also be the most important thing to do!”

Chabad on Chatham has chosen to do two special programs in Katie’s memory for Chatham students.

“Slips of Kindness” was a simple, but far-reaching idea to empower more people to do acts of kindness on campus. On Tuesday, April 16, members of Chabad on Chatham gave out bags including a chocolate chip cookie and a slip of kindness. These slips of paper each suggested a single act of kindness to do that day. Examples included:

- Call a friend to say hi today.

- Smile at someone walking past you to brighten his/her day.

- Thank a cashier who you encounter today.

- Take time to listen to someone and be empathetic to their feelings.

- Go out of your way to do something nice for someone.

- Take time to notice a friend.

- Give charity to your favorite cause.

Students were really happy with the opportunity to be a part of this simple but meaningful activity.

The second program planned in Katie’s memory will take place on May 1^st in the Mellon Living Room. Called, “An Evening with Leah Herman: A Jewish Feminist Perspective,” this program will bring together friends of Katie’s and hopefully, students from all backgrounds for an uplifting and inspiring perspective of womanhood. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

“As painful as Katie’s loss is, “ Chabad Student President, Leiba Estrin, asserts, “Chabad on Chatham will strive to do more acts of kindness for Katie.” Pass it along. It may be the hardest thing to do, but it may be the most important thing you CAN do!

What’s In a Name?

zwaite — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:15:26 +0000

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. -William Shakespeare

“Mommy! Why are there so many kids named Emma?” my eleven year daughter, Emma asked.

My answer, “I think a lot of parents like the name “Emma” plus Rachel on the sitcom Friends named her daughter Emma a month after you were born causing many Rachel fans to name their daughter Emma. I decided to find out how popular the name “Emma” is. A quick Internet search confirmed its popularity:

http://www.behindthename.com/name/emmaI also found out that ‘Emma” is originally a short form of Germanic names that began with the element “emen” which means “whole” or “Universal.” I have to admit that I became interested in the topic of names because of my daughter’s constant questioning about her name plus a recent experience that I will remember fondly for many years to come.

I share today in honor of Emma and how proud I am of her. My hope is she will continue to enjoy working hard and giving her best in all of her endeavors regardless of the outcome . . . the way she strived to win a basketball championship a month ago. The weekend before the championship, Emma and I went to an office supply store as I wanted to make some posters for the team. While waiting for me, Emma tried out pens by writing the following . . .

“This is Emma. I would like to share something with you as I wait for my mommy to decide on the boards and markers she wants buy to make posters for my basketball teammates. Last year, my basketball team lost the city 4^th and 5^th graders championship. For an entire year my teammates and I have been focused on one primary vision: to bring the championship to Colfax Elementary School this year. So far, we are undefeated and if everything goes as planned, we will be the city champions. What I have learned from this experience is that it truly takes a team to put together an undefeated season. Every one of my teammates bring something unique to the court which when put together has helped us be victorious each game. Our first win was followed by our second win, and so on and so on. We realized that it was going to be a long and challenging season but we never gave up as every single one of us was focused on the vision we set for ourselves after we walked off the court last year in second place. Although I am excited and we are now in the championship, the reality is that I know we could lose. We will be very sad and disappointed but for now all I know is we wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t because all of us made a pack to win the championship a year ago.”

Emma’s note was written a week before the championship game. Today, a month after the game, we know the outcome. Emma’s team lost the championship.

After waiting all year for this day . . . February 16, 2013 was a sad day. There were lots of tears. The opposing team led by 10 points before Colfax could score. Although the teams tied at 17 towards the end, Colfax could not end the game with a win. For a while, Emma blamed herself for letting the team down as she missed lay-ups, jump shots and foul shots. As a mom, I just could not say anything to make her feel okay (which is the worst feeling ever) so I let her be sad. At one point when she was still sobbing, I said, what can I do to make you feel better . . . shut up? And she smiled through her tears and nodded her head.

The school’s basketball season is over and Emma is over the loss of the championship. What is not over for Emma is regular basketball practice at the community center, on the court at a nearby park and the basketball stand in our driveway. What is not over is Emma’s passion for basketball. What is not over is Emma’s zeal and commitment to prepare herself for another championship.

