Vigilant Silver Fox

"The equal opportunity to learn, taken for granted by most young women today, owes much to Title IX of the Education Codes of the Higher Education Act  legislation, passed in 1972 and enacted in 1977, prohibited gender discrimination by federally funded institutions.  It has become the primary tool for women's fuller participation in all aspects of education from scholarships, to facilities, to classes formerly closed to women.  Indeed, it transformed the educational landscape of the United States within the span of a generation." Evidence of this transformation was made clear to me while I was getting my nails done.  I was explaining to my nail technician that I  trying to formulate  ideas for my blog about Title IX and what it meant for women.  I explained that the law was enacted in 1977.  (Even a 20 something can wrap her or his head around that number.  Twenty-five years wasn't so long ago).  I went on to

February is National Black History Month.  If you live in the Intermountain West like I do, you could live for twenty years and never become of aware of the that fact.  There is little fanfare.  I failed to see any exhibits reminding us of the contributions that African Americans made to out history.  Diversity is hard to see in the West.   I lived and worked in some of the most racially torn areas of the Midwest.  I remember the riots, sit-ins, the bombings, the brutal beatings, the water cannons, the name calling of small children who only wanted an equal education.  We need to take a breath and remember were we come from because we haven't gone too far.  This year’s theme “Black   Women in American Culture and History” honors African American women and the myriad of roles they played in the shaping of our nation.  The theme, chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History urges all Americans to study and reflect

Yes!  You read the title correctly.  During the month of February midst the diamond, candy, perfume, and flower commercials romanticizing that you need someone to bring you gifts to fill your life, place your hand on your heart and say " How do I Love Me?"       Like all things that begin with simple honest feelings Valentine's Day has evolved into a day that causes many to feel like outsiders if they don't have a partner, a love interest, someone to bring them a Valentine.  HOLD on here readers!  St. Valentine believed in love.  You can't love someone else, if you don't love yourself first.  That is why I am a proponent of celebrating Valentine's Week.  An entire week dedicated to reminding me how much I appreciate me.  This isn't an egotistical statement.  This is a survival technique.  Taking care of one's self only steels you to love and care about others. Plan a week of sweetness, pampering, pondering, recalibrating, soaking, or

The bottom line is that brushing your teeth at least twice daily, flossing once daily, and seeing your dentist at least twice every year for regular cleanings and oral exams—the American Dental Association’s basic recommendations for staving off periodontal disease—might also be a heart-healthy strategies . (" Healthy Teeth, Healthy Heart?",  Healthy Living , June 20, 2007.)      Read the quote again...chew on it for a bit. How many of you follow the American Dental Association's basic recommendations for preventing periodontal disease? Some of you may say that you are too young to worry about it. Others my simply say that it is too late for you because you have dentures, and some of you may say that you rigorously follow these dental recommendations. Then there are some of you who say, "Hey! I can do some of this, but seeing a dentist is hard. I don't have a dental plan. Dentist are like blood suckers. They want their money right up front. Dental heal

 My red dress was my outfit of choice today.  I was ready to make my statement for the American Heart Associates "Wear Red for Women's Health. The day started with escorting my husband to the oral surgeon. We walked in and everyone stared at me. Is it the red dress or the fact that at 7 a.m. that brought on the stares?   "Happy Women's Heart Health Day!" I promptly said to the receptionist. "I see you also wore red today." After a few seconds she smiled and said, "What day is it?" After his surgery it was a short trip to our dentist for a fitting for a temporary cap. "Wow, look at that red dress!" he responded. "How come you don't have red on for the women in your life?" I chided. "Are you giving out red toothbrushes today?" ( My dentist also is a friend for those of you who may wonder why the discussion is so familiar.) We dropped the prescriptions off at the grocery store. Heads turned as we shopped

January 24, 2012, I was walking in the door, my land line was ringing. The ring tone indicated a family member. I rushed to get the call. It was my sister-in-law, Martha. She asked, "Did you know that Rose's daughter was having surgery today?" I promptly filled her in on all the details that I knew. She then said, "Anna is gone." My chest was ripped apart as I yelled, "WHAT!  How can this be? I just talked to Rose and Anna on Friday?" "I don't know the details," she responded softly, "your brother got the call and I thought you should know." Tears poured as I asked, "Who is with Rose?" "I don't know?" Martha replied. "How do you wrap your head around losing your child?" This has been the shock that is reverberating throughout my family. Sisters, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, all communicating and discussing this horrible news. This news that rendered the family in emotional p