What Do You Wear That Makes You Feel Powerful?

Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki asked this question to nearly 600 women in 15 states, reports National Public Radio (NPR). Their findings are compiled in the new book, Trappings: Stories of Women, Power and Clothing. Ludwig and Piechocki told NPR they were surprised at the number of women who were immediately revealing, saying their power attire included everything from a "yes dress" (a slinky number that got a businesswoman the answer she wanted) to a lab coat, head wrap and tattoo. Read how to be fashionable but not flashy on the job. Also, do you have a favorite work outfit? Tell us what it is and why.

Michelle Obama: Asset or Liability?

She's talked openly about her husband's stinky morning breath and said that his candidacy marks the first time in her adult life that she is truly proud of her country. Such comments have made people ask if Michelle Obama is an asset or liability to Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy, reports NPR. Black women interviewed by NPR said they thought Michelle would not be such a controversial figure if she were not only smaller but if her skin were lighter. However, they said it is to Barack's credit that he married a Black woman who is highly educated, opinionated and "obviously Black." Read who Michelle Obama really is.

Disney Trades Lilo for Hanako in Japanese Version of 'Lilo & Stitch'

The animated film "Lilo & Stitch" will debut on Japanese television soon, but without its original lead the Hawaiian orphan Lilo. In Lilo's stead will stand Hanako, who lives on a tropical island in Okinawa, reports The Wall Street Journal. Changing the lead character is Disney's effort to make the Japanese television version culturally relevant to a Japanese audience. Disney will hire Japanese-animation companies to produce content for the local market, a change from when it simply exported all-American icons such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, reports The Wall Street Journal. "Matching content to the market is an absolute must," Paul Candland, president of Walt Disney Japan, said in a statement. Read about the Black-woman's market and check out the July/Aug. 2007 issue of DiversityInc magazine, all about multicultural marketing.

Free Tuition Not Enough to Boost Campus Diversity

Stanford University may have followed Harvard University's lead when it announced it would provide free tuition for students whose parents earn less than $100,000 annually, but CampusProgress.org argues that is not enough to boost campus diversity.

CampusProgress advocates the following:

• Robust affirmative action programs need to be coupled with efforts to make up the preparation gap. We need to both admit students and prepare them to succeed.
• A broad definition of diversity that goes beyond race, gender and class alone.
• Break tribalism inherent in student groups by having each student group that receives school funds to submit a "diversity plan" explaining how they will attract different students.
• Set up a "visiting leaders program" whose major purpose is to enhance the undergraduate experience--perhaps with both an open seminar and a personalized advising program where interested students can meet with a diverse group of people from the outside world?

Read why affirmative action is being threatened in five states.

Merrill Lynch Drops Subprime Mortgages

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