Cultural Competency in Nursing - 944 Words

Running head: Cultural competency Cultural Competency in Nursing Practice Diana Oestreich The College of St. Scholastica Culturally Competent Care The nursing profession continues to walk towards excellence in cultural competent delivery of current healthcare needs. In the pursuit of excellence and the love of learning, there are always improvements to be made. Continuing education requirements are the backbone of building nurses into life long learners. Identifying personal areas of growth are an effective mode of continuing to add to existing nursing skills. In this paper, I will identify areas of improvement that I would like to make†¦show more content†¦The average patient may not glean much information from the standard written hand out they receive for health education. I observed a Chinese cardiologist with an accent that was undecipherable, draw a patient a picture of the hearts electrical conduction system. Instantly, this wary patient was totally on board with the physician burning a part of his heart during the heart ablation. The picture spoke a thousand words to this patient. Now, tell how you will attempt to learn more about intervening when other staff exhibit inappropriate behaviors culturally. Also address another area of need, learning key words and colloquialisms of another language. -0.75 point. In conclusion, cultural competency is a continually evolving skill as nurses continue to practice in a society that is always changing. Completing a self assessment tool was a valuable experience. Unlike traditional continuing education requirements, this self assessment allowed me to identify my individual cultural competency strengths and weaknesses. I have committed to two practical goals to build up my cultural competent care giving. Intervening when I observe culturally insensitive behavior from other staff will be my first goal. Secondly, developing and integrating diagrams into patient education will increase effective communication cross culturally. Maintaining cultural competency is one of theShow MoreRelatedCultural Competency For A Nursing1619 Words   |  7 PagesCultural competency is extremely indispensable in nursing practice so that nurses can provide optimal care for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Therefore, insufficient knowledge and skills of cul tural competency has continued to increase racial and ethnic inequalities in healthcare services especially for minority groups (Dunagan et al. 2013; Long, 2012). As Nurses interact with clients they provide care, education and advocacy at any point in need. Cultural awareness provides the basesRead MoreCultural Competency in Nursing Care1697 Words   |  7 PagesCultural Competency in Nursing Care Dorcas Jacobs Grand Canyon University: NRS 429V Family Centered Health Promotion September 29, 2013 Cultural Competency in Nursing Care As the United States becomes more and more culturally diverse one cannot help but be exposed to various cultures and worldviews. America has long been called the melting pot, and that term has never been truer than it is today. According to Green and Reinckens (2013) the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by the year 2041Read MoreCultural Competency and Cultural Humility in Nursing Practice1545 Words   |  7 PagesCultural Competency and Cultural Humility in Nursing Practice Lisa Watson UMASS Boston Online Professional Issues in Nursing NU 360 Ms. Carol Moran November 08, 2012 Abstract You may not like how the Presidential election turned out, but the victory of the Democrats was won partly by focusing on going after the Hispanic vote. The Hispanic population who voted for President Obama put him over the top to win. Hispanics identified with Obama. Somehow, he made a connection with thisRead MoreEnd Of Life Care -nursing Cultural Competency1783 Words   |  8 Pages End of Life Care -Nursing Cultural Competency Mary C. Morrissey Denver School of Nursing â€Æ' Abstract The abstract title should appear in uppercase and lowercase letters, centered at the top of the page. The abstract is left justified as the rest of the paper. An abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the article, accurate, nonevaluative, coherent and readable, and concise. An abstract is only 150 to 250 words in length. â€Æ' Title of the Paper in Twelve Words or Less AmericaRead MoreReview For Enhancing Cultural Competency1559 Words   |  7 PagesOF REVIEW FOR ENHANCING CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN NEW NURSING GRADUATES Cultural competency is an indispensable in nursing practice so that nurses can deliver optimal care for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Therefore, insufficient knowledge and skills of cultural competency have continued to increase racial and ethnic inequalities in health care service for minority groups (Dunagan et al. 2013; Long, 2012). As nurses interact with clients they provide nursing care, education and advocacyRead MoreHolistic Nursing Essay1535 Words   |  7 PagesHolistic assessments in nursing provide a unique quality of care to the individual patient. Holism in the provision of care includes assessments obtaining data about the physiological, psychological, sociological, spiritual, developmental, cultural and environmental aspects. It is imperative that the nurse conducting these assessments adopts methods in the nursing process that reflects the standards outlined in Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council National Competency Standards for the RegisteredRe ad MoreEssay on Cultural Competence and Intercultural Communication1673 Words   |  7 Pagesintercultural communication. The transaction process of listening and responding to people from different cultural backgrounds can be challenging. The greater the difference in culture between two people, the greater the potential of misunderstanding and mistrust. Misunderstanding and miscommunication occur between people from different cultures because of different coding rules and cultural norms, which play a major role in shaping the patterns of interaction (Jandt, 2012). When oneRead MoreMy Identity As A New Zealand Nurse Essay1551 Words   |  7 PagesZealand Nurse Today’s New Zealand society is commonly described as bi-cultural or multi-cultural according to the Treaty of Waitangi-based social structure and immigrants from all over the world. The increasing mobility and diversity of society have proposed the holistic and culturally competent caring concept for professional nurses (Ryan, Carlton Ali, 2000). Meanwhile, based on my ethno-cultural identity, my philosophy of nursing would be defined as that caring individuals within holistic and transculturalRead MoreFunction Of The Australian Nursing And Midwifery Council1382 Words   |  6 Pagesaptitude to be able to function efficiently. In the field of nursing, considered as a caring profession, it is but imperative that the person practicing it should be equipped with the right knowledge, right skills and right attitude to be able to deliver safe and quality care to his or her clientele. In today’s society, competent performance is highly anticipated, especially among health c are professionals. In nursing, O’Shea defined competency as â€Å"the knowledge, skills, ability and behaviours that aRead MoreNursing Theory : Transcultural Nursing Theories1168 Words   |  5 Pages Nursing Theory: Transcultural Nursing Theory Raymonde Alphonse Miami Dade College Nursing Theory: Transcultural Nursing Theory General Perspective to the Nurse, the Patient, the Environment, Health, Illness, and Wellness Transcultural nursing theory by Madeleine Leininger has general perspectives to the nurse, patient, environment, health, illness, and wellness. According to the caregivers, transcultural nursing theory by Madeleine Leininger is one of the most effective philosophies on

