Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

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The Power Women 50 Index results at market close for December 28:

Click here for details.

About the Power Women 50 Index: We introduced the Index on October 11. The cover story in the current Fortune Magazine (October 15, 2007) featured the 50 most powerful women. The list included twelve CEOs of publicly traded companies. Assume an intial investment of $100,000 evenly spread over the twelve women-led companies in Fortune Magazine's Power Women 50. We will benchmark the Power Women 50 Index against the overall S&P 500 Index.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am without TV over the holidays. I catch the news once a day on NPR. This morning I woke to hear the sad news of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. I wondered if the difference she had made was worth her loss. I worried about her children who will be raised without a mother. I thought about it all day. And then I got a note from a young woman in my book club. I was glad to be able to share the disappointment and sadness at this great and tragic loss. This is what she wrote to me:

I am sure you the have heard of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto by now. To be honest I never thought her death would affect me this much. Growing up, I always admired her courage and audacity (I always wanted to be like her). She raised her voice and came to power in an country where a women's duty was to raise kids and obey her husband. It is sad to see a brave women like her gone.

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Vagina Monologues holds a special place in my heart. It was the first outing of a group of women in Sacramento that turned into the book club that is so special to me. What a great shared experience and how great it felt to be part of a group of strong women.

And now the Vagina Monologues turns 10. And here are 2 great ways to relive those great times.

Locally, Sac State will be offering two performances, which they expect to sell out quickly:
Feb. 14 and 16, 2008
7 p.m.
Hinde Auditorium
Tickets: $20 General, $15 Student
Sac State Ticket Office located in the University Union or at tickets.com Proceeds for all performances will benefit the Sac State Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services Program and the SHARE Institute. For more information or question, please contact the Women’s Resource Center at (916) 278-7388.

And in what could well be one of the most amazing feminist events of our lifetimes, check out V to the TENTH

Transforming the Superdome into the SuperLove Dome, V-Day will stage a once in a lifetime event featuring international performances of The Vagina Monologues by Selma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Glenn Close, Ashley Judd, Marisa Tomei, Kerry Washington, Ellen DeGeneres, and musicians Joss Stone, musical guests including Common, Eve, Charmaine Neville, V-Day activists from across the globe including Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo and Eastern Europe, men standing up for women and much more. Proceeds will benefit women and girls around the world and in the Gulf South. Tickets are priced from $1,000-25.

Now that's the way to celebrate. I am getting out my I Love My Vagina t-shirt (proudly given to me by my step-daughter) right now!

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This blog caught my attention this morning. Especially in light of the fact that the upcoming SacWomen/SAGE event on 1/23 will explore female stereotypes in the media. This blog adds an additional aspect, not only do women look like they will sell their soul for a diamond, men look like idiots for thinking they will.

I've been happy this year to read a couple of blog posts written by men just slamming the ever-living shit out of the popular holiday commercial message, "All women are whores, just set the price." Otherwise known as ads pushing luxury goods like diamonds and cars with a fairly unmistakeable message.

These ads go far beyond just saying, "Hey, it's fun to spoil someone you love on occasion," and straight into making rather f***** up insinuations about how marriage and heterosexual relationships are transactional--her love and sex for your baubles. That women give love because they love and have sex because they desire doesn't enter the equation. There was one ad awhile back that was pretty close to explicit on this--a guy runs through the streets declaring he loves a woman. She's angry with him for his romantic and inexpensive gesture. He presents a diamond. Now she likes him again. Women's affections are a commodity, says the ad, not a normal human expression. Jamie at Masculinity and Its Discontents:

For some reason this one really gets to me. Scene: woman kicking back on the couch, watching the tube, as her young-architect/artist skinny, t-shirted, sandy-haired studmuffin puts the finishing touches on her pedicure, blowing gently on her toes.

He: How's it look, sweetie?

She: It looks great!

He: I dunno, I think maybe they could use one more coat.

Cut to smarmy announcer: because you're not that guy, go buy jewelry at Bob's.

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This blog caught my attention this morning. Especially in light of the fact that the upcoming SacWomen/SAGE event on 1/23 will explore female stereotypes in the media. This blog adds an additional aspect, not only do women look like they will sell their soul for a diamond, men look like idiots for thinking they will.

