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Celebrate the American Worker

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Today we celebrate the everyday worker. Labor Day honors the American labor movement and the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of this country. This Labor Day, Federally Employed Women wishes you a weekend of family and fun, whether you enjoy a picnic, a barbeque, or a good nap. It’s the time of relaxation and fun!

As you enjoy this holiday, take a moment to reflect on the importance of the work you do every day and the efforts of you and your colleagues to service the American people and our Agencies. The mission of Federally Employed Women is to continue to improve the working lives of every federal workers – “…to end sex and gender discrimination, to encourage diversity for inclusion and equity in the workplace, and for the advancement and professional growth of women in federal service”. We appreciate and celebrate you in this partnership!

As FEW “Soars to New Heights” we continue to remind everyone of the talents of women and diversity.  We have made great strides and have broken enormous ground to add to history. FEW is here to remind everyone our work is not in vain.

Happy Labor Day! And remember to slather on that sunscreen and don’t mix driving with either alcohol or texting. FEW wishing you a sunshine filled summer weekend to remember!

Check Your Income Tax Withholding

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IRS withholding notification


Everyone should check their withholding. Due to tax law changes, it’s especially important to check now if you:

  • Are a two-income family
  • Have two or more jobs at the same time
  • Work a seasonal job or only work part of the year
  • Claim credits like the child tax credit
  • Have dependents age 17 or older
  • Itemized your deductions on your 2017 return
  • Have high income or a complex tax return
  • Had a large tax refund or tax bill for 2017

Use the IRS Withholding Calculator to do a Paycheck Checkup

  • The IRS Withholding Calculator helps figure out if you should submit a new Form W-4 to your employer.
  • Have your most recent pay stub and federal tax return on hand.
  • The calculator’s results are only as accurate as the information you enter.
  • Find the IRS calculator at IRS.gov/withholding.

Publication 5303 (6-2018) Catalog 71495F Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov

Please Dial-in Number (US): (641) 715-3580 (for audio)
Access Code: 128732 #
Join the Online Meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/few_webinars (to view the presentation)
ease be sure to take the time and check your withholding. We will also be holding a webinar in the near future so please check the FEW website and your email for a webinar update!

Women’s Equality Day – August 26, 2018

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For over 50 years Federally Employed Women (FEW) has worked for equality and inclusion of women and in 2018 our work is not done.  As FEW acknowledges Women’s Equality Day, and the passage of the 19th United States Amendment over 98 years ago.  We celebrate the abolitionist persistence to right a wrong.  We became true official citizens when we received the right to vote in 1920.

FEW takes pride in knowing we are able to speak in one loud voice and with authority.  We all have a voice and the opportunity to effect change!  Our vote is our voice.  As each American goes to the polls this November, remember to take a friend with you; it’s your responsibility and it matters.  If you know someone who is not registered, educate them on Susan B. Anthony and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, as well as the importance of providing your vote.   Your rights and privileges did not happen by circumstance.  They happen when you put in the hard work.  FEW encourages everyone to vote.  After all, so many women worked so you could have this right.

Read a copy of the Joint Resolution of Congress designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day commemorating the day in 1920 as the demonstration for women’s rights took place.  Click here to read more.

Celebrate Women’s Equality Day on August 26, 2018

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Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex and granting women the constitutional right to vote.  In 1971, and again in 1973, Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York introduced a resolution to designate August 26 as Women’s Equality Day which was approved by Congress (H.J. Res. 52) on August 16, 1973.  H.J. Res. 52 stated that “August 26 would be designated as Women’s Equality Day and that “the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation in commemoration of that day in 1920 on which the women in American were first guaranteed the right to vote”.1

Even though there have been many important strides made in the struggle for full and equal participation by women, there is still much work to be done.  We can stand on the shoulders of those who have been the trailblazers and continue the fight for equal rights for women as we near the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Resources:

  1. Text of Public Law 93-105, authorizing the designation of Women’s Equality Day (pdf). August 16, 1973.

FEW is Still Growing in Leadership

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As National President of Federally Employed Women (FEW), it is my honor and privilege to install some great women into their leadership roles within our organization.   I had the privilege of performing the 2018 – 2020 installation ceremonies for the Western Region, the FEW Foundation and the Motor City Chapter (pictured below).   Leadership development is in the foundation of FEW.   It’s what we do best!  Congratulations to the next generation of leaders who have stepped up and taken the mantel for FEW.  You are a representation of our “Soaring to New Heights”.

Western Region Installation
Western Region Installation
FEW Foundation Installation
FEW Foundation Installation
Motor City Chapter Installation
Motor City Chapter Installation

Assistance Dog Week – August 5-11, 2018

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Assistance Dog Week graphic


2018 International Assistance Dog Week Fact Sheet

What is it? International Assistance Dog Week was created to recognize all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs helping individuals mitigate their disability-related limitations

What do assistance dogs do? Assistance Dogs transform the lives of their human partners with debilitating physical and mental disabilities by serving as their companion, helper, aide, best friend and close member of their family.

What are the goals of International Assistance Dog week? The goals are to recognize and honor the hardworking assistance dogs; raise awareness and educate the public about how these specially trained animals are aiding so many people in our communities; honor the puppy raisers and trainers of assistance dogs; and recognize heroic deeds performed by assistance dogs in our communities.

Are all assistance dogs retrievers or are there other breeds as well? Assistance Dogs can be from a variety of breeds including, but not  limited to: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, as well as shelter dogs.

Where can I get more information about Assistance Dogs? You can go to the websites for International Assistance Dog Week (www.assistancedogweek.org) and Working Like Dogs (www.workinglikedogs.com). You can also check out Assistance Dogs International  (www.assistancedogsinternational.org) and the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (www.iaadp.org).

What types of assistance dogs are there? While many people are familiar with Guide Dogs, those that assist people with vision loss, not as many people are aware of the other types of assistance dogs working today. Here is a description of the various types of assistance dogs:

Guide Dogs – Assist people with vision loss, leading these individuals around physical obstacles and to destinations such as seating, crossing streets, entering or exiting doorways, elevators and stairways.

Service Dogs – Assist people with disabilities with walking, balance, dressing, transferring from place to place, retrieving and carrying items, opening doors and drawers, pushing buttons, pulling wheelchairs and aiding with household chores, such as putting in and removing clothes  from the washer and dryer.

Hearing Alert Dogs – Alert people with a hearing loss to the presence of specific sounds such as doorbells, telephones, crying babies, sirens, another person, buzzing timers or sensors, knocks at the door or smoke, fire and clock alarms.

Seizure Alert/Seizure Response Dogs – Alert or respond to medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, post-traumatic stress and seizures.

Medical Alert/Medical Response Dogs – Alert to oncoming medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Are assistance dogs allowed to go in to restaurants and other businesses even though other pets can’t? Yes, assistance dogs are allowed to accompany their human partners to places of business including restaurants and shops. Under state law and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are guaranteed equal access to any and all establishments and accommodations; no extra charge can be levied because of the dog.

Resources:

www.myassistancedoginc.org

https://www.assistancedogweek.org/

http://www.serviceanimalassociation.org/service-dog-facts/

 

 

August is Family Fun Month

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August is….Family Fun Month! No one really knows the origins of Family Fun Month, but what better excuse to enjoy some time with your family before school starts back up!

HOW TO OBSERVE

Here are some fun ideas to take Family Fun Month to the next level!

  • Go to the movies: The newest Winnie the Pooh installment, “Christopher Robin” comes to theaters August 3rd. Celebrate this timeless classic, great for all ages.
  • Take a trip to the zoo: Whether you’re on the East Coast or near the Rocky Mountains, the zoo is the perfect day trip for the family. Check out this list of the top zoos in America and see if one is close to you. http://www.uscitytraveler.com/americas-10-best-zoos/
  •  Have a backyard bonfire:This is an easy and inexpensive way to have some family fun. Make s’mores, roast hot dogs, tell ghost stories by the fire, there are countless ways to have fun in your own backyard. You could even consider having an outdoor movie night: https://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/diy-outdoor-movie.html
  • Go on a scavenger hunt:A scavenger hunt can be as simple as finding different things around the house or take it outside and explore your local mall or neighborhood. Have younger children? Split up into teams or have another family come join you for the fun! Here are some fun ideas for a mall scavenger hunt. https://icebreakerideas.com/mall-scavenger-hunt-lists-ideas/

 

Other ideas could include:

  1. Go on a picnic
  2. Visit a water/amusement park
  3. Take a trip to the local children’s museum
  4. Play a game of charades
  5. Run through the sprinklers (at home or at a playground)
  6. Make s’mores
  7. Put a jigsaw puzzle together
  8. Go on a treasure hunt (try a scavenger hunt at the grocery store)
  9. Play hide and seek
  10. Play miniature golf
  11. Go to the beach and build a sand castle
  12. Have a fashion show
  13. Sit down and have a sing-a-long; teach your children some of your favorite childhood songs
  14. Build an indoor fort, tent or teepee
  15. Have a water balloon fight
  16. Go to library story time
  17. Go through your childhood pictures and share a special memory with your child
  18. Make a backyard obstacle course
  19. Blow bubbles (you can even make your own)
  20. Go horseback riding
  21. Have a tea party
  22. Toss a frisbee around
  23. Cook as a family
  24. Spend an evening star gazing
  25. Go to the zoo or aquarium

Take the time to turn off the television, put away all the electronic gadgets that attract attention but discourage interaction, and enjoy one another.  Think of the memories you could create!

Resources:

  • https://nationaldaycalendar.com/family-fun-month-august/
  • https://www.babble.com/kid/august-is-family-fun-month-31-ideas-to-celebrate/
  • http://voiceofplay.org/blog/make-plans-national-family-fun-month/

Exercise Your Rights and Vote!

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We cannot afford for you to stay silent.

In life you must know when it is the appropriate time to speak up; when it is the correct time to share your perspective and join the process.   For many Americans, it seems as voting is a right we take for granted far more than we should.  In fact, for a long time in the United States, only white, property-owning men could vote. African-Americans were given the right to vote in 1870 yet were blockaded from exercising that right for many years, until the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. The first country to allow women to vote was New Zealand in 1893. The United States didn’t allow women to vote until 1920, 80 years after people began working for the cause. It is easy to forget that people dedicated their lives to these battles, as we live in a world where such blatant inequality seems impossible. But we only have this mindset because some people gave everything in the name of suffrage.

So, after our long history of working towards having the right to vote, why stay silent now?   Information is at your fingertips and barriers have ceased to be an excuse in so many ways.  In fact, there are a variety of ways to find out about each candidate.  You can watch the news, read the paper, check out online sources, subscribe to a newsletter and follow candidates on social media.  Just like everything else in life, if you want to know you can find out.   Just remember, the future of our elections impacts us all and we need you to participate.  It is the one thing, outside of your job, paying your bills, and taking care of your family and friends, that I would say is an obligation.  Just like all of the things mentioned, there are consequences to you not participating and voting.

I encourage you to find your voice and exercise your right.  Use your muscle, your vote!  Primary elections are going on now.  See the schedule below.  Voting is a right that must be exercised. Don’t be the person who complains about the results, even though you didn’t do what you could to sway them. Politics are politics, and there will always be things with which you disagree, but at the end of the day, it is our duty as citizens to let our voices be heard and vote.

 

 

Primary dates and filing deadlines, 2018

State Filing deadline for primary candidates Primary election
Texas 12/11/2017 3/6/2018
Illinois 12/4/2017 3/20/2018
Indiana 2/9/2018 5/8/2018
North Carolina 2/28/2018 5/8/2018
Ohio 2/7/2018 5/8/2018
West Virginia 1/27/2018 5/8/2018
Idaho 3/9/2018 5/15/2018
Nebraska 3/1/2018 5/15/2018
Oregon 3/6/2018 5/15/2018
Pennsylvania 3/20/2018 5/15/2018
Arkansas 3/1/2018 5/22/2018
Georgia 3/9/2018 5/22/2018
Kentucky 1/30/2018 5/22/2018
Alabama 2/9/2018 6/5/2018
California 3/9/2018 6/5/2018
Iowa 3/16/2018 6/5/2018
Mississippi 3/1/2018 6/5/2018
Montana 3/12/2018 6/5/2018
New Jersey 4/2/2018 6/5/2018
New Mexico 3/13/2018 6/5/2018
South Dakota 3/27/2018 6/5/2018
Maine 3/15/2018 6/12/2018
Nevada 3/16/2018 6/12/2018
North Dakota 4/9/2018 6/12/2018
South Carolina 3/30/2018 6/12/2018
Virginia 3/29/2018 6/12/2018
Washington, D.C. 3/21/2018 6/19/2018
Colorado 3/20/2018 6/26/2018
Maryland 2/27/2018 6/26/2018
New York 4/12/2018 6/26/2018
Oklahoma 4/13/2018 6/26/2018
Utah 3/15/2018 6/26/2018
Tennessee 4/5/2018 8/2/2018
Kansas 6/1/2018 8/7/2018
Michigan 4/24/2018 8/7/2018
Missouri 3/27/2018 8/7/2018
Washington 5/18/2018 8/7/2018
Hawaii 6/5/2018 8/11/2018
Connecticut 6/12/2018 8/14/2018
Minnesota 6/5/2018 8/14/2018
Vermont 5/31/2018 8/14/2018
Wisconsin 6/1/2018 8/14/2018
Alaska 6/1/2018 8/21/2018
Wyoming 6/1/2018 8/21/2018
Arizona 5/30/2018 8/28/2018
Florida 5/4/2018 8/28/2018
Massachusetts 6/5/2018 9/4/2018
Delaware 7/10/2018 9/6/2018
New Hampshire 6/15/2018 9/11/2018
Rhode Island 6/27/2018 9/12/2018
Louisiana 7/20/2018 11/6/2018

Alzheimer’s Awareness

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What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a type of a dementia that slowly deteriorates a person’s memory, thinking, and behavior. It is caused by abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fiber in the brain, along with the loss of connection between nerve cells. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. Symptoms develop slowly, and begin to worsen over time. People with Alzheimer’s live an average of 8 years after their symptoms become noticeable to others. Alzheimer’s is a global epidemic affecting 47 million people globally, and is the 6th leading cause of death in America. Although there is no known cure, it is still being researched extensively and treatment has developed to slow down symptoms.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is difficulty remembering newly learned information. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen. People with Alzheimer’s may experience;

  • Impaired reasoning or judgment
  • Trouble doing everyday tasks such as cooking a meal or paying bills
  • Disorientation
  • Mood/behavior changes
  • Suspicions about loved ones
  • Difficulty speaking, swallowing, walking

People with the disease may not even recognize that they have any of these symptoms. It is important that if friends or family notice any of these symptoms, they seek out medical help for their affected loved one.

Alzheimer’s Risk Factors

Although still little is known about the exact cause of Alzheimer’s, the greatest risk factor for the disease is older age. Some people develop Alzheimer’s at an earlier age, but this is extremely rare. Only about 4% of Americans with Alzheimer’s are under the age of 65. Older women are at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s. The estimated risk for women at 65 to develop the disease is 1 in 6. Another risk factor is a family history. If a person has a family member with Alzheimer’s, they are more likely to develop the disease.

Alzheimer’s Prevention

Research is not conclusive on how exactly to prevent Alzheimer’s; however healthy lifestyle choices have been correlated with supporting brain health. Regular physical exercise may directly benefit brain cells. It has known cardiovascular benefits and increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain. The brain and heart health seem to be linked, and current evidence shows that heart-healthy eating may also help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Heart-healthy eating includes a diet filled with fruits and vegetables, and limiting the intake of sugar and saturated fats.

Researchers’ are still studying ways to prevent early-onset Alzheimer’s which is associated with a genetic mutation. People with the gene are guaranteed to get Alzheimer’s, so researchers are testing antibodies on carriers of the gene who aren’t yet showing systems, to see if they can reduce the plaque buildup in the brain and slow down or even prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Nearly 2/3 of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are women. Not only are women more likely to have the disease, they are also more likely to be a caretaker for someone who has it. Women account for 60% of caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients, half reporting that the care cause emotional and physical stress.

Resources

Legislative Webinar and Lobby Week

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Join us on Wednesday May 30, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. EDT to discuss the latest way to “Engage” with your Representatives on the issues that are important to you and to FEW.  Do not miss out on this online demonstration of the Engage online advocacy tool. Engage has a more robust capability of outreach to members on Capitol Hill, as well as, legislative tracking and monitoring.

Additionally, FEW’s lobbyist, Tonya Saunders will provide an overview of how to meet with your legislators and the key legislative issues that will be focused on during Lobby Week. Lobby Week is scheduled for June 4 through 8, 2018.  Please take this opportunity to reach out to your Legislators to let them know your position on pertinent issues.

Please register for the webinar by clicking on this registration link:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1672220137854903043