View from a Broad

Born August 30, 1944 Monterey, California Died January 31, 2007 Austin, Texas Writer, syndicated columnist, and political commentator. Molly Ivins died. I just heard on the 10 o'clock news. I always looked forward to her column, and thank goodness for the internet, I could find her somewhere almost everytime I looked. Just one quote from her last column, January 11, 2007: "We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there."

What do the citizens of northeast Louisiana deserve? A clean community which will attract businesses that thrive and grow. A clean community where people want to buy homes and raise their families. A clean community that is safe and nurtures families in neighborhoods where everyone belongs. Can we have all these qualities in Ouachita Parish? Most of our heartiest boosters would say Ouachita Parish is all that and more. However, as many recent letters to the editor have pointed out, we fall short in a few ways. I’m talking about the clean community part. Come walk with me down one of our city streets and look around. Quality of Life Means Clean On a recent Saturday walk down a high traffic street I found broken beer bottles, fast food restaurant wrappers, foam packing peanuts, remnants of foam cups, and a bazillion cigarette butts. Yuk. And I was picking stuff up as I went. Two hours later I drove down this street and it was full of litter again. Can you imagine my disappointment and ...

Oh my. Looks like a fight is a brewing. Well, maybe a couple. But today let's talk about our esteemed Congressional activity. Go ahead and grab a cup of tea, I'll wait. In the Senate today , the minimum wage increase has been waylayed by Rebublicans who want to attach business tax breaks. Democrats from the House want this $2.10 raise to the back-breaking un-livable wage to go through with no attachments from the Senate. But it looks like a minumum wage increase just won't make it through the Senate without a tax break for business attached. The 54-43 vote fell short of the 60 it needed to advance without changes. Democratic leaders in the Senate are moving to pin those tax breaks on, for the sake of passing the wage hike. ...raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour over 26 months and provide $8.3 billion in tax benefits to businesses over 10 years. CNN I am thinking that we in this country are struggling, and just really need this. It's been 10 years since the minimum w...

AND LEGISLATION DAY Legislation Day (Friday) planned by Cory K., hosted by Jefferson Parish, will be something you will not want to miss! It will start at 1:00 pm in the Wisteria Room. Following the Leg Day session, President Judy invites you to visit her suite to "meet and greet." Then it is "Return to Broadway", hosted by West St. Tammany, kicking off the conference with the banquet to be held in the Camillia Room. Door prizes, trivia questions and lots of fun are on the agenda for a great night. Saturday morning breakfast, hosted by St. Bernard, will be served buffet style along with information on membership and the upcoming year agenda. At 9am the Mid Year Board confererence will begin in the Magnolia Room, as President Judy resides over the BPW/LA business agenda. The Lunch, hosted by Oakdale and Lake Charles, will be served in the Camillia Room. Then the Conference resumes and President Judy almost promises to have us done and out by 3pm. As you can see the t...

I found something wonderful. http://www.womensenews.org/index.cfm If I can get permission I will post bits and pieces for you.

News Release Date: January 11, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REP. JOE BACA INTRODUCES BILL TO HONOR ALICE PAUL, WOMEN'S SUFFRAGIST AND EQUAL RIGHTS CHAMPION Washington, DC -- Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) introduced legislation to honor Alice Paul today, the 122nd anniversary of the late suffragist's birth. The legislation calls for awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Alice Paul in recognition of her role in securing suffrage and civil rights for American women. "Alice Paul was a remarkable person who made America more democratic by fighting for equal rights and creating opportunities for women to participate in politics. Her influence on our society and culture continues to be significant," said Rep. Baca. Alice Paul spearheaded the effort to pass the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting all American women the right to vote. Her courage inspired thousands of women to join the women's suffrage movement. She was among the first group to ever picket the White H...

Business and Professional Women/USA has been a strong advocate in the legislative battle to increase the federal minimum wage. At the current level, established in 1996, workingwomen bringing home a minimum wage salary do not have the resources to provide for their families, and 60.9% of workers earning between $5.15 and $7.00 per hour are women. MINIMUM WAGE AND WORKING FAMILIES • In 2002, approximately 2.6 million full-time, year-round workers lived in poverty. • A full-time worker on minimum wage earns approximately $10,712 a year, $1,778 below the 2004 poverty line for a family of two, $4,958 below the poverty line for a family of three, and $8,138 below the poverty line for a family of four. • Nearly 75% of all minimum wage earners are adults (20 years and older). • 40% of minimum wage earners are the sole breadwinners in their families. • Nearly 50% of minimum wage earners work full time. • The real value of today’s minimum wage is 44% below its peak in 1968 due to inflation. • R...

What a day this has been! Up at 4:30, drive to Baton Rouge, an exasperating search in the state library for detailed survey that eluded me, even with help. Then I attended a Keep Louisiana Beautiful affiliate meeting that was so informative and instructive on fundraising, presented by Donna Curtis from Shreveport Green . Such a worthwhile program, I hope to use some of the nuggets of wisdom she shared with us this year. And over above it all, I was asked to serve as the chair of our affiliate organization. For a one year term. What a thrill to be thought of so well, well enough to be trusted to act for them all and represent them all (25 affiliates statewide) in the Keep Louisiana Beautiful board , communicate with the affiliates issues that must be shared for completeness of effort and supportive action for us from that board. I am humbled. Report Litterbugs The Department of Environmental Quality maintains a toll free number to report litter and illegal dumping. 1-888-LIT-R-BUG (1...

January Business Meeting Our January Meeting will be January 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the Atrium in Monroe @ 2001 Louisville Avenue. Rhonda Counselman has arranged for us to have the monthly use of a meeting room; members can order off the menu at their own expense (with no minimum expectation) with the meeting room use at no charge. This will be a business meeting, as we have a number of agenda topics to discuss. It is very important that you attend in order to set direction for our group for 2007. We are a small chapter, so member absences are really noticed. We really need and want your involvement and input. AGENDA TOPICS- NEW BUSINESS: 1. Vote on chapter meeting night - Beth Betz 2. Presentation of proposed 2007 program slate –B.Betz 3. Membership chair opening - Beth Betz 4. Mid Year Boards - Judy Wilson 5. Legislation Day - Judy Wilson Also, if there are any meeting topics or interesting speakers that you would like to recommend, we would like your input. We want to pro...