Her Daily News

President Elect Barack and Michelle Obama have choosen Harvard MBA Desiree Rogers, currently a prominent Chicago businesswoman to be their personal social secretary. Rogers, 49, will be the first African American White House social secretary. Rogers will be leaving her current position as an executive at Allstate Financial in Chicago to come to Washington later this winter.

The Obama’s have selected a highly-educated woman who has a great social stature and understanding of the demands on the office. It is clear that they are very focused on ensuring they are introduced to the country and the world with great attention to detail and no stone left unturned. Rogers knows the Obama family well and this puts her in a great position to get down to work immediately as she already knows their preferences, ethics and tastes.

The position is far-reaching. The job entails being involved in every event or ceremony that occurs at the White House on or the grounds. Beginning the moment after inauguration, Rogers will be responsible for organizing the swearing-in of Obama’s new Cabinet.

Her vision will be to make the White House more accessible and more inclusive. She is also committed to developing events featuring children because the Obama’s have two school-aged daughters, Sasha and Malia who will be the first young kids in the White House in over 30 years.

Ann Stock, a social secretary under the Clinton White House was once responsible for organizing the historic signing of the Mideast peace agreement, for 4,000 guests, on four days notice.

Prior to joining Allstate, Rogers headed a $2 billion utility.

SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the original intent was to “connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.” It was first observed in 1987, also that year, the first nation toll-free hotline was instated. Legislation was passed in 1989.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence was created in 1978 when over one hundred advocates for women came together in Washington, DC to attend the Commission on Civil Rights’ hearing on battered women. The NCADV is celebrating 30-years of existence. This is a great accomplishment for women the world over. In 1970 there were no shelters for abused women. Today more than 2,000 shelters exist as part of a national movement to give women and their children a safe environment free from the threat of violence.

If you are interested in organizing for community awareness about Domestic Violence, visit this site here.

If you are in need of help from Domestic Violence, call this number NOW . The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

American Idol returns in January for its eighth season and Paula Abdul won’t be the only estrogen-based body on the judges panel anymore. Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul will be joined by Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi.

Dio Guardi is a songwriter who has written songs for Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Pink, Gwen Stefani and Faith Hill.

American Idol was originally intended to have four judges so don’t expect the dynamic to be too different, just expect a larger table.

Dio Guardi was born in Scarsdale, New York in 1970. She has been a contributor to many international-hit songs since 1999. She also co-owns the publishing company Arthouse Entertainment.

She will undoubtedly provide a great new dynamic of music-industry advice, not to mention shake up the stale dynamic of Randy-Paula-Simon and refocus their energies back on the contestants rather than their own drama.

American Idol was created in 2002 by Simon Fuller and has become a national phenomena. The show is hosted by an even larger Idol-built-icon, 34-year oldRyan Seacrest.

Just today I was watching some CNN, mainly for weather, because, truth is, news depresses me sometimes. I saw a story about a 15-year old Iraqi girl taken into custody by Iraqi officials because she was found wearing a belt or vest, reports are conflicting, of explosives. You can read the original CNN article here.

Is she too young to be capable of making the decision to end her life as a suicide bomber? Was she at the mercy of older adults choosing for her to be a suicide bomber? Is she a victim or a malicious-intending ill-seeking suicide bomber? Will we really ever know for sure?

Reports say that she changed her story several times but did say that other people, parents, perhaps put the vest of explosives on her. If she is changing her story, would you, as a young teenager be shaken and uneasy when questioned by authorities and what effect has the intensely hateful regime that she lives within molded her thoughts or simply scared her into submission?

What should happen to her?

CNN reports that “U.S. intelligence on the psyche of female suicide bombers suggests the women have various motives; some have links to al Qaeda — sons, husbands, fathers killed in the fighting — and are seeking revenge.

The intelligence also suggests al Qaeda is seeking out women whose families are struggling financially, making cash promises to them but not paying out. Others are young widows or women who are deeply religious and swayed by the promise of heavenly rewards.”

Photo from CNN.Com

I’m not new to the blogging world but in the past year I wasn’t too aware of all the new sites and activism in the blog world. (I was home with a newborn and my reality contact and awareness was, … slight?)

