Equal Pay!

Barack Obama signed his first bill today: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act.

The bill was overturned by the Supreme Court after Lilly Ledbetter, a Goodyear Tire employee, sued for pay discrimination. The only reason they overturned this case was because she filed the lawsuit after the 180th day of receiving her 1st paycheck that had unequal pay. Ridiculous!

Barack Obama said, "It is fitting that with the very first bill I sign … we are upholding one of this nation's first principles: that we are all created equal and each deserve a chance to pursue our own version of happiness."

I love my President, but let us continue to push him into working hard for the American people.

Peace.

Rush

To say that you want a new President to fail is ridiculous!

This is all the attention he will get from me.

Another Phenomenal Black Woman: Ann Lowe

With all the controversy over Michelle Obama's dress chosen for the Inaugural Balls, I decided to re-introduce Ann Lowe. Ann Lowe was an African-American Mid-20 thCentury fashionista who designed Jackie Kennedy's dress shown above. Mrs. Kennedy wore this dress on Sept.12, 1953 when she married former President John F. Kennedy.

Ann Lowe received very little recognition for her success. Ann Lowe was a great-grandaughter of a slave and plantation owner. She designed dresses for elite families. It seems Ann Lowe was another Southern woman with city dreams. She enrolled in fashion school during 1917.

Can you imagine a Black woman enrolling in fashion school during 1917? Absolutely amazing and progressive! Perhaps most of her peers were domestic workers or even sharecroppers during that time in Alabama. She is definitely another phenomenal Black woman!

I thought it would be interesting to share this story because a lot of Black women are in conversation over First Lady Michelle Obama's choice not to pick a dress designed by a Black designer. Personally, I thought Mrs. Obama look beautiful regardless.

Sasha & Malia Dolls

Beanie Babies maker sells Sasha, Malia dolls

The Inauguration

In case you missed the news around the world, this weekend Americans of all ages, races, gender, sexual orientation, and religion will gather in Washington D.C. to witness the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. I will be there!

There are news stories circulating about the absence of Black people at work. There were millions of people like myself who requested PTO/Vacation time months ago.

I am not sure where you will be for the next few days, but I definitely know where you should be on Tuesday January 20, 2009. Find a television, the radio, follow the events on Facebook, or even Myspace---this is an event of a lifetime.

The next time I write to you...my President will be Black. :-)

We Will Survive!

If you are one of those Americans holding on to your wallet (that should be all of you right now), I would suggest you grap Suze Orman's new book! I am a huge fan of Suze Orman and cannot wait to pick up a copy myself. It just may be the best $10 you spend this year.

Peace

Aging Gracefully

CNN.com reports the new oldest woman in the world is Gertrude Baines, an African-American woman. She is 114 years old (born in 1894). She recently cast her vote for Barack Obama and spends her time eating/sleeping. She was a House Mom at a State University before retiring.

I love how women of color age gracefully...thank God for melanin and being naturally tanned. :-)

Take care of yourselves Ladies...

Oh and just because you are naturally tanned does not mean you can go without sunscreen. Take care of that beautiful skin!

Peace.

Work

"People might not get all they work for in this world,

but they must certainly work for all they get." - Frederick Douglass

Happy New Year Everyone!!! I hope you saved a moment to give thanks for being alive in 2009. As we all attempt to start afresh with our goals and plans for the New Year, this note is just a reminder that we all have to work for what we want. No matter how much or little you agree with Douglass' statement, take the momentum you have at this moment to share your goals with a friend. I find that this holds you accountable for not only remembering the goal but actually following through.

Miracles and Blessings.