Did you know that by the time you sit down to breakfast this morning, you will likely have used a minimum of 15 personal care products that contain over over 100 different toxic ingredients? For cereal. We are talking chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects and fertility problems. That shit is nothing to mess around with!
Living in North America we tend to think we have it all, that we are "so lucky" and yes in fact in many ways we are! But when it comes to our health we are blind. The overwhelming plethora of choices we have may seem like a wonderful thing, at first glance. But if you look a little deeper you will see that such choices come with consequences.
The cosmetic industry is one of the most toxic industries a person can work in. The chemicals used to create our face, hair, body and skin care products are filled with artificial colors, scents, preservatives and more that have been scientifically proven to cause cancer. Yet we slather it on every day...why? TO conform to a look that society tells us we have to have? To fit in? To feel better about our selves?
What is that saying about society, and the status of women, that in order to feel good about ourselves we need to put toxic chemicals on in order to cover up how we truly look?
I will admit it. I wear mascara. And some blush...geesh as a new mom I look like a zombie most days. But I am becoming increasingly aware of ingredients since having Claire. I am so particular about what I will put on her skin, why am I not the same with my own skin?
As consumers we have the power to DEMAND better! Did you now that the European Union has banned more then 17,000 toxic chemicals in personal care products, many of which are still in ours? WHY?
What products do you use that you think you can do without? Or are willing to pay a bit more for chemical free? I have scraped eyeshadow, eyeliner, hair spray, and foundation all together. I also only use natural deodorant, lotions, and face care products. What are your thoughts?
If you live in Canada, click here to find out what you can do!
This 13 year old girl seriously has her shit together! I mean, I knew people in my 4th YEAR Women Studies courses who weren't this articulate and wise. I hope her parents are proud! Do you "slut shame"? Do you know someone who does? What are your thoughts on this? I personally do not hesitate to call people on their slut shaming tendencies. It does nothing more then uphold rape culture stereotypes and pass the blame/shame of rape on to women. Because it is our fault for being the victim of a sexual attack? I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic!
"I pledge to honor and respect brave women and children who tackle the difficult journey of change from domestic violence to a new life. I acknowledge my own moment-by-moment bravery, will remain aware of what is happening to others around me, and speak up against violence in any form. I will stand up for human dignity and safety for women and children."
Violence against women is still real and true in this world....sadly. As far as we have come, as much as we have progressed there are still women and children who live in fear. Being silent about it DOES NO GOOD! Making the woman feel like a victim, like she is weak, like she should know better DOES NO GOOD! Failing to educate men and our boy children on what a good man looks like DOES NO GOOD!
For many women it is not as simple as just "walking away" from an abusive relationship, especially if she is low income, has children, or has already been a victim of violence in her childhood as well. Sadly some women don't know a better life. The cycle of violence runs very deep, and can be a hard thing to unravel. I have known women in my life that suffered at the hands of a loved one, but they are NOT victims! They are strong women warriors, SURVIVORS, that managed to escape the cycle of violence. But they had help, support, guidance and love.
As many of you know I have a soft spot in my heart for women's issues. Having a degree in women's studies has opened my eyes to a variety of issues and concerns that I will continue to fight for until my very last breath. I am not as politically active as I once was, and now with a babe I certainly don't have much spare time, but having a daughter has re-inspired me to fight for the rights of marginalized women and children. Some of my wonderful girlfriends are still out there actively fighting the good fight and they keep me filled in on important issues and events, which brings me to the topic of today's post! A local women's centre is currently trying to win a $25,000 grant from the Keg Steakhouse to create an arts based healing and mentorship program. The arts are very dear to me for obvious reasons, so in combination with at-risk women this cause seemed like it was meant to fall in my lap! And all I need from you all is a simple click to vote.
The program, run by the Nanaimo Womens Resource Society, aims to unite homeless and at risk women/youth/girls who with professional artists from their community. The artists are inspired individuals who can act as mentors to homeless/at risk women and girls who don’t always have an opportunity to use the arts as an expressive form.
Art for me has always been a powerfully healing tool, something that I can grab on to when times are tough, something that is MINE and allows me to express myself when words fail me. My crafts have literally saved my life and kept me sane, and as a teenage run away it was drawing and photography that got me through. I truly feel this program has the potential to empower and inspire women to want better, to know they DESERVE better, and help them find their voice.
You can Read more about the grant and project here, as well as click to vote. You will not get any spam from this, but do require an email for confirmation purposes. Please help!
