To say I don’t feel entirely myself at the moment is an understatement. I’m 29 weeks pregnant and every day I wake up feeling like a tourist in my own body. My shape is changing daily and I’ve got aches and pains I thought were solely the preserve of OAPs. My limbs are swollen, I can’t sleep at night, and I don’t feel like me in any of my clothes.
While the downsides of pregnancy have been dominating my life, I should point out I’m hugely excited. But I worry that I haven’t bonded with my bump yet, and wonder when it will happen. It doesn’t help that this is my second pregnancy. I’m so in love with my daughter Isobel, two, I find it hard to imagine how I will possibly adore my second child as much. Also, I’ve been so busy with work, I’ve barely had the time to even try to connect with my growing baby. But I’m realising it’s important I make the time – not only to feel closer to my child when she arrives but also because I’ve read that feeling of love raise levels of the hormone oxytocin, which helps a baby’s brain develop.
Mary Sanchez: A Princess, the press and a plea for privacy
The princess fed her vultures.
Celebrating Jannie L. Blackwell
Jannie L. Blackwell is a fireball of energy who even after leaving City Hall, is still making a positive difference in the lives of many Philadelphians.
The Founder of Imhotep Charter School reflects on the history of the school and the healing that students are going through now
Imhotep Charter High School has been mentioned so many times over the last three weeks that even when I'm sleeping, I'm thinking about the school, the students, the teachers, the counselors, and all other staff members.
Saluting Mable E. Welborn, who Stands Strong for The Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust
Mable E. Welborn, if you don’t know the name, you should.
Honoring a Legacy: Unveiling Marian B.Tasco's Mural at Finley Recreation Center
On Saturday, March 23, 2024, the Finley Recreation Center in Mt. Airy held a special Women's History Month program organized by its Advisory Council to celebrate and honor exceptional women making a difference in the community.
Haiti's tragic history just keeps repeating itself
In Haiti, history repeats itself repeatedly.
Baltimore bridge collapses after powerless cargo ship rams into support column; 6 presumed dead
BALTIMORE (AP) — A cargo ship lost power and rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, destroying the span in a matter of seconds and plunging it into the river in a terrifying collapse that could disrupt a vital shipping port for months.
Shapiro Administration, ID/A Advocates highlight transformative budget proposal for Intellectual Disability and Autism Services, workforce to ensure Pennsylvanians get the services they need
PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 22, 2024 – Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh joined leadership from Vision for Equality, self-advocates, and families from across Pennsylvania for a roundtable discussion about the life-changing investments included in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 202425 proposed budget, which includes major investments in home- and community-based services for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) as well as reimbursement rates for providers to enable them to increase wages for direct support professionals who provide essential care and support every day.
Chancellor Williams and Race Organization (Pt 2)
“Actual unity will be achieved, not by preaching, pleading or exhortations, but almost unconsciously as people work together for mutual benefits to each other and the advancement of the race as a whole. Meaningful, practical activities that involve--even children in attacking the problems of our race will be the cement in which we will call unity.” Dr. Chancellor Williams
2nd Annual Women's Health Conference
Women started filing into the venue at Saint Luke Community Christian Church in the driving rainstorm on Saturday, March 23, 2024, as early as 8:15 for an event that started at 9 am.
With police departments facing a hiring crisis, some policies are being loosened to find more cadets
Faced with gaping vacancies in its police force and concerns about public safety, the Philadelphia Police Department had to think creatively about how to get more candidates in the door. The answer? Fewer pushups.
The IRS has 940,000 unclaimed tax refunds from 2020 that are about to expire. Is one of them yours?
WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is warning taxpayers that they may be leaving more than $1 billion on the table.
Gaza is the scene of an indefensible humanitarian catastrophe
Politics no longer stops at the water’s edge – nor should it. The presidential race already features deep divides over U.S. foreign policy – on NATO (Biden embracing; Trump scorning), on Putin (Biden negative; Trump favorable), on climate change (Biden addressing the threat; Trump dismissing it); on democracy (Biden championing; Trump undermining).
Plan for your future during Financial Literacy Month
We celebrate Financial Literacy Month (FLM) every April to promote financial education and well-being in the United States.
How to deal with the Trump threat
The 2024 general election is now underway.
Shapiro Administration announces expansion of access to doulas through change in medicaid, highlights budget investments to improve maternal health
LANCASTER, PA, March 26, 2024 - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Department of Health (DOH) Acting Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen today visited Patients R Waiting to discuss the Shapiro Administration’s recent work to address maternal health disparities through expanded Medicaid access to doulas.
Kamala Harris leads Bloody Sunday memorial as marchers' voices ring out for voting rights
Vice President Kamala Harris told thousands gathered for the 59th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday attacks on civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama, that fundamental freedoms--including the right to vote, are under attack in America even today.
Rep. Ken Buck's sudden retirement yet another setback for a reeling GOP House leadership
Ken Buck is fed up. The Republican law-maker from eastern Colorado already announced (last November) that he would retire from Congress at the end of his term. But now that apparently is not soon enough.
Saluting Philadelphia and area African American Male Elected Officials
In the first and third weeks of the month of February 2024, I chose to shine the spotlight on African American women elected officials from Philadelphia, from the very first woman elected in PA to the State House to our most current success in Philadelphia’s 100th Mayor, Cherelle L. Parker.
Stay healthy and independent with the Senior Nutrition Program
Are you eligible for Social Security retirement benefits or already receiving them? Did you know you can also receive healthy meals and other nutrition services through the National Senior Nutrition Program? Local meal programs in communities across the country are waiting to serve you.
CIVICS 101
Thursday, March 14, 2024, eyes across the City of Philadelphia were locked in on Philadelphia City Hall and the first budget address made by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
Shapiro Administration celebrates Earn-As-You-Learn success stories at First Awards Ceremony for Registered Apprenticeships
PITTSBURGH, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker joined Pittsburgh labor and workforce development leaders to recognize four outstanding organizations and individuals who have embraced the earn-as-you-learn model of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship to create economic opportunity for Pennsylvania communities and families.
More Black women say abortion is their top issue in the 2024 election, a survey finds
More than a quarter of female Black voters describe abortion as their top issue in this year's presidential election, a poll out Thursday from health policy research firm KFF reveals.
Racist anti-immigrant hysteria is aimed at blinding voters to reality
“The bomb outrage in New York emphasizes the extent to which the alien scum from the cesspools of the Old World has polluted the clear spring of American democracy.
Schools are a measure of the health of our democracy
Educating our children is our essential duty – for their futures, their families, their communities, and our country. For all the furious debate about schools, what’s clear is that we have to do better.
King brings Shirley's story to forefront
Have you seen “Shirley” the Netflix film that focuses on the historic presidential run of Shirley Chisholm? Oscar-winner Regina King stars as Chisholm and also serves as producer alongside her sister Reina (who also appears in the film as Chisholm’s sister Murial).
Queen Mother Moore
\"No one has done more to integrate claims for reparations for African Americans into Black activism than \"Queen Mother\" Audley Moore.
The biggest contrast in the upcoming election (other than democracy vs. "blood in the streets" fascism)
One of my goals in this column is to give you the facts and analysis you need to make informed decisions, especially political ones and equip you to spread the word to others. So here goes on social security.
NAREB Report cites significant Economic, Education, and Homeownership gains for Black Women
With significant gains in education, employment, and entrepreneurs, African American women emerged as leaders in Black homebuying, according to a report released by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB).
PennDOT, PA Turnpike announce the start of Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA TurnState Police pike), in partnership with the Pennsylvania (PSP), started enforcement of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program.
