FEATURED BRAVE CHICKS – The Woman Suffragists
SUBMITTED BY – Author/Origin of this email is unknown

If you think about not voting this year, please remember what these women went through to see that you have that freedom!!!!

WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE?
This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

Lucy Burns

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of obstructing sidewalk traffic. They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

Dora Lewis

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women. Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

Alice Paul

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because-why, exactly?
We have carpool duties?
We have to get to work?
Our vote doesn't matter?
It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder. All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege - Sometimes it was inconvenient. My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.' HBO released the movie on video and DVD. I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum. I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order. It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and BRAVE - that didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.' Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by so many brave women.

Alice Paul celebrates the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.

I heard about your website from a friend and I have to tell you I LOVE it! I think you are all doing such a wonderful thing for these brave women. The moment I began reading all the wonderful stories - I thought of my friend who I would like to nominate for your next Featured Brave Chick award.

The funny thing about Becky Fawcett is that she would never consider herself brave. It would never cross her mind. If told she was - she would simply say "Thank you but I just did what I HAD to do. And I continue to do what HAS to be done." However, in my opinion, she defines bravery!

Long story short---Becky and her husband Kipp endured 5 rounds of IVF, had 3 miscarriages (one at 14 weeks) and spent $82,000 on non-insurance covered medical bills to arrive at the conclusion that adoption was going to be the way they would build their family. Any one can ask her and she'll tell you that she was terrified by the process … but even more terrified about NOT being a mother. 2 ½ years ago, she and Kipp adopted their son Jake (the adoption cost $40,000) and SHE WAS INSPIRED.

After the adoption, people expected them to close the door on this chapter, count their blessings and move on. If you know them - it is very clear that they count their blessings every day, but they couldn't move on. They asked themselves - "What happens when people can't afford adoption?" The answers they found were unacceptable: Go into financial ruin or live a childless life (not by choice). They vowed to change this and THEY DID. I've often asked Becky what made her ask the question and she always has the same answer: "If you'd walked a minute in my shoes, you would have asked the same one."

When Jake was two, Becky and Kipp founded helpusadopt.org (a national grant organization) to help other Americans who are struggling with the cost of adoption. 80% of the people seeking adoption are failed Infertility patients and an average adoption costs $25,000. What has this BRAVE CHICK done? She's created an organization that will change the world of adoption, as we know it. One of the most important things to know about helpusadopt.org, besides the fact that they give grants to defray the cost of adoption, is that they don't define 'a family'. Helpusadopt.org considers all qualified couples and individuals who apply regardless of race, religion, marital status or sexual preference. This alone is one of the things that makes Becky ONE BRAVE CHICK … many people feel that children should be adopted by "a traditional family model" -meaning a man and a woman who are married to each other. Becky doesn't agree and in fact has lost some donors due to her stance on this subject but she doesn't care. She won't change her beliefs.

My friend's bravery doesn't end here. Helpusadopt.org launched in November 2007 and it's no surprise that it took off immediately. She created this while working full time (at the PR firm she launched in 1999, The Fawcett Group) and while being a mother to Jake. She worked at night to get things done. And this past spring, when Helpusadopt.org took on a life of its own, I watched her do one of the bravest things she's done to date. She decided to stop working for her paying clients at The Fawcett Group. It was not an easy decision especially since it was a VERY lucrative business. She had built that business since 1999 when many thought she would fail. It was all HER and she loved it. To give it up was not an easy choice. But as Becky said "there are people out there who need me more" and she went to work full time (and then some) as Helpusadopt.org's Executive Director on a pro-bono basis. So now if you ask Becky if she works she always answers "No" and I don't understand why. So I asked her why that's her answer. "Its not work. Its just what I do. I look at Jake and know what has to be done each day when I get up. We can make a difference in people's lives - I'd say I'm pretty lucky."

So that is my friend. My BRAVE friend who considers herself lucky because each day she fights for what she believes in so that she can help other people become parents - No matter what the cost!

What you are about to read is a detailed account of what we went through to have a child and how we created helpusadopt.org. You may find it sad at points and overwhelming at others. Our story is not uncommon but our outcome certainly is and the road was definitely challenging. Thousands of families experience similar circumstances each year, but without the financial resources, their end result is drastically different. Building a family through adoption is a privilege not a right and brings with it seemingly insurmountable financial challenges. Many families experience financial ruin and others simply cannot afford this process at all. As a result, they live a childless life.

Our experience made it impossible to turn and look the other way. The emotional journey to our son gave us a glimpse into what "almost wasn't" and now, we are using this knowledge to help others overcome the incredible financial hurdles that they encounter along the way to adopting a child. Helpusadopt.org will begin to provide a financial solution to this nationwide struggle.

