International Women's day

​Tomorrow is International Women's Day, a day all about celebrating women and their achievements (economic, political, scientific, social, etc) around the world. Women create a breathtaking kaleidoscope of beauty, diversity, and culture even in light of our revered differences. My hope is that we stand hand-in-hand, intertwined by our respect and the knowledge that we are better together.
 
International Women’s Day is also a time to focus on places and situations where women's rights, equality, health, and safety still have a long way to go. We are in the middle of a movement: women saying, “no more” and rising to become the heroes of their own stories. They are fighting for their themselves and leading communities by claiming respect for their hearts, their bodies, and their minds. 
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​​While I have participated in peaceful protests before and respect those who will powerfully participate in A Day Without A Woman, I'm not striking tomorrow. I am outspokenly passionate about the potential of women and I don't think remaining silent is the most effective route for me to support women around the world.

A voice that refuses to be silenced can change the lives of millions. As Michelle Obama once said, "I have had to learn that my voice has value. And if I don't use it, what's the point of being in the room?" Today, my voice is sharing some of my favourite outlets that celebrate women in STEM.

PODCASTS

• Femmes of STEM: a biweekly science history show for people who want to hear the stories of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You can hear my Femmes of STEM podcast episode here.
• Superwomen in Science: discussing the past, present and future of women in science, highlighting a wide variety of scientific endeavours as well as issues facing women in science. You can hear my Superwomen in Science podcast episode here.
• Invisibilia: about the invisible forces that control human behavior – ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions.
• Women in Science: the Open University asked some of the female scientists currently working in its Faculty of Science, to nominate their personal choice of outstanding woman of science. Here are their picks.

​What are you favourite women in STEM podcasts?

WEBSITES/ORGANISATIONS

• femSTEM:  a news site/blog aimed at women of all ages who are interested in learning more about STEM fields.​ I was host of #STEMSaturdays, a segment aimed at giving tips to women who are new in the field of STEM, from working on your resume to figuring out your elevator pitch!
• The Female Scientist: wants to draw a realistic picture of the female research landscape and build a community of ambitious and career-interested female researchers in order to make female scientists more visible to the public, simplify networking, inspire them and young potential female researchers and accompany them on their way. You can read my interview with TFS here.
• Gills Club: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's STEM-based education initiative dedicated to connecting girls with female scientists from around the world, sharing knowledge, and inspiring shark and ocean conservation. (It was my dream to be one of their featured scientists one day-- and it makes me so happy to say I'm their scientist for the month of March 2018)
• Women You Should Know: a leading editorial site in the women's and girls' empowerment media space with a dynamic social community.
• A Mighty Girl: the world’s largest collection of books, movies, and music for parents, teachers, and others dedicated to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls. 

​What are your favourite women in STEM websites and/or organisations?

​BOOKS

• Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World: highlights the contributions of fifty notable women to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from the ancient to the modern world. 
• Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle: stunningly detailed pictures of the wonders of the sea, Life in the Ocean tells the story of Sylvia Earle's growing passion and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world. 
• ​I Am Jane Goodall: captivating picture book tells the story of Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee scientist who turned her love of nature and science into a career that not only revolutionized our understanding of what it means to be human, but also opened the door for generations of female scientists after her.
• Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science: gorgeously written novel in verse about three girls in three different time periods who grew up to become groundbreaking scientists. 
•  Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist:  the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady.
  
•   ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READING RESOURCES

​What are your favourite women in STEM books?
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​What is another impactful way to empower women on International Women’s Day?

​​“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”
― Audre Lorde