Back in the summer of 2006, I interviewed an up-and-coming pop star named Joanna. She was planning a tour with Sheryl Crow - and was just off of a stint on MTV's True Life, during which cameras rolled 24/7 while she penned her August 2006 release This Crazy Life.

I'll tell you what's crazy, though: Last night, while I was catching up on American Idol on my homemade Tivo, I saw Joanna (no longer just a single-name wonder but instead auditioning under the name of Joanna Pacitti) audition. She was one of the few singers that made it on to Hollywood during the Louisville, Kentucky auditions. I wasn't the only one who recognized her; new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi recognized her, too. In response, Joanna explained that she had a tough year... Her label dropped her; things haven't turned out as rosy as she may have planned.

Ladies and gentlemen: I believe we may have this season's Carly Smithson (last year's failed pop queen who made it quite far in the show - fifth place? sixth?) before her own lack of self-confidence shattered her dreams. Last night, while watching her audition for Idol, it was quite clear that Joanna is suffering from the same fate; I guess getting a chance at fame and then having the rug pulled out from under you is quite humbling.

Deja vu, anyone?

As would probably be expected, the Internet is already abuzz about this development - and some people are none too happy that Idol keeps showcasing these fallen stars desperate for a second chance. I, for one, would be happy to see Joanna - or anyone else, for that matter - succeed. Wouldn't any of us want a second chance?

Click here to read the full interview.

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Well loyal readers, its been some months now since Empowerment4Women.com last posted beautiful and inspiring, funny and poignant new works for you to peruse.

But, the wait is over.

Thanks to our amazing Editor Carly Hope Finsenth, the new issue is now up - just in time for your Sunday morning reading pleasure. Yes, get rid of your newspapers and crossword puzzles this morning dear readers, and instead turn to the world of online reading for featured poetry by Malaika King Albrecht , a new counselling column by Laura Schulz, and featured photography by Sheilagh O'Leary .

And that's just to start.

We've got beautiful works of testionial by Jessica Trusiani in Today's Class Topic: Rape and poetry and fiction by Courtney Campbell with Sometimes a bar of soap just doesn't feel like a bar of soap .

And, in a moment of last-minute inspiration, my latest column speaking about bearing witness and hope for change and action in an event commemorating the annual Montreal Massacre in Tell Me A Story .

Thank-you Carly, and thank-you to all the writers and artists and contributors to this latest issue. Please read, comment, discuss, and share.

And, spread the word.

-Leisha

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If you're in the U.S., you've got a new holiday tomorrow.

Despite the fact that he has days left in the oval office, George W. has decided to give you all one more holiday - and one more plug for the right-wing conservative pro-life agenda, declaring January 18th the 'National Sanctity of Human Life Day'.

In his televised address the other night, Bush stated:

"All human life is a gift from our creator that is sacred, unique and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world.

The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence and funding crisis pregnancy programs."

Unbelievable.

Oh, it gets even better. Of course, with Obama incoming and change *hopefully* on its way, the anti-choicers are getting antsy. So,  the American Life League has called for a boycott of all Krispy Kreme donut shops because of a press release wherein the chain uses the word "choice" - in such a generalized way that its absolutely ridiculous, hilarious, unbelievable that the ALL managed to still find a way to use it to their agenda.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is honoring American’s sense of pride and freedom of choice on Inauguration Day, by offering a free doughnut of choice to every customer on this historic day, Jan. 20. By doing so, participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide are making an oath to tasty goodies—just another reminder of how oh-so-sweet ‘free’ can be.

Unbelievable.

I'm guessing we should expect a fair bit of this backlash in the next several years. So - just because you've got change a coming with Obama, don't get lax with your activism, writing, blogging, protesting for change. 

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 I have blogged, written, archived, debated, and discussed menstruation - both my own, and in general.

You and I have talked about cloth pads, organic menstrual materials (materials I say, not "protection"), the commercialization of menstruation, and health risks of the commercial products that the market puts on us. We've talked at length in previous articles and blogs about my journey from using the so-called commercial products to using all-natural, fabulous materials. And we've talked much about how all those lovely cloth pads and sea sponges and eating healthy did wondrous things to my body, dispersing it of all menstrual syndromes I'd previously had and giving me a new, joyous, wondrous appreciation of my period.

