Author Judith Rose shares her account of overcoming domestic abuse

OMAHA, Neb. - Looking back on her life, Judith Rose wonders how she was able to survive. So many people she loved over the years had died, and she had experienced as much - if not more - pain than all of them. Crediting her strength to escape abuse and hoping to help other women find the strength to do the same, Rose pens Blonde Rose and the Men Who Wandered Through Her Life (published by AuthorHouse), her new novel based on her life.

 

Blonde Rose and the Men Who Wandered Through Her Life is a fictional novel based on Rose's life. She has changed the names to protect the innocent - and the guilty. It tells a story of abuse, sex, love, betrayal, secrets and survival. "I collected men as some would collect rare stamps," says Rose. "Some men are like rare stamps to be held in our hearts, but others should be stuck to an envelope and sent to the ends of the Earth with no return address."

 

Rose suggests that many women who are hurt by an abuser will turn to drugs and alcohol, or even the streets. Rose says she turned to the thing that hurt her the most - the men who wandered through her life. This story describes a woman with a powerful sex drive who brings men in and out of her life, and - despite being abused by them - maintained a level of control and power that allowed her to eventually escape abuse.

 

"I felt that writing this book of my violent and abusive marriages and how I was able to survive would be a way to help other women know there is a way out," explains Rose. "Women have a strength within them that men do not posses, use this strength for you, not for him. If I could do it, so can you."

 

About the Author

Judith Rose, who writes under the pen name Jewelya, is a native Iowan. She grew up in a small town called Council Bluffs. Rose earned her GED, going on to business school and eventually to Bellevue College where she studied personnel management and psychology. She has two daughters, five sons, and she has 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She has been an avid reader and book collector for many years. Rose is a domestic abuse survivor, and she hopes her survival story helps other women find the strength to survive and to escape domestic abuse situations.

 

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(CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - April 10, 2012) - The Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) will offer Moms Night Out for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), a satellite event for the second USA Science & Engineering Festival, at 27 sites across Iowa on the evening of April 23, 2012.

Moms Night Out for STEM (MNOS) was a brainstorm by IMSEP and the Iowa State University - College of Engineering to inspire primary caretakers, particularly moms, to get 'hands on' with their children's math and science education.

The two inspirations for MNOS events are the importance of STEM in the future success of today's youth and the importance of moms (as well as dads and other caregivers) in shaping their child's self image and interest in STEM.

"Parents figure prominently in the equation for children to see STEM careers in a more positive and desirable light," said Jeff Weld, Director of IMSEP. "Moms Night Out for STEM gives parents and caretakers the opportunity to embrace STEM as a pursuit for their children's future, rather than a scary subject they didn't like in school."

A typical Moms Night Out for STEM event may kick off with a keynote by a local STEM professional who may discuss the many ways parents influence children's interest in and attitude toward science and mathematics. Hands-on activities for adults designed to be done at home and other activities and sharing of resources will round out the evening.

"STEM education is so important for the future of our state, country and world. Our youth will be faced with solving and innovating worldwide challenges such as having enough clean water, sustainable energy, safe food practices, and more," said Camille Sloan-Schroeder of Iowa State College of Engineering. "With parents and caregivers being the most influential people in a child's life, we hope to create an environment where they can get the tools they need to inspire the next generation of innovators."

Iowa's Moms Night Out for STEM satellite event is one of dozens of events conducted across the nation in celebration of the second USA Science & Engineering Festival, to be held in Washington D.C. on April 28-29, 2012. Types of organizations participating in this event include museums, schools, labs and libraries where moms and other caregivers can go to network and learn the best ways to inspire a love of STEM in their children.

Twenty-seven events occurring simultaneously across the state on one night would not be possible without the help many volunteers and with the support of premiere sponsor, John Deere, with promotional support from Iowa Public Television (IPTV).

This event is free and open to the public.  A list of Moms Night Out for STEM locations is listed below. To register for the event nearest you, visit http://www.iowamathscience.org/registration-MNOS-2012 .

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Participating Moms Night Out for STEM events.

City	Location	Contact	Contact Information
Ames	Iowa State University College of Engineering -  Marston Hall Atrium - ISU Campus	Camille Sloan Schroeder - Manager - Iowa State University Engineering Pre-collegiate Programs	camilles@iastate.edu 515-294-9965
Ankeny	Iowa Labs Facility - DMACC Campus -   2006 S Ankeny Blvd	Brindusa Velica or Marla Staude	brindusa-velica@uiowa.edu marla-staude@uiowa.edu 515.725.1600
Atlantic	Cass County Community Center - 805 W 10th St	Susan Oliver - Cass County Extension	smmck@iastate.edu 712-243-1132
Burlington	Burlington Public Library - 210 Court Street	Angela Pilkington	apilkington@burlington.lib.ia.us 319.753.1647
Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls Public Library -    524 Main Street	Sheryl McGovern	Mcgovern.sheryl@gmail.com 319.268.5541
Cedar Rapids	Mount Mercy University -  1330 Elmhurst Drive NE	Dr.  Elizabeth Kleiman, Mount Mercy University	ekleiman@mtmercy.edu 319-363-1323 x1289
Cedar Rapids	Science Station - Lindale Mall - Suite 200  4444 First Avenue NE	Norah Hammond, General Manager & Education Director	Norah@sciencestation.org 319.363.4629 Co-hosting MNOS event with Rockwell Collins Child Development Center & Rockwell Collins
Coralville	Iowa Children's Museum -  1451 Coral Ridge Ave.	Deb Dunkhase, Executive Director	ddunkhas@theicm.org 319.625. 6255 ext. 210
Council Bluffs	New Horizon Presbyterian Church -  30 Valley View Drive	Natalie Harris   - Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa,	nharris@gsiowa.org 712.328.2338
Davenport	The Putnam Museum - 1717 W. 12th St.	Nichole Myles, Director of Education	myles@putnam.org 563.324.1054 ext. 210
Des Moines	The Science Center of Iowa - 401 West MLK Jr. Pkwy.	Kimberly Peterson, Preschool Director	jKimberlyp@sciowa.org 515.274.6868 ext. 203
Des Moines	Blank Park Zoo -  7401 SW 9th Street	Anne Shimerdla, Director of Operations and Education	amshimerdla@blankparkzoo.org 515.974.2573
Dubuque	Mazzuchelli Middle School - 2005 Kane St	Amy Jones, Electrical Engineer, John Deere Dubuque Works	JonesAmyK@JohnDeere.com
Fontanelle	Nodaway Valley Middle School-  112 First Street	Deb Hall,  Adair County Extension Office	debhall@iastate.edu 641.743.8412
Fort Dodge	Fort Dodge Public Library - 424 Central Avenue	Tonya Martinson, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa	tmartinson@gsiowa.org 1.800.798.8141
Holstein	Ridgeview Community School  -  519 E Maple Street	Rita Frahm, Ida County Economic Development	rfrahm@heritagebankna.com 712.371.9438
Mason City	Music Man Square -  308 South Pennsylvania Avenue	Gail Castillo - ISU Extension and Outreach - Cerro Gordo County	gail@iastate.edu 641.423.0844
Milford	Iowa Lakeside Laboratory -  Dickinson County -  1838 HWY 86	Jane Shuttleworth, Education Coordinator	jane-shuttleworth@uiowa.edu 712.337.3669 ext. 7
Muscatine	Muscatine High School 2705 Cedar Street	Tim Bower, John Deere	Email: BowerTimothyW@JohnDeere.com Work Phone:  (309) 756-1131
Ottumwa	Indian Hills Community College - Advanced Tech Bldg - Room 122	Marsha Parker, John Deere Ottumwa Works	ParkerMarshaJ@JohnDeere.com 641.683.2494 (Daycare available)
Sioux City	Sioux City Public Library  Morningside Branch - 4005 Morningside Avenue	Jeanette Bobeen, Youth Services Manager	jbobeen@siouxcitylibrary.org 712.255.2933 ext. 231
Storm Lake	Storm Lake Public Library -  609 Cayuga Street	Elizabeth Huff, Youth Director	elizabeth.huff@stormlake.lib.ia.us 712.732.8026 Bi-lingual Activities
Traer	North Tama Elementary  - 605 Walnut Street	Lisa Chizek, 5-6 grade science teacher	ljchizek@gmail.com 319.478.2265
Wapello	Louisa County Extension Office 317 Van Buren St	Tessa Pugh, Louisa County 4-H Youth Coordinator	tessa@iastate.edu 319-523-2371
Washington	Washington Public Library 115 W. Washington Street	Ted Neal, University of Iowa - College of Education	ted-neal@uiowa.edu Telephone: 319.560.5401
Waterloo	George Washington Carver Academy - 1505 Logan Avenue	Albert Wiggins, Associate Principal	wigginsa@waterloo.k12.ia.us 319.433.2501
Waterloo	Bluedorn Science Imaginarium - 503 South Street	Jordan Walker, Science Educator	jordan.walker@gmdistrict.org 319-233-8708

 

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The Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) is the operations arm of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council created to promote excellence in science and mathematics education and application in technology and engineering with the help of STEM education stakeholders across Iowa. For more information, contact the IMSEP office at (319) 273-2959, imsep@uni.edu or visit www.iowamathscience.org.

Santorum's out. That means the 2012 general election is on.

Now that it's clear Mitt Romney is their nominee, Republicans will focus their unified resources toward defeating President Obama.

Decades after earning them, Henry A. Johnson finally presented Purple Heart, Bronze Star,

and six other medals he never received 

 

Cedar Falls, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today traveled to Cedar Falls to present seven military service medals - including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star - to Henry A. Johnson, 93, a World War II Army veteran who earned the medals but never received them after he was wounded in Italy during the war.

In discharge papers, the Army told Johnson he was awarded the medals, but they were never given to him.  Johnson recently approached Braley's office for assistance in finally obtaining the medals - decades after they were granted.

"On behalf of the American people, I want to thank Henry Johnson for his service to our country," Braley said.  "His sacrifice and the sacrifices of millions of others paved the way for decades of American freedom and prosperity.  Six decades is a long time to wait for such an honor, but I'm proud to stand with Henry today and present him these distinguished medals.  Henry is more than deserving of our gratitude for his honorable service."

 

Braley presented Johnson the following medals for his service in World War II: the Bronze Star; the Purple Heart; the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Combat Infantry Badge 1^st Award; and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.

Johnson was stationed in Italy as an Army telephone switchboard operator during World War II.  Johnson was wounded and spent time in a Chicago hospital before being discharged.  Johnson worked for the Carnation Company in Waverly for 30 years before retiring.

It is thought that thousands of World War II veterans have never received medals they earned due to shortages in materials after the war.

After getting a request for assistance from Johnson, Braley's office worked with the National Personnel Records Center to obtain the medals.  Braley's office is well-equipped to help veterans who have lost medals, never received them, or who have had them destroyed due to natural disaster, fire or other circumstances.  Veterans seeking assistance should contact Braley's Waterloo office at (319) 287-3233.

Braley is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and is the top-ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

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