My Meeting with WuDunn and Kristof

I was nervous walking into the restaurant, knowing that I was about to meet with the most cultured scholars in the country. Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn ran in the door about ten minutes late hand in hand. I can see not only the love between the spouses but the respect as well. I stand up and firmly shake both of their hands- not knowing which partner "wears the pants" in the relationship.

Before I can even ask them a question about their book, Kristof and WuDunn thank me for showing interest in this monumental issue.  They go on to explain that this is the largest humanitarian rift of our time and that I should be proud to want to make a difference. When asking Nicholas Kristof what made him hop on board with the novel (being a man and all) he responds by saying, "I would never forgive myself if I didn't join my wife in helping bring awareness." With a twinkle in her eye, WuDunn responded,"you don't have to be a woman to connect with this population, you just have to have a heart."

I must admit that I am very intimidated speaking with the couple- having both been Pulitzer Prize winners- but they are more than willing to talk to me. It seems as though they are trying to teach me. After hearing what feels like fifteen stories of different oppressed women, the waitress brings the check. I thank the couple again and twiddle my fingers debating my first step in making a contribution.

Online Dating - Wray Herbert

Since Valentine's Day just passed, I loved reading Wray Herbert's blog titled "Likes Long Walks in the Woods on Autumn Days." The post talks about the validity of online dating. Can math and science really be used to find us life partners? "Five psychological scientists at five universities spent a year distilling and analyzing more than 400 scientific studies related to dating and romance and marriage, to determine what traits are measurable and valuable in successful matchmaking. " Romantic right? Not so much. If two people have similar character traits or life goals, this doesn't guarantee lifelong happiness. Two people must act with each other in a successful way in order to have any sustainable relationship. Love is something that we will never be able to find a definition for, regardless of how hard we try. 

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/were-only-human/likes-long-walks-in-the-woods-on-autumn-days.html

Half the Sky Introduction Paragraph - Before Revisions

Catherine Glass

            In their book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, couple Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn write, “More girls were killed in the last 50 years, precisely because they were girls, than men killed in all the wars in the 20th century. More girls are killed in this routine gendercide in any one decade than people were slaughtered in all the genocides of the 20th century.” This loaded statement has brought a lot of attention to the oppression of women and the book has started a movement of change. Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn won the Pulitzer Prize in 1989 for writing about the protests of Tiananmen Square. Both are public intellectuals who write about economic and social issues. Nicholas Kristof is an Op-Ed writer focusing on societal injustices. Sheryl Wudunn writes about female entrepreneurs and was a journalist for the New York Times. In 2009, the spouses wrote a book exposing the cruelty of women in under developed countries. They found that women tend to be harder working in education, business, and nutrition. Kristof and WuDunn concluded that, if we work towards helping these women, not only will their lives improve, but also our economy will sky rocket. The anecdotal way of writing conveys emotion and intensity while the facts prove the world’s ignorance in women’s potential. Renowned author Anne Rice commented, “Half the Sky can and should galvanize support for reform on all levels. Inspiring as it is shocking, this book demands to be read.” Kristof and WuDunn didn’t just write a book, they began a movement.

Sheryl WuDunn - Half the Sky

Although I'm in the beginning stages of WuDunn's Half the Sky, I am passionate about its message. The oppression of women is a critical issue in the world today and does not get enough care or attention. Women are getting raped, beaten, and under educated. The author not only addresses these issues in her book, but she speaks about the potential that the female population has. Women are a critical source of income and production. By taking advantage of the population and not seeing this potential, a critical issue is not being addressed properly and the economy is suffering. Half the Sky uses individual cases to get an important point out into the public. Oppressed women who are given the chance to succeed seem to always deliver. This is a pattern that WuDunn and her husband have noticed. They have made it their mission to get the message out there and many people have joined the movement.

Whitney Houston

This week I felt it appropriate to comment on the passing of Whitney Houston. Last night, the Grammy's continuously payed tribute to the artist. Jennifer Hudson sang a beautiful rendition of Houston's "And I Will Always Love You." Houston was one of the greats. She made a mark on the industry as well as on a lot of people. Her gentle beauty and powerful voice made her a woman to be reckoned with. Whitney Houston was also a great actress. All around, she was born to entertain. Personally, I loved the singer's music. Her CD's would always be playing from my sister's room and her voice remains in my childhood memories.

Towards the end of her life, Whitney became involved in drugs. I am not sure how she ultimately passed, but I am assuming that drugs played a part. This life ate the artist up. She lost tons of weight and seemed to disappear from the music world. The singer let fame's toxins get the best of her and ultimately, beat her. Still, Whitney Houston will go down in history as an irreplaceable entertainer.

Woman In the Workforce - OpEd Continue

Personally, I was offended by John Stossel's comments on woman in the workforce. While men are able to have as many babies as they want while remaining a CEO of a job, women are not afforded this luxury. It biologically does not work that way. By saying that woman should not get a paid maternity leave regresses back to a time where women were only accepted in certain situations. Women are a strong part of this society. They already generally get paid less than men. To take it further and not give them paid time off to have a baby forces women to choose between a career and a family.

My opinion is a popular one. Stossel received hate mail for his article. We must move forward and give women as much responsibility as they want. Not punish them for having children. This will discourage women from working. Also, it will leave single mother's in the dust. If a women gets pregnant and the father leaves her, how is she supposed to support her family? This article was ignorant in my view. On the other hand, the liberal article was inspiring. I believe that if you treat your employees well, including pregnant women, not only will you have less law suits but you will have a more productive company.

People Watching at Firehouse

This past weekend I was at Firehouse Deli in Fairfield and this is who I saw....

Person #1: She's a small woman, about 5'1, with a short blonde bob and very put together. She is wearing a Burberry jacket and designer flats, telling her equally put together son to go get himself a drink. She seems not happy nor sad, simply going about her business and being a woman in Fairfield county. I wonder if she is being true to herself or trying to fit in with the stigma of people living in that town.

Person #2: He is wearing a Fairfield University sweatshirt and Polo hat. This guy seems like he is in his early twenties and he isn't trying too hard to hide the fact that he is hungover. Chugging a power aid while his friends talk to him, seeming as though he is pretty confident in himself. Maybe he is the ring leader of his group of friends? Maybe he is just too tired that I misread his "cool factor?" Regardless, this guy seems to fit in with the typical college student on a Sunday morning.

Person #3: He is frantically taking orders behind the counter, seeming as though his body is moving without his mind being present. Granted, the deli is packed and he needs to get his job done quickly seeing that the manager is right behind him. With his uniform covered in the remains of sandwich condiments, this guy takes his hat and puts it backwards, takes a deep breath, and gets down to business. He seems focused and ready to work.

Person #4: He seems like he's not comfortable. He is hispanic and filling up with salad bar with fresh lettuce and tomatos. He seems almost sad, politely excusing himself when in the way of customers. I wonder where his family is. Is he here alone and his family is in a different country? Or, is he using this job to feed his wife and children? Does he have a wife and children? The "bus boy" of Firehouse Deli intrigues me and I find myself wanting to know more about his life.

Person #5: He is wearing a suit and tie, with his Mercedes outside, and cuts the line. The deli already knows the man's order and he is in and out of there within five minutes. His gaze is straight the entire time and he seems extremely professional. I am a little intimidated by him, wondering what he does for a living.