Female WWII Pilots: The Original Fly Girls
On Wednesday, March 10, more than 1,000 women who flew military planes durign World War II will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. They were known as WASP, Women Airforce Service Pilots, and at the time of their service they were civilians. See more about this story at www.npr.org.
Did you know?
In 2007 the Montana Legislature added the offence of "trafficking of persons for involuntary servitude" to the criminal code. The basic offence is punishable by a term of 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $100,000. If the crime involves aggravated kidnapping, raper or murder, the prison sentence can reach 100 years. MCA 45-5-306
There are 27 million people in slavery today. Those 27 million people make $32 billion in profits for criminals every year. For comparison: $32 billion is what Americans spend every year on snack foods like potato chips and pretzels. Source
Zontian's Charities Survey
Click here for a survey on Zonta member's favorite charities and advocacy events.
November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence: November 25 - December 10
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. The campaign highlights the connections between women, violence, and human rights from 25 November to 10 December. The Campaign is an organizing strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.
Domestic Violence Awareness
In 2004, the Zonta Club of Billings adopted "domestic violence prevention" as one of our main areas of focus for service during a three-year period of 2004-2007. The long-range goal was to implement activities in Yellowstone County focused on domestic violence prevention and integrate those activities into coordinated community responses. The short-range goals were to partner with existing agencies currently involved in community response in an effort to increase prevention activities; to establish a "speakers bureau" of trained Zontians who provided informational talks on the prevention of domestic violence; and to develop and implement a prevention of domestic violence media campaign based on the needs identified.
WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
Domestic violence can take many forms of physical, sexual, emotional, economic and spiritual harm. Physical abuse begins with the first slap and can end with the victim's death. While physical and sexual abuse are more likely to be prosecuted in criminal court, the effects of emotional, economic and spiritual abuse tends to be just as traumatic and usually longer lasting.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Not only does society pay with lost lives and moral responsibility, but family violence also costs the nation from $5 to $10 billion annually in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelter and foster care, sick leave, absenteeism and non-productivity. It affects us all.
INTERESTING FACTS.
HELP LINE INFORMATION
Domestic Violence Support & Rape Crisis Hotline: (406) 259-8100
YWCA Victim's Hotline: (406) 259-8100
Billings Clinic Emergency: (406) 657-4150
St. Vincent Healthcare Emergency: (406) 237-4100
Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
Elder Abuse Prevention: (406) 896-9696
Child Abuse Hotline: (866) 896-9696
Mental Health Center: (406) 252-5658
Campaign Inspires Others: "OPEN YOUR EYES"
Dr. Sarah Keller was a Zonta member at the time and utilized her contacts as a communications professor to conduct an active campaign. Among the outreach strategies was a series of billboards and commercials that aired in the Billings area. Her class at MSU Billings won four ADDY® awards for their work in promoting awareness of this subject.
The campaign goals were to reduce violence through education, and to put survivors of violence in touch with support services available through Domestic and Sexual Violence Services of Carbon County (DSVS) and the YWCA Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program of Billings.
DSVS and the YWCA strive to reduce domestic and sexual violence by providing support services to women, children, and families impacted by this violence. The YWCA provides shelter to approximately 500 Billings-area women each year, and reaches numerous others through its hotline number and support groups. The DSVS provided service to 32 people in 2005, and reached 654 people thru educational programs.