Despite Major Advances, Women's Counselor Says Same-
Gender Infighting among Enduring Problems

It's safe to say that women are on the ascendancy on many accounts:

• Throughout the next decade, women will be the beneficiaries of the largest transference of wealth in the history of the United States and control two thirds of consumer wealth in the country.

• Women are now the majority of the workforce in the U.S. and fill the majority of managerial positions.

• For every two men who earn a college degree, three women will get theirs.

"It's not just college and professional women who are transforming society - and the movement is not simply money-based - because I've witnessed women developing a dramatically new point of view on how we view ourselves," says Xandra "Sunny" Moon, author of "The Power of the Titz...a woman's journey back to her self" (www.sunnymoonspowerworld.com). "I am one of those women."

As a self-described "liberated, 18-wheeler-driving, 40-plus babe," Moon meets a countless number of women who she counsels. Like her, they've suffered physical and emotional abuse as young women. And, like her, after raising a family and enduring a deeply unsatisfying lifestyle, they are climbing out of depression and getting back in touch with the woman they've always wanted to be, she says.

"But, as women, we continue to run into several obstacles; while a woman's role has evolved, much of society has not," Moon says. She lists some of those obstacles:

• Other women: While there certainly is a sisterhood among many women, Moon occasionally runs into some who are fearful, lacking in confidence and, therefore, judgmental. "I've been accused of trying to steal husbands because I embrace and show off positive physical traits such as my large breasts, and I encourage all women to take charge of their beauty," she says. "I can assure you that stealing someone's husband has never been on my to-do list; I'm too happy with my life partner and second husband, Lee Abzu, who coauthored my book."

• Domestic abuse: In the U.S., a woman is beaten every nine seconds; most domestic violence victims are women - 85 percent; it's estimated that 1.3 million women are beaten each year - a number that could be much higher since most abuse is not reported to police. In some cases, emotional abuse can be worse because it works like a "psychic prison," Moon says, keeping women locked in awful relationships year after year.

• Human Trafficking: According to the U.S. Department of State, 80 percent of transnational victims are women and girls, 70 percent of which are supplied to the commercial sex industry. With human trafficking being a $32 billion industry, the problem will be an enduring one into the future, even as women in modernized countries earn key roles in changing the world.

• The other half of the population ... Some intellectuals argue that a modern, post-industrial civilization is simply better suited for women. They argue men tend to be more shiftless, inclined to take risks and, overall, living in a society in which excessive testosterone is a liability. "But it doesn't have to be that way," says Abzu, who adds his outside-the-box relationship with Moon exemplifies an ability to adapt to a changing world. "Women have always been beautiful, which means they've always had power, so it's not a huge leap to think of women as having significant sway in how the world operates." Some say that women have taken a page or two from a male-dominated world in order to get ahead; soon, however, it may be that men are the ones who will need to learn from opposite-gender leaders in society, he says.

About Xandra "Sunny" Moon

Xandra "Sunny" Moon is a survivor who came into her own after age 40. As a younger woman, she endured rape, unlawful imprisonment, mental and emotional abuse, and divorce. She has worked 14 years as a truck driver, during which she has spoken with thousands of women near or at midlife. After raising her four children, she continued her education at Idaho State University and eventually married her second husband and soul mate, Lee Abzu. She now counsels women who are seeking rebirth.

Moline, IL. (July 15, 2013) ? There's a new light shining in America's Heartland! Trinity Broadcasting Network, the world's largest religious broadcaster and America's favorite faith-and-family channel, announced the launch of WMWC-TV Channel 53, a new full-power Christian television station covering the four Illinois and Iowa communities known as the Quad Cities: Moline and Rock Island, Illinois on the western banks of the Mississippi River, and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa to the east.

"We're excited to welcome Channel 53 to TBN's ever-growing broadcast family," said TBN founder and President, Dr. Paul Crouch. "With the addition of WMWC to our nationwide lineup of full-power stations, over a half-million potential viewers will now have 24-hour access to the life-giving Christian programming that has been TBN's hallmark for the past forty years."

Station manager Tammy Robinson said that while presently TBN is the sole network broadcasting on WMWC, she expects that in the near future Channel 53 will begin multi-casting TBN's four other premier faith-and-family networks: the Church Channel, the JCTV youth network, TBN's Enlace Spanish-language affiliate, and the Smile of a Child children's channel.

Robinson noted that local Quad Cities residents are excited to have a Christian TV station located right in their community. "While TBN has been available in the area through cable and satellite service, there are many folks who either can't afford that service, or live in rural areas where it's not available," she said. "We're already getting letters and calls from some of these individuals and families, thanking us for making TBN available for free over the air."

The network is presently working on construction of a new studio facility for Channel 53 in Moline, Illinois, which will enhance the station's ability to produce programming like Joy in Our Town and a local version of TBN's signature music and ministry program Praise the Lord. "Local pastors have told me that there's been a shortage of good, solid family programming on TV in the area," said Robinson. "Many of our church leaders are really anticipating the positive spiritual impact TBN will have on these communities."

Tim Bowman, senior pastor of Calvary Church of the Quad Cities and president of the Quad Cities Association of Evangelicals, said he and other local clergy are looking forward to working closely with TBN and WMWC on special programming and community initiatives. "It's so encouraging as a pastor to know that Trinity Broadcasting Network sensed a leading of the Lord to purchase a television station and to build a studio in the Quad Cities area to do local programming," he said. "They have committed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help promote life-giving organizations within our community."

TBN Vice President Matthew Crouch noted that with the combination of cable and satellite coverage, along with its 37 full-power digital stations in communities around the nation, TBN now reaches 98 percent of America's homes with 24-hour faith-and-family TV. "When you add our iTBN.org online portal and our exclusive TBN viewing app available on iPhones, iPads, and smart phones, you begin to understand the meaning of our slogan 'TBN Everywhere' ? that in reality, there is literally nowhere in the inhabited world TBN does not reach."

He added that "this commitment to cover the earth with the hope of the Gospel has been TBN's motivation for the past forty years, and it's what continues to guide all we do."

To find out more about the 24 (and growing) global members of the Trinity Broadcasting Family of Networks, visit us online at www.tbn.org.

Peaceful River Trading Co. is hosting a gallery opening for artist and crafter, Tianna Herrick and Midnight Perfumery. The event will take place Thursday, July 25th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at 302 North Salina Street in McCausland, Iowa.

McCausland, IA /July 15th, 2013 - Peaceful River Trading Co. is hosting a gallery opening for artist and crafter, Tianna Herrick and Midnight Perfumery. The event will take place Thursday, July 25th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at 302 North Salina Street in McCausland, Iowa.

Midnight Perfumery has been creating handmade body, hand & face soaps for over four years and her product line includes several varieties of scented body and home accessories. "My passion for making soaps began when my son's skin really improved for the first time in his short life. I began Midnight Perfumery roughly a year later.  We chose this name for our line, because I work on these soaps after my kids are in bed, many nights drifting well-past midnight." says Herrick.  "Choosing a technique, design, color pattern, scent and function of a soap is just fun...blending so many scents makes me feel like a perfumist The final soap design is usually inspired by the colors a scent makes me think of...sometimes this is a straight-forward choice and other times I choose to take some creative license.  Customers appreciate these soaps because they not only look beautiful, but perform wonderfully. I like to call them 'affordable luxuries," added Herrick.

Peaceful River Trading Co. Owner, Sheila Bosworth, is looking forward to the gallery opening, "Herrick's cold process soaps and scrubs are all natural and handmade. We're excited to have the opportunity to feature local creations such as hers."  Peaceful River Trading Co. offers a place for local artists and crafters to display and sell their creations.

Peaceful River brings visitors back to a simpler time and is housed in a beautiful, circa-1916 bank building, formerly the home of McCausland State Bank. They carry many items from arts and crafts to antiques, gifts, and collectibles. Peaceful River Trading Co. is open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday through Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.  McCausland is located about 20 miles northeast of Davenport, just off Utica Ridge Road on F33 and 5 minutes north of Scott County Park.  Explore Peaceful River Trading Co. at www.peacefulrivertradingco.com.

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Last week, the American Red Cross announced an emergency need for blood and platelet donations. Eligible donors of all blood types, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, are still needed to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients.

Additional ways to help

Spread the word about the urgent need for blood donations via social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #GiveNow.

Participate in the Summer of Stories campaign. Visit redcrossblood.org/summer to watch videos of people whose lives have been touched by blood donors, then share your own story.

Learn more about Red Cross Blood Services in your community and how blood donors help save lives at redcrossblood.org.

PEORIA, Ill. (July 15, 2013) – The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors of all types, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, as fewer donations than expected were given in the first half of summer. Every day donations come up short, less potentially lifesaving blood is available for patients in need.

Type O negative blood is universal and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to both Rh positive or negative patients. Blood products can be used for cancer patients, trauma victims, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, sickle cell disease patients and more.

Hospital patients are counting on generous volunteer donors to step up and give now to help ensure a sufficient blood supply is available all summer long. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS for more information and to make an appointment.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Carroll County

Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 pm at United Methodist Church, 1901 State Route 84 in Thomson, Ill.

Aug. 15 from 1:30-6:30 pm at American Legion Hall, 221 Calvert St. in Chadwick, Ill.

Clinton County

Aug. 2 from 1-5 pm at YWCA, 317 Seventh Ave. South in Clinton, Iowa

Aug. 9 from 1-6 pm at DeWitt Community Center, 512 10th St. in DeWitt, Iowa

Henry County

Aug. 5 from 2-6:30 pm at Sacred Heart Church, 108 N. Main in Annawan, Ill.

Aug. 14 from 2-6 pm at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Mercer County

Aug. 7 from 2:30-6:30 pm at United Methodist Church, 15th and 18th Avenue in Viola, Ill.

Whiteside County

Aug. 1 from 9:45 a.m. to 4 pm at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.

Aug. 6 from 8-11 am at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Aug. 7 from 2-6 pm at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Aug. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD 3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown, Ill.

Aug. 13 from 1-5:15 pm at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Aug. 14 from 3-7 pm at Abiding Word Church, 806 E. Lynn Blvd. in Sterling, Ill.

Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 pm at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Aug. 15 from 1:30-6 pm at Carlson Acupuncture & Chiropractic, 2317 E. Lincolnway in Sterling, Ill.

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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