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.

DES MOINES - AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan released the following statement concerning the need for additional staff training at the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo and Governor Branstad's comments regarding privatization of the Home:

"Governor Branstad and the Iowa Department of Human Services should immediately accept the offer of free staff training from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. This organization is highly regarded and deals with other similarly-situated public facilities. Accepting their offer of assistance should be a common sense decision for this Administration.

"I want to thank the staff of the Iowa Juvenile Home. They are committed and work very hard to turn around the lives of children who truly need assistance. Much of their hard work may not make it into media reports, but I know that staff truly cares about the home's residents. The frontline staff has no control over management decisions and the amount of training they receive.

"The Governor's interest in privatizing the home is misguided and an attempt to avoid accountability for the failures of the Iowa Juvenile Home management and Department of Human Services leadership. The use of 'isolation rooms' was a decision made by the management of the Iowa Juvenile Home. If Director Palmer was not aware of their use, he should have been.

"Iowans need accountable leadership at the Iowa Juvenile Home and Department of Human Services. Hiring an outside contractor to run the home would diminish public control and oversight.

"The record of privatizing juvenile facilities in this country is a poor one. For-profit facilities put profits ahead of children and even non-profit facilities lack the accountability that comes from being directly overseen by representatives of our elected leaders. Privatized facilities have little incentive to rehabilitate youths: doing so would reduce their revenue.

Some examples of the dangers of privatized facilities include :

• In Pennsylvania, the developer of a privatized juvenile detention facility bribed two judges to divert children to his facility.
• One private juvenile detention facility in Mississippi run by GEO Group Inc. was found by US District Court Judge Carlton Reeves to have 'allowed a cesspool of unconstitutional and inhuman acts and conditions to germinate.' Problems at the facility included staff inciting violence between youths, hiring staff with gang affiliations, lack of adequate medical care, and lack of rehabilitation services and educational services provided to youths.

"Furthermore, privately run services are often considered out of sight, out of mind by elected officials, which leads to decreased funding and eventual elimination of services as seen most recently at Abbe Center.

"We call on the Branstad Administration and Department of Human Services leadership to immediately accept the offer of free training by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Furthermore, they should drop proposals to privatize the home and diminish the Administration's accountability for the manner in which the facility is run."

Sources:

CNN Website, 2/24/2009

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/23/pennsylvania.corrupt.judges/

Southern Poverty Law Center Website, 5/3/2012:

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-investigation-lawsuit-expose-barbaric-conditions-at-for-profit-youth-prison-i

DAVENPORT, IA - On August 13, 2013, James Edward Hall, age 75, of Eldridge, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Judge John A. Jarvey to 15 years in prison for production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Judge Jarvey also sentenced Hall to a life term of supervised release.

On November 12, 2012, Hall knowingly induced a minor male to conduct certain acts while Hall recorded the activity. On December 5, 2012, pursuant to a search warrant, a search was conducted at Hall's residence. An onsite preview of Hall's computer was conducted, and the video of the minor was found on the computer. Hall was interviewed and admitted that he had recorded the 15 year old juvenile male in Hall's residence.

This case was investigated by the Scott County Sheriff's Office, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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Noting Social Security's importance to millions of Americans including 445,043 Iowans, AARP continues work to protect and strengthen the program.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the eve of the 78^th anniversary of the creation of Social Security, which provides an average annual retirement benefit of $14,900 to 445,043 older Iowans AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement:

"In the years since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the legislation creating Social Security, it has become the foundation of retirement security in America, lifting tens of millions of seniors, as well as widows, children and people with disabilities, out of poverty. Declining pensions, inadequate savings, shrinking home values, and a difficult job market mean that the promise of Social Security will become increasingly important as today's workers approach retirement.

"Yet, some in Washington want to cut this invaluable program to reduce the deficit. Social Security is a self-financed program, not a piggy bank for deficit reduction. That's why AARP is fighting to stop Congress and the President from cutting Social Security benefits using the 'chained CPI,' a change that would hurt seniors already in retirement as well as veterans, women, children and disabled Americans. Just last week, AARP volunteers delivered to Congress more than 1.5 million signed petitions opposing the chained CPI.

"Social Security is too important to rush changes like the chained CPI, or increasing the eligibility age, into a budget deal. As we look to address Social Security's long-term financial challenges, we must think of the current and future beneficiaries who have earned their benefits and rely on them. Any adjustments to Social Security will affect individuals, families, businesses and our economy as a whole. That's why AARP is calling for a separate debate about responsible solutions that will ensure Social Security's strength for current and future generations.

"For 78 years, Americans have found peace of mind and a measure of financial stability in the modest but critical benefits provided by Social Security. As we reflect on its remarkable success, AARP looks forward to engaging with elected officials, business and non-profit leaders, and the American people in an open, honest conversation about how to strengthen Social Security for the future."