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Russell Sage Foundation scholar Theda Skocpol on For Your Ears Only

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:41:18 +0000

Russell Sage Foundation- Theda Skocpol- For Your Ears Only

10/30/10- Theda Skocpol, Russell Sage Foundation scholar, was interviewed on “For Your Ears Only”. Skocpol gave insight on the upcoming midterm elections and what they could mean for the Obama Administration.

“The Library Card is the Smartest Card in My Wallet”-Dwyane Wade

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:10:03 +0000

By Lauren Atieh, Account Coordinator, Pro-Media Communications

In September, lots of things are changing – the seasons, vacations ending, children heading back to school. Another thing that should also be changing is your library card status. The American Library Association celebrates September as Library Card Sign-Up Month as a national effort to encourage all people to utilize their local library as a wonderful resource in their everyday life. As a New Yorker, I am always looking for a great deal, and I found it at my library. Books, movies, computers, magazines, games, classes and more await me just steps away from my apartment, for free. I take pride in my library card, and I love that I have it in my wallet and accessible on my key chain. Just as the world around us has changed, so have our libraries. To keep up with technology, libraries have invested in the necessary tools to provide for their patrons. With the declining economy and job market, many libraries now offer resume building classes and employment workshops.

Pro-Media has been working with the American Library Association for over 15 years and for the past 4 years I have been working with this team. Each campaign they support, Teen Read Week, National Library Week, Banned Books Week and more, is near and dear to my heart. This September, I urge you to go to your library and check it out. I can guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised.

New Report “Yes We Can” Shows America’s Public Schools Fail Over Half the Nation’s Black Male Students

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:41:33 +0000

YES WE CAN National Release.

Remembering Stonewall

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:09:47 +0000

By Stephanie Schroeder, Account Manager, Pro-Media Communications

Remembering Stonewall for me is not about real memory, since I wasn’t in New York City during the Stonewall Riots or even near the age of consent. My “memories” of Stonewall are through stories related to me by my lesbian mentors: Joan Nestle and Kate Millett, along with lesbian-feminist activists whom I have interviewed over the years. Joan has told me stories about the 1950s, when bars much like the Stonewall Inn―dark and sketchy, some Mafia-owned, regularly raided by police―were just about the only places lesbians of the time could meet other lesbians. These bars also had rules that women had to wear three items of “women’s clothing” so as to not be arrested.

There are a few facts about Stonewall we know for certain: the patrons of the Stonewall Inn, located in Greenwich Village, were mostly gay men, many drag queens, hustlers and homeless youth, and some trans-people such as the legendary Sylvia Rivera. Maybe a lesbian or two were in the bar.

History is still murky about just who was and wasn’t actually inside the Stonewall Inn when it was raided by police. Who was outside, however, is a different story. The neighbors, mostly queers and hippies, came out to support those homosexuals in the bar who, having had it with decades of police and other harassment, finally fought back. There were bottles thrown, broken and used as weapons, physical altercations of all types, police beatings of Stonewall patrons and neighbors, too. A year later, on June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride marches took place in Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

It’s important to remember the social context of the time. In 1969, homosexuality was considered both a mental illness and a crime; the bible of psychiatry, the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual, categorized homosexuality as a “sociopathic personality disturbance” and sodomy was illegal in most states. Being out of the closet and open about one’s homosexuality was making oneself a target for potential job loss, custody loss of children, housing, friends and family, all without legal redress.

Today, because of the Stonewall rioters, and those who organized around and after the riots, we take for granted many liberties, both socially (at least in New York City) and legally. However, there is still much forward movement to be made regarding the rights of lesbians and gay, bisexual, trans and queer people.

Just last week, for instance, closing arguments were heard in the San Francisco trial over the constitutionality of Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage in the state of California. There are different viewpoints on marriage equality within both the straight and gay community, but there is a bigger picture, and we can’t lose sight of it: the need for all of us to advocate for social and civil justice for people of all classes, gender, ethnicity and backgrounds, to ensure equal, universal access to health care, housing, food, shelter, and all other basic human rights.

