Dignity does not come from avenging insults, especially from violence that can never be justified. It comes from taking responsibility and advancing our common humanity.” Hilary Clinton
On The Marble
Establishing A Milestone in STEM
“It is a really exciting moment when you know something about the whole world that no one else does.” Pardis Sabeti was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1975, where her father, Parviz, was a high-ranking official in the shah’s government. Two years later, on the cusp of the Iranian revolution, the Sabeti family fled to the United States, eventually settling in Florida. “My father took one of the toughest jobs in the government because he cared about his nation more than himself,” Pardis says. “His courage and conviction have always driven me to want to make a difference.” In the early 1980s, Pardis’ mother, Nancy, bought some old textbooks, a chalkboard and a couple of school chairs and set up a makeshift summer school in the family’s home for Pardis and her sister, Parisa, who is two years older. Parisa, assigned the role of teacher, put together lesson plans and…
Saudi Arabia Lifts Travel Restrictions for Women
The authorities of Saudi Arabia have announced its decision to permit women and grown up girls to travel without the approval of their guardian. This decision was recently enacted following the Saudi Government’s Vision 2030 which seeks the inclusion of women’s participation in the development of Saudi Arabia. The removal of male guardian approval is not the only milestone achieved by the middle east country who last year began permitting women to drive, after a decades-old driving ban was lifted. Prior to that time, Saudi Arabia was the only country left in the world that disapproves women from driving and families had to hire private chauffeurs for female relatives. Under the new reforms, Saudi women under the age of 21 can get approval from their mother, as opposed to another male relative, in cases where the father is deceased. They are also allowed to be able to apply for a…
Conservative Group Sues Over California’s Senate Bill 826 Requiring Women On Corporate Boards
One step forward, two steps back. Recently in California, a conservative activist group called Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the implementation of Senate Bill 826 (SB 826)— a law mandating that California corporations include at least one woman on their board of directors by 2019, and two to three by 2021. The defendant, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, “support[s] the underlying goals of SB 826″ and “will respond in court,” a spokesperson stated. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of three California taxpayers, claiming it violates Article I, Section 31 of the California Constitution which prevents gender discrimination. Furthermore, the plaintiffs say it’s illegal under California law to spend taxpayer funds and resources to enforce SB 826, calling it a “gender quota.” Governor Jerry Brown publicly acknowledged SB 826 has “potential flaws” when he signed it into law late last year; however, he…
7 Challenges Encountered by Women in the Corporate World
When examining the life of the modern-day woman in the corporate world, it is highly pertinent to understand that almost all women who have successfully navigated to the top in the ladder of leadership have had to surmount the raging gender bias setting against women, which is usually associated with the current corporate setting in the world. Advancement in the place of work has never been an easy task for the 21st-century woman, especially those who are zealous about changing the tide of things and those passionate about challenging the current domineering patriarchal system in the world.
5 Lessons I Learnt Along My Way to Becoming an Engineer: The Testimony of Engineer Ozak Esu
For every test or examination taken at school in Nigeria, you are given a results sheet that ranks students in order of academic performance. Sounds daunting to many, but personally I enjoy that type of methodical evaluation and this system gave me (as a student) and my parents a measure of my academic performance. Academia was so important to my family. I attended boarding school for my secondary education and my parents ensured I was given extra tutoring during mid-term breaks and holidays. Despite this extra effort, I struggled to meet my personal goals at school, finishing in the top 10 but never ranked top of the class. At my ‘academic peak’, my performance was second best, falling short of my closest friend and forming a slightly competitive bond. You might think top ten, or second best is still pretty good by all standards but first place came with rewards…
Returning the Goodwill of Philanthropy
By Miracle Nwankwo Every philanthropist has a unique and inspiring tale about their journey in philanthropy, and often times their acts and willingness to give to the society is inspired by the struggles of their past. However, it is one thing to be shown kindness and it is another thing to be willing to return the favor. This episode of Impact Inspire brings the spectacular story of a rare gem, someone whose heart yearns daily with a desire to reciprocate an act of kindness that was shown her in a better form. She is an African woman, born in the midst of excruciating poverty in a little village in Wedza District of rural Zimbabwe. Her name is Fiona Mavhinga, the founding partner of CAMA a foundation whose goal is to help girls and young women to access education, facilitating their transition into higher education and employment, and creating opportunities to…