Essay about British Romanticism - 1831 Words

Even today, man finds himself asking, What is beautiful? Many would point to nature when prompted with such a question; however, few realize that a similar question was posed and a similar answer given back in Romantic Great Britain, but to a whole new degree. British Romanticism was a reaction against technology as well as a cry to turn back to the beauty of nature, and its advocating troops held no more than a pen and paper in hand (Lorcher). Authors of the Romantic era used literature to open the eyes of a society bogged down by the chaos and clutter of everyday life, and the ideas that they promoted still affect man to this very day. The Romantic Movement spans approximately from 1783 to 1832 (Bernbaum). This was a time of†¦show more content†¦a change from a mechanical conception of the world to an enthusiastic religion of nature, from rational virtue to emotional sensibility, from ... egoism to humanitarian benevolence, from realism to optimism, from acceptance of things as they are to faith in progress, from contentment with urban civilization to sentimental primitivism. (Bush 43) Romantics protested strongly to the contemporary evils of their time, such as poverty and warfare (Bernbaum xxvii). They believed that such atrocities existed because there were still men in the world motivated by greed and pride. But they did not let this knowledge force them into a state of despondency; instead, they looked forward to the future, when such things might improve (Bernbaum). Romantics hoped that one day mans imagination would awaken and life could be what it was meant to be: free, natural, beautiful, and humane (Bernbaum xxvii). This desire for a natural life came from the Romantics love and admiration of nature. To him, nature was emotionally expressive and the only real source of peace (Lorcher). Romantics discovered truth, virtue, and beauty not by routine examination, but by moments of inspiration in which they could see something for what it truly was (Bernbaum). They did not experience such inspiration by focusing on the exterior, the everyday affairs of m undane life; instead, they focused on the interior (Bernbaum). This is why mans imaginationShow MoreRelatedDifference Between Romanticism And Transendinlalism In American And British Writers1584 Words   |  7 PagesWhich characterized Transendinlalism very differently from that of Romanticism. The difference of Transendinlalism was that it was a literary and philosophical movement, associated with Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller, asserting the existence of an ideal spiritual reality that transcends the empirical and scientific and is knowable through intuition. However, the Romantics thought differently because they that, that romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement originating in EuropeRead MoreMehar Hashmi . British Literature: Romanticism To Present1354 Words   |  6 PagesMehar Hashmi British Literature: Romanticism to Present Professor Duncan Hasell May 4, 2017 Great Expectations of Being Earnest In a class-based society, where your class will determine the rest of your life and who you will marry, what is better to improve in social class, hence improving all aspects of your life but at the price of sacrificing your moral code and ethics towards the people that are there for you and love you or to be honest, gentle, loyal, and respectfully to everyone aroundRead MoreDifference Between Romanticism and Transendinlalism in American and British Writers1616 Words   |  7 PagesDifference Between Romanticism and Transendinlalism in American and British Writers The expression Romantic gained currency during its own time, roughly 1780-1850. However, the Romantic era is to identify a period in which certain ideas and attitudes arose, gained the idea of intellectual achievement and became dominant. This is why , they became the dominant mode of expression. Which tells us something else about the Romantic era which expression was perhaps