Thursday, March 31, 2011

Women's History Month: NEW QUIZ--USCIS 100 Questions: Civics

NEW QUIZ: Women and USCIS 100 Questions: Civics

White House Forum Commemorating Women's History Month



wh.gov: White House Forum Commemorating Women's History Month

The White House is hosts an event commemorating Women's History Month and the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Freaturing remarks by Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, and Senior Advisor to the President, Valerie Jarrett, and a panel discussion of women workers telling their stories of attempts to organize a union in their workplaces. March 28, 2011.

Women's History Month: Announcement

Announcement--I am trying to write several multiple choice quizzes that prefaces every USCIS question with info about US Women. Here are some of the questions. Look for the quizzes and podcasts next week. Thanks for your patience.
--Teacher Jennifer

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:55. Participaton in Democracy and Eunice Kennedy Shriver

The American Woman: Civic Affairs, Education, Arts & Industry

USCIS 100:55. Eunice Kennedy Shriver came from a powerful political family, but she never ran for office. She used her influence to start the Special Olympics and to campaign for the Democratic Party. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper

VOA Learning English News: Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1921-2009: She Changed the World for People With Mental Disabilities

A member of one of America’s most famous families, she created the Special Olympics.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:48. Voting Amendments and Alice Paul

USCIS 100:48. Alice Paul led the final campaign to pass the Nineteenth Amendment (1920). There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

▪ Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
▪ A male citizen of any race (can vote).

Monday, March 28, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:47. Speaker of the House and Nancy Pelosi

Congresswoman Pelosi has five grown children and seven grandchildren.

USCIS 100:47. Nancy Pelosi was the first female Speaker of the House. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

▪ John Boehner

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:43. State Governor, Soledad Chávez Chacón, and Susana Martinez

USCIS 100:43. Soledad Chávez Chacón of New Mexico was first woman to act as governor (1924). Susana Martinez is the current Governor of New Mexico (2011- ). Who is the Governor of your state now?

▪Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.]

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:39. the Supreme Court and Sonia Sotomayor

USCIS 100:39. Sonia Sotomayor is the Supreme Court's 111th justice, its first Hispanic-American justice, and its third female justice. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

▪ nine (9)

VOANews: Sotomayor Sworn in as First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice

Sonia Sotomayor is third woman justice, and first justice appointed by President Barack Obama (videos)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Women's History Month: N-400-6B, Labor, and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

N-400 Part 6B. Where have you worked (or, if you were a student, what schools did you attend) during the last five years? Include military service. Begin with your current or latest employer and then list every place you have worked or studied for the last five years.



VOAVideo: A Century After Triangle Fire, Labor Struggles Remain

On March 25, 1911, 146 people died when fire swept through an overcrowded New York City garment factory. The victims were mostly young immigrant women. The so-called Triangle fire fueled public outrage over unsafe and unfair working conditions, which had already been at the center of a bitter struggle between labor and management. A century later, the battle is not over for many workers.

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

▪ New Year’s Day
▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
▪ Presidents’ Day
▪ Memorial Day
▪ Independence Day
▪ Labor Day
▪ Columbus Day
▪ Veterans Day
▪ Thanksgiving
▪ Christmas

N-400 Practice from USCitizenPod

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:38. the Supreme Court and Sandra Day O'Connor


USCIS 100:38. Sandra Day O'Connor was the first female member of the highest court in the United States. What is the highest court in the United States?

▪ the Supreme Court

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Women's History Month: the Cabinet, Hillary Clinton, and Janet Napolitano


USCIS 100:36. Several women serve in President Obama’s cabinet, notably: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano (2009- ). What are two Cabinet-level positions?

▪ Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of the Interior
▪ Secretary of Labor
▪ Secretary of State▪ Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of the Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:29 the Vice-Presidency and Geraldine Ferraro


UPDATED 3/26/2011: VOANews: Geraldine Ferraro, US Political Pioneer, Dies at 75 She was the first American woman to run for national office on a major political party's ticket

USCIS 100:29. Geraldine Ferraro was the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party (1984). What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? ▪ Joseph R. Biden, Jr. ▪ Joe Biden ▪ Biden

Monday, March 21, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:28 the Presidency and Victoria Woodhull


USCIS 100:28. Victoria Woodhull was the first woman presidential candidate in the United States (1872). What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

▪ Barack Obama
▪ Obama

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:20 Carol Moseley Braun and the Senate

USCIS 100:20.
Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois was the first African-American woman elected to the Senate (1992-1999). Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
▪Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]

▪Check www.senate.gov/ for the name of your U.S. Senator.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:19 Hattie Wyatt Caraway and the Senate


USCIS 100:19. Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas was the first woman elected to the US Senate (1932). We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

▪ six (6)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:18 1992--The Year of the Woman and the US Sentate

Top Row Sen. Patty Murray D-WA, Sen. Barbara Mikulski D-MD, Sen. Barbara Boxer D-CA
Bottom Row: Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun D-IL, Sen. Diane Feinstein D-CA

USCIS 100:18. People called 1992, “The Year of the Woman,” because five women were elected to the U.S. Senate. How many U.S. Senators are there?

