DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On May 21st, Mary Kay Inc., an advocate for global womens empowerment and entrepreneurship, joined the International Women's Forum (IWF) Virtual Conference, for a session titled SAFE SETS: An online panel discussion with TIMES UP UK.

The live session tackled the ever-present issue for women across the globe: sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace. TIMES UP UK stressed the critical importance of changing the culture to ensure a safe workplace free from harassment and referred to the work being done to define safety for women in film through intimacy guidelines.

The speakers with TIMES UP UK included:

TIMES UPs efforts will help bring about broader change for women in the workplace worldwide and across industries, said Carolyn Passey, General Manager of Mary Kay UK and Ireland. As one of the worlds leading champions of womens empowerment, Mary Kay is proud to support, through IWF, women leaders who are standing up to give fellow women a voice, help them embrace their identity and define their own boundaries.

What was increasingly apparent throughout the conversation was how #MeToo and TIMES UP have had a huge and positive influence for changing the way productions work, how they are shifting to better practices in many new ways, and in particular with the new role of the Intimacy Coordinator, said Dame Heather Rabbatts. The conversation about safe sets is about how we make the culture shift, one industry after another, until we dont need to have this conversation ever again.

Yes, means yes, no means no, and maybe means no we celebrate and embrace the no, emphasized Ita OBrien, when talking of the process during which actors get to voice their comfort level when shooting intimate scenes. The firm founded by OBrien, Intimacy on Set, has put in place guidelines to provide clear lanes of communication and consent not only between actors, but also everyone else involved in shooting intimate and emotional scenes. Clear boundaries actually create freedom and help understand what is right for you.

This line goes to the heart of the matter, and how we are all learning to express where our boundaries lie, and not being afraid to share them, concluded Dame Heather Rabbatts. Having in place some mechanisms to protect yourself is very important, so that we know we can exercise a no. This should empower us in all the sticky and difficult situations that happen in life, whether personal or professional.

It is invigorating to witness the influential work that female thought leaders and advocates have achieved over the past several years for the advancement of womens safety and security in the workplace. These women, some of the most influential thought leaders in the United Kingdom, are on a mission to champion the next generation of women to become tomorrows leaders, said Marty Wikstrom, Member of IWF U.K. and co-chair of the Cornerstone Conference. IWF has been advancing womens leadership and championing equality worldwide since 1974, and Mary Kay has been an advocate of womens entrepreneurship and leadership since 1963. This session reflects a meeting of the minds, and we are proud to showcase this female-fueled partnership.

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her beauty company more than 56 years ago with three goals: develop rewarding opportunities for women, offer irresistible products, and make the world a better place. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skin care, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements and fragrances. Mary Kay is committed to empowering women and their families by partnering with organizations from around the world, focusing on supporting cancer research, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Mary Kay Ashs original vision continues to shineone lipstick at a time. Learn more at MaryKay.com.

About International Womens Forum (IWF) and the Leadership Foundation

IWF is an invitation-only membership organization of more than 7,000 diverse and accomplished women from 33 nations on six continents. IWF advances womens leadership and champions equality worldwide by connecting accomplished women both globally and locally. Members include Fortune 500 executives, government leaders from the local to sovereign level, international nonprofit leaders, and luminaries from the academy, arts and sciences: http://www.iwforum.org.

About TIMES UP UK

TIMES UP is an organisation that insists on safe, fair and dignified work for women of all kinds. In response to the growing TIMES UP movement in the US, a group of UK-based women: actors, producers, writers and others from the film, TV and theatre industries catalysed a sister initiative in the UK. For maximum impact it is set up under the TIMES UP brand and aims to amplify and reinforce the message already promoted in the US.

The UK movement seeks to build on key elements of the solidarity letter released by TIMES UP and the statement by the activists attending the Globes, which emphasised the need to highlight the connections between the harassment revelations in Hollywood and the wider, systematic nature of harassment and violence against women across all industries, contexts and countries with the recognition that this issue is universal. We seek strength in unity and maximum cooperation. The activist statement also flagged the ways in which the TIMES UP initiative joins an ever-growing collective of organisations, movements and leaders working to end gender-based violence. The UK work stands absolutely in solidarity with existing movements: TIMES UP UK is also now a recently formed charity, and as a charity we can only continue the work with support and donations. We all appreciate that we are experiencing unprecedented challenges but as TIMES UP focusses on safety for all women in the workplace, which now includes the home, we hope you will be able to support us: http://www.timesupuk.org.

About Intimacy on Set

Founded in 2018, Intimacy on Set provides services to TV, film, & theatre when dealing with intimacy, sexual content, and nudity. Its Founder, UKs leading Intimacy Coordinator, Ita OBrien, pioneered the role of the Intimacy Coordinator and since 2014 has been developing best practice Intimacy on Set Guidelines, which have been widely adopted in the industry. Championed by the TIMES UP movement and others, the firm advocates for safe, fair and dignified work for everyone. OBrien has worked on numerous high profile productions including Normal People (BBC3/Hulu), Sex Education 1&2 (Netflix), Gangs of London (Sky Atlantic), The Great (Hulu) and I May Destroy You (BBC/HBO), and has been widely covered in the national and international media as the leading spokesperson in this space: http://www.intimacyonset.com/.

Read the original:

Mary Kay Inc. Advocates for Women's Empowerment, Safe and Dignified Work Environments at International Women's Forum TIME'S UP UK Virtual Event -...

SCHENECTADY Alfredo Smalls cradled his friend Rashad Robinson before he bled to death after being shot outside of a Mont Pleasant bar in 2011.

That was the beginning of his decision to shun the gang lifestyle.

But the trauma remains.

Ultimately, he attended 28 funerals in 36 months.

Im not healed, said Smalls, co-founder of Save our Streets, the Schenectady-based community empowerment group.

As the city convulses under a recent spasm of gun violence five people were shot last weekend, while three have been slain by gunfire in two months a handful of gang members-turned-mentors shared their stories Tuesday in a plea for peace.

Instead of asking for a seat at the table, were creating our own table, said William Rivas, co-founder of Save Our Streets. The event was organized by518 Talks.

Representatives from Nationally Touching Greatness and Band of Brothers also gathered at Jerry Burrell Park on Tuesday evening, just steps away from where someone was injured by gunfire on Schenectady Street last weekend.

Each spoke of the allure of getting pulled into the streets, a key factor being the lack of strong male role models.

Smalls mother moved the family from Brooklyn to Schenectady, where Alfredo had never seen the sheer amount of open space. But it wasnt enough to escape getting sucked into violence.

Phyllis Smalls, his mother, asked what more she could have done.

Honestly, there was nothing you could have done, he said. The absence came from the males.

Ali Walker recounted a similar trajectory. With a single mom working two jobs, four siblings and a father nowhere to be found, he longed for male mentorship.

Sports provided a temporary diversion.

When I looked into those bleachers, I didnt see anyone there for me, Walker said.

By 14, he was making bad decisions.

Shaquan Page said he had poor coping mechanisms, and developed what he referred to as an f-the-world attitude.

I was in accelerated classes, but at the same time, I was the baddest kid in school, he said.

And while he hated drugs growing up because his mother was an addict, Page gravitated towardthe local drug dealer because he had the most money in the neighborhood.

Page was in prison by 16 and served 12 years on robbery and burglary charges.

While there, he engaged down a path of self-improvement.

These kids need people to talk to, Page said.

Panelists didnt make excuses for their actions several served stints in state prison but rather wanted to present an unvarnished portraitof the streets to attendees, including city Police Chief Eric Clifford and City Council members Carmel Patrick and Karen Zaleski-Wildzunas, in order to better inform their policy making.

The people making the decisions dont know this, Rivas said.

The rise in gun violence comes amid a national reckoning on racial discriminationand as the city continues to grapple with the fallout of a violent encounter between a Schenectady police officer and suspect.

Rivas offered the crowd of roughly three dozen attendees a chance to ask questions, but mainly wanted the speakers to share their stories.

Marva Isaacs pointed at the shooting last weekend near her Duane Avenue home and contrasted the rash of gunfire with sustained activism in the Capital Region calling for police reforms following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.

All lives matter, Isaacs said.

Page responded, They need to be reminded Black Lives Matter themselves ... everything starts with self.

Asked whats lacking in the community, Page circled back to the lack of strong role models.

They need a viable, consistent source of morality, he said, calling for more discipline:Physical. Spiritual. Emotional.

The community as a whole needs to be a family,Smalls said.

Each panelist had different reasons for their own personal evolution.

Delvern Cooper, founder of Nationally Touching Greatness, was tired of being incarcerated.

Walker lost his mother, and was unable to be with her when she died.

Smalls said he was about to do something bad, but Rivas gave him a job at the Altamount Program, where he now works as a case manager.