everything to do withRead MoreEssay on How Romanticism Changed Societys Way of Thinking922 Words   |  4 PagesTo understand how Romanticism changed the way society thought, you must first understand the meanings and reason behind the movement. The Romantic Movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries was described as a movement in the history of culture, an aesthetic style, and an attitude of mind. (Fiero) Romanticism provided expression of their thoughts and ideas toward their own societies, which was in effect predominantly in Europe and in the United States. The movement was a reaction to the EnlightenmentRead MoreEssay about Romanticism1678 Words   |  7 PagesRomanticism, Romanticism, in a way, was a reaction against rigid Classicism, Rationalism, and Deism of the eighteenth century. Strongest in application between 1800 and 1850, the Romantic Movement differed from country to country and from romanticist to romanticist. Because it emphasized change it was an atmosphere in which events occurred and came to affect not only the way humans thought and expressed them, but also the way they lived socially and politically (Abrams, M.H. Pg. 13). â€Å"RomanticismRead MoreRomanticism Essay833 Words   |  4 PagesRomanticism Soaked in sweat, I finally finished a mile run around the neighborhood. While grasping for air, my neighbor Kayla must have noticed that I took my daily run. She decided to bring me a bottle of water and converse a little while. One of the things we discuss was how I have been up multiple nights reading for all four of my classes that I have been taking this semester. Kayla was very shocked that I decided to enroll in British literature knowing that I strongly dislike the language differenceRead MoreThe Old Nurse s Story1329 Words   |  6 PagesElizabeth Gaskell and her stories, the story titled, â€Å"The Old Nurse s Story†, serves as the perfect example of the Gothic elements that were very popular in many authors stories and poems during this period of time. During this time of British literature, Romanticism and Gothic elements were the two main strategic ways of writing and how the audience read and perceived the stories being told. The Gothic element of writing consist ed of dark, gloomy and ghostly literature that brought a haunted feelRead MoreRomanticism1649 Words   |  7 PagesRomanticism in the Nineteenth Century The Romantic period followed the era of logical, philosophical, and social movement in the 17th to 18th century. However, as the 19th century began, Romanticism came into the light with a new perspective that intrigued the people. It stressed emphasis on emotions and imagination while also helping to realize the importance of self-expression. The American Romanticism movement illustrated inspiration, bias and predominance of individuals in the nineteenth centuryRead MoreWilliam Wordsworth and his not so Spontaneous Overflow of Powerful Changes in â€Å"I wandered lonely as1600 Words   |  7 Pagesreflection and imagination. His revised version of â€Å"I wandered lonely as a cloud† should be considered the authoritative version as it is a better and more vivid description of the scene of daffodils and reflects the literary movement at the time, i.e. Romanticism. The changes are strongly influenced by the Romantic period in which he revised the poem. Wordsworth didn’ t feel he portrayed his memory of the daffodils successfully in the first version and felt the need to make two changes and also to add anRead MoreThe Rime Of The Ancient Mariner878 Words   |  4 PagesAncient Mariner. This collection is widely recognized as the initiation of the shift towards modern poetry and British Romantic literature. Although the poem’s deliberate use of antiquated language differed from romantic poetry’s use of modern language of the time, it is still considered influential within the romanticism movement (Green). The poem’s influence in British Romanticism affected later authors and other works, including Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born