▪ one hundred (100)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:17 Margaret Chase Smith and the two parts of Congress


USCIS 100:17. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine was the first woman elected to both parts of Congress (1940-1973). What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:11 Madam C.J. Walker, Oprah, and the American Economic System


USCIS 100:11. Madam C.J. Walker was an African-American businesswoman who became America’s first self-made millionaire (1919). Oprah Winfrey is an African-American television host, philanthropist, and the richest self-made woman in America (2007). What is the economic system in the United States?*

▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy

Monday, March 14, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:10 Anne Hutchison and Freedom of Religion


USCIS 100:10. Anne Hutchison led Bible studies for women and men. The Pilgrims kicked her out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for not obeying their religious leaders. She co-founded Rhode Island, which supported religious freedom (1638). What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:09 Declaration of Sentiments and the Declaration of Independence


USCIS 100:09. Elizabeth Cady Stanton based the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments on the Declaration of Independence. She wrote: “all men and women are created equal [and] are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights” (1848). What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Women's History Month: USCIS 100:08 Seneca Falls and the Declaration of Independence

source: JerseyRoadFan
USCIS 100:08. When American women were excluded from the first World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London, they met at the Seneca Falls Convention to talk about women’s rights (1848). What did the Declaration of Independence do?

▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

Friday, March 11, 2011

Weekly Address: Women's History Month & Fair Pay



wh.gove: Weekly Address: Women's History Month & Fair Pay

The President pays homage to former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, commends the great strides that have been made to create a more equal American society, and reaffirms his resolve to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Clinton: US to Push for Women's Rights in New Mideast Democracies



VOAVideo: Clinton: US to Push for Women's Rights in New Mideast Democracies

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the United States will 'stand firm' for women's empowerment as new democracies take shape in the Middle East. Clinton spoke at a State Department event honoring women from 10 countries for advocacy on women's issues.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The First Lady on International Women's Day



WH.gov: The First Lady on International Women's Day First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day and Women's History Month Celebration. March 8, 2011.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Secretary Clinton Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day



state.gov: Secretary Clinton Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers a message highlighting the celebration of the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day on March 8, 2011, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. [Go to http://www.state.gov/video for more video and text transcript.]

Women's History Month: Women's Rights ARE Human's Rights!

Happy International Women's Day!

USIS 100:09. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?



In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence which was the first document to talk about the rights of Americans.

In 1948, Eleanor Roosevelt and members of the United Nations wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which protects the rights of all human beings.

Inspired by the work of Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Rodham Clinton, then the First Lady of the United States, spoke to the UN 4th Conference on Women on September 5, 1995 in Beijing, China. She boldly proclaimed "Women's Rights ARE Human's Rights!" uniting the delegates and NGO representatives to work on behalf of all women and girls.

I attended the UN conference in Beijing and Huairou as part of the IGC internet support team and daily posted reports on my listervs BEIJING95-L and BEIJING95-WOMEN.

I will never, ever forget my teammates, the conference attendees, the hospitality of the Chinese governement, and the POWER of Hillary's speech.

USIS 100:09. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

  • life
  • liberty
  • pursuit of happiness

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast:

Monday, March 7, 2011

Women's History Month: Công dân Hoa Kỳ mới Mai Trang



uscitizenpod: New US Citizen Maitrang Doan

Milpitas Adult School student, Maitrang Doan (formerly of Vietnam and Korea) talks about her US Citizenship Interview on Thursday, March 4, 2011. Congratulations!



uscitizenpod: Công dân Hoa Kỳ mới Mai Trang

Công dân Hoa Kỳ mới Mai Trang nói về quyền công dân phỏng vấn cô.
(New United States Citizen Mai Trang talks about her Citizenship Interview. You can watch her English video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtpjlATfl_4)

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Women's History Month: Hillary Rodham Clinton

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Vice President Biden swears in Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Joining Secretary Clinton is her husband, former President Bill Clinton,
their daughter Chelsea Clinton, & the Secretary's mother Dorothy Rodham.


Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26, 1947) is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama.

As the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President's foreign policies through the State Department and the Foreign Service of the United States.

Hillary Clinton was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009.

In the 2008 election, Hillary Clinton was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she served as First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Hillary also served as the First Lady of Arkansas when Bill was Governor of the state. She previously worked as a law professor and a lawyer specializing in children advocacy.

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

  • Secretary of Agriculture
  • Secretary of Commerce
  • Secretary of Defense
  • Secretary of Education
  • Secretary of Energy
  • Secretary of Health and Human Services
  • Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
  • Secretary of the Interior
  • Secretary of Labor
  • Secretary of State
  • Secretary of Transportation
  • Secretary of the Treasury
  • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
  • Attorney General
  • Vice President

LISTEN TO US CITIZENSHIP PODCAST:

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Women's History Month: Shirley Chisholm of New York

USCIS 100:21. The House of Representatives
has how many voting members?

Congresswoman Shirley Chihsolm: UNBOUGHT AND UNBOSSED!

Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was US a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District from 1969 to 1983.

In 1968, she became the first African-American woman elected to Congress. She supported education, health care, social services, and reductions in military spending.

Shirley Chisholm hired only women for her office staff. Chisholm said that during her political career, she faced much more discrimination because she was a woman.

Shirley Chisholm created controversy when she visited George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama, in the hospital soon after his shooting in May 1972. Although they had opposite political views, Wallace deeply appreciated her kindness.

Several years later, when Congresswoman Chisholm worked on a bill to give domestic workers the right to a minimum wage, Governor Wallace helped get the votes of enough Southern congressmen to pass Chisholm's bill.

Shirley Chishom will always be remembered as "Unbought and Unbossed."


21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
  • four hundred thirty-five (435)

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

*NEW* VOA Learning English: Shirley Chisholm, 1924-2005: The First Black Woman Elected to the U.S. Congress (03/20/11)

She was an activist who worked to improve the lives of others PEOPLE IN AMERICA (download mp3)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Women's History Month: Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink of Hawaii

USCIS 100:22. We elect a U.S. Representative
for how many years?

PATSY MINK: Ahead of the Majority

Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink (Japanese: パッツィー・T・ミンク; December 6, 1927–September 28, 2002) was the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress.

Mink served in the U.S. House of Representatives for a total of 12 terms, representing Hawaii's first and second congressional districts. She also was the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.

In 1972, Congresswoman Mink wrote the Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act, which guaranteed equal opportunity for both men and women in education and school sports.

For more info about influence of Patsy Mink and Title IX, see

USCIS 100:22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

  • two (2)

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Women's History Month: Jeannette Rankin of Montana

USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.

Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin speaks out for women's right to vote.

On March 3, 1917, Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman to be elected to the United States House of Representatives and the first female member of the Congress. Because she loved peace and hated war, she voted against the entry of the United States into both World War I and World War II.

On Feb. 23, 2009 Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) introduced H. R. 1124: Honoring Female Pioneers Act that creates a U.S. postage stamp honoring four female Congressional pioneers: Jeannette Rankin (R-MT), Mary Teresa Norton (D-NJ), Patsy Mink (D-HI), and Shirley Chisholm (D-NY). The bill is awaiting a commitee vote. Thanks to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur for honoring out political foremothers!

USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.

  • Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.]
  • Check www.house.gov/ for the name of your US Representative.
  • Also see USPS Zip+4.

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Women's History Month: Eleanor Roosevelt

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast
mp3: Eleanor Roosevelt and the United Nations


a special 4-part online exhibit from Arago,
the Smithsonian Postal Museum--AMAZING!


VOANews: Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962: She Was the Most Influential Wife of Any American President

On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: She became one of the most important people in America. She fought for equal rights for all people -- workers, women, poor people, black people. And she sought peace among nations. 20 September 2008



VOAVideo: First Lady's Role Shaped by Tradition and the Individual

ESL Discussions: United Nations

  • How has the United Nations changed the world?


USCIS 96:90 Name of the purposes of the United Nations.

  • For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems or to provide economic aid to many countries

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Women's History Month

USCIS 100:77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?


National Women's History Project (NWHP) teaches people about the important activites of women. NWHP sponsors Women's History Month. This year's theme is Our History is Our Strength .


USCIS 100:77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

  • fought for women’s rights
  • fought for civil rights

LISTEN to US Citizenzenship Podcast: