The combination of celebrations today and this month make me think of the women in Northern Ireland and all they have done to work for peace not only in their area but throughout the world.

An example of this was the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, a political party made up of Catholic and Protestant women. While the group never stated whether they thought if Northern Ireland should be a part of the UK or Ireland, they opposed any form of violence. The group officially disbanded in 2006.

Happy Holidays (photo from 2005 Family Xmas celebration…I have a BIG family, fyi)

1. Cool sites like feministing, Girl with Pen, etc.
2. The Onion.
3. The NYTimes.
4. Gmail is cool too.
5. H-Net!
6. Google image search…so neat.
7. Google maps…so I can look up places like Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ.
8. [WorldCat.org].
9. bloglines.
10. Oh and duh Amazon.

Let’s make this an examplary year for freedoms and liberties and all that good stuff.

Happy Birthday Pill!

Totally learned this from feministing.

*** Please forward this email and encourage your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and everyone else in your contact list, to vote for the REAL hot 100 today ***

the REAL hot 100 needs your vote!
In less than 5 minutes you can help show the world how hot SMART can be

Last year, the REAL hot 100 celebrated the accomplishments of 100 women from around the country – all of whom are breaking barriers, fighting stereotypes and actively working to make the world a better place. This year, we’ll recognize 100 more women but first we need to revamp our website by installing an automated nomination process and networking features to provide REAL hot winners — past, present, and future — with an interactive, online network of supportive, like-minded, action-oriented women – all while revolutionizing the way that young women are portrayed in the media. But, to do all that, I need your help.

** How can you help? Cast your vote in 3 easy steps — in less than 5 minutes **
The REAL hot 100 is entered in an online contest to win the chance to be one of twenty social change projects invited to the NetSquared Conference where we could be awarded the financial and technical resources we desperately need.
Read our proposal at: http://www.netsquared.org/projects/proposals/real-hot-100 and vote for the REAL hot 100 now.

To vote:
1. Go to http://www.netsquared.org/user/register and create a new account (if you’re already a member, simply login). You must be a registered NetSquared user to vote. They will NOT use your email for any other purposes and you can sign off whenever you’d like.

2. Check your email. In your inbox there will be an email from Net2@techsoup.org  with the subject header “Account Details” that will include your account password.

3. Go to http://www.netsquared.org/projects/my-ballot  and log into your account with your new password. After you have logged in, vote for The REAL hot 100 and at least 4 other projects.

** When should you vote? **
TODAY! Right now! Voting takes place from April 9th - April 14th.

** Why do we need to win? **
The annual REAL hot 100 list shows that young women are “hot” for reasons beyond looking good in a magazine. By featuring this list of young women from around the country doing incredible things in their every day lives, we’re battling the popular notion that all young women have to offer is outward appearances. The annual list is just a first step. Through the REAL hot 100 network, nominees and winners can combine their resources, share strategies and join forces to further their social causes and to affect real change. With the financial and technical resources to create a fully functioning networking website, we can make the online network a reality.

** Want to learn more? **
Read the REAL hot 100’s proposal at: http://www.netsquared.org/projects/proposals/real-hot-100 to learn more about the project and our plans for the 2.0 version of our website. As fabulous and worthy as the REAL hot 100 is, there are some other really cool projects in the contest. Browse the complete list here: http://www.netsquared.org/projects/proposals and find 4 other projects you want to vote for — in addition to the REAL hot 100, of course.

I really appreciate your support. And, remember, a vote for the REAL hot 100 is a vote for you and every smart, socially conscious woman you know! Contact me with any questions.

I found this below on the web the other day. Its from a website about health for teenagers:

The menstrual cycle doesn’t have to be a drag, it actually shows how complex your body is and a sign that it is functioning properly! Congratulations, you are a woman and being a woman is terrific!

In 1977, when the women who would establish the National Women’s History Project began planning a women’s history week, March 8th, International Women’s Day, was chosen as the focal date.The selection was based on wanting to ensure that the celebration of women’s history would include a multicultural perspective, an international connection between and among all women, and the recognition of women as significant in the paid workforce.

Women’s History Week, always the week that included March 8th, became National Women’s History Week in 1981 and in 1987 National Women’s History Week became National Women’s History Month. The expansion from local to national and from week to month was the result of a lobbying effort that included hundreds of individuals and dozens of women’s, educational, and historical organizations. It was an effort mobilized and spearheaded by the National Women’s History Project.

From National Women’s History Project