Self-esteem Saturday is dedicated to Women’s History Month!

Hi everyone.  For this week’s Self-esteem Saturday, I thought it made sense to talk about Women’s History Month.  This is a month that highlights women and their contributions to family, politics, literature, all the forms of art, science, math, psychology, technology, and so much more.

Before we had Women’s History Month, the recognition of women was limited to International Women’s Day (March 8th) and in the U.S., Women’s History Week in Santa Rosa, California.  As the movement spread across the country, there was a call for national recognition.  In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th, 1980 as National Women’s History Week. This continued until March 1987 when Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month.  Since 1995, each president has issued this annual proclamation. 

The majority of the text in this blog comes from (https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month).  There are too many amazing resources to share here, but I encourage you to check out their events, videos, social media cards, find activities for children, to name a few.

This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias!

Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women's equality.

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.
We can break the bias in our communities.
We can break the bias in our workplaces.
We can break the bias in our schools, colleges and universities.
Together, we can all break the bias - on International Women's Day (IWD) and beyond.
Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough, action is needed to level the playing field.
Are you in? Will you actively call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping each time you see it?
Will you help break the bias?

Cross your arms to show your solidarity!

Strike the IWD 2022 pose and share your #BreakTheBias image, video, resources, presentation or articles on social media using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias to encourage further people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.

                        Credit to https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme

Thursday Thoughts on Mental Illness

Shares the first Awareness event RSC will participate in

Hopefully, you read my blog post from February 17th (https://rscil.com/thursday-thoughts-on-mental-illness/), where I announced practice goals for RSC. This year, I will be participating in more national and international events for 2022.

The NEDA Walk is the first event I have committed to.

Did you know that 30 million Americans struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their lives? And, despite their prevalence, eating disorders receive significantly less funding than other major mental illnesses, and support options are often inaccessible!

As a result, too many people are left feeling helpless, hopeless, and frightened.

This is why I’m participating in the NEDA Walk on April 23rd to benefit the National Eating Disorders Association.

As the leading U.S. nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders, NEDA serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care. Learn more about NEDA’s mission and work at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Thank you so much for your support!

What am I celebrating on the 4th of July?

and a caution about fireworks

Here in Illinois, we have reached Stage 4 in the Restore Illinois plan.  People feel free, rather than imprisoned and there is a level of excitement that has not existed for months. I can feel a buzz in the air as folks make plans reconnect with friends and family.

Yet, I’m wondering if this excitement means we have lost touch with the original meaning of the 4th of July.

We fought to have a voice. We fought for independence. And we fought for equality

How many of us remember the aspirations outlined in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence? 

We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

I am particularly struck by the statement “all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator.”

I can’t help but think that our collective creator, whomever or whatever that may be to you, meant “men” to be an all-inclusive word. Yet, we know our country was also founded by and through oppression.

I, like many of you, experience dissonance when I think about our values compared to our history, our legacy.

All people hold value and are valuable. We are, at the core, the same. We all strive for connection.  It gives meaning to our lives and helps us find our place.  Doesn’t that mean we’re equal? Doesn’t this mean we deserve opportunities on an equal basis?

The fact that some continue to answer “no” means we must keep working and evolving individually and collectively. We need to continue to honor and fight for that freedom and equality. Fight the shame that comes with racism (and all the “isms”).

Become an agent of change for equality.

Over the weekend I am going to be that agent by reading White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. I also commit to being an agent for change by watching movies and documentaries that shed light on issues of oppression.

By diving into my discomfort, and holding myself accountable for my racist thoughts and actions, I hope to open that door for you. I invite you to join me on this journey of self-reflection and change.

How will you be an agent of change?

What risks are you willing to take?

Before I go, I do feel it is important to remind everyone to be aware of our soldiers this 4th of July weekend.  While many typically enjoy amazing fireworks shows and some partake in personal fireworks, please remember the sounds of fireworks is often very triggering for our soldiers.  Please be considerate of our heroes, who fight for our independence, and re-think using fireworks.  Thank you!