E.V.E.

These are no ordinary females but an incredible group of extraordinary scientists from 5 different countries involved in a range of disciplines . Representing astrophysics, biology, genetics, archaeology, medicine, glaciology, data science and more, this portrait breaks stereotypes of gender and roles and the typical image of scientists in lab coats.

Women in STEM still have a long way to go but these women are breaking ground paving a bright future for the future of girls in science.

In a Flash... 

Rise DIY was composed in 2 days as an outlet for the aftermath of the US elections for LGBTQ, women, minority, immigrant and youth empowerment. Created by university student, Izzi McDonnell, she is also half of the duo of the Sad Girls Club--a zine that they describe as a safe space for all those who need a place to express themselves that is free of hate and judgment. Three issues have been launched under Sad Girls Club with the latest entitled “Against Your Skin” which explores the different interpretations of skin regarding issues of race, violence and identity.

“I have a deep need to create something beautiful in this mess,” shared Izzi as an open call for submissions to Rise. Despite all the fear, it is beautiful to see this manifested to something expressive, open, and accepting--using one’s voice when it seems, as Izzi points out, “that all is lost.” 

There is a group of armed young women from Saudi Arabia and its neighbouring countries. A diverse and radical group that includes a women’s right activist, an openly gay woman, twins who fight religious sectarianism and another woman from the overthrown upper-class. They are characters from a video game and comic book called Saudi Girls Revolution set in post-apocalyptic Saudia Arabia. The women go by the name of ‘Mu’tazilah’--Arabic for ‘those who break away’--and they are the creations of the Saudi Prince Fahad al-Salud.

Prince Fahad explains that he seeks a revolution that changes the way the world view Saudi and Arab women and how these women view themselves. From a deeply conservative country where women’s rights and actions have been severely restricted, the Prince brings a refreshing air and a motivating chapter in the changing face of the Saudi and Arab women by creating a new narrative with his bold feminist characters. 

“These young women symbolize female resilience and empowerment. They’re not constrained by any religious or political status quo. Simply put, they create their own.”

In her biggest update since the 50s, Mattel is launching a new range of Barbie with different sizes of body types, hair of different ethnicities, and skin colour that girls can now relate to that acknowledges the diversity and individuality of us all. 

The previous Barbie if scaled in real life could not realistically stand on her own two feet. Girls as young as 5 years old were reported to have been worried about their look and size and the doll gained criticism over the years for giving an unrealistic idea of what the female body should look like. What was generally defined as ideally beautiful seemed to fit that of Barbie’s appearance--blonde, blue eyes, big chest, and stick-thin. 

The story of Eve in the Book of Genesis bears many similarities with young girl’s today and the pressures of the media. Eve’s encounter with the serpent in the Garden of Eden can bring insight to the struggles of every female that today’s consumer culture often promises to bring. Weak-willed, a temptress, and the cause of mankind’s mortality, history has painted a rather negative image of Eve. Today, females are portrayed in the same manner on TV, movies, ads, billboards, fairy tales, music videos, and magazines.

Just as the serpent persuasively tempted Eve, advertisements cunningly tap into females’ insecurities and vulnerabilities. Advertisements have worked in ways that convince females that they are hardly ever enough. It persuades women to constantly have new wants. Advertising performs in ways similar to the tree of knowledge. By revealing an ideal setting of divine bliss, a prosperous life is suggested to come with the product that you buy whether it be skin care goods, perfume, etc.

As Eve was banished from the Garden of Eden, she was left with the words that her “desire shall be for her husband” and he shall rule over her. In many cultures, one of women’s most important aspirations in life was to be suitable for a man who would provide for her. In Africa, a girl is made to gain weight to improve her chances of marrying as an overweight wife is the ultimate status symbol sending signs of wealth and reflecting fidelity. Many fairy tales carry a pattern in which the male character becomes the hero. He grants joy and happiness to the female character’s life as they “live happily ever after.” They typically show what great lengths a female would go to to be worthy of a man.

Unfortunately, the story of Eve has led to the misconception of women and the misleading ideals of what a woman should be.  One must be aware of the past and the reality of the present for things to change. 

(Image: Dear Kate 2014 campaign)

via LinkedIN: 

For centuries, “ideal” body types have been established, promoted, and made the standard until new, “trendier” body types replace them. This system is being quickly overturned. It is not a secret that every person’s body is unique. Marketing initiatives launched by several companies have capitalized on this reality and have popularized positive body images, illustrating that being different is normal and okay. These campaigns have been large successes, if measured by a rise in consumers and increase in company profit, and are smart advertising moves that should be adopted by all companies.

via adweek:

We all know a girl like Louise Delage. You've been on Instagram for years and are scraping by with 50 likes on a good day—then she appears on the scene, with her fun little life, and cultivates over 16,000 followers in a few months. Who is this girl, and what does she do?

The 25-year-old social star—who racked up over 50,000 likes in a couple of months with photos of boat parties, travel and endless dinners—is actually part of a campaign from Paris agency BETC called "Like My Addiction."

via toutpresart:

“I am the clone on every single magazine cover, movie screen and poster. Millions of women look at me. Some see me as privileged and lucky because of my looks, others secretly envy me, others are filled with disgust, and some others feel nothing but apathy. 

But whilst I am the epitome of beauty, I am also blind. I pose in front of the camera in gloriously photoshopped perfection because people prize me like some exotic animal. 

But I am not a woman, but rather an image, a symbol of consumers who have been blinded by a system that celebrates how ugly beauty can truly be...

To mark the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day, The Asia Foundation Senior Communications Manager Wendy Rockett, shares 5 invaluable lessons on building a digital library program that promotes literacy FOR ALL from their experience launching Let’s Read! Asia, an initiative to stimulate reading and address the critical shortage of children’s books.

The term ‘Mother Nature’ was not made up for nothing. 

According to writer Marc Bain, women do often take the lead when it comes to environmental issues:

Typically the gender gap is attributed to inherent personality differences, such as women being more altruistic and empathetic. But, Aaron Brough, assistant professor of marketing at Utah State University, believes our stereotypes about sustainability play a role in behavior as well.

In a series of seven studies, researchers found evidence that people perceive consumers who behave in eco-friendly ways as “more feminine,” and that those consumers “perceive themselves as more feminine.” What’s more, men may avoid green behaviors in order to protect their masculinity.

What is it about women’s swimwear and more generally women’s attire that over and over in history has attracted controversy and impelled societies to legislate or regulate women’s choices?

Historians, sociologists and anthropologists have argued about it for decades, but the seemingly simplistic statement that women’s bodies are a battleground has some truth to it. Formally or informally, men (primarily) have been making rules about women’s attire for a very long time.

Nearly 100 years ago, bands of dedicated women who had marched and organized for the right to vote finally won a victory on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment was certified and the right to vote was secured in the United States.

To celebrate Women’s Equality Day and pay tribute to the trailblazers and suffragists who fought for equality for women and girls, we wanted to share a letter exchange between President Obama and three young women…