Congratulations to Erika DeBenedictis! Who is Erika? She’s a young super scientist, who won the grand prize at the Intel Science Talent Search, only the country’s oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition. This 18 year-old genius developed a software navigation system to help improve spacecraft travel through the solar system. Her research found that:
the gravity and movement of planets create “easy transit routes,” which will ultimately help spacecraft move faster and with less fuel.
Competition for the prize was tight.
Of the 1,736 high school seniors who entered the Intel Science …

“Despite significant improvements over the past century, women and girls are still discriminated against to some degree in all societies and to a great degree in many.”
Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
December 10th, Human Rights Day, marks the 61st anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. Celebrations occurred around the world with speeches calling for the end of discrimination, citing women and girls as principle victims. The organization’s website quoted leaders of several UN organizations.
In Baghdad, [Secretary-General] Ban’s Special …

December 10th is Human Rights Day. As a women’s rights group, we would like to call your attention to today because, as a wise woman once said, “women’s rights are human rights.”

Share this important video with all the women in your life.

For those searching for “feminist friendly” gifts or at least something besides Barbie and princess-everything, here are a few recommendations from my daughters and me.
My daughter received Tom Tierney’s Famous American Women Paper Dolls for her birthday. Tom Tierney is a famous paper doll artist. His paper doll books are very well done showing authentic dress of the period with outfits worn at famous speeches or events by each of the historic figures.

My daughter enjoyed the whole process of cutting out the dolls and outfits. She puts the dolls out …

Tuesday, December 8th is the special election for the open U.S. Senate Seat in Massachusetts. Please pass the following piece along to your friends and family in that state.
Who will replace Ted Kennedy, a legend in US politics? The national eye is on the special primary election for the US Senate which will be held tomorrow December 8th. Many say this Democratic primary will decide the race in blue state Massachusetts.
Women from around the country want to have their say in this election. According to a review by The …

Found a great article in The Guardian today. That’s right. “Feminist books for five-year-olds“. Hah! Has there even been an article more up my alley? I would have thought the title was directed right to me. It is nice to know I’m not the only one out there trying to battle the onslaught of Barbies and princesses.
The author is a mother of a 6 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. Through entertaining prose, she takes you on her journey of discovering the need for a “gender stereotyping …

What’s the latest mother/daughter activity? Cooking? No.Shopping? No. It’s sports!
The New York Times is reporting that:
As the popularity of youth tournaments has intensified over the past decade, a peculiar trend has emerged: girls’ sporting events tend to attract more relatives and generate more revenue for tourism than similar events for boys. And that is drawing increased attention from economic development officials.
“There are far more people who will travel with 12-year-old girls than even 12-year-old boys,” said Don Schumacher, executive director of the National Association of Sports Commissions, a trade group …

Joan Wages at the future site of the National Women's History Museum
The New Agenda is thrilled to announce our guest for Monday’s March 30th Ophelia show. Joan Wages, the President of the National Women’s History Museum, has some great news to share with Ophelia’s listeners. The legislation to provide the museum a home next to the national mall has just been reintroduced! What better way to celebrate the end of National Women’s History Month than to find out how we can help get that legislation passed this year?
Although women constitute …

One in three women will be a victim of physical or sexual assault at least one time in their lives.

Carol BartzGiven that one of our goals is to increase women’s representation in business, I thought I’d share the good news that a woman, Carol Bartz, has been named CEO of Yahoo.
At Internetnews.com, Andy Patrizio writes:
“Two days after taking the job of CEO of AutoDesk, Carol Bartz was diagnosed with breast cancer. She missed one month for surgery and chemo, returned to work, and proceeded to whip an aimless, undisciplined company into shape…
“In her 14 years at AutoDesk, the company grew from a $200 million play to a $1.4 …