This is a big year, politically speaking. I live in Washington, DC (okay, the suburbs, but still) While I normally don’t get too involved in political debate, I feel it is often futile, I have some opinions and I do support those who lobby for change that I can get behind.

There are some great women, many of them mothers, who are taking a lot of time from their own lives, leaving their children for a few days to lobby for change that will benefit all of us. You can find them here at one of my new favorite sites MOMocrats. Many of them are actually at the Democratic National Convention this week in Denver, Colorado speaking up and taking notes. They are updating on Twitter and they have a Facebook page.  These women are awesome, check them out!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, sponsored by the NCADV. Over the next few days, several writers here at 451 Press are dedicating their sites to this cause. According to the daily numbers for this blog, at least 150 women who read this article today have been a victim of abuse. It is up to the other 450 of us to stand by them and provide them with a voice.

My next few posts will talk about specifics of domestic violence including statistics and resources. First, we are going to look at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and ways we can support them. The NCADV provides assistance, education, research and public policy information to victims of abuse. The first Unity Day was held in October 1981, which later grew into the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Since that time, they have started and assisted numerous programs including “Remember My Name” the “Bring Volume to Silent Voices Campaign.” They also participate in cell phone drives and charity cars, and partner with cosmetic companies who donate profits from the sale of certain items.

To learn which products you can purchase to help the NCADV, visit the home page and click on the links for each product. One such product is the beautiful sterling silver Faith the Butterfly pendant from HealthHomeandHarmony.com, shown in the picture. Also on the home page you can learn how to send in your old cell phone as a donation and where to order the new Body Shop lip treatment.

I urge you to explore the NCADV website to learn about the resources and programs available. If you have never been the victim of domestic violence yourself, it is almost guaranteed that you know someone who has. Just take a look around your workplace or the grocery store tomorrow. 1 out of every 4 women you pass is a victim. And they never stop being victims, for the psychological and spiritual scars linger long after the physical violence has stopped. Prevention is the only cure for domestic violence victims.

For other online resources, check out www.homecomputertalk.com.

Other participating 451Press blogs:

www.lifeasachristianwoman.com
www.about-sanjoseca.com
www.earthlygarden.com
www.watchingbionicwoman.com
www.watchingbsg.com
www.limitededitionfoods.com
www1PStart.com
www.astrologyexplored.com
www.about-honoluluhi.com
www.parentingandreligion.com
www.maritaltalk.com

In my first week writing Her Daily News, I posted a poll of readers’ interests to find out what vistors are looking for from HDN. The topic base is so broad that I am attempting to discover what it is you want from this site. It has been about three weeks now, and these are the results of the poll so far:

• Current World News: 21%
• Shopping/Products/Offers: 11%
• Women’s Health: 32%
• Women in History: 16%
• Women’s Rights Around the World: 16%
• Other Response: Profiles of World-Changing Women: 5%

It is clear that health issues are a big concern for women right now. I will attempt to bring you more of the latest research in health and wellness, as well as possible product reviews and offers. This doesn’t mean in any way that I will not report on the other important issues for ladies, including current world events. But with the help of my readers, we can take this site in the direction you want it to go. I hope you will continue to visit Her Daily News and let me know how I am doing. The Girls’ Water Cooler is open to all topics and all points of view, so please chime in any time!

If you haven’t voted in the poll yet, it is still open. Simply enter your votes below, or submit an Other response with a topic not listed that you would like to know more about.

Her Daily News, reader interest, poll

April Gilford (that’s me) is now writing HerDailyNews.com. Starting Monday, August 20, please join me for all the latest in news, politics, society, family, work, health, science, the arts, and anything else women are doing around the world.

I hope to continue the great job Letia started with her Cheers and Jeers features. I also want to begin a Reader’s News category and will need your help for that one. If you feel something is newsworthy, and involves someone of the fairer sex, then please send it my way. As my collection builds, I will pick a regular time for this feature. Until then, I will post them as they come in. In addition to news you know about, I also invite you to Ask Me when there is a story you want to know more about. Contact me here or at Aprilfreelance@aol.com and tell me what you do know, and what you would like to know. I will try to dig up more information for you and answer your questions. Occasionally, I will post op-ed and humor pieces as the notion strikes me. I also intend to scour the web for offers, freebies, product samples and events you can take part in.

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