03
11

Congratulations To...

by Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director

During this Women's History Month, we are reminded that women continue to make history every day. We've made amazing progress, but there are still many "firsts" yet to conquer.

So, congratulations to . . .

The Women Airforce Service Pilots, who flew military planes as part of a civilian branch of the Army Air Force during World War II. These women had never been recognized for their significant contributions until March 10 at a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony.

All the same-sex couples in Washington, D.C., who were able to start getting legally married in the District on March 9. Five states and D.C. now uphold equal marriage rights. Of course, we still have many more states to go, and these families cannot access federal benefits, but this additional step in the right direction is cause to celebrate.

Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to win a "best director" Oscar. While some may argue that it's too bad a woman had to direct a male-dominated war picture in order to win, it's hard to deny that "The Hurt Locker" was an excellent film by an accomplished filmmaker.

Lynn Malerba, the first woman chief of the Mohegan Tribe in 300 years. She will be inducted on Aug. 15 for a lifetime appointment.

Natalie Randolph, who, on March 12, will become the only woman head coach of a boys' varsity high school football team in the U.S. Randolph will coach the Coolidge High School team in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Betty White, who, at age 88, will become the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live. The May 8 show will feature a Mother's Day theme and will bring back six former women cast members. Go, Betty!

Please add any fitting recognitions that I might have missed in the comments.

One more thing: Keep coming back to Say It, Sister! this month -- our interns will be blogging about various women trailblazers and history-makers, many of whom are still leading the way.

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Comment from: susan [Member] Email
The 2010 census form discriminates against women. It doesn't provide space for maiden name. Thus it is incomplete, incorrect and prejudiced. One is unable to trace geneology without that data.

maybe NOW cares and will take action in regard to this matter. S.
03/19/10 @ 09:34
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Comment from: veron1walt3 [Member] Email
This will probably never get discussed. I don't twitter nor do I have facebook. I wanted to send this comment directly to Tyra Banks but neither of her shows has a way that you can send comments to her. In any case, I am extremely upset with her. I have always admired Tyra for her professionalism, class, motivation, beauty and for all of her accomplishements. I was extremely disappointed when she forced the models on Top Models to pose nude. I am expecting more anger than me from Women's groups! This slaps in the face of all that women have fought for in America. We deserve to be respected. These young ladies deserve to be respected. All they wanted was a career, not to be exploited, which is what I feel is being done to them. Tyra always brags about not using drugs in her career. So if you are trying to "do the right thing" why aren't you doing what's within the best interest of these you ladies? I think you have made a mistake. I don't have the respect for you that I had before. Furthermore, what is going to happen to these pictures? Are the pictures not going to get into the wrong hands? What if posing nude on the show have negative consequences for these young ladies in pursuit of another career?
First of all, Tyra has not required previous young ladies on Top Model to pose nude. So what message is she trying to send? Is she telling America that you have to pose nude in order to become a model? How is posing nude helps to sell clothes? I believe that posing nude is doing nothing but selling your body! It is tasteless, perverted, and is nothing but pornography! I am surprised that Tyra did this. Afterall, the young ladies are in a competition and you are telling them that in order to win, you must pose nude. Even if the so called fashion industry requires this, they are wrong. There is nothing beautiful about showing your body to the world. I guarantee you that there are supermodels who have not posed nude! You can not put a totally nude picture in a fashion magazine, so what is the point of teaching a mode to pose nude?
If Tyra or anyone else wants these young ladies to pose nude, then they should start a pornography magazine. Finally, Tyra, did you pose totally nude during your modeling career, especially when you were first starting your career? Don't ask someone to do something that you have never done before yourself!!
03/19/10 @ 11:19
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