Tag Archives: Womens History month

March is Women’s History Month

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Alaska lost a legend when Ruth Schmidt passed away at the age of 97.


In Memory…

In a time when many women weren’t encouraged to enter scientific fields, Ruth received her Masters (in 1939) and Ph.D. (in 1948) from Columbia University before going on to become a prominent geologist. She moved to Alaska in 1956 and later founded the Geology Department at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. An article in the Anchorage Daily News from April summed up just how impressive Ruth’s accomplishments were: “Recently, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists announced it would honor the organization’s first 100 female members to commemorate its centennial in 2017. The first woman featured is Ruth A.M. Schmidt.”
Ruth was a treasure to the state of Alaska, not just because of her professional accomplishments, but also because of her storied philanthropic work.
As her obituary notes, “she supported conservation, opera and symphony, social services, public media, science, and science education for women and minorities.”
There’s something else to add to the list: Ruth supported women’s health and reproductive justice.
We were overwhelmed and amazed when we learned that part of Ruth’s will included a bequest to Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest, the first-ever contribution of that type to our organization.
We want to thank and honor Ruth for her support of women’s health and reproductive freedom.
Because of Ruth’s generosity, we have been able to wage a stronger fight against the threats to women’s health posed by politicians who want to interfere in personal medical decisions. Coupled with the support of thousands of activists like you – as donors, volunteers, and community supporters – we’ve been able to advance a progressive agenda across Alaska, Idaho, and Washington fighting for women and families.
Ruth was a trailblazer for women, for science, for Alaska, and for reproductive health and rights. If you want to continue her legacy with us, add your name to the list as someone who will continue to fight for women’s health in 2015 and beyond.
Thank you for all that you do.
Elaine Rose
CEO
Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest 

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

sign the “MY BOSS IS NOT MY DOCTOR” petition … Al Franken


Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota

Here’s a handy way to tell the difference between your boss and your doctor: Ask to see a stethoscope (doctors usually have those handy). If the person who’s trying to control your access to health care can’t produce one, that’s your boss — and you shouldn’t let him or her decide what care you can get.

 
This is pretty simple: Bosses aren’t doctors. And Republicans shouldn’t put them in charge of your health care. No wonder 26,545 people have already signed our “MY BOSS IS NOT MY DOCTOR” petition.
That’s 26,545 people whose bosses are not their doctors, and don’t want their bosses deciding what health care they can and can’t get.
So if you haven’t signed our petition — and your boss is not, in fact, your doctor — don’t wait another minute. Click here, sign now.
Thanks for reading — and remember: If it walks like a boss, talks like a boss, and can’t produce a stethoscope on demand, it isn’t a doctor.
Al
P.S.: It took hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of research to develop the stethoscope test. Okay, no, it didn’t. But a grassroots campaign like this one does cost money. And it would be great if you could chip in a few dollars to help us keep it going.