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Legendary Women, Inc. was able to speak with two outspoken bloggers and activists about the way people were discussing the measles outbreak, the misinformation of the anti-vaccine movement, and the demonization of the autistic community in the middle. In part one, we spoke with Squidalicious writer and The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism co-founder, Shannon de Roches Rosa. In a few days, we’ll be posting part two of this piece with Sara Kurchak.

Text4baby is a free mobile information service designed to promote maternal and child health. An educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby provides pregnant women and new moms with information they need to take care of their health and give their babies the best possible start in life. Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 will receive free SMS text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth.

What:Is Asperger's syndrome really less common in girls and women, or are females just better than males at masking autistic symptoms? Rudy Simone, a San Francisco singer, writer and stand-up comic, didn't learn that she was on the autism spectrum until her mid-40s. Simone has Asperger's syndrome - a high-functioning form of autism that leads to social problems but no intellectual disabilities - which, like all forms of autism, appear much more commonly in boys than in girls. Ten times more men are believed to reside on the spectrum than women. But some experts think the real prevalence of Asperger's in girls may be much higher than believed, because girls tend to be far better than boys at concealing its symptoms, masking social problems and hiding the repetitive behaviors often associated with autism. So, many women go undiagnosed until middle age, along the way given other labels and therapies that do not address their real issues. To help make up for the lack of resources available to girls with Asperger's and their families, Simone wrote Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger's Syndrome. Healthland spoke with her recently. Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/27/mind-reading-a-qa-with-the-author-of-aspergirls/#ixzz1hl7AHuDt Ms. Simone will be speaking in Montana this spring. More details will be provided in mid-March. All of her appearances will free and open to the public. Where and When:Billings (CEC Conference) - April 25, 2012Helena - April 26, 2012 Missoula - April 27, 2012Kalispell - April 28, 2012Contact: Doug Doty, Coordinator Website: www.opi.mt.gov/autism/maep Phone: (406) 444-0907

“The Road to Miss America,” is what ABC’s 20/20 television show is calling their Jan. 12 program about the women of the upcoming 2013 Miss America pageant. Eleven women will be featured, including Cut Bank’s own Alexis Wineman, who is representing Montana at this year’s Miss America competition.

"I was so naive, with no experience with anyone with Down syndrome," she said. "I got a huge education about that later."

Click here to apply for MYLF!What:MYLF (pronounced “my life”) is a unique career and leadership training program for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with disabilities. By serving as delegates from their communities, youth with disabilities will cultivate leadership, citizenship, and social skills.Delegates gain access to vital resources related to assistive technology, community support, and self-advocacy. Successful men and women with disabilities serve as role models in helping youth realize their abilities and obligations to pursue meaningful employment and contribute to society. This educational and motivational forum involves an intense schedule. Throughout the training, small "working groups" explore personal leadership and career plans.When:July 16-20, 2012Where:Helena, MontanaContact:June Hermanson Phone: (406)442-2576 mylfjuneh@bresnan.net

Some of this year's workshops include: Writing, Bollywod Dancing, Understanding Money, Dance NIA, DIY Fashion, International Culture, Intro to College, Japanese Drumming, Taekwondo, Personality Exploration, Sustainable Energy, Cooking and more!What:Keynote speaker and President of Montana State University, Dr. Waded Cruzado is the first woman and first minority to serve as a university president in the state of Montana. Her commitment to teaching and volunteer service is certain to be an inspiration for all Montana girls. History of GFAC:Girls for a Change is a grass-roots initiative designed to empower girls to embrace their future--confident in their individuality, supported by friends, parents and mentors, and secure in their ability to lead and achieve self-sufficiency, fulfillment, balance and success. Founded in 1997 by sixteen girls and their female mentors, Girls for a Change (GFAC) is a signature program of Thrive devoted to supporting and encouraging the successful development of girls.GFAC Activities:Each year GFAC plans an annual conference, does one local and one international community service project, participates and facilitates workshops and attends a retreat. GFAC participants also meet and facilitate activities with international visitors resulting in an ongoing dialogue about girls' and womens' issues in different cultures. Outcomes of GFAC:Girls feel confident about themselves and their ability to succeed--Girls gain public speaking skills--Girls are empowered to accomplish their goals and dreams--Girls learn what strengths they already possess and how to build on those strengths--Girls learn that there are all different kinds of beauty--Girls gain exposure to other girls from different social, cultural and international backgrounds--Girls learn to work together as a team. When:Saturday, February 25, 2012 Where:MSU Strand Union BuildingBozeman, MTContact:Email: gfac@allthrive.orgPhone: (406)587-3840Website: allthrive.org

Every week we feature some of the best blog posts that provide resources to families of children with special needs. This week we have great posts about winter break activities, adaptive bikes, making therapy sessions better, resources for women with disabilities and much more. Check them out and share some of your own resources in the comment section.

This six-part webinar series, Girls Matter, provides research, best practice and critical thinking on the topics that professionals working with girls and young women must know. Each session addresses a key area of what matters to adolescent girls today—including challenges, opportunities, and strategies for supporting girls. SAMHSA has created this webinar series to: Increase the behavioral health workforce’s understanding of the needs and concerns of adolescent girls (primarily ages 12-18) Bring visibility and attention to the specific behavioral health concerns of adolescent girls

Women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome are happiest when they were prepared for the news and provided as much information as possible, new research finds.

The trio of young women clasped their hands, bowed their heads and prayed before taking center stage as one of the closing acts of the three-day Montana State Conference on Mental Illness in Billings. One is a 17-year-old flutist in the Helena High School Band and member of the National Honor Society. One is a 16-year-old singer, dancer and cheerleader. One is a 17-year-old rock climber and No. 1 doubles varsity tennis player. And, each has a mental illness.