Empowering Project
Dear Editor: Sitka Public Library is committed to helping young women and girls feel cared for, seen and loved. The thought of needing feminine hygiene supplies doesn’t often cross most people’s minds. As a youth services director I spend part of my days researching about opportunities to create messages that will empower youths.
“Go with the Flow,” a program that helps to provide small bags of tampons and pads to women and girls, is an initiative that other states are implementing at schools and other facilities and the goal was to add our library to that list.
Our public library is a dynamic, socially responsive institution, a nexus of diversity, and a lifeline for the most vulnerable among us. It combines access and trustworthiness and by using partnerships with other institutions and community members, connects people with services and help.
Thanks to two volunteers, Cheryl Vastola and Beatrice Perez, as well as a generous donation from SEARHC, and also the generosity of community members like Wendy and Elliot Longtin, and Martha Pearson, we are now able to offer to tweens and teens several beautiful handmade fabric bags filled with basic feminine hygiene supplies and some treats: a little chocolate, a chamomile tea bag, some positive message, and a chart-your-cycle sheet. We are very excited to be able to provide these care packets, and we will continue looking for donations from different organizations that will guarantee the sustainability of the project.
By providing lots of accurate information, and a little bit of help, our desire is that girls can turn an important element of their female lives into an empowering experience. Thanks to those who have supported and believe in this initiative.
Maite Lorente,
Youth Services Director,
Sitka Public Library
Young’s Media
Dear Editor: When informed that the three worst news outlets in America (if not the world) are the New York and Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post, it’s a shame nobody thought to ask Congressman Young to list the three best. (Daily Sitka Sentinel, 1 August 2018; “Rep. Young Visits, Gives Views on Land, Media.”)
My bet is that it would be Fox News, Breitbart, and Alex Jones, with Rush Limbaugh coming in a close fourth. Or something along those lines.
Maybe that’s why he didn’t echo his President’s oft-repeated blanket declaration and defamation of the media as “America’s greatest enemy.” Apparently there are still some of those folks around who are friendly to the cause of “Making America Great Again.”
Or, if the posters, flags, T-shirts, and hats coming out of China are any indication of the newest meme emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: “Keep America Great.” Which implies that – contrary to the evidence – somehow, during the 19 months of The Age of Trump, America has somehow become somehow and someway “great” again; whatever that means, ever meant, or was meant to mean.
It will be interesting to see how Mr. Young runs on Trump’s promise to “Drain The Swamp” this year. Given that he has been down there for almost half a century, he ranks among the rankest of ranking, senior SwampLanders.
If Don Young is sent back to SwampLand in November, Alaska will get exactly what it deserves.
Jeffrey G Moebus, Master Sergeant,
U.S. Army (Retired)
Veterans Against War
(Sitka Platoon)