2011 marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day!! March 8th has always held a special place in my heart, and no matter where I am or what I am doing I try to always find a way to acknowledge it. Whether it was my uber activism days selling candles by donation for a local women's shelter at my community college, organizing a campus wide protest at my University in response to a string of sexual harassment reports, or simply baking women's symbol cookies for my co-workers and educating them on the history of this very special day...March 8th has always been, and always will be very dear to my heart.
Some of you may ask why do we still need to celebrate it? Haven't we come so far? Achieved so much? Well lets start with the positives...YES much has changed for women, and THANK GOD!
Women are entering new and exciting positions in the work force
Women are becoming more and more active in politics
Female musicians are proving they can rock as hard as the boys (and not have to be half naked to do it, thanks Karen O!)
Various NGO's are working hard to improve the literacy and education rates of young girls in developing countries
Mandatory training is being put in place for our police forces to train them to deal with sexual and domestic violence in productive, healing and constructive ways
Gay, lesbian, and transgender rights are (slowly) emerging as a strong sub-culture of the women's movement, with gay marriage rights being won and rightfully celebrated
Women centred AIDS/HIV education and awareness programs are being developed to empower girls and young women around the world
Numerous programs such as Shanti Uganda have been created to foster the development of unique employment/education/empowerment programs for young women and girls
THESE ARE ALL REASONS TO CELEBRATE! TO BE PROUD!
TO HAVE FAITH, JOY AND HOPE!
Yet sadly there is still SO much work that needs to be done. Overseas and right here in our very own countries as well. DO NOT BE DELUDED! All is not well, all of our rights have not been won, do NOT be complacent. Educate yourself, educate your children. Look out at the world around you and ask yourself "Is this the world I want my daughters to inherit? How can we work to make it better?" Yes, many steps forward have been made but put on your critical thinking caps for a moment with me...
I like facts. Cold, hard, concrete, statistical FACTS that I can sink my teeth into. Show me that women are equal. PROVE IT TO ME, because the below FACTS don't point in the direction of equality:
And our Canadian sisters don't have it any better:
Men with the same degrees as women are more then TWICE as likely to obtain a higher paying job
funding to women's shelters and rape crisis centres has been SLASHED across the country
national childcare programs have been SLASHED making it harder for women to equally compete in the work force
as of a 2010 Canadian census, we too also make a measly 0.77 cents on average to every dollar a man makes
Domestic violence rates continue at a staggering rate. Between 1994 and 2008 alone, 178 Canadian women were killed EACH YEAR! That's over 3,000 women's lives, taken because of violence against women
And it is not just Women in North American that continue to suffer:
rates of HIV/AIDS around the world continue to rise as funding to sexual education classes for girls is cut
rape continues to be a systematic part of uncontrolled political war fare
boy children continue to receive better access to education then girls
and sadly the list just goes on
BUT there are STRONG women out there. Women who are fighting every day, women who inspire, encourage and empower. We should learn from these women, support these women, emulate these women:
Not everyone is meant to be a selfless champion for women's rights. Not everyone can be a full time activist, giving themselves fully to the cause. I know I can't. I tried, and admittedly failed. BUT in that trying I reached out to and empowered SO many other women. And I learned that it doesn't always have to be HUGE grandiose, life changing steps that we take. Sometimes the smallest action can create long lasting ripples....that affect us all. So I still do my part, in smaller ways, but I still do what I can. I educate myself, and those round me. I am aware. I speak up. I DEMAND better. I VOTE!
What can you do? How can you positively affect the life of a young girl today? Or of a women in need? Who will your ripples touch?
To celebrate International Women's Day today I am offering the first ten commenter's a FREE copy of an awesome zine I made back in the day called "Sextacular: A Feminist Guide to Sexual Empowerment and Satisfaction!" Everything you ever wanted to know about your girly parts, but were too afraid to ask your mother is in this handcrafted zine! This bad boy used to sell out in MINUTES back when I was actively printing it, and I am releasing a limited time run of ten copies. So grab yours now! Here is an excerpt:
"...for all of the progress we women have made, we still have problems talking about our vagina's and our sexual appetites. Our culture encourages women to look sexy but is scared of women that are sexy, sexy for themselves that is. Learn how to be sexy for YOURSELF first! Self awareness is the best teacher you will ever have. Empower yourself, pleasure yourself, educate yourself, and NEVER take any crap from any partner: male or female..."
