As I listened to a story on National Public Radio this week about perceptions of race, I couldn't help but wonder how many preconceived notions of gender effect outcomes for women in the workplace and in life in general.

The story on Morning Edition was based on the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) which is conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Aliya Saperstein, along with Andrew Penner and Jessica Kizer looked at the long-term study and noted that twenty percent of the respondents in the NLSY survey experienced at least one change of race over time. During the interview, it was explained that one year a person would be perceived as white, but the next year the person's race would be changed to black. What the researchers found was that the changes in classification were actually not random. They were driven by changes in the people's life circumstances and common racial stereotypes.

The NPR interview noted if someone went from being employed to being unemployed, or being out of prison to being in prison, or being off welfare to being on welfare, the interviewer was more likely to see the person as black - after they experienced that sort of downward mobility - than before.

It reminded me the importance of being aware of our own thoughts, feelings, and prejudices - and the importance of treating people with dignity and respect.

March 11, 11:30 lunch, 12:00 Program

Radisson Hotel

A panel presentation and discussion will kick off the local league's participation in the nationally adopted study of agriculture policy.  The March program features a panel that includes Karrie Jackelen, Congressional aide for Congressman Ron Kind, Steve Huntzicker, La Crosse County Agriculture Agent- UW-Extension Agent and Greg Yakle, District Conservationist- USDA/Natural Resource Conservation Service. 

The league study covers many questions of economic policy, animal and land management, research and development, food safety and food labeling.  The one hour program March 11 will just touch on some of these issues and some of the major issues of the recently adopted National Farm Bill.

RSVP:  By March 7th to Nancy Hill at [email protected] or 782-1753 for the $12.00 luncheon at 11:30; the program at noon is free. 

April 8, 7:00 PM

Hall of Nations, UWL Centennial Hall

Professor Joe Heim, Tara Johnson, La Crosse County board Chairman, and State Representative Steve Doyle will serve on the panel discussing this topic.  Please note the time and location change from the league regularly scheduled monthly lunch meetings.

On Thursday, March 6 an International Women's Day Program will be held at UW-L Centennial Hall, Hall of Nations.  Appetizers are served at 5 pm and the program begins at 5:30 pm. The event is free. 

Gina Yang-Laos, Lily Augustine-Pakistan, Clare Wright-Brazil and Busya Lugovia-Russia are panelists for the program.  

They will talk briefly about their experiences growing up in their country.  The program is sponsored by LWV La Crosse Area, AAUW La Crosse Branch, YWCA-La Crosse, Gundersen Global Partners, World Services of La Crosse, UW-L Ofice of International Education and UW-L Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department.

Reprinted from the National LWV Newsletter

March marks Women's History Month. LWVUS will be blogging and sharing content on our social media channels throughout the month - we encourage state and local Leagues to share this content, including today's Facebook post on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the 19th amendment. Please send any photos from your League's activities celebrating Women's History Month to Stephanie Drahan ([email protected]). We'll be compiling them into an album to share on Facebook towards the end of the month.Please also use this template press statement to mark Women's History Month with your local media outlets.