Now, can you tell me how to get back to that place?

In the past couple months, my period has once again changed radically. We'd talked about several months ago in this blog how my periods were becoming increasingly painful and nauseating. Now, they're becoming more irregular and frequent - between 12 days and 21 days apart during the last two months.

Its enough to make a girl want to cry her eyes out in frustration.

How do I get back to that place of menstrual bodily love that I once had, that so many of you, lovely wonderful E4W readers, have? I know many of you have it. You've commented and discussed and wrote letters about this lovely menstrual love. So how do I get out of this place of stress and anxiety, worry about my changing body, agony over my nausea and stomach cramps, and general dislike of my period?

I know that this period-hating can't be helping my body any. All my own inner negative energy has to be contributing somewhat to my menstrual decline.

So lovely readers and friends - ideas?

In sisterhood,

Leisha

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What do we do when the scope of violence against women is so unimaginable, so extreme and enormous, that it is beyond our vision? Beyond our realm of thinking?

How is it possible that we live in a world where one doctor has treated 25,000 victims of rape for mutilation and suffering?

For those of us who are safe from the world of the Congo, who are unable to go there, to physically help the thousands of women who are victims of rape as a tactic of war, we read about it. We learn about it. We bear witness to it. So that we can help in other ways. So that we can stop it from ever happening in other places, in future wars. To make rape as a tactic of war NOT ACCEPTABLE. ANYWHERE.

This past weekend an incredible film was screened at the St. John's International Women's Film Festival. In The Greatest Silence of All: Rape in the Congo ,  filmmaker Lisa F. Jackson, a rape survivor herself, goes to the Democratic Republic of Congo to tell the stories of the thousands of women who have been tortured, mutilated, kidnapped and raped by both foreign militia and members of the Congolese army.

Jackson shares her own story with the many survivors, who in turn share their stories with the world. She gives political context through speaking with doctors, militia, foreign peacekeepers. She interviews members of the Congolese army, admitting to the many rapes they themselves have committed.

I left the film without words. My soul breaking for the atrocities inflicted upon these women. Experiences too unimaginable for words, for description - yet these women shared them for the world.

In today's Globe and Mail, foreign correspondant Stephanie Nolen shares the stories of the Congo with Canadian readers. Dr. Denis Mukwege, one of the world's leading experts on how to "fix" victims of rape - physically, of course, himself has seen over 25,000 women.

I am glad that these women have such support in such a place. And yet, I want more. It is a fix to the symptom, not the cause. Its good, but its not enough.

What can we do?

What are you going to do?

This year, V-Day is making its spotlight campaign on the women of the Congo. The Spotlight, "Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource: Power to Women and Girls of Democratic Republic of Congo" will be worldwide at V-Day events this year. Check out the site, host a Congo teach-in, read letters from Eve Ensler as she reports direct from the Congo. Do something. The title of the Spotlight Campaign is great - women are our greatest resources. Life-giving,

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Any time that someone takes the time to really bear themselves, and to allow others to bear witness to their stories - I have to give a shout-out.

 So please PLEASE take the time to visit this blog - What to Expect When You're Aborting .

Everyone skirts around the issue, talks about the politics of abortion - but who takes the time to just talk about it? Just talk. To share. And to share the absolute truth, without mincing words.

This blogger is doing more than that - she's sharing her own personal experience.

So please give her your eyes and ears, and take the time to really REALLY listen to her her story, to listen to her words.

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It seems that everywhere I look, there is media focus (blog entries, magazine covers, paparazzi photos) of poor Sarah Palin.

We seem to be seeing either a blatant attack on her in the expected, sexist-oriented way that occurs whenever we get a woman in politics, or a focus on how she's a woman in politics with the seemingly expectation that she could replace Hillary Clinton - that "oh  my god, there's a woman running for vice-president".

Ann over at Feminsting.com has done a great analysis on the following cartoon and Palin supposedly breaking the glass ceiing. Much better than I could ever do.


