How Do You Feel About The New Universal Health Care Law?

By now you know that the new Health Care Law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. There has been so much tension and debate on both sides of this issue, and now conspiracy theories are beginning to be reported in the media about why Chief Justice John Roberts, who it seems was the deciding vote, may have voted the way he did.  But, the real question is, how will this law affect you and the average American?  If you want to get a quick (cliff notes) summary of the law,visit the Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA Facebook page and see yesterday's (6/28) posting. To get news directly from the horse's mouth, go to the White House's Blog. If you want to read the Court's entire decision, click here.

Here's my take: Seniors seem to be already benefiting from the law's prescription drug provision and covered wellness visits including mammograms, colonoscopies, and other preventive health screenings. Tiffany Lindquist, AARP Maryland Associate State Director, stated that “overall, AARP believes the new health care law vastly improves health care for older Americans”. College students should be happy because they are allowed to stay on their parents/guardians' policy until age 26. Also women will not be charged a premium because they require different health services than the services provided to men. Lastly, but not least, insurance companies can not refuse to cover you because you have a pre-existing condition. Carefirst (one of our sponsors) said in a statement that they were extremely pleased that the Court decided in favor of the Act. They also said that they "have implemented all provisions required in the law and now look forward to implementing the full extent of the law".

YOUR TURN: So what's you're opinion? Have you or do you know someone who has been positively or negatively impacted by the new Health Care Law? Leave a comment here or post a message on our Facebook page here. You can also email info@womenatliberty.com

Crowns For Mother's Days 2012

Here's a photo from Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA's Crowns (Hats) For Mother's Day 2012. It's not too late to add your photo.

Can you help us decide who had the most beautiful hat? To view the rest of the photos, go to: Crowns For Mother's Day 2012, and "LIKE" the picture of the most beautiful hat.  Also feel free to leave a comment under the photo.  The winner will receive a special gift from Waterford Crystal. Thanks in advance for your support!

Happy Mother's Day 2012

Happy Mother's Day to all moms & those who have played this role in someone's life! Unconditional love is priceless... 

**Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA is sponsoring "Crowns For Mother's Day"! We would love to see you in a "Crown" (Hat). Take a picture by yourself, or with family and friends and share it with us! One of those posting a picture will be selected to win a special gift from Waterford. http://ow.ly/aLIDZ

The Positive Use of Power...Katharine Jefferts Schori

"Power, as human beings exercise power, to me means the ability to change: the ability to change oneself, the ability to change one's community. And the positive use of power is transformation of self and community toward a higher ideal, toward a healed world."

--Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is featured. She is the first woman to be elected as the chief bishop or the highest leader of the Anglican Church in U.S. She was elected in 2006.

Bishop Jefferts Schori is responsible for initiating and developing policy for the Episcopal Church and speaks on behalf of the church regarding the policies, strategies, and programs of the church. Before her calling to the priesthood and subsequent ordination in 1994, she was an oceanographer. She has a B.S. in biology from Stanford University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in oceanography from Oregon State University, an M.Div. from Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

In today's video, Bishop Jefferts Schori talks about managing change within her church denomination, how she dealt with discrimination within the church, and the positive use of power. To view the Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Leadership Tuesdays: The Power of Acknowledgment...Kimberly Dillon

http://www.houseofmikko.com

"...Always acknowledge people. Really understand what their story is. And it doesn't matter who they are. Simply saying hello, and how are they doing and really knowing what's going on in people's lives is powerful."

--Kimberly Dillon, Founder of the House of Mikko

Twice a month on Tuesdays, WOMEN AT LIBERTY provides a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage, and strengthen women leaders. This week, we are featuring Kimberly Dillon. She is an entrepreneur and the founder of the House of Mikko, a company that matches women who have similar characteristics and allows them to provides hair and beauty recommendations to each other. She founded the company to address the challenges that women, specifically women of color, face in finding the "right " beauty products that work for them. Although her company is less than a year old, she has been featured in TechCrunch and ReadWriteWeb, named by Huffington Post as one of 25 Female Tech Founders to watch, and is a member of Women 2.0. Kimberly has two undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from University of Michigan.

In this TEDxwomen video, Kimberly talks about the power of acknowledgment in our personal lives and in business. To view the Leadership Tuesdays' feature, click here. For more information on Leadership Tuesdays, see here.

Three Passionate Young Women Making History In Washington, D.C.

Maliaka Mealy, Heather Rasberry, and Megan Goffney

Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA salutes three young women from the Washington, D.C. area who took their passion regarding the shooting death of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin ( Sanford, Florida) and channeled it into a well-attended rally on Saturday March 24th in Downtown Washington. Heather Rasberry, Megan Goffney, Maliaka Mealy along with their friend from Florida, Yolanda Carr, organized the "DC Trayvon Rally" via social media in only four days. Thousands including national and local civil rights leaders, church and student leaders, as well as the local, national and international media showed up on a rainy day at Freedom Plaza in front of the John Wilson Building to show their support for the family of Trayvon Martin and concerned for the justice process related to Martin's death.

Women History Makers-DC, MD & VA recognizes the tremendous ingenuity and social media savvy demonstrated by these women.  They not only moved themselves into meaningful action, but they also engaged an entire metropolitan area in activism about the unfortunate and tragic death of Trayvon Martin and the social ills plaguing the urban communities of the Washington, D.C. area. Kudos to Heather, Maliaka, and Meagan, and a SHOUT OUT to Rev. Tony Lee (Community of Hope A.M.E. Church) and all those who supported these women!!  

For more info on this story, check: Trayvon Martin - Washington, DC Rally For Justice on Facebook and "DCTrayvonRally" on Twitter.

Stay connected to WOMEN AT LIBERTY and Women History Makers-DC, MD, & VA by “LIKING” us on Facebook and/or following on Twitter: @womenatliberty. 

Resources for those blazing trails, breaking glass and making history!

3/29 Book Chat: "The 5 Levels of Leadership" by John Maxwell

Next Chat: Thursday, March 29, 12:30 - 1:15 pm
                (218) 632-0550, Code: 647933#

ASSIGNMENT:  Below is a few quotes from our previous reading in The 5 Levels of Leadership. For our call this week, please pick a quote from below and discuss whether you agree or disagree.  Also please discuss one or two leadership observations related to the quote from your experience.

*If you have not had the opportunity to complete all of the readings, don't worry we will review some the key points. We want to discuss some of your experiences as it relates to a few of the key principles in John Maxwell's book.

I looking forward to your input and participation!!
_______________________________________________________________

• As a new leader, you must use the authority you are given wisely, to advance the team and help the people you lead. (Pg. 43)

• The easiest way to define leadership is by position. However, position and titles are very misleading. A [leadership] position always promises more than it can deliver. (pg. 50)

• Good leadership is about walking beside people and helping them to climb up the hill with you. (Pg. 56)

• Leadership is an opportunity to serve. (Pg. 87)

• Good leaders have an orientation toward results. (Pg. 164)

• If you invest in people, they will never be the same again.  And neither will you. It is impossible to help others without helping yourself. (Pg.174)