Thursday, December 2, 2010

Book Club Selection

Half the Sky 
Written by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

 The Younger Women's Task Force - Atlanta will be reading Half the Sky for our upcoming meeting. Please read this important book and come ready to engage with other women in discussion about the themes and ideas presented.

Communications Committee

Guest Bloggers
YWTF-ATL is looking for bloggers and social media specialists. Do you currently blog? Would you like to be a guest star? Are you interested in taking on a reoccurring role? What topics would you like to see in the Many Voices. One Force blog.? Your participation, thoughts, and comments are welcome. We will feature your comments in our blog. Send your thoughts or posts to Lauren.ywtf@gmail.com.

Newsletter Writers
Article submissions are encouraged, too.  All article submissions are due on the 23rd day of each month.
Send your comment and submissions to Lauren.ywtf@gmail.com.

Photographer
The hunt is on for an official YWTF-Atlanta Chapter Photographer! Do you have great photography skills? Do you own a photography business?  If so, we would like to hear from you. Send examples of your work to Lauren Zink, Director of Marketing & Communications, at lauren.ywtf@gmail.com.

Graphic Designer
Are you the Leader of Layouts? Are you the President of Picking Fonts? Are you the Queen of Color? Sign on as our Graphic Designer, and we'll let you pick your title. How do you like them apples, Creator of Creative Assets? Send your portfolio to Lauren at lauren.ywtf@gmail.com.

Leader of the Pack *Vroom Vroom*

The Younger Women's Task Force - Atlanta is looking for leaders to serve on our 2011 Board of Directors. Positions are available in:

Membership & Outreach
Fundraising & Development
Policy & Advocacy
Operations
Partnerships & Strategic Alliances


Please send your resume to ywtfatlanta@ywtf.org by December 15, 2010 if you wish to learn more about these leadership opportunities.




Thank you to our 2010 Board of Directors for a job well done!

Carry Smith
Jaali Marshall
Karen Moore
Lauren Zink
Margo Younger

Photography credit: Simon Howden


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The Younger Women's Task Force delivers a dose of news and chapter information directly to your inbox once a month. Are you on our list?

Photography credit: anankkml

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

10 Ways You Can Help on World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day. What can we as younger women do to help?

  1. Face AIDS: Make a sign describing how you're facing AIDS. Take a picture of yourself with your sign and upload it to the Flickr Facing AIDS group. Then spread the word by sharing your work on Twitter, Facebook, or MySpace.
  2. Tweet about it: Use the hashtag #WAD2010.
  3. Read and comment on the CDC's AIDS blog series.
  4. Familiarize yourself with the National HIV/AIDS strategy.
  5. Download free posters and tools or create your own. Share these images on your sites or hang them in the spots you frequent.
  6. Attend a World AIDS Day event. In Atlanta, SAVE Georgia is holding a press conference and rally to advocate for increases in funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, the AIDS Alliance For Faith & Health is holding an interfaith prayer breakfast, HIV testing and education will be available at Atlanta City Hall, Emory University is organizing Quilting on the Quad, and there will be a screening of "Sex in Epidemic" at the Georgia Institute of Technology. For more information on these Atlanta events, visit the GA Voice.
  7. Organize or attend a Lights for Rights vigil to keep the light on HIV and human rights.
  8. Write a letter to the editor to raise awareness.
  9. Subscribe to the HIV Leadership Through Accountability e-newsletter.
  10. Buy the MAC VIVA GLAM lipstick or lipglass, and MAC donates every cent to their AIDS fund.

Guest Star: Journey to the Land of Ohhh...

By Chanel Marshall

I may get some feedback for this one (which is welcomed), but hear me out. (clears throat)

Generally speaking, I feel like we have a collective view of how the sexual process should go. There's some foreplay, some kissing, and a dramatic scene of intercourse leading up to this amazing explosion of an orgasm. That's great, but is it realistic? We can blame these ideas on magazines, movies, novels, or our own fantasies. Either way, I believe that we focus too much on the orgasm (or lack thereof). There are TONS of books, articles, videos and the like instructing us on how to achieve and/or give orgasm. And because we always want more, I've seen plenty more media focused on achieving multiple orgasms! When it comes to sex, we are an orgasm-driven society and we know it! Now, don't get me wrong, orgasms are awesome; I totally get that. But my question is, what about the process leading up to the “big O”? As a woman, I know that an orgasm from vaginal intercourse is not a guarantee. In fact, 50-75% of women do NOT orgasm from vaginal intercourse alone. But we keep having sex right? I'm just saying. There must be SOMETHING to the journey, so let's give it some love!

You're asking, “Jaali, how can my partner and I have fun on this “journey” you speak of?” Well my friend, I'd gladly share my insight. My thought is that the sexual experience should be about the connection between the people involved. The stronger the connection, the more intense the sensations and feelings will be. Believe me, you will be far less concerned about that orgasm because you would have been in tune from the first second. As a matter of fact, that's what Tantra is all about. (Tantra will be covered in another blog.) Think about the experience as a whole. Think about the anticipation. Think about what you find sexy about your partner.

Think about the smells, tastes, and sounds. See? It's already working! You have to:
1. RELAX!- And have fun. Sex should not be a test, nor should it be a competition. So chill, get sexy, and go all out!
2. Get creative.- There is no "box" when it comes to sex. There are no boundaries. Try something new, and break the routine!
3. Keep the journey in mind.- Think about why you are with your partner and how much you want to please her/him. Know that this journey does NOT have to be a long experience, nor does it have to be the same every time. ( refer back to #2. )
I'm telling you, the journey can be just as or more fun than the destination....if you let it. What do you think?

amani moto,
Chanel Jaali
President and Founder
Jaali Co.
www.jaalico.com



Jaali Co., LLC is a multidimensional company specializing in sex education for adults. We offer themed parties, consulting, workshops, and extensive research. Our purpose is to assist people in achieving sexual responsibility and sexual freedom through comprehensive knowledge.  Chanel Jaali is an independent researcher and sexual educator mainly focusing on the topics of sexual development, sexual attitudes and behaviors, and reproductive rights of women of African descent. She can be contacted at jaali.company@gmail.com.

How to Succeed in Life

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.” – Andrew Carnegie

In 1903, rags-to-riches steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie wrote an article in The Pittsburg Bulletin on how to succeed in life. Among other things, Carnegie tells us, “Whatever your wages are, save a little” and to “Put all your eggs into one basket and then watch that basket.”