The Production Process of M Free Essays

Raw Materials MMs’ have two main components, hardened liquid chocolate and the hard candy shell. Liquid chocolate comes from a blend of whole milk, cocoa butter, sugar, and chocolate liquor, among other ingredients. The candy shell is made from a blend of sugar and corn syrup. We will write a custom essay sample on The Production Process of M or any similar topic only for you Order Now The Production Process 1 The liquid chocolate is poured into tiny molds to create the chocolate centers of the candy. 2 After the candies are formed, they are â€Å"tumbled† to make the chocolate center smooth and rounded. Then they are allowed to harden. 3 When the chocolates are hard, they are transported via conveyor belt to the coating area, where the process called panning is performed. 4 During panning, the chocolates are rotated in large containers as liquid candy made of sugar and corn syrup is sprayed onto them. 5 The color is added to a finishing syrup and applied as the final coat. Each batch is a different color. The liquid candy dries into the hardened shell. The single-colored batches are combined into the mixtures of red, yellow, blue, green, brown, and orange. They are then transported to the machine that stamps the â€Å"m† on the shells. 7 A special packaging machine weighs the candies, pours the proper amount into individual bags, and heat-seals the package. 8 The finished packages are moved along a conveyor belt to a machine that assembles the shipping cartons and fills them with the appropriate number of candy packages. The machine also seals the cartons shut. How to cite The Production Process of M, Essay examples

Motivation Essays - Motivation, Human Resource Management, Incentive

Motivation Motivation is the willingness to exert high levels of effort toward organizational goals, conditioned by the effort's ability to satisfy some individual needs (Robbins, 168). For some business analysts, employee motivation is a good way to increase productivity in an organization. When people get motivated, they will have a reason to put more efforts on what they are doing. Motivation is a crucial management tool in lifting the organization's work force's ability. There are many different ways to motivate employees. Employers can motivate their workers as individuals, groups, teams, or the organization as a whole. Motivation takes forms like offering rewards, improving working conditions, or employee recognition. However, which approach should employers try? Team-based reward systems have been raised as an issue in work management areas. Many people prefer team-based reward systems to an individual approach. San Diego Business Journal, issued on Oct. 6, 1997, published an article titled "Team-Based Productivity Incentive System." This article summarized the ideas that supported the team-based approach. The author, Bob Harrington, opposed the individual reward system. As he stated, individual reward systems create unnecessary competition and reduce cooperation between employees. It also reduces creativity because employees will only do what is necessary to get rewarded. Moreover, Harrington said team-based incentives influence individuals to work well together and cooperate with one another. No longer are employees and management measured purely against financial information. Instead, outstanding performance is based on a combination of items that measure the strategic objectives of the corporation. This paper will see if the team-based i ncentive systems are the best approach for business environments as Harrington discussed. Medical insurance and educational opportunities, among others are all common benefits in compensation programs for many manufacturers. Many people argued that these benefits attract and retain employees, but have little to do with work performance. Some also believe that if these benefits are spread out among workers in general, these kinds of work incentives will not guarantee good performance. Well Pay vs. Sick Pay is an example of how an incentive program reinforces wrong behavior and reduces productivity. Manufacturers with incentive systems that reward employees for achievements and growth can increase their competitiveness and profitability in today's global market. Yes, it is true that organizations need to have incentive systems to satisfy their work force. Team-based incentive systems such as gain sharing, profit sharing, etc., become increasingly popular in work environments. People now are required to work as a team, and altogether help each other to achieve an objective. Your work is my work, and your responsibility is mine. People will become more cohesive as working in a group or a team. Team-based incentives offer several advantages. However, I do not totally agree with Harrington that individual incentive systems do not have any good influence over workers' performance. Some people are extremely successful when they work on their own. People, who are raised in an individualistic culture, might not benefit from working in a group. So, individual incentive systems do play an important role in increasing a work force's productivity as long as the employers know how to use this reinforcement system properly. If organizations set a standard to measure individual achievement and reward that individual on what he (she) perform, then, the individual incentive system might work as well as the team-based one. Moreover, managers need to realize that team-based incentive systems might cause Social Loafing effect in the work force - the tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually (Robbins, 260). Motivations are necessary in a working environment to increase the productivity of the work force. Reward systems must create a win-win situation for employees and employers. Team-based incentive systems might work very well and are a preferred process for many organizations in today's work market; however, managers should adopt individual incentive systems in many cases, when employees are more skillful, efficient, and effective as working individually. The major purpose of the incentive system is to motivate and organize employees.

