Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Finally!

Yesterday Sojourner Truth took her rightful place on earth. She became the first African American woman to be memorialized with a bust in the U.S. Capitol. Now, I don't know if you've ever heard Ms Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech but I was fortunate enough to have gone to an HBCU where reinactments were done by students every spring of many/all the great speeches given over the years by black women. I will never forget the first year I went and a student with a loud booming voice gave Ms Truth's speech with such love and conviction, as if the very words of the speech were not enough. It had the same effect on me it must have had when Ms. Truth actually delivered the words herself at a women's rights convention in 1851. I will never be as I was before I heard that delivery. Here it is in it's entirety taken from Duane and Eva Bristow's (neighbors) family webpage.

"Sojourner walked to the podium and slowly took off her sunbonnet. Her six-foot frame towered over the audience. She began to speak in her deep, resonant voice: "Well, children, where there is so much racket, there must be something out of kilter, I think between the Negroes of the South and the women of the North - all talking about rights - the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this talking about?"

Sojourner pointed to one of the ministers. "That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody helps me any best place. And ain't I a woman?"

Sojourner raised herself to her full height. "Look at me! Look at my arm." She bared her right arm and flexed her powerful muscles. "I have plowed, I have planted and I have gathered into barns. And no man could head me. And ain't I a woman?"

"I could work as much, and eat as much as man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne children and seen most of them sold into slavery, and when I cried out with a mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me. And ain't I a woman?"

The women in the audience began to cheer wildly.

She pointed to another minister. "He talks about this thing in the head. What's that they call it?"

"Intellect," whispered a woman nearby.

"That's it, honey. What's intellect got to do with women's rights or black folks' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half-measure full?"

"That little man in black there! He says women can't have as much rights as men. ‘Cause Christ wasn't a woman. She stood with outstretched arms and eyes of fire. "Where did your Christ come from?"

"Where did your Christ come from?", she thundered again. "From God and a Woman! Man had nothing to do with him!"

The entire church now roared with deafening applause.

"If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back and get it right-side up again. And now that they are asking to do it the men better let them.""


There is no transcription of the actual speech but Frances Dana Gage's version is the generally accepted one, even though there is some controversy about her version because she did not write it up until 1863.

Books by Sojourner Truth

sojournertruth.org

Timeline


This Far by Faith-PBS series


The Art of Truth Gallery

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth Awesome!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Blog for Fair Pay Day 2009

Click the title link to be taken to Womenstake the blog for the National Women's Law Center. There you can follow what people are saying on twitter and get the list of blogs who have participated so far today. I'm sick. I have plenty to say but just don't have the brain power, besides I'm sure on that list there are plenty of blog posts that express my feelings on the matter. Thanks.

Monday, April 27, 2009

100 All-Time Best Productivity Tips for Working & Learning from Home

Was referred to this by an email from the Best Universities/Top Ten Online Colleges site Normally I stay away from online colleges because they will kill your email box and clog up your phone line trying to recruit you but if I could live my life this way I would be set :)


"If you work at home, you know that the dream of having a home office can quickly turn into a nightmare of distraction and an unhealthy work-life balance if you don’t keep your productivity under control. By following some of these simple tips, you can help ensure that your home office is a productive one. Read on, and you’ll learn 100 of the best tips for getting things done at home, whether you’re working or learning.

Office space

Keep these tips in mind when settling into your office or learning space at home.

