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COVER STORY Meet the 2004 Young Women of Promise of New Mexico On the cover: from left to right: Rayma Lynne Adakai, Ali Sevilla, Nicole Barela, Amanda Spinney, Tamarind Carolyn Siena King, Beverly Rainey, event emcee, Tempest Chanel Thornton, Jessica Gallegos, Courtney Marie Clayshulte, Courtney Lankford, and Carla Winsor by Michelle Miller Allen
Set Smart Goals by Beth
Donahue Women and Politics by
Jahaan Martin Kay Carrico: La Celestina by
Sabra Brown Steinsiek We Are At War by
Kari Brandenburg Three Determined and Dedicated Advocates |
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COLUMNS The Inner You Women on the Web Great Reads
DEPARTMENTS From My Desk Starting Up Women on the Up & Up Worthy of Note |
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Violence changes those it touches. It leaves its mark, no matter how subtle. It alters perceptions, expectations, and reactions to the world we live in. It can also cage one’s spirit and beliefs. And it very slowly, but most certainly, eats away at those things we want and need to believe in, such as the value and promise each life holds; or that freedom with the opportunity to be everything we can be is real and exists for all of us. When I speak about the issue of domestic violence, I often refer to it as a war. My discussions begin with, “We are at war.” The war I am referring to is not the one we fought in Afghanistan, nor the one in Iraq. But it is a war, nonetheless, that has the same high stakes of every war. This war is occurring in our homes across the country. The enemy can be especially dangerous and frightening because he is known and loved. Strategies to prevent assaults are difficult to develop because attacks are often unpredictable. However, the devastation is the same. Lives are lost, prisoners of war are taken and held, living in continual fear and hope ceases to exist. The casualties are immeasurable. In our country, more women die as victims of domestic violence than from any other crime. Domestic violence affects women of all ages, regardless of their race, religion, socioeconomic status, employment, or marital status. In the United States, every 9 seconds a woman is battered. In New Mexico, each year 50 women are killed by a former or current male intimate partner. In Bernalillo County, law enforcement responds to over 14,000 domestic violence calls each year. Domestic violence is the number one reason women are seen in Albuquerque hospital emergency rooms. Children are the most vulnerable victims. They are often intentionally or accidentally injured when caught in the middle of violence between adults in the home. Further, children who witness violence in their homes are more likely to abuse younger siblings, hurt family pets, attempt suicide, do poorly in school, abuse drugs and alcohol, and use violent behavior as a method of solving problems. Even when children do not personally witness the violence, they still become its victims. Studies show the vast majority of children are aware of the violence. They see the bruises, hear the screaming, and are deeply affected by the emotional aftermath of the incident. These children suffer from sleeping and eating disorders and difficulties in school, and experience trouble getting along with their peers. For them, the future holds no greater promise. Consequences of violence in the home can be long-term and devastating. These children often grow up to feel angry, depressed, and suffer from low self-esteem. The male child often identifies with the abuser and ends up abusing his partner. The female child frequently finds herself the victim in abusive relationships. There is a deep-seated mistrust of intimacy in close relationships for both sexes. What is domestic violence? Many think of it as a physical attack occurring within a relationship. While it may be that, domestic violence can more broadly be defined as behavior one person uses against another that is calculated to control and maintain power in the relationship. The laundry list of behaviors include, but are not limited to, intimidation, threat of violence or actual violence, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, and isolation. Obviously, the threat of physical injury merits law enforcement intervention and criminal prosecutions. The other behaviors, in and of themselves, do not constitute criminal offenses, but over time may result in more serious physical threats and injuries. Crimes against household members can include assault, battery, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, drive-bys, harassment by telephone, stalking, pet abuse, rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and harm or threatened harm to children. There are three phases often referred to as the “cycle of violence.” The first phase is the “tension building phase.” Life appears to be routine, but small things start to happen and tension begins to build. The abuser becomes impatient and angry. The victim finds herself doing everything she can to relieve the tension and avoid aggravating it. The second phase involves the “battering incident.” The abuser can no longer control his anger and tension. He explodes with violence as the consequence. It may include battering, a threat or sexual abuse. The third phase is the “honeymoon phase” following the incident. The abuser feels guilty and professes great remorse for his acts. He is ashamed and often the victim is placed in the role of comforting the abuser. There are promises that it will never happen again and the victim is showered with gifts and/or attention. There is the illusion that all is well. In time, the tension starts to build again and the cycle continues. The dynamics of domestic violence entail an escalation of abuse over a period of time. Initially, the abuse may be verbal and infrequent. Over time, it becomes more frequent and is accompanied by threats. Eventually, it may move into a physical assault, starting with a push. This soon becomes a slap, then perhaps a kick. One thing is certain, if no steps are taken to stop the violence, there will always be a next time with greater consequences. It is difficult to assess the lethality of violent relationships, though we should all be familiar with what the experts believe are danger signals and increase the risk of physical harm. Some of these are:
