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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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TITLE IX: FEMALE SPORTS: DR. RO KNOWS: forty years of Title IX has paid off in medal victories for girls and women at London’s 2012 Olympics

Aug19
Title IX 6/09/12

Title IX 6/09/12 (Photo credit: dianecordell)

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

With the success of girls and women medalists at the Summer Olympics, age was not a factor.

The youngest,  Katie Ledecky, is 15 years of age from Bethesda, Maryland.

Gabby Douglass , America’s Golden Girl, is 16 and became the first African-American to win the Women’s All Around Gymnastics Competition.

Missy Franklin, age 17, broke the world record and won the 200 meter backstroke.

The most rewarding factor for those young girls is that they are still in high school. They were able to train and compete because 40 years ago, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act was enacted into law, and removed the barriers girls faced in the schools to engage in competitive sports.

How did girls and women end the 2012 Olympics? 

Triumphantly!

And that bodes well for their future success in the 2016 Olympics.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: DR. RO KNOWS: Chris Brown-shame on you for trivializing your violent abuse of Rihanna

Aug19

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

Chris: it is apparent from your comment about Rihanna speaking out that your community service and other mandates by the Judge after three years, that you are lacking something which is very important-respect and humility towards women.

For the remaining two years of probation, perhaps you need to change your lane, visit shelters for battered and abused women, and families who lost their mothers, grandmothers, and other loved ones because of domestic abuse and violence by men like you.

 Your comment: “I am tired of Rihanna talking about this, she needs to let this go, “ is easy for you to say because mentally you want it to go away. But, for Rihanna, it is not that easy. Forgiving and forgetting comes with time and results from appropriate help and counseling. Apparently, she is not there yet.

Is ‘this’ all that the horrible incident of violence means to you as a person, celebrity, and a young African American man which has been a successful entertainer?

I wonder if you would still feel the same way if ‘this’ had happened to your sister or mother?

It is said: ‘you need to check your self’ regarding your concerns about Rihanna retelling her story about  your violent abuse and explosive temper before you wreck yourself and your career again, remember?

 

 

 

     

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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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LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS: the high school girl wonders!

Aug16
Missy Franklin

Missy Franklin (Photo credit: jdlasica)

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith                                        

Katie Ledecky, who recently turned  15 years old this past March, from Bethesda, Maryland, is the youngest high school member of the United States Olympic Team,  and new  comer on the international scene.

She astonished onlookers when she won her first major international event from start to finish in the  Women’s  800 Meter Free Style Final last Friday, August 3, 2012 breaking Janet Evans 23 year old record in 8 minutes, 14.63 seconds.

A half second from breaking  the world record,  Missy Franklin, 17 years old maintained utter dominance to win the 200 meter backstroke, and breaking the world record, and defeating the second –place finisher by nearly two seconds!  

There’s only one word to describe their accomplishments for the United States 2012 Olympic Teams, their families, friends, and their states:

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

The best part and value of these competitions for girls and women, is that there is more to come in future years. We need to give them our full support.

My last words: ‘Let’s Hear It For Our Girls And Women.’

WOMEN: Do not forget to encourage our younger girls to watch important sports events with you.

Ask them who was their favorite and why?

You may be surprised at what they will say, that is how it begins. 

Ask someone who knows: Ms. Natalie Hawkins, Gabrielle Douglas’ mother!

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ELECTION 2012: DR. RO KNOWS: With the fate of the Supreme Court at stake, ‘No Women Left Behind’ must be the endgame for all women in this Presidential Election; women must vote!

Jul31
English: The United States Supreme Court, the ...

English: The United States Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States, in 2009. Top row (left to right): Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Bottom row (left to right): Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Associate Justice Antonin G. Scalia, and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By: Dr. Rosetta Stith

All women of America who are eligible to vote in the Presidential Election on November 6, 2012 must be out and about that date and voting for the President of the United States.

The stakes for women could not be higher:

1.    Loss of abortion rights and a woman’s right to privacy!

On FOX News Sunday, Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the 5 conservative Justices of the Supreme Court, and of only 9 Justices on the High Court, openly declared that when the right case is presented to the Court, he will vote to strike down the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade which protects the right of a woman to an abortion which cannot be regulated by the States.

He also declared that the Right to Privacy does not exist in the U. S. Constitution.

2.    Loss of voting rights!

Conservative advocates are demanding that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 either be repealed by Congress, or overturned by the Supreme Court.

Do you doubt what Justice Scalia probably thinks about the  constitutional validity of the Voting Rights Act?

3.    Loss of medical benefits!

The Affordable Health Care Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama, assures that women will have adequate health insurance coverage and medical benefits.

But the Supreme Court barely upheld the constitutional validity of the law by a 5 to 4 vote of the Justices.

Needless to say, Justice Scalia was one of the dissenting Justices who voted to strike down the law.

                                

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The date for this important and upcoming Presidential election for us is November 6th, 2012.

All of us need to go out and VOTE!

This Presidential Election will be the most important one in our lives, and should not be missed if we want to maintain our current rights and health services that we need.

Your vote is a ‘must do’ if we want to move forward for ourselves as women, and for our families.

Up on the target board for abolishment by the Supreme Court are women’s rights.

Again, the Presidential Election is on November 6th.

We must show up, stand out, and shout out our needs as women for ourselves and our families.

In order for us as women to continue to move forward for the next 4 years , let’s  commit ourselves and share this important voting information with family members, and friends to make November 6th ‘our must do day’ and ensure what we need as women with our votes.

Remember, as women we are better together;  the world has no tomorrows without us! 

See you at the voting booths! 

 

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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YOUR COMMENTS AND YOUR QUESTIONS ARE WELCOMED!

Hello world! Dr. Ro talks to young girls, mothers and working women, and they can reply and talk to her, online!

Jul26

I am Dr Ro, Dr. Rosetta Stith, one of the leading experts in America addressing contemporary and controversial issues and problems confronting young girls, expectant and parenting mothers and the average working woman.

Through this Blog, I intend to speak out and actively engage those girls, mothers and women with timely, serious, educational and helpful content which will address their concerns and offer real solutions to their problems.

Read my bio pages. I have a wealth of real life expereinces which enable me to view issues and problems from a unique perspective.

Feel free to make comments or just ask questions.

I want to help, and I will reply.