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LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood |
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May 8, 2009
To the Editor:
As we honor the special women in our lives this Mother’s Day, it’s important that we highlight the impact their activism has on their families and their communities and encourage them to continue to fight for what they believe is important. I want to call attention to a national coalition comprised of mothers from across the country who are doing truly incredible work worthy of a celebration.
Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse is a movement of concerned moms in every state who give back, not just to their own children, but to all the children in their communities. These parents are fighting for proper education in middle and high schools, focusing on healthy teen relationships free from abuse and violence.
The National Foundation for Women Legislators, of which I am president, and Liz Claiborne Inc. have joined forces to support this critical education effort nationwide. According to a recent survey spearheaded by Liz Claiborne Inc., nearly half of teen girls who have been in a relationship say they have been victims of verbal, physical or sexual abuse by their boyfriends. What's more alarming is the fact that this abuse is starting with children between the ages of 11 and 14.
Dating violence is at epidemic proportions, resulting in thousands of preventable deaths.
I hope you will join me this Mother’s Day by becoming a MADE member and supporting my efforts to protect our youth. Anyone can join the MADE coalition at www.loveisnotabuse.com/made.
Sincerely,
Rosita C. Youngblood
State Representative
198th Legislative District