I've been happy this year to read a couple of blog posts written by men just slamming the ever-living shit out of the popular holiday commercial message, "All women are whores, just set the price." Otherwise known as ads pushing luxury goods like diamonds and cars with a fairly unmistakeable message.

These ads go far beyond just saying, "Hey, it's fun to spoil someone you love on occasion," and straight into making rather f***** up insinuations about how marriage and heterosexual relationships are transactional--her love and sex for your baubles. That women give love because they love and have sex because they desire doesn't enter the equation. There was one ad awhile back that was pretty close to explicit on this--a guy runs through the streets declaring he loves a woman. She's angry with him for his romantic and inexpensive gesture. He presents a diamond. Now she likes him again. Women's affections are a commodity, says the ad, not a normal human expression. Jamie at Masculinity and Its Discontents:

For some reason this one really gets to me. Scene: woman kicking back on the couch, watching the tube, as her young-architect/artist skinny, t-shirted, sandy-haired studmuffin puts the finishing touches on her pedicure, blowing gently on her toes.

He: How's it look, sweetie?

She: It looks great!

He: I dunno, I think maybe they could use one more coat.

Cut to smarmy announcer: because you're not that guy, go buy jewelry at Bob's.

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There is something about baking cookies for Christmas that is mandatory for me. I can't imagine having my family show up and pulling out cookies that I bought from a bakery. Of course, my family, if given half the chance might actually prefer that option, but the choice is never given! In my mind, baking cookies for your family shows how much you love them. Crazy, huh?

As the time approaches, I get out the recipes, build a spreadsheet to ensure I have a master shopping list for all of the ingredients and then lock myself away in seclusion for the massive cookie baking. Sounds good. But then things deteriorate at a rapid pace.

This year, I pulled out the first batch of cookies and wondered why they had no resemblance to the picture in the recipe. It didn't take me long to figure out that I had forgotten to add the chocolate chip cookies. A friend called during this discovery. When I told her I was baking cookies, she told me what a great stress reliever that was. When I told her of my missing chocolate chips, she commented, "Oh, aren't they a pretty essential ingredient?" YES...and that's why I definitely don't find baking cookies relaxing!

I shook off my first disaster and moved to the next creation. In mid-mixing, I couldn't find the sweetened condensed milk. I knew absolutely that I bought it. It was on my master list. I saw it in the shopping cart. But after searching high and low, I couldn't find it. OK, great. I have the bottom part of the bar cookie baked and now I can't complete it due to the lack of one ingredient.

Admitting defeat, I folded my tent and went shopping. I am good at shopping. Later in the day, filled with renewed confidence, I returned to my baking pursuits. I baked a double batch of sweet potato zucchini bread. I finished off the recipe with the new can of sweetened condensed milk I have bought. And I went to bed feeling like I might be getting into the swing of things until I woke in the middle of the night to realize I left the nuts out of the bread!

One thing I am good at doing during the annual cookie baking disaster is burning myself on the cookie tins and the oven racks, And sure enough, I have 3 good burns to show for a bad day of baking.

I think I will poll the family on Christmas day. Maybe they will resolve me from my annual cookie baking disaster. And that would leave more time for shopping.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dan Fogelberg died over the weekend from prostate cancer. He was only 56. I was shocked to hear the news. He was such a big part of my 20's and 30's. A bigger part that I realized based on the CD that my daughter gave me a couple of Christmases ago - Twin Sons of Different Mothers - Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg. She remembered it blaring through the house in 1978, when she was just 8 years old. And still remembered it enough to buy it for me 25 or more years later.

I saw him many times in concert at Wolf Trap, the wonderful outdoor ampitheater outside of Washington, DC. He seemed like a really decent guy. How sad that he was diagnosed in his early 50's with advanced prostate cancer. Make sure all the men in your life get tested.

Here's to you, Dan Fogelberg.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After a very successful first meeting in October, SacWomen returns, this time in collaboration with SAGE (Sacramento Advocates for Girls Empowerment).

