ProgressWomen

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The junior Senator from New York has many supporters nation wide. From her program, “Off the Sidelines” which supports women getting involved in politics, to being a well accomplished woman and Senator, there is no doubt that she could be planning to run for President in 2016.

“I find her to be very impressive,” said Howard Dean. “She often underwhelms people at first sight, [but] when you look under the hood, you find a first-class political mind and someone who has a great deal of skill.”

Do you think Gillibrand will run?

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/kirsten-gillibrand-run-for-president-90706.html#ixzz2S6Ifp0RH

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Summer is getting closer and closer and I’m squealing of happiness. I get to take a break from high school, hang out with friends 24/7 and get to go swimming a ton. As summer reminds us all of tank tops, short shorts and swimming suits, let’s all remind ourselves of something: Be respectful of others and their bodies. Yes, what I’m saying is to stop body shaming.

Scenario: You’re on a lovely vacation in Mexico and you’re rocking your body and your cute neon swimsuit. You go to go get some food in a shack located right on the beach and you stop. There is a bigger person who is sitting down in the shack eating and minding their own business. The wrong thing to do is give dirty looks and whisper about the person and their body that you find displeasing. The right thing to do is to move on with your life like a normal human being. That’s right, keep walking and go order that Pepsi you’ve been craving for HOURS.

The problem with summer is that many find people that own a bigger body are DISGUSTING. The people who look down on people of bigger sizes think of themselves highly, as if they sit on a thrown. They act as if curvy people didn’t get the memo and shouldn’t be wearing what they feel cute and comfortable in, but rather covered up in a baggy, oversized shirt that makes the person humiliated. How uncomfortable does that make everyone else?

Personally, I consider myself fairly petite. I understand what the majority of women my size think and have to say about bigger women… and it’s not complimentary. It’s beyond rude, shameful and embarrassing. Not everyone is petite and not everyone will ever be petite. The same goes for having curves or being bigger. Not everyone is going to be the same size.

Besides, what’s wrong with having a bigger body or curves? Society often tells us women to go on diets, vigorously work out and to constantly worry about our bodies. Why not stop thinking about your body and just rock what you have? Of course, being healthy is great, but overthinking everything and what you have isn’t.

We all just need to realize that people are different sizes, and many people are bigger than us. And some people are smaller than us. Big deal. Why do we care what others wear? Why can’t we just focus on ourselves and our self-esteem, rather than diminishing other’s self-esteem?

Ladies, if you have curves, a bigger butt or some thighs: WORK IT. Same for girls who are smaller! Don’t let others lower your opinion of your body and who you are. How you feel about yourself is REALLY important. Don’t let others tell you how you should feel. You’re just beautiful the way you are and the way you want to be.

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What can looking at a picture of female role models do to someone while they engage in public speaking?

According to  Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, published in their May issue, found that looking at images of female role models while giving a speech could improve women’s leadership skills, reported Popular Science. The researchers had 149 Swiss university students (81 women and 68 men) give a political speech arguing against higher student fees.  The researchers found that the female participants spoke for longer and their speeches were rated higher by both the audience and themselves when they were looking at a portrait of Hillary Clinton or Angela Merkel, reported Research Digest.

What an interesting study!

To read more, click on this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/20/looking-at-female-role-models-women-better-leaders-study_n_3122504.html?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women#slide=more233498

Every month, all the women of the U.S. Senate have a dinner together. It’s a way to reach across party lines and bond with

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each other to make new friendships. They all discuss issues, pieces of legislation and personal issues  Doesn’t it sound lovely and quite smart? It’s such a clever way of being bipartisan with each other.

At April’s monthly dinner, the Senators will have a guest: President Obama. Obama was informed of this monthly gathering and invited all of the Senators to the White House to have their dinner. How sweet!

Not only is eating at the White House a little treat, but there is a big outcome from this simple gathering. Women U.S. Senators have been known for getting along quite well and reaching across party lines effectively. Having a dinner like they have every month helps that cause of bipartisanship and the sense of getting along.

