You know that feeling we all get from time to time,
like we're so small in the greater scope of it all,
and what we do couldn't possibly make "that much" difference
in the grand scheme of things?
I have a great way for you to get over that feeling right now!
The 3rd annual Women Deliver Conference is scheduled to
take place May 28-30 in Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia,
to emphasize the importance of women's maternal health,
as well as women's sexual reproductive health and rights around the world.
Their aim is to eradicate as many preventable deaths to women and girls
as possible by rallying for resource investments, political commitment, and
further education to the general public about their program.
And there are several ways for you to get on board
with the cause and do what you can to make a difference:
http://www.womendeliver.org/
Scroll down and I'll break it all down for ya
so you can just jump right in head first.
Women in the first world nations
benefit greatly from government funded family planning
services and hopefully from child care programs.
However, that doesn't account for 75% of the world.
That's where Women Deliver comes in.
Their plan for saving the lives of women with maternal needs
and their children is as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Access to family planning – counseling, services, and supplies
2. Access to quality care for pregnancy and childbirth
- antenatal care
- skilled attendance at birth, including emergency obstetric and neonatal care
- immediate postnatal care for mothers and newborns
Their mission is to "defend the honor of American popular culture through innovative exhibitions and performances."
But one of their largest celebrations is in peril!!
So, again, what is the mermaid parade? Let me quote the source and
hopefully that will paint the picture accurately:
"The Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride."
This holiday is free of religious, ethnic, or commercial affiliation.
"It’s a major New York holiday invented by artists!"
Make sure to visit This Page for the double scoop with a cherry on top.
I'm a HUGE fan of the arts, festivals, and any combination in between. Especially when audience participation is encouraged. What else would we ladies do with all those pretty costumes and loads of make-up we hoard like treasure trolls? Maybe that's just me and my girls, but it's never too late to start, ladies! The Mermaid Parade is one of the best excuses in the nation to get prettied up in a way that would make royalty jealous and disgusted at the same time.
To quote Coney Island USA once more, the festival monumentalizes 3 goals: "It brings mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune; it creates self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment;” and it lets artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public."
So why is this deliciously decadent celebration of the seas in jeopardy? Like so many other things, Hurricane Sandy destroyed the freakshow, museum, and performance space whose revenue provides funding for this year's parade.
This year, Coney Island USA set up a kickstarter to help raise $100,000 by July 3
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Finally, on to the next round.
Sorry to keep you ladies in waiting, but sifting through ALL one's earthly possessions is
no small order.
I'm forcing myself to chisel out a chunk of time for this next topic,
which is of dire importance, especially before Black Friday descends upon us and creates a
Zombie hoard that hungers for sales as though it were a matter of life or death!
If you are among this massive gathering of consumerists, I'm not hatin' on ya.
But, I want to put this out there before you feel a massive pull on your wallet.
Maybe I can appeal to your heartstrings and give them a tug in the other direction.
There is a much more urgent congregation of citizens that need $20 more than Uncle Elmer needs another pair of Santa Socks.
Homelessness is at an all time high in the US with the devastated economy,
and worldwide it is an issue beyond comprehension!
Among the homeless are growing numbers of Women and Children,
50% of whom are fleeing domestic abuse, and other's who have simply had their veritable
woven-fabric-of-life rug pulled out from under them. Just how urgent am I talking here?
The statistics of homelessness on a Global scale are stifling:
Even if you didn't read these word for word, the titles alone paint a rather dismal picture.
So what can we do about it?
Here's your detour to some Charities of Choice that are helping put the pieces back together for those who are seeking them out:
These organizations focus on Families, Women and Children who have found themselves in the ultimate of unfortunate conditions. Within their sites, you can find ways to help,
from donating to volunteering:
If you've ever had a hard time being grateful for the cards you've been dealt in life,
VOLUNTEER TODAY!
I think my most valuable life lessons have been gained from
buying a homeless person a cup of coffee, and listening to their life story.
How they still have a sense of humor through all that life has thrown their way, I don't know, but some of them are the most interesting and inspiring people on the planet.
The World Cup agrees, and is a key player in fighting for the people: Homeless World Cup
And speaking of planet, if you're feeling extra adventurous and need a true revelation,
volunteering abroad will open up your crown chakra in a whole new way.
You may have noticed these listings in my random rounds, but today they deserve a spotlight:
If you don't have the time to volunteer, you may also think you don't have the money.
But, you can donate anything from $5 to $50,000 dollars to most organizations.
As many have said before me, sacrifice one Starbucks, feed one who is starving.
I love this organization, because it lets you single out exactly where your money is focused, and it doesn't take much to make a big difference in someone's life:
On the other hand, this organization let's you single out a person or family in need, but you go beyond a one time donation to helping them start a business of their own.
This goes into the "teach them how to fish" category, and can make a world of difference
around the globe. It's a gift that literally keeps on giving:
There are tons of ways to contribute to those in need, as you can see above.
But, I mentioned a Radical Idea for Holiday Charity in the title.
If that caught your attention, then that's all I wanted.
While these take some guts to do,
they stay within the confines of what is safe and expected.
