Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week: Benazir Bhutto

Well, you might have seen this one coming. Benazir Bhutto is the opposition leader to President Musharraf in Pakistan. She is, as of today, under house arrest in the mess going on over there.

Here's a brief bio from the NYT:

The daughter of a prime minister who was ousted and hanged by the Pakistani military, Benazir Bhutto became the first woman leader of an Islamic country when she became prime minister in 1988 at the age of 35. She served a total of six years in office before being dismissed in 1996 amid widespread charges of corruption against herself and her husband. Since then she has lived abroad.

In the summer of 2007, her associates said that talks had begun -- with the encouragement of Bush administration officials -- with the country's current ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, for a power-sharing arrangement after presidential elections in October. Ms. Bhutto is seen as more favorably inclined to the United States than other potential coalition partners for General Musharraf, whose power has ebbed. No formal deal was reached, but Ms. Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party, announced plans to return to Pakistan to participate in the campaign.— Oct. 3, 2007

Now under house arrest, her popularity seems to be rising to greater heights. Under house arrest, Bhutto appears to have become a Pakistani martyr.

Bhutto twice tried to leave in her car on Friday, telling police: "Do not raise hands on women. You are Muslims. This is un-Islamic." They responded by blocking her way with an armored vehicle.

So for her fearless political views and outspoken opposition to the current regime, Ms. Bhutto is this week's Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week. Congrats. The gift pack (which I'm beginning to think will never be provided by Degree) will help out when you get out of house arrest. (It'd probably be useful now, but how would we get it there?)

Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week Award: Moira Cameron

London saw it's first female Beefeater this past week. Why is she so cool?

Moira Cameron, 42, from Argyll became the first female Yeoman Warder in the guards' 522-year history after beating five men to win the coveted position to the famous ceremonial guard.

Cameron joined the army at the age of 16 and spent the mandatory 22 years serving in the forces to become eligible for the post.

She's spent 22 years waiting for this and she finally got it. Hellz yes...get to it.

What does a Beefeater do? Not sure...they have 21 ceremonies they perform each day and give tours from what I gather.

Nevertheless, thank you Moira for blazing trails yet to be blazed. You are this week's Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week. Your gift basket is waiting with Jenny's, Roz's, Marianne's and Venus's. And mine for that matter.

Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week Award: Roz Savage

I've been fairly lazy with my Degree Awards these past few weeks. There's been good reason that I won't go into here, but I haven't abandoned the tradition.

Thanks to Moxie for sending me the bio on Roz Savage. This woman rowed-rowed-rowed her boat all the way across the Atlantic and plans to do the same across the Pacific. Amazing. Her website tracks the whole thing. Talk about a fearless woman!

In fact, Ms. Savage just took off on her Pacific trip yesterday. So you can start from the beginning. Brilliant.

For her entrepreneurial spirit and fearless voyaging, Roz Savage is the Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week Award Recipient for the week of August 5-11, 2007. Bon voyage and safe travels Roz! Your prize pack will be en route as soon as Degree gives up the goods.

And as for you, Degree...a prize pack for my recipients might speed up the regularity of this process. Just a suggestion.

Degree Ultra Clear is the Best.

Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week Award: Marianne Pearl

Better late than never, right?

So I was inspired to highlight one woman's consistent action against those responsible for her husband's death: Marianne Pearl. Last week, Pearl filed suit against Al Qaeda in US District Court in New York seeking to have some accountancy for her husband's death.

This woman is making some really brave moves and I love it. You know Al Qaeda just hates a woman in charge. And they probably hate her even more than most. And for that she's this past week's Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week.

So Congrats, Marianne Pearl. You are the Degree Fired Up Lady of the Week for the third week of July 2007. Your prize pack, along with my corporate sponsorship, is forthcoming. Brought to you by Degree Ultra Clear for Womn.

No Fired Up Lady Last Week--I know

So for lack of a better reason, I just wasn't moved last week to have a Fired Up Lady of the Week. Now you may say, "Gee...it's only the 3rd week and already we skipped?" I thought the same thing. But upon further contemplation, the Award is meant to be given to someone who actually gets fired up or accomplishes something big. And I wasn't particularly moved by anything last week. I'm sure some ladies did great things...but I just wasn't impressed by anything in particular.

So the spot is vacant for last week. It's not an oversight. It's just the way it is.

Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week Award: Venus Williams

Venus Williams, after being seeded low in this year's battle at Wimbeldon has shown them all by making the finals for a sixth, yes sixth, time. Not to mention she's my favorite of the Williams sisters. I don't know why...just is.

So congrats, Venus. You have not only succeeded to make the final round at the world's most prestigious tennis event, but you are also this week's Degree for Women Fired Up Lady of the Week. As was true with last week's winner, Jennifer Granholm, you will be receiving your prize pack when Degree decides to step up to the plate and give me some corporate sponsorship.

Degree for Women's Fired Up Lady of the Week Award: Jennifer Granholm

Now, I've been dogging her a bit lately because of the back and forth with the state legislature, but now she's my girl. Not only did she tell the legislature to give back 5% of their pay she told them to stop whining and not to take their vacation and get shit done.

That's why Gov. Jennifer Granholm is this week's Degree for Women Fired Up Lady of the Week. Congrats. When I actually get corporate sponsorship for this award, I will be sending out a sample pack of Degree for Women to the award recipient. Jenny From the Block--you'll have to wait. (If anyone has a connection with Degree, let me know. Their ultra clear rocks my world.)