Sista’s Keeper
I AM my Sista’s Keeper
January/February 2018 Vol. 5, Issue 3
Saving Our Sistas From Sex Trafficking Cervical Health College Prep Timeline
Winter Issue
Maya Jai Pinson Actress/Author/Athlete Does It All
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You TOO Can Do It ALL
Editor’s Letter
’ey sistas! Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for the magazine & I hope that you continue this journey with us. Maya Jai Pinson (pg. 6) is an actress, author and athlete who successfully balances being the captain of her basketball team with being a great student and also an author? In this issue, we talk about sex trafficking and give statistics that affect us as young women and girls. Can you believe that over 2 million children are exploited every year, and majority are girls? As always, if you want to contact me of have any questions about the magazine, I hope that you enjoy this issue and email me at: remember: laporsha@sistaskeepermagazine.com or visit our website: “I AM my Sista’s Keeper” www.sistaskeepermagazine.com In Memory of Remember the purpose of Sista’s Daniel Lee Lowry Keeper: to build you up as young women so you can be comfortable enough in Thank you Uncle Dan for supporting yourself to help your sisters, cousins, Sista’s Keeper! friends, etc.
Tell us what you think! Join the conversation... #SistasKeeper
Owner/Founding Editor/Publisher
January/February 2018
@SistasKeeperMag
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Health
Cervical Health It’s never too early to think about cervical health and learn
Did you know that just about all cases of Cervical Cancer is caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and can be contracted through sexual contact, including orally? What about the fact that you could be carrying the virus and show no signs or symptoms until it is too late? These commonly unknown facts, along with many others are why being proactive in your health is so important. As January carries the platform for New Year’s resolutions and goals, it is also Cervical Cancer Awareness month so gather your facts and add good health to your new year’s list! I’m sure you are reading this and wondering what is Cervical Cancer or HPV and how are they related. Cervical Cancer is when your cervix (the lower part of your uterus) is infected and HPV is the number one cause. Yet, cervical cancer is noted the most preventable cancer to date thanks to vaccines and early detection. Here’s how you can prevent the cause of HPV and Cervical Cancer:
Checkup & Follow-up
It is imperative that you get your yearly well-woman check-up. If you are sexually
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active and under the age of 18, do not be afraid to talk to your parents or someone you trust so you can be accompanied to your appointments. Silence could be deadly. Pap smears are a major part of detecting the virus or any abnormalities that could be fatal. If you have had your yearly visit and notice changes or symptoms (bleeding between menstrual cycles, heavy or bad smelling discharge, pelvic pain, etc.) that maybe abnormal, contact your doctor immediately. The earlier, the better.
Vaccinations There are three vaccines that are available for HPV which is given throughout a six month period. Parents, if you are reading this please take note that the vaccine has been made safe for children ages 9 & up and it is most affective if taken before becoming sexually active to avoid HPV infection. It is also been discovered that the vaccine has a higher immune response in preteens which is why parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children as early as possible. Many parents believe these preventive vaccines encourage their children to become sexually active and studies have proved
January/February 2018
Awareness
Health
ways to prevent cancer as you continue become a woman
that this discourages children from asking questions or prompting “The Talk” with their parents/guardians.
Be Safe, Always!
The number one preventive method is none other than abstinence. But, if and when HPV vaccine does not protect against any you decide to become sexually active it is unsafe sex practices prior to receiving the shot, important to practice safe sex. nor does it protect against STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Not just until you get comfortable but consistently. In doing so, you will prevent Consult with your doctor for further details, any risk of infection or disease. If you have including side effects which are rare. questions about safe sex, visit safeteens.org but please, talk to your parent or guardian first!
For more information on cervical cancer awareness and prevention, visit: http://www.nccc-online.org/
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Maya Does It
All
Maya Jai Pinson is an actress, author and athlete who has a new book, while maintaining her grades & being a leader.
W
hether she is leading her basketball team to a victory or leading by example in her community, Maya Jai Pinson goes through her life with an awareness that young people are watching her so she has to show what it means to be a successful young lady. January/February 2018
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Priorities In Order
Pinson just released a book called Back Pack Lilly, which has a positive message to young people. “The message in the story is to keep your priorities straight,” Pinson says. “It’s about studying over playing.” She is also working on other books to be released in the future. Balancing Act
Pinson balances school, acting, and extracurricular activities by remembering that the extra in
extracurricular is just that. “I have to stop, drop, work and then play,” she says. “School comes first before sports and being an athlete.” Pinson is currently an 8th grader with a 4.06 GPA but says that she is very excited about going to high school. “I’m looking forward to continuing my activities on the high school level,” she says. “I want to get into STEM, write more books and continue acting in feature films.” Being A Leader
Pinson is also a captain of both her basketball & volleyball teams and a first chair cellist who began playing the instrument at age 10. “I tested the instrument out in music class and I liked the sound so it stuck with me,” she says. She likes this instrument because it makes sure that all the other instruments are on beat. Inspiring Others
She wants to be in a big feature film when she gets older. She says that actress Taraji P. Henson is an inspiration for her and that she is also interested in photography. Pinson says that she loves meeting 8
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About Maya Birthday: June 12th Age: 13 Hometown: Washington, DC Favorite Food: BBQ flatbread pizza Favorite Color: Purple Hobbies: Bike riding, swimming, rollerblading What’s on your iPod? R&B, soul, hip hop
Connect with Maya @mayajai04
old niece that she is close to. She also has friends that she is close with who she goes to movies and has sleepovers with. She says that she tries to be nice and friendly to everyone.
and inspiring people. “I aim to be a role model and set a good example for others,” she says. “I like to lift people up, encourage and motivate them.” Pinson began modeling and appearing in magazine ads at the age of one and playing basketball at the age of 4. She is currently working on several movies, such as “Another Way To Say I Love You”, “Sinners Wanted” and “Believe”.