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Emma is truly not just a name . . . Emma understands disappointments and the sacrifices needed to excel . . . Emma knows how to use loses to spur on for excellence . . . Emma is growing to be a whole and well balanced young woman . . . I am so proud of my Emma. Thank you for enriching my life.

Most collectors collect tangibles. As a quotation collector, I collect wisdom, life, invisible beauty, souls alive in ink. ~Terri Guillemets

zwaite — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 02:56:32 +0000

I have to admit I love quotations. The above speaks directly to why I value them so much – reading quotes have made me laugh, feel, imagine and exclaimed in wonderment the wisdom of the creators. Most of all, I love quotes as they give me the best life lessons – I am inspired and motivated when I read great quotes. I use quotes to guide me and I know I have learned so much from these authors of life and love. Hence, I have decided to share the list of my favorite quotes in this blog . . . my hope is you will have this similar sentiments upon reading them, “We love quotations; they strengthen us in our own belief; they show that some other spirit, perhaps a master-spirit, has gone thus far with us: to such we cling as the ivy to the oak.” ~S.J.W., “On Female Education,” in The Christian Teacher (National Review), 1835. A word of advice – this is not a blog you should review in one sitting – take your time, relax and review a portion and return

If we take people as we find them, we may make them worse, but if we treat them as though they are what they should be, we help them to become what they are capable of becoming. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Great women are not considered so because of personal achievements, but for the effect their efforts have had on the lives of countless others. From daring feats of bravery to the understated ways of a compassionate heart, great women possess a common strength of character. Through their passion and persistence, they have advanced womanhood and the world. ~ Peggy Anderson

Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours. ~Swedish Proverb

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. ~ George Bernard Shaw

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’. ~ Erma Bombeck

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best. ~Marilyn Monroe

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily! ~Zig Ziglar

If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.” ~ Abraham Maslow

From this moment forward…I stop the blame game and excuses. I am responsible for my life and for where I am today. I cannot blame the people and circumstances in my past, and I refuse to hide behind my past mistakes. ~Lance Wubbels

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

Only you can make you happy. ~Aaron “Marty” Martinson

I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone. ~Bill Cosby

There are only three things you need to let go of: judging, controlling, and being right. Release these three and you will have the whole mind and twinkly heart of a child. ~Hugh Prather

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. ~ Vincent van Gogh

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. ~ Edith Wharton

Love your enemy. It will drive him nuts. ~ Eleanor Doan

When you practice self-discipline and willpower in the acceptance of responsibility, you take complete control of your thoughts and feelings, and become a more effective, happy and positive person in everything you do. ~ Brian Tracy

The true measure of your character is what you would do if you were sure no one would ever find out. ~ John C. Maxwell

Work not to just make money but as a way to implement our highest ideals for living consciously, communally, and globally. ~Matthew Gilbert

If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time with a tremendous whack. ~ Winston Churchill

If I were given the opportunity to give a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself. ~ Charles Schulz

We are as happy as we make up our minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Knowing your peace of mind is up to you, not the world, is the most powerful and secure state of mind you can achieve. ~ Lee Jampolsky

Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform cease to exist. ~ Mary Kay Ash

Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens, people feel centered and that gives their work meaning. ~ Warren Bennis

It is the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter. ~ Marlene Dietrich

A culture of accountability makes a good organization great and a great organization unstoppable. ~Henry J. Evans

There is at least one point in the history of any company when you have to change dramatically to rise to the Next Level of performance. Miss that moment – and you start to decline. ~Andrew S. Grove

Success doesn’t come to you — you go to it. ~Marva Collins

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. ~Nelson Mandela

Learning how to “connect” with people remotely and get results from a distance is your key to virtual leadership success. ~Debra A. Dinnocenzo

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. ~Michael Altshuler

The Optimist says: “The Glass is Half Full.” The Pessimist says: “The Glass is Half Empty.” The Bureaucrat says: “What we need are 5 glasses, 1/10th the size.” The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat says: “Where’s my damned Bourbon?

