#3) Some Info. on the Spider Bite

Brown Recluse

• Yellow-orange to brown in color and can grow up to the size of a quarter. Has violin-shaped marking on its head.
  
• Hides in bathroom closets, over door frames, and in corners.
  
• Bite feels like a sting followed by intense pain. Wound looks like a blister and may take on a "bulls eye" appearance. Eventually the wound may develop into a large ulcerated area.
  
• Symptoms develop within 36 hours.
  SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF BITTEN BY A BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER!

 #4)  Women Trapped in 'Pink Ghetto'

      As Referred to in: Beyond The Basics

(My Bio./Extended Version)          

You've heard of the White-Collar Worker, someone who typically is a Professional & you've heard of the blue-collar worker, who usually can be found in manufacturing & trade jobs.

But, there's also a lesser-known category:  The Pink-Collar Worker, who is employed in fields such as teaching, nursing, public relations, human resources, administration, child care & in clerical & secretarial work.

And because Pink-Collar workers are employed in jobs traditionally dominated by women, there's another name to describe this category:  The Pink Ghetto.

"The term pink ghetto was coined in 1983 in a study of women, children & poverty in America & was used to describe the limits on women's career advancement in these traditional, often low-paying jobs".  Said Jonamay Lambert, president & founder of Lambert & Assoc. Inc., a diversity & consulting firm in East Dundee, Ill.

"It's estimated that today 55% of women working outside of the home are trapped in the 'Pink Ghetto'.  There probably are fewer women in that category today than there were 10 years ago-mainly because women themselves have made the effort to make the change".

The 'Pink-Collar' Ghetto is characterized not only by low wages, in most cases, but also by a lack of a career path.  "The opportunities for advancement are probably less than with some other jobs," observed Lambert, an author & lecturer on diversity issues.  "You can move up, but in most pink-collar jobs, it takes a long time to get there, & even when you do get on top they're often not the highest-paying ones".

Women often are relegated to the 'Pink Ghetto' because of preconceived notions that what they are doing is women's work anyway - & in particular because of men's discomfort in dealing with women on a professional level, fewer role models & mentors available for women & because many managers assume they are not serious about their careers.

Despite these barriers, many women are in the 'Pink Ghetto' by choice, Lambert points out.

"When you choose these jobs, you pay a price for doing so, but women more than men have to make choices between family & career & balancing their lives - & that ultimately is what leads women to choose pink-collar jobs," said Lambert.  "The jobs we're talking about usually have a little more flexibility in terms of work hours, especially when compared to such fields as law or accounting, which are very demanding, particularly if you want to be on a partner track".

How do you get out of the ghetto?  "You need to understand the choices you're making & what the career path is, if any.  You need to stay current with training, especially technology, which is critical.  You have to learn to network & to promote yourself.  You have to find mentors, both women & men".

Employers also have a role to play, she added.  "Companies have to become aware of gender issues in order to understand the barriers.  They need to introduce mentoring programs, coaching & in-house networks".

Lambert says that she "would like to see women having more opportunities where they feel valued & are valued.  We shouldn't have to pay such a high price for choices that are so important not only for women, but for society".

Article from the Bradenton Herald Newspaper 12/11/05 written by Carol Kleiman of the Chicago Tribune.