My name is Victoria, and I’m 13 years old. I recently found out that girls as young as me are being sold for sex by people using a classifieds website called Backpage.com. You can buy and sell stuff on Backpage.com, look for an apartment, or find a job. That is all cool. But pimps are using Backpage.com to advertise girls my age to men twice their age and older, and that’s not okay. It makes me so upset to think that every night while I sleep safely in my bed, there are other girls who are spending the night being raped and abused. Backpage.com is owned by Village Voice Media. They read the news – they know that pimps have advertised girls for sex in the adult section of their website, but so far Village Voice Media has refused to take down the section. That's why, with the help of my mom, I started a petition to tell Backpage.com to close the adult section so that girls aren’t bought and sold for sex by sick people using the site. I recently became friends with a girl who was advertised by her pimp on Backpage.com. She's 13 years old just like me. What happened to her is so scary. I don’t want any other girl to experience that. Kids deserve to play, to be free, and to go to bed each night and have sweet dreams. Let’s help them do that. Please sign my petition and share it with all your friends. --Victoria, age 13 (and Mary Pannell, my mom)

Women of America, are you aware that we are still "second class citizens? The Equal Rights Amendment for women was introduced in every Congressional session from 1923 - 1972, when it finally passed. 35 states have ratified it but we still need 3 more states before it can become a part of the Constitution and give women full citizenship rights. It is one of the few amendments in history to be given a time limit for ratification so H.J.RES.43 and S.J.RES.15 have been introduced to remove the deadline, but there has been no action by Congress since March, 2011. Now is the time to demand that Congress remove the deadline so we can pressure the 15 remaining states to ratify the ERA. Please sign our petition and contact your Representative and Senators to ask them to support these resolutions. See [email protected]

SAVE HANALEI RIDGE... The green ridge overlooking the Hanalei River and Hanalei Bay is threatened by a luxury development that would perch 25 resort mansions over the river, directly across from Black Pot Park and the canoe clubs. Hawaii billionaire developer Pierre Omidyar’s proposal to transform the bluffs above the Hanalei River into a haven of exclusive luxury vacation properties would fundamentally alter the scenic, environmental and cultural qualities that have made Hanalei Bay unique and iconic in all of Hawaii. The project’s site plans show 34 CPR mansions plus 86 luxury resort cottages, with 25 of the mansions lining the length of the ridge, looming over Kaua`i’s children as they paddle and play in the river. Hanalei’s new view from the bay would be a wall of development that would extend from the Princeville Hotel into Hanalei valley. In addition to scarring the hillside, the lights of this sprawling luxury complex would beam down on the river and Black Pot Park, destroying the dark serenity of the ridge and Hanalei’s Black Pot, Pavilion and Wai`oli beach parks. The nighttime glow would also divert Kaua`i’s native seabirds, which already die in large numbers at Princeville resorts. For months, Omidyar's “Ohana Hanalei” development company has been carefully marketing its project to a small, hand-picked group of people in an attempt to buy support for the project. “This lobbying effort is steamrolling behind our backs,” one Hanalei Valley resident said. In response, the Hanalei Bay Coalition was formed to protect Kauakahiunu - the Hawaiian name for the site - before the massive mansion/hotel development goes any farther. In March the Coalition, which is composed of concerned Kaua`i groups and individuals, respectfully contacted Omidyar to ask for his help to protect Hanalei Bay. Although he lives nearby in Honolulu, his staff rebuffed the community’s offer to meet with him. Instead, the residents were shunted off to his development company - the very group that is working day and night to replace the green hillside with a long parade of McMansions from the river mouth all the way to above Kellett's Landing. Can we count on this development company to do the right thing? It does not seem likely. The development company has already shown bad faith by blocking for more than four years—with locked gates and security guards—the public shoreline access easement that was deeded to the County years ago. The Coalition asked Mr. Omidyar in March to remove the locked gate that leads to the public access. Nothing happened. Indeed, two months later, the company called the police to eject one fisherman trying to use the deeded public access that has been part of the property since the 1980s. It is only because the community and brave individuals have once again been forced to conduct the research and fight for their rights that the gate was open and the guards gone on Father’s Day. We hope they stay that way. Mr. Omidyar has a right to use his property, just like anyone else, subject to the rules. He doesn't get to bulldoze luxury houselots into a scenic historic hillside any more than anyone else does. Our community's watershed plan, the North Shore Development Plan and the state's Special Management Area policies all call for the protection of our viewplanes. Those pristine viewplanes are a crucial part of the low-key, traditional and natural feeling of Hanalei and Hanalei Bay. They are an essential part of what makes this place special for both residents and visitors. But beyond whatever rights he might have, Mr. Omidyar also has an important responsibility. He has the unique personal ability to either protect or destroy the qualities of one of the most sacred places in Hawaii. The appropriate action for Omidyar’s development company would be to shift all development on this large piece of property back and away from the edge, to preserve Kauakahiunu Ridge, save the viewplane, and protect the seabirds. If Mr. Omidyar wants this community's support, he must do the right thing. If not, then Kaua`i must just say no to Mr. Omidyar. --Hanalei Bay Coalition The Hanalei Bay Coalition is dedicated to the preservation of the scenic, cultural and environmental qualities of Hanalei Bay’s waters and lands. To stay updated on this issue please follow us on Facebook or check our website: http://hanaleiridge.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SaveTheHanaleiRidge

I did not know that Human Trafficking was a problem for Woman, teenagers, young girls, and maybe kids. I thought that it was a choice, and not a choice because of a lot of parents. Cannot stay around permanently for their family, or a lot do but it is a empty feeling. By me finding out that there is a name for it. I want to help stop Human Trafficking forever, eternity, for all generations permanently. Because no one do not have to live like that every day of their lives. Especially the innocent victims who have been tricked into becoming involved. Stopping Human Trafficking is for every Rrace, and Nationality. Another reason why I want to help victims by putting these people in prison where they belong. They can join in with other people to help the environment. Become, and stay safe by making this medium to large circle become a circle of countless people that will not let bad, and terrible things happen any more.

Would you laugh if someone joked about violently assaulting a group of nuns? That's what Iowa Rep. Tom Latham did on a right-wing radio show last week. The radio host was mad that a group of Catholic sisters are taking a multistate bus tour to highlight their concerns about the House Republican budget. He suggested Rep. Latham "pull the Nuns on the Bus over and pistol whip them." Instead of rebuking the radio host for encouraging violence, Rep. Latham laughed and responded: "It's always fun to be on your show." Let's show Rep. Latham that this rhetoric is unacceptable. He owes the Nuns on the Bus a public apology!

Recently terminated a few days after completing a whistleblower form on the human resources website calling for an in person meeting with the Executive Management to discuss the ways in which I have been discriminated against for my gender for the past two years. I did this in hopes of positive change. This was after numerous reports to human resources and management with no improvement. Offered a severence package in exchange for my voice. Relief of a $68k unfair deficit and one months pay in exchange for agreeing not to report them to sate/federal agencies and for not talking about this to anyone but my husband. I say NO WAY, I refuse to sell my voice . Corporations must be held accountable for encouraging and allowing discrimination in the workplace. This is a moral and ethical issue that needs to be addressed. I would like to request that there be a gender discrmination form on all companies websites where employees can submit their greivances. Once submitted this form should be sent to Executive Management AND an outside agency. This protects the employee against retaliation and there is a proper record and history of the complaints. Hold Corporations responsible for negative company cultures that instill and allow for gender discriminiation.

I live in Kansas. 'Nuff said? Kochback, I mean Gov. Sam Brownback has implemented some of the most repressive laws related to women and the LGBT community in the nation. Doctors can withhold information if it might lead to the termination of a pregnancy. Pharmacists can refuse to fill prescriptions if it goes against their conscience. And last but not least, employers and landlords can now discriminate, openly, against members of the LGBT community. They can fire, and they can refuse to rent properties, and those discriminated against have no legal recourse.

we as people of the united states need to stop with the grass is greener on the other side take a look is it. we need to help the president stay in office because we look at what the other party is saying and thinks it sounds good. but in all reality its not . we all have elderly parents and we will be in their shoes one day so lets get it right now and stick with the president so we can make the slogan say yes we did instead fo yes we can. stand for something and not fall for nothing. go president obama

We were caught by surprise when we learned that "Super-Anti Abortion" bills from the Michigan House of Representatives were being fast tracked through a committee hearing and to voting on the floor. In just one week, House Bills 5711 - 5713 were approved by a committee that refused to hear testimony against the bills and made it to the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives. The day that these bills were supposed to be voted on, Michigan women flooded their capital and made their voices heard. The impact was strong enough for the legislators to slate voting for another day. Two days later, HB 5711 was voted in. During this voting session, two representatives spoke out against the bill and found themselves prohibited from speaking during the next session, even on topics not pertaining to abortion or women's rights. This silenced not only these representatives, but also their constituents. The women of Michigan will not be silent, despite the attempts of the bills' supporters to shut down dissenters. They spoke out again at the capital steps Monday, June 18 by hosting Eve Ensler and Michigan representatives that voted against these bills in a short notice, but heavily attended, rendition of the Vagina Monologues. These bills are only the most recent of state government attacks on women's health and reproductive rights. They have been called the most restrictive anti-abortion bills yet, and they would effectively shut down the vast majority of abortion clinics in the state. At each step, those that disagree with this set of bills have been silenced and ignored, but they are still shouting to make their voices heard. Please join us in telling the Governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder, and the Michigan Senate that attempting to silence the voices against these bills is undemocratic.

I think we all can agree that Dolores Huerta, the UFW’s co-founder and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation is an exemplary role-model of a good American. Dolores has spent her life sacrificing to advocate for workers, immigrants, and women’s rights. She has a fierce determination to help the impoverished and make the world a better place. She has received numerous awards for her courageous community service and fittingly enough on May 29th President Obama awarded her the highest civilian honor in the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It was a very proud moment for all who believe in the power of nonviolent social change. However, nationally syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh showed his true colors by using this award as an excuse to go on the attack against women—again—by disparaging Dolores receiving it. On Russ’ May 30th Show he said, "The Presidential Medal of Freedom is now being rendered meaningless. It’s just a political award. That’s all it is. It’s been politicized. It’s another great tradition, institution down the tubes. " Not only that but he insultingly said, "As a young adult, Huerta taught school—though she never had an education degree—until 1955, when, as a single mother of seven children—she now has eleven—she launched her career as a political activist. " How typical of Rush. Scorning Dolores for being a single mother instead of recognizing that this amazing—and college educated woman—raised a remarkable family (Dolores’ children include a doctor, lawyer, teacher, chef, artist, executive director, etc) while pursuing a fierce determination to help people. Please help us teach Rush Limbaugh that disparaging women is not the status quo-a lesson he should have learned back in March from the backlash he’s faced for branding law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and “prostitute,” and more recently in his personal attack on journalist Tracie McMillan’s while commenting on her book on the food industry when he referred to her as an “authorette.” Angie’s List—a popular source for information about local businesses—is a sponsor for the Rush Limbaugh show. Not only that, they pay for Rush to personally voice them over the air. E-mail them today and tell them that this is not acceptable. They should not be advertising on a show that disparages women. Please send your e-mail today by clicking on the green "participate" button to the top right. It will take you just minutes to help, but that help can have an enormous impact.

Migrant workers are at risk.

The Vatican has accused the Sisters in the U.S of not speaking out loudly enough on certain issues, and has given 3 bishops authority over their leadership for five years. If the Sisters do not cooperate, they will be disbanded. This attack has been aimed at the Sisters who faithfully staff our schools and hospitals and charities and parish programs and prison ministries, homeless shelters and so much more. They live simply, sharing their meager salaries with their elderly and infirm members. Catholics and non-Catholics alike love and respect these religious women and need them as faithful examples of how to follow the Gospel message of Jesus. They show us what it means to love God and love our neighbor. Truly, they are Sisters to us and we need them. Our love and respect and appreciation for these Sisters compel us to speak out to support them in their time of trial.