The possible dream
Michael Marshall, of the The New Scientist has compiled a list of 10 accomplishments that were once thought to be scientifically impossible. Some, like the impossibility of analyzing the stars, were disproved centuries ago. Others, like teleportation, have only recently begun to enter the realm of possibility.
This got me thinking. One of the early steps to doing the impossible, is to define it as possible. So I am announcing today that by 2030 the percent of women and men from different racial/ethnic groups in the sciences will reflect their percentage in the general population. Ok that's it; it's possible. Now let's make it happen.
PS With allies like Peter Sagal (yes the Wait Wait guy), how can we not succeed? Peter, his wife and three daughters went to see “Horton Hears a Who.” It turns out, as he explains, "In a new subplot added by the filmmakers, the Mayor of Whoville has 96 daughters. He has one son." Peter suggests we "Guess who gets all his attention? Guess who saves the day?"
There will be no spoiler alert here-- you have to read what he wrote yourself or better yet
listen. I promise you'll be glad that you did! Thank you Peter
Comments
My name is Alexis and I work at L’Oreal USA in NYC, supporting the For Women in Science program. L’Oreal partnered with UNESCO on this program ten years ago to help advance the role of women in science and to encourage more young women scientists to continue their pursuits in the field.
Since the inception of this partnership, the For Women in Science program has awarded more than $4 million in grants to over 150 female scientists in 85 countries.
In 2004, the company also established a US national fellowship program which each year awards five post-doctoral female researchers with fellowship grants of $40,000. To date, this program has awarded research grants of $500,000.
You can learn more about the international or national fellowships or laureate awards at http://www.forwomeninscience.com.
In May we will be recognizing the five 2008 US Fellows at the annual awards luncheon held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
The call for 2008/2009 applicants begins in August and applications close on October 31, 2008. I hope you’ll share this with any colleagues who might be eligible to apply or to check out the website for more information.
Posted by: Alexis | April 7, 2008 08:27 AM
Thank you for the link on Peter Sagal's commentary about the Mayor of Whoville and his "96 amazing, beautiful, unpredictable, mysterious, distinct, glorious" but, ironically, ignored daughters.
We need to give kudos to the parents, teachers, community volunteers and others who work everyday to ensure daughters KNOW they can save the world!
Posted by: Rebecca | April 13, 2008 01:11 PM