What Women Really Want

The YWCA USA asked the age old question, "What do women really want?" You might be surprised by the answers.

Generation Yers (ages 18-29) want to see President-elect Barack Obama to make civil rights and racial justice top priorities for his administration, according to the survey conducted by the YWCA USA.

The survey, which included interviews with 1,000 women ages 18-70, also found a generational divide among women. Older women have seen more progress in terms of civil rights and therefore are more optimistic about the future. Younger women have high expectations for the future leadership of our country.

Women of all ages agree that economic hardship is one of the biggest obstacles facing them today. They also agree that healthcare reform, quality and cost of education, the housing crisis and HIV/AIDS are top priorities for our nation.

It's refreshing for women of all ages, ethnicity and from all walks of life to express their views about the future of our country. It's one more way that the YWCA is empowering women across our nation -- by giving them a voice. To see the survey in its entirety, visit the YWCA USA.

So how does this survey stack up with what you want? Tell us your wishes.

One night without a home

This morning as we bundled up and headed out the door, most of us inevitably did our share of grumbling about the wind and the cold. After all, with temperatures dropping into the teens last night, who would want to be out in the elements any longer than absolutely necessary?

The answer: more people than one might think.

Why? Because tonight, members of our community are coming together and spending the night outside on Magic Island in an attempt to simulate the realities of homelessness. From 6pm to 6am, individuals are gathering to spend "One Night Without a Home." The goal of this annual event is to spend a night outside to discuss, think, and learn about homelessness, and to promote advocacy and education about this critically important issue.

Presented by the WV Mental Health Consumer Association & Kanawha Valley Collectives, the evening will include a food drive, guest speakers, live music, facilitated discussion groups, and a candlelight vigil. As a co-sponsor of this event, the YWCA of Charleston encourages all to attend - even for just part of the evening - to get a small glimpse into the lives of those who are unable to meet even their most basic needs of shelter, food and clothing.

Last year alone, 338 homeless children came through our doors at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter, and nearly 800 homeless adults benefited from our services. Our annual return-to-shelter rate of approx. 5% demonstrates that we are making slow but steady progress toward our goal of eliminating homelessness.

Are you willing to spend one night without a home?

The state of racism

November 4, 2008, was a very exciting, heartwarming and awesome day. A dream had come true: Senator Barack Obama had been elected as the 44th and 1st African American President. There are not words to express the overwhelming flood of emotions and tears that came over me as I witnessed this event. History in the making! A day that I did not think that I would see this soon in my lifetime. It was even a greater blessing to see my 80-year-old mother go to the polls, and witness this event in her lifetime as well.

One would think that in light of this great event that we have arrived and that racism has been stamped out or eliminated. It only took one day after the election to realize that this was not the case and that racism is still very much alive in our community and in our country. Just from talking with neighbors, coworkers or reading comments on popular websites such as FaceBook and My Space, or watching the evening news, it was apparent that many people were not happy about the results of the election. When engaged in conversation as to why, many could not articulate a concrete answer -- simply referencing back to his race or ethnicity.

How sad it is that some people cannot look past the color of Obama's skin to see the content of his character; to see a very intelligent, educated, knowledgeable individual. One who ran an honest campaign and won the election standing ready to lead this county into the future and generate a change in this great nation.

As an African American woman, I see or experience racism on a daily basis; whether it be on my job, shopping in stores, or walking down the street. And because it is so subtle or covert, most of the time, only myself and others who experience it, can recognize it. While I think electing an African American president is a big step in the direction of eliminating racism, it is apparent that we still have a long way to go in terms of equality of all races in this country.

What steps can we take to further eliminate racism in our community? In our state and in our country? As for my part, I will continue to work with the YWCA of Charleston, who's mission it is to eliminate racism. I hope you will join us in this important work.

Teresa Johnson is a second-term member of the YWCA of Charleston Board of Directors and a registered nurse with Charleston Area Medical Center. She is pictured here with Sharon Pendleton, our first Empowerment Award winner, at the campaign launch of the $2 Million Challenge.

Remembering our veterans

Today as we remember the brave men and women who have served our country, we salute them for their service and thank them for all they have done for us. However, we often forget the scores of veterans that struggle to meet basic needs such as food and shelter - and we fail to ask what we can do for them.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 154,000 veterans were homeless on any given night last year. The number of homeless female veterans is estimated between 7,000 and 8,o00 and quickly growing. This is a relatively new phenomenon because only recently have so many women (more than 190,000 in Iraq and Afghanistan alone) been serving in the U.S. military. We invite you to read yesterday's MSNBC story, which highlights the life of a 38-year-old homeless female veteran and raises awareness of this growing phenomenon.

