A New York Times article this week recounted how an 18-year-old freshman reported her rape and regretted doing so after Hobart and William Smith Colleges held her disciplinary hearing. According to the New York Times article, “panelists interrupted her answers, at times misrepresented evidence and asked about a campus-police report she had not seen. The …
As summer vacations continue, many women will travel abroad, book family trips and plan girls’ weekends for much needed R and R. Others will simply be traveling for work which they do year-round. No matter if your plans are for business or pleasure, it’s always important to stay safe when traveling in a new …
There\’s a cool \”Cuff\” that\’s hitting the market this fall and every woman who worries about safety should own one of these bracelets or necklaces. Here\’s the lowdown… The inventor is Deepa Sood, a former VP of product development at Restoration Hardware, who had an \”aha\” moment one night while out with her husband …
Growing up, my mother gave me advice that literally saved my life. She told me and my sister, Janna, that if we EVER were attacked by a man, then do everything in our power to survive. She told us to kick, scream, run fast as we could…do whatever it took to get away. And I …
Growing up in the 70s, the stereotypical mom was June Cleaver. Donned in dress heels, pearls and apron, this suburban mom’s domestic quest was the kitchen! My being reared in the quiet and small town of Statesboro, Georgia, the Cleaver persona was paramount. But not so in the Martin home. My …
One of my favorite musical pieces is sung by Barbara Streisand. Her lyrics are about a place where we can find peace, quiet and openness. But for years spiritually, I was unable to experience any of these life items as I continued to suffer from a sexual assault invading and destroying me at …
I want to achieve extraordinary goals — not just ho-hum, common, run-of-the-mill ones. I want to have a seismic impact on how our world views violence against women and change how sexual assault victims recover…so no woman has to endure what I experienced after my sexual assault….fear, shame, trauma, hurt, despair, post traumatic stress, anxiety, …
Did you remember to breathe today? For at least 20 years, my post traumatic stress affected the way I breathed. I often “gasped” when startled. I breathed with shallowness and even held my breath at times when I felt I was in danger. The result: lack of oxygen to my brain and constantly remaining in …
Are you stressed out today? Read this tip on winning the battle against anxiety. Read More »
I often wonder how many people actually know that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month? You know how hard it is to cut through all the messages out there in the news…the Malaysian Airline mystery, the drowning of hundreds on the Korean Ferry, and Chelsea Clinton’s just announced pregnancy. If you have not seen any …
Friday, July 12th was declared Malala Day by the United Nations. It is in honor of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls\’ education. This courageous 16-year-old was given a standing ovation at the United Nations Friday after she spoke to the …
Do you know Malala? Author Jenny Lynn Anderson wants to introduce her. Read More »
When I saw NBC’s newscast last week regarding the arrest of Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Krusinski, the Air Force’s officer in charge of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, I stared at the TV and said, “WHAT!!!! THAT IS SICK! The very man in charge of preventing rape is charged with groping a woman. The Police press …
Sexual Assault Culture in Military Deeply Troubling Read More »
Cleveland resident Charles Ramsey set an important example for our society to take note of when he heard a woman screaming and decided to act upon her pleas for help. Courageously, Ramsey became a shining example of being an “Active Bystander” when he helped Amanda Berry kick out a locked screen door of the …
Cleveland Women’s Captivity Illustrates Importance of being an Active Bystander Read More »
I recently came upon this promotional video for a UK company that does search engine optimization. Its message spoke to me because for so long my vision for living was impaired. I was “stuck” in a place where I used words and phrases like, “I can’t move forward,” “Nobody understands,” and “I’m a failure.” When …
The unexpected traumatic experience of the two powerful bombs exploding at the finish line of the Boston Marathon yesterday shattered assumptions about safety for many, which could lead to and potentially contribute to the development of widespread Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) When I saw the horror on the faces of onlookers as …
Boston Tragedy Takes its Toll Physically and Emotionally Read More »
Every day on my walk with our dog Gucci, I pass this mound of fertilizer on the edge of a field behind our home. As we make our way around the mound, that steady verse of “making a mound out of a molehill,” comes to mind. Often during the remainder of my walk I am …