2002
After a year of trying to get pregnant at age 32, I asked my OBGYN if I should go see a fertility specialist. His answer was no. "Just relax and give it some time, maybe in another year if nothing happens," he said. I went to the specialist anyway and it's a good thing I did. Our infertility issues were so complicated that we skipped the use of oral stimulant drugs and inseminations and went straight to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). We chose our infertility doctor by reputation. We had heard that he was aggressive in his practices and had a high rate of pregnancy. The fact that his office was two miles away would prove to be convenient when I started to have daily appointments / bloodwork / ultrasounds - sometimes five days in a row.

2003
1st cycle - Our first cycle cost $16,500 (Doctors fee $7,500, Lab fee $4,000, Drugs $5,000). Our insurance covered nothing.

2nd cycle - We tried again 6 weeks later. We incurred the same cost. We followed the same drug/injection protocol. There was a retrieval and transfer, just as before. Two weeks later: Negative pregnancy test.

3rd cycle - We took some time to unwind and tried again a few months later. We incurred the same cost. We followed the same drug/injection protocol. There was a retrieval and transfer, just as before. Two weeks later: Positive pregnancy test. I was pregnant and the due date was my father's birthday. We had a miscarriage at 12 weeks, which was the day before Becky's 35th birthday.

2004
4th cycle - We incurred the same cost plus $4,000 for acupuncture. We followed the same drug/injection protocol. There was a retrieval and transfer, just as before. Two weeks later: Negative pregnancy test. New development: Did produce enough good fertilized eggs for a frozen cycle.

5th cycle - I continued with acupuncture $4,000. Having a frozen cycle of eggs saves on both the doctors fee, lab charges and drugs. This time the cost was only $8,000 and slightly less invasive. No retrieval necessary - only a transfer. Two weeks later: Positive pregnancy test. Miscarried at 10 weeks - December 23rd 2004.

Total cost: $82,000 (after tax dollars)

We drained our savings. We had just enough money left for an adoption.

It was time for plan B. We got three referrals and met with three adoption attorneys by January 17th. We were terrified. We felt all alone. Even those who loved us most couldn't help us or make this any easier. There were so many uncertainties and no guarantees. We could only feel secure in knowing that the lawyer we chose was quite capable, an adoptive parent himself who had been doing this for over 20 years. We chose our lawyer and signed the paperwork on January 18, 2005. Our adoption was going to cost approximately $40,000 (after tax dollars). These costs included our lawyer, home study, social worker visits, birthmother's lawyer, birthmother's monthly expenses, birthmother's medical expenses, birthmother's counseling, airline tickets (at a moments notice), hotel, car rental.

We spent the next 75 days doing paperwork: financial paperwork, criminal background check, child abuse clearance, a full day seminar with a home study group, a social worker visited our house several times, we both had physicals, and we assembled our profile "book" to be sent out to birth mothers.

Our adoption process was unusually quick, although it didn't feel quick while we were going through it. Jake's adoption was finalized in Pennsylvania October 12, 2006 (almost a year later) and then we had to apply for an amended birth certificate from Maine (three months of waiting) and once we had that, we could apply for a social security number (two months of waiting).

At every life changing juncture, we counted our blessings to be able to pursue both IVF and adoption on our terms. We were, and still are, very fortunate. We asked our adoption attorney what would we do if we didn't have the money to pay for this. His response was unacceptable. The options: go into financial ruin or don't have a child. We looked at each other and knew that instant that when the time was right we would change those options. We were going to do something to help.

We dedicate helpusadopt.org to the countless parents waiting to adopt and to the thousands of birthparents selfless enough to let us adopt your children. And of course, to our son Jake and a very special woman whose kind heart will never be forgotten.

-Becky & Kipp Fawcett

HelpUsAdopt.org

“Building Families Through Adoption”

HelpUsAdopt.org is a national non-profit 501 (c)3 financial assistance grant program that will provide qualified couples and individuals (regardless of race, religion, marital status or sexual preference) with grants of up to $15,000 towards their adoption expenses.

The Helpusadopt.org team is dedicated to helping couples/individuals overcome the seemingly insurmountable financial challenges that are associated with adoption. The first round of grants- June 2008- Helpusadopt.org received 125 applications, from all over the United States with requests totaling over a million dollars, and we only had $53,000 to give away. The June 2008 grant recipients (8) include 4 childless couples, 3 single women, and 1 family with three special needs adoptions.

If you would like to learn more and/or make a donation to

HelpUsAdopt.org – please contact:

HelpUsAdopt.org - P.O. Box 20435 - New York, NY 10021
Phone 917.684.5484
Fax 253.399.6780
info@helpusadopt.org
www.helpusadopt.org

Lucy with John & Edward – her cherished grandsons

Lucy with Jill & Lisa - her grand-daughter-in-laws … both of whom are brave chicks as well – Jill, a devoted stay-at-home Mom, teacher & jeweler & Lisa, an accomplished business woman, marathoner & Ironwoman!

