Tag: ihollaback.org

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Empowering Discussions

Is the Intimidation of Change and the Great Unknown Slowing You Down? Maybe it’s Time for a Pilgrimage.

Impower You

Life. What an adventure!

I’ve been slowly changing my career focus from freelance administration to something with more creativity(and less time staring at a computer) to feed my waning lust for life. It’s been a very slow process because change is intimidating and the unknown is a bit unnerving.

With a mother who liked to relocate, I was raised on constant change. Even though it took many adult years of growing braver(I teach self-defense after all) this did eventually teach me to brave and search out adventure. Sometimes though I get so distracted by the comforts of the familiar or exhausted by my struggle that I go TOO slow and get mired in doubt.

Just a few minutes ago I was feeling the need for a break from work that was putting me to sleep so I visited the Virtual Vinyasa​ site. There I found inspiration in the words of the founder, Jaimie, who I recently met through my friend Kelly. She invited me to attend Jaimies bon voyage celebration as she set off on a pilgrimage for her new yoga project. Smartly I had bookmarked her site in my browser so it was easy to rediscover on this slow-moving day.

Her story of how she prepared for a new project reminded me that to move forward I must take action. This means not focusing on actions that I feel obligated to do because it’s “normal”, but to focus my intention on the change I want to see. Maybe she will inspire you too. Virtualvinyasa.com/new-blog/2015/5/18/the-pilgrimage-part-2

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Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

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Empowering Discussions

Back and Better Than Ever: The Hollaback App Allows Women to Instantly Share Street Harassment on Social Media

Impower You

I don’t know any women who don’t have at least one story of being harassed or disrespected as they walk on the sidewalk. Street harassment happens to little prepubescent girls as well as full-grown women, women in hijabs, women on bikes, and women of all ages, colors, religions and backgrounds. Eventually I became resigned to this as a fact of life until…. iHollaback!(read my interview with founder Emily May here).

 Hollaback encourages women to do exactly as the name implies and record and report street harassment. Now they have a revved up app that helps women and girls to do even more. This new app allows users to map and track their experiences of street harassment and share their personalized “street harassment maps” on social media.

“We know that movements start because people tell their stories. In the last 5 years, we’ve seen the public conversation on street harassment change drastically as people stand up and share their experiences. This new app not only allows for individuals to share their stories, but to map and share their daily realities of street harassment on social media – that’s taking the conversation to the next level.” Emily May, executive director and co-founder of Hollaback!.

GET THE APP on ITUNES or GOOGLE PLAY. Get involved at ihollaback.org

As a self-defense instructor I highly recommend using the app and protect yourself. Harassment is wrong and with your help we can put an end to the idea that it’s just a fact of life.

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Support FREE SELF DEFENSE Classes through my new campaign, Gofundme.com/freedefense

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

*If you like this blog share it…

*** *** **

UTY.cover.2.we.will.changeFight.Back.New.Kindle.Cover

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Empowering Discussions

Burt’s Bees Stirs Up the Beast that is Street Harassment And Hollaback Fights Back.

Impower You

Words may not have physical power, but they certainly influence what is acceptable in our culture. Burt’s Bees may not have meant to start a fire with the copy on their packaging of moisturizer, but they did. The ignorantly written message reads, “Soak in the moisturizing seductiveness of shea butter and indulge in the scent of vanilla and rice milk. And let the catcalling commence.” Street harassment is a real issue that women and girls have to deal with, but just because it is so prevalent doesn’t mean we should sit back and take it as part of our society.

Colleen Kiphart brought the matter of this offensive marketing label to Hollaback! Despite a lackluster apology from Burt’s and Güd together they have started a petition for Burts to stop production and apologize for their bad choice of words. You can sign the petition at Change.org.

Colleen Kiphart says, “I deal with catcalling regularly in my neighborhood. It is uninvited, unwanted, and demeaning. I stand up for myself, but many women can’t or don’t know they can. I am frustrated to see a socially-conscious company like Burt’s Bees perpetuate the myth that women want to be objectified by strangers on the street…”

Personally, street harassment has been a part of my life since I was a teenager and caused me to live fearful for many years. Being told to “Smile” seems to be a favorite line along with “You’d be so much prettier in my car”. Slimier versions such as asking me to perform oral sex or trying to physically grope me have also been obstacles in the gauntlet of walking on a public street. Usually I simply get called a ho or a bitch if I talk back or refuse to respond culminating in a lifetime of feeling unsafe to walk down the street, whether alone or in company of other women or children.

As mad as I am about street harassment, when a company as popular as Burts Bees makes such an awful mistake it can be used as a gift. The issue gets more media attention than if it had been a lesser known brand. Now we have another chance to talk about catcalling and why it isn’t appreciated. Talking about an issue leads to taking action which leads to change.

“Burt’s Bees and Güd are perpetuating the myth that street harassment is a ‘compliment.’ We’ve received over 5,000 stories from people around the globe telling us that street harassment is scary, demeaning, and traumatizing. Last time I checked, that’s not what a ‘compliment’ feels like,” said Emily May, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Hollaback!. Hollaback! breaks the silence that has perpetuated sexual violence internationally, asserts that any and all gender-based violence is unacceptable, and creates a world where we have an option—and, more importantly—a response.  Find out more at ihollaback.org.

Having some strange and usually much larger man approach me or call after me on the street is not comforting. Even though I am a self defense teacher I shouldn’t have to walk down the street with my head hung low in hopes of avoiding harassment. Our culture needs to shift away from the attitude that women are targets and toys. More men need to step up and say this is not appropriate behavior. It’s time for this to end. Catcalling is not a compliment.

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If you like this post check out my books “More Than Just a Girl” and “Fierce” on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.