What price beauty?

Share

Is America obsessed with beauty and thinness? Well, it’s all in your mind’s eye. If you see it as critical to have the thinnest possible body, if you see it as important to being accepted; if you use a plastic surgeon for your face and body like you do a mechanic for your car; if you view people who are heavier than you as jokes or abominations, then yeah, you might be obsessed.

Got notice today from the Chicago Bloggers group about a screening of the movie “America the Beautiful.” The director is in Chicago for the screening here and will be doing Q&A after the showings this weekend.

In 2004, America spent $12.4 billion on cosmetic surgery. The estimated cost for basic nutrition and health care in developing countries: $13 billion. If those figures don’t convince you that our priorities are skewed, consider that the real cost of our obsession with youth, beauty and a slender physique is tallied in an epidemic of eating disorders, complications and death from unnecessary surgeries, exposure to dangerous toxins in cosmetics, and the equally toxic effects on a generation of young people. How did we get this way? Who is harmed by our quest for perfection? And who is profiting from encouraging the insecurities that fuel that quest? Hear from the movers and shakers of advertising, fashion, entertainment andthe media; from educators, health-care professionals and scientists; and from ordinary men, women and teens. The answers they give are astounding, with consequences far more than skin deep.

It was the top grossing film two weekends in a row. Exclusive engagement at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema (2828 N. Clark Street) on Friday and Saturday (May 23 and 24) There will be a special Q &A with director, Darryl Roberts following the 7:10and 9:45 show times.

No Comments

Barbara Payne, May 22nd 2008 | Posted in america the beautiful, beauty, obsession, plastic surgery, thinness

Women of substance

Share

Sometimes we women forget how incredible we are. It's easy to do when you're caught in the dailiness of life's obligations.

Today some women with a mission provided a chance for other women to come and enjoy each others' company, learn some great tips on improving our financial savvy, and eat some lovely food in lovely surroundings.

After the panel discussion on women's financial empowerment–ably and passionately facilitated by Vikki Pryor, the CEO of S.USA, our host company–I had an opportunity to hear stories of how some women make sure they find the time outside their careers to make a difference in the lives of school-age children. How they regularly give of their expertise and their creativity to help change the dynamics for kids–help them "get" lessons that make it more likely they'll be able to access opportunities out there. Talk, for example, about dress styles and attitudes that can hamper a young person's chances in the job market. Bring inspiring speakers who can also help kids identify–people who started out with nothing and grew up to be successful and confident members of society.

Robin, Cheryl and Chester, thanks for your stories. Vikki and crew, thank you for a brief but powerful interlude of inspiration.

No Comments

Barbara Payne, May 20th 2008 | Posted in incredible women, women on mission, women's financial empowerment

Mother's day a cry for peace

Share

The woman who was responsible for initiating the celebration of Mother’s Day, Julia Ward Howe, had in mind a noble purpose when she called for women’s unity back in 1870–the start of the French/German war and a few years after the nominal end of the United States Civil War.

Today is a good day to share with you her impassioned cry for the mothers of the world to come together and end the reckless disregard for life and limb that is the horror of war. Our hearts–and all women give birth, whether to babies, ideas or both–may well be crying the same things today:

Say firmly: “We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have taught them of charity, mercy and patience. We women of one country will be too tender of those of another to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.”

From the bosom of the devastated earth, a voice goes up with our own. It says, “Disarm, Disarm!”

Thanks to Cat Thompson of Emotional Technologies for sharing the mother’s day peace manifesto link.

God bless mothers today.

No Comments

Barbara Payne, May 11th 2008 | Posted in charity, Iraqi war, love, mercy, mother's day, patience, peace, single mothers

Pesticide-laden foods to avoid buying…and introducing SWWAN stuff

Share

Single women cannot afford to be sick–and we have to take care of ourselves when we do get sick. So eating healthier is one thing we can do for ourselves. Seems certain foods retain much more of the nasty pesticides used today and consequently end up not being good for you, in spite of their high nutrition load. It’s not good news for those of us who try to thrive on fruits and veggies.

But at least this article gives some nutritionally equivalent non-organic food alternatives that aren’t so bad. The answer, they suggest, is to buy locally from folks who don’t use all that commercial poison. So look for a farmer’s market near you and shop there faithfully.