FEATURED BRAVE CHICK FOR JULY 2008

In celebration of July’s Featured Brave Chick

Chloe Curran Schultz

July 28, 2006 – July 16, 2007

Please read our tribute to Katie & Chloe on this month’s Bravery Board posting.

---

FEATURED BRAVE CHICK FOR JUNE 2008

Name of Featured Brave Chick: Sheila Riehl from Lancaster, PA

Below is the letter we received from nominating chick, Kelly, about her dear partner, Sheila Riehl:

I don’t know what happens in your brain while you are trying to process bad news, but whatever happens, happens slowly. When the answering machine voice said, "This is Larry from the Lancaster General Hospital calling to tell you that Sheila was in a motorcycle accident," I know that it took an eternity for him to say "but she is alert and she is talking." Sheila rode for 10 years without a single incident. She always wore a helmet, an armored jacket, gloves, pants and ankle high boots. She obeyed all traffic laws and was doing so on the day that someone pulled out in front of her. With no time to react, she locked up her breaks and slammed head on into the side of the car, launching her body across the windshield and onto the road several yards away. Because of her equipment, there was not a single scratch on her body; but inside she had suffered two fractures in her pelvis, a fractured wrist and she tore all four ligaments in her right knee. That’s what happened to Sheila. Here is how Sheila handled it…

First of all, Sheila is the only person I know who could slam into a car, break the windshield with her body and proceed to make friends with the kindly people who stopped to help her. While chatting on the roadside, she found out the names, occupations and six degree connections between herself and the good Samaritans. She consoled the emotionally broken man who hit her. And, she joked with the ambulance personnel. I, having arrived at the ER with our 1 year old daughter, not knowing what to expect (and frankly, losing my mind) held my breath when they wheeled Sheila in on a gurney adorned with a neck brace and shredded clothing. She gave us the biggest smile and said, "How’s my girls?" And with that, she embraced us with something familiar and steadfast. Then trauma nurse after trauma nurse stopped by to tell her what a pleasure it had been to work on her. She spent a week in the hospital learning everyone's names and stories and becoming a quick favorite among the staff.

Now let me tell you about our house. It is a row home from circa 1870’s. A bathroom was put on the first floor of the house circa…never. Therefore, being all busted up and unable to go the stairs, Sheila came home to a potty chair. There are certain indignities an adult should not have to face, just one of which is having your partner have to empty your "potty bucket” after you have gone #2 in the living room. I know that she was horrified, but after the first "incident” we started to giggle and literally resorted to "potty” humor from then on. We moved a bed downstairs as well (which has actually been kind of awesome) and between the potty chair, the bed and the walker, our daughter stopped playing with her toys almost entirely. It helped that Sheila’s sister put an Elvis goodie bag and a bicycle bell on the walker.

Sheila has been through three knee surgeries by now. She has fought insurance battles. She has run out of physical therapy visits on her insurance policy even though she still cannot walk normally. She has been off work for seven months and probably will never be able to be an auto technician again (yes, she works on cars because chicks do that too!). She could not carry or care for our daughter on and off throughout these months. She couldn’t really help around the house, couldn’t go grocery shopping or carry loads in from the car…couldn’t drive, couldn’t contribute in the way that people sharing a household do. And while none of this bothered me (she’s still here on earth with us) I know that it wounded her deeply to feel helpless and waited on and useless. I know that if there is one thing that broke her down, it wasn’t any of the specifics of having a busted up body or getting used to different living arrangements, or losing her motorcycle (which she loved) or being forced to sit around the house all day, almost every day or losing any of the things that she did lose (and there are many)…it was the general loss of control. She had to let so many of her daily responsibilities pass into the hands of other people. And, oddly enough, losing her independence meant that she lost her half of our partnership. She could not do for our family that which she had always done. She couldn’t make our lives easier by shouldering some of the "work”. And that was the frustration that I watched her endure more than any other and it was the only hurt that she wasn’t always able to laugh through.

But today, she is saying things like, "I’ll get that” and "Why don’t you let me do that.” Over these several months there have been many friends to drive Sheila to and from physical therapy, there have been many great health care professionals to get Sheila back in one piece and walking again and there has been the love and support of our families to keep us going. Even though we have had generous and wonderful help, I am profoundly astonished by how brave Sheila has been and how patient…and how good she was to us even when she was suffering. She has had the most amazing attitude and outlook and even if she weren’t my partner and my heart’s love, I would want to commend her for the example that she has set on how to deal with life’s challenges and how to do it well, with a sense of humor and the brightest smile you’ve ever seen. She’s one brave chick and she’s got the scars to prove it!

UPDATE ON OUR FEATURED BRAVE CHICK one brave chick is proud to report that since this letter, Sheila has continued on her incredible path of recovery. She is back to work at the autobody shop, working diligently as a service writer. She is taking one brave step at a time (without the help of any assistive equipment not even her cane) as she successfully continues on her personal journey. The Founding Brave Chicks want Sheila and her family to know that we are behind her every step of the way!

---

FEATURED BRAVE CHICK FOR MAY 2008

Name of Featured Brave Chick: Judy Thompson
Name of Nominating Chick: Dina Robertson

Below is the letter we received from nominating chick, Dina Robertson, about her dear friend, Judy Thompson, and her family:

April 2, 2008

"In addition to each or your own stories, Judy Thompson is one of the bravest chicks I know and a true inspiration for women, mothers, and sisters, everywhere.

In March 2005, Judy and Jason Thompson welcomed a beautiful little girl into their family: Avery Noel Thompson. Early in her life, Avery started seeing doctors and underwent tests to determine whether she had Turners Syndrome. While those tests were negative, another identified she had cataracts (both eyes) and at four weeks of age, Avery underwent her first surgery. The Thompsons were referred to specialists and after several tests and months, it was determined that Avery had Cockayne Syndrome, Type 2 or B. It is a rare genetic disorder and they were informed that death typically occurs by age 7.

When you meet Avery, she is one of the happiest, sweetest children and I believe her strength comes from her parents, particularly Judy who left her corporate job to be a full-time mother, care giver, therapist, nurse, wife, friend, you name it. Three years later, she continues to amaze everyone. Avery has had other surgeries and started school (which she loves) all with Judy being her biggest fan. I am nominating Judy, because from the beginning she was always strong. Now, I am not saying tears were not shed, but I am saying she started out as a Brave Chick, doing all the things to make Avery’s life fulfilled and normal and she continues that. Every time you see Judy, she is wearing a smile and looks great. She is an inspiration for others and I am proud to say she is my friend.”

In Friendship,

Dina Robertson

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cockayne Syndrome is an extremely rare, inherited genetic disorder. Type 2, is the congenital form and is marked by poor growth at birth, little to no postnatal neurologic development, severe muscle/joint contractures, and death typically occurs by age 7. For more detailed information and to meet the other beautiful CS kids, please visit www.cockaynesyndrome.net

Avery is very social and loves to be held and to listen to people talking, reading or singing. Her favorite activities are playing in her exersaucer, highchair or playmat. She loves the water and especially the spray nozzle in the kitchen sink and in her bath. She also loves to pet her dog, Jackson. But more than anything else, she loves being held and to grab peoples faces and hair. This really makes her laugh. She loves her own crib, but she doesn't like to take naps -- usually one nap a day for about 45 minutes, and she wakes up several times throughout the night. She does not love having her teeth brushed, getting her nose suctioned, or getting blood drawn! Avery has a wonderful and unique personality, like any CS child, and she shows amazing resilience, persistence and commitment to achieve as much as possible along her journey. Avery, like all children, is so special and beautiful in her own way and an absolute joy in our life. If you ever meet Avery, her smile will melt your heart. She is pure love.

Thank you for reading Avery's story! To learn more about Avery’s story, visit her caringbridge site at:

Avery's Story

Thank you so much, Jason and Judy, for allowing us to share Avery’s story on the one brave chick website. Thank you, Dina Robertson, for finding the time, energy, love and support to recognize the Thompson Family as the BRAVE FAMILY in your life!

Please stay tuned each month for more Featured Brave Chicks!! Your submissions have inspired each of the Founding Chicks and we cannot wait to share your stories of courage and love.

If you would like to comment about our Featured Brave Chick's story - please visit the bravery forums and click on the "Featured Brave Chick" Bravery Forums.

Who do you know who has inspired bravery in you? The Featured Brave Chick page will be home to the stories of courageous women everywhere. Where will we find these women? That’s where You, our customers, come in!

Once a month, we will highlight a new Brave Chick, share her story and invite the world to celebrate her bravery with us. Do you know a Brave Chick that deserves to be nominated as a "Featured Brave Chick”? If so, then email the following information about your favorite Brave Chick to:

onebravechick@gmail.com
subject: FBC Nomination:

- Brave Chick’s Name

- Brave Chick’s City & State

- Brave Chick’s email address (needed for approval)

- Brave Chick’s Story (in 1000 words or less)

- Digital Photo of Brave Chick* (preferably one that captures her in her glory … whatever her glory is)

* Digital photos are preferred. However, if one is not available, we will accept a photograph. In order to safeguard your valuable memories, please do not send an original photo.