New Resource for Girls with ASD...

We just heard about a new resource for parents that relates to teen girls with autism and other Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), called "Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum: What Parents and Professionals Should Know About the Pre-teen and Teenage Years," by Shana Nichols, Gina Marie Moravcik, and Samara Pulver Tetenbaum.

Typically, it is difficult to find information on the individual social and health needs of girls with autism because ASD's generally present in boys at such a higher rate than their female counterparts. Nevertheless, the availability of appropriate resources for all families dealing with autism are critical, and this book specifically addresses the issues that girls face while approaching and during adolescence and teenhood.

NWG has not yet read the book, so this is not a review, just a shout-out to some resources for families with girls and autism. Two of the authors, Nichols and Tetenbaum, are affiliated with the Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism in Nassau County, NY. To learn more about the book, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, click here.

Update to API Post...

Just a quick update to the API posting below from last week: the Alice Paul Institute is now looking for interns and volunteers, especially on its various Committees!

Check out more information about opportunities to get involved by clicking here, or visiting www.alicepaul.org.

In Honor of a True Patriot...Happy Fourth of July!

With the Fourth of July festivities fast approaching this weekend, and the dismal mood that has settled upon many American communities hard-hit by the current economic times, I thought we were long overdue at NWG for a post about a true patriot and countrywoman, Alice Stokes Paul, and a film recommendation for all who need something to believe in this Independence Day.

Reports have been surfacing over the past several weeks of towns and cities nationwide that are unable to celebrate Independence Day this year with traditional fireworks and fanfare due to budgetary crises. My city of Philadelphia, which many call "the birthplace of America," is still able to hold their fireworks display this year, despite major financial woes. However, for those folks that may not have a local venue in which to celebrate the upcoming holiday this time around, some good-old-fashioned American storytelling may have to do...and may just change the way you think about our American heritage. If you are looking for a holiday flick worthy of your inspiration and moral imagination, I urge you to check out Iron Jawed Angels, starring Hilary Swank as American Suffragist and political leader Alice Paul.

Born in 1885, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Alice Paul dedicated her entire life, which ended in 1977, to fighting an enormously brave battle for women's rights and equal participation in American society and politics. Among her extensive achievements when she passed away were the successful passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution which guaranteed women the right to vote, and developing and advancing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the US Congress. Although the ERA has not yet been ratified, many believe that Alice Paul's legacy in the ERA, which would essentially codify gender equality under federal law, will someday come to pass, as it has been introduced before Congress every year since 1982, and at one point, was included within the official Party Platforms of both the Republicans and the Democrats.

Today, the story of Alice Paul's life and legacy is preserved within the very walls of her original home, Historic Paulsdale, located in Mount Laurel, NJ, and registered as a State and National Historic Landmark. Paulsdale is run and maintained by the Alice Paul Institute (API), a non-profit organization committed to celebrating the life of Alice Paul through a wide range of heritage programs, and empowering future leaders of women's enfranchisement by offering leadership programs to girls and young women. API serves girls from nearby cities of Cherry Hill, Camden, and other local communities, and plans to expand its reach to benefit children and youth throughout more of New Jersey and the Delaware Valley Region. Featured below, the API staff helps to unveil the new Capital Grille restaurant in Cherry Hill, NJ, as they pose before a sepia-colored portrait of Alice Paul.


(From left, API staff members: API President Rhonda DiMascio, Director of Leadership Programs Dana Dabek-Milstein, Director of Heritage and Outreach Kristina Myers, Director of Major Gifts Valerie Buickerood, and Administrative Director Debra Hojsak.)

Thanks to the dedicated API staff and volunteers, Paulsdale is a warm and welcoming place that succeeds in reminding its visitors of where American women have been, and where we have the ability to go in the future. Although it is easy to revel in gratification while studying the collection of historical photographs and artifacts that adorn the halls of Paulsdale and commemorate the momentous Women's Suffrage Movement of the early 20th Century, these also must serve as a reminder of our path toward equality that still lies ahead, finishing the work that Alice Paul began over one hundred years ago.

So, this coming Fourth of July, when ringing in what might have been just another excuse to barbeque or possibly a bleak reminder of the challenging economic horizon that so many face this year, let a true patriot of the past guide your holiday hoopla and ring in something worth celebrating which can be appreciated by all - freedom!

For more information on Alice Paul, the critical community impact of the Alice Paul Institute, and how you can get involved, visit www.alicepaul.org

NWG Goes to Arizona...

Well not really physically to AZ, but certainly in spirit. In the May addition of the Pima County Women's Commission newsletter, we published a piece on women with disabilities and hopes for better health policies under the Obama Administration! The Women's Commission of Pima County/ Tucson is an organization dedicated to helping women achieve equality and eliminate racism. Check out the lead in and click the link for more...

