AWashingtonWoman: A WashingtonWoman Asks.... and Article In Washington Post Answers : "Progress stalls in closing gaps in D.C. schools"

Helping To Put Things In Context: Something You Should Know About D.C.

Everyone knows Washington, D.C. for being the nation's capital where decisions are made that affect the country itself and impacts the world at large. But between the time that politicians and special interest groups like to use the city as the reason for all that ails America, it has a more intimate side. This is the side that one could think of as the "local" aspect of the city. I think if people understood what really exists within the boundaries of this diamond shaped (minus a complete side) metropolis, their perspectives may be altered considerably. As AWashingtonWoman will continue to focus on some of the wonderful women who make up the fabric of the DMV (a term used for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and includes: the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia), we will also strive to give you a little of the backstory, as objectively as we can. So it's been a year since this all began and without really trying, this blog has exceeded what our expectations were. So we are thinking that with a little love and a lot of integrity, we can share some real true insight which can be entertaining as well as informative. Who knows?.... Maybe it will even be ..... helpful.

Friday, August 27, 2010

A WashingtonWoman Asks.... and Article In Washington Post Answers : "Progress stalls in closing gaps in D.C. schools"

Today, Friday, August 27, 2010 on the front page of The Washington Post there is an article which sheds light on the progress Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee has been able to be credited with since her appointment in 2007.

If one were to use an analysis of the 2010 test scores they would reflect that there has been little progress in narrowing the achievement gap which seperates white and African American children. Closure of this gap has been one of Rhee's major goals when she was appointed.

Reality check.... Chancellor Rhee may have good intentions, a fresh approach and lots of funding backing her up but realistically she could not have achieved this goal by herself. It was not the most mature or realistic approach to take when taking on such a tremendous task. A WashingtonWoman believes that Rhee had good intentions but failed to understand that it takes a village to raise a single child. Certainly, it will take a concerted effort among a variety of persons to lift an entire school system.

Not only Michelle Rhee, but no single human can come in and make all of the many facets of problems disappear. Stating that one could do so was arrogant and self serving. This is what raised the question in the earlier post of true intentions.

Perhaps it will serve the Chancellor best to form allies with parents, children, teachers and administrators to truly achieve the objective of elevating a system which needs sincere nurturing. Otherwise, she will be just another person who elevates themselves on the backs of our children. Our children deserve better and I haven't given up on the prospect that Chancellor Rhee can execute this. She has had an opportunity to become familiar and hopefully with some new wisdom, input and respect, she can be a real instrument for much needed change and hope in this city. Believe it or not, it isn't mission impossible. People who care just need to believe it can be done and want to get it done (not just set up photo ops and pieces to add to a professional portfolio).

Get it done Chancellor. You are our best shot at present.

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Featured Washington Woman of The Month: Phenomenol in their representation of Washington Women

Each month AWashingtonWoman will feature a woman considered to be a true example of real women who hail from, live, or have lived a significant period of time in the Washington, D.C metropolitan area....(see picture above of this month's feature)

AWASHINGTONWOMAN: MARCH
ELIZABETH TAYLOR once wife of Senator Warner

This month the world lost an icon when one of America's brightest stars, Elizabeth Taylor passed away. When you think about Ms. Taylor you immediately think Hollywood. But she was much like the diamonds she loved so much as she too had many facets. She was born in England and lived for a period of time in a northern Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C. as Mrs. John Warner. Clearly it wasn't her cup of tea. Here in Washington, she moved more into the background as she tried not to allow her career to overshadow her husband's political aspirations. (I remember when I lived in a small town in southern Virginia and I was a majorette in "The Peanut Festival" (try to smile - please), she and her husband were the grand marshalls). She tried to exude a minimalist style and she was very unhappy about it. I think it would be fair to say that her husband was probably a southern gentleman who had a fair male ego. This certainly came with perks but it caused Liz to be a shrinking Violet. The only thing that should be violet or blue about this woman should have been her eyes. She led a life that was more private than her norm. That is a trait of women/people in this area. Another trait that she possessed that many women here have is that they can be very powerful in their own right. Often that power is tempered or marginalized as not to overshadow. Then there is also a really high rate of women who head households. Well, I think Liz just got a little tired of not being Liz fully. We hear at AWASHINGTONWOMAN are prayerful that she can really spread her wings now.

AWASHINGTONWOMAN: FEBRUARY
SHEILA JOHNSON
AWashingtonWoman has selected Sheila Johnson as one of the women who represent the spirit of Washington, D.C. for several reasons. This is one woman who has heart. We see her as an example of how we reinvent ourselves at different times in our lives. Ms. Johnson went from simply being a successful man's partner to becoming a business force in her own right. When life didn't go as planned, she didn't get stuck in negativity but rather became more productive than ever. She is proud mother and savvy businesswoman. Sheila is respected in her community and hasn't been shy extending herself to causes she feels strong about. This is one lady who has heart. Most recently she was bold enough to comment on the new network launched by Oprah Winfrey. Though her comments struck a sour note with some, we admire her sense of confidence and respect that her voice is another valuable one to add to the dynamic media landscape. Recently she has joined forces with another impressive woman who isn't a stranger to the nation's capital, Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post, to bring us "GlobalBlack". GlobalBlack will be a section of the Huffington Post which will cultural trends and current that are of interest to African Americans.

AWASHINGTONWOMAN: JANUARYCHRISTINA TAYLOR-GREEN

So she wasn't quite a woman just yet, but "AWashingtonWoman" believes that the mark of this little girl's spirit which hails from the great state of Maryland (part of the D.C. tri-state area) will leave a mark on the hearts of most and believes that her legacy represents the best of what this area has to offer in it's purest state.

For those of you who aren't aware of Christina or her seemingly senseless sacrifice.... She is the youngest victim of the shooting rampage that took place in Tuscon, Arizona on January 9th.

You see this is a little girl who was born on a beautiful September day in 2001 that was scared by the hatred displayed in the attacks of what has come to be the infamous day in our nation's history, "September 11th" was symbolic of how miracles and hope can blossom in the midst of saddness. Her premature departure was no less indicative of that symbolism as well. But it is the power of her personal beauty that spoke volumes beyond the simple symbolism.

Christina had a joi d'vie;an optimism and a sense of awareness at a young age that enabled her to believe that one day she might be able to make a difference in the world of politics. She had a sense of compassion and interest in topics which may seem mundane for many children her age.

Perhaps her mission was to help to raise the consciousness of a nation, if only for a little while. If that is so, then she has carried out her mission with the style and grace of someone well beyond her years.

There are no words which can make us feel that her sacrifice was justified. But little ladies, growing up to be women the way Christina was makes us proud to bear witness.....

"And the children shall lead us...."... May your spirit forever march on Christina.

2010 HAS BEEN A LONG YEAR HERE IN WASHINGTON

Most of the country seems to be so unaware of the magnitude of the snow storms that rocked the city from the very first month here in D.C.

Actually, our city responded well. It wasn't perfect, but overall the response was pretty good. And perhaps one of the most under-reported stories about our huge snow events was the strong sense of community that prevailed. Residents opened their homes and hearts to neighbors. We pulled together and it made me proud.

The media was intrigued with Washington in a way I haven't witnessed before. Television producers and movie makers became fascinated with using the city as a backdrop for programming. But the problem they encoutered was mainly a choice of reflecting their perceptions of what Washington, D.C. is and the reality. More often than not it became confusing and thus ..... flops.

Americans descended upon the city more than I have ever witnessed. Tea Partiers and counter groups seemed to stage an endless variety of marches and rallys. By December it began to slow down. But tourist/protester dollars must have mounted to a windfall for this city. The downside is that politics got exceptionally nasty.

Yes, it's been a long year and hopefully we will re-boot before 2011 cause let's face it, of all the things that people may want this city to be branded as, being dull just won't fit.(believe me they have tried)

2011 FULL STEAM AHEAD!!!!!!

Who Are Real Washington Women?

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is home to some of the most educated, professional, assertive women in the world. It is also home to famous opera singers and world reown politicians. But there is another side of this city that is equally impressive. This side of the nation's capital has women of many generations. It has women of wisdom and common sense; women of determination and self preservation. That drive is what propells them to roll up sleeves and do what it takes to raise families and inspire our loved ones to do the same. And through it all, many have a unique sense of humor that allows them not to take themselves or life too seriously.

There's a lot of common sense here. Flaws? Oh yes the women of Washington have those too, but this blog is going to focus on the strengths. Because those are the strengths that enabled us to truly birth a nation.

It is our hope here, that we will inspire and amuse as we share ourselves just a little. (we are also pretty private which is how others have been able to define us ..... dull and conservative... you'll see)

Let A WashingtonWoman introduce you to the real women of D.C.

AWashingtonWoman

Helping To Put Things In Context: Something You Should Know About D.C.

Friday, August 27, 2010

A WashingtonWoman Asks.... and Article In Washington Post Answers : "Progress stalls in closing gaps in D.C. schools"

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