Hey ya'll-
The inaugural tour for Unite for Change (www.UniteforChange.com) is getting close to kick-off and to say we are pumped would be the understatement of the year. With campuses and communities signing on everyday this movement is gaining more and more momentum and we are humbled to be a part of the process. If you want to get on board write to us today at info@kellyandbecca.com. There are still March and April dates available, more information on participation benefits are available at http://www.uniteforchange.com/program.php
Also, if you want to host your own Unite for Change event...let us know and we can help you navigate the process. After all, we are all in this together.
Please keep in touch!
Always-
Becca (and Kelly)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Call for Submissions!
Hello All-
Upon creation of a new campaign to reduce sexual violence on our campuses and in our communities, we have launched the Unite for Change campaign (www.UniteForChage.com). A final step in this process is the development of our resource page. It's purpose is to highlight all the wonderful programs and events you all do on your respective campuses so that others may benefit from your knowledge and experience. We will list each highlighted school or community program in alpha order. The resource page will lead you to a separate page for you to describe your excellent work. We will be happy to work with you on crafting your submission.
If you would like to submit something for consideration or have any questions please respond to me directly at becca@kellyandbecca.com.
Always-
Kelly and Becca
www.UniteForChange.com
Stand Up! Speak Out!
Let's Talk About "IT"
www.Kellyand Becca.com
Life is best if lived without fear but with awareness.
Upon creation of a new campaign to reduce sexual violence on our campuses and in our communities, we have launched the Unite for Change campaign (www.UniteForChage.com). A final step in this process is the development of our resource page. It's purpose is to highlight all the wonderful programs and events you all do on your respective campuses so that others may benefit from your knowledge and experience. We will list each highlighted school or community program in alpha order. The resource page will lead you to a separate page for you to describe your excellent work. We will be happy to work with you on crafting your submission.
If you would like to submit something for consideration or have any questions please respond to me directly at becca@kellyandbecca.com.
Always-
Kelly and Becca
www.UniteForChange.com
Stand Up! Speak Out!
Let's Talk About "IT"
www.Kellyand Becca.com
Life is best if lived without fear but with awareness.
Monday, January 15, 2007
E-Newsletter for Kelly and Becca
Hey Ya'll-
Here is the first issue of the K and B newsletter. Please shoot me an e-mail to sign up (or visit our site www.kellyandbecca.com and sign up today). Plus you will get the sassy HTML version.
We look forward to hearing from or seeing you all soon.
Always-
Becca and Kelly
***************************************************
Happy New Year!
We have come into 2007 in a big, technologically-savvy way
and we re super excited to invite you to view our first
issue of the Let's Talk About "IT" E-Newsletter.
In the coming months we look forward to this becoming a
forum where we can offer tips on reducing sexual assault,
share current information on topics such as date rape drugs,
alcohol and sex, as well as highlight your great ideas (So
please keep em coming!). We hope you enjoy reading the first
of many monthly issues to follow.
A Mother of Resolutions
As 2006 was coming to a close we sat down and began
setting goals and resolutions for 2007. To start, we came
up with the usual: get in better shape, lose weight and
organize our closets. So, after we re fit, fabulous and
super organized, then what? We asked ourselves, what would
we consider to be the mother of all resolutions for us? A
new challenge beyond what size jeans we want to wear or
how great they look folded neatly in our perfectly
organized closet. What new endeavor would 2007 bring? It
was then that our resolution turned into our new mission
and the Unite for Change Campaign was born.
Inspired by the amazing students, survivors and educators
we have met and worked with over the years, we wanted to
create a place where campuses and communities could share
how they were addressing sexual violence. In turn, it
would be a place where those seeking guidance could get
current information and ideas from our incredible brothers
and sisters across the nation. We are making a personal
commitment to not only ask campuses and communities to
participate in the Unite for Change Campaign but to agree
to support those who need help in planning their own
event, this year and going forward.
This campaign is about focus, determination, hope and
promise. Our hope is that this campaign will help bring
new meaning to the term sexual revolution, because this
truly is a revolution. We hope that you will join us in
this movement. Check out the new web-site at
www.uniteforchange.com. We invite you to leave a
message on our Speak Out! message board and share your
commitment to ending sexual violence. Let us know what you
think! We look forward to hearing from you and to adding
some of the great things you've done and continue to do to
the web-site.
Coming in the February Issue
We invite you to share resources and ideas from your campus to
be highlighted in the February issue of the Let's Talk About "IT"
E-Newsletter. So please send us information about successful
sexual assault awareness and prevention initiatives on your
campus so we can talk it up!
Wishing you all a fabulous New Year filled with lots of luck,
love, happiness and memories that will last a lifetime. Whether
you start out 2007 with a customary resolution, a new mission or
simply think of it as a clean slate, make time to find your
passion, follow your dreams and no matter what, never give up!
More focused, determined and hopeful than ever!
Kelly and Becca
Here is the first issue of the K and B newsletter. Please shoot me an e-mail to sign up (or visit our site www.kellyandbecca.com and sign up today). Plus you will get the sassy HTML version.
We look forward to hearing from or seeing you all soon.
Always-
Becca and Kelly
***************************************************
Happy New Year!
We have come into 2007 in a big, technologically-savvy way
and we re super excited to invite you to view our first
issue of the Let's Talk About "IT" E-Newsletter.
In the coming months we look forward to this becoming a
forum where we can offer tips on reducing sexual assault,
share current information on topics such as date rape drugs,
alcohol and sex, as well as highlight your great ideas (So
please keep em coming!). We hope you enjoy reading the first
of many monthly issues to follow.
A Mother of Resolutions
As 2006 was coming to a close we sat down and began
setting goals and resolutions for 2007. To start, we came
up with the usual: get in better shape, lose weight and
organize our closets. So, after we re fit, fabulous and
super organized, then what? We asked ourselves, what would
we consider to be the mother of all resolutions for us? A
new challenge beyond what size jeans we want to wear or
how great they look folded neatly in our perfectly
organized closet. What new endeavor would 2007 bring? It
was then that our resolution turned into our new mission
and the Unite for Change Campaign was born.
Inspired by the amazing students, survivors and educators
we have met and worked with over the years, we wanted to
create a place where campuses and communities could share
how they were addressing sexual violence. In turn, it
would be a place where those seeking guidance could get
current information and ideas from our incredible brothers
and sisters across the nation. We are making a personal
commitment to not only ask campuses and communities to
participate in the Unite for Change Campaign but to agree
to support those who need help in planning their own
event, this year and going forward.
This campaign is about focus, determination, hope and
promise. Our hope is that this campaign will help bring
new meaning to the term sexual revolution, because this
truly is a revolution. We hope that you will join us in
this movement. Check out the new web-site at
www.uniteforchange.com. We invite you to leave a
message on our Speak Out! message board and share your
commitment to ending sexual violence. Let us know what you
think! We look forward to hearing from you and to adding
some of the great things you've done and continue to do to
the web-site.
Coming in the February Issue
We invite you to share resources and ideas from your campus to
be highlighted in the February issue of the Let's Talk About "IT"
E-Newsletter. So please send us information about successful
sexual assault awareness and prevention initiatives on your
campus so we can talk it up!
Wishing you all a fabulous New Year filled with lots of luck,
love, happiness and memories that will last a lifetime. Whether
you start out 2007 with a customary resolution, a new mission or
simply think of it as a clean slate, make time to find your
passion, follow your dreams and no matter what, never give up!
More focused, determined and hopeful than ever!
Kelly and Becca
Thursday, December 28, 2006
OVER 100 Members of Congress Support Funding for SASP!
The Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) was authorized in the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA) and for the first time, provides a direct and dedicated funding stream for rape crisis centers.
Although funding for fiscal year 2007 is yet to be finalized, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Rob Portman, has heard from a bipartisan group of 110 Members of Congress expressing support for funding the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) at its authorized level of $50 million in FY 2008.
The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) and their partners have been hard at work crafting strategies and building support for SASP that will provide much needed funding this year and in the future. OMB is a crucial piece of this puzzle, as they impact greatly how much money is asked for from each federal department each year. The amount of funding asked for sends clear signals to those in Congress who actually vote on funding months later. Achieving an "ask" of $50 million which would appear in the President's proposed budget to Congress next year would be a tremendous victory and signal strong support for the program.
