Tennesseans Shamed by Sherri Goforth's Email

Somebody needs to tell the Republican party in Tennessee that racism is not a laughing matter.

They seem to have a hard time figuring out why white spook eyes against a black background is offensive, particularly when sent by a government employee.

Diane Black may think that her employee had a "stellar record," but there may yet be evidence that this was just the tip of the iceberg. We will have to wait for more information to be ferreted out to really know the truth about the extent of racism in Tennessee government.

The fact that Sherri Goforth apologized only for sending the email to the "wrong list" makes one wonder who is on the "right list."

It is both reprehensible and an embarrassment to all Americans to yet have a sector of the US that does not believe black people intelligent enough to lead. It should not be tolerated.

It was more than evident to all who worked on Obama's campaign in TN that bigots thrive here. "I could never vote for a N" was too frequently shouted back at me when I made reminder calls to vote, for me to think it an anomaly.

But the truth is simple.... every time a bright light is shown on darkness, darkness disappears.

May the media continue to shine a spotlight on this state until every last bigot in Tennessee is shamed into behaving like a human being.

Women, Leadership and Religion

Women Born to Lead: The Old Testament

Call to Action: Women know more about the male leaders in the Bible, because their stories are preached constantly from the pulpit.. But, God called WOMEN to alter the course of history too, and it is time these women were given time in the spotlight, with men required to memorize their stories!

PUAH and SHIPRAH
If Puah and Shiprah had followed Pharoah's instructions, all of the male children born to Hebrew women would have been slaughtered at the moment of conception. Luckily, these two women knew they were accountable to God first and men second. Moses was saved by Miriam, placed in a wicker basket, put in the river, saved by the Pharoah's own daughter, and given to Moses' mother to nurse. (Exodus 1:15:21) These amazing women risked their lives, refusing to comply.

GIFTED ARTISANS
Women artisans were responsible for decorating the tabernacle; they usedconfiscated jewelry, yarn and fabric to create a place worthy of worship (Exodus 35:22-29).

MIRIAM
She and her brothers, Aaron and Moses, delivered the Israelites from Egypt. When she contacted leprosy, the people refused to go on without her and waited until she was healed. She introduced dance, storytelling, and music.She led the people in worship after deliverance from the Red Sea. She was a prophetess held in high regard. (Exodus 15)

PROVERBS NOBLE WOMAN
Is there anything this woman cannot do? She has command over staff. She has a concern for the needy. She has a sense of self worth. She is respected by all. She knows every aspect of production in creating garments. She instructs and teaches others; she's a supervisor. She is valued for her wisdom; she is praised by her children; men wish she was their wife! She knows the right way to plants vineyards; she sells and buys land.She is someone to be reckoned with, ladies!

DEBORAH
Why is the story of Deborah so rarely told? She was a judge, a wife, and a prophetess; her husband did not feel overwhelmed by her career. Barak, a military leader, was unwilling to act without her approval. He allowed her to dictate the timing of war, because she knew more than he. (Judges 4, 5) In sum, wise men listen to women!

ACHSAH (Joshua 15:13-1) This young woman directly asks for what she wants in marriage; she is not passive. The lesson is clear: ask and you will receive. She requires land with a fresh water spring on it and receives it.

MACHLAH, NOAH, HOGLAH, MILCHAH & TIRZAH (the unmarried daughters of Zelophehad) did not lay down and die when they experienced prejudicial treatment; they went to an impartial judge and asked for their father's inheritance, and they were given it, despite the fact that women were not allowed to own property under Hebrew law. (Joshua 17:3-5, Numbers 27: 1-11, 36:1-13).

SAMSON'S MOTHER (Manoah's wife) was approached directly by the Angel of the Lord, not through her husband. She believes the angel, but when she tells her husband, he is filled with disbelief (because the testimony of women was not considered credible), so God appears a second time and re-states the claim (adding nothing so the husband is forced to accept her witness); the husband responds in fear: "We are doomed to die," but the wife responds sensibly, emotional steadiness and strength: "If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering, nor shown us all the things or now told us this." (Judges 13:23). It is to be noted that the Angel of the Lord appeared directly to Mary too, not Joseph first. Joseph had a similar feeling of disbelief until the Angel of the Lord came a second time to convince him that Mary was chosen to carry the son of God. Men are twice taught that the testimony of a woman is to be believed and followed!

