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Domestic Violence Awareness

Did You Know That:

• One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.


• An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.


• 85% of domestic violence victims are women.


• Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.


• Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.


• Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.

Children Who Witness Domestic Violence:

• Witnessing violence between one’s parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.


• Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.


• 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household

Did You Know That:

• One in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape.


• Nearly 7.8 million women have been raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.


• Sexual assault or forced sex occurs in approximately 40-45% of battering relationships.


• 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men have been stalked in their lifetime.


• 81% of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner; 31% are also sexually assaulted by that partner

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MUST STOP!!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I have several breast cancer survivors in my family and I have several family members who passed away from Breast Cancer. My grandmother, Dorothea Smith, is a Breast Cancer Survivor for over 25 years. She has battled the disease with prayer, chemotherapy, medication, a mastectomy and most of all the support of her loving family. She is not afraid to speak out about the disease and inform others about her survival. She constanly reminds women to do breast exams and to stay on top of their doctor appointments.

My lovely Grandmother and me on my Masters Graduation last year!

Below are some Breast Cancer Facts:

Who gets breast cancer?
Anyone can get breast cancer. For example, did
you know…
• the older a woman, the more likely she is to get
breast cancer?
• white women are more likely to get breast cancer
than women of any other racial or ethnic group?
• African American women are more likely to die
from breast cancer than white women?
• men can get breast cancer, although it is rare?
Less than one of every 100 cases of breast cancer
in the U.S. occurs in men.
• in 2008, it is estimated that men will account for
1,990 cases of breast cancer?1

If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, what are my
chances of surviving?
In general, pretty good. The 5-year survival rate for all
women diagnosed with breast cancer is 89 percent.2
This means that 89 out of every 100 women with
breast cancer will survive for at least five years. Most
will live a full life and never have a recurrence. Your
chances of surviving are better if the cancer is detected
early, before it spreads to other parts of your body. In
fact, when breast cancer is found early and confined to
the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent.2 That
is why it is so important to take steps to detect breast
cancer in its earliest stages.

Are you at risk?
Most women have more than one known risk factor
for developing breast cancer, yet will never get the
disease. Some risk factors are things that you do not
have any control over, while others can be changed
by making changes in your lifestyle (see list below).
What is the most important risk factor? Simply being a
woman. But remember, there is no one cause of breast
cancer. If you are concerned about your breast cancer
risk, discuss your options with your doctor.
Risk factors:
• being a woman
• getting older
• having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast
cancer genes
• having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
• having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian
cancer
• having high breast density on a mammogram
• having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or
carcinoma in situ
• never having children
• having your first child after age 35
• radiation exposure, frequent x-rays in youth
• high bone density
• gaining weight after menopause
• currently or recently using combined estrogen and
progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

My First Computer Class

Last night I completed teaching my first computer class for the Seniors at my church, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. This was an awesome experience. All of my students were over the age of 70!!! They were all eager to learn and couldn't wait to become computer literate. I met with my students once a week for an hour. Some of them would arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of time just to make sure they were ready for my when I got there. I was truly amazed at how quickly they picked up on the information and also their ability to retain the information. Last night was a bitter/sweet moment for me. I was sad that the class was ending but I was happy that I was able to help someone along the way. At least I know my living is not in vain!

Art Supply Drive for Turn Around Inc.

I am a member of the Baltimore Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and we are hosting an Art Supply Drive for Turn Around, Inc.http://turnaroundinc.org

Turn Around, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault/abuse, through counseling, education, support services and advocacy. Art is utilized to allow children to express themselves and to help them get through traumatic experiences. They are currently in need of the following art supplies to assist with their sessions:

• Magic Markers


• Crayons


• Glue


• Loose Glitter


• Glitter Glue


• Construction Paper


• Sock to Make Dolls


• Doll Stuffing


• Plain White T-shirts

Art Supply Collections will be held at:
Metro Delta Head Start
2001 Park Avenue (On the Hill)
Baltimore, MD 21217
Monday, May 11, 2009 6pm - 8pm
Thursday, May 14, 2009 6pm - 8pm

If you are interested in making a donations, please feel free to contact me at mrsbaltimorecounty@hotmail.com.

Guys and Dolls Pageant

Last night I served as Pageant Coordinator for the Women's Auxiliary of the United Baptist Missionary Convention of Maryland Guys and Dolls Pageant. This pageant benefits the Mae C. Barnes Scholarship, which is awarded to at least seven college students each year. I had the privilege of serving as Pageant Coordinator for the past four years and this was my final year. It was truly an honor serving in this position. I had the opportunity to meet several educated and talented young people who are in love with the Lord and who strive to please Him everyday. This year there were seven contestants who participated in the pageant and showcased their talent. Some sang, some danced, some recited poetry and another rapped about the story of Job. It was such a blessing to be around these bright and talented young people. Lets continue to encourage them, uplift them and most of all pray for them. Pray that God will protect them from the hand of the enemy and that they may continue to stay on God's straight and narrow path.