The panel also addressed a group of youngsters, who lined up on picnic tables as the mentors gave them a dose of straight talk.

Be a leader, not a follower, Cooper said.

Rivas said the kids werent much younger than when the speakers had flocked to the gang lifestyle.

You guys are kids and we want you to remain innocent, Rivas said.

Smalls said, I was doing the same things I told you not to do. I shot someone, and I went to jail for that.

Walker, co-founder of the Albany-based Band of Brothers, says youth mentoring would have inevitably steered him down an alternative path.

I was getting in trouble because I had nothing to do, he said. The fun things were the wrong things to do.

Clifford attended the event with five officers and said his primary goal was to listen.

It was very meaningful, Clifford said. We never get to hear stories like this.

While panelists have eschewed the gang lifestyle, several remain gang-affiliated, a measure important to retain credibility with kids, said Smalls, who is affiliated with the Crips.

A lot of young kids only listen to kids in these gangs, Smalls said.

On the origin of gangs: It was always about making sure our community stays intact, he said, and somewhere along the line, we lost that.

Page said gangs need to pivot back and reinforce their original message, and wield their powers for good.

The structure of gangs is to fight against oppression, he said.

Cooper, who is affiliated with Nine Trey, roundly denounced gun violence.

The increase in gun violence is not acceptable in our communities, he said.

Read more:

Mentors appeal to youth in effort to quell violence in Schenectady - The Daily Gazette

AuthorDebbie Macomber's Heartof Texas novels are coming to television, and Shania Twain's along for the ride.

The book series dates back to 1998's "Lonesome Cowboy" and tells the story of siblings Savanah, Grady and Richard Weston as they cope with the death of their parents, keep the family ranch afloat and maneuver their own personal lives.

"Heart of Texas is an exciting project for me to be involved in as I very much relate to the dynamics and the powerful connection of friends and family of a small-town community," Twain said in a statement. "It's a story of love, laughter and true grit, all elements that so strongly influence my song writing."

Twain will be an executive producer for the series, teaming her with production company Reel World Management's Roma Roth and Christopher E. Perry, the duo behind Netflix'sVirgin RiverTVseries.

"Reel World Management is excited to collaborate with Shania Twain and Debbie Macomber, two outstanding female creatives who have successfully built powerhouse brands, to create a series that will resonate emotionally with a global audience while also reinforcing the valuable themes of tolerance, female empowerment, family, community, diversity and endurance," says Roth in a statement.

Read More: Hear Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's New Duet 'Happy Anywhere'

Twain's social media post teases new music from a five-time Grammy award winner and the queen of country pop.

"I'll be able to write about love and loss and hardship and triumph. It's going to run the gamut in that sense," Twain told The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm still getting a feel for the sound and mood of the music. I'll be getting together with an arranger, and that's going to be new for me as well, getting involved with the actual scoring."

Macomber's novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Follow this link:

Shania Twain to Executive Produce, Write Songs for 'Heart of Texas' TV Series - Wide Open Country

For many women, that time of the month can bring about a range of emotions. From cravings to mood swings, women all over have different experiences when getting their monthly visit from dear Aunt Flo. However, for women who suffer from uterine fibroids, especially Black women, it is an entirely different experience.

Although 80% of all women will develop uterine fibroids by the age of 50, Black women experience them at a more alarming and severe rate. When speaking with doctors about symptoms or various treatment methods, Black women are often dismissed or offered hysterectomies as the only option. And with the number of Black women who suffer from fibroids increasing, more and more are taking matters into their own hands by educating themselves, establishing advocacy organizations, finding support within their communities, and restructuring their lifestyles so that this debilitating dilemma can someday be a thing of the past.

Here, four Black women weigh in on fibroids and how they are using their personal experiences to improve the quality of life for others.

Tanika Gray Valbrun, founder of The White Dress Project https://thewhitedressproject.org/

What is The White Dress Project?

We are a nonprofit, patient advocacy organization, and believe that as scientists and government officials, there should be more of an investment in the research of this epidemic. I came up with the name after having my first surgery in 2013. I was going through a lot mentally while recovering, had never had surgery before, and my procedure invasive. So, I was having a tough time. Through all my ups and downs, I realized that I did not have anything white in my closet. And it reminded me of all that I sacrificed. Having to avoid something for so long in my life was a problem.

Then I thought about all the other areas of my life that I sacrificed due to fibroids. It bothered me that one was talking about it and that doctors would make statements saying, If they (the fibroids) arent bothering you, dont bother them. However, when I mentioned it to friends, it was a common thing. It was then that I realized we should support one another. As women, we are experiencing debilitating symptoms and going through them alone. We are making excuses when calling in sick, when, we are laying on our bathroom floors, in a fetal position due to our fibroid symptoms. And I just felt that that should not be so. If it were a male issue, there would be more support and discussion, and I wanted to see that for women, especially Black women. So that was the birth of the White Dress Project.

I was familiar with fibroids because my mother had them. She lost two sets of twins because of them and later had to have a hysterectomy. Hearing my moms stories and knowing what she went through, in addition to other women who maybe did not have a history or whose mothers never talked about it, made me realize how it has been normalized. And I found that to be problematic.

What are some of how your organization supports women?

When I first started, I wanted support for myself and to create a community of women who no longer had to suffer in silence, to show them that they are not alone, and remove the shame surrounding reproductive health issues. In comparison to the research, it was vital that we talked about it. A large part of what we do is to get women to a place where they no longer feel silenced or feel as though they must shun themselves.

Before COVID, we held events where women would come dressed in their white to help women feel pretty and supported and loved. We knew that we were not necessarily comfortable in wearing our white, but we also knew that we were there to support one another. When you have fibroids, you do not feel comfortable wearing white, but we are pushing through that.

We also offer community education through our advisory council of doctors, with one of the signature programs Dialogue with the Doctors. The idea behind it is to have a conversation with a doctor and almost get a free second opinion. We are continually providing resources, education, and access to doctors and healthcare professionals because we know the many areas that fibroids affect us. During COVID, however, we pivoted and provided all our programming virtually.

What many people do not know is that we are singlehandedly the ones who created Fibroid Awareness Month. In 2014, I got legislation through the Georgia House of Representatives to declare July as Fibroid Awareness Month. After passing in Georgia, it was then passed in the US House. So, it really warms my heart to see how it is grown and hear so many people talking about it. All while knowing that we are the ones responsible for it.

LaToya Dwight, BBA, MSM, RHU, CHCC, REBC, Founder of The Fibroid Pandemic info@thefibroidpandemic.com

What led you to create your platform, The Fibroid Pandemic?

I have uterine fibroids and was offered a hysterectomy. At the time, I did not know what fibroids were, and was not given any resources other than being told that there is no proven data as to what caused them. That did not sit well with me and made me do my research. I began doing yoga, qigong, eating for my blood type, and just really taking my womb into my own hands. After deciding that I would have a minimally invasive procedure, I realized that a lot of women do not know where to turn because they are typically given the recommendation of having a hysterectomy. And while there is nothing wrong with having one, statistically, 60% of hysterectomies are not needed. So, the reason I started this platform was to be a resource or solution for women to have somewhere to turn and do their own research.

What can you tell me about the relationship between Black women and fibroids?

It is mainly due to Black women being more overweight than our white counterparts. Not only that, the environment that Black women are exposed to is also a major factor. Historically, within our culture, the foods that we eat used to be the scraps. So, generation after generation, a lot of those eating habits such as dairy, pork, fat, fried food, and sugar have continued and contributed to the development of fibroids. It may be more common to see white women in the gym, running outdoors, and being active, but it did not necessarily become common in Black communities until 10-20 years ago. Because of that reason, Black women tend to be more obese.

Also, due to our environments, Black women tend to carry more stress. Whether it is on our jobs, in our relationships, or our households. Many of our Black men are absent from the households, and Black women are left to raise the children on their own. So those components contribute to the development of fibroids in Black women more than our white counterparts.

We tend to suffer longer because we do not always have the support or know where to begin. A lot of times, we do not even know what is going on in our bodies. There are a lot of women who have very heavy menstrual and feel that it is normal when it is not.

With all those factors combined, that is why Black women suffer three times more likely than white women.

What are some different holistic methods that Black women can do to improve their symptoms or shrink their fibroids?

There are several ways that a woman can naturally shrink their fibroids, but it takes time, and consistency is key. One thing women can do is remove dairy from their diets. Also removing any external stressors. Stress plays a big role in fibroid development. But really incorporating organic produce and changing the way you prepare your foods.

Switching cosmetic products is key, as well. More so, the feminine hygiene products. I sell the Cherish brand, sanitary napkins. The more commercial-grade products that you see in the stores are made with so many chemicals that are, in fact, poisonous to our wombs and feeding a slow death to the uterus. What happens is, they go through a seven to the eight-stage bleaching process, and the companies do not tell you all the chemicals they are using. So, you have young girls who start using these products during teen and pre-teen years, and by the time they get to their early 20s, these products have fed poison into their uterus. And it is no wonder we have someone who at 25 years old is receiving a recommendation for a hysterectomy.

So, when taking all of this into consideration, these are ways to shrink or minimize fibroids. But again, the key is consistency.

Phyllis Frempong, RN, Fitness Coach, The Fibroid Queen https://www.instagram.com/fibroidqueen/

What would you say is the link between Black women and fibroids?

I would say that we are more at risk based on awareness, research, and empowerment. Starting with awareness, Black women are last when learning the information needed to maximize our options. In the medical system, it has been this way for a long time. It has been set up for us to be at a disadvantage; therefore, we are required to educate and empower ourselves to stay abreast of what is going on.

With doctors and nurses, there can be a lot of cultural incompetence. And for me, being a Black woman, I can talk from both a patient and nurses perspective that Black women are completely unaware when it comes to knowing their bodies or how to communicate what is going on. I have been in situations where I was immediately judged by the color of my skin and pigeonholed into a decision that a doctor thought was best for me. So, I encourage Black women to be aware of not only fibroids but what is going on in their bodies.

The second thing is having a recollection of what you can do and being aware of your decisions. With fibroids, we have gone from hysterectomies being the only option to having more and knowing how they can impact your quality of life.

When looking at fibroids, they are caused by a hormonal imbalance which is driven by different factors. From having a sedentary lifestyle, emotional disease, diet, and environment. All of that has an effect on the liver and hormones that are regulating in your body. So, removing the actual fibroid or the uterus itself does not get to the root of the cause. Empowering Black women to know that their bodies are stronger than they think and that if they can give it what it needs, can really improve the power of our bodies. And that is what I had to do with my journey.

I have been able to educate and empower women through different holistic resources to help them get symptom relief and not look at surgery as their only option.

Being that you are a nurse, what are some things that Black women should look out for?

There are four main triggers which include bloating, anemia, heavy cycles, and painful cramps. For the most part, we are made to think that those things are normal and a part of being a woman. Also, the myth that Black women have a high tolerance for pain. Knowing that you have to communicate what is going on with because doctors will take that information with a grain of salt. The standard is when experiencing those four main triggers, to request an ultrasound because the physical assessment is not enough.

Another thing is being aware of your vitamin D levels. They say that vitamin D is almost a prevention for fibroids. When it comes to Black women and our skin, vitamin D is harder to absorb due to our melanin. So, in your labs, make sure that your vitamin D is where it needs to be.

Also, your hemoglobin and iron levels are key indicators of heavy cycles. They tell you how much oxygen and blood are running through your body, and if it is low then something is wrong. So, you want to be sure to check for that as well.

So, what has been your personal experience with fibroids?

I grew up in an African household, so talking about medical issues was not encouraged. I remember my mom coming home really drained and tired, and asking her what happened. After initially dismissing me, she later said that her doctor informed her that she would need to get her uterus taken out. I asked why and she said that was fibroids.

I did not quite know what fibroids were, I just remembered the name. So, years later, while in nursing school, I asked the doctor for an ultrasound and was questioned. When in a situation like this, always go with your instincts. Something told me to request it, and after finding a quarter-sized fibroid on my uterus, I was told to just monitor it.

Now there is nothing wrong with the wait and watch approach, but you need some strategies to prevent the fibroids from thriving. There is something that you are doing that made them appear. When being told to monitor it, I feel that it is a set up because you need some information on what to do to prevent an increase in symptoms and having to request something extreme.

After later being told that my fibroids increased in number and size, I went into a depression and felt like my body failed me. Being a coach, I have always been healthy, but after taking care of others and lacking in my own self-care, my body suffered. After feeling low, I empowered myself and turned my home into a lab. I used what I learned as a nurse and fitness coach and created a lifestyle regiment to not only reduce my symptoms but shrink my fibroids. I realized that if I could do that, then I could help others.

So now, my mission is to help millions of women end their suffering with holistic resources and a community of like-minded women to live their lives beyond fibroids.

Dr. Soyini Hawkins, MD, MPH, FACOG http://fibroidandpelvicwellness.com/

What has been your experience with treating fibroids?

I am a minimally invasive gynecological surgeon and my practice primarily focuses on gynecological surgery, all ailments of women who may need surgical intervention, and the top one in my community is fibroids. Getting into that niche of fibroid surgery has become a passion of mine starting from a personal place. I had fibroids and underwent an intense surgery. Since then, I have had two children, and now in my own practice, I decided to go into this. So, managing fibroids naturopathically is just as important to me as surgery.

Aside from most talked about fibroid symptoms, what are some additional warning signs that Black women should look out for?

Unbeknownst to many, fibroid symptoms can be associated with things that we think are normal.

And while heavy menstrual bleeding is most talked about symptom, fibroids can cause back pain, frequent urination, discharge, recurring infections, pain with activities, and constipation. So, the things that we think are a result something else, could in fact be fibroids.

Do you know why Black women experience fibroids at a higher rate than our white counterparts?

The thing about fibroids is that they do not discriminate. However, Black women are two to three times more likely to experience not only fibroids but symptomatic fibroids than white women. Eighty percent of Black women will develop fibroids during their childbearing years compared to 70% of white women. The reason why is still unknown, and I do feel that fibroids are understudied and under-researched. We know that there is a hereditary component and that there are things that are a part of our diet as well as our cosmetic products and melanin. But fibroids are very multi-factorial, so from one person to the next, we do not understand exactly what makes them grow or re-grow.

Do you feel that Black women are ignored when we discussing our symptoms with our doctors?

Yes, and that is a part of the problem. Therefore, there are movements focused on educating and advocating and empowering women to understand their bodies as well as options for treatment. What has happened, especially with Black women is that if we have a bad experience with the doctor, we get dismissed. It then becomes a thing of guilt or that we put it away, or we feel like no one is going to help us. Then when we do find a doctor that is willing to help, Black women are only offered hysterectomies, when a lot of times, they are asking for something minimally invasive.

What are some things that Black women should keep in mind when advocating for themselves?

Do not be afraid of getting a second opinion or finding someone who is going to listen. Also, understand that what you hear, may not always be what you want to hear, but a good doctor is going to help you understand your options. The understanding is what helps us, especially Black women, to embrace that and feel like we are a part of our health care team. It also helps to relieve some of the mental anguish that comes along with it.

Contributing Writer, Racquel Coral is a lifestyle writer based in Chicago. Find her on social media @withloveracquel.

The rest is here:

Fibroids and the Black Womb: Four Women and Their Mission to Heal Others From Uterine Fibroids - Chicago Defender

The teenage years are a transformative time in every persons life. Despite the typical struggles faced by teenagers, these years are meant to be a period full of exploration and growth. Traditionally, its a time when they begin to form the passions and ideas that will shape them throughout their personal and professional lives.

In the year 2020, however, mental health is getting in the way. The majority of teens 62 percent said that their anxiety now keeps them from being the person they want to be, according to a new survey funded by the Allstate Foundation.

Teenagers are paying attention to the world around them. Theyve experienced, either first-hand or on the news, the struggles the United States is facing, most notably, in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic and current race relations. As a result, many are overwhelmed with feelings of fear and uncertainty.

Overall, 73 percent of the 1,000 teens surveyed said that they feel more worried about the future now than they did six months ago. And whether their school will be administered in person or online, teens are uncertain, nervous and stressed about returning.

Teens are paying attention. They are speaking clearly about their needs, and we must answer their call, Stacy Sharpe, senior vice president at Allstate, said in a news release.

So, in these trying, uncertain times, the Allstate Foundation highlights the importance of social and emotional learning.

More than two decades of research shows that SEL, or social and emotional learning, helps young people build important life skills like empathy, stress-management and resilience so that they can thrive in an ever-changing world, according to the brief summarizing the survey.

Working with its nonprofit and company partners, the foundation has compiled a list of free resources to help teenagers develop the life skills to handle anything that is thrown their way.

One free resource available is the Inner Explorer family app, a free mindfulness and mediation app that can teach teenagers and their family members to curb their anxieties, stressors and fears by living in the moment.

And for teens and parents who are anxious and confused about the state of race relations in the country, the foundation suggests they check out the resources provided by its partner The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), which recently hosted a webinar Owning Your Power To Raise Kids Who Challenge Racism and provided a summary sheet with tips that can help individuals increase their understanding of race and racism in the United States.

To help teens explore and reflect on their emotions, the foundation points to a resource guide to journaling during the coronavirus pandemic, which is something that less than half of the teens surveyed said they currently do. While the guide was created by the foundations partner Facing History and Ourselves as a tool for educators, it can also serve a resource for parents to encourage journaling at home, according to the foundation.

