Cause We're All Irish on St. Paddy's Day!

I see lots of people wearing green today and am hearing plans for celebrating the holiday tonight. But in the instance that you are looking to take your celebration to a deeper level, I think I can help (with a little assistance from who else but NPR :) ).

The first step to a deeper kind of celebration is letting it come from the heart. And how else do we get to the heart but through the stomach? How about a delectable St. Patty's day dessert?! That's what I thought. Check out this recipe for Chocolate Guinness Cake from Nigella Lawson. This may require an open-mind for some. In my case, I have tried Guinness-flavored ice cream before and am positive that trying another Guinness-flavored dessert is a step in the right direction. If I get a chance to try the recipe myself, I will certainly report back.

Now that the heart is covered, how about the mind? I will be the first to admit that I have a very romanticized idea of the Ireland. I knew that Ireland's economy is currently suffering in the same way as Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain. However, I did not know that almost immediately before that, they were experiencing an economic boom in the 90s that perhaps could've softened the blow. From history, we know that Ireland has never been a stranger to troubled times, but will they ever be able to leave the trouble in the past? Find out more by listening to today's episode of On Point entitled, "Ireland's Epic Boom and Bust".

All that being said, there is certainly no problem with celebrations that are only skin deep. I stumbled upon an amazing Etsy shop that sells handmade soaps some of which are made using our favorite brands of beer. I chose a Stout Beer Soap Made With Guinness and gave a couple as gifts and kept one for myself. My skin is oh so soft! Check it out!

Best o' luck as ye celebrate St. Paddy's Day!

Who's That Lady - Mothers of Ciudad Juarez

I first learned of the extreme, drug-related violence in Ciudad Juarez while in college. Recently, Juarez has just re-entered the collective conscious of the U.S. due to the recent the murders of U.S. families and a consular employee by suspected drug gangsters. While I gravitate toward women who have gained fame for the actions, I can't deny the incredible strength of everyday women just like those in Ciudad Juarez.

Here are the facts:

• It's believed that 400 women and girls have been murdered and more than 70 remain missing in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico (Amnesty International).


• Exact numbers of those missing and dead still remain somewhat of a mystery.


• Many of the victims look chillingly similar: young, slim, dark complexion, shoulder-length hair, and poor daughters of the working class (NPR, 2003).


• Many victims disappear on their way to work in the maquiladora industry


• Mothers of vicitms have been featured in numerous news articles describing the extreme angst they feel from not knowing what has become of their daughters.


• Every type of homicide against women is common in the city, especially sexual- and drug-related killings (NPR, 2003).


• Families of victims do not believe that the murderers will ever be identified as they are believe to be the elite members of the city in powerful government and law enforcement positions.


• Juarez is headquarters to a major drug cartel.

For more info:

- A documentary film: Border Echoes: The Truth Behind the Juarez Murders

- Faces of the Missing in Ciudad Juarez

- Amnesty International, USA: http://www.amnestyusa.org/violence-against-women/justice-for-the-women-of-juarez-and-chihuahua/page.do?id=1108394

- NPR story, 2003: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1171962&ps=rs

- NPR story, 2010: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124572344

- NPR story about 3 people with ties to U.S. consolate who were killed in Juarez, 2010: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124676161&ps=rs

So here's to you mommies of Juarez, for your strength in this terrible, ongoing tragedy spanning year after year, You go girls!

Who's That Lady - WASPS

I know what you're thinking; Insect or acronymn. Well, it's an acronym, but not the one that probably first pops in your head. Try Women Airforce Service Pilots.

• About 1,100 young women flew military aircraft stateside during World War II as part of a program called Women Airforce Service Pilots — WASP for short.


• The women in this program were civilian volunteers who ferried and tested planes so male pilots could head to combat duty.


• The WASP expected to become part of the military during their service. Instead, the program was canceled after 2 short years.


• They weren't granted military status until the 1970s.


• They nearly fell through the cracks in history until March 10, 2010, when the WASP were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

I can't do these amazing women justice with my own words. You really have to see and here it yourself.

- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124533914&ps=rs

- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123773525&ps=rs

- Listen here: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?

- WASP Interactive, courtesy of NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124367587

- WASP on the Web: http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/wasp/index.htm

- There's even a PBS film entitled, Fly Girls. More info here, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/flygirls/

Now these are Fly Girls that I can understand! You go girls!

Who's That Lady - Natalie Randolph

In honor of Women's History Month, I am creating a column called "Who's That Lady?" Women all over the world and across history do amazing, so why not talk about it?

I'll start us off with several that I've heard of recently. But if you ever want to add to the list, send it my way!

First up - Natalie Randolph!

• Last week, Coolidge High School in Washington D.C. announced her as Head Coach of their varsity football team.
  
• She is 1 of only 2 women who currently serve as head coaches for U.S. high school varsity football teams. (Debbie Vance became head football coach at Lehman High School in the Bronx, New York in 2008.)


• Mayor Fenty of D.C. declared March 12 Natalie Randolph Day in the District.


• Her football cred includes serving 2 seasons as assistant coach at another D.C. area high school, playing 5 seasons with the D.C. Divas of the Independent Women's Professional League, and perhaps most important is that she is already well-liked as a biology teacher at Coolidge.


• Natalie on being recognized as 1 of only 2 women head coaches for high school football - "I don't want this to overshadow their glory and their goals and them making it on to the next level. I want to make sure that they just get the best out of their high school experience."


• Natalie on her goals for her players - "I want these kids to be prepared for everything," she said. "Athletics is a means to an end. I want them to be complete young men."

You go girl!

Read more here...

1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031202576.html
2. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124636081