I had a radical idea, but as it turns out, it is too radical.
However, I can't just lead you on like that and still sleep at night,
so "Don't Try This At Home".
My idea was to hand out Santa Costumes to the Homeless.
Crazy, I know.
But I used to live in Downtown LA very near Skid Row, and as I mentioned, most of the Homeless people I've talked to have a very good sense of humor.
I was thinking, Pros:
1) They would have something warm to wear.
2) They could probably earn more money for themselves.
3) Smiles for everyone! You can't be sad while wearing a Santa suit.
And just imagine what SantaCon would be like this year!
But, eventually the Cons caught up to me:
1) I do not want to compete with the Salvation Army. They do really good work!
2) Someone is going to think this is NOT funny at all, and perhaps insulting.
(once again, this doesn't include my comrades in Downtown)
3) With the price of one Santa Costume, you could feed 10 Homeless people!
So, it doesn't fly, but it was fun to think about while it lasted.
Even still, there stands the fact that no one can help but smile at Santa.
So, if you are planning on volunteering, especially for a children's charity,
why not switch the roles around?
Share those smiles, since laughter is the best medicine. It's a universal truth.
It was quite the challenge to find a Well Priced and Non-Sexy Pink Santa Suit, BTW.
So take advantage, because there is no dress code for entertaining at a soup kitchen, but I certainly would not recommend anything sexy. That would just be tasteless and humiliating, for you.
Not to mention, Rockin' the Bearded Lady look is totally in this season ;)
On that note, I'm off to the Salvation Army myself to donate three huge boxes of warm clothes and items I will not be needing for my move. I trust they will find their rightful place in the world.
Spring cleaning comes early for this chick.
While you ponder the above propositions, let Louis lighten the mood for you.
Then you can figure out where your Santa-like service would be
best suited for this Holiday season:
We've got an important topic to discuss, Wo-mano a Wo-mano:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
and on the 1st I posted some amusing and fashion-forward finds to get you into the
spirit of contribution.
Think Pink Day is still going off worldwide,
so if you haven't missed the date in your area, it's time to Think Pinker!
I'm going with the facts today! The Research is coming at'cha!!
So just pretend that this pink ribbon is your face,
so I can put the facts right at front and center:
(Don't worry! Your quest for Knowledge will be rewarded in the end,
but you better read this first!)
Statistics
This info is straight from BreastCancer.org, and gives you an idea
should the question come up,"What are the odds?"
About 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
About 39,520 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under 50. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.
For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.
Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Just under 30% of cancers in women are breast cancers.
From 1999 to 2005, breast cancer incidence rates in the U.S. decreased by about 2% per year.
In 2011, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the US.
As you can see the vast efforts are paying off. It's getting better all the time!
But the risks still exist, so make sure you know what precautions you need to take.
Myths
Ever played an long Game of Telephone?? Well, you might be feeling like you have been the whole time when you let these demystified myths clear the blurb.
Just because your best friend, your mama, or your mama's mama says so,
Doesn't mean it's True.
For a broader reality check, go to PinkRibbon.org, but here a few to chew in the meantime...
Myth 1 — Having a risk factor for breast cancer means you'll develop the disease.
No risk factor either alone or in combination with others means you'll definitely get breast cancer. There are various factors that may increase your risk of developing the disease. Some of these appear to increase your risk only slightly.
Myth 2 — If there is no breast cancer in your family, then you're not at risk for the disease.
Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. So are some men!
About 85 percent of women who develop the disease don't have a family history. That's why it's important for all women to get screened regularly.
Myth 3 — Breast cancer is passed only from your mother, not your father.
We now know that breast cancer genes can be inherited from your dad's side of the family. So ask relatives about cases on both sides and in both men and women.
Myth 4 — No matter what your risk factors are, you really don't have to worry about breast cancer until you're through menopause.
The odds of getting the disease do increase as you age. But breast cancer can occur at any age. That's why all women need to be vigilant. Though experts recommend yearly mammograms starting at age 40, your doctor may suggest that you start even earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer at a young age.
Myth 5 — Wearing a bra or using antiperspirants and deodorants increases your risk of breast cancer.
These are two Internet rumors that never seem to quit.
Myth 6 — If you have small breasts, you're much less likely to get breast cancer.
Size doesn't matter. Anyone with
breasts can get it.
And we thought we were off the hook, right? Well, I hope you take
at least one thing away from this:
While feeling yourself up may seem kinda weird to some,
it could just be the thing that saves your life!
In Austrailia, I'm loving these Think Pink-ees!
This is going on my bumper, by the way.
If you're down under, check them out for ways to get involved with
Check out this collection of Bright Pink - Bras for a Cause!
And even though I just posted on this topic, I had to save the best for last:
Hell Yes, that's right!!! Aim for the Cause!
Now that's my style to the T!
And if that website isn't big enough for ya, here it is: Jim's Gun Supply
My heart goes out to all the ladies who suffer from this disease.
May you have one Kick-Ass Survival Story!!
*I highly recommend that everyone update their knowledge on what's true and not true about
Breast Cancer. You'll be surprised that most of what you've heard by word-of-mouth
is not the real deal!!
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