Author: Alexandra
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Food for Thought
My uncle Mike came to visit last week. We went to dinner and afterward (at his insistence), we ended up at a little place to sing karaoke. Uncle Mike is a big man in his 60s, who looks a bit like Santa Claus—with a round belly, blue eyes and a white beard, so his low,…
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How Disney is turning women from across the company into coders
“You’re about to learn what it means to be a software engineer. You’re about to learn a lot about this company, and how technology is used to make the magic. But I think the biggest part is, you’re going to learn a lot about yourself.” Nikki Katz is giving a stirring speech in a room…
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Am I Culturally Sensitive and Aware?
When I first arrived at Arizona State University, I was amazed by and curious about the students I encountered from different states and countries. And they were curious about me. Being born in one country (Sweden) and raised in another (Spain) allowed me to meet people from many different countries and from all walks of…
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Benedict Cumberbatch Says He’ll Refuse Any Project Where Women Don’t Get Equal Pay
While the debate over equal pay in Hollywood continues, Benedict Cumberbatch is making it clear where he stands. In an interview with Radio Times, Cumberbatch said that he wouldn’t take on a role where his female co-star wasn’t being paid the same rate. “Equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism,” he said.…
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5 reasons why diversity in tech matters
Whenever I’m asked to give a talk on the lack of diversity in tech it’s easy to quote the statistics; only 19% of tech roles in the NW are female, only 10% of computing science A-levels nationally are female. I talk about the societal drivers behind these statistics, delving into what causes this; from negative gender stereotypes to the…
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Amazon drops resistance to proposal requiring it to interview women, blacks, Hispanics for board
SAN FRANCISCO — After voting to recommend against a shareholder proposal that demanded it commit to interviewing women and minorities when it has open board positions, Amazon’s board has shifted course — and says it has adopted a policy to include a diverse slate of candidates for director openings. The change was announced Monday and comes after