To view the letter: www.naesv.org/News/OMB06.pdf
I viewed the letter and carefully looked over the signatures and much to my disappointment did not see my State Representative’s name. Shame on you Adam. Mr. Putnam will be getting a letter from me very soon. If you would like to contact your Representative, follow this quick link: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
With all this holiday free time we might as well dabble in some politics, right?
Happy Holidays!
Kelly
Although funding for fiscal year 2007 is yet to be finalized, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Rob Portman, has heard from a bipartisan group of 110 Members of Congress expressing support for funding the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) at its authorized level of $50 million in FY 2008.
The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) and their partners have been hard at work crafting strategies and building support for SASP that will provide much needed funding this year and in the future. OMB is a crucial piece of this puzzle, as they impact greatly how much money is asked for from each federal department each year. The amount of funding asked for sends clear signals to those in Congress who actually vote on funding months later. Achieving an "ask" of $50 million which would appear in the President's proposed budget to Congress next year would be a tremendous victory and signal strong support for the program.
To view the letter: www.naesv.org/News/OMB06.pdf
I viewed the letter and carefully looked over the signatures and much to my disappointment did not see my State Representative’s name. Shame on you Adam. Mr. Putnam will be getting a letter from me very soon. If you would like to contact your Representative, follow this quick link: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
With all this holiday free time we might as well dabble in some politics, right?
Happy Holidays!
Kelly
Friday, December 15, 2006
Help the planet via free light bulbs!
Between 12/7/06 and 12/21/06 you can purchase 4 packs of compact fluorescent light bulbs at Lowes for $7.98, with a rebate of $7.98 per pack. This means FREE light bulbs.
Why are these light bulbs so great? They will save you money on your electric bill because they are very efficient (use a quarter of the power an incandescent bulb uses), they last up to eight times longer than inefficient incandescent light bulbs, and their efficiency saves energy created by coal burning power plants that pollute our air. The best lights to replace are the ones you use the most often while at home.
A link to the rebate coupon is below for 4-packs of 60-watt "Sylvania Mini Twist Lightbulbs" Item #146558. There is a limit of TWO 4-packs per household.
*Rebates must be postmarked by 1/21/07.*
http://www.lowespromos.com/PDFs/1327-2.pdf
Peace-
Becca and Kelly
Why are these light bulbs so great? They will save you money on your electric bill because they are very efficient (use a quarter of the power an incandescent bulb uses), they last up to eight times longer than inefficient incandescent light bulbs, and their efficiency saves energy created by coal burning power plants that pollute our air. The best lights to replace are the ones you use the most often while at home.
A link to the rebate coupon is below for 4-packs of 60-watt "Sylvania Mini Twist Lightbulbs" Item #146558. There is a limit of TWO 4-packs per household.
*Rebates must be postmarked by 1/21/07.*
http://www.lowespromos.com/PDFs/1327-2.pdf
Peace-
Becca and Kelly
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Unite for Change
I hope you can feel our excitement as I type this. Kelly and I have unveiled the first phase of our campaign, Unite for Change and we could not be more pleased. When you can, please check out our site www.UniteForChange.com and learn more about our latest effort to end sexual violence. We welcome your feedback. We hope to complete the site within two weeks so let me know your thoughts and suggestions.
Much love now and always-
Becca (and Kelly)
Life is best if lived without fear but with awareness.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Still recovering from Katrina
While we were in New Orleans, we drove accross the LA/ MS stateline to see how Bay St. Louis was recovering after Katrina and to pay our respects so to speak. The photo above made my heart melt. (The board on the tree reads: Please protect tree, planted by grandson.) This photo captures the cry for help and the chance for hope that can be felt throughout the Katrina stricken region.
Friday, December 01, 2006
New Spray-on Condom: A Car Wash for your Penis
It was almost exactly a year ago today that the world’s first “spray on condom” hit the market in China. The product, which was called the Nanometer-silver Cryptomorphic Condom (NCC) was actually a spray for women, which coated the inside of the vagina and created a “physical membrane” that prevented fluid transmission and provided contraceptive and disease prevention.
