by Nancy Ratzan, President - National Council of Jewish Women

One hundred and sixty years ago, an intrepid group of feminists gathered in Seneca Falls, N.Y., to issue a manifesto modeled on the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Sentiments detailed the oppression and denial of rights suffered by women at the time. The Seneca Falls Convention, as it came to be known, also declared that "it is the duty of the women of this country to secure to themselves their sacred right to the elective franchise."

It took another 72 years for women to win the right to vote — but full exercise of the franchise is nowhere near at hand.

Women do vote now in slightly higher numbers than men, but sadly that is not saying much. In 2004, 40% of women failed to vote, a slight improvement over 2000 when almost 44% did not vote. The numbers for young women are disastrous.

In an era when political fortunes have turned over the issue of the right to reproductive choice, 65% of women 18 to 24 failed to vote in 2000 and 55% did not vote in 2004. Of women 24 to 44 years of age, 48% did not vote in 2000 and 45% did not vote in 2004. More than 20 million single women did not vote in 2004.

It's not as if the right to choose was the only thing at stake. For the last eight years, every aspect of reproductive freedom has been vulnerable to the ideological bent of those elected to public office. As a result, family planning programs have been choked with restrictions, abstinence-only sex education has received increased federal funding, and access to emergency contraception became a matter for the Food and Drug Administration.

There's still time to participate in the Early Voting process. The Children's Trust Question is on the back of the ballot; turn it over and vote YES. Tell your friends and family. Avoid any problems that may prevent you from voting on Tuesday, August 26^th! Early voting continues until Sunday, August 24^th!

T.S. Fay continues to wreak havoc throughout Florida. Clearly, South Florida escaped severe damage when looking at the flooding in other parts of the state. To make matters worse, she is expected to boomerang back and head west over Florida. There has already been one death in Florida due to the storm. How this disaster affects our already fragile financial situation remains to be seen. Stay tuned and be safe.

I have never made a secret of my support for the candidacy of Barack Obama for the presidency of the United States. As the Democratic National Convention nears and the politicking heats up, I hope you will join me in supporting Obama financially, at the polls and by spreading the truth about his campaign.

As John McCain continues where Hillary Clinton left off in dumbing down and sensationalizing the race, it's up to people like you and me to keep the race focused on how Obama and McCain's platforms affect us as American citizens.

Let's start with this video on THE REAL MCCAIN, share it with your friends.

The Florida A&M University School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) announces its students have received 15 awards at the 2008 Printing Association of Florida (PAF) Print Awards. The awards were announced at the association's annual conference in Orlando.

FAMU was the only university honored among 78 Florida-based printing, graphic arts companies, and schools.

"We are delighted the Printing Association of Florida has recognized our students' work," said James Hawkins, SJGC dean. "This will signal to the printing community that students in our school are learning the skills they will need in the workplace."

The students won one Best of Category Award, two Awards of Excellence and 12 Honorable Mentions.

The students participating in the competition were:

Angelica Broadus
Windham Graves
Cleather H. Hathcock, III
Alicia Hope
Stephanie M. King
Matefia Poitier
Tchanarian Roche
Delarian "Dee" Roper
James Scott
Yvette Summers
Terrance Ward
Riana Winters

"We applaud these students' work," said Arvid Mukes, SJGC associate dean and director of the Division of Graphic Communication. "We also recognize and appreciate the work of Kay Wilder, a professor of graphic design. Professor Wilder encouraged these students to participate and coordinated their entries."

Well, it looks like school will finally begin in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. After a two-day delay due to T.S. Fay, it's time to get back to the books and prepare young minds to become leaders of the world.

It is crucial that parents and guardians make school a priority for their children because a quality education or lack thereof will determine the future of generations to come.

Get to know your child's teacher and the school administration. Let them know that you are concerned and then show them that you are. Get phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your child's teacher and then stay in touch. Join the PTA.

Periodically ask specifics about how your child is doing in school and what you can do to improve his or her performance.

Do not put undo pressure on your child but help her develop good study habits and time management skills. Turn off the television unless they're watching the History Channel. Be prepared to answer their questions.

Reward your child when they perform well in school. Show how proud you are by posting their test scores and grades on the refrigerator door for the family to see. This is effective even if your child is in middle school or senior high school. Regardless of what they say, they love it!

Make sure your child's school posts the name of students who make the honor rolls and show improvement in their performance and behavior.

Make sure your child's education extends beyond the classroom. Help them learn another language in addition to English. Teach them self-love and pride by sharing the history and accomplishments of black people.

Model the behavior you want your child to have. If you are a registered voter, take them with you when you vote and explain, without lecturing, why voting is important. If your child is old enough, discuss the platform and campaign of the political candidates.

I know that may seem like a lot, but your child is just that important. Have a productive and progressive school year!

Wow, T.S. Fay has really put a cramp in our style, right? I went to the office for a half day then we were released and instructed not to return unless directed by our supervisor.

While the weather didn't really seem that bad at one moment and then a couple of minutes later I was caught in a torrential down pour and windstorm.

There's no school tomorrow, early voting has been suspended and government offices have closed.

Prayerfully we'll be able to survive this. As I'm typing this I can hear the howling of the wind and torrential rain again.

Do I know where my flashlights, batteries, and candles are? Well, not at the moment but I do know my laptops are packed and my power adapter is already in the cigarette lighter in my car. My Crackberry phones and headsets are fully juiced; I'm good to go.

We still have a lot of storm to deal with so be safe and stay indoors if possible.

For All Your Weather Needs, Visit CBS4.Com/Weather

Always Click On CBS4.Com For Info. On Hurricane Preparations

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Florida Governor Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency for Florida as Tropical Storm Fay continues to move in the general direction of the state. Officials in Monroe County say they will likely order a tourist evacuation of the Keys Sunday, and Fay is now officially a killer storm, with at least one woman killed by flooding in the Dominican Republic. Forecasters are saying Floridians should prepare for a hurricane, and some forecasts have Fay becoming a hurricane while over Cuba.

Watches and warnings have been issued for parts of Cuba, Haiti, and all the way into the Central Bahamas. The storm has weakened slightly, but its current position above the warmer waters south of Cuba is expected to help the storm strengthen in the next couple of days. [More]

WBFS/My33 has announced several changes to its fall line-up, including several new programs and an array of other favorites that return at new times.

 
*  Judge Karen Mills (Debuts 9/8/08)
The Honorable Karen Mills-Francis will star in her own court TV show called "Judge Karen". Mills-Francis is currently a county court judge. In 2000, she became the second black woman in Florida's Miami-Dade County to run for judge and beat the incumbent administrative judge. She retained her seat in 2006 against opposition while four judges lost their seats that year. She's also the first Black judge from the South Florida area to have a nationally syndicated show.

Born and raised in Miami, Mills-Francis graduated from Miami Northwestern High School. She earned her undergraduate degree at Bowdin College in Brunswick, Maine and got her law degree from the University of Florida. Judge Karen is also the cousin of and grew up with Chief Jimmie Brown's wife, Michelle.

Mills-Francis did her tour of duty with the Miami-Dade public defender's office before going into private practice. Early in her career, Mills-Francis became a certified foster parent and has cared for foster children in her home. She also volunteered her services to the Guardian Ad Litem program and continues to mentor children in foster care. She has served as a role model for "at risk youth" in the Miami area. She has a reputation in the legal community for being smart, running a tight ship and using humor to put people at ease. (Airs 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM, Monday - Friday)

*  Judge Alex (Moves to My33 on 9/8/08) - Miami's own, Judge Alex moves to My33 at 12 noon -1:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

*  Cheaters (Debuts 9/22)
From Cheaters' surveillance cameras, viewers see actual true stories, filmed live, documenting the pain of a spouse or lover caused by infidelity. This program is dedicated to the faithful and presented to the false-hearted to encourage their renewal of temperance and virtue. (Airs Monday - Friday 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM)

*  One on One (New time, beginning 9/8/08) - Moves to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday

*  Half & Half (New time, beginning 9/8/08) - Moves to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday

*  Tyler Perry's House of Payne Debuts 9/22/08)
Tyler Perry's House of Payne is a comedy series about a multigenerational, working class family who experiences all of life's struggles with faith, love and most importantly humor.  Pops, the uncle and head of the household, has his life and home turned upside down when an unexpected event forces his nephew, CJ, played by Allen Payne, and CJ's kids to move into the house, putting three generations under one roof.

This chaotic living situation takes its toll on cranky Pops, who is reluctant to have his routine disturbed. It soon becomes evident just how wide the generation gap is, as the family tries to find a way to coexist through all of life's hilarious ups and downs.  Putting the family back in family comedy, Tyler Perry's House of Payne tackles real life issues with very funny humor.  
(Airs 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, and 7:00 PM, Monday - Friday)

*  Bernie Mac (New time, beginning 9/22/08) - Moves to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday)

*  Tyra Banks (new time, beginning 9/8/08) - Moves to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

*  My Wife & Kids (new time, beginning 9/22/08) - Moves to 6:30 PM, Monday - Friday)

*  George Lopez (new time, beginning 9/22/08) - moves to 10:30 PM, Monday - Friday

* King of Queens (new time, beginning 9/22/08) - airs at 7:30pm & 11:00 PM, Monday - Friday