Updates & News
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.
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.
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.
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.”
“Get in trouble — good trouble” U.S, Representative John R. Lewis (D-GA) #goodtrouble
Rep. John R. Lewis wrote “Dr. King and others inspired me to get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.” We feel similarly inspired to get in #goodtrouble and stand up against the continued assault on immigrants in the US. The US Census has proposed adding a question about citizenship to the once-a-decade nationwide census. Many agree that this question will discourage noncitizens from participating in the census and expose noncitizens to immigration enforcement.
Action 1: Speak up against the citizenship question in the 2020 census: http://cqrcengage.com/censuscounts2020/?0
Peaceful protest is the cornerstone of our fragile democracy. We must use our voices to stand up for people whose voices are being silenced and whose families are being torn apart by the cruel immigration policies of the US administration and ICE.
Action 2: Know your rights with ICE and be prepared: https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/ice-home-and-community-arrests/
Medical experts agree that breastfeeding has profound positive physiological and psychological impacts on both mothers and babies. However, breastfeeding can be a challenging journey for mothers due to lack of information, support, and access to private facilities. This is especially true for mothers in male-dominated careers, like STEM (and especially more challenging for students without their own private offices).
This week, we ask you to respond to the US White House’s opposition to an international resolution that promotes breastfeeding.
US federal laws mandate that nursing women need to be provided both breaks during the day and appropriate (non-bathroom) locations to express milk. We invite you to advocate on behalf of either yourselves - if you are nursing mothers - or on behalf of your co-workers to ensure that your place of employment has proper lactation accommodations. If you are a conference organizer, please make sure that your meeting venue has a lactation facility.
We also invite you to support organizations, such as La Leche League, “Make the Breast Pump Not Suck”, and mamava, that provide education to and advocacy for nursing mothers.
Lastly, if you are currently nursing, consider participating in the Big Latch On August 3rd-5th, which is an international event that aims to support, promote, and normalize breastfeeding.
“When we all vote, we determine our future.” -Michelle Obama
500 Women Scientists has launched our Get Out the Vote initiative for the U.S. midterm elections, but voting for leadership of our scientific societies matters too. Society leaders shape the priorities and values of organizations for years to come.
Today, we ask you to take 5 minutes to check when your scientific society holds its next elections and make plans to vote. Or take it a step further and consider how you can get involved in your society’s leadership.
As the Earth and space science community prepares for the AGU 2018 Fall meeting, AGU elections are just around the corner. All AGU members (past and present), make sure your AGU membership is up to date and vote for the leadership of your scientific society between August 27th through September 25th.
Let us know in the comments or on twitter about scientific society elections and how you’re getting involved.
This week, we make our voices heard to ensure science is being used in EPA's decision-making process and we write letters to pre-scientists. Join us to #takeaction.
1) The EPA is considering new rules that will restrict the science that can be used in decision-making. Under the new regime, the EPA administrator will be responsible for deciding what science is “acceptable." The period for public comments has been extended through August 16th. Educate yourself about the issue via the Union of Concerned Scientists and take action:
Comment on the new rules and make it clear that EPA should be listening to experts and looking at all available scientific evidence when protecting our health, air and water.
2) Letters to a Pre-scientist is asking for scientists from around the world to sign up to be a pen-pal with 5th-9th grade students from low-income schools. Your personal connection to a student will teach them about science, familiarize them with opportunities in science, and provide necessary practice in reading and writing. Sign up to be a pen-pal for Letters to a Pre-scientist.
“Be bold. Be courageous. Never be afraid to speak up and speak out. Together we can build a more perfect union. #goodtrouble” Representative John Lewis
The Declaration of Independence in the U.S. is a document of protest. If you are an American, there is no better way to show your patriotism on the 4th of July, than to take an action to improve your country. =
Become a 500 Women Scientists subscriber! Today, we are excited to launch our monthly subscription program! We are now officially a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization -- which means all your contributions are tax-deductible. Although the last year and a half has presented challenges and frustrations, we have channeled our energy and activism to grow into an unapologetically feminist organization with a vision towards making science open, inclusive, and accessible to all.
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