Independently, the foundation has also created a guide to help parents instill skills like resilience and empathy in their teenage children.

As a long-time champion of youth empowerment, we know skills such as empathy, stress-management and resilience are critical to young peoples success in life, Sharpe said in the release. Thats why we partner with leading nonprofits to give families access to important social and emotional learning resources to prepare our youth and the adults who support them for the future.

News & Content Manager

Jackson Schroeder is a graduate of Ohio University with a B.A. in Journalism from the E.W. Scripps School. He is originally from Savannah, Georgia. Jackson has covered a wide range of topics, including sustainability, technology, sports, culture, travel, and music. He plays bass and guitar, and enjoys playing and listening to live music in his free time.

Read the rest here:

Helping Teens Overcome Heightened Anxiety - The University Network

On Tuesday, 155 civil rights organizationsfrom Feminist Majority Foundation to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rightscalled onmembers ofCongress to swiftly pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4), recently reintroduced as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

The letter also urged swift passage of the HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), which contains essential funding for states to hold safe elections during the pandemic.

Dear Member of Congress:

The death of Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights giant, has had a profound impact on people around the world. Public officials both national and international have offered moving words of praise and admiration in honor of the remarkable life and legacy of Mr. Lewis. There is no greater way to pay tribute to Mr. Lewis than by turning those laudatory words into action.

It is in this spirit that The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the 154 undersigned organizations write to urge you to honor the life and legacy of the late Representative John Lewis by passing federal legislation to safeguard the fundamental right to vote. Mr. Lewis helped lead the historic 1965 march for voting rights in Selma, Alabamasustaining a cracked skull at the hands of state troopersand he spent the next half century at the helm of the nations fight for voting rights and equality. Mr. Lewis was a civil rights icon, an American hero, and the conscience of the Congress.

There would be no truer tribute to Representative Lewis than for the Senate to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA)recently reintroduced as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Actand the election provisions of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act.

Enacting these critical legislative measures would protect the integrity of the November election and counter the disenfranchisement of communities of color that the nation has sadly witnessed in the aftermath of the Supreme Courts infamous Shelby County v. Holder opinion in 2013. That decision gutted the preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which required states and jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain federal approval before making changes to their voting laws and elections.

In one of his last public statementson June 25, 2020, the seventh anniversary of the Shelby County decisionRepresentative Lewis observed:

In our country, the right to vote is preciousalmost sacred. Countless people marched and protested for this right. Some gave a little blood, and far too many lost their lives. Around the globe, generations of U.S. officials boasted of this legacy and progress. Today, the world is horrified in watching Americansespecially people of coloronce again stand in immovable lines and experience undeniable, targeted, systematic barriers to democracy. The record is clear. A rampant war is being waged against minorities voting rights in my home state of Georgia and across the nation.

In the days since his passing, public officials from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Representative Lewis, a reflection of the universal respect and admiration he commanded during his life of public service and sacrifice. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called John Lewis a monumental figure who made huge personal sacrifices to help our nation move past the sin of racism.

But he said nothing about restoring the Voting Rights Act or taking actions to honor John Lewis. The true measure of people are their deeds, not their words. If Senate leadership truly wishes to pay tribute to Representative Lewis, they will restore the Voting Rights Act by passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act. This crucial bill would correct the Supreme Courts shameful Shelby County v. Holder ruling, create a new Section 5 coverage formula based on recent evidence of discrimination, and help safeguard the right to vote for communities of color across thenation.

Representative Lewis was a fierce advocate of the Voting Rights Advancement Act, and he held the gavel as the House of Representatives passed it over seven months ago, on December 6, 2019. RepresentativeLewis often called the right to vote the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in our democratic society, and he said the VRAA was necessary because the country was in an ongoing struggle to redeem the soul of America, and were not there yet.

To honor the legacy of John Lewis, the Senate must promptly conduct hearings on the Voting Rights Advancement Act and build an appropriate evidentiary record to buttress this legislation, and then bring it up for a vote. The House has done its partconducting extensive hearings last year and amassing significant evidence of ongoing voter discrimination in Americaand now it is time for the Senate to follow suit.

