Updates & News
This month we are celebrating 2 years together and it really does feel like a plan we have been working on for a long time is starting to take shape. Thank you to everyone that has been along for the journey. To those who are just joining, Welcome! We can’t wait to hear your ideas on how to make science more open, inclusive and accessible. Happy Weekend!
Finding the time and means to meet your pod during busy weeks can feel like a burden. But we all know how great a good network or action oriented meeting can be, and that meeting often brings us motivation. The Chicago pod, undeterred by the traffic and chaos of the big city, has figured out a way to keep their pod momentum going, growing to over 145 members online!
This week, we celebrate our 2 year anniversary and our 100th Take Action post!! Our official first Take Action post was on December 8, 2016 and in the 99 subsequent weekly posts, we have called on our members to call their elected representatives, prompted actions to support immigrants, to defend healthcare and funding for science, to fight against discrimination and harassment, and to take action in our communities to push for inclusion and equity.
We were thrilled to see so many women elected this week (116!). With those victories came so many firsts across states and districts- first Native American women, first black women , first muslim women, first LGBTQ, the list goes on. Still, our work does not start or end with one political defeat or victory, and we know that this is only one step. You all, our community, and the women elected this week inspire us to keep working for change. Enjoy the weekend friends.
Today is election day in the United States. Who we elect today will lead our action - or inaction - on climate change, reproductive rights, immigration policy, and countless other consequential societal challenges. We cast our votes knowing that this is both an essential responsibility and a privilege.
This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Alex Phillips, a graduate student in organic geochemistry at Caltech and the founder of the Instagram account @women.doing.science. The account features women in STEM fields sharing their research stories, as they change the idea of what a scientist looks like. In addition to following their stories on Instagram, you can find them on Facebook and Twitter.
With regard to social justice, October did not go well. We have been busy pushing back, and meanwhile let’s use today - Dia de las Muertos - to mark a new day and refresh our energy. As Dr Zuleyka Zevallos, an applied sociologist highlights in her blog “ ‘The concept of resistance is an important cultural/ political aspect of Día de los Muertos.’” She suggests watching this film to better grasp this holiday based on post-colonialsim and celebrating life. Just 4 more days until we vote in the USA. #GOTV!
This week on #MeetAScientist get to know Dr. Diana de la Iglesia is a bioinformatician working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cancer research. She’s also one of the Pod coordinators of 500 Women Scientists Madrid. Along with three fellow women scientists—Ana Isabel Gozález, María de la Fuente, and Carmen Agustín—she co-organized the #oCientificaoMadre ( #ScientistorMother) campaign to raise visibility around the challenges that come with being a scientist and a mother. Here, she talks about her work, the success of the campaign, and her ideas for the Madrid Pod.
Tomorrow the Tucson pod is helping us host our 4th board meeting. Every 6 months we meet with our leadership and advisory board members, assess our progress from the last year and identity plans for the upcoming year. Because almost all our communication happens via conference calls, slack, and emails, this is a special opportunity for the board to meet face to face. These meetings and our progress in the last 2 years would not be possible without the generous donations of our supporters and subscribers, so thank you!
This last week we have been focusing our effort on amplifying the awesome work of our #sistersinSTEM. If you haven’t yet, check out #MeTooSTEM and consider donating to their efforts. At the same time, Science-a-Thon is in full swing; follow the #DayofScience hashtag to see what everyone is up to. Let us know what else you are up to, we love getting your messages! Enjoy the weekend.
New (amazing) 500WS shirts are available! Get yours today.
Everything you need for the midterms. #500WSVotes
A clothing apparel line for women scientists #meetascientist
October is the best month for a flu shot.
Need ideas for your next pod meeting? #podoftheweek
Communication in art and science.
Follow Friday: @MeTooSTEM, @KeoluFox, @FaithOsier
Overcoming decades of mistrust.
Guerilla Science Conference 2018, NYC.
Comment on candidates for EPA Sci Board.
Give the public the tools to trust scientists.
Paths to success for African scientists.
This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Dr. Beau Wangtrakuldee, a medicinal chemist and founder of AmorSui, a clothing apparel line for women scientists. Beau shares how she was inspired to start the line with evidence-based design practices and what drives the work she does today.
500 Women Scientists is on its way to becoming a powerful organization representing the voices of tens of thousands of women scientists all over the globe. With your gift we can pay for the vital infrastructure we need. Plus, your donations help keep 500WS resources free and open, one less barrier to women in science.
