500 Women 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.

This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Jewel Lipps, a graduate student in ecology and a member of the 500 Women Scientists leadership team. Jewel is currently leading our 500 Women Scientists Vote campaign geared towards getting out the vote leading up to the consequential 2018 midterm elections. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on the intersection of biodiversity and social justice and what keeps her motivated to keep organizing and pushing for change.

I can’t decide about this week.. on the one hand I (probably like many of you) spent a bit of time screaming at the internet about the sexism and misogyny that is deeply rooted in society. On the other hand, women were awarded the noble prize both in physics AND chemistry! If, like me, you aren’t sure where to put your energy, here are some ideas: sign up for the Science-a-Thon, join Black Fridays, or become a 500WS subscriber.

Last week was rough. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a research psychologist at the University of Palo Alto in California, bravely gave testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee recounting assault by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and his high school friend Mark Judge. Here are some actions you can take to support Dr. Ford and all survivors of sexual assault.

To everyone who was watching and reading about the senate hearings yesterday, these events can be triggering to many and know that we are with you. Check out our resources and read the NAS report on sexual harassment if you want to understand the depth of the problems and some of the solutions we recommend to transform scientific institutions. Find your support group today, take a break, give yourself a hug, and as always we are here - just send us a message.

Meet the Moab Pod: Our advice to new pods is to make sure all you take on is sustainable and focus on the needs of your community and region -- delegate, pace your projects, check-in with your members, work for each other, and have fun with it.  Anyone who is coming through Moab who wants to meet up, reach out! We’d love to meet you!

This year, 500 Women Scientists is partnering with Science-A-Thon (October 15-19th)—a week-long, international, social media campaign to change how science and scientists are seen in the public sphere. Ever wonder what a seismologist does? Or what the day looks like for a TV meteorologist? All week, scientists—from academia to industry—will be posting pictures on social media of the work they do and raising funds to support women across the globe in the Earth Sciences.

This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Dr. Okim Kang, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at North Arizona University. Her research centers on linguistic stereotyping, and she was recently interviewed about her work on NPR’s Code Switch. She shares how her interest in the field began and why we need to be raising awareness and having conversations around language bias.

Well the seasons have changed. What do you do to mark the passage of time, whether seasons, or months or weeks? I wrote a haiku for the transition:

Seasons have changed. I can smell it in the air. Fall, I’ve been waiting.

Enjoy the weekend, be creative and refresh your body for next week.

The U.S. General Election is November 6th, 2018. Last week was the last primary* election in the United States, which means we are now well into the general election season. When I voted in my state’s primary election, I was reminded that registration deadlines for voting in the general election are coming up too! Today’s action is focused on advocating for your community through the political and social tools available to you.

This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Sophia Porter, a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University in Physics and Applied Mathematics. She’s a former Brooke Owens Fellow, a program founded in honor of the space industry pioneer and pilot Brooke Owens to promote women in aerospace. During her fellowship, she helped to launch the Ask a Brookie program to connect fellows to K-college level students with questions ranging from space and aviation to career development opportunities. We’re thrilled to introduce you all to Sophia!

Happy almost weekend friends. For those in the path of Hurricane Florence, stay safe! This last week was a blur. I have a bunch of links for you to enjoy over your lunch break plus a a new fall campaign we think it is pretty great. Enjoy!

The Storrs Connecticut pod began only in January of this year, but in that short time they have developed a strong voice on the east coast, in their state and on media. Thanks to the whole team for taking time to tell us how they have been so successful in getting their pod off the ground, about their voter registration program, and how they ensure they can reach out to as many women as possible. A great example for how making a difference can e as easy as visiting the neighborhood farmers market. Keep up the great work ladies!

Today’s action is focused on building up your mentorship network:

I used to run competitively and pacing yourself is really important. Too fast and you'll suffer later in the race, likely running much slower than your potential. But, too slow is just that - too slow. This week I was thinking about how I pace myself in life, at home, with science and with 500WS. Do I pack my days too full of meetings, emails and conference calls?  Do I leave enough time to drink my coffee in the morning, take 'me time' breaks, and have space to breath? How do you find the right pace for your life and career? I'd love to hear from you! 

It’s back to school week, which brings on a range of emotions — from excitement at new beginnings to anxiety brought on by the unfamiliar. So this week, we’re asking you to take time to check in with yourself amidst all the tumult that comes with this season. We can’t change the world if we don’t take care of ourselves first.

Do you ever do the legs up the wall stretch? Not only does it give relief to your legs and feet, but almost immediately calms your mind and relaxes your body. I was doing that exercise last night and thought, how can I extend this relaxed feeling all the way through the weekend? So that's my plan once I finish work today- put down my computer and focus on cultivating a quiet, relaxed mind. What does your weekend have in store? 

#MyImmigrationStory is a 500 Women Scientists campaign to bring our immigration and naturalization stories to the surface.

"Believe it till you achieve it" is the new "fake it till you make it." You're not faking anything. 

A great mindset to apply as we come up on the Fall; many of us are starting up the school year, searching for jobs, and realizing we only have 4 months left in the year! Use this weekend to give yourself credit for what you have accomplished so far this year and what you will accomplish in the future. Hugs to all! 

You can't help but be inspired by the Folsom youth pod. After learning about 500WS from her mentor, pod President Chinmayi set up a sign-up sheet at her school's "club rush". She quickly drew in a small group, and in a year their club has grown to 15. They are now organizing activities that support young girls in STEM and increase recognition for women scientists, and they are planning more ways to interact with their community. These highs school ladies are still trying to decide which science topic they like most - their interests range from environmental science, biochemistry, and neuroscience to computer science and marine biology - but they united in a mission of open, inclusive and accessible science. Thanks the the whole Folsom pod for letting us feature you today! 

An academic prize can have a significant impact on self-confidence and work wonders on your resumé. Even if you don’t win, putting together an application can help you evaluate your skills and get your CV in order. When Prof Haley Gomez of the Cardiff University was up for a €1.8 million grant, the first thing they asked in her interview was about a public engagement award she’d received in Wales. “It’s almost a badge that says you are externally recognised as having achieved something by your community. It’s also something to distinguish yourself against others in grant applications.”