Also be sure to check, for more examples of how much people love attacking women in politics, the folks over at Shakesville. They're doing some fantastic blogging with "SexismWatch". This latest post finds examples for each Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, Hilary Clinton, Cindy McCain, and Meghan McCain - all in the same post. Now, obviously all these women don't have the same politics - just another example of how gender and sexism transcends

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Last night I marched.

I screamed.

I yelled.

I ranted.

I cheered.

Energy poured from me as I marched through the streets with my sisters and their children. Taking Back the Night. I could do absolutely anything. The world was mine to take on, to celebrate. My body was mine to celebrate.

"Not the church.

Not the state

Women must control our fates"

And with my sisters beside me, I believe its true. We can do anything - as I tell the 4-year old girl I look after as a part-time job. "Girls can do anything" and she believes me. She tells this to her older brother who criticizes her at times (as brothers will do. She emphasizes it to me when we are walking on a cold and windy, drizzly Newfoundland day and long to be home inside - "its okay. We can do anything. We can beat this wind because we're strong girls!"

It starts with our children.

Today, a 3-year old boy asked me "why do we have mouths?" and "why do we have hands?" I turned it back on him, asking him what do we use our hands for? He told me "hands are not for hitting".

And they're not. Not for hitting with anything - not their own bare skin, not a weapon. A 3-year old can see the truth - why not the rest of the world?

All for another day - today I am still taking back my streets, my city, my energy - my life.

Women unite! Take Back the Night!

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Today I pared it down to the bare minimum.

Surrounded by 15 youthful young faces around the ages of seven years old – ten years old, I found myself helping to make posters and placards for the annual Take Back the Night March tomorrow evening.

In the community centre room, the kids got crazy with paintbrushes, glue, markers, and crayons. And time and time again, I was asked “what are we making these for?”

We have been asked not to mention the “sexual” in sexual violence awareness week. So with not much else to go on, I answered quite simply.

I explained that we were making posters that people would hold up on sticks in a big march tomorrow night for women and children under the age of 12, and that the march was against violence. Simple. That’s it.

Kids are never so simple.

“What’s violence?”
“Who’s fighting?”
“Why are they fighting?”

How to explain to children these not-so-simple things? Their posters, so brilliant, were covered with peace symbols, trees, birds, butterflies, sometimes people. They had slogans such as “stop fighting” on them.

But to explain all the eccentricities and complexities of violence – how to do that with kids? How, when I don’t even know myself still?

Tomorrow night I’m going to march for the 5th year in the Take Back the Night March. One of my favorite nights of the year, it also saddens me.

I am empowered.
I am taking initiative.
I am taking charge.
I am taking control.
I am taking back power.

And…

I hear you all.
I listen.
I empathize.
I weep.

I am empassioned anew.

There is a moment during the march, when each woman and child is given the opportunity to approach the steps of the courthouse building, and mark with chalk a simple “X” to make visible the many women who have been silenced through violence, silenced through our legal and judicial systems. Who are not named, and deseve to be named. I watch each woman approach – my friends, colleagues, coworkers, acquaintances, sisters – and mark 1, 2, 5, sometimes more X’s on the courthouse building. I myself mark so many. For so many I know. For myself. I weep. And I am empassioned anew.

Empassioned for yet another year.

Still with no answers for these children who ask me “who’s fighting?” and “why are they fighting?”

Why?
I have no answers. But I’m ready to try again, to learn and to stop the violence.

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I've been sadly absent as of late from E4W activities - no blogging since April, hard to believe. Forgive me my absence, and I promise you'll see more of me come July.

In barely a week, I'll be travelling to Madrid, Spain to attend Women's World's 2008 - 10th Annual Interdisciplinary International Congress of Women. This academic and activist conference is exciting - and nervewracking - as I'll be doing a presentation there of my own on my own thesis research. But during the other days, I'll be notetaking and blogging to bring you the likes of Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, Nawal El Sadaawi, Kimberley Crenshaw, and feminist theorist Sandra Harding. Not to mention other cool stuff - expect some blogging or stories about the Madrid Pride March as well. I'll be spending most of July in Spain and France and whenever possible following the conference will bring you feminist-related happenings in Europe.

Hopefully, all that will make up for my absences of late :)

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