She believes that being her sista’s keeper means keeping her up and having each other’s back.
Being Her Sista’s Keeper
Pinson has 3 older sisters and a 7-year-
“Having positive vibes in everything we do and setting good examples for each other are very important in a sisterly relationship,” she says.
For more about Maya or to order a copy of her book BackPack Lilly, visit: https://mjaip.com/ January/February 2018
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Saving Our Sistas Trafficking women and children for sexual exploitation is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. This, despite the fact international law and the laws of 158 countries criminalize most forms of trafficking.
Estimated yearly amount made in the sex trafficking industry
$99 billion
Number of adults 20.9 million and children are bought and sold worldwide into commercial sexual servitude, forced labor and bonded labor Number of children are 2 million exploited every year
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From Sex Trafficking 54%
Percent of trafficking victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
Percent of Women and girls who make up victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
96%
Ending Sex Trafficking Efforts must include both eliminating gender discrimination and curbing the demand for commercial sex. Gender inequality and discriminatory laws that trap women in poverty and fail to protect them from violence, render them vulnerable to prostitution and trafficking. Women who lack access to resources, such as housing, land, property, and inheritance, are at increased risk. Women and girls trafficked for prostitution are caught in cycles of sexual violence and assault. It is critical to implement legal safeguards for women and girls to alleviate poverty and create greater possibilities for non-exploitative options for girls and women. January/February 2018
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Getting Ready
Education Feature
This college prep timeline provided by Minnesota Office of Higher
7th & 8th Grade • Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. • Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits. • Practice setting and reaching goals. • Volunteer in your community. • Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options. • Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you want to explore. • Create a tentative high school class plan. • Enroll in a summer enrichment program. 12
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In 9th & 10th Grade • Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.
• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers. • Sign up for classes that will earn college credit • Talk with your parents during your junior year about saving and paying through Advanced for college. Placement, International Baccalaureate, • Talk with friends, Postsecondary teachers, counselors Enrollment Options or and your parents about College in the Schools. college. • Check if your school requires 10th graders to take the PLAN to prepare for the ACT.
• Explore internships and apprenticeships. • Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
Want to go to college? It’s never too late to prepare... For more information, visit: http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg. cfm?pageID=1176
January/February 2018
For College
Education Feature
Education will show you what you need to do to get ready for college.
In 11th Grade
In 12th Grade
• Attend college and financial aid events. • Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself. • Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement. • Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed. • Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites. • Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you. • Participate in extracurricular activities. • Request admissions and financial aid forms. • Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools. • Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring. • Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements. • Enroll in a summer enrichment program. • Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship. • Research private scholarship options.
• Stay focused on your schoolwork and take the most difficult classes you can handle. • Take career interest assessments and determine the education needed for careers that interest you. • Participate in extracurricular activities. • Volunteer in the community.
December-February • Apply to four or more colleges that interest you. Some may have earlier or later deadlines. (Make copies of each application.) • Attend a financial aid event if you haven’t already done so. Review a copy of Paying for College. • Apply for scholarships offered by the colleges to which you have applied. • Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. You and your parents will need the previous year’s income tax information to complete the it. • Review you Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy.
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Black Women In History
Dorothy Counts
Photographer Douglas Martin won the 1957 World Press Photo of the Year with this image of Counts being mocked by a crowd on her first day of school.
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January/February 2018
Scoggins
Black Women In History
One of the first African-American students admitted into Harding University High School in Charlotte, NC
1956: 40 black students applied for transfers at a white school after the passing of the Pearsall Plan in North Carolina 1957: At 15 years of age, Counts was one of the four black students enrolled at allwhite schools in the district (Harding High School) Harassment started when the wife of John Z. Warlick, the leader of the White Citizens Council, urged the boys to "keep her out" and at the same time, implored the girls to spit on her, saying, "spit on her, girls, spit on her." Dorothy walked by without reacting, but told the press that many people threw rocks at her—most of which landed in front of her feet—and that many spat on her back. More abuse followed that day. She had trash thrown at her while eating her dinner and the teachers ignored her. The following day, she befriended two white girls, but they soon drew back because of harassment from other classmates. Her family received threatening phone calls and after four days of extensive harassment, which included a smashed car and having her locker ransacked, her father decided to take his daughter out of the school. The family moved to Pennsylvania, where Counts attended an integrated school in Philadelphia, and later earned a degree from Johnson C. Smith University. She has spent her professional career in child care resources. 2008: Harding High School awarded Counts an honorary diploma 2010: Counts received a public apology from a member of the crowd which harassed her in 1957 2010: Harding High School renamed its library in honor of Counts-Scoggins, an honor rarely bestowed upon living persons. January/February 2018
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