Racism in Staffing of Essence's Fashion Director: Yes or No?

The traditionally Black magazine, Essence, has hired a White Fashion Director, Elliana Placas. Not a big deal? Many of the loyal readers think it is. Fashion media personality Najwa Moses asked, "How can a White woman dictate and decide what style and beauty is for the Black Woman?" according to a Huffington Post article.

Is this an issue of racism? Or are there grey areas to be considered? Tell us what you think.

Read the whole article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/27/essence-white-fashion-dir_n_661168.html

Double Beauty Standards

When was the last time you saw a fit, attractive man with a chubby and witty wife on a TV sitcom? Do you ever wonder why women in the spotlight are expected to be skinny, beautiful and charming? Why aren't men expected to hold the same beauty standards as women? It seems our society is obsessed with ideal female beauty, while standards for men fall short.

Newsweek published an interesting article discussing this very issue. Playfully written, the article goes into a set of grooming "rules" for men. Weekly forearm waxing, tummy tucks and ab work, heel or leg extenders for short guys and many more entertaining yet unsettlingly accurate points are addressed for the men's new "rules."

Beauty maintenance is just one more aspect about gender inequality in society today. Though not as serious of an issue as others, it holds as an interesting discussion.

Read the full Newsweek article: http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/19/man-up.html

Swedish feminist group burns 13K in pay gap protest

A feminist Swedish group put fire to 100,000 kronor, or $13,000, at a barbeque. This radical protest against unequal pay for men and women caused quite a stir last week. The money represented the gap of money earned per minute between women and men in Sweden.

Though the money was donated by an advertising agency, was this the best way to make a stand against gender equality in the workplace? Would there have been a better way to use the donated money? Tell us what you think.

BBC News' article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10526907

Read what feministing.com says:
Swedish feminist group burns 13K in pay gap protest

Feministing.com

Check out one of our favorite blogs, www.feministing.com/ for a witty and enlightening read. The blog features a "What We Missed." which enables quick and easy perusing of important issues in the news. Feministing.com offers interesting and fresh commentary on relevent issues to women and women's rights across the globe.

Inspiration for Women

In honor of the upcoming Tribute to Women annual event on August 19th, where 10 honorees will be celebrated for their outstanding achievements in the work place and volunteer capacity, here are some inspirational quotes from outstanding women in history:

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission." -Eleanor Roosevelt (picture)

"Women are the real architects of society." -Harriet Beecher Stowe

"A woman is like a teabag. It's only when she's in hot water that you realize how strong she is."

-Nancy Reagan

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the 2010 YWCA Knoxville Tribute to Women honorees at the Bijou Theatre on August 19, 2010. For more information regarding tickets to the event, please visit our web-site http://www.ywcaknox.com/