In addition, the Senate must honor the memory of John Lewis by passing the election provisions of the HEROES Act. This legislation would provide necessary funding of $3.6 billion to states for election assistance as well as vital voting rights reforms that were based on Representative Lewiss Voter Empowerment Act such as no-excuse absentee ballots, at least 15 days of in-person early voting, accessible online and same-day voter registration, and equal access for voters with disabilitiesthat are essential to help this nation safeguard the November 2020 election. Once again, the House has done its partpassing the HEROES Act over two months agoand now the Senate must act.

Congress is poised to pass another COVID-19 relief package in the coming weeks, and the package must include robust election assistance and voting reforms for states so that the November general election does not become a large-scale replication of what we witnessed during the primary process. In too many states during the primary season, long lines, poll closures, poll worker shortages and insufficient training,inaccessible polling places and broken machines, and surges in absentee ballot requests that went unfulfilled left many votersparticularly voters of color and voters with disabilitiesunable to safely exercise their fundamental right to vote. It is simply unacceptable to force voters to choose between their fundamental right to vote and their personal health and safety.

John Lewiss home state of Georgia was ground zero for democracy dysfunction during this years primaries. During the Georgia primary in June, some voters of color had to wait in lines of up to seven hours in inclement weather in order to cast their ballot as a result of such problems as polling place closures, voters not receiving absentee ballots on time, the need to clean and sanitize voting machines, insufficient numbers of and malfunctioning machines, and inadequate training of poll workers.

This is nothing short of modern-day voter suppression. The problems in Georgia were exacerbated by the fact thatafter Shelby County v. Holderstates with proven records of discriminatory voting practices, likeGeorgia, no longer had to obtain federal approval before making election changes.

John Lewis was never satisfied with an America that did not keep faith with its promises. He refused to accept a country that did not live up to its highest moral values. And he rejected the idea that Americacould not be betterparticularly toward those so often left behind in our society. His life was a living vigil for what it means to remain a foot soldier in the march for equality. Whether in the area of votingrights or systemic racism, or anywhere in which injustice remains, we honor his legacy by continuing his fight for a democracy that works for all of us.

See more here:

Civil Rights Groups Urge Congressional Action on Voting Rights"in Honor of the Remarkable Legacy of John Lewis" - Ms. Magazine

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) announced today the launch of OFFLINE by Aerie, a new sub-brand offering a complete collection of activewear and accessories built for REAL movement and REAL comfort. Leveraging AEOs continued success cultivating lifestyle brands, paired with Aeries incredible strength and growing customer demand, OFFLINE is the evolution and expansion of the brands popular Chill.Play.Move. collection into an unparalleled offering of soft, cozy and comfortable activewear. Uniquely designed for the Aerie girls slam dunks, slipups, the hell yeas, the ughs, the 5ks and the recovery days.

Health and wellness have always been at the core of Aeries mission as weve led the body positivity movement, inspiring and empowering women around the world to feel confident inside and out. OFFLINEs unique take on active lifestyle products celebrates REAL life when some days you feel like you can take on the world and other days you need that extra push to get off the couch, said Jennifer Foyle, Aerie Global Brand President. Building on the growing success of our leggings and activewear, OFFLINE provides another powerful platform to grow our community, while uniquely complementing Aeries full lifestyle collection of bras, undies, lounge and soft apparel. Were here for your journey as you fly and as you fall, and even the slant of the I in our name is a reminder that there is no straight path to the finish line.

OFFLINE by Aerie will be available online at aerie.com with two retail store locations planned to open by the end of 2020.

The OFFLINE collection features an activewear assortment of leggings, bike shorts, tops, sports bras, fleece, bottoms and accessories. Signature products include:

The sub-brand also continues Aeries commitment to responsibly sourced styles, which are reflected through the REAL Good badge, an icon that identifies products made from more sustainable raw materials including recycled fabrics. It also designates products manufactured in a factory that meets expectations for AEOs Water Leadership Program, an initiative that focuses on water reduction and water recycling, in keeping with the companys ongoing commitment to sustainability.

About Aerie

Aerie is a lifestyle brand offering intimates, apparel, activewear and swim collections. With the #AerieREAL movement, Aerie celebrates its community by advocating for body positivity and the empowerment of all women. Aerie believes in inspiring customers to love their real selves, inside and out. Retouching-free since 2014. Visit http://www.aerie.com to learn more. Let the Real You Shine.

About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle and Aerie brands. Our purpose is to show the world that theres REAL power in the optimism of youth. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 25 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.aeo-inc.com.

Visit link:

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. Introduces OFFLINE by Aerie, a Fresh Take on Activewear Designed for Real Life - Business Wire