When I took office almost 4 years ago, I was determined to make domestic violence a top priority. My goals were to hold the offender accountable and protect the many victims of domestic violence. Though my heart was determined and there were troops behind me with immense focus and dedication, we have not made the progress we had hoped for. New Mexico has an arsenal of laws pertaining to domestic violence. However, other factors, such as limiting court rules, emotional and financial ties between offenders and victims, lack of effective treatment options, and limited resources to handle the volume of cases, work against us and the success we strive for. With this said, there remains reason for optimism. Domestic violence and awareness is increasing. Governor Richardson and his wife, Barbara, have joined our ranks and pledged their commitment to ending domestic violence in our state. A statewide coordinator has been named to help maximize coordination of domestic violence resources, engineer and administer a public education campaign, and advocate on a state level. More importantly, those of us who have been fighting the battle will continue to do so, with the same energy and resolution as always. We are at war, fighting the right battle for the right reasons. Kari Brandenburg practiced law in the criminal arena for 21 years prior to taking the office of Second Judicial District Attorney on January 1, 2001. The District Attorney’s Office is the largest in the State and handles approximately 40 percent of the state’s criminal prosecutions. Its employees number in excess of 250, with approximately 100 attorneys. Kari has developed a number of initiatives, including the Truancy Prevention Program, Prosecutors in the Schools, and Kids Against Violence Art Project. Domestic violence, drunken driving, and meaningful assistance to victims and their families are top priorities in her administration. Kari has worked to form a working partnership with other law enforcement agencies and the courts, to increase public safety and the quality of life for Bernalillo County residents. |
Remember How Women Got the Vote The women were innocent and defenseless. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against 33 helpless women wrongly convicted of “obstructing sidewalk traffic.” They beat Lucy Burn, chained her hands to the cell bar above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Thus unfolded the “Night of Terror” on November 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because – why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining? The above was excerpted from an e-mail we received that was attributed to Meta Hirschl, Founder, YogaNow. Call our office if you would like it forwarded to you in its entirety. It’s hard to read. It took me two attempts to get through the painful details. I made myself do it. I never want to forget again the importance of voting and the power of our vote. What we take for granted as our right, is so much more than that. It is truly our responsibility. It’s a responsibility we must pass on to our daughters and granddaughters by setting the example: there is no excuse, especially now with absentee ballots so easy to access. Just call your County Clerk and give them your name and social security number. Your ballot will be mailed to you – you can fill it out at your leisure and in the privacy of your own home. There are no more excuses. Our Young Women of Promise, I am confident, can already be relied upon to always exercise their right, and their responsibility, to make their voices heard on Election Day. These remarkable young women take the world and the welfare of the people in it very seriously. They give selflessly of themselves for the greater good of others. Whether it’s starting a new foundation to grant last wishes, organizing a community letter-writing campaign to our troops overseas, or spreading the message of the importance of equality and respect through storytelling, they truly serve the communities in which they live. Read their inspiring stories on page 16. And, on Election Day, if you’re tempted to not vote, ask yourself, what excuse would I give these young women?
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From left to right: Tamarind Carolyn Siena King, Courtney Lankford, Tempest Chanel Thornton, Carla Winsor, Rayma Lynne Adakai, Amanda Spinney, Jessica Gallegos, Nicole Barela, Courtney Marie Clayshulte, Ali Sevilla The criterion for nominees for the Young Women of Promise Awards is that each girl must demonstrate a commitment to her community and to New Mexico through volunteer efforts and initiatives. The Young Women of Promise of 2004 are devoting their time, energy, and enthusiasm to organizations and projects in their communities, as well as starting their own initiatives for action when they perceive a need. Our honorees are contributing their talents and hard work to activities that promise a better future for all of us. They demonstrate strong leadership abilities, creativity, and visions for the future. Their accomplishments are greater each year; their understanding of the world as we now know it is extraordinary, as is the understanding of what they want to change and how they want to change it. They have no fear, and we admire them. They will make, we are certain, an impact on the future of all of us, their fellow New Mexicans.
Bev has been involved in Albuquerque radio for nine years. She began on-air work for 94 Rock and Classic Rock 104.1, then became imaging director and overnight DJ on 100.3 The Peak. Currently she hosts a popular 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. program on the Big I 107, leading Arbitron ratings in most demographics in the Albuquerque Metro area. Bev has taken part in the Big I’s annual radiothon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which raised over $200,000 last year. Bev is regional director of production for 18 stations in N.M. for Clear Channel Radio. She is responsible for commercial production for seven stations in Albuquerque and works with Clear Channel production departments in Santa Fe, Gallup, and Farmington to meet sales and programming needs. Bev enjoys providing radio and TV voice-overs for local and national businesses and owns a small production house with her husband, Jason Rainey (the Rainman) who is morning show producer of the T.J. Trout show on 94 Rock. Bev is enthusiastic and articulate and believes that our Young Women of Promise have the strength in their voices and hearts to make a difference in the world. She plans to remain in the Albuquerque radio market, entertaining all those willing to listen!
Born in Denton, Texas, Damita Jo is the oldest of four children who grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. While she says there’s “nothing like” small town living, it wasn’t easy being the only black kid in her class. Or being responsible for supporting her younger brother and sisters when her father died of heart disease and her mother was incapacitated with the same. The messages she received at school were about the things she couldn’t do. They only served to motivate her to get top grades, become an avid reader, and be the best she could be whether playing flute or basketball. She overcame all the negativity and studied architecture at Connor College in Oklahoma. Then she sang rock and roll, and when it came time to leave that life, she became a personal trainer. She took all the couldn’ts and turned them into coulds. Her positive outlook, outgoing and effervescent character, and personal philosophy, “Dream It, See It, You Can Achieve It!” have landed her on several TV programs and a soon-to-be released documentary.
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2004 Young Women
Rosina Anaya Albuquerque Elizabeth Z. Antholzner Las Cruces Cheryleve Yvette Archuletta El Rito Sara N. Ash Fairacres Cynthia M. Barringer Albuquerque Maralyn Beck Albuquerque Nicole E. Bowdich Albuquerque Chelsea Bristol Albuquerque Ariel Burr Carrizozo Lauren A. Capshaw Albuquerque Johanna Cecava Alamogordo Katie DeLaurentis Albuquerque Shannon Derksen Albuquerque Lindsey Frick Albuquerque Elvera Denise Gachupin Jemez Springs Chelsea K. Gallegos Las Cruces Nataliee Rita Giovannini Las Cruces Betsy Haddock Las Cruces Samantha Hairston Las Cruces Julie Henderson Albuquerque Amy Hopkins Torreon Charmayne J. Hunt Window Rock Katrissa M. Jantz Clayton Pamela Jewel Albuquerque Rebecca Krumel Cedar Crest Jennifer Lankford Holloman AFB Lauren Lankford Holloman AFB Emma Rose Locatelli Las Cruces Amanda Lowry Las Cruces Danielle Lyman Alamogordo Tonya S. Marten Las Cruces Rebecca Ann Medina Garfield Tannalee Moore Bluewater Diana Marie Nieto Las Cruces Savanna Reyes Las Cruces Carla Maria Roybal Santa Fe Andrea Sanchez Santa Fe Courtney Schantz Las Cruces Kristella Siarza Albuquerque Jennifer Staski Las Cruces Ashley Stuyvesant Los Lunas Tiara Deahn Thornton Alamogordo Chelsea Weber Albuquerque Susan Linda Yara Cloudcroft Brittney Zamora Las Cruces
WEB RESOURCES ON Whether you are a young woman just starting out on your career path or one already established, you will find that it is vital to network with others and essential to become a member of one or several women’s organizations. Here are a few websites about women’s organizations that might be helpful. The National Council of
Women’s Organizations (www.womensorganizations.org)
is a nonprofit of almost 200 groups with over ten million members.
NCWO members are concerned with women’s issues such as workplace
and economic equity, child-care, reproductive freedom, For a listing of various
women’s business organizations go to www.onlinewbc.gov/ Check out www.now.org for the well-known National Organization of Women for information on the national NOW conference and on NOW leaders who push vital women’s rights and human rights issues at the Democratic National Convention. Another well-known women’s
organization is the Young Women’s Christian Association (reference.allrefer.com/ Interested in finding out more about career futures for young women? Go to the website for Advancing Women (www.advancingwomen.com) for links to organizations dedicated to educational equity and career futures of young women. While you’re there, get a free trial subscription to the women’s news magazine, Advancing Women Network. This website lists career guidance resources and professional organizations such as Women in Architecture Committee, American Society of Women Accountants, Women in Chemistry, Association for Women in Computing, American Association of Women Dentists, Society of Women Engineers, American Medical Women’s Association, Women in Science and Engineering, and Women’s Veterinary Medical Association. The website wicse.cs.washington.edu/ Happy surfing! Geraldine Mosher is a computer consultant and trainer, as well as a freelance writer. Her business is Your Computer Tutor, (505) 296-4042. She is also the owner of Top Quality Publications. Check out her website at www.topqualitypublications.com. |
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Beverly
Rainey Emcee
D.J.Jones
Keynote Speaker
