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RAPE: DR. RO KNOWS: Here We Go Again-Todd Akin, Another Conservative Defining For Us What Our Bodies Can Do During What He Calls “A Legitimate Rape!”

Aug22
United States Senate Seal

United States Senate Seal (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

Congressman Todd Akin is seeking election to the U. S. Senate in this year’s most  competitive Senate race in  Missouri. 

Perhaps the biggest mistake he made was unveiling his level of idiocy and lack of knowledge regarding a woman’s anatomy while having a wife and two daughters. 

What qualifies him is not medicine, but his emphatic truism, which he claims is from doctors, that if it is a ‘legitimate rape’ we have within our bodies ways which will “shut the whole thing down.” He also believes that if it does not shut down while the rape is in progress, and the woman is impregnated, that there should be some punishment for the rapist, and not the child.                                                               

Ladies with some sanity and sense of morality, let’s do a reality check for Akin:  as women we do not and never will have this automatic ‘shut down button’ in our brain to stop a pregnancy while being raped.

The U. S. Senate does not need conservative, white male politicians like Akin making health care decisions for women.  That decision making belong to us.

Instead of  uttering preposterous mandates, Akin and other like minded politicians should acknowledge us, hear us, and join us to develop good health care practices and fully funded programs for women, their children, and their families.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: DR. RO KNOWS: In her widely viewed interview with Oprah, Rihanna was the face of millions of abused women

Aug19
rihanna-cries-about-chris-brown-on-oprah_h

rihanna-cries-about-chris-brown-on-oprah Credit: Google Images

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

And, those women even today endure the ravages of domestic abuse and violence!

Rihanna’s ordeal will help leverage bipartisan political support to renew funding for the Violence Against Women Act. Her tragic experience with violence,  like the experience of other women,  is real and horribly everlasting.

I commend Rihanna for her courage and openness which enabled her to recount her ordeal for all of America to hear; and, which included a salient factor-Chris Brown, her abuser, needs help. The need for help and counseling applies to other men who are abusers.

Her tears reflect hurtful memories of the brutal assault which  still pervades her heart and mind.  Like Rihanna, many abused women have those memories. As survivors, abused women continue to be abused.

Rihanna did what many women should do, but do not do enough. She reported this violent incident to the police. She got on the road of healing herself by recognizing that it was not her fault because Chris Brown needs appropriate behavioral/ domestic counseling.

Thank you Oprah!

Your interview will serve as a poignant reminder that as women, we have rights and a support system to deal with a domestic violence crisis including programs, relatives, and friends. Your show gave us a critical path to follow to end this level of violence.

And for Rihanna:  It’s  I Can, You Can, We Can!

Way to go!!

I have a message for expectant and parenting young mothers who have been abused.

As the former Director of The Paquin School for Expectant and Parenting Adolescents and Their Children, which was a Baltimore City Public Middle/ Secondary High School for Girls, on-site Pre-School Programs for their children,  and  part of my experience included teaching young  girls, other women in their families, boyfriends, and young fathers that violence should not be a part of their family life.

Remember, if you are the victim of abuse, you have rights.

First, call the police and report the abuse.

Second, embrace and reach out to your family and friends.

Third, take advantage of the physical and mental health programs and prevention programs, like those which were offered at Paquin, with a staff of appropriate professionals who can help you.

One of  life’s values taught at Paquin which you should embrace is that besides the importance of your education and the welfare of your child, the fact that even though we were not born together, as women we are better working together!

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ELECTION 2012: DR. RO KNOWS: if women do not vote on November 6th, could we lose the women centered reforms we recently gained?

Aug17

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

English: PA: Lilly Ledbetter Visits Pittsburgh...

English: PA: Lilly Ledbetter Visits Pittsburgh to Discuss Why Barack Obama is the Best Candidate for Working Families (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ladies, The 2012 Election On Tuesday, November 6th Is Ours To Lose If We Do Not Vote                                                                

As women, we must continue to be mindful of the health programs and services that we will continue to need for ourselves, our children, and our families.

What does mean?

We must make every effort to share this important health information with our families and friends, and emphasize the importance of voting on November 6th.

Remember if we do not vote, we will surly get the candidate we did not want in the White House who may not value or understand the needs of women.

See you at the voting booths.

 

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, A Bill In The Right Direction For Women

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          This The ‘fair pay act’ for women became effective on  January 29, 2006.

President Obama   championed  this bill and Lilly Ledbetter’s cause knowing the  financial needs of women.

This was the ‘first  act’ he signed as President of the United States.

If the White House and the Congress change hands, could we lose it?

We will not if we vote!

                                                                                                                                

“Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA)”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

This act was signed into law by President Clifton on September 13, 1994 to address  domestic, sexual, dating violence and stalking.

This act was reauthorized by Congress 2000, and again in December 2005.

The act was due again for renewal this year, but was not renewed before the Congress recessed. There is no certainty it will be renewed after the election.

Specific programs and services to be renewed this year are:                                                                                   

*Community violence prevention programs

* Protection for victims who are evicted from the homes because of events related to domestic violence or stalking

*Funding for victim assistance services, like rape crisis centers and hotlines

* Programs to meet the needs of immigrant women and women of different  races or ethnicities

*Programs  and services for victims with disabilities, and Legal Aid for survivors.    

Due to importance of this act and the programs and services  it provides for women, and its renewal  this year, 2012, which may be stalled, the situation gives us another reason to vote this November.

For the hundreds of women who were able to use these services and programs to renew their lives or families , and for those who have friends and family members  who need, or were saved by this act, we have another reason to show up, to stand up, and to vote  on November 6th.

See you at the voting polls!!!                                                                    

 

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SCHOOLS: DR. RO KNOWS: Moms, it happens every year for children – going back to school; what you need to know for a successful school year

Jul29
Happy Children Playing Kids

Happy Children Playing Kids (Photo credit: epSos.de)

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

*Do not surprise them.

*Begin to talk to them about going to school each day to learn their ABC’s, numbers, read books, and meet other children who are their size and ages, and other exciting things.  

*Do not wait until the last-minute to take them to this strange place to see and meet other children they do not know.

*You may want to verify their zoned school for your area/neighborhood by calling your local school system to ask what their requirements are for registration which will include their shot records, and which must be current before they are registered to enter. This is extremely helpful for parents/guardians who must take time from planned activities or work schedules to satisfy this requirement for your children.

*Most school systems have early registration programs as an ‘Early Start’, find out the dates and time. Talk to your neighbors and parents to find out which children are scheduled to go to school for this school year. 

*Develop planning sessions with the parents and children in your neighborhood who will attend the same school by age and grade.

*Have some ‘Getting To Know My School Friends And My New School Sessions’ with their friends before they are scheduled to attend school.

*Set aside a time each day, perhaps during dinner to talk about their day at school, or what they may need for the next day. Be a good listener, and ask questions to see if anyone is bothering them with unkind names and gestures that the teacher may not have seen or observed.

*Talk with them about their bed time and other things that must be done before they go to bed (bath time and what they would like to wear to school) so that they will be a part of this daily routine and ready to go to school each day.

*Check their book bags before they go to school to make sure that they have nothing in their bags that are harmful or inappropriate for school.

 *You may also want to talk with the assigned teacher for material requirements for the first week of school which may include parents or guardians spending some part of the day to visit their children’s classroom to observe and assure their children that a member of their family is there and sharing their first days of school with them. This is helpful and allows you to hear what they think about their new school experience and find out what is needed for the next day.

*Remember, if school is to be important to your child, it must first be important to you.

*As the school year continues, be mindful of the monthly themes and scheduled activities, attend/participate when possible, or have a family member attend for you.

*You may have to verify their participation with your child with a letter to their teacher and includes your telephone number for safety reasons/authorized visits with your child.

*Remember, it’s all in the family and a delight for you and other family members to see what they are doing for school.

*Enjoy a safe and wonderful year of learning with your children.

*Celebrate this new journey with them, and that you will be there with lots of support, hugs, and kisses for this new place called school!  

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