Updates & News
Where should we start? This week was a whirlwind of activity! Beginning with the Rally for Science at the AAAS meeting in Boston, followed by a lot of activity from our women around the world. Keep your heads up ladies, and enjoy the weekend!
In our suggested actions this week, we focus on ways to support diversity.
Let’s help each other connect with young women interested in science. Find a local science event and volunteer as a speaker or science fair judge. One immediate opportunity is the Expanding Your Horizons conference in Fort Collins April 8 and looking for volunteers. Post similar opportunities near you in the comments section.
Happy 3 month birthday 500WS! Today is extra special because we are officially launching 500WS Pods, local chapters of 500WS. What better way to celebrate 3 months together than by growing and strengthening our network.
On a scientist's career path, there are a range of questions that we are confronted with. There are the obvious questions: what major should I choose? What graduate school should I attend? Which post-doc(s) should I apply for? Should I stay in academy, go into government, or find a job in a private sector?? But then there are the less obvious questions, the questions that plague many of us as humans: Why am I doing this? Does my work even make a difference? How can I make a more positive impact on society? For Kelly Fleming, a leader of 500 Women Scientist, she may have struggled with these questions, but her path demonstrates that sometimes it is best to not waver and just jump in. She is discovering that you will only make a difference if you are moving forward.
As the world continues turning, in a rather chaotic feeling rotation, we remain grateful for all our growing network, our supporters and the progress we are making. This week we reached over 16K signatures! Tomorrow (Saturday), is International Day of Women and Girls in Science! Let's start the celebration off early, tweet us your science activities and photos with #womeninscience. Read on to see what you might have missed this week:
Sent out a second newsletter, check your inbox!
Shared why we will March for Science.
Formed 500WS Pods around the world! Message to find one near you.
The UN recognizes February 11th as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Let’s build some awareness over the next week! Tweet your activities and photos to @WomenScienceDay #womenscienceday and share with us too @500womensci!
& if you are in NYC, check out this cool event!
As our network has grown over the last two and a half months, we have had the amazing oppurtunity of meeting some fantastic people. Today in our weekly #meetascientist I have the pleasure of interviewing Maryam Zaringhalam. Maryam's activities demonstrate the role of creativity in the sciences and she is a wonderful example to other women searching for their voice in science.
Another week has come and gone with chaos being the underlying theme. Yet, everyday I have been so impressed by the brave women of our group, their continuous support for each other and their ability to stay the course and take action! Together we are building amazing capacity and empowering groups of women in ways that are desperately needed. Thank you and have a relaxing weekend!
This week amidst the upsetting and chaotic news of the executive order banning travel from seven predominantly muslim countries, people across the country have stood up for their friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Here we meet two scientists whose lives are directly affected by the ban. At the end of the post we have put together a long list of resources for those affected and those who want to help.
Friends, this week was rough, and there was a lot said about it elsewhere. Instead of getting scared or distracted by the chaos, we are choosing to stay focused. Our mantra this week, make resistance your daily existence.
Our mission is to serve society by making science open, inclusive, and accessible, and to transform society by fighting racism, patriarchy, and oppressive societal norms