The MSNBC report notes several reasons why we see veterans become homeless:

• Repeated deployments make it difficult for them to keep their finances in order and for reservists to hold on to their civilian jobs.
• Fallout from military service — which can include post-traumatic stress disorder — can seriously damage family and other relationships.
• Those stresses can lead to withdrawal and depression, which can make it difficult to land a job.
• The lack of income makes it hard to pay rent or a mortgage.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has only 15 facilities that offer residential mental health treatment specifically for women with post-traumatic stress disorder. Out of 500 VA-run homeless shelters, 300 can accept women and only 22 have programs that address female veterans specifically or have living arrangements separate from men. Therefore, female veterans without housing often resort to local shelters like the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women and Families.

Each year, YWCA Sojourner's has homeless veterans and their children walk through the door, where they receive basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing, as well as vital supportive counseling, substance abuse counseling, education and job training.

So today as we honor our veterans, let us remember those in need and thank them for their service by continuing to support them in thought, mind and deed.

Giving thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, we at the YWCA have taken time to reflect on what we are thankful for in each of our personal lives. As an organization, we are thankful for the faithful support of our loyal donors; for the opportunity to serve thousands of people a year and help them on their the road of self-sufficiency; and for the opportunity to daily work for our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.


Take time today to think about the things that you're thankful for you in your life -- good health, good fortune and the love of family and friends. As you reflect on those things, please consider that there are those who don't have the same blessings as you and me. They suffer from abuse at the hands of loved ones or have lost their home because of unfortunate circumstances.


This Sunday, the YWCA of Charleston will partner with Wellington's of Scarlet Oaks and Roark-Sullivan Lifeway Center for the 22nd annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. While you're enjoying a fine feast at Wellington's, you're also helping to feed thousands of homeless people in our community this year. So join us in giving thanks and helping to give back to those who have less.


We will leave you with some thoughts of gratitude from a few YWCA staff members:

• "I am grateful for the amazing women in my life." -- Felicia Bush, YWCA Resolve FAmily Abuse Program Director
• "I'm thankful for being pleasantly plump, because I've always had food to eat. I'm thankful for being able to sometimes feel sad, because I know what it's like to experience many different joys. " -- Karin Hamer, Manager of YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store
• "I am so thankful for my family and for the love from my children and grandchildren; for my dear friends and prayer partners; and for every blessing I receive." -- Carol Carroll, YWCA Resolve grants manager
• "I'm thankful for my family, all of the blessings that I have received throughout my lifetime struggles, and another day of life and freedom for we know not what tomorrow may bring." -- Carrol Bautista, YWCA administrative assistant
• "I am thankful that each new day brings another opportunity to touch someone else’s life in a positive way; for the friends and family that brings me happiness and support; and for God who brings a sense of peace and strength to my life." -- Amie Brada, YWCA Sojourner's administrative assistant
• "I am thankful for my precious child, and the opportunity to be a part of his life; our family, who care for one another through successes and challenges; for the power and love that guides our world." -- Carol Egnatoff, YWCA Child Enrichment Center program director
• "I am thankful for my health, my home and my salvation." -- Sandy Benedict, Program Director of Shanklin Center and Alicia McCormick Homes
• "I'm thankful for my loving husband, two beautiful children and a career that gives me the opportunity to help others and work with amazing women." -- Rachelle Beckner, YWCA Development Director
  

The most important thing you'll do today

It's tragic that after the many weeks of campaign ads, debates and political commentary from the media, friends and families, that many voters are left with a feeling of apathy.

The worst thing an American citizen can do today is choose not to exercise his or her right to vote. Saying you 're tired of the negative ads, or feeling like if you vote for a certain candidate then you're viewed in a harsh light by the opposing side are NOT valid reasons for not taking the time today to cast your ballot.

It's not about who you decide to elect as president, governor, or to the state Supreme Court, but rather that you took the time to make your voice be heard. This right is especially important for women to exercise as it wasn't always the case that women's opinions mattered in shaping the future of our country. It wasn't until Aug. 26 1920, that the 19th amendment was signed into law, granting the women the right to vote.

So despite lengthy lines at the polls, or your weariness with the negative campaign ads, take time today to cast your vote. It's the most important thing you'll do today.

Polls in Kanawha County remain open until 7:30 p.m. If you aren't sure where a national candidate stands on issues that concern women, we encourage you to visit the YWCA's voter information page.

Photo credit: Bill Gardner provided photo of voters waiting to cast their ballot at the Kanawha County voter registration office.