If the dinner goes well, as I’m sure it always does, is it possible President Obama could pick up on some tricks that the women Senators do? And what exactly are their tricks for everyone to get along? I think the men could take some notes and learn from these women.

Read the original article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/04/23/what-president-obama-can-learn-from-his-dinner-date-with-female-senators/

What is a leader?

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The word “leadership” has a vast and diverse definition to many Americans. Some people view a leader as being a politician, others view it as being head of a business, like a CEO or COO. Others may see a leader as some who is a role model in their local community, or even a teacher. To each person, leadership may mean something different and hold unique traits. But, I want to write about what I personally, already at fifteen, have learned what a leader is.

Although I am only fifteen, I have had many life experiences for me to already determine what a leader is. For example, I’m my school’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) President, so I learn every day by what my club can do to reach out to allies and members of the LGBTQ community. I also aspire to be a leader in the United States someday by being a Congresswoman. I enjoy helping others and changing the world around us.

In seventh grade, I participated in a program held in the nation’s capital that was called Jr. NYLC. The program is aimed at young people who show certain leaderships traits and to help them strengthen their traits to make them the next leaders in the world. The following traits are what I have learned from the program and how one can be a leader.

Goal Setting

Setting goals for one’s future is vital in being a leader. When one outlines their steps to achieve goals they want to achieve, they can reach desired results. If one prepares their plans, they can guide their efforts more easily and effectively. If one does not have goals, their life plans are scattered and lost along the way. It is also easier to keep track of what works and what does not when one make goals.

Benefits of goal setting: Learning from successes and failures.

Communication

Exchanging ideas, information and opinions is important when one is a leader. Plans are also put into action by communication. From organizing, presenting and listening, different parts of communication all tie into together. A leader should be able to communicate to those who look up to them and those are inspired by them.

Benefits of communication: Developing successful plans and plans that are clearer and easier to understand.

Teamwork

Working with others is how leaders can thrive. When strength is given to each member in a team, everyone feels like they belong and have a purpose. Every person adds a unique perspective and voice to the team, which if done correctly, can make a successful team.

Benefits of teamwork: Developing common visions and goals in a team.

Respect

Not everyone is going to agree on everything and a leader notices that. Being considerate of others and being free of any prejudices is how things get done. Treating others how one wants to be treated needs to be remembered by the leader. Everyone can be effective if diversity is embraced.

Benefits of repsect: Understanding others makes a leader well-rounded.

Problem Solving

Leaders are aware that making decision is a main part of being a leader. By reflecting on the problems, how to solve the problems and how to prevent the problems from occurring again, progress is made.

Benefits of problem solving: Gaining trust from others and solving the problematic situations.

Character

Being an individual and embracing who one is how leaders are remembered. The words one uses, the actions one expresses and the thoughts one thinks determine one’s character. A leader also lives by what is right, not what is easy. One’s character impacts themselves and the world around them.

Benefit of character: Having a distinguishable character makes one be remembered trustworthy and respectable.

All of the traits above were the six I was taught at the Jr. NYLC program and that I still use today. As a young person, I know that by these traits I am able to do what I want to do in life more effectively and easily.

(Credits to Jr. NYLC and their program by teaching young people how to lead others and the world around them.)

Wendy Widom was in Chicago presenting the wonderful documentary Miss Representation, a documentary that points out the

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 under-representation and misrepresentation of women in society, media, government, entertainment business, etc. One thing that was bothering Wendy was her figure when she went to the screening. After the screening, Wendy’s whole idea of a “perfect” body diminished and became proud of her appearance. She was no longer ashamed of herself, but rather embraces who she is!

To read more about Wendy Widom’s story, click here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wendy-widom/muffin-tops-and-a-movie-s_b_3094266.html?utm_hp_ref=women&ir=Women