inspired by Miss Landmine. The pageant celebrates women who have survived landmine explosions, promoting pride and empowerment in beauty, disability, and global awareness. Go to www.miss-landmine.org for photos and news, Miss Landmine t-shirt profits from www.greerchicago.com go to the project.

your panties for peace. Burmese women have endured rape and systemic sexual violence at the hands of the military. The Panties for Peace campaign, launched by women in Burma, plays on regime leaders’ superstitious fear that contact with a woman’s underpants will rob them of their power. Women around the world are asked to post their panties to local Burmese embassies. Find addresses at www.pantiesforpeace.info.

Women WIN by supporting the Women’s Information Network. This nonprofit organization helps pro-choice, Democratic women succeed in Washington by providing them with important opportunities for networking and jobs. By visiting www.winonline.org, you can donate to or learn more about this organization and be one of the many women helping other women make a political difference!

the Pro-Choice Education Project. This summer, twenty ladies are pedaling from New Orleans to New York City on the PCEP’s Wanderlust Bike Tour to hear and document women’s stories of defending and promoting reproductive justice. Support the tour by donating funds or items from the tour’s wish list online at www.protectchoice.org.

your kids from harmful halogenated fire retardants. According to Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org), 56% of all infant carriers, 44% of all car seats, 40% of all strollers and 19% of all portable cribs were found to have high levels of halogenated fire retardants, which have been linked health problems as serious as cancer. Join www.momsrising.org in a petition to get Graco, a huge manufacturer of products like these, to stop using halogenated fire retardants in their products.

it out. Join this movement of those who believe that change begins with opening your arms towards others. For information about creating a movement in your area, visit freehugscampaign.org.

into shape with a new-to-Birmingham form of fitness. New moms can socialize, spend time with their little ones and get in a great workout, all at the same time! Check out strollerstrides.net/birminghamfor meeting locations and class registration information.

purple by holding a purple fundraiser of your choice to inform your community of the problems of child abuse and youth homelessness. Raise funds to educate our children to speak out against abuse and meet the needs of youth on the streets. standupforkids.org/local/Alabama

up by helping to rekindle the Dress for Success program in Birmingham, dressing women up for job interviews that will allow them to get back on their feet. The program cannot start up without the help of volunteers. Contact startup@dressforsuccess.org or go to dressforsuccess.org for more information.

in time with the Hueytown Stitch ‘n Stuff Quilitng Guild. New members are welcome any time as the group makes quilts and baby blankets for the Women’s Cancer Center at UAB.  July 31 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at the Hueytown Library.