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May 19, 2017 | Deeds Digest No. 52
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Hello #ChangeMakers!
Here at Deeds Not Words, we’ve had the incredible privilege of working with students from Texas high schools and colleges (we want to be in your state soon!). This week alone, our trained advocates have been in the Texas capitol in full force, fighting for laws that create the safest climate possible (one free of sexual assault) for students at our institutions of higher learning and a law that would create a statewide curriculum to help prevent incidents of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors. We highlighted some of that work in a blog post that celebrates these #ChangeMakers. And we hope you’ll check it out!
We’ve also been proud to host two amazing high school students for a learning experience in our Deeds Not Words office this week. To be honest, though, I think WE were the ones who wound up doing the learning! Both Becca Alonso and Beatriz Ruiz, juniors at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, contributed greatly to our mission this week. In fact, this week’s Deeds Digest comes to you thanks to their hard work and creativity. They designed and produced it, and I know you’re going to enjoy reading it as much as I did!
Both Becca and Beatriz are living examples of a mantra that their principal at the Ann Richards School, Ms. Jeanne Goka, has drilled into them from the moment they stepped foot on that campus:
Thoughts lead to words.
Words lead to actions.
Actions lead to character.
And character leads to destiny.
If the actions and character that Becca and Beatriz exhibited this week are any indication, we know that their destinies are filled with tremendous promise! Thank you both for all your help!!!
And thank you to each of you for every phone call you’ve made to a legislator, every piece of information you’ve shared to help educate your peers, every meeting you’ve attended to speak your values and every other DEED you’ve done this week to represent your interests and concerns. You are ALL rock-stars!
Much love,
-wendy
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This week’s #ChangeMakers: Fabiola, Kierra, Le'Osha and Aylin
As the school year comes to a close, most students spend their days stressing over finals and prom. In addition to taking on high school, brave #ChangeMakers from Skyline High School in Dallas have taken on the devastating epidemic of human trafficking -- writing letters, making calls and, this week, traveling in the early morning hours from Dallas to Austin to testify at the Texas Capitol.
With over 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas alone, the courage, awareness and ambition of these students to testify in support of Senate Bill 2039 is more important now than ever.
On Tuesday morning, Fabiola Torres, Kierra Jones, Le'Osha Jackson, and Aylin Segura urged legislators to consider bringing a sexual abuse and human trafficking prevention curriculum into Texas public schools in order to prevent this widespread atrocity. After months of learning the intricacies of the issue themselves and mastering communication with their representatives, these four teenagers are showing the country how to demand and create justice ... and showed all of us that you have the power to do this no matter your age.
Know a hero making a difference in their community? Send us a picture of someone you’d like to see as #ChangeMaker of the week and share their story. You might just see it in the next Deeds Digest.
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Ever think about what real life would be like for a Disney Princess? Shannon Dermody, a 20-year-old photographer, thinks they’d be at risk of facing some potent real world issues. Through her art, she encourages us to consider that if global concerns like abuse and pollution can affect Disney princesses too, then maybe the world would pay some more attention to them!
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When it’s “cool” for violence, drugs and crime to be portrayed on television and in the media every single day, they become normalized and integrated into our society. However, when it comes to things like abortion, and even women’s health care, everyone seems to freak. Take a look at how these writers portray abortion without dramatizing it, but instead emphasizing the importance of a woman’s right to decide.
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"Selective feminism" is the dangerous, mansplaining idea that claims that women who don't lift up all other women are somehow betraying the feminist cause. That’s not the case. We can oppose a woman's election based on her policies if they are not keeping with our own. What's not cool would be attacking her from a sexist standpoint based on her gender. Not everyone has the same political views. That’s okay, it happens. Not having respect for someone because of their gender? Not okay, ever.
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In light of recent attacks on women's health, The Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre and two-time Emmy winner Allison Janney have donated $250,000 to Planned Parenthood. Instead of spending this money on campaigning for the show to win an award, Lorre and Janney decided to put it to better use! They've obviously got their priorities in the right order and have set a great example for others to follow.
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What’s the truth behind abortions? How risky are they? In actuality, it's safer to get an abortion than to get a colonoscopy. Abortions are safe, relatively easy and quick procedures -- there’s no need to fear them, as Lady Parts Justice and Myth "Crashers" confirm.
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Watch Samatha Bee (#shero!!!) break down Ivanka Trump’s book Women Who Work, analyzing Ivanka’s questionable feminism. Whether it’s using “feminism” as a buzzword, or comparing her journey of becoming a businesswoman to 1800s U.S. slavery (?seriously!?), it’s clear Ivanka’s feminism isn't as informed as it could be. Hey, Ivanka... Your privilege is showing.
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This week is the 18th annual National Women’s Health Week, when we take time to recognize that women’s health NEEDS to be a priority. The observance of this week began in 1999 by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and has since been an important method of spreading awareness around women’s health ever since.
We often think of women’s health in terms of reproductive justice, but did you know that women are over twice as likely to become diagnosed with anxiety and depression than men? Not only that, but 90% of women have a risk factor for heart disease. Shocking, right?
Whether we’re talking physical health or mental health, take some time to care for your own health and wellbeing. I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase “Your body is a temple” before, and it’s true. Here are some ways to make sure your health is #OnFleek:
Spread the word, tell your friends, your mother, your aunts, anyone. Take advantage of this week and treat yo’ self in the healthiest way!
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So we’re sure you’ve heard by now that the Trump administration rushed a new bill to replace Obamacare through the U.S. House. And we imagine you’ve also heard that the AHCA (American Health Care Act) will not treat "pre-existing" conditions. What are examples of these pre-existing conditions, you ask? Here’s a list of just a couple to get you going (warning: this list may cause the desire to punch your screen).
On top of that, 53% of Americans are affected by these conditions on this list, meaning half our country will be left high and dry without healthcare. Women who are struggling with mental illnesses, breast cancer patients, those suffering reproductive system complications (whether it be pregnancy c-sections, heavy or irregular periods, and more) and transitioning in the transgender community are all now in more grave danger than they were already.
Want to know how you can help defeat this provision and potentially save the lives of many? Here's how you can help in five steps:
Prepare
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Learn what the bill says. Do you know what’s included? Read other impacts of the bill, and compare it with the ACA or Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) it’d be “replacing." Also, stay aware of each new version of the AHCA, given that it keeps changing faster than folks can keep up with - and that’s not unintentional.
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Learn how the bill moves. It takes a while for a bill to become a law in federal government. Stay updated on where the bill is in the process by referencing this guide on the stages of Trumpcare's adoption.
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Learn who’s pushing it forward. The New York Times breaks down who voted for the law and who didn’t, listing each representative by name.
Meet
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Call or meet with your representatives and speak your mind!
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Find out who represents you. The bill has moved to the Senate and that's where the action is now.
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Know where they stand on the healthcare bill by using the link above in step 3. Send your Representative (the U.S. House has already voted) a 'thank you' note if you like how they voted - and an expression of your disppointment if you don't!
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Call your U.S. Senator's office, and ask for an in-person meeting during the state recess from May 29th to June 2nd. If they won’t give you a meeting, ask to leave a message for your elected official with the staffer you’re speaking with.
Share
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Share your story. Spread awareness of how this bill would negatively affect Americans like yourself as much as you can. Record a Facebook live, share a picture on a website like Tumblr… channel Jimmy Kimmel and go for the gut. Asking your representatives to stand in your shoes can really make a difference!
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