Understanding the Dual Court System

Understanding the Dual Court System A â€Å"dual court system† is a judicial structure employing two independent court systems, one operating at the local level and the other at the national level. The United States and Australia have the world’s longest-running dual court systems. Under the United States’ system of power-sharing known as â€Å"federalism,† the nation’s dual court system is composed of two separately operating systems: the federal courts and the state courts. In each case, the court systems or judicial branches operate independently from the executive and legislative branches. Why the US Has a Dual Court System Rather than evolving or â€Å"growing into† one, the United States has always had a dual court system. Even before the Constitutional Convention convened in 1787, each of the original Thirteen Colonies had its own court system loosely based on English laws and judicial practices most familiar to colonial leaders. In striving to create the system of checks and balances through separation of powers that is now arguably considered their best idea, the framers of the U.S. Constitution sought to create a judicial branch that would have no more power than either the executive or legislative branches. To achieve this balance, the framers limited the jurisdiction or power of the federal courts, while maintaining the integrity of the state and local courts. Jurisdiction of Federal Courts A court system’s â€Å"jurisdiction† describes the types of cases it is constitutionally allowed to consider. In general, the federal courts’ jurisdiction includes cases dealing in some way with federal laws enacted by Congress and interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution. The federal courts also deal with cases whose outcomes may impact multiple states, involve interstate crime and major crimes like human trafficking, drug smuggling, or counterfeiting. Also, the â€Å"original jurisdiction† of the U.S. Supreme Court allows the Court to settle cases involving disputes between states, disputes between foreign countries or foreign citizens and U.S. states or citizens. While the federal judicial branch operates separately from the executive and legislative branches, it must often work with them when required by the Constitution. Congress passes federal laws which must be signed by the President of the United States. The federal courts determine the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve disputes over how federal laws are enforced. However, the federal courts depend on the executive branch agencies to enforce their decisions. Jurisdiction of the State Courts The state courts deal with cases not falling under the jurisdiction of the federal courts- for example, cases involving family law (divorce, child custody, etc.), contract law, probate disputes, lawsuits involving parties located in the same state, as well as almost all violations of state and local laws. As implemented in the United States, the dual federal/state court systems give the state and local courts leeway to â€Å"individualize† their procedures, legal interpretations, and decisions to best fit the needs of the communities they serve. For example, large cities may need to reduce murders and gang violence, while small rural towns may need to deal with theft, burglary, and minor drug violations. About 90% of all cases dealt with in the U.S. court system are heard in the state courts. Operational Structure of the Federal Court System The US Supreme Court As created by Article III of the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court stands as the highest court in the United States. The Constitution merely created the Supreme Court, while assigning the task of passing federal laws and creating a system of lower federal courts. Congress has responded over the years to create the current federal court system made up of 13 courts of appeals and 94 district level trial courts sitting below the Supreme Court. Federal Courts of Appeals The U.S. Courts of Appeals is made up of 13 appellate courts located within the 94 federal judicial districts. The appeals courts decide whether or not federal laws were correctly interpreted and applied by the district trial courts under them. Each appeals court has three presidentially-appointed judges, and no juries are used. Disputed decisions of the appeals courts can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Federal Bankruptcy Appellate Panels Operating in five of the 12 regional federal judicial circuits, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panels (BAPs) are 3-judge panels authorized to hear appeals to decisions of bankruptcy courts BAPs are currently located in the First, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits. Federal District Trial Courts The 94 district trial courts making up the system of U.S. District Courts do what most people think courts do. They call juries that weigh evidence, testimony, and arguments, and apply legal principles to decide who is right and who is wrong. Each district trial court has one presidentially-appointed district judge. The district judge is assisted in preparing cases for trial by one or more magistrate judge, who may also conduct trials in misdemeanor cases. Each state and the District of Columbia have at least one federal district court, with a U.S. bankruptcy court operating under it. The U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands each have a federal district court and a bankruptcy court. Purpose of the Bankruptcy Courts The federal bankruptcy courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving business, personal, and farm bankruptcy. The bankruptcy process allows individuals or business that cannot pay their debts to seek a court-supervised program to either liquidate their remaining assets or reorganize their operations as needed to pay off all or part of their debt. The state courts are not allowed to hear bankruptcy cases. Special Federal Courts The federal court system also has two special-purpose trial courts: The U.S. Court of International Trade deals with cases involving U.S. customs laws and international trade disputes. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims decides claims for monetary damages filed against the U.S. government. Military Courts Military courts are completely independently from state and federal courts and operate by their own rules of procedure and applicable laws as detailed in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Structure of the State Court System While more limited in scope the basic structure and function of the state court system closely resembling that of the federal court system. State Supreme Courts Each state has a State Supreme Court which reviews the decisions of the state trial and appeals courts for compliance with the state’s laws and constitution. Not all states call their highest court the â€Å"Supreme Court.† For example, New York calls its highest court the New York Court of Appeals. Decisions of the State Supreme Courts can be appealed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court under the Supreme Court’s â€Å"original jurisdiction.† State Courts of Appeals Each state maintains a system of localized appeals courts that hear appeals from the decisions of the state trial courts. State Circuit Courts Each state also maintains geographically dispersed circuit courts that hear civil and criminal cases. Most state judicial circuits also have special courts that hear cases involving family and juvenile law. Municipal Courts Finally, most charted cities and towns in each state maintain municipal courts that hear cases involving violations of city ordinances, traffic violations, parking violations, and other misdemeanors. Some municipal courts also have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases involving things like unpaid utility bills and local taxes.