Strawberries (boo-hoo)
Spinach (double boo-hoo)
Bell peppers
Celery
Peaches
Cherries
Mexican cantaloupe (how the heck does the poison get beyond that thick rind?)
Apples (oh, NO!)
Fresh apricots
Green beans (my personal nightmare because I LOVE them so much)

If you can’t find these organically grown, click to read the healthier non-organic food alternatives.

Meanwhile, we just couldn’t resist adding a little extra fun to SWWAN. So we created a few items you can use to proclaim your pride and joy at being a SWWAN and/or SWWAN mom.

Know a single mom with a little one? Get her a happy Mother’s Day gift that proclaims how much her baby is loved! Click for more cute SWWAN stuff. Please let us know if there’s anything you’d like to see in our SWWAN stuff store.

No Comments

Barbara Payne, May 6th 2008 | Posted in farmer's market, high pesticide foods, organic foods

Women were always somewhere in the workplace–war made it common

Share

Watched an old classic movie last night, Bridge over the River Kwai. Amazing–all males in the movie. Not a single female. Of course. Women weren’t drafted back then. But they were busy keeping the US running! Check out these facts:

“Rosie the Riveter” became the symbol for women workers in the American defense industries after the US joined WWII. With so many men from the labor pool conscripted into the military–and the need for increased production to support the war effort–the federal War Manpower Commission and the Office of War Information began recruiting women from all over the country into the labor force.

From 1940 to 1945, the number of female workers rose by 50 percent, from 12 million to 18 million. In 1940, women constituted 8 percent of total workers employed in the production of durable goods. By 1945, this number increased to 25 percent. [the US government’s website]

All through the war, women worked as streetcar conductors, taxicab drivers, business managers, commercial airline checkers, aerodynamic engineers, and railroad workers. Women operated machinery, streetcars, buses, cranes, and tractors. They unloaded freight, built dirigibles and gliders, worked in lumber mills and steel mills, and made munitions. In short, women accepted the call and worked in almost every aspect of industry.

How ironic what then happened in the 50s. Women were expected to stay home and support the men (those who came back anyway) and raise the children and get their minds off the idea of significant employment outside the home. For women in the 21st century, the world’s a different place. Options and expectations are different. Possibilities are far less constrained–though the old boys network is still in full operation and “having it all” is still mainly a myth.

But as SWWANs, we identify strongly with those women who were home alone having to do it all by themselves. That’s why we like Rosie’s tagline: “We can do it!” Changing the idea of “me by myself” into “we, together.”

No Comments

Barbara Payne, May 4th 2008 | Posted in female workers, independent women, Rosie the Riveter, women in workplace; world war two, WWII

Single women buying homes–in droves

Share

If we ever needed further evidence of the trend toward remaining single in America, this is it. Look at these stats:

  • More than one in five home buyers (20+%) is a single woman. The myth of a guy coming along and buying you a house is disappearing almost as fast as the percentage of life-long marriages.
  • Twice as many unmarried women are buying homes as single men. Of course! The guys don’t have a woman to take care of it! ” )
  • Single women make up more than one-third of the growth in real estate ownership since 1994. Yeah, we are a growing demographic with increasing economic clout!

More single women want to own their own home… either they want more space or they want less home to take care of. Or they’re moving to be closer to a job, to school, or to family. Heck, that’s why I bought in Chicago. After a few decades away, I was ready to come back and be closer to my siblings. Funny how perspectives can change as you grow older.

Another younger single woman bought because she had decided to become a single mom. Others are tired of fighting the constantly rising rents in big cities. Here’s what Elizabeth Weintraub, of About.com’s homebuying section, says about single women and home buying:

Trends for Single Women Home Buyers

  • 3 out of 4 women spend less than $200,000.
  • Prefer 2 bedrooms or more.
  • Less likely to choose new construction.
  • Buy in city over suburban areas.
  • Will compromise size & cost to get other amenities.
  • Will not compromise on location or quality of neighborhood.
  • Prefer condominiums with well run homeowner associations over single family homes.
  • Smaller spaces are acceptable.
  • Desire security and / or gated access.
  • Like to engage in social interaction with neighbors.
  • Want close proximity to stores, shopping and fitness centers.

Sound familiar? I didn’t even realize when I moved here how incredibly convenient my location is to public transportation–I actually have 3 completely different ways to access the multitude of routes and options in the city. I’m only the second stop away from Union Station on the train line–that’s a mere 15 minutes from downtown Chicago. There’s a grocery store half a block from my home–I can walk there, pick out my items, and be back in 20 minutes. The CVS on the corner carries drugs, cosmetics and wine. What more could a single working woman want?