1. Set aside a space: Create a designated space, preferably a room to be your workspace.
2. Physically separate yourself: Train your mind to set yourself apart from your home life when working: close your door, and separate yourself from the rest of the house.
3. Invest in a good chair: Get a mesh backed or leather chair to support your back.
4. Pick a quiet spot: It’s obvious, but important. Set your home office up in an area that will be away from the distractions of home.
5. Highlight your accomplishments: Surround yourself with the things you’ve done — diplomas, important photographs, and other reminders of your success.
6. Create a bright and cheerful environment: Make your home office cheerful to avoid stress and stay happy throughout the day.
7. Use a laptop: With a laptop, you have the freedom to work anywhere you’d like to.
8. Have a separate computer: Use a separate computer for work and leisure.
9. Get out: Go to a coffee shop, the beach, anywhere you can get good work done for a change of pace.
10. Put plants in your office: Soak up stagnant air by keeping plants in your office.
11. Use caller ID: See who is calling and avoid answering for telemarketers or others who will waste your time.
12. Keep a dry erase board: Use a dry erase board to keep your tasks and reminders in easy view.
13. Keep things clean: A tidy desk will help control stress and keep you more productive.
14. Consider a standing desk: With a standing desk, you can stay more alert and active in your work day.
15. Stay away from your couch: Sit at a desk rather than working from your couch or bed.
16. Set boundaries: Make sure that those in your home know when you’re working and that you’re not to be bothered.
17. Clear your desk of nonessentials: Put away everything you don’t really need.
18. Get a great coffee maker: Many people love using coffee to boost productivity, so invest in a high quality coffee maker.
19. Use noise canceling headphones: Keep noise and distraction out by using headphones that keep things quiet.
20. Use a separate phone: With a separate phone line, you can keep personal calls to a minimum during your working hours.

Habits

Practice these good habits to stay productive and happy in your home office.

21. Get dressed: Every day, bathe and make yourself presentable enough for a surprise visitor or trip out of your home so you’ll be ready for anything.
22. Stay logged out: Avoid logging into IM, social media sites, and other distractions.
23. Carefully separate work and personal life: Don’t get sucked into working around the clock when you’re at home.
24. Create rituals: Give yourself a daily signal that it’s time to start working.
25. Eat first: Don’t fall victim to low blood sugar — eat before you start working.
26. Get ready for the day: Practice good grooming — change out of your pajamas, have a shower, and breakfast before you get down to work.
27. Commit to tasks: Don’t let yourself slack off if you’re having a rough day, or you may find that you just can’t get anything done.
28. Give yourself a weekly review: Every week, take time to think about what you’ve gotten done.
29. Use distraction reducing tools: Make use of tools that will clear your digital desktop of everything that’s not important.
30. Turn your phone off: Turn off your phone when you need to minimize distractions.
31. Simplify everything: Focus only on what really matters.

Time management

Use these tips to make sure time doesn’t get away from you.

32. Set time boundaries for online use: Limit your online use by setting specific times when you’ll be available to chat and check websites.
33. Keep regular hours: Carefully schedule which hours you’ll work, and which hours are personal time.
34. Work when you’re most productive: If you’re most productive around 1AM, schedule your most important work for that time.
35. Give yourself limits: Always have a finish line for when you have to stop working.
36. Do important tasks early: Take care of important tasks before you get hit by the lunchtime slump.
37. Take sprints: When your timer is ticking, focus and work in a sprinting mode.
38. Schedule fun time: Take time to do the things you enjoy on a set schedule.
39. Unplug and work on battery power: Create a sense of urgency to get things done by working on battery power, where time is limited.
40. Use timers: Give yourself short times to do a frenzy of work by setting a timer.
41. Group your errands: Keep your out-of-office time to a minimum by doing as many errands as you can at one time.
42. Keep emails short and sweet: Master the art of the five-sentence email.
43. Just do it: Practice willpower and keep yourself on track to just getting things done.
44. Be a good boss to yourself: Don’t let yourself become a slacker, but don’t make yourself a slave to work either.
45. Give yourself deadlines: Make yourself accountable by setting hard deadlines for getting things done.
46. Check email on a schedule: Check email just twice a day to keep it from taking over your online life.
47. Get up early: If you start working at noon, you’ll feel cheated and sluggish when 5:00 comes around and you want to stop working.
48. Use short bursts of productivity: Give yourself just a small time of focused work activity to get things done.
49. Ignore distractions: Stay away from your inbox, Twitter, TV, and other things that demand your time.
50. Track your time: Use a time tracking tool to stay on top of what you’re getting done and when you’re doing it.
51. Take breaks: Don’t let yourself get sucked into work. Remember to refresh yourself with breaks every hour or so.

Organization

Follow these tips to help your organization breed productivity.

52. Keep lists: Keep lists that detail daily tasks, hopeful tasks, and anytime tasks.
53. Write things down: Write everything down right as you think of it.
54. Keep a calendar: Stay on top of what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it.
55. Get your to-do list out of your email: Stay organized by keeping all of your tasks in one place.
56. Create a tickler system: Use a tickler system to make sure you stay on top of important tasks and events coming up.
57. Designate days for tasks: Do certain things on specific days to stay on track.
58. Carefully process tasks and information: Have a place for items in your notes and inboxes.
59. Keep notes handy: You never know when inspiration will strike, so keep a notepad at the ready.
60. Keep files: Minimize clutter by creating simple files you’ll actually use.

Happiness

A happy work environment is a productive one, so follow these tips to make sure you’re happy with your work at home.

61. Go out for lunch every once in a while: Even if you mostly eat at home for lunch, it’s good to get out and visit with a friend or colleague occasionally.
62. Remember what it’s like to work in an office: Be grateful that you get to work at home!
63. Listen to music: Keep your creativity flowing with upbeat music throughout the day.
64. Stop working: When your work is done, leave it and don’t come back until the next day. Make notes for yourself if you need to remember something.
65. Work in a group: Study or work with a group of people to support each other.
66. Just say no: If you don’t have the time or resources to do a task, just don’t do it.
67. Get out and enjoy the weather: Take advantage of your flexible schedule and carve out some time to enjoy the weather or special events that you otherwise wouldn’t get if you were working in an office.
68. Do what you love: Do what you love, and you won’t mind working.
69. Reward yourself: When you’ve finished an important task, reward yourself with something quick but enjoyable, like a walk around the block or a check on social media sites.
70. Watch TV: Take advantage of the fact that you can work when you choose, and do what you like at certain times during the day.
71. Develop relationships: Nurture connections and network.
72. Make time for others: Respond to emails, and keep in touch with people.
73. Remember to be grateful: Say thank you to your clients, coworkers, employers, and other people you may work with regularly.

Workflow

Follow these workflow tips to keep everything running smoothly.

74. Outsource: Whenever possible, get someone else to do work for you, like a bookkeeper or delivery service.
75. Stop multitasking: Multitasking is inefficient — focus on one thing at a time.
76. Do your hardest work first: Tackle the work that you’d most like to put off early on, so you won’t be dreading it all day.
77. Set priorities: Keep in mind the tasks that are most important in order to prioritize your day.
78. Take small steps: Don’t try to tackle a huge task all at once: break it down into small, manageable tasks.
79. Make your online life simpler: Reduce the amount of time you spend online by simplifying.
80. Learn to let go: You don’t have to be a perfectionist — just get things done.
81. Make it easy to get started: Give yourself a small way to start up a task.
82. Eliminate unnecessary tasks: Just say no to things you don’t really need to do.
83. Use technology: Fully utilize web meetings, email, and voicemail to communicate effectively.
84. Give yourself daily goals: Have specific goals in mind for every work day.
85. Create an action plan every evening: Before you stop working every day, plan out what you’re going to do the next day.

Parents

Working or studying from home is a special challenge to parents of young children. Follow these tips to stay productive.

86. Hire a babysitter: Consider child care, even if it’s just for limited hours.
87. Make naptime work time: Use your child’s nap times to get work done.
88. Keep your children occupied: Set up an area for your child to play with lots of toys, or even a mini office for them to imitate you working.
89. Take turns: If you and your spouse both work or study at home, switch off times when one works while the other watches over children.
90. Work late at night: If your schedule can handle it, get your work done when the house is asleep.
91. Manage your interruptions: If your baby starts crying, instead of immediately running to tend to it, take a few seconds to write down the task you were on or the thought you were forming, so you can get right back on track.

Health

Follow these tips to keep yourself healthy and productive while working or learning at home.

92. Stay active: Make sure you take time to be active throughout the day, whether it’s a morning walk with your dog, or a trip to the gym.
93. Give your eyes a break: About ten minutes of every hour, your eyes need to be away from your computer.
94. Keep water at your desk: Stay hydrated and healthy by always keeping water to drink at your desk.
95. Fidget: Don’t stay perfectly still when working at your desk.
96. Stretch: Sitting at your desk all day or all night can take a toll on your body, so be sure to get up and stretch every now and then.
97. Eat a full lunch: Don’t just snack throughout the day; take the time to sit down and have a healthy lunch.
98. Stand up for phone calls: Whenever you get a phone call, get up and walk around the house.
99. Take a micronap: Doze off for a few minutes and wake up refreshed, ready to tackle your work.
100. Be careful not to munch all day: Avoid eating all day while you’re distracted with work: stop to eat instead of multitasking."