Strategically Managing PPC Campaigns in Adwords [PODCAST]

Strategically Managing PPC Campaigns in Adwords [PODCAST] When your potential customers are looking for your product or service, how do you think they find it? Right, they usually start with Google. In order for them to find you, you need to show up in those search results. Have you wondered how to do that? Today, we’re talking to ’s own Rachel Wiinanen, our inbound marketer. She works a lot with AdWords, creating ads that will lead to click-throughs and lead to conversion. Today she’s going to tell us all about targeting the right keywords, writing engaging messaging, and optimizing your landing pages. She’ll also talk to us about what metrics to measure and share her thoughts on budgeting and goal-setting. You won’t want to miss this episode! Some of the highlights of the show include: Rachel’s job description and mission at . Rachel’s strategy for attracting the right audience through AdWords. Thoughts on writing great ad copy that gets clicks, as well as why testing is so important. How Rachel works with landing pages to boost the conversion rate. What Rachel measures when analyzing campaigns: trial acquisition cost, click-through rate, and more. She also talks about how she monitors various metrics. How to determine a budget when it comes to ads. Rachel’s best advice for someone who is new to AdWords and is just getting started. Quotes by Rachel: â€Å"Nothing is perfect, just test away. Test, test, test. There have been tons of times where I didn’t think an ad would perform very well and then outperforms other comparable ads by double.† â€Å"Things are always going to change. You’re always going to want to get more specific, more focused, more precise.† â€Å"My best advice for someone who’s new to AdWords would be don’t be afraid to test new things.†

Personal Essays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Essays - Essay Example A community draws strength from its environment. I am passionate about the environment, and its contribution to the betterment of my community. I have served as a volunteer with the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, the Friends of the Deschutes River, and the Smith Rock Parks, getting down to the basics: cleaning, picking up and digging! With Girls On The Run, I have passed on my love for running, as the path to empowerment and self-confidence, to other girls. Living in harmony with nature, and testing the limits of one’s physical and mental endurance, is my way to an inclusive, caring community. My love for traveling, which has taken me to twenty-two countries, has made me appreciate diverse cultures and the underlying goodness of people all over the world. I have studied Spanish for five years, and have spent a summer in beautiful Mexico: it was a learning experience beyond compare. I threw myself into everything, from salsa to mole sauce. My seventy-year-old hostess, who lived, shopped and cooked independently, was also a devout Catholic and doting mother, and a revelation to me! I have come to acknowledge that there is no one, cast-iron, way to do the right thing. My travels in the Middle East, particularly in Egypt, brought home to me the sad fact that the gender bias, which is so alien to us Americans, is very much a part of the life of women in many parts of the world. As a woman of no religious affiliation, with uncovered head and independent attitude, I was dismayed and even intimidated, by the hostility I sometimes encountered.