JAEL
Jael's story follows Deborah's. The general Sisera escapes from battle and wanders into Jael's tent. She puts a peg into his head and kills him while he sleeps. Here again, a woman alters the course of history through prompt action.(Judges 4, 5)

ABIGAIL
Abigail is married to man named Nabal (which means fool). While David is hiding from Saul, he comes to Abigail's village. His men take none of Nabal's sheep, in fact they protect his property, but eventually they do ask for food. Turned away by Nabal, David is inclined to destroy the entire village when Abigail comes to the rescue. She collects food in spite of her husband's command not to do so, and encourages David not to shed blood. Her quick thinking saves his reputation and the village; she exhibits an understanding of politics. (1 Samuel: 25:23-31) Abigail reminds us that women belong in the realm of politics, for we know how to calm down fools who think war is the only answer.

HULDAH
Huldah was known to be a prophetess and God's spokesperson. The prophet Habakkak was living at the time, but Huldah was Josiah the king's choice when it came to interpreting the lost book of the Bible (Deuteronomy, 2 Kings 22:13, 14).

SHUNAMITE WOMAN (2 Kings 4:7) This woman's faith upon the arrival of Elijah caused the prophet to give a gift of unlimited oil. Though destitute, she never gave in to feeling abandoned; her hopes and expectations were fulfilled.

VASHTI
Vashti was the principal wife of King Xerxes; her name means "beautiful woman" and she was included in scripture because she refused to come when her husband called. Xerxes was hosting a banquet and his men were drunk, yet he commanded her to come and parade herself in front of his men so they could oggle at her. She did not go. The men grew worried that their wives would also not come when called, so she was dethroned, and Esther was put in her place. (Esther 1: 10-22) Yes, there are consequences for refusing to obey the status quo, but I imagine Vashti was glad to be rid of Xerxes, don't you? Young women should learn to trust their gut and NOT automatically "come when called." (Note: If you ever hear this one preached from the pulpit, please send me the mp3 or link, so I can praise the minister!)

ESTHER
Esther is celebrated every year for saving the Jewish people from destruction. She had just replaced Vashti, and the King had decreed that no one was to come before him unless HE called them. (He was obviously still smarting from Vashti's rebuff.) Esther was the niece of Mordecai, a Jewish official in the royal court. Mordecai aroused the anger of Haman, a higher official who decided to take revenge by wiping out Mordecai's entire race. Together Mordecai and Esther exposed Haman's wicked plot, and the gallows created for Mordecai was used on Haman. Esther was initially reluctant to participate, knowing that she could be put to death for appearing without being summoned, but Mordecai tells her something we should all remember when facing issues of social justice: "Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

12 Roadsigns Point to the Internet

Twelve Roads Signs Point to the Internet
Are You Missing Them?

#1. Those that have the skill, the will and the til, will be able to market their way through these tough times and end up on the other side with a stronger market share and more powerful brand position. (Gary Lilien, Penn State Research Professor)

#2. U.S. newspaper circulation is the same as in 1978, when there were 100 million fewer people in America. (Newspaper Association of America) Newspaper revenues will plummet by 16% in 2009, after a brutal 16% decline in 2008. Advertisers will pull back from traditional marketing on TV and radio; The internet, however, will continue to grow. (Emarketer.com)

#3. “We are discovering our appetite for information and entertainment is virtually insatiable.” (www.futureexploration.net) About 109 million U.S. internet users conducted local searches in one month alone. (ComScore Networks)

#4. Every organization is now a media entity, engaged in creating and disseminating messages among its staff, customers and partners to achieve business objectives. ( Ross Dawson, Future Exploration Network)

#5. Newspaper revenues will continue to plummet as online magazines, blogs, message boards and chat rooms rise. (emarketer.com)

#6. Membership in disciplined, rules-based organizations will continue to fall. Membership in face-to-face organizations will also weaken. Inclusivity will prevail over exclusivity as the internet expands to create more connections between home, work and family. (Pew Internet and American Life Project)

#7. Exciting global connections will do more for international understanding and intergenerational respect than any tool since the printing press. (Per Internet and American Life Project)

#8. Women will choose entrepreneurship over the traditional office job, experiencing greater household savings, flexibility with time, control of expenses, and unlimited income. (Kathy Wilson, About.com)
Social entrepreneurs will be on the rise; social entrepreneurs are individuals with innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems. They are ambitious and persistent, tackling major social issues and offering new ideas for wide-scale change. They combine "the passion of a social mission with an image of business-like discipline, innovation, and determination." (J. Gregory Dees, The Meaning of Social Entrepreneurship)

