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Sarasota
County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women
2200 Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34237
941.861.2882; Fax: 941.861.2572
Manatee
County Commission on the Status of Women
204 13th Street
Bradenton, FL 34205
941.747.1492; Fax: 941.746.1598
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SW Florida's largest
local singles and social
events.
Women are spending big bucks
Women purchase 51 per cent of all consumer electronics today. They also make almost 50 per cent of all business travel purchases and buy 80 per cent of all healthcare products.
According to a joint study by researchers at Women.com Networks, Harris Interactive and Procter & Gamble, women handle 75 per cent of the family finances and control roughly 80 per cent of family purchasing decisions.
The purchasing power of women has grown exponentially. Yet many organizations ignore this market.
My own recent car buying experiences proved to me just how true this remains in the world of automobile sales. The fact is, women account for 50 per cent of sales and influence 85 per cent of all vehicle purchases. And they are expected to account for at least 60 per cent of purchases by 2005.
Car Sales
One company that hasn't overlooked its female customers is Saturn. Ron
Kraishnik, co-owner of Saturn Saab Isuzu, says sales to women make up
65 per cent of his dealership's new car revenues.
He offers two reasons. First, he says, "women really like the one price policy. It makes the approach to the decision very soft and hassle-free. Women have a high comfort level knowing everyone pays the same price."
The second reason, Kraishnik says, is that Saturn sales representatives are not paid a commission, but rather a flat fee on every vehicle sold, regardless of model or price. That helps them to work in the best interest of the customer.
The dealership makes special efforts to reach women by advertising in women's fitness clubs and in local bridal show publications. It also has more female sales representatives than most other dealers and has three women working on the service side of the business, one of whom is the parts team leader. All of this helps female customers to feel more comfortable and earn their trust.
"Most decisions are made after a couple leaves the dealership, so it's important that we create a good impression, make women feel comfortable, and pay attention to what they are saying."
Another industry that has seen a dramatic increase in sales to women is home improvement.
Contrary to popular belief that home repairs are a man's world, women purchase 61 per cent of major home improvement products, which shouldn't be too surprising given that single women make up the second largest group of homebuyers after couples.
An Amazon.com study showed power tool sales on Mother's Day 2000 equaled those on Father's Day the same year.
Intine cautions that when introducing women to power tools, it helps to start slowly with lighter tools such as powerless drills and sanders as opposed to circular saws. It's also useful to work through a complete project to show women how the tools are used.
Intine says it's a mistake not to believe that women represent sales potential. "We've taken the concept of targeting women and have grown with it. Sales are up 25 per cent over last year, and a huge part of this success is due to building awareness with women."
So although women are becoming an ever increasingly attractive market, take heed of this important lesson. Just because women represent half of the population, doesn’t mean it will translate to half of all sales.
Do your research, start a dialogue, and above all, listen to what your female customers are saying.
MEN ACCORDING TO WOMEN
1. Nice men are ugly.
2. Handsome men are not nice.
3. Men who are both nice and handsome are gay.
4. Men who are handsome, nice, and heterosexual are married.
5. Men who are not so handsome, but are nice men, have no money.
6. Men who are not so handsome, but are nice men with money think we
are only after their money.
7. Handsome men without money are after our money.
8. Handsome men, who are not so nice and
are somewhat heterosexual, don't think we are beautiful enough.
9. Men who think we are beautiful, that are heterosexual, somewhat
nice and somewhat handsome, and have money, are cowards.
10. Men who are somewhat handsome,
somewhat nice and have some money and thank God are heterosexual, are
shy and NEVER MAKE THE FIRST MOVE!!!!!
11. Men who never make the first move, automatically lose interest in
us when we take the
initiative.
AND THEY SAY WOMEN ARE HARD TO UNDERSTAND
A letter from a reader.
Dear OurTown Sarasota.,
While it is important to remember this historical event, it is disturbing that today, in Florida and 15 other states,
I have only lived in Florida since 2004 and was just recently made aware of this shocking fact by a friend.
Since then, I have been on a mission to bring the subject of the ERA to the attention of elected Florida politicians,
as well as current Candidates, to no avail.
It would seem that those with the power to finish the job do not care that Florida's women are still without this basic human right.
For example, Marco Rubio, the Florida Republican Candidate for US Senate, while Speaker of the House did not finish it,
saying that it was "not important."
Last week an Orlando FOX station asked to have questions submitted for Candidate Rubio to answer that night on the air,
so, I asked him why the women of Florida should vote for him, when he thought that the ERA was "not important?"
My question, surprisingly, was one of four chosen and when it was presented to him, he danced all around it,
What?
Do you, as do I, find it embarrassing to live in a state that has not passed this vital legislation?
As women and mothers, how long are we going to sit back and be quiet?
We apparently have not "come a long way baby" in Florida, nor in much of the South.
Is it possible that Endangered Animals in Florida are better protected than our women?
How do we raise our daughters to believe in themselves when our Legislators obviously do not?
Hundreds of people attend The Women's Expo at the Van Wezel Thursday evening sponsored by West Coast Women newspaper a local publication.
Sarasota illustrator Mary GrandPre designs
cover for new Harry Potter book. Who says we don't have many talented
residents.
Life is a celebration and these two women celebrate with a
dance at Siesta Key Beach just before a sunset over the weekend.
Local SPARCC Rape Center director, Stephanie Woods, dies after
intestinal problems.
It's the Red Hat Ladies who gather over lunch to flaunt
their red hats.
Local tennis star
Bradenton resident Maria Sharapova will grace Sports Illustrated. Here
she is shown at age 15. She is now 19 and earned over $5,000,000 on
the court. Photo SI
Dr. Srur asked friends and relatives to donate her
birthday gifts in the form of cash to needy children programs at
Forty Carrots for her 60th birthday. Congrats Dr. Srur. She donated
$650.
Women from the Sarasota American Business Women's Association
volunteer to sell books at the Book Fair in downtown Sarasota.
The Air Force says it was a failure of what? 'failure of
successive chains of command over the past 10 years to acknowledge
the severity of the problem.' "
while they allowed sexual abuse at the Air Force Academy in around
147 reported cases. The Assistant Secretary
Michael Dominguez, of the Air Force
called it " failure to understand the problem" In the year 1993 one
couldn't understand right from wrong and how to weigh the scales of
justice. And that the Academy officers "were well intentioned" What? Those
responsible should be held accountable no matter what the statute of
limitations are. OurTown50.com Editor
Beamer shown with his owner Luciana
is trying to find out why a man hasn't been charged with letting his dog
attack a guide dog. Luciana is legally blind and lives in Bradenton.
 The
Women of today make me proud that all the effort and time we put into
women's rights was not for naught. You have taken our meager beginnings and
transformed them into spectacular achievements for today's woman. You go
girl!Read about outstanding women at |
Kimberly-Clark and an AOL study showing moms go online for product research.
In
1995 Brooksie Bergen (L), of Sarasota, won the National U.S. Senior
America contest. That same year Heather Whitestone-McCallum won the Miss
America contest. Both are pictured at a recent luncheon to honor Heather's
work. Heather was the first deaf woman to win the Miss America contest.
Four women
killed
by cell driver
Four women in a car were hit by another driver who was on a cell phone. All four
drowned when their car was pushed into a canal that was 20 feet deep. The state
refused to enact a hands free cell driving law last year. Shame on them. Our
Town 50 is lobbying for hands free cell phone bill.
Carolyn Jones-Penn, an Investment Representative with Edward
Jones Investments, Sarasota Square Mall branch takes a break with the
bull on Wall Street.
Virginia
Rapone, a clerk for the postal service in Palmetto poses in front of the
Heritage post office for Palmetto Heritage Day Park Photo: Postal Service.
Girls whirl around at GWiz
Sarasota County shows off its
three female Fire Lieutenants.
Connie Brown has worked at the Burger King on Bee Ridge Road for 22 years.
Our Town 50 Reviewer, Glenna Palm, meets with Richard Dreyfuss at the Sarasota
Film Fest.
Little girl dressed as a Christmas Tree in the downtown Sarasota Christmas Parade.
Women seem to love to do the dance on Siesta Key and Nokomis Beach.
Kathy Dent Supervisor of Elections for
Sarasota County had a busy election year with implementing a new voting system.
Christine Crane hosts a FM morning show and does work for Breast Awareness.
county
employee recipients. I can't tell you how much our employees try to not just
do their job but go above and beyond that and excel to new heights. I know
this by the feedback that I receive weekly about the outstanding job our
employees do.
Christine Ernst, an engineer, fought for her job with Sarasota County and lost.
Local Girl Scouts celebrate their groups 90th birthday at Siesta Key
Beach.
Patty and Cheryl from the Junior League take a moment out from the Junior League's Tinsel and Treasures event at Philippi Mansion.
Women from First National Bank pose at the Fire Fighters Annual Chili Cook Off
Dressing for the 50's Dance
of the American Business Womens Event.
Riverview H.S. student collecting money for the 9/11 Fire Fighters.
William Macy with Our Town 50 Reviewer Glenna Palm.
Two young greeters at the Sarasota Film Festival.
Katherine Harris poses with Sarasota Fire Fighters.
The famous Landry sisters help with a fundraiser for the Humane Society.
Mennonite lady pulls her trike off the side of the road to make a cell call.
Robin McKay exhibits her pottery that will be shown in a National Art Museum.
Sarasota County School Teachers of the Year.
Young girl on playground equipment donated by the Junior League of Sarasota.
Half Listening
For Obscure Reasons, Men Use
Half of Their Brains to Listen
A study of 20 men and 20 women found that men used the left sides of their
brains when listening. Women tended to used both, a finding that scientists say
doesn't necessarily mean women are better listeners.
Score one for exasperated women: New research suggests men really do listen with
just half their brains.
In a study of 20 men and 20 women, brain scans showed that men when listening
mostly used the left sides of their brains, the region long associated with
understanding language. Women in the study, however, used both sides.
Other studies have suggested that women “can handle listening to two
conversations at once,” said Dr. Joseph T. Lurito, an assistant radiology
professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. “One of the reasons may be
that they have more brain devoted to it.”
Part educator, part personal assistant and
part friend, Sarasota Memorial’s Breast Health Navigators provide a unique
level of care to women facing breast cancer. At no cost to the patient,
the health system’s breast health navigators help women and their families
cope with the initial stress of a cancer diagnosis and coordinate the
often myriad of appointments, tests and treatments prescribed by their
doctors.
As Rilla’s nurse navigator, Borsellino was prepared not only to provide
clinical support and coordinate doctor visits, but she also was there to
provide emotional support for her entire family, link her with community
resources and ensure she received the specialized medical care she needed.
Photo: SMH
Judy Graham, of Sarasota, who has volunteered at
Mote Marine Laboratory for over 25 years, was elected as Chairman of the Board.
SW Florida's largest
local singles and social
events.
I do, I do takes place at Siesta Key
Beach. You will usually find at least one wedding or more at the beach on the
weekends.
Getting married isn't going
out of style. At least not at Siesta Key Beach. Neither rough seas,
strong winds or chilly temperatures could deter this couple from saying
I do early Friday evening.
Ms. Tall International was at
the Singles Expo at the Hyatt Convention Center last evening.
From left, Utilities Administrative Coordinator Dorothy Tary, Venice
Elementary art teacher Barbara Sirpilla, fourth-grade winner Cara Petete,
Principal Theresa Baus, fifth-grade winner Chase Voghel and Council
Member Fred Hammett.
Our
Town 50 will be featuring local women who will share how they
grew and developed into who they are today. We are calling this our
"Passing the Torch" program.
(Submit 500 or less articles to publisher@ourtown50.com )
Women:
| Sarasota/Manatee Demographics |
Domestic violence
An Our Town 50 Series.
Poll Finds Domestic Violence is Women’s Main Concern
Ninety-two percent of American women rank domestic and sexual
violence as one of their top
priorities. One out of every three women experiences at least one physical
assault by a partner during adulthood, according to a 1996 study by the American
Psychological Association. The full extent of such victimization is not known,
however, it is estimated that only one in seven domestic assaults come to the
attention of the police. So perhaps it is not surprising that the overwhelming
majority of women polled in a new survey by the Center for the Advancement of
Women indicated that domestic violence and sexual assault are their main
concerns. The survey, entitled “Progress and Perils: New Agenda for Women,” is
based on two national telephone polls of 3,329 women aged 18 and older.
Juley Fulcher, Public Policy Director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), is not surprised that domestic violence is emerging as such an important issue for women today. “Domestic violence is more prevalent than people realize and this concern needs to be recognized on a national level. Politicians should take note, seeing that at least 50% of the electorate deeply cares about this issue.” Juley Fulcher works in NCADV’s Public Policy office in Washington D.C educating the general public about the plight of domestic violence in America, as well as testifying before Congress about legislation and appropriations on behalf of victims around the country. One of NCADV’s recent concerns has been advocating for the full funding of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and its reauthorization in 2004, which has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of battered women and their children.
With National Domestic Violence Awareness month in October and the upcoming presidential primaries, the NCADV hopes that the results of this poll are an indication of the increased awareness and involvement of women and men in the movement to eradicate domestic violence.
NCADV is a nationwide network of approximately 2,000 domestic violence shelters, programs, and individual members working on behalf of battered women and their children. It serves as a national information and referral center for the general public, media, battered women and their children, allied and member agencies, Congress and the Administration, as well as a driving force to impact public policy and legislation for battered women and their children.
Woman's Club of Sarasota celebrates 90 years
Ann A. Shank, historian
Sarasota County History Center
One hundred years ago, the women of the new Town of
Sarasota Women's Club making a presentation, circa 1915
Sarasota decided to organize. Although they were without the
right to vote, they -- first as the Town Improvement Society, and later as the
Woman's Club -- set in motion changes that were to help mold the character of
Sarasota today.
The Town Improvement Society was short-lived, but within a few years had begun
to beautify Sarasota. They lobbied for sidewalks along Main Street and
accumulated $40 for the establishment of a library. In 1913, with an area
population fewer than 2000, more that 60 women attended the first meeting of the
Woman's Club of Sarasota. Alice Gunther led the group through the first eight
years, during which time the town emerged from a fishing village to a city on
the brink of "exploding" during the 1920s Florida Land Boom.
The Woman's Club quickly became the cultural center of Sarasota.
Building on the base left by the Town Improvement Society, the Woman's Club
built a library into their new clubhouse on Palm Avenue. It would serve the
community until the City of Sarasota took over complete sponsorship in 1940.
Lectures, concerts, and dramatic productions took a prominent place among the
weekly meetings. Dance classes were offered for youth as well as adults.
The members' interest in the well-being of children was reflected in the club's
work from the beginning. Neal Chapline led the Graysonian Club, in which 12- to
16-year-olds studied nature and the writings of David Grayson. The Club lobbied
for compulsory education and Rose Wilson, a charter member, printed the Club's
position on the front page of the Sarasota Times, which she published.
The Club organized a local PTA and introduced medical and dental
inspections in the schools. Members built a playground for the school on Main
Street and supported a kindergarten for black children. The latter interest
later continued with participation in the development of the Newtown Day
Nursery.
Civic interests and community service activities abounded. When the women's
suffrage movement was pushing for the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, the Woman's Club sponsored a debate on the merit of a woman's
vote.
When the Amendment passed, Rose Wilson and Alice Gunther were
the first two women in Sarasota County to register. The club sponsored
educational programs for women, and men, to prepare them for their
responsibilities as voters. The club lobbied the following year, 1921, for the
formation of Sarasota County from Manatee County.
During World War I, the club organized the local chapter of the American Red
Cross and rolled bandages for military hospitals. Members sold war bonds in both
world wars and opened their homes to away-from-home soldiers who trained at the
World War II Sarasota Army Air Base. In the 1920s, the club's Welfare Committee
began the drive for a public hospital.
As the community grew, many of the club's projects took on a
life of their own and spun off to become separate entities. The evidence is
visible throughout the community today.
Next week, the Woman's Club will celebrate its 90th birthday and acknowledge the
full-grown institutions that came from the seeds it planted. The celebration
will take place in the original clubhouse, now Florida Studio Theater, a
building which has hosted theatrical productions since it opened in 1915.
Women should act before menopause to reduce heart risk
Women may benefit in the long-term if they make an
effort to lower their cholesterol before they reach age 55.
It's well known that a woman's chances of developing heart disease
increase quite sharply after the menopause. This is at least partly due
to a fall in levels of estrogen.
A new study suggests that if women take action to reduce their risk factors before they reach menopause they will benefit more in the long term. Researchers studied a group of 1,349 women of varying ethnic origin and aged between 42 and 52. Overall, these women were healthy, with normal cholesterol levels, though they tended to be overweight. The researchers calculated the percentage in each group who could benefit from lifestyle changes and/or cholesterol lowering drugs. This range from 19 per cent of Hispanic women to five per cent of Chinese women.
Given that all heart disease risk factors tend to
increase - sometimes very sharply - as a woman reaches 55 or so, it may
be worthwhile targetting modifications to women who are younger than
this, the researchers say. Source
American Heart Association Conference 7th March 2003
Men have Bigger Brains than Women, but faster burnout
Younger
men have bigger, heavier brains than
women, giving them a slight advantage in hand-eye coordination and mathematics,
but men also burn out their brains faster, which means they could die an
average of ten years sooner than women, latest research has revealed.
Also, despite the physical differences in men and women's brains, the way boys
and girls are raised continues to have a major influence on their involvement in
such fields as engineering and competitive sports, the research says.
According to Dr Ruben Gur, a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the
University of Pennsylvania, though men, at a young age, have bigger and heavier
brains than girls, they lose brain tissue at almost three times the rate of
women as they age, particularly the frontal lobes responsible for planning and
inhibition.
Using a test that studies the metabolism rate of the brain and also uses
magnetic imaging to measure brain volume, Dr Gur concluded that ''women have a
mechanism whereby they can reduce the rate of neuronal activity in proportion to
the tissue that they lose, while men continue to overdrive their neurons at the
same rate as when they had all the marbles.''
Speaking at the American Association for the advancement of science annual
meeting, Dr Gur said that men seemed unable to relax their brains as well as
women, who tended to have an advantage in that they indulged in largely verbal
and social skills. It is this tendency among men to overwork their brains that
could account for
the fact that men are likely to die an average of ten years sooner than women,
he said in a report by U.S-based Scripps Howard News service.
Explaining his findings, Dr Gur said, ''when the cells of the body are active
and the waste products of metabolism are not cleared away efficiently enough,
they build up and can further contribute to the death of cells.''
Dr Gur said this could also explain why, biologically speaking, older men are
less useful than older women. ''Perhaps this process is a built-in mechanism to
ensure that they won't hang around,'' he said. Simultaneous research by other
scientists, presented at the meeting, has also shown that sex differences in
brain sizes could itself be partly due to several social factors like a division
of labor among men and women in ancients times and parents' attitudes
towards their daughters participating in physical sports or going for physical
disciplines like engineering.
According to Dr Jacquelynne Eccles, a University of Michigan psychologist, ''it
is no longer a question of nature vs nurture. Its pretty well accepted that both
play a role.''
She said that the differences in cognitive and physical abilities between boys
and girls are small, between two to five per cent, yet girls are less likely to
take part in team competitive sports.
''When we test kindergartens and first graders, we find that the boys run just a
little faster and throw balls a little more accurately than girls, but why does
this account for girls shying away from most organized sports?'' ''The parents
attitudes seem to be the most decisive factor,
although girls themselves seem to quickly conclude from peer pressure that many
sports are socially off-limits to them as well,'' Dr Eccles said.