Maria Shriver and Christie Hefner were recently interviewed on NBC about how women are portrayed in the media. Check NBC online for information.
You may ask why as a Soroptimist, or as a woman, should I be concerned about the results. Here are some of the facts:
US Dept of labor’s 2008 statistics indicate the top five jobs women hold: secretaries and administrative assistants, registered nurses, elementary and middle school teachers, cashiers and retail sales. Life isn’t so accurately reflected on TV where women and girls get the impression that motivated females balance family, career, and social needs with every problem solved in one or two episodes.
Even attempts at no-frills, middle income American women portray women in a less than favorable light. Definitely an unrealistic portrait. Today’s women generally appear silly, almost dumb and dependent on the attractive male partner or boss. The only exception I could think of right now is ‘Ugly Betty’ as struggling to become independent.
I have pondered these issues before since I have a daughter. I thought maybe I was highly sensitive since I was a product of the ‘70s when we looked to Mary Tyler Moore and Billy Jean King as barrier breakers.
When we looked at the Dove Project, then decided to work as a club with the YWCA’s DiscoverME programs, it made me realize that we - mothers, aunts, grandmas, working women – are responsible for seeing that the youngest generation have good role models to build on. The desire to be just like Meredith Gray, Lynnette Scavo, or Temperance Bones isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but girls need real women to temper the fantasy and support them through the real life challenges/choices they’ll face before they achieve those dreams.
We, the working women of the 21st Century, must help guide, support, mentor, and encourage those who will come behind us. Instead of a year where the first woman wins a Noble Prize, we'll be celebrating the successes of many!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friendships and volunteering lengthen life
At last month’s business meeting, SITK members returned their completed talent survey forms. The results supplied the club with a list of talents we each posses so we can proceed to help with the DiscoverME workshops and future community service projects.
The survey process wandered like a vine in my brain. What if there was a survey of why members join Soroptimist? What if we knew what members thought were the benefits? Is there a similar thread?
My musings got serious fertilizer when I read about two recent studies showing how you can live a longer healthier life.
An American Geriatrics Society (AGS) study showed that volunteers had less than half the risk of death than their non-volunteer peers. The study, including over 6,300 people, controlled data to account for demographics, socioeconomic status, chronic health conditions, etc. Only 12% of volunteers in the study died during the study’s timeframe compared to 26% who did not volunteer.
SITK members voluntarily give back to our community working on our service projects. We’ve known how good it makes us feel to give back. We contribute to the betterment of our community, the world, and our own lives.
Earlier this year, an Australian study had substantiated the importance of friendship and social networks. A similar Harvard report showed strong social ties promote brain health. A note from the article said that friendship has ‘an even greater effect on health than a spouse or family member.’ SITK provides women an great opportunity to develop friendships and expand our social networks.
With healthcare being such a hot topic, you can now let all other women how you’ve discovered a secret to longevity – Joining Soroptimist.
The survey process wandered like a vine in my brain. What if there was a survey of why members join Soroptimist? What if we knew what members thought were the benefits? Is there a similar thread?
My musings got serious fertilizer when I read about two recent studies showing how you can live a longer healthier life.
An American Geriatrics Society (AGS) study showed that volunteers had less than half the risk of death than their non-volunteer peers. The study, including over 6,300 people, controlled data to account for demographics, socioeconomic status, chronic health conditions, etc. Only 12% of volunteers in the study died during the study’s timeframe compared to 26% who did not volunteer.
SITK members voluntarily give back to our community working on our service projects. We’ve known how good it makes us feel to give back. We contribute to the betterment of our community, the world, and our own lives.
Earlier this year, an Australian study had substantiated the importance of friendship and social networks. A similar Harvard report showed strong social ties promote brain health. A note from the article said that friendship has ‘an even greater effect on health than a spouse or family member.’ SITK provides women an great opportunity to develop friendships and expand our social networks.
With healthcare being such a hot topic, you can now let all other women how you’ve discovered a secret to longevity – Joining Soroptimist.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)