Help New Moon Bring Girls' Voices to the World!

Help us reach thousands girls this holiday season! Help bring their voices to the world!

Take advantage of our Holiday Gift Offer. When you purchase one full price subscription at $34.95, you may add up to five additional subscriptions at a special discount rate of $29.95 each, a savings of $5.00 on each 6-issue gift subscription.

Consider giving a gift to your friends, family, local library, school, YWCA or YMCA, hospital, girl group, women's shelter, or Salvation Army--The list goes on and on!

Subscriptions will start with the January/February 2008 issue. Order online or call toll free at 800-381-4743 and ask for our Holiday Gift Offer. MasterCard and VISA accepted

Hurry! This offer ends December 31!

New Moon® Wins Two Minnesota Publishing Awards!

New Moon was honored at the Minnesota Magazine and Publications Association Excellence Awards ceremony held November 1, 2007 in Minneapolis, MN! Emma, from the Girls Editorial Board, was at the event to represent New Moon.

Our January/February 2007 “Letter to Congress” issue won a Silver Award for “Best Single Topic Issue,” and the “Go Girl” department won a Bronze Award for “Best Regular Column.”

In the “Letter to Congress” issue, girls from around the nation spoke up about the political issues that affect their lives, addressing everything from animal rights to the war in Iraq.

You can still speak up about political issues that matter to you by visiting the "Letter to Congress" webpage! You can look up your Congress people online, get letter-writing tips, and download special postcards. Then, send your congress people a letter to tell them what's on your mind! The webpage also features interviews with 14 women currently serving in Congress, bonus articles not published in the magazine, results from New Moon’s online political survey of over 1,000 girls and much more!

Also, check out our past "Letter to Congress" posts! There's lots of pictures of our trip to Washington, D.C. and much more!

"Go, Girl!" features a girl activist or adventurer who's on the go for a cause, or just for the fun of it! The article is girl written and features adventures like volunteering in Vietnam, living in China and attending a boarding school, and being the only girl on a football team. If you have an adventure that you want to write about, check out the writers' guidelines and send your story in!

Thank you to readers, staff, the GEB, CAB and girls everywhere for making New Moon such a success!

Girls Editorial Board Featured In Ms. Magazine

In honor of Ms. Magazine's 35th anniversary, the Girls Editorial Board was asked to share their voices about the future of feminism.

The GEB is featured in the Fall 2007 issue along with Gloria Steinem, Whoopi Goldberg, Alice Walker, Billie Jean King and many more. We are honored and proud that the girls of New Moon are standing side-by-side with these great voices.

Learn more about the Ms. 35th anniversary issue and add your voice to the Voices that Carry section of their website!

And of course girls, we want to hear your voice, too! Where do you see the future of feminism going in 35 years? Click on the image to the left to read what the GEB had to say!

Ch-Ch-Changes!

New Moon has hired four new awesome women. Keep reading to learn more about them!

Melissa Harrison, our new Managing Editor for New Moon magazine, comes to us after five years in the nonprofit and higher education world doing print and e-communications. Melissa studied strategic communications at the University of Minnesota where she met her husband Mat (yes, that's with one t) in the Tate Lab of Physics. Seemed only fitting that their first-born be named Tate. Melissa serves on the board of directors for Minnesota Women in Marketing and Communications, is a scrapbooking addict, loves reading and playing the piano (though not simultaneously), and most of all enjoys letting her hair down to be silly with her kids, Tate and Haley. Melissa does most of her work from her home in the Twin Cities area and comes to the Duluth office about once a week.

Marisa McKie is our new Assistant Editor for New Moon magazine. She interned with us this summer and we loved her so much we asked her to come back after being gone for only a week and a half! Currently, Marisa is a student at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She is finishing up her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, and working on minors in Journalism and Arts in Media. Some of Marisa’s favorite things to do are snowboarding, swimming, reading, camping, and playing music.