Yesterday’s LA Times reported on a new venture, by a German company, to develop a spray on male condom. The product, which is both described and illustrated on the company’s website http://www.vinico.de/home/index.php actually sounds a little like spray-on tanning, but for your penis. It is a canister that you insert your penis into, and then latex is sprayed onto the penis, forming a condom around it.
Jan Vinzenz Krause from the Institute for Condom Consultancy who is developing the concept explains:
"It works by spraying on latex from nozzles on all sides," he said. "We call it the '360 degree procedure' - once round and from top to bottom. It's a bit like a car wash."It’s an interesting concept, and at a projected $13 for 20 applications, it would be a surprisingly inexpensive condom product. But it sounds like a product that would be unlikely to ever make it to the North American market, both for financial and safety reasons.
To develop an inexpensive mechanism that could evenly spray latex consistently without clogging would be a challenge. And the fact that each condom is made “live” raises questions as to how the failure rate be determined and evaluated. In North America there is an acceptable failure rate for products like condoms and surgical gloves. The FDA would need some way of determining the quality of the condoms, and it’s not clear how they would be able to test this affordably.
Finally, given the fact that both men and women say lack of spontaneity is a reason for not using condoms, one has to wonder how “hold on honey, I just need to spray on my protection” will go over.
Read more – LA Times: German sex educators plan spray-on condom
Related - About Contraception
Source- Cory Silverberg About.com
Yesterday’s LA Times reported on a new venture, by a German company, to develop a spray on male condom. The product, which is both described and illustrated on the company’s website http://www.vinico.de/home/index.php actually sounds a little like spray-on tanning, but for your penis. It is a canister that you insert your penis into, and then latex is sprayed onto the penis, forming a condom around it.
Jan Vinzenz Krause from the Institute for Condom Consultancy who is developing the concept explains:
"It works by spraying on latex from nozzles on all sides," he said. "We call it the '360 degree procedure' - once round and from top to bottom. It's a bit like a car wash."It’s an interesting concept, and at a projected $13 for 20 applications, it would be a surprisingly inexpensive condom product. But it sounds like a product that would be unlikely to ever make it to the North American market, both for financial and safety reasons.
To develop an inexpensive mechanism that could evenly spray latex consistently without clogging would be a challenge. And the fact that each condom is made “live” raises questions as to how the failure rate be determined and evaluated. In North America there is an acceptable failure rate for products like condoms and surgical gloves. The FDA would need some way of determining the quality of the condoms, and it’s not clear how they would be able to test this affordably.
Finally, given the fact that both men and women say lack of spontaneity is a reason for not using condoms, one has to wonder how “hold on honey, I just need to spray on my protection” will go over.
Read more – LA Times: German sex educators plan spray-on condom
Related - About Contraception
Source- Cory Silverberg About.com
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Quack Attack!
Kelly, Tiffany, Hart and Becca at the SWAT (Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team) table after the program.
Our last gig of 2006 was at the University of Oregon in Eugene...the Ducks. Quack attack! That's so much fun to say. What a beautiful part of the country and gorgeous campus! We really enjoyed spending time with our fabulous hosts, Tiffany and Hart, the VP's of Education for Panhellenic and IFC. Thanks for the great conversation, campus tour and delicious dinner guys. While we were on campus we had a chance to meet with Sheryl Eyster, AVP of Student Life and she told us about some of the Sexual Violence and Prevention Education programs in place at the University of Oregon. Very progressive stuff. Kudos to Sheryl, her staff and students on your work to end sexual violence!
The Ducks were very good to us. This was our last gig of the semester and another reminder of how totally lucky we are to have what we consider to be the best jobs ever. We're looking forward to a little winter break and time to get things moving with the new campign we're launching (details soon to come) then it's happy travels next semester!
A west coast sign off,
K & B
Thursday, November 16, 2006
We "heart" Richard Simmons!
Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day. This morning, we were in Portland hanging out in our hotel room watching the TODAY Show and a perfect day had officially begun and it’s all because of Richard. Richard Simmons! Who doesn’t love Richard Simmons?! Bless his fuzzy afro having, silky sporty-shorts and super scoop tank top wearing self! A snow flake rhinestone tank top no less. How seasonally appropriate of him, but that’s not the best part. The part that brought a smile to our face, laughter to our bellies and even tears to our eyes was when Richard began dancing to Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake. WOW, my friends, wow. He invited Al Roker, Ann Curry and Natalie Morales to join in…and they did! It was awesome. The entire crowd was sweat’n to the oldies pseudo hip hop style. This was truly a sight to be seen and the perfect way to start off our day. Thank you TODAY Show and thank you Richard!
