The prevalence of Bachi Bazi in Afghanistan is not well known. The term's literal translation is "playing with boys." Male children, in the phase preceding puberty, are sought out for a specific purpose. To be dressed in women's clothing; taught to dance and sing; to be called upon to perform...

On January 24, 2012, in the United States and Canada (February 4 globally), Amnesty International released Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International, a four-CD album set. It is be available...

Remember when you were in grade school, playing some kind of team game and the score was so close? Your side got over the top -- and then the most menacing member of the opposition would call, "Do-Over!"

It seems that despite whatever advancements the Environmental...

As the last days of December waned, Lisa P. Jackson and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had a lot to celebrate. They made it through 2011.

They held their ground against a continued barrage of attacks by lawmakers -- who did their best to...

A recent article in the New York Times pointed out that the United States' war in Afghanistan remained "just a blip on the American news media's radar in 2011." The exact amount of coverage, in statistics from the Project for...

With the year drawing to a close and a fresh beginning on the horizon, there is no better time to examine the attitudes and strategies we adopt to cope with the vagaries of daily existence.

In her new memoir, "Becoming Ginger Rogers: How Ballroom Dancing Made Me a...

As a writer for Moms Clean Air Force, I was eagerly waiting to hear the December 16 announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency on their new rules to limit mercury and other toxic air pollutants. The day came and went, but there was no...

The DOC NYC Festival featured a panel examining the intersection between documentary filmmaking and philanthropy. Participating were Naomi Levine from New York University, Dan Cogan of Impact Partners, Sandi DuBowski, Director, and...

Six months after the birth of her first child, Chaunté Smith couldn't get out of bed. She was in "excruciating pain." At first she thought it was the result of being an "older mother," having given birth at 36. In the...

"Heroes of American Democracy." That is how Robert F. Kennedy Jr. describes the main players in the struggle against Big Coal in The Last Mountain, which has just been released on DVD. Featuring citizen activists fighting for clean air and water against...

Women Without Borders is an international organization that works to research, advocate and lobby globally for women. Last month they co-sponsored an evening at The Paley Center for Media, featuring a panel examining the role of women as peacemakers. Specifically addressed was the question, "Can Mothers Stop Terrorism."...

This was the rhetorical question posed by Dr. Robert D. Bullard during a recent phone interview that I had with him. Our talk covered topics from the genesis of his career as the...

In 1986, at the age of 18, Cassaundra StJohn joined the Air Force. She had grown up in a military family. Her father was a Master Sergeant in the Army, and she respected the values and commitment to service. The structure and...

From October 11 through November 8, PBS has showcased the five-part groundbreaking series Women, War & Peace -- an examination of the impact of armed conflict upon the lives of women. With narration by actors Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, Alfre Woodward, and Geena Davis, each hour profiles individual...

In early October, I attended the 2011 Take Back the American Dream Conference in Washington, D.C. Under the umbrella of the Campaign for America's Future and the Institute for America's Future, joint sponsors included The Nation, SEIU, the

Moms Clean Air Force has been proactive in focusing on why it is essential for parents to be aware of the environmental dangers facing their children. Now they have an ally in bringing that message to the upcoming generation.

A new national poll demonstrates that the loudest voices are distinctly out of touch with the public's preference for strong regulations to protect the country's health. Voters aren't buying the specious "jobs versus clean air/water" argument. More importantly, they have a clear preference for the findings of Environmental Protection Agency...

The week of October 3rd, I was in Washington, D.C. to cover the Take Back the American Dream Conference. Targeting the goal of "coalition-building" for those in the progressive reform space, one of their stated policy initiatives was to work toward "a healthy environment."

The major take-away from...

New York: When the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations convened in New York City in mid-September, those striving to get attention for specific agendas presented their causes at satellite conferences around Manhattan.

Members of The Elders, a contingent of independent global leaders focusing on "peace and...

Since 1994, Lifetime Television has been a leader in promoting awareness and activism around the issue of breast cancer. Combining advocacy work with the medium of television, they have reached out to their viewership with the goal of informing and galvanizing them. On October 10, they will present the film...