Women with Disabilities Look toward a Promise of Hope and Change for the Future


By: Emily Kronenberger

Over the past four decades, people with disabilities, their families, and those who advocate on their behalf have worked closely and collaboratively to succeed in making significant changes in the lives of people with disabilities and their opportunities in society. Advancements in education, relationships, leadership and social opportunities, and greater independence have all come in increased numbers as a result of the modern Disability Rights Movement in the United States. Despite some gains however, members of this population continue to go without the supports and services that would enhance their ability to lead fuller, richer lives...

Full article available by clicking here.

Also, click on the logo above to visit the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) to learn about how we can better address the specific health needs of women and girls with varied abilities.

Thoughts on the "F-Word" from Campus Progress...

(“Women’s Liberation Party” march, Convention Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, Sept. 7, 1968. (AP PHOTO)

Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch over at Campus Progress recently published this piece on how many young women do not self-identify as feminists, yet tend to articulate a very feminist framework for how they live their lives and see the world. While interviewing them on the issue, Gromisch found that many young women are uncomfortable with the feminist label because they have found and felt that the movement has not always been extremely welcoming of diverse views and backgrounds...read on to find out more:

"I'm Not a Feminist, But..."
Why some young women are shying away from the f-word

What is your take on this issue, do you call yourself a feminist?

Chicago School Needs a Time Out...

Having grown up in New Jersey, I take a lot of flak for being a former resident of the Garden State. Often known as citizens dwelling within the "Armpit of America," New Jerseyeans get a bad rep for having big hair, big attitudes, and big environmental problems.

Nevertheless, one thing I do have to say for New Jersey is that compared to alot of other states, we get the need for comprehensive sex education and helping teens and youth make healthy decisions about their bodies and sexuality. New Jersey was one in the first round of states to reject federal Abstinence-Only funding from the former Bush Administration, citing that the Abstinence-Only curricula offered in many programs funded by the feds did not meet the Core Curriculum Standards for science and health subjects in New Jersey's State Education Policy. Imagine that? We said no to them, because their curricula was not up to our little old state's standards, hmmm...

Anyway, when I recently read a Chicago Tribune article on how the film "Time-Out: the Truth about HIV, AIDS, and You," had caused a stir after a teacher showed the film to his health class in a Catholic Chicago school, I had to give Jersey its props. One of my foremost memories of learning about HIV/ AIDS as a child in the early 90's was through watching Time Out, and its many stars including Mayim Bialik (Blossom, anyone?) and Paula Abdul (yes, my idol at the time), talk about HIV/ AIDS in a candid way that made me less anxious about having family members who were HIV-positive. HIV/ AIDS was just beginning to be talked about in the mainstream at the time, and this film helped to calm fears of something that kids who were being educated on it, and more importantly and noticeably adults, were terrified of.

Many other elementary-school aged students besides myself in New Jersey saw this video and started having conversations with their teachers, parents, and even friends about HIV/ AIDS, and many of these conversations led to the better awareness and consciousness that we have today about HIV/ AIDS, although it is still a huge public health issue that faces our society. Some of my family members have lived with HIV since before this film was made, and some of them have not survived. I credit this movie with educating young people and steering the dialogue away from shame and blame, and more towards health, safety, and most importantly, love.

That message may never be heard by all of the kids in that Chicago school due to the irrational (and irresponsible) fears of the Chicago Archdiocese, but thanks to that teacher, some young people did hear what Time Out had to say, and some of them will be better off because of it.

Follow up on Dr. Tiller's Murder...

This week, some interesting posts, stories, and analysis have circulated the web on the murder of Dr. George Tiller. Nevertheless, the in-depth story of his life of service to women and families, and his tragic death, have all but been widely ignored by the greater media this week (save some short news tid-bits or the ridiculous rantings of Bill O'Reilly and his gang of thugs) and a broader discourse has yet to take place.

Personally, I feel that Congress should hold hearings on this pattern (yes, this is certainly pathological and highly organized) of violence that is allowed to surround and endanger abortion providers and caregivers, and leads to the barring of women from accessing their Constitutional right to seek the best healthcare possible for themselves and their own families. In addition, I believe President Obama needs to augment the original statement he made earlier this week condemning the violence that killed Dr. Tiller, and reinforce his commitment to women's rights and freedom.

The level of outrage needed though has sadly not reached a fever pitch among the American public for this to happen, really because a lot of people are just not aware of this latest violent attack on choice and the threat it poses to all Americans and their individual rights.

Below are just some of the highlights of commentary on Dr. Tiller's murder from this week:

Black Silence and the Abortion Debate, Salamishah Tillet

Religious Leaders Respond to the Murder of Dr. George Tiller, Rev. Deborah Haffner

Special Needs and Choice, Realist Mom's reader diary at RH Reality check

DC Vigil for Dr. Tiller Held in DC this Week, from Choice USA

Late-Term Abortions: The Facts, The Stories, and How to Help, Jodi Jacobsen at RH Reality Check

Also, check out I Am Dr. Tiller.com, at http://iamdrtiller.com/, a website in memorial to Dr. Tiller.