eConnection 1/19: Writing Contest and More!

By NJSFWC | January 19, 2022
write, reports

by Jan W. Hanson, NJSFWC President

Writing Contest

It’s not too late to enter the NJSFWC Writing Contest for members or the Youth Writing Contest. Members may submit a short story, poem or haiku. Details about both contests can be found on the njsfwc.org website, click on Materials, Arts Performing, Arts Performing Supplement. There is also a special link to the Youth Writing Contest rules.

The deadline is February 1, 2022, Send all entries to the Literature Chairman, Joanne DeBenedictis, 105 19th Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719.

Alumnae Association of Douglass College

  • Mark your calendars! Next month — all thru February –our AADC community of Alumnae and friends can make a difference in the lives of women right where they live. In honor of our momentous anniversary celebration, AADC 100th: Proud History to Bright Future, we are conducting special month-long Service Project AADC – Helping Women, PERIOD.
  • This effort marks a new way that AADC is helping women. The goal of this new project is to provide menstrual products to women in need. We can make an impact!

Why is this important?

  • One in five girls miss school due to lack of menstrual products. In a survey done last year by the Obstetrics & Gynecology Journal, nearly two-thirds of low-income women surveyed struggled to afford period products at some point during the previous year. This global public health phenomenon affecting women and girls in developing nations and in the United States, is called “Period Poverty.” It refers to the prevalent phenomena of being unable to afford products such as pads, tampons, or liners to manage menstrual bleeding. Having to use cloth towels, rolled-up toilet paper, and cheaper, lower quality period products that are uncomfortable is a reality for many people who menstruate. Still others ration their products by extending the time they use them. We have no doubt that this issue, like everything else, has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as people have lost jobs and have been forced to do more with less money.
  • Another contributing factor to period poverty is the “Pink Tax,” which refers to the phenomenon whereby some goods and services cost more for females than males. Through governmental taxation of feminine hygiene products, women pay more, while some male-oriented medical care products are tax free. Some states have taken action to rectify this discrimination by extending the exemption to feminine hygiene products as well.
    Reach Out Within Your Local Community
  • We encourage Alumnae and friends to check with local food banks and shelters, for example, to find out the best way to donate products. Some may allow you to bring donations directly to their locations, while others may enable you to add to an online “wish list” for products needed. Donate menstrual health products like tampons, sanitary napkins and pads in a variety of sizes. You may also have other connections where you live. We are not collecting products at the AADC.
  • Let’s network and help out the AADC. Don’t forget to take pictures for the NJSFWC Facebook page.

NJSFWC Convention

We are waiting for confirmation on the hotel code for making reservations. We should have the code shortly and it will be in the CALL and in the eConnection. Please hold off until you have the code to make your reservation.

Deadlines

February

1-All Annual Reports Due
1 – Newsletter Contest Registration
1 – Press Book Contest Registration
1 – Scrapbook Contest Registration
1 – Youth Writing Contest
1 – Creative Writing Contest
1 – Margaret Yardley Fellowship
1 – Nominations Cecilia Gaines Holland Award
15 – 2021 Annual Convention Program Ads
1-28 – Website Contest Submission