If you’ve got stories about your home buying dreams or your experiences, please share them with our readers. Visit us here and share!

No Comments

Barbara Payne, April 30th 2008 | Posted in single women economic power, single women home buyers

Texas town ruled by women

Share

Yep. Down there on Route 66 is a one-stoplight town where all the elected officials are women. They’re doing it–like women all over the world–because it needed to be done. The city was falling apart.

So what if the population is 830. It’s a start.

No Comments

Barbara Payne, April 21st 2008 | Posted in Uncategorized

Problem? Get answers from your subconscious

Share

How often do you consult your inner genius when you have a problem to solve? I remember telling some members of a client company about how I often wake up in the morning and have these amazing thoughts about what to write for my latest client project…that I considered this information sent from the universe and not of my own generation. Like a muse, for which I’m merely the receiver. Oh, how they looked at me like I was crazy. We single working women–especially those of us who live alone–have an extra good chance of meeting this muse frequently.

I suspect they were mainly just too tired in the mornings to have ever noticed their innner guidance. Because I believe we all have it. Sometimes, it’s about trusting your ‘still, small voice’…your feelings about conscious decisions (Vera Nadine does a nice job talking about this), but I’m also talking about letting your deep subconscious give you answers that your conscious mind isn’t able to access. It’s a secret we can all use. Before you go to sleep, present your mind with a problem or issue you need an answer for. Then when you wake up (even to pee in the middle of the night even), stay quiet and listen. Don’t talk to a roommate or bedmate. Just remain quiet as you slowly wake up. Keep a pen and notebook handy next to your bed and a small light you can turn on without jolting yourself fully awake.

As you swim slowly up into consciousness, you are almost sure to hear ideas for solving your dilemma. If nothing comes at first, go back to sleep and let it happen again. You’ll be surprised at how original and creative some of your answers will be.

Caution: This works better if you weren’t partying too hearty the night before.

No Comments

Barbara Payne, April 21st 2008 | Posted in inner guidance, meet the muse, single working women, still small lvoice, subconscious

Can you really make money working from home?

Share

Many single working women are always on the lookout for ways to increase cash flow. And usually already having a full-time job somewhere–or being a more-than-full-time entrepreneur–you may find the idea of making extra money out of your home passionately appealing.

I wonder who among us has not been tempted at some time to respond to the posters on the electric poles and the ads in the local papers, promising thousands of dollars a month for stuffing envelopes. If you did, let’s hope you haven’t invested anything. About.com offers some solid information on avoiding those enticing work-at-home offers that usually end up costing you one way or another. And here’s their take on companies/jobs with legitimate work-at-home possibilities.

Now the other option of working at home is to become an entrepreneur. See our previous post on that topic for ideas on finding the courage to start a business from home.

No Comments

Barbara Payne, April 21st 2008 | Posted in legitimate work-at-home opportunities, start business at home, women entrepreneurs, work from home, work-at-home scam

Conquering the fear of being an entrepreneur

Share

It takes tremendous courage and commitment to become an entrepreneur. And it can be even harder if you’re a single woman–let alone a single mom. Not only because you often don’t have any kind of financial backup, but you seldom have anyone else to help with anything. And if you don’t have a financial cushion, that gets even more problematical.

This interview of the author of a book about entrepreneurial moms talks about a big secret when you create your own business–you are your biggest asset. A nice quote:

With the help and support of family and friends, she [a woman in an abusive marriage] not only got out of a bad situation, she started a business and regained her self-respect. That day was a turning point for me, when I realized how profoundly women could be impacted by a little bit of knowledge and encouragement.

Sound familiar? I can totally relate. When I wanted to start my own business, I was held back by my fear of there being enough work out there. And one day, I stumbled on an article about freelance writing as a career that said “almost every company uses freelance writers.” That was all I needed to know.

Oh, and a couple of years ago, a friend who runs her own very successful massage/trigger-point-therapy business, said her brother–a successful serial entrepreneur himself–told her this about it: “If you’re any good at what you do, you’ll make a living.”

If you’re dying to try your own business, take these words of encouragement with you.

a>

No Comments

Barbara Payne, April 18th 2008 | Posted in freelance writer, start your own business, women entrepreneurs
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »