Share Your Birthdays with New Moon!

With the publication of our September/October 2010 issue, New Moon Girls magazine turns 18 years old. Wow!

In celebration of New Moon’s birthday, we’ve added a special birthday page to NewMoon.com. At this page, you can

• See a list of girls with recent birthdays (and add your own!)
• Send special birthday stickers
• Send birthday ecards
• Upload pics or drawings from your own birthday celebrations

Adding your own birthday pics to the site is easier than ever, too. All you have to do is include the word “birthday” in your image title when you upload it to Your Stuff, and it will automatically appear in the birthday image gallery when a moderator approves it.

So stop by the birthday page today—wish an old friend Happy Birthday, or meet a new one. I can’t wait to celebrate with all of you!

Love,

Luna

P.S. You can find the birthday page any time by searching the words “birthday” and “happy birthday.”

P.P.S. Learn more about birthdays and New Moon’s history here!

Citizengulf National Day of Action this Wednesday!

Over the past few months, we’ve talked a lot about the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. You’ve shared your concerns about how the spill affects ocean life and local families. Now, people all over the Internet are teaming up to help fishing families affected by the spill.

Thousands of families rely on fishing to earn money. But since the spill, many of these people haven’t been able to fish. That’s why the organization Citizen Effect has chosen Wednesday, August 25, as Citizengulf National Day of Action. On August 25, cities across the U.S. will host fundraising events to help fishing families affected by the spill. The money will go to education for children in these families.

You can help, too! Here’s how:

• Donate at the CitizenGulf website.
• Vote for the Gulf Coast Benefit on Pepsi Refresh.
• Join BloggersUnite.org and spread the word by blogging!
• Share this post with others you know! This is important because the main way people are spreading the word about this is online.

To learn more about the gulf coast oil spill, you can check out my first article about the oil spill and the most recent update. And share your thoughts! What have you or your community done to benefit those affected by the oil spill? Will you be participating in a fundraising event on Wednesday? Leave a comment below to let me know!

Love,

Luna

O.S.O.M.: Shocking ANTM Promo (8-18-10)

Most people are familiar with the show America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Bank’s nationwide search for the next supermodel.  Recently the program released a controversial promo featuring a 6’2’’ contestant whose waist is extremely thin.

 http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/americas-top-model-contestant-ann-shows-off-shockingly/story?id=11396447

Tyra apologized on her website about the advertisement.

“On behalf of the entire ‘Top Model’ team, I am truly sorry for the style in which the ‘Top Model’ promo clip was presented…I can assure you — that cut has been removed from the CW airwaves, and the message conveyed in that video was NOT intentional, and is certainly not ‘Top Model’- or Tyra-approved.”

Tyra ended the apology saying, “I want the media and viewers to continue to challenge perceptions of beauty, but to understand that BEAUTY comes in all shapes, sizes and proportions. I have always celebrated uniqueness, and encourage women, myself included, to accept and embrace their own bodies — flaws and all!

Jada’s Side of the Moon (J.S.O.M.)

Videos and commercials like this make me so angry.  The media is constantly teaching girls’ there is only one type of beauty, which is far from the truth. 

America’s Next Top Model has aired 14 seasons.  Originally, the modeling industry only featured extremely thin girls.  People are even retouched in photos to look skinnier.  ANTM reflected that theme of perfection and did not choose “plus size” girls.  Since then, the show has become much more open-minded.  Whitney Thompson became the first regular sized woman to win the show in Cycle 10.

Even though Tyra is trying to change the distorted view of beauty in the media, being a supermodel has already affected her thoughts of beauty.  For example, at the end of the quote she talks about embracing your own body “flaws and all”.  Why do they have to be flaws?  Different body types make everyone unique; people are beautiful because of their differences.

What do you think of the video?

Is ANTM making the effort to change the media’s perception of beauty?

What’s your side of the moon?

Post your thoughts here on the message board!http://www.newmoon.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=8415&sid=45a8b828feadde39c92b3fbdc93d6f2e

Discrimination in the Workplace?

How much do you think physical appearances affect people? New research shows that physical appearance is more important for females than males when applying for a job. Women others consider “attractive” are more likely to get higher salaries than “less attractive” women. But being seen as attractive can also get in the way of women getting certain kinds of jobs.

For example, “attractive” applicants are more likely to get positions where they have a lot of face-to-face contact with customers, clients, and other workers.  But “attractive women” are less likely to get careers that fall under a masculine stereotype, such as jobs in finances and engineering.

Why do you think women’s appearances are judged in the hiring process more than men’s? How important should looks be when hiring? Are there ways we can make sure people are not discriminated against for their appearances? How do you feel about the results of these studies?  Vote here, and leave your thoughts below!

Love,

Luna

A New Look For Girl Scouts

Whether or not you are a “Brownie” or a Girl Scout, you may be familiar with Girl Scouts’ delicious boxes of cookies, stamped with the famous Girl Scout logo.  The Girl Scouts just unveiled a new logo, along with some other changes.  For example, they’re creating, “What Did You Do Today?” a campaign they will promote through the Spanish media in hopes of reaching out to Latina girls in the U.S.

The Girl Scouts of the USA has been around for almost 100 years.  Through the organization, girls work with adult volunteers on projects in the community.  Not only has this group grown to more than 3.4 million members, but the USA Girl Scouts Overseas has expanded to over 90 countries!

Are you a Brownie or Girl Scout? Can you think of ways to reach out to more girls about becoming leaders in their communities?

To see the new Girl Scout logo, click here. What do you think of it? You can also take our poll on Girl Scouts here!

Love,

Luna

Gay Ministers Serve the Evangelical Lutheran Church

People practice many diverse religions throughout the world.  And even people with the same religion sometimes disagree about how things should be organized.  For example, people of one religion may have differing opinions on whether or not their religion should recognize same-sex marriages (marriages between two women or between two men).  One debate for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (E.L.C.A.) has been whether or not gay members of the Church can have a religious role in the Church.

Last year, the E.L.C.A. voted to allow gay ministers in committed relationships to serve as pastors of the church.  Recently, the church welcomed seven gay pastors to join the church’s ministry.  One of the Reverends remarked, “All people are welcome here, all people are invited to help lead this church.”

Other churches allow gay ministers, such as the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ.  However, the E.L.C.A. is the largest Protestant church to open up the ministry to gay pastors.  There are about 4.6 million members in the church, and not all of them are united on this issue.  Other religions do not recognize gay marriages in general, let alone have gay pastors.

What do you think about this latest change in the Evangelical Lutheran Church?  Do you think religious groups should allow the members to vote on how the group should be organized? Do you attend a church that allows gay ministers? What do you think about the E.L.C.A.’s restriction that only gay ministers in committed relationships can be pastors? What are some of the issues in your church that people disagree about? Leave a comment below, and vote here!

Love,

Luna

A Law to Close the Gender Wage Gap?

In 1963, The Equal Pay Act became a law in the United States, which meant that workplaces couldn’t discriminate based on gender when it came to a worker’s pay. But women still earn less money than men today. Studies in recent years show that women make about 77 cents for every dollar that a man makes. Because of this, U.S. President Barack Obama is urging the government to make the Paycheck Fairness Act into law. If Congress passes this act, women will be able to sue an employer more easily if the employer is paying them less than their male coworkers.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would add many new things that the Equal Pay Act did not cover:

1) It would require that the employer provide evidence that a pay difference between a man and woman is based on factors that are unrelated to gender.

2) Next, it would allow the employee to ask about the company’s wage policy, and share information about their wage to other employees, without being punished by the employer for doing so.

3) The consequences of an employer having gender discrimination in the workplace would fall under the same category as racial discrimination.

4) Lastly, the Paycheck Fairness Act would increase training for employers and employees, and provide more research on pay disparities in the workplace.

Last year, the House of Representatives passed the bill, but the Senate still has not. Those who still do not support the Act are calling for more research about gender discrimination in the workplace. President Obama refers to the Act as a “common sense bill.” How do you view the Paycheck Fairness Act? Do you think the Senate will pass the bill and that it will become a law? Vote here, and then share your thoughts with us below!

Love,

Luna

P.S.  The bar graph above shows the 2005 Census Statistics, where “males 25 and older had higher yearly income than females 25 and older among all races.”

O.S.O.M.: Non-profit Panera Bread (7-28-10)

Recently a Panera Bread opened in Clayton, Missouri.  At first glance, it looks the same as any of the 1,400 Paneras; same decorations, same menu.  The prices, however, are a little bit different—there aren’t any.

The pilot Panera lets customers donate what they want for a meal, whether it’s full price or a penny.  Surprisingly, on opening day, most people paid full price for their meals while only some paid a discounted price.

The motto “Take what you need, leave your fair share” hangs above the deli counter, encouraging people to donate.  If the restaurant can support itself successful, Panera will open more stores around the country.

Jada’s Side of the Moon (J.S.O.M)

My first feeling is joy that another company is giving back to the community.  Smaller chain restaurants are usually very inactive in the community and do little to no charity work.

It’s also nice to see companies responding to the harder economy.  While Panera Bread is not overpriced, it’s more expensive than a fast food drive-thru; those with less money sometimes have to give up healthy food for a cheap price.  Now everyone can enjoy nutritious “take out” without emptying their wallets.

Having no set prices can also be a problem, too.  Those who cannot afford to pay full price could feel embarrassed in the upper middle class of Clayton.  Underpaying also suggests that you are selfish and don’t give to charity.  People can be inclined to pay full price or even overpay to show others they are wealthy.  Bet you never knew adults deal with peer pressure too.

How do you feel about the new Panera Bread?

Are there any negative consequences to opening the restaurant?

What’s your side of the moon?

Oil Spill Update

On Thursday, July 15^th, the oil company BP secured a cap on the leaking well, which caused the oil to stop leaking for the first time in 86 days. More tests showed that currently, no more oil is spilling into the Gulf of Mexico. But BP has not permanently sealed the well, and until they do, the spill could begin leaking again. BP plans to permanently seal the well in the next couple weeks.

Last weekend, reporters flew over the areas affected by the oil spill and only found some streaks and patches of oil remaining. Now that the oil has stopped spilling, radar images show the oil slick starting to dissolve. This decreases the risk of more animals dying from the spill. But many uncertainties remain regarding the effects on the living organisms in the Gulf of Mexico area. People who make their living fishing are concerned about the future of shrimp and crab fishing seasons—not just because of the oil contamination, but because of the potential harmful affects of the chemicals used in cleaning up the oil spill. Also, the reports of oil disappearing are all from the surface; a lot of oil could remain deep underwater.

On Tuesday, June 27^th, the BP board named a new chief executive, Mr. Robert Dudley, to replace Mr. Tony Hayward. Mr. Dudley is a geologist who spent a lot of time on the gulf when he was a child. He’ll officially take over as chief executive in October.

Do you think a new leader will help BP turn things around? Do you think they will be successful in permanently sealing the oil leak in the next few weeks? What are your concerns about the future of the Gulf of Mexico after the spill? Vote in our poll, and write more of your thoughts below!

Love,

Luna

P.S. You can read our first article on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill here!

Angelina Jolie Takes Spy Role Made For a Man

Many of the most popular action movies have male main characters—think “James Bond” and “Jason Bourne.” Actor Tom Cruise starred in the Mission Impossible series, and was going to star in a brand new action movie called Salt. Tom Cruise ended up turning down the role because he felt the character was too similar to the character he played in Mission Impossible. Then, a film executive had the idea to contact Angelina Jolie, because they had once talked about creating a film series with a female spy. Angelina Jolie loved the Salt script, and ended up taking the lead role, with the screenwriter rewriting much of the movie for her.

This change shows that females can take on tough, adventurous roles—in movies and real life! Angelina Jolie actually performed many of her own stunts, instead of having a stunt double do it for her. For example, Angelina climbed up an apartment building that was 11 stories high! Angelina’s performance in the new move Salt might show more moviemakers that women actors can carry big action films. This might break some stereotypes that females should play certain parts in movies, and not others.

Salt is rated PG-13, so many children will probably not see the movie unless they go to the theater with an adult. If you’re interested in learning more about the movie, talk about it with a parent and view the trailer at this outside link.

What kind of roles do you like to see females play in movies? What movies do you like to watch?  What changes might you make to change a main character from one gender to another? Do you think it’s necessary to rewrite a role to fit a woman, or should men or women be able to play basically the same roles?  You can answer in the poll here, and share your thoughts below!

Love,

Luna