I'd like to let you know that the Summer issue of Ms. just about to hit the newsstands features my Backtalk column entitled "No More Penny Pinching," which says it's high time Congress helped close the wage gap between women and men.

"Twenty-two cents is being pinched from every dollar a woman earns," I note, "even when she has the same qualifications as her male counterpart. By the time the average woman has worked 40 years, the gender gap will have robbed her of $1 millioneven more if she is a black woman."

The cover story in the new issue of Ms. is an intriguing look at how moms are going political in cyberspace, sharing on their "mommyblogs" not just the details of daily life but how moms can actively organize around critical public policy issues that directly impact their families. The Summer issue also takes a hard-hitting looks at two war zones, Iraq and Afghanistan, and how women in those countries are fighting for their rights and their lives.

Additionally, Ms. includes an analysis of how the new credit card law will affect women, the difference a Latina woman will make on the Supreme Court, a touching tribute to murdered abortion provider Dr. George Tiller and a remembrance of Marilyn French, author of the feminist classic The Womens Room.

Ms. helps us to become effectively pro-active (instead of merely playing defense) about whats going on in the world, encouraging us to use positive energy to move forward. Look for the Summer issue on newsstands or, even better, join the Ms. community at http://store.msmagazine.com and have the new issue delivered right to your door.