#9. The internet will be recognized and used as a cheap way to distribute information to far-flung areas. This will impact education with teachers taking the role of coach and the students having greater access to classes online. The coaching structure will also prevail in business which will be online via pod casts and home-based classes, videos and radio interviews, than in formal meetings of the past. (Pew Internet and American Life Project)

#10. Civic involvement will be done online, and include more people previously left out. There will be an increase in non-violent activism to improve chronic social issues. (Noshir Contractor, Researcher, National Science Foundation). Our youthful and internet savvy President Obama has undeniably altered how all future elections will be conducted.

#11. We are headed toward the unification of one major computer that stores all information and provides all product services and updates. (Kevin Kelly) The masses will use the net for their first news (B. Keith Fulton, VP Strategic Alliances Verizon Communications)

#12. By 2014, all media including audio, video, print and voice will stream in and out of the house. All devices will be linked. This will become a public works project, like our highway system. (Pew Internet and American Life Project) And, we are seeing this already with the switch to digital TV.

Going Green in TN has never been easier

As one of two who recycle on my block, I am hoping the national trend to go green catches on in TN before 2010.

Here are simple things you can do to make less of an impact on our environment.

There are still, believe it or not, areas of the US that have not made recycling a mandate for garbage collection. When I lived in MN, it was a widely accepted fact; in TN, voluntary, an added fee, and only a few participate ( I think there are 2 on my block). Purchase a bin for plastic, brown and clear glass and paper and recycle regardless of what your neighbor is doing.

If you have furniture and clothing, consider giving directly to a woman’s shelter, rather than to a charity which has a “store“ to maintain and “sells“ items. Many shelters need furniture, bedding, clothes and toiletries, particularly those single-use small bottles from hotels.

Once a year, go through your home library and donate paperbacks and textbooks you were forced to buy to your local library or www.surplusbooksforcharity.org which sends them around the world.

Eyeglasses have been collected by the Lion’s Club for 15+ years and they redistribute them in developing countries www.lionsclubs.org

When it’s time to redecorate your house, consider giving excess building materials to Habitat for Humanity; they may also be able to used your appliances, if they are not clunkers.

Cell phones should never be tossed in the garbage, for they contain mercury. Collective Good and Phones 4 Charity accept used phones www.collectivegood.com www.phones4charity.org Your cell phone provider will also gladly accept your phones and reprogram them for the elderly to have on hand, if they have an emergency.

I recently purchased “save a blade” a revolutionary sharpener, which works very well on the women’s disposables I used to toss monthly.

Purchase foods grown locally; they will be fresher and less wasteful of packaging and transportation. Bring your own fabric bags to transport groceries home, or sturdy boxes. This year, inspired by Michelle Obama, I created two small raised beds for herbs and vegetables which will be organic and (hopefully) very tasty.

Traveling mindfully is important; plan your trips to save gas, and slow down the pace of life. Try to reduce your carbon footprint by being content with where you are and having less “stuff.” Chart your course so you don’t waste time on the road.

Repair items, rather than buying new. Many replaceable parts for items are now online. I just replaced a refrigerator rack that was obsolete, according to the store of purchase, by going online and surfing directly. Sometimes simple sewing repairs can fix clothing, curtains, bedding and more. Men can learn to sew; women can learn to use tools. Become a handy person.

For green cleaning, use baking soda. It’s a wonder abrasive that is cheap and non-harmful to you and the environment. It also freshens the air, sanitizes litter boxes, and is great in the wash. We’ve gotten so used to the smell of chemicals like “Mr. Clean” but baking soda and water is all that’s needed to wipe away stains , clean off counters, clean shower curtains and restore toilets. Borax is a natural mineral that is also a disinfectant. You can add it to your laundry to whiten towels and it too is cheap!

If you have a car that you are considering selling, donate it to a charity instead. You get a tax deduction and the charity sells the car for what it needs. Even very old cars can be sold for scrap metal, I’ve been told. I’m pretty sure that’s what they did with my old 1996 Jeep!

Pay Equity in TN Won't Occur until after 2050...

The Long and Winding Road to Equal Pay Slower Progress and Substantial Differences Among States
Highlights for Working Women in Tennessee
• Working women in Tennessee are not as far along the road to equal pay as women inmany states; in 2000, Tennessee’s working women earned 75.8 percent as much per hour as men, while nationwide women earned 77.6 percent as much per hour as men. Tennessee ranked 34th among all states in equal pay.
• The rate of progress in closing Tennessee’s hourly wage gap was slower than average in
the 1990s. Tennessee ranked 49th among all states in progress in closing the hourly wage
gap.
• Slower wage growth for men contributed to the closing of the gap—wages for men in
Tennessee grew by 14.9 percent over the decade, compared with 15.8 percent wage
growth for women.
• At the current rate of change, working women in Tennessee—as well as working women nationwide—won’t have equal pay until after 2050.

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/jobseconomy/women/equalpay/highlightsbystate.cfm

The Status of Women Related to State's Attitude toward Women-owned Businesses

I believe it is undeniable that those states with low ranking for women-owned business growth in their state have five striking similarities:

• They offer only local, fragmented associations with "password protected" sites that do not allow direct contract between business owner and potential business client, which brings her business to a crashing halt.
  

• They still print a guide/ magazine or document, denying the trend to "go green" and save our nation's resources.
  

• They have no online database that promotes women entrepreneurs on the biggest "playing field" ever created--the internet.

• They are proprietary with their "members lists" so she is limited to card swapping and speed networking with 200 people all year long, while her competitors are reaching 200+ people per day.
  

• They are in denial that the internet is here to stay, replacing TV use for news and entertainment, radio ads, and everything in print.
  

As stated in The Status of Women Report (2009) pg 56-- "Conclusions and Policy Recommendations":

"The obstacles that continue to impede women's equity in politics and government, in the workplace, and in society at large, also impede the nation's ability
to realize its full potential."

The New U.S. Woman Is Determined to Change the Face of CEO and Effect U.S. Politics

http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/new-us-woman-determined-change-face-ceo-and-effect-us-politics

Nashville, TN, March 2, 2009 (PressReleasePoint)

The New US Woman seeks to unite and promote female entrepreneurs, so they can collectively work to improve the status of women in every state.

The New Tennessee Woman (www.thenewtnwoman.com) which launched in January 2008 and is focused on supporting female entrepreneurs locally, now has a new sister in The New U.S. Woman (www.thenewuswoman.com) which is focused on promoting female entrepreneurs nationally and uniting to effect political change that will improve women's status in the United States. The New TN Woman is easily found under the keywords: "TN CEO Directory" and The New US Woman is easily found under under the keywords: "US CEO Directory."

Inspired by The Women’s Institute of Policy Research report titled “The Challenge to Act,” CEO, Rosanne Ferreri-Feske, believes that the focus on statistics alone will not effect change. “People have been fully aware of the disparities by state for years. Women need to be present at the tables where decisions are being made daily that effect their health, safety, earning potential, reproductive rights, business opportunities, environment, and status. Women need to reframe our American democracy using compassion as the new measuring stick for all policies. Hard facts alone have not altered the hearts of those in power.”

The five year plan for this company is to add new state sites modeled on The New Tennessee Woman which promotes independence that leads to local philanthropy. “Separated by city, state and region, women have been divided for far too long and this has lengthened the duration of the status quo (77cents earned by a woman for every $1.00 earned by a man),” says Ferreri-Feske, “but we have reached critical mass and will soon speak with one loud voice."

Entrepreneurs pay a nominal $69 per year to be listed in the national directory by state and also receive promotion on The New US Woman blog and in the monthly newsletter on activism opportunities. Women between 21-25 staring their first business are given a FREE one-year listing. Additional email coaching is provided using a 12-week plan called the "Blueprint for Success" which walks a new entrepreneur through how to create a landing page, write an effective business article, write an effective press release, create a blog, produce a nanocast, automate correspondence, design a facebook business page with PPC ad, improve ranking through social bookmarking, join affiliate marketing, manage time, use the new rules for marketing, and receive payments online.

ABOUT The New US Woman - Based in Franklin, TN, The New US Woman and The New TN Woman are focused on connecting the vision sparked by the suffragists of 1896 and the feminists of the 60's with women of this century who want to effect a new worldview and know that having a united political voice is the key. Women are encouraged to continue this long legacy of social change until women's status in the US improves across the board. Rosanne Ferreri-Feske brings to the table a background in education, corporate training, writing and editing, marketing and sales, management, web and blog creation.
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