Then there was this one that came today from OnlineColleges.net 15 iPhone Apps Created by College Students in case your interested.

As someone who has speculated about a masters program for social workers online I can tell you this...you're pretty much screwed. There are programs out there just be sure that the program is CSWE approved before you invest anything or you will have invested your time and your money and not be able to get a master license.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Playing Catch-up

It's time for me to let go of that "facecrack" addiction I've got going on. We've been sick for a week. the boy's ear drum busted...that was great fun, then I got the infection too. So that's my excuse for spending every waking moment on facebook this past week. Pitiful, I know. Anyway I'm feeling better today so I'm playing catch up with everything I should have posted the past two weeks.

Wednesday's Words from Women Women's stories on the abortion issue.

Blog for Fair Pay 2009

Support the REAL Act

NWLC's 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Child and Adult Care Food Program
Preschool Recommendations


Child Welfare League of America Keeping Families Together and Safe: A Curriculum for Child Protective Services Workers and Homeless Services Workers (Instructor Manual) (Participant Manual)

Victims of Crime A Social Work Response: Building Skills to Strengthen Survivors

The Mudflats: Soap Meets Hot Water Been awhile since I checked in on the goings on in Alaska... :)

That's about all my brain can do this morning so I'll leave you with the week's greatest pictures found over at K8 the G8's site



and over at Addiction Inbox



Have a great day!!!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Here's a cool page I stumbled upon this morning.

Browse Quality Tools by Subject

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Don'tcha Just Love This Picture???

Happy Easter everyone!


Thursday, April 9, 2009

Postcards from Amerah

Normally I don't even acknowledge that Fox News exists but when they pay tribute to my girl's work I feel like they can't be all bad and are worth a mention here for bringing this story to the public. Check out the awesome kids. It will bring a smile to your face despite the tragedy of the story. Oh, and of coarse my girl is in it too :)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Teaching Tolerance has New Lesson Plans up for Earth Day

Below is the list from Teaching Tolerance for Earth Day:

Fair is Fair: Introducing Kids to the Idea of Environmental Racism

Progressive Urban Planners

Reporting on Environmental Racism

The Bandana Project from the Southern Poverty Law Center

Positive Intervention Works
Schools across the country are using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (or PBIS) to reduce in-school suspensions and dropout rates. The federal government is now encouraging school systems to spend stimulus funds on PBIS.

Stimulus funds for PBIS

OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports

Contacts by State

The Building Blocks of Positive Behavior

Got Food? Thank a Farmworker

Immigration and Segregation: Passing the Test and Failing the Future?

Monday, April 6, 2009

Lessons from Literature

This site is apparently new from The Family Violence and Prevention Fund, a great resource in itself, but could develop into greatness. I love the idea and scope so far.

"Lessons from Literature is an innovative program that enlists English teachers like you — from all across the country — to use the books and material you’re already teaching to facilitate discussion and build awareness about physical, verbal and sexual abuse. Prompted by a growing public interest in and demand for programs that seek to prevent abuse, Lessons from Literature helps address this problem among youth in the classroom and beyond.

Lessons from Literature engages and empowers you with actionable resources that help students learn the required material while also enabling adolescents to build healthy, non-violent relationships."


There is a pretty cool Power and Control Wheel that would be great to print out and put on every wall you can find :)

Also check out the home page for all they have to offer.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center: Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training Presenter's Toolbox

Click the title link for the toolbox. Click here for an online resource directory of crime victims services where you can enter by state or country, type of victimization, type of service provided and/or type of agency involved or needed.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Pharmacy Refusals 101 Factsheet: National Women's Law Center

I'm working with the Census, collecting addresses for the 2010 census and as a good friend of mine said this week "it must be kicking your butt" so probably until the end of May this will be the best I can do...keep up and post links. Pray for "Louise" (my car)...that she holds up :) Just know that I'm out there having fun :)