This year is the 41st anniversary of Stonewall. We here at Pro-Media wish to remember our brothers, sisters and others who fought and continue to fight the discriminatory and oppressive powers that be to make the world a safer place for LGBTQ people everywhere.

Stephanie Schroeder is an account manager at Pro-Media Communications. She has worked in strategic communications for two decades as a staff editor, freelance journalist, publicist and media relations specialist and has been an activist for social causes including women’s health, nuclear disarmament and queer rights. She is a contributing editor at Curve Magazine and lives in Brooklyn.

In Honor of Father’s Day…

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:54:46 +0000

Good Dads Deserve Love Too

By: Maxine Mitchell, Account Coordinator, Pro-Media Communications

"Giddy up, Giddy up, Giddy up horseyyyyyy!"

That’s the pre-sunrise weekend wake-up call my toddler reserves for us. As I hesitate in hope of getting a few more minutes of rest, my husband usually responds. Our determined fifteen-month old never tires from demanding this romp through our home atop his trusty steed (his father). It’s an accepted ritual, and with patience (and an occasional groan), his father obliges our jockey-in-training.

I sometimes watch as father and son play, share meals, and have discussions on why it’s not the best decision to run around diaper-free, and I marvel at the palpable sincerity between them. Their interaction is a medley of baby babbles, squeals, laughter, brainstorming (building block forts are a favorite) and gentle reprimands. Nothing warms my heart more.

Even when occasional pricks of jealousy arise as I wonder if the eight-tooth smile that welcomes me home from a workday is as radiant as the one my husband gets when they play and make up their own songs, I still appreciate and respect their one-on-one time and blossoming relationship.

What they have is good, but I know it’s not always so rosy for others?a look at the struggles of single mothers and the statistics of unpaid child support are parts of the distressing picture in our society. But I also believe that credit should be given to those fathers who deserve it. Unfortunately, not enough focus is put on, and not enough credit is given to men who are outstanding fathers, caring and supportive partners and hardworking citizens (not all dads are as clueless and inept at fatherhood as Ray Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond!). Some people are even surprised to see a father doing what a father is supposed to be doing?playing, talking, nurturing, teaching and interacting with his child.

I celebrate when I see advocates for the good guys, like Pro-Media Communications, whose work with groups like Dads & Daughters helped to share messages on the media’s impact on families and tips on successful parenting.

These are tough times for many families, and the test lies in how well partners can cooperate and the flexibility of families to adapt to challenging situations. Dads like Daniel Butherus, whom I read about in the May issue of Reader’s Digest, who drives 800 miles weekly from his home in Wichita, Kansas, to his workplace in Fort Worth, Texas, to help support his family and make ends meet, deserve a little appreciation. This Father’s Day, let’s show some appreciation for those phenomenal dads; they’re not myths?they do exist, just ask my son about his horseyyyy.He’ll tell you with a big grin, that’s as long as you can catch him.

As an avid Animal Planet lover, I thought it would be fun to share a countdown of the top 5 animal dads. I’ll give the descriptions; can you guess the doting-dad animals?

TOP 5 ANIMAL DADS

5. This native of India is from the wolf/dog family; unlike so many other animals, these animals mate for life. Mom and dad live together for their entire lives and raise the young together. True teamwork! When pups are born, they are breastfed for eight weeks by mom, and then dad takes over by feeding his kids with regurgitated food until they are ready for solids.

4. This creature of Japan belongs to a large group of insects called heteroptera, or "true" bugs, and are surprisingly strong and adept predators, using toxins to paralyze their prey. Pregnancy is also a real team effort with these creatures – the female cements her eggs to the male’s back; he then carries them around for a week until they hatch. And we’re not talking just one egg – this dad ends up giving piggyback rides to up to 150 kids. Now that’s taking giddy-up horsey to a whole new level!

3. These South American flightless birds are true champions of child rearing. Females leave their eggs with dad, and dad looks after the eggs. He keeps up to 60 eggs warm for over two months with only two weeks of food to sustain him, and he also raises the newborn chicks as a single parent for close two years. Wow, and don’t even think about messing with this daddy-bird, he will ferociously attack any other animal or even human who gets too close to his babies.

2. This dapper looking bird is also flightless and is native to Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth! After the female lays her egg, it’s the dad’s job to keep it warm. Meanwhile, the mom takes a two-month feeding vacation while the dad balances the egg on his feet in subzero weather, often forced to huddle together with other males for warmth until their chicks hatch. Surprisingly, despite this two-month hunger strike, it’s the dad who provides the chick’s first meal – a milky-type substance to sustain them until mom can return with a belly full of fish and switch the chick from "dad milk" to solids.

1. This beautiful sea creature is not only monogamous, but he’s the one who actually gets pregnant, carrying up to 1,000 babies at a time! The mating process begins with a dancing courtship ritual with the female eventually laying hundreds of eggs inside the male, which he then helps fertilize himself during the process. This papa-to-be also loves to show off his rounded belly, proudly displaying the brood pouch he uses for carrying his young.

5. Answer: Golden Jackal
4. Answer: Giant Water Bug
3. Answer: Rhea
2. Answer: Emperor Penguin
1. Answer: Sea horse

Quiz was drawn from information obtained from Animal Planet – Top 10 Animal Dads

Honey Bun

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:40:43 +0000

By: Melissa Baker, Operations Manager, Pro-Media Communications

Many of us grew up with a traditional home life: Dad was in the home, but Mom was responsible for the children. That may be a reason that Mother’s Day seems to be the bigger celebration.

Father’s Day became a lot more important to me once I became a wife and mother. I realize now that my own dad doesn’t get the acknowledgement or respect on his special day, which my mom does on Mother’s Day. It seems the campaign against deadbeat dads has begun to overshadow the many men taking an active role in their children’s lives. I see these great dads every day at our daughter’s school, and I am fortunate enough to be married to one of them.

"I remember when the doctor said we were having a girl. I was ready to get my shotgun," Tyrone, my husband, often says when talking about the moment we were found out we were having a baby girl. "I remember the moment you popped out of Mommy," he’ll say to Dainell aka Honey Bun, our daughter, as he removes the measuring tape from the drawer for the zillionth time to see how much she’s grown. "I remember when I could hold you with one hand," he says. Now, picking her up requires a lot more effort and serves as a reminder that Daddy is getting older, though he still tries to carry her whenever she’s too tired to walk. As I comment, "Put her down, she’s too big to carry," he ignores me.

They’ve had many memorable moments that Tyrone can recall in Dainell’s six years of life?at the doctor’s office, the park, karate, the dentist, the podiatrist, the orthodontist, grandma’s house, movies, commuting to and from school, her dance recitals, and our least favorite place, the hospital, to name a few. The hospital was the worst time for all three of us, but it did allow me to see a much more emotional side of Tyrone. Being Dainell’s father has made him vulnerable in ways even he couldn’t imagine.

So, to honor all the great dads everywhere like Tyrone, spend some time actually planning a Father’s Day that he will brag about for years to come. Let him know that he’s appreciated for being there, giving lots of hugs and piggyback rides, and doing the things that drive Mommy crazy, like giving the kids too much ice cream and a few extra cookies!

Happy Father’s Day!

MEDIA: Michael Stoller of Human Services Council on WBAI

admin — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:21:12 +0000

Human Services Council Executive Director Michael Stoller joined WBAI’s “Wake Up Call” to discuss the impact of the new MTA mobility tax on New York City nonprofits. Listen to Michael’s interview below.

Why Pro-Media staffer Jane Yoo marched

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:48:56 +0000

Originally posted on Pro-Media Account Coordinator Jane Yoo’s blog.

My husband and I, and, yes, our politically active dog, will be making a trip to Washington, D.C., to proudly participate in March for America on March 21st.

This march has special meaning for both of us. My husband, whom I met for the first time in 2001, was one of the first in-state tuition bill/DREAM Act activists I had the opportunity to work with. He played a mentoring role as a college student – we worked side by side engaging high school students, starting with organizing a trip to Washington, D.C., for DREAM Act legislative activities in the summer of 2002.

For him, the reality had long set in, but he was making the most of what he had. But the worries never did end – yes, he was able to go to college, but with graduation looming, he knew he would face more harsh realities as employment opportunities would be yet another elusive dream.
The first group of Korean American youth from New York to make that trip to D.C. to urge Congress to enact the DREAM Act was not too familiar with what they would face as they got older. They were still freshmen and sophomores in high school – bright, nice, cute and innocent. They were going to D.C. to help enact a piece of legislation, but never in their wildest dreams did they think that people would view them as criminals, law breakers. To this day, I have not forgotten the hope they had after sharing their stories with members of Congress and the certainty they had in moving them to enact the DREAM Act. It was that youthful confidence that drove the DREAM Act movement.

My husband came to the U.S. with his parents in junior high school. His parents were in pursuit of a better life, especially for their children. While working at low-wage jobs, they made sure to provide for their son and daughter and even for their eldest son who remained in Korea (he was not considered a minor and therefore not eligible to follow his parents to the U.S.). Wanting a good education for their children, they saved up and worked multiple jobs; wanting a good education for himself, my husband studied and also became active in community organizations and his church. A chance to be able to get on a path to citizenship was suddenly dashed for him and his family when his father unexpectedly passed away – a family sponsorship application that was pending died with him, leaving his wife and two children with no clear path to adjust their status. Their visa had long expired.

After graduating from college in 2003, my husband worked at various jobs to make ends meet. He had graduated with a degree in computer science and had excelled in his classes, with his computer projects receiving one of the highest marks in class. But, he would not be able to use any of his skills and talents.
As years went by, he would only get to see his brother when he was able to visit the U.S. He would miss his brother’s wedding and the birth of his niece. He would miss the chance to go to graduate school because he did not have a valid passport to take the GRE.

While work life consumed most of his days, he always made time to make that call to his member of Congress or send a fax or email, making sure his voice was heard – that we need comprehensive immigration reform. I think every time he did, just as I, we thought not only about how it would benefit him but millions of people across the country who have so much to give but can’t because of crippling provisions that make undocumented immigrants live in the shadows of our communities.

Recently, my husband, after 14 years of uncertainty, was able to adjust his status through marriage. My friend, my organizing buddy, became my lifelong partner on August 16, 2009. And while we were lucky enough to use the resources available to us to apply for an adjustment of status, it wasn’t an easy journey. Waiting for notices to arrive in the mail, we would always have a looming worry. Even something as simple as receiving a jury duty notice was a burden – it wasn’t a hassle to fill out, but my husband could not provide legal documents with his form and that always left us feeling fearful.

I think if you got to know my husband, you’d think he was a funny guy, a computer geek and someone who would go out of his way to help people. He’s the type of guy who would feel so grateful to a neighbor for lending him a shovel during the recent NYC snowstorm that he would buy a small present from PETCO for the pet-loving neighbor.

On March 21, we will be marching for each other; for his relentless hope and belief and tenacity; for the first group of youth with whom we traveled to D.C. and all youth who traveled there in the years following; for the DREAM Act fasters; for Hee Pok Kim a.k.a. “Grandma Kim,” who singlehandedly collected over 800 DREAM Act petitions at local bus stops in Los Angeles; for all the mothers and fathers who work hard to bring their children a better life; for community members who signed petitions calling for the end of REAL ID Act; for those community members who wanted to sign a petition in support of comprehensive immigration reform, but who were afraid to do so; for families who are waiting too long to be reunited with each other; for all the people who donated $1 for the “Dollar A Person: Comprehensive Immigration Reform AD Campaign“; for the Los Angeles workers who came out and marched for humane and just immigration reform in the spring of 2006; to the seniors who went to D.C. to fight for the restoration of welfare benefits for immigrants in the late 90’s. We will be marching for America. And while all our friends and family can’t join us, they will be sending faxes and emails to Congress to let them know that people are waiting for real reform.