Julia Barenboim (aka Julia Barry) is a new Assistant Online Editor for the online experience for girls ages 13-15 that will launch in spring 2008. Julia is really psyched to be joining the New Moon team all the way from her home in New Jersey! (Technology is a wonderful thing!) Julia has a BA in women's studies/multimedia from Sarah Lawrence College and just finished her MA in interactive media from Goldsmiths College, London (Cheers, mate!). She loves to do ongoing projects for women's advocacy and social change, and won't give up on optimism! Julia treasures friendship, creativity, music, and swimming in lakes.

Christine Lunde is a new Assistant Online Editor for the online experience. Christine recently graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington with a degree in Journalism and concentration in Sociology. A native Duluthian, Christine is thrilled to be working for New Moon Publishing. Outside of New Moon she coaches cross-country running and enjoys Northern Minnesota’s wilderness.

Welcome everyone! We are so excited to have you on board!

Happy New Moon Day

Here's a lovely note from New Moon's founder, Nancy Gruver.

This is the day in 1992 when the creative spark that became New Moon lit up my imagination. My husband, Joe & I were driving back to Duluth from Copper Harbor in our trusty old Datsun, talking about what we would like to be doing five years from then. The idea for a “Junior Ms. – a feminist magazine run by girls” popped out of my mouth. Within 5 minutes I knew: “That’s it! That’s what I want to do!”

Of course, there were a few details to work out – mainly that I didn’t know anything about publishing – as my daughters, Mavis & Nia logically pointed out when I excitedly told them about the idea a few days later. But I believe that what mattered is not my empirical knowledge at that point, but that I recognized my passion when it appeared and trusted it.

The spirit of that passion grew and blossomed as Joe, Nia & Mavis, and then many other girls and adults, gave their energy and expertise to what became New Moon. 15 years later, we’ve touched hundreds of thousands of girls and adults with the power of girls’ voices. Along the way, we’ve successfully challenged assumptions about what girls are capable of and interested in and helped to change society’s expectations of girls. Still, there’s so much more to be done.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your part in this magical process that has reached so many and is going to reach so many more as we grow.

Nancy

Girl Climbs Mountains

Have you heard about Samantha Larson? On May 17th, 2007 she became the youngest American to reach the summit of Mount Everest. You can read about her adventure on her blog.

Not only has Samantha climbed Mount Everest, she’s climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Elbrus in Russia. In fact, she’s climbed all of the “Seven Summits,” the highest mountains on each continent.

Congratulations Samantha!

Watermelon

This poem by Maria, age 12, got me thinking about summer picnics in the park! Thanks Maria.~~Melanie









I take a bite of watermelon
inside pink outside green
infested with seeds of snow
and seeds of bark black bean

yes it tastes swell I must say
in my mouth it is good and crunchy
this little bit of heaven
so sweet and munchy

It smells so wonderful
this sweet smelling fruit
the bees come in swarms
to steal my precious loot

When I squeeze it into pulp
This crisp treat goes pop, pop, pop!
The green part though, when I feel
Seems to become hard as a cop

The my sister comes along
And asks, "What is that thing you're eating?"
I hear crunch, munch, buzz, pop!
I say, "That is a food you can't go beating."

It's Watermelon!

New Moon Meets with Local Advertising Executives!

Wednesday night, New Moonies and area girls met with local advertising executives to celebrate Turn Beauty Inside Out Day. Executives from H.T. Klatzky & Associates(HTK) and Art Direction and Advertising (pictured at left) took time out of their evening to speak to girls about the business of advertising. Marsha Hystead Senior Vice President and Senior Creative Director from HTK gave an awesome keynote speech and was an inspiration! The thing that inspired me the most were her “Rules to Live By” and I wanted to share them with you.

The most important person in your life is you.
Realize now that you can either be your biggest fan or your worst enemy. If you believe, inside, that you are the coolest person in the world, that will come across to others.

You deserve to be happy. But it’s your responsibility to share your happiness.
You do deserve to be happy. Everyone does. And, you have to do your best to make others happy around you. Let others know they’re cool, too. You will be amazed how that happiness comes back to you.

