your used books to help others learn new skills. Virginia Social Ventures (VSV), a nonprofit organization, offers Spotlight Books, a program that helps people with employment barriers. They teach the computer skills needed to sell donated books, movies, and music on the Internet. Green Alternatives in Norfolk is a book drop-off location. Learn more at vsventures.org.­­

important developments that affect reproductive health and family planning. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia offers a new website that includes in-depth information on sexually transmitted infections, contraception, pregnancy and women’s health issues. To find out more about their health centers and planning services, visit ppsev.org. 

your cause or charity, then give. Select an organization and click goodsearch.com. Earn pennies that quickly add up to big dollars. If 1,000 supporters of an organization visit a website twice a day, the charity earns $7,300 annually. 

conflicts through mediation. The Community Mediation Center of Southeastern Virginia (CMC) offers a “Two Parents, Two Homes: Cooperative Co-Parenting” class the first Saturday and third Tuesday of every month. Register at conflictcrushers.org or call 757.480.2777. 

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 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.