The Womens Conference
The Nations Premier Forum For Women
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Sen. Edward Kennedy 1932-2009
- Architects of Change
Statement from The Kennedy Family:
"Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him."
Statement from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:
"Maria and I are immensely saddened by the passing of Uncle Teddy. He was known to the world as the Lion of the Senate, a champion of social justice, and a political icon. Most importantly, he was the rock of our family: a loving husband, father, brother and uncle. He was a man of great faith and character. Teddy inspired our country through his dedication to health care reform, his commitment to social justice, and his devotion to a life of public service.I have personally benefitted and grown from his experience and advice, and I know countless others have as well. Teddy taught us all that public service isn't a hobby or even an occupation, but a way of life and his legacy will live on."
To read more about the life and work of Senator Edward Kennedy, a true Architect of Change, visit www.tedkennedy.org
Mixing Love & Money – Without Losing Either
- Family and Friend
- Work and Money
Jean Chatzky will be speaking at The Women's Conference 2009.
When it comes to life, knowing how to differentiate between the things you can control and the things that you can’t control can make everything a whole lot easier. Take, for example, your finances. For the most part, you have the ability to be in control of them. But when you’re married or in a committed relationship, the line between yours and theirs tends to get a bit blurry.
Although it might seem right to share everything, a bit of financial independence is imperative in any healthy relationship. When it comes to my marriage, I need to be able to buy a cup of coffee without checking with him. He needs to be able to do the same. If you don’t have this sort of financial independence, one spouse starts feeling like a parent and the other like a child.
But how can couples manage finances together and still achieve the right balance of control? For me, what’s key is remembering that just because you tie the knot, you don’t all of a sudden become the same person. What you have to do, therefore, is understand HOW you are different and how those differences are going to worry or stress your partner. Then you need to keep lines of communications open so that you both understand what is happening with the family pie.
Talk About Your Finances Once a Week
To make discussing your finances an ongoing dialogue, set aside time to talk about money once a week. It should be a time when neither of you is overly tired nor overly cranky -- perhaps after a television show you always watch together. During the week, keep a list of items you want to make sure not to forget to discuss. This meeting is like a doctor’s visit -- you want to be sure to put the time to good use.
How much should you put in the FSA? Should you switch healthcare plans? Are you paying too much for cable? Should you re-allocate your 401(k), or should you start budgeting for a new flat-screen? All of these items are fair game. If you are feeling nervous, worried or angry over money, try to understand what is behind your own feelings before you air them with your spouse. If you can understand why you feel a certain way, your spouse will have a greater chance of understanding too.
Create a Household Budget
While it’s more than necessary to talk about finances with your significant other, you’re going to have to take some action. There is a school of thought that says the more you merge your money, the more you trust each other and the marriage. I am not completely of that school — quite possibly because I’ve been divorced. I am a big fan of joint AND separate accounts. The way this works best is if you come up with a household budget that the joint account will cover. It must include the amount you want to save for your joint goals – like vacation, a house and retirement. Then figure out what equal percentage of both salaries will cover it, transfer that much in from the separate accounts, and leave the rest. NOTE: The bills covered by the joint accounts shouldn’t ALWAYS be paid by the same person. One will gravitate toward these tasks, but make sure you switch it up at least once a year.
I know that for most couples, money isn’t the most enjoyable thing to think about or discuss. However, if you start looking to the future and what it might hold for the both of you, it can be. One of the best parts about being a couple is dreaming together. Setting financial goals is a form of dreaming. Ask each other what do you want this year, next year, in 5 years, in 10. Then attach numbers to those dreams so you can figure out how you’ll get there.
Jean Chatzky is the financial editor for NBC’s Today, a contributing editor for Money, a columnist for The New York Daily News, a contributor to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and a featured money coach on Oprah's "Debt Diet" series. She is the author of four books, including best sellers such as Pay It Down: From Debt to Wealth on $10 A Day and her latest book, The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper In Even the Toughest Times. Her website is JeanChatzky.com.
Generation Islam: Winning Their Hearts and Minds
- Architects of Change
Generation Islam originally aired on August 13th. It is now available to watch on CNN.com.
I was inspired to investigate the possibility of a post 9/11 mend between the U.S. and the Muslim world when President Barack Obama addressed the issue at his inauguration in January. He called for a new beginning and warned that the U.S. cannot afford to have another generation of Muslims who see it as the enemy.
I decided to explore the possibility of a mend by meeting with young Muslims in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gaza and the West Bank. These were conflict areas Obama has targeted with special envoys.
What I found was surprising: There was an overwhelmingly large population of youth that wanted to be on good terms with the United States and that was invested in creating progress, prosperity and a representative political structure in their own countries. In each place I visited, I found dedicated, unsung Americans who were doing their best to win the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Who were some of these Americans?
There was Marne Gustavson, who had grown up in Afghanistan in the 1970s and had then returned to launch her own organization, PARSA, which gives children education and shelter. She works with one poverty-stricken family at a time. It is hard and grueling work, and yet her dedication pays off. She has gotten children like Nassim, whom we profile in “Generation Islam,” into school, off the streets and out of the hands of militants who seek to recruit the poor and the desperate.
We also profile the incredible work of Greg Mortenson, the former American mountaineer and the author of the bestselling book, Three Cups of Tea. He showed us just how possible it is to build schools and to enroll and empower the next generation of Muslim kids, the future leaders of their countries.
Mr. Mortenson ventures to places most Westerners dare not, and over the past decade or so he has built dozens of schools for boys and girls. He does it by getting each community invested in the project, getting villagers to provide the land and the labor, while he raises the money for the buildings. It is not expensive by our standards, but it is an invaluable investment in the future of these kids, their countries, AND our security. Education offers opportunity and reduces the chances that these kids will fall into the hands of extremists.
Mr. Mortenson is helping U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan fight the battle his way: with books not bombs. Incredibly, this summer, Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, opened one of Mr. Mortenson’s schools in Afghanistan.
The great news is that extremism is decreasing: In Afghanistan less than 9% support the Taliban (which is where the U.S. military is fighting now). In Pakistan the population is turning away from extremism as well.
The challenge for the U.S. now is to keep its promises to the people of the area, to take these people’s goodwill and repay them with sensible, smart and strategic nation-building. For some reason, Americans and their political leaders are allergic to that term, but without it there will be no real and secure progress. Think of nation-building not as creating a model America-on-the-Khyber, but as a cheaper, quicker, more effective investment in their and your future than the current policy of spending good money after bad.
In Gaza, where the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict drains the bulk of the goodwill for America across the Muslim world, I found much the same: Its overwhelmingly youthful population wants a good education, a good job when they graduate, hope and ambition for their future. The problem is the political situation has turned Gaza into a big prison, and these people have little hope now of achieving any of their dreams. With no way to entertain themselves -- without access to even a movie theater, many are online and chatting with “friends” in America. They know the opportunity that exists in the world, and they want to be part of it.
This summer there are competing “summer camps” in Gaza. But there’s room for only a quarter of Gaza’s 700,000 kids to take part. Most parents want their kids to attend the UN’s sports camps, but those who cannot go to Hamas-run martial arts and self-defense sessions or to Koran camp run by the mosques.
I hope that “Generation Islam” will give Americans a glimpse of what it’s like to be a child growing up in these places. I hope the program will inspire Americans to better understand what I discovered: Children and young adults are pretty much the same everywhere. They want a better future than their parents had, and they want to be part of the world community. But they desperately need help getting there. If they do get that help, it will ensure a win-win investment in a positive and peaceful future for all.
Christiane Amanpour is CNN's chief international correspondent and the host of “Amanpour,” which will begin airing in September.
Greg Mortenson, whom Ms. Amanpour references in this post, will speak at The 2009 Women's Conference Night at The Village.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: An Extraordinary Architect of Change
- Architects of Change
Please visit www.eunicekennedyshriver.org for a look back at Eunice Kennedy Shriver's lifelong dedication to the Special Olympics.
Statement from The Shriver Family:
It's hard for us to believe: the amazing Eunice Kennedy Shriver went home to God this morning at 2 a.m.
She was the light of our lives, a mother, wife, grandmother, sister and aunt who taught us by example and with passion what it means to live a faith-driven life of love and service to others. For each of us, she often seemed to stop time itself -- to run another Special Olympics games, to visit us in our homes, to attend to her own mother, her sisters and brothers, and to sail, tell stories, and laugh and serve her friends. How did she do it all?
Inspired by her love of God, her devotion to her family, and her relentless belief in the dignity and worth of every human life, she worked without ceasing -- searching, pushing, demanding, hoping for change. She was a living prayer, a living advocate, a living center of power. She set out to change the world and to change us, and she did that and more. She founded the movement that became Special Olympics, the largest movement for acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities in the history of the world. Her work transformed the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the globe, and they in turn are her living legacy.
We have always been honored to share our mother with people of good will the world over who believe, as she did, that there is no limit to the human spirit. At this time of loss, we feel overwhelmed by the gifts of prayer and support poured out to us from so many who loved her. We are together in our belief that she is now in heaven, rejoicing with her family, enjoying the fruits of her faith, and still urging us onward to the challenges ahead. Her love will inspire us to faith and service always.
She was forever devoted to the Blessed Mother. May she be welcomed now by Mary to the joy and love of life everlasting, in the certain truth that her love and spirit will live forever.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
The 2007 Women’s Conference Minerva Awards
Part 1
Part 2
Learn more about why we honored Eunice Kennedy Shriver with a Minerva Award in 2007.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver demonstrated passionate commitment and dedication as the honorary chairperson of Special Olympics International, which she founded in 1968. Through her vision, courage and tireless work, today more than three million athletes are training for the Special Olympics in all 50 states and 181 countries. Learn more about Mrs. Shriver's commitment to the Special Olympics at EuniceKennedyShriver.org.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics:
Domestic Violence is Global: What You Can Do to Help
On July 15, 2009, the Obama administration took an important step to aid victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse and laid out its position in an immigration appeals court filing. With the new position in place, a woman will be granted permanent residency in the United States if she is able to prove a “well-founded fear of persecution” because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or “membership in a particular social group.”
While this news is promising, applicants will still face hurdles. Victims must prove that their abusers treat them as subordinates and property, and that domestic abuse is widely tolerated in their country – with no institutions offering protection. The Department of Homeland Security will judge each case based on its unique facts and the specific threat each applicant faces.
The administration adopted this policy in response to an immigration court filing earlier this year by a Mexican woman, identified in the court papers only by her initials as L.R., who feared her common-law husband would murder her. According to court documents, he held her captive, raped her continuously at gunpoint, stole from her, and tried to burn her alive when she became pregnant. After bearing three children, she fled to California in 2004 and eventually sought asylum. With our government’s new position, women like L.R. will be able to find safety in the United States.
Efforts by our government come at a time when the urgent need to help victims of domestic violence is being launched globally. Last year, the U.N. Secretary-General launched UNiTE to End Violence against Women by appealing to all countries to join forces to eliminate this scourge and recognize the power of the law. One of its five key goals is for all countries to adopt and enforce, by 2015, national laws that address and punish all forms of violence against women.
In addition, two days after the Obama administration laid out its new position, the U.N. issued the Handbook for Legislation on Violence against Women designed to assist countries trying to enhance existing or develop new laws to protect women, provide resources for victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
While governmental programs are essential to helping victims of domestic violence, we, as citizens, can do much to help domestic violence victims locally.
What are some ways you can help?
1.) Become a volunteer at or donate to a domestic violence shelter. Learn about shelters in your area.
2.) Raise community awareness, media attention and funds to help victims of domestic violence within your school, church, and neighborhood. There are many ways you can do this -- whether through a walk, a bake sale, a dinner, a blog post or otherwise.
3.) Write to Congress about reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act next year.
4.) Get involved with Maria Shriver’s WE Act program, which educates women about the warning signs of domestic violence.
5.) Help the children of domestic violence victims -- who may otherwise grow up thinking that violence is a normal way of life -- by becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).
6.) Find other volunteer opportunities in your community.
Collectively, and individually, we can help put an end to domestic violence, here and abroad.
Basia Christ is the owner of Marketive, Director of Marketing for Competent Care Home Health Nursing in Costa Mesa, author of The Heroine’s Journey, and Chair of Communications for Sophia 2010.