Our aim remains the same: To amplify the voices of the women of Sacramento through our daily blog and periodic face-to-face events by providing a venue that fosters a ground swell of support by and between the women of Sacramento – personally, politically, economically, academically, philanthropically, culturally, socially, environmentally - and any other way we can think of!

And we have had some great success stories already. Here are just a few:

One of our October attendees recently reached out to another attendee to get some input on her startup funding documents. The SacWomen network stepped in and, in just a few hours, she learned about a great free mentorship program for entrepreneurs right here in Sacramento.

Another attendee is looking for a writer to help with some materials she is preparing for a local publication. Voila, an experienced writer in just the subject she required is located within an hour.

Another attendee, a certified financial planner, has offered to hold a financial planning seminar just for women in early 2008. Financial security is such an important, and often overlooked, priority for women. More details and sign-up sheet at this upcoming event.

A sponsor was desperately looking for a qualified speaker for a women’s startup event. By the next day, one of the most qualified women in town had graciously agreed to speak.

And more details come in every day. This is the start of something great. You owe yourself to be a part of it!

This month’s event will feature an important topic for us and the young women in our lives – the female stereotype in the media. Our speaker will give us ideas on how to resist and work for change. The venue will be the new banquet facility for Mulvaney's Building and Loan. They will serve a wonderful smorgasbord from their appetizer and dessert menus.

Please sign up before January 8 for early bird pricing. And please feel free to invite a girl guest, ages 13-18. We have set a special price for their registration.

As always, please keep reading the SacWomen blog, provide input and comment. And watch for future events that will cover such subjects as Wine Tasting, Body Image, and Are Women Still Undermining Women? Or any other subjects you would like to hear.

And please take time to learn about SAGE. If you are not already a volunteer, consider giving some of your time to this wonderful organization that is so supportive of the young women of Sacramento.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indeed, Obama, her chief rival, inspired our imaginations. But it was Clinton who inspired our confidence. Each time we met, she impressed us with her knowledge and her competence.

The times demand results. We believe as president she�ll do what she�s always done in her life: Throw herself into the job and work hard. We believe Hillary Rodham Clinton can do great things for our country.

But with McCain, Americans would know what they’re getting. He doesn’t parse words. And on tough calls, he usually lands on the side of goodness — of compassion for illegal immigrants, of concern for the environment for future generations.

The force of John McCain’s moral authority could go a long way toward restoring Americans’ trust in government and inspiring new generations to believe in the goodness and greatness of America.

You can read the whole Republican endorsement here

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 1:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Watch this video

Maybe it's time to have a heart-to-heart with your doctor and ensure your beliefs are compatible.
And watch our ladies, your rights are being whittled away, one by one!

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Power Women 50 Index results at market close for December 14:

Click here for details.

About the Power Women 50 Index: We introduced the Index on October 11. The cover story in the current Fortune Magazine (October 15, 2007) featured the 50 most powerful women. The list included twelve CEOs of publicly traded companies. Assume an intial investment of $100,000 evenly spread over the twelve women-led companies in Fortune Magazine's Power Women 50. We will benchmark the Power Women 50 Index against the overall S&P 500 Index.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Teresa (Teri) Takai has been appointed the new Chief Information Office for the State of California. She was previously the director of Michigan's Information Technology Department and state CIO.

During her tenure in Michigan, she restructured and consolidated Michigan’s resources by merging the state’s IT resources into one centralized department servicing 19 agencies with more than 1,700 employees.

Unlike Michigan, California has a very decentralized technology organization and a tainted history with oversight culminating 5 years ago in a scandal with a $95M agreement with Oracle. The state spends more than $2 billion annually on IT hardware, software and services.

Let's wish Teri luck moving into this 'old boys' network. And when it all gets too much, come visit us at SacWomen!

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are a Sacramento entrepreneur, check out the great, free resource provided by the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. Free mentoring, free coaching, free feedback by professionals who have been in the business for years. This is invaluable. You owe yourself to check it out.
See all the details on Sacramento Executive.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Iraqi government has ordered all policewomen to hand in their guns. The policewomen earned the title by graduating from the police academy. Men with the same training have not received the same order. Read the whole story

So, here we go again, supporting, with billions of dollars, a government that would much rather support right wing religious fanatics than women.