When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion. ~Dale Carnegie

The responsibility for maintaining good performance is the employee’s, not the manager’s. The manager’s job is to point out the discrepancy – the employee’s job is to fix it. ~Paul Sims

When you hire people that are smarter than you are, you prove you are smarter than they are. ~R. H. Grant

There is only one you . . . don’t you dare change just because you’re out numbered ~Charles Swindoll

This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Say little, and love much, give all, judge no man, aspire to all that is pure and good ~White Eagle

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. And never doubt that a small group of students can make the world a more just and humane place. Indeed, they already have. — Margaret Mead

Live boldly. Laugh loudly. Love truly. — Mary Anne Radmacher

It is good to appreciate that life is now. Whatever it offers, little or much, life is now – this day – this hour. — Charles Macomb Flandrau

My mom always taught me that the true test of your character is how you react when things are going badly. — Mary Anne Radmacher

The game of business is very much like the game of tennis. Those who fail to master the basics of serving well, usually lose. — Unknown

We can’t do really big things every day. If we’re really serious about walking the talk all the time, we have to focus on the small stuff. Let the journey begin. –Eric Harvey & Al Lucia

The best executive is the one who has enough sense to pick good people to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. — Theodore Roosevelt

A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit. — Arnold H. Glasgow

Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems. — Anthony J. D’Angelo

There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment. — Norman Vincent Peale

Never ignore a gut feeling, but also never believe that it’s enough. — Robert Heller (adaptation)

To become a courageous leader, you must realize that accepting responsibility is not optional – it’s mandatory. — David Cottrell

I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity. — John D. Rockefeller

Every now and then go away…for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. — Leonardo da Vinci

When you sacrifice your integrity, you erode your most precious leadership possession. — David Cottrell

It’s tempting to sit and wait for life to come to you. But it can’t, it’s too busy. Life is out there. You have to go for it. — Harry Beckwith

You can have anything you want

in life if you just help enough other people get what they want. ~Zig Ziglar

Whether you realize it or not, you have the power to be successful by helping others succeed. — David Cottrell

The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. — Carl Jung

Step out of your comfort zone once more each week and create over 50 additional opportunities for excitement, challenge and possibility each year. This is what life’s about. – Sam Parker

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. — Samuel Johnson

I pay attention to what my elves (and others) feel. Perceptions are realities for those that hold them…and I must deal with those realities in order to lead effectively. – Santa Claus

You only live once – but if you work it right, once is enough. — Joe E. Louis

To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded. ~ Bessie Anderson Stanley

Q&A

zwaite — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:08:23 +0000

HAPPY 2012!!! My New Year Wish For YOU . . .

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

William Arthur Ward

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Before I start sharing my thoughts on my next topic, let me address a few comments, questions and requests that I have received via my blog:

1) A MILLION THANKS to all of you who have taken the time to write and tell me how valuable, enjoyable, informational my blog have been for you – please know it is greatly appreciated.

2) Next, here are some answers to your questions:

: Survival Blog – I do not know and will not start a survival blog nor will I be providing survival tips as I am definitely not an expert in this arena.

: If you would like to take part of my blog content for yours, feel free to do so. However, please make sure you reference where you obtained the information – it is extremely critical that you do so.

: I do not know how to include plugins or targeted keywords so blogs can be ranked higher in the cyberspace world

: Here’s how you subscribe to my blog:

Step Two: Click on “Entries” on the blog page. It is located on the top right of the page (just above my headshot)

Step Three: Depending on the Internet source, the “Entries” page will look different. If using Mozilla Firefox, simply select an option you wish to subscribe from, and click “Subscribe Now.”

If using Microsoft Outlook, the most recent entry should appear in a folder marked “From the Desk of Dean Waite”, beneath the RSS Feeds.

Step Four: If using Internet Explorer, click on the Link “Subscribe to this feed”, and select in the drop down menu where you would like to subscribe from. Next, click on the button “Subscribe”.

If using Microsoft Outlook, the most recent entry should appear in a folder marked “From the Desk of Dean Waite”, beneath the RSS Feeds. Click on the button “Subscribe”.

Step Five: All finished!

If you are using Outlook, a folder, “From the Desk of Dean Waite” should appear below the RSS Feeds.

: The web host I used is wordpress.com.

: No, you may not affiliate link to my host.

: I do not know why my site load so fast but this is how it was developed . . .

This site was developed by Chatham University’s IT department, which privately created the template, as with other Chatham blogs, and chose Word Press as the blogging source. The blog is user friendly, simple, and well managed because it was created by a University department. Usually, whatever Internet browser you are using may affect the overall appearance and how quickly the blog loads.

3) I do appreciate all the comments that I am receiving from my blog – in fact I am blown-away by it. Please know that I do review them once in a while but the numbers and the speed that they are coming in makes it impossible to keep up hence, please do know that I will more likely not respond to the comments. If you truly need a respond please indicate so.

Hang tight – my next blog is on its way, Zauyah.

“We all need to do our part to have this world be respectful of differences and be inclusive in our thinking.”- Zauyah Waite

zwaite — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:19:44 +0000

A few days ago, I heard on the radio today that Saudi women are allowed to vote for the very first time…FINALLY!

On June 25, 2011 the same sex marriage bill in New York passed. Now there are six states (12%) of the country that allow same sex marriages. What I really like about NY’s law is that same sex couples don’t have to be residents of NY. On September 20, 2011, the U.S Military ended its “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that has been a joke since the day it was first introduced.

It is hard for me to believe that prior to 1967, my marriage to Jim would have been illegal in Missouri and 15 other states. There was a time in recent US history where interracial marriages were not recognized in every state. Couples in such a marriage were found in violation of law if they moved to another state that didn’t recognize that marriage.

Jessica Rinaldi, Reuters / Landov

Time for a little history lesson . . . Back in 1958, Virginia couple Mildred (African American) and Richard Loving (Caucasian) got married in Washington DC, where it was legal. Upon returning to Virginia they were charged with violation of the ban of marriages between white person and non-white persons. Ultimately, they were charged for breaking a law that prevents inter-racial couples from being married out of state and then returning to Virginia. The Lovings pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one year in prison, with the sentence suspended for 25 years on condition that the couple leave the state of Virginia. They moved to the District of Columbia.

Mildred & Richard Loving

In 1964, frustrated by their inability to travel together to visit their families in Virginia, Mildred wrote in protest to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy referred her to the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU filed a motion to vacate the judgment and set aside the sentence. This began a series of hearings that ultimately wound up at the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the convictions in a unanimous decision, which allowed interracial marriages to be legalized throughout the country, and that each state must recognize marriages from other states. Sadly, Richard Loving died in 1975 at the age of 41 when a drunken driver struck their car. Mildred lost her right eye in the same accident. Mildred died in 2008 in Virginia from pneumonia at the age of 68. On June 12, 2007, the 40th anniversary of Loving v Virginia, Mildred issued a rare public statement, which commented on same-sex marriage. The concluding paragraphs of her statement:

In 1967 the Supreme Court struck down the ban on interracial marriage in Virginia, after hearing the case of Loving vs. Virginia. Mildred and Richard Loving at a press conference announcing the decision. Richard Loving's lawyers on the eve of their oral argument before the Supreme Court, asked him if there was anything else he wanted them to add to their arguments. He replied, "Tell the Court I love my wife."

“Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the ‘wrong kind of person’ for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others…Especially if it denies people’s civil rights. I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.”

We really do owe a great deal of personal homage to the Loving’s for taking a stand on doing the right thing. THANK YOU MILDRED & RICHARD!

Same Sex Marriage Bill in New York

Many advocated openly for the passing of the Bill. All are considered heroes in their own rights. In actuality, there were many unsung heroes involved with making this happen. One of them is Mark Grisanti.

Jessica Rinaldi, Reuters / Landov

It was reported in the NY Times that “with his position still undeclared, Senator Mark J. Grisanti, a Republican from Buffalo who had sought office promising to oppose same-sex marriage, told his colleagues he had agonized for months before concluding he had been wrong. “I apologize for those who feel offended,” Mr. Grisanti said, adding, “I cannot deny a person, a human being, a taxpayer, a worker, the people of my district and across this state, the State of New York, and those people who make this the great state that it is the same rights that I have with my wife.”

State lawmakers voted Friday to legalize same-sex marriage, making New York the largest state where gay and lesbian couples will be able to wed and giving the national gay-rights movement new momentum from the state where it was born. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo later signed the bill into law. Credit: Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times

It takes a great deal of integrity to make a stand like this when it goes against someone’s personal morals and beliefs. I am a firm believer that the more we educate our society, the more progressive thinking and ideologies will become the norm. Congratulations Mark Grisanti for having the conviction to change your belief system and do it in such a public way. He would get my vote if I lived in his district.

Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters People reacted outside the Stonewall Inn in New York City after the New York Senate passed a bill legalizing gay marriage.

I am happy to see our society become more open and accepting to differences. I can only hope that the world will be a more open and caring place when my children (and future grandkids) grow older and wiser. Thanks for reading.

Patricia Cronin, Artist and Professor of Art at Brooklyn CUNY “ Since all I was legally afforded was death, I decided to make the most elegant a statement about it I could muster. With the help of the Grand Arts Foundation, I carved a three-ton Carrara marble mortuary sculpture titled "Memorial To A Marriage." It is a dignified double funerary portrait of my partner, artist Deborah Kass and me, lying half naked and entwined in each other's arms. I chose a nationalist form for the work, nineteenth century American neo-classical sculpture, to address what I consider a federal failure - not allowing gay Americans the right to marry.”

Resources

http://www.virginiamemory.com/online_classroom/shaping_the_constitution/doc/loving_v_commonwealth

http://www.aclu-wa.org/blog/happy-loving-day

The New York Times, June 24, 2011

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/gay-marriage

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

zwaite — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:25:43 +0000

Okay, I will be the first to admit it. I have a traveling addiction (in that I really like to travel!). There are many things a family can commit to doing together. For now, our family has decided that we would like to visit a new country every year. When Jim and I got married, the first countries we visited together were the United Kingdom and France. My oldest brother lives in London. Then, it was July 2002 and our first born, Emma was 5 months old. We traveled together again the following year to my homeland, Malaysia. In May 2005, when our second child, Ian was 9 months old, we packed up and the four of us visited Ireland. My little brother lives in Cork, Ireland. We took a hiatus from traveling overseas and restarted as a family of five last April. By then, Emma was 8, Ian was 6 and our third child, Spencer was 4. We visited Nicaragua. This past July, we traveled back to Malaysia but before heading there we stayed in Hong Kong for a few days.

We like to travel together as a family and believe it is important to expose our children to the amazing world outside of Pittsburgh. It is a blast to witness our kids’ comments and expressions when they see or hear something new – these precious images will forever be embedded in our memories. To date, all of our trips have been dual purpose trips – we are very fortunate to have family and friends who live around the world. Traveling has also helped us value the United States of America and the freedom our democracy gives us.

Before I end, I want to share one tip on how we are able to make this happen as a family. It probably comes as no surprise that you need to save and plan in advance as much as possible. For us, it means giving up on driving a new vehicle every other year or purchasing that flat screen plasma TV. In the end it is all worth the sacrifice. We have a long bucket list and can’t wait for our next adventure.

NICARAGUA, April 2010

Hong Kong and Malaysia, July 2011

zwaite — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:25:26 +0000

“It is only through disruptions and confusion that we grow, jarred out of ourselves by the collision of someone else’s private world with our own.” – Joyce Carol Oates

zwaite — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:50:32 +0000

Imagine for one minute that the U.S. Congress passed a law forbidding women to drive in urban areas. While my husband would be happy (he is not a fan of my driving skills), I am fairly certain that you and most of America would be appalled at such a law. I recently read a couple stories about women in Saudi Arabia not being permitted to drive in Saudi cities:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/middleeast/18saudi.html?ref=women

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/opinion/l16saudi.html?ref=women

Excuse me while I look at my calendar – just want to be certain that it really is 2011. One woman who posted photos of herself driving on Facebook was placed in jail for nine days – NINE DAYS for driving! Others have been harassed by police and shunned by their communities.

When I was growing up in Malaysia I was told from a very early age that I was to become a teacher who was to marry a doctor or lawyer – not to become one! Reading stories like this makes me step back and reflect upon just how fortunate we are to live in the United States of America, a country where basic human rights are valued and protected. I realize the fact that a glass ceiling still exists but it is really amazing how far women’s rights have advanced in the past century. We really owe a great deal of homage to all of the generations of women who came before us to fight for our rights. Looking back helps to motivate me to look ahead. I often ask myself what can I do to make the world a better place for my children and future grandkids.

Societies, like much of humanity dislike change. The first challengers of unfair laws will almost always go to jail or be punished by those in power. Picture Susan B. Anthony for women’s suffrage or Rosa Parks for riding in front of the bus plus countless others. Those who disagree feel that by trying to put these women leaders in jail or punishing them, they can stop a movement. But once people see that someone is willing to stick their necks out, they will follow. The women who dared to drive have decided that it’s worth going to jail to get the movement started, so that ultimately their daughters will get to drive.

A lot of our freedoms and rights that we enjoy today are the results of those who dared to challenge. Hard to imagine that something as simple as driving will land a woman in jail. In the future when the women of Saudi Arabia are driving their own cars, they can thank their mothers, aunts, grandmothers who went to jail for challenging an unjust law.

Life is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Sometimes we need not take for granted the freedoms that we do have and appreciate the fact that we live in a democracy that values women. This does not mean we can rest on our laurels – we still have work to do. Let’s use progress to motivate us. Next time you start to feel depressed do me a favor…pick up the keys and go for a drive.

“Modern invention has banished the spinning wheel, and the same law of progress makes the woman of today a different woman from her grandmother.”- Susan B. Anthony

Pictures from: Silvija Seres, 12 April 2002; http://www.silvija.net/2002SaudiMay/medain.html; http://www.traveljournals.net/pictures/153259.html;(FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images);http://www.newint.org/features/2009/10/01/different-voices/;Wikipedia:publicdomain;Wikipedia:public domain

The important thing in life is to have an opinion and make others aware of where you stand.

zwaite — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:35:32 +0000

Did you know?

At the Chatham College for Women Student Government (CSG) meeting on March 31^st, 2011, Dr. Melissa Bell and students, Emily Hurley, Elizabeth Humphries and Amber Phillips shared their thoughts about the Pence Amendment . . . I listened intently and here’s what I have gathered from their presentation and my views after looking in to the matter . . .

The Pence Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., bans Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds and reinstates the Global Gag Order permanently. The Republican-dominated House of Representatives approved the amendment 240-185 after a debate that featured Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier recounting the story of receiving an abortion due to a complication with a pregnancy.

According to an AOL News Review by contributor Torie Bosch, “If made into law, the Pence Amendment would prevent Planned Parenthood and 102 affiliated organizations from receiving any federal funds — including money for STD testing, pregnancy testing and cancer screenings. Planned Parenthood also charges that the Pence amendment would “cut off 48 percent of Planned Parenthood patients — approximately 1.4 million people — from their source of health care.” http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/18/what-is-the-pence-amendment-and-what-does-it-mean-for-planned-p

What Planned Parenthood does is it uses federal dollars to perform cancer screenings, as well as STD and STI testing. It is important to recognize that Federal dollars are not used to perform abortions unless the woman’s life is in danger, or in cases of rape and incest. Planned Parenthood provides low-cost and no-cost health care coverage on a sliding scale. With the proposed budget cuts under the Pence Amendment, that sliding scale will essentially disappear. Nearly half, 48%, of Planned Parenthood patrons will lose access to their services and (cut out) critical health care services. Of the various services provided in Western Pennsylvania, 20% were free of charge and 16% were reduced charge.

Currently, the Hyde Amendment (1976) bans the use of federal funds for abortion excluding instances of rape, incest, and threat to the woman’s life. Therefore, no funds are being cut from abortion. This amendment has no impact on abortion outside of rape, incest, and threat to the woman’s life.

Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana

If the Pence Amendment is enacted, we will not see more jobs, reduced deficit, and fewer abortions. We will most likely see an increase in sexually transmitted infections and diseases, an increase in unwanted pregnancies, an increase in untreatable cancers, a decrease in health care coverage, and an increase in uninformed – and consequently at-risk – students.

By not funding Planned Parenthood, the Pence Amendment will reduce spending by approximately $75 million dollars in upfront costs. That $75 million would fund only 3 hours and 51 minutes of the War on Terror. Also, for each dollar spent on contraception, $3 are saved on birth costs alone, not including the costs of raising a child, the decreased wages from unintended births, and the loss of tax revenue from those unable to work or are working less due to unintended birth.

I have shared my views and would love to hear yours. This is an important and controversial topic, one we likely do not – and need not – agree on.

What is your opinion on the Pence Amendment?

Let your Senators Robert P. Casey Jr. and Patrick J.Toomey know directly by clicking on the link:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=PA

Do you vote outside of Pennsylvania? To find Senators in your state, please go to:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm