Transitioning Times

One of the songs of the summer, “Blurred Lines”, by Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I. is igniting a discussion about pop culture, consent and sexual assault.   The song and video were initially criticized for the use of gratitutous nudity—the entire video consisted of young women walking and dancing nude around 3 fully clothed men (Robin Thicke, Pharrell and T.I.).   The video was removed, and then restored on Youtube.   The record label also released a version in which the women wear clear plastic and white clothing.   Of course, the entire video is ripe with material to be viewed and criticized from a feminist viewpoint .   (i.e. the women are nude/partially clothed, the men are fully clothed, the interaction and gazes between the males and females, the words written on balloons referencing Robin Thicke’s anatomy, etc., etc.)   Robin Thicke has gone on record citing his wife’s approval as a reason that other women should not be offended.   J...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/san-diego-mayor-enter-intensive-therapy-accusations-sexual/story?id=19782928 Why is it not surprising that men in power continue to harass and demean women, especially subordinates?  Many people think the portrayals of women in Mad Men and other retro shows is just that, retro, but it is not.  We must still fight to be taken seriously, especially in offices where the person in charge is a man who views women as "sexual objects or stupid idiots." Two weeks is a short time to undo a lifetime of feeling entitled to treat women however he wants.

I have always wanted to help people in any way I can. Growing up, my parents spent much of their time helping others, and I saw how important that was to them. I wanted to work in the medical profession to help others, but the idea of needles, blood and gore was too much for me to handle. When I started school I wasn’t sure what type of work I would want to do until I had an experience that changed my life. I was sexually assaulted as a teenager.   At the time I didn’t have any resources to turn to. The only agency I knew about was too familiar with my family, and my abuser was well known to the community. I knew like the people in my life would respond out of anger and make choices that would have negative consequences for them, so I never told anyone what happened. I was more worried about my family and friends, and chose to protect them instead of standing up for myself. In fact, some of my friends were there when the assault happened, yet none of them stopped what they were d...

Today, it is widely recognized that discrimination of any kind is wrong.   R ace, color, creed, sex, national origin, or handicaps are all protected classes under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.   Advertising and attitudes have come a long way since that time, but it is important to remember how recently (not even 50 years yet!) our foremothers fought for women’s rights. Every Friday, as time allows, we will post something to inspire, remind, or ponder relating to feminism, and specifically how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go. Below is a picture from a Little Golden Book, The Good Humor Man , published in 1964.  (Copyright protected.) It was not so long ago, that women belonged in the kitchen, only men did outside work, and all of it was as natural as a dog chewing a bone.

  Transitions, the Comprehensive Victim Center for Union, Snyder and Northumberland Counties, is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan K. Mathias to the position of Chief Executive Officer.   Most recently, Susan served as a Director at the YWCA of Northcentral PA with responsibility for programs and operations for Wise Options and two HUD-funded programs for homeless women and children.  Susan holds a Masters of Public Administration and has worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Reserve Board. Susan was Vice President of Human Resources with The JPM Company and Regional Coordinator for U.S. Congressman Chris Carney.   "I look forward to collaborations that can improve how the community supports survivors and educates young people about healthy relationships.  New developments in the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention field have shown positive res...