Why do my tax dollars have to pay for this blatant sexism? I think I will write my representatives, again!

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

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Oprah on the campaign trail:

"Experience in the hallways on government isn't as important to me as the pathway of life. So I challenge you to see through those people who try to convince you that experience with politics as usual in Washington is more valuable than 'wisdom' won from years of serving people outside the walls of Washington DC. We, the people, can see through all that rhetoric. We recognize that the amount of time that you spent in Washington means nothing unless you are accountable for the judgments you made with the time you had."

Three months ago, I wrote about Oprah's potential influence on the presidential election. And it's turning out to be huge and still there are those who, in my opinion, are underestimating her influence.

But now, I wonder, when will the dirty tricks start against Oprah? Notice, I don't say if, I say very deliberately when. And then I wonder how Oprah will handle it. These attacks, I am sure, will be more virulent than those she has had to deal with with previously.

My hat is off to Oprah. She is doing what each and everyone of us should be doing - refusing to watch our country be taken over by those who have no regard for the very fundamental values that made this such a special place to live. And she is doing it, hopefully, before it's too late.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

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Linda Chavez: Saudis need our reproach Its people, especially women, need a reasoned voice, says LINDA CHAVEZ

President Bush seemed at a loss for words last week when he was asked during a news conference if he would use his influence to help a Saudi rape victim who has drawn international attention. The young woman was raped 14 times by seven men and now faces her own imprisonment and 200 lashes in a sentence imposed by a Saudi court.

So what was the victim's "crime"? She happened to be in the company of a man who was not a close relative when she was attacked.

The president hemmed and hawed: "My first thoughts were these: What happens if this happened to my daughter? How would I react? And I would have been – I would have been – I'd have been very emotional, of course. I'd have been angry at those who committed the crime, and I'd be angry at a state that didn't support the victim."

When the reporter pressed him on whether he had raised the issue with Saudi King Abdullah in the last few weeks, the president demurred. "We'll have plenty of time. King Abdullah knows our position loud and clear."

No, Mr. President, he doesn't. The Saudi royals don't know what we think because we spend so much effort pretending that their country is a member of the family of nations like all others and that they are our allies in the fight against terrorism. No wonder they think they can violate the most basic human rights of their population with impunity, especially their women, so long as they are willing to sell us their bloody oil at whatever price they can extort.

You cannot respect a man you must lie to. The president would do the Saudi king, not to mention the Saudi people, a favor if he spoke honestly.

He should say to King Abdullah, "You cannot behave like barbarians and be treated like civilized people. A woman who has been viciously raped by common criminals should not be violated again by your courts. You appoint the Supreme Judicial Council. Now the council is punishing the victim's attorney for making her case public, threatening to disbar him. You know this is wrong. If you want my respect, then you must earn it."

Until the Saudis come face to face with the opprobrium they richly deserve, they will continue to flout common decency. The Saudis spend millions each year paying for slick ads in U.S. newspapers to convince Americans that their kingdom is a modern wonderland: beautiful, culturally rich and varied, a welcoming paradise to all who live and work there.

In reality, Saudi Arabia is a prison for its female population. Women may not travel outside their homes unless accompanied by a close male relative. They may not drive; they are subject to beatings by official religious police if they don't wear the abaya and veil; and they may not receive medical treatment without the permission of a male relative.

Their testimony in court is given only half the weight of a man's. Although women may study law and have recently been given licenses to practice law, they may not represent clients in court. Women may be divorced by their husbands without cause but must prove legally specified grounds if they wish to initiate a divorce. And divorced women lose custody of their children when their sons turn 7 and their daughters turn 9.

Nor is life in Saudi Arabia much better for many of its male foreign workers. Saudis import much of their labor from poor countries in South Asia, and many workers endure slave-like conditions, forced to work long hours with little pay while their employers hold their passports so they cannot leave the country.

The abuse of the rape victim, known only as the "Girl of Qatif," should shame the Saudi government. But it will only do so if the Saudi royal family is forced by the civilized world to account for the brutal society the House of Saud has created and rules. President Bush missed his opportunity to do so publicly this week. But it is not too late to do so quietly but directly. The fate of the "Girl of Qatif" could well turn on the president's intervention.

Linda Chavez is author of An Unlikely Conservative: The Transformation of an Ex-Liberal Her e-mail address is lchavez@ceousa .org.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

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One one hand:

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that Basra, the last Iraqi province under British control, will be handed back to Iraqi control within two weeks. 4,500 British troops are stationed there.

Mr Brown admitted that while not every difficulty had been overcome, great progress had been made. Government officials said that there had been a 90 per cent drop in violence in Basra since September, when troops withdrew from Basra Palace to the airport. However, MPs on the Commons Defence Select Committee have attributed this to the influence of Iranian-backed Shia militias and criminal gangs. (Courtesy: The Times)

On the other hand:

Religious vigilantes have killed at least 40 women this year in the southern Iraqi city of Basra because of how they dressed, their mutilated bodies found with notes warning against "violating Islamic teachings," the police chief said Sunday.

Maj. Gen. Jalil Khalaf blamed sectarian groups that he said were trying to impose a strict interpretation of Islam. They dispatch patrols of motorbikes or unlicensed cars with tinted windows to accost women not wearing traditional dress and head scarves, he added.

"The women of Basra are being horrifically murdered and then dumped in the garbage with notes saying they were killed for un-Islamic behavior," Khalaf told The Associated Press. He said men with Western clothes or haircuts are also attacked in Basra, an oil-rich city some 30 miles from the Iranian border and 340 miles southeast of Baghdad.

"Those who are behind these atrocities are organized gangs who work under cover of religion, pretending to spread the instructions of Islam, but they are far from this religion," Khalaf said.
(Courtesy: AP)

If 40 women have been murdered in the past year under British control of the region, will the women of Basra feel safer in the hands of the Iraqis? I wouldn't bet on it.

Murdering women in the name of religion is not new, but it is getting very old. And the British and US government's and even our own tacit support even older.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur or currently engaged as one, The Key Factors To Success For Women Entrepreneurs, by Tamara Monosoff, owner of www.MomInvestors.com and author of "Secrets of Millionaire Moms" is a must read.

The article discusses three keys:

1. Clarity regarding your life goals. 2. Understanding what you seek to build. 3. Drive, passion and the will to do whatever it takes.

Read more.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Power Women 50 Index results at market close for December 7:

Click here for details.

About the Power Women 50 Index: We introduced the Index on October 11. The cover story in the current Fortune Magazine (October 15, 2007) featured the 50 most powerful women. The list included twelve CEOs of publicly traded companies. Assume an intial investment of $100,000 evenly spread over the twelve women-led companies in Fortune Magazine's Power Women 50. We will benchmark the Power Women 50 Index against the overall S&P 500 Index.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My husband left home at 6:30 yesterday morning. He drove to his office and worked until 5PM. He drove home and arrived at 6PM. A full day, by most accounts. But not for my husband! When he got home he sewed two buttons on his shirt and two on his back pants' pockets. Then he made dinner for both of us.

Over the nice dinner he made, we were discussing what a good subject all of this would be for a blog - how my friends would be so jealous of his domestic skills. And then I noticed. Two small holes in the front of his t-shirt. The t-shirt he had been wearing when he was cutting the thread from the buttons.

I guess he is not completely perfect!

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What do you think?

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

(Ivanhoe Newswire) – A new clinical model could make it easier to predict the five-year risk of postmenopausal women fracturing a hip.

Researchers from the University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, created the model which includes 11 factors. To come up with the factors they looked at data from 93,676 women who took part in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). The model was tested in a subset of 10,750 women who had dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans (DXA – an imaging technique) to assess bone mass density which is used to predict the risk of hip fracture.

The study identified eleven factors that predicted hip fracture within five years – age, self-reported health, weight, height, race/ethnicity, self-reported physical activity, history of fracture after age 54, parental hip fracture, current smoking, current corticosteroid use, and treated diabetes. These factors were put into a clinical algorithm to predict the five year risk of hip fractures in postmenopausal women of different ethnicities.

“Knowing the five-year risk of fracture will permit patients and physicians to make informed choices when balancing making lifestyle changes against undergoing medical interventions. Publication of these results, along with the user-friendly tool for their application, will permit others to rapidly test their utility. However, we believe 11 readily available clinical variables offer a simple means of stratifying the 5-year risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal women,” the researchers conclude.

Further studies are needed to define the implications of the algorithm and to confirm the benefits of treatments of those identified as high risk for hip fracture.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. SOURCE: JAMA, 2007;298:2389-2398

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ebay has launched a micro-credit business, MicroPlace. You can invest for a period of 3 years and receive a guaranteed 3% return and your money is used to make small loans to people around the world who are living in poverty. These loans help them start or grow businesses.

From the website:

MicroPlace’s mission is to help alleviate global poverty by enabling everyday people to make investments in the world’s working poor.

Our idea is simple.

Microfinance institutions around the world have discovered an effective way to help the world’s working poor lift themselves out of poverty. These organizations need capital to expand and reach more of the working poor. At the same time, millions of everyday people here in the United States are looking for ways to make investments that yield a financial return while making a positive impact on the world. MicroPlace simply connects investors with microfinance institutions looking for funds.

The result: more microfinance in the world, satisfied investors, and above all, fewer people living in poverty.

Today I put it to the test. For the past few years my sister and I have decided to forgo the presents and do something charitable in each other's names. Last year I tried Kiva, It's easy to buy gift certificates. Last year's donation was given as part of a loan to Valentina for her clothing business in the Ukraine. During the year, she paid it back. So then I lent the money to Juana and her textile business in Mexico. She has repaid 9% of the loan. The money you give to Kiva is non-refundable. But you can keep choosing new recipients as borrowers repay. There's a great personal aspect to Kiva. You can choose which individual recipient you want to help by reading through many bios and looking through many photos.

MicroPlace is slightly different. No personal stories or photos. But you can choose by country and fund for that country. I chose Cambodia, but I am planning a trip to Cambodia and Laos in the spring. Unlike Kiva, this is an investment that pays interest and after the initial investment period of 3 years the princiapal could be returned to you. The minimum investment to open an account is $100, additional investments have to be a minimum of $50. The signup is simple and you can fund via paypal or direct check. Click here to find out in more detail who it works.

Will Ebay bring microfinance by the masses to the masses? Let's hope so, because microfinance works, it changes people's lives forever and for the good. And, on a grand scale, it could change the world.

Check it or Kiva out for a great present for someone whom you have no idea what to get. And in so doing, you will be making a present of a lifetime!

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Teen birth rates in California are dropping dramatically, and last year were the lowest the state has ever recorded. Public Policy Institute of California researchers explored changing birth rates and fertility trends in the state, and found that in some counties, teen birth rates fell more than 25 percent from 2000 to 2005. They also found that over the last two decades, California has experienced an accelerating trend in delayed childbearing--a growing percentage of women are not giving birth until their early forties. Despite this rise in birth rates among older women, rates of childlessness in the state are also increasing.

You can download and read the whole report here

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 2:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Words of advice from Oprah on managing a startup's growth:

The biggest mistake in the beginning was not understanding that you need infrastructure and systems in orer to run a business. And that there's a reason why there's a hierarchy in reporting systems in business. You can't handle a business like a friendship. I started out with four or five of us, and then there were eight, and then there were 22. And I kept trying to manage it as though there were still the four of us. And it wasn't until 1994 that I actually brought in someone to be president and organize the systems. I was a crazy person trying to do it all.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Power Women 50 Index results at market close for November 30:

Click here for details.

About the Power Women 50 Index: We introduced the Index on October 11. The cover story in the current Fortune Magazine (October 15, 2007) featured the 50 most powerful women. The list included twelve CEOs of publicly traded companies. Assume an intial investment of $100,000 evenly spread over the twelve women-led companies in Fortune Magazine's Power Women 50. We will benchmark the Power Women 50 Index against the overall S&P 500 Index.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)