PS- Crazy free-style dancing aside, the segment was very touching. Richard Simmons is working on a campaign to BRING PHYSICAL FITNESS BACK TO OUR SCHOOLS! He created a National survey that will help find out what's happening in schools today and he plans to compile the information received and take it to Washington to share with the only people who can make the needed changes: the men and women in our government. If you would like to help out, check out the survey by going to http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey.zgi?p=WEB225QLXH5W87 and filling out the questionnaire.
Keep on Dancing!
K & B
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Dove Campaign
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/home_films_evolution_v2.swf
Check out this link from the Dove Campaign and watch the mini clip. An extremely thought provoking and painfully real moment. This makes me want to go out and buy some Dove body wash to help support the cause! : )
You are beautiful my sisters, just as you are! Hope you're having a gorgeous day.
Kelly
Check out this link from the Dove Campaign and watch the mini clip. An extremely thought provoking and painfully real moment. This makes me want to go out and buy some Dove body wash to help support the cause! : )
You are beautiful my sisters, just as you are! Hope you're having a gorgeous day.
Kelly
Friday, October 27, 2006
Stop Breast Cancer for Life!
Stop Breast Cancer for Life! Get informed. Spread the word. Make a difference.
Sign the petition - http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php
For additional information regarding legitimacy of this effort, see http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/mastectomy.asp .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mastectomy Hospital Bill in Congress
If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women (and men) the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.
Mastectomy Bill in Congress
It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important...please take the time and do it really quick!
Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill - Important legislation for all women.
Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.
There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the "drive-through mastectomy" where patients are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.
Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.
PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.
http://www.lifetimetv.com/health/breast_mastectomy_pledge.html
This takes about two seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of all women and men, THANKS.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Wingate University
Some days are simply awesome...and that was the case when we rolled into Wingate University. The staff, the students are simply amazing. We met so many incredible folks on this visit including our Alpha Gamma Delta sister Christine as well as our new home girl Jessica. As always, it is an honor to do this work but this campus made today day particularly memorable.
Always-
Becca and Kelly
Always-
Becca and Kelly
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Kick'n it with the Wolf Pack
We had a chance to visit one of our favorite states and meet some really amazing athletes. It was an honor to work with the female athletes at NC State, fondly referred to as the lady wolfpack. These women play hard! Several of them came to the program with giant ice packs taped to their limbs, ace bandages wrapped around their ankles and knees, and one of them was sporting a new pair of crutches. Woah! That's serious sport my friends and probably one of the reasons collegiate team sport never found its way into my life, that and my lack of athletic coordination and skill, not to mention my on-again-off-again relationship with the gym. I admire them for their dedication! Thank you so much to our new friends at NC State for coming to our program, bruises and all.
Always,
K & B
Always,
K & B
Thursday, October 19, 2006
How "IT" came to be.
Once upon a time on a road trip to our spiritual home of New Orleans, Louisiana, we pondered our place in life. We asked the question “how are we going to make the world a better place?” A lofty goal, we know, but never short on ambition, we pushed the discussion forward. Kelly, a social worker at the time, had a deep passion for helping others in need. Becca, a theatre major with a flair for the dramatic, needed a creative way to express herself. Together we had a strong commitment to our campus and community…but what was our purpose?
It was there, in the darkness of I-10 west, that we uncovered our mission. One of us is a survivor of sexual assault, the other a supportive best friend. This traumatic experience forever changed our lives and now would give us the chance to make a difference in lives of young people throughout the nation. We recognized the opportunity to share our story and empower students to revolutionize campus climate and culture. Deep down we knew that if we stopped making students feel guilty for being sexually curious or sexually active, we could unite them. Not men against women but together, men and women as a campus community. We believed that if we simply explained what sexual assault is and how we can prevent it, change would occur. So as we crossed the Louisiana state line…Let’s Talk About “IT” was born and this incredible journey began.
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