In today's Palladium-Item, Michelle Manchir has a letter about TV star Danica McKellar's efforts to teach girls that pursuing a strong education can be just as worthwhile as other goals typically set out for women. But as Manchir writes, "McKellar's emphasis on girls' appearance trivializes her promotion of academic ambitions and contributing to society in a meaningful way. In fact, she underwrites culture's obsession with female beauty, which is ultimately limiting and unfortunate for women." Further highlight:

I think it's foolish to hope for the day that women's hard work is not trivialized, even just a little, with their ever- sexualized role in popular culture. I do hope, however, that more women, and especially girls, learn to be more media literate and understand that what they see and hear about their appearance everyday on TV and on Web sites is not something they have to achieve to be worthwhile.

You can read the full editorial.

From WayNet.org: "The Earlham College Women’s Chorus’ annual Genesis Benefit Concert not only celebrates women, but also helps support the local YWCA’s abused women’s shelter. A tradition for over a decade, the evening is full of energy, excitement and fun with featured performances by students, faculty, and community members in a variety concert, including singing, dancing, juggling, and much more."

Comstock Room, Runyan Center, Earlham College. Admission: $5 donation suggested at the door. For more information, call (765)983-1410.

The Sixth Annual Midwest Women in Agriculture Conference will be happening at Conner Prairie in Fishers, IN in February 2007, hosted by the Wayne County Education Fund. The event will include sessions on marketing, business plans, creating business relationships, using government programs, healthy eating, merchandising, using the web, and many other topics. Early registration fees start at only $75. For more information or to register, visit the conference website.

The Muncie Star Press is reporting that several women from the area, including one from Richmond, are leading the charge in opposition to Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

Six CAFO opponents from around the state met with Andy Miller, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, at his Indianapolis office last month. Four of the six were women, which is not surprising to anyone who has followed the CAFO counter-movement in Indiana. Most of the leaders are women.  continue reading »