Live your life as if no one is looking.
This is really important. And it’s really hard. Don’t worry what others think of you. Be yourself. Funny. Serious. Smart. Crazy. Kind. Caring. Whoever you are, be that person first. It will be infectious.

Everyone is beautiful when we see with our hearts instead of our eyes.
It is so important to open your heart to people who may be different. To accept people for who they are and how they look. Where they live. What they wear. If you don’t want to be judged, don’t judge others. Everyone has a story. Be open to hearing it.

Masquerading as a normal person is exhausting!
What is normal anyway? This statement says be you and don’t be afraid to show people who really are. Anyway, it’s much more interesting to be different.

Each night ask yourself: Did I make someone’s life better today?
This is important. Noticing someone who needs a friend, or a listening ear, or just someone to walk home with‑and offering to help‑may just make their day a little better. It can be a small thing, it may take only take a second, but it just may change their life. I guarantee it will change yours.

“I ain’t much, baby, but I’m all I’ve got!”
Learn this now. You’ve been given many talents and gifts. Learn to appreciate them. When you do, they will become evident to others. Trust me. This stuff is true!

You are the most amazing person alive.
If you believe that, you will be successful in everything you do.

After Marsha spoke, the girls got a chance to ask the panelists thought provoking questions and we were able to get a glimpse into the advertising world. We learned a lot! Then, the audience was able to break into small groups to work with the executives one-on-one to analyze ads from commonly read magazines. Each small group shared with the larger group at the end of the night and we had a lively discussion!
Some comments that were made about the advertisements were:
“That’s too showy”
“I wouldn’t buy this product because I don’t even know what it is!”
“She doesn’t look real”


Russ Stover, President of the Duluth City Council proclaimed May 16, 2007 TBIO day in Duluth!! We are so honored that the City of Duluth recognizes all the hard work and dedication our staff (both girls and adults) put into bringing girls’ voices to the world!

I hope you had a wonderful TBIO day! We certainly did!

Happy Turn Beauty Inside Out Day!

Turn Beauty Inside Out Day (TBIO) is a grassroots celebration of media images that promote healthy behavior for girls and boys. We invite you to celebrate inner beauty--the beauty of conviction, caring and action. We need a definition of beauty that focuses on who we are and what we do, not how we look.

This year TBIO is focusing on the portrayal of women and girls in advertising. The New Moon family will be celebrating TBIO Day by meeting with local advertising executives to discuss the images of women and girls in advertising. So, how will you celebrate TBIO day? Visit the TBIO website for ideas!

Check back tomorrow for pictures from the event being held tonight! And tell us how YOU celebrated TBIO with your friends, family and community.

Girls and Technology

The National Science Foundation has funded a new after school program in some Santa Cruz, California schools in the hopes of getting girls interested in technology. From the Santa Cruz Sentinal article:

The students will spend 18 months, including intensive three-week sessions this summer and next, engaged in setting up a computer game business in Whyville.

In addition to designing games, they'll learn how to run a business, from hiring to marketing. They'll earn salaries in Whyville's currency, the clam. They'll also be paired with mentors and tour UC Santa Cruz and the headquarters of Google in Mountain View and game-maker Electronic Arts in Redwood City.

I think that this is a pretty cool after school program. What do you think? Would you participate if your school offered it? Are you interested in computers, video games, and design? What are your favorite video games? Tell us what kind of technology YOU are in to!

13-year-old Helps Her Community

Check out this story about Jamie, a Minnesota girl, who is raising money so that her town can buy a new storm siren, even though some town leaders told her to give up.

Congratulations Jamie for letting your voice be heard and for NOT giving up!

Girls, we want to hear your stories. What sort of things are you doing to help the people in your community? Has an adult ever told you to give up something you wanted to do? Did you listen to them? Send your stories to blog@newmoon.org

Take Back The Night

For the past month and a half I have been on the planning committee for our local Take Back the Night event. The planning has come to an end and the event is tonight! Here is the history of Take Back the Night from www.takebackthenight.org

Take Back the Night’s roots may lie in 1877 when women protested the fear and violence they experienced in the night-time streets of London, England.

Others believe that the first rally occurred in 1976 when women attending the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women lit candles and took to the moonlit streets of Belgium to denounce the continuation of violence against women. While the origins of Take Back the Night may be disputed, its impact is undeniable. Since its inception, thousands of marches and rallies bearing the name Take Back the Night have taken place worldwide.

Earlier this afternoon, our mayor proclaimed today as "Take Back the Night Day" in Duluth, MN and as he was reading the proclamation, tears began to well up in my eyes. At that moment I truly realized how signifigant tonight's event is. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE should have the right to live their lives free from violence, harassment and abuse.

And so, I go into this night knowing I will be busy helping to keep the event running smoothly. But, I also know that it will be very emotional as I walk through the streets of my town letting MY voice be heard, telling the world that I have a RIGHT to be safe.

Girls Walk to Stand Up

Eleven-year-old Asmahan Mansour wore a red hijab all year on her Nepean, Ontario girls soccer team. But she was ejected from the Canadian indoor championships when the referee claimed it was a safety hazard. Saying that hijabs are less dangerous than other things players wear (like eyeglasses), Asmahan’s teammates walked off the field together, choosing team solidarity over their chance for a national crown. Other Ottawa-area teams also quit in protest. Asmahan said, “ I was very proud of my teammates for having my back.”

Do you agree with the team walking off the field? Have you ever done something similar to show that you disagree with a decision or rule? We want to hear your stories!

“The Higher Power of Lucky,” by Susan Patron--BANNNED

Our local newspaper “The Duluth News Tribune” ran an article this morning that caught my eye. In fact, it tied in nicely to my recent post about using the word “vagina.”

The DNT article talks about how the Newberry Award winning book, “The Higher Power of Lucky,” by Susan Patron is being banned in some libraries because the book uses the word “scrotum.”

From the article:

Many school librarians have decided to ban “The Higher Power of Lucky” from their shelves, either because they feel that it is inappropriate to expose young readers to the word “scrotum” — even though half of them possess one — or because they anticipate angry calls and letters from parents. There are so many troubling things about this attitude that it’s hard to know where to begin.

But I’ll begin with the facts of life. What, exactly, is the purpose served by insulating children from the words that refer to their own bodies, by shrouding those bodies in mystery?

Well said!!

Has anyone read the book? If so, tell us about it or send in your book review and we'll post it on the blog!

blog@newmoon.org

Using the word "Vagina"

I saw The Vagina Monologues for the first time last night. I read the play a few years ago, but had never seen it performed. During the play I laughed, I cried, I felt vulnerable and I felt empowered. I left the play pondering why or how the word "vagina," a body part, can evoke so much emotion and controversy. I also wondered if a play were performed about any other body part, would it have the same effect?

So, I thought it was ironic, or timely perhaps, that this morning on the Today Show there was a segment about three girls who were suspended from their high school for using the word "vagina" in an excerpt from Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monolgues during an open mic night at their high school. Check out the video for the whole story.

New Moon dealt with similar controversy when we printed “Break the Silence” in the September/October 2006 issue. In the article, Carrie Rethlefsen tells how she was suspended from her high school for wearing a pin that said, “I ♥ my vagina.” We received a lot of negative comments about the article and in response to those comments; we created this post on our blog.

However, we want to keep the conversation going.

Have you seen The Vagina Monologues? How did the play make you feel?

Do you use the word “vagina”? Why? Why not?

Why do you think “vagina” evokes so much emotion and controversy?


Use your voice and send your comments to blog@newmoon.org!

Banning Landmines, by Eliza

So long as there is war and conflict in the world, there will be humanitarian emergencies. So long as there are landmines in the ground, people will be deprived of their basic right to a decent life; communities will be denied the opportunity to prosper; nations will be depleted of resources needed to rebuild and develop. Yet with the continued support of Member States, we have the means to end this suffering. To that end, the United Nations Mine Action Service is one of our most precious resources.

Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Landmines are horrible things. Originally used by the military, they are placed in the ground, where people can't see them and are activated when stepped on. When people step on them, they are seriously injured. This makes it hard to create safe communities, and for refugees to return home. Every year, thousands of people die from stepping on one, and many live in the poorest parts of the world.

Landmines date back to the Greek and Roman empires. However, it was during the second World War that they began being used widely for defensive and tactical reasons, and to achieve military objectives. Many of the mines were not immediately cleared. Many European countries still live with the threat from the second World War. In the 1960s, technology was developed so landmines could be scattered in large quantities by machine. Thousands covered the land during the Vietnam War. In the 1980s, mines became a weapon of choice in many internal conflicts. They were very inexpensive, another reason to use them. In 1992 six humanitarian organizations joined together the create the :




The work of the ICBL, which grew to more than 1400 non-governmental organizations, in partnership with the Committee of the Red Cross, The UN and governments worldwide (can you believe that the U.S. government is not one of them?!), aims to make the history of landmines a short one.

Landmines make me sick, and I'm going to do everything Ican to stop them. I saw one when I went to the UN with my mom and grandmother. Our tourguide said some children had seen them, and thought they where toys. They did look like yo-yo's. It's not just feet that get injured, but hands, too. I can't imagine living somewhere, and not having anywhere safe to go, not even home.

Genuinely UniQuE

Here is a poem that Rebecca, from Peterborough, Ontario sent us. Thanks for the great submission.~ Melanie

I am who I am,
you are who you be,
I am me,
but are you who I see?

My inside and out,
are like symmetry,
but I think that you
are who they want you to be.

What truth do you see
in this puzzle you've formed?
Be like me...but be you
(if you see what I mean!)

By: Rebecca, 14
Peterborough, Ontario
Canada

Girls Across the Nation Write to Congress

New Moon is receiving the first letters to Congress written by girls! Instead of asking for submissions to the magazine, we are asking girls to send us letters to Congress. The Girls Editorial Board is planning to hand-deliver the letters we collect—along with copies of the magazine—to every member of Congress later this spring!

The Girls Editorial Board hopes their “Letter to Congress” will inspire thousands of girls to write their OWN letters to Congress. Go to www.newmoon.org/congress to find out who represents you in Congress, get letter-writing tips, and download special postcards. We will collect your letters to Congress through March 1, 2007.

(If you don’t live in the United States, write to YOUR government leaders to tell them about an issue that matters to you! New Moon will deliver international postcards, too!)

So far, we have received letters from Utah, Idaho, Minnesota, California, New York, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Letters range in topics from animal and human rights to global warming.

We’ve also had awesome feedback from girls who have read the “Letter to Congress” issue and took our online survey!

"The interviews with the congresswomen were great. They showed me that the goal of being a politician is totally possible. And I liked the postcard that you attached. It can be daunting to send a letter to the government, but you make it easy!" -a 12-year-old

"I also realized that if ALL girls who read New Moon sent in their post card, that Congress would be bombarded!!!" -a 14 year old

"It [reading this issue] helped me have more courage because I have lots of ideas but was scared to show them to congress. This issue helped." -a 10-year-old

Make sure Congress hears YOUR VOICE! Write your letter to Congress today!

Ring in the New Year with New Moon

Girls, what are you doing over the winter break? What is your favorite part of this holiday season? Do you make New Year's resolutions? What are you looking forward to in 2007? Write to blog@newmoon.org to share your thoughts and stories!

M&M Cookie Recipe (from Hershey's)

Kate brought M&M cookies to the cookie exchange. Try this recipe and let us know how it went by emailing blog@newmoon.org! Happy Baking!


2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups M&Ms

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Mix flour, soda, and salt.

3. In separate bowl, beat butter, sugars, and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs, beat well. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in M&Ms.

4. Bake 8-10 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet.


They're super yummy warm!