September
Women in the News
Justice for Juveniles
NFWL State Director and New Jersey Senator Nellie Pou recently celebrated as the governor signed her legislation to reform the juvenile justice system into law.
The law seeks to improve the prospect of rehabilitation for young people who are charged, convicted, or incarcerated.
“Young people in the criminal justice system deserve a second chance to improve their lives,” said Senator Pou. “With this law, we hope to break the cycle of crime and imprisonment by rehabilitating these individuals through needed services in detention centers.”
This victory came just a month away from the NFWL 2015 Annual Conference, where the US Justice Action Network and Fix Forfeiture will present on criminal justice reform and ATEST will present on the need to reform conditions for homeless youth.
Click Here to read the full article.
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All Around Trail Blazer
NFWL celebrates our Iowa State Director, Representative Linda Upmeyer, as she prepares to lead the Iowa House as the first ever female Speaker of the House in the state. It will also be the first time women hold the top position in both chambers of the Iowa State Legislature.
Her appointment was covered by Rod Boshart the Gazette Des Moines Bureau who noted, “She said being elected speaker is “very exciting” regardless of whether you’re male or female but she hoped her advancement would inspire young girls and women to consider public office.”
Being voted in as Speaker is not only a great accomplishment for the women of Iowa. It also carries special meaning to her family as she follows in her father’s footsteps, who was also Iowa Speaker of the House.
“Upmeyer said her father instilled in her an interest in public service and she expected one day she would run for office,” said Boshart.
Congratulations, Representative Upmeyer!
Click Here to read the full article
Don’t Forget!
Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders
2015 Annual Conference: Register for our 2015 Conference in Oklahoma City SEPTEMBER 11-15
Partner Posts
It’s Time to Think About Youth Tobacco Prevention
It’s back-to-school time, and for middle school students, it’s a time of change. Middle school-aged students are forming their own identities and want to make their own decisions. That’s why R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s (R.J. Reynolds) free, evidence-based youth tobacco prevention program, Right Decisions Right Now: Be Tobacco Free (RDRN), is especially important this time of year.
RDRN is an online program that educates youth about the dangers of tobacco use, and equips them with good decision-making skills for a healthy lifestyle. In August, major enhancements were made to the website, creating a more user-friendly experience.
“Any teacher, parent, coach or youth leader can access this online program free of charge, and now we’ve made it both easier to navigate and more intuitive with our redesign of the website,” said Steve Curl, Director of Policy and Advocacy at RAI Services Company, working on behalf of Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) and its subsidiaries, including R.J. Reynolds.
RDRN was tested nationally and found to be successful on two key measures: Recent smoking levels decreased significantly in test schools, and anticipated tobacco use among middle school-aged students also decreased. In addition, students’ susceptibility to peer pressure and their perception of the popularity of tobacco-using peers showed significant declines versus control groups.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the use of vapor products, or e-cigarettes, among middle and high school students tripled from 2013 to 2014. RAI and its subsidiaries believe no minor should use tobacco products, including vapor products. In 2014, RDRN updated its website with information on vapor products. The program now includes materials for parents and teachers, explaining what vapor products are and how to talk to children about the dangers of nicotine.
Click Here to read more.
2015 Conference Updates
The Voices of Tomorrow
Monday, Sept. 14, 11:45am-1:45pm
We are so excited to announce the winners of the NFWL/NRA Annual Bill of Rights Scholarship Essay Contest! With over 130 applicants this year, the judges had a difficult time in selecting winners among the wide breadth of talented and honor worthy young ladies.
This year, applicants were asked to write an essay on one of the five freedoms guaranteed in the first amendment and how it has helped or hindered gender equality.
The six winners will receive a $3,000 college scholarship, and an all-expense-paid trip to NFWL’s Annual Conference, where they will be presented their award and introduced by a sponsoring legislator from their state at the lunch program on Monday, Sept. 14th.
The 2015 Winners & their Legislator Sponsors are…
Anu Osibajo of Bronx, New York, sponsored by Baltimore City Councilwoman, Helen Holton
Breanna Maples of Wilmer, Alabama, sponsored by Mobile County Revenue Commissioner, Marilyn Wood
Caroline Ibarra of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, sponsored by Freeholder Deputy Director, Serena DiMaso
Elena De Marco of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, sponsored by Florida State Senator, Geraldine Thompson
Fatmeh Cheaib of Dearborn, Michigan, sponsored by Michigan State Senator, Judy Emmons
Keira O’Brien of Ketchikan, Alaska, sponsored by Alaska State Representative, Charisse Millett
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Toasting Excellent Ladies
Monday, Sept. 14, 6:00-10:00pm
The Elected Women of Excellence award was established in 2013 as part of NFWL’s 75th Anniversary Celebration in order to honor the hard work and dedication of women leaders from across the country.
Join us for the final evening reception of our 2015 Annual Conference at the Petroleum Club as we honor our 2015 Elected Women of Excellence!
The winners were nominated by their colleagues and constituents from their home states and then chosen by a distinguished panel of NFWL members.
The 2015 Women of Excellence Honorees are…
Councilwoman Yvette Alexander (DC)
Former Lt. Governor Jari Askins (OK)
Senator Tamara Barringer (NC)
Representative Sharon Beasley Teague (GA)
Senator Linda Collins-Smith (AR)
Representative Kimberly Dudik (MT)
Senator Judy Emmons (MI)
Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (NV)
Representative Gloria Fox (MA)
Councilwoman Adrienne Fraley Monillas (WA)
Representative Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (MI)
Senator Barbara Goodwin (MN)
Representative Stacey Guerin (ME)
Representative Dianne Hesselbein (WI)
Former Mayor Saundra Naifeh (OK)
Mayor Marni Sawicki (FL)
Senator Katrina Shealy (SC)
Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh (NJ)
Senator Jackie Winters (OR)
“We are thrilled to acknowledge these women,” remarks NFWL Chair and New Jersey Senator, Diane Allen. “They showcase the strong leadership qualities, focused work ethic, and determination that we try to instill in young women across the nation, and deserve to be recognized for their tremendous efforts.”
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Energy Plenary Session
The Changing Dynamics of Energy in America
Monday, Sept. 14, 8:15-10:15am
The United States is comprised of a variety of energy resources that fuel the nation’s economy. Supporting a balanced portfolio of energy choices will ensure grid reliability, improvements in energy efficiency and investment in advanced technologies.
This mix of energy resources creates constantly changing and evolving energy market dynamics and will allow the United States to meet electricity demand while maintaining low rates for consumers.
Join Oklahoma Corporate Commissioner Dana Murphy on Monday, September 14th at the breakfast plenary as she leads the discussion by further exploring current and evolving energy market dynamics.
Leadership Development
Pre-decision making: How to Make Better Decisions Under Stress
We all have to make decisions, at work, at home, as mothers, as fathers, as legislators. But when we don’t have to much time to make a critical decision, we might make the wrong one.
Leadership coach Lisa McLeod outlines how to make decisions under pressure instead of just reacting in one of her latest articles “Pre-decision Making: How to Make Better Decisions Under Stress”.
“The pre-decision,” Says McLeod, “gives you a tool for making decisions as your best self, so when the worst day happens, you’ve already decided how you want to react.”
Click here to more about what McLeod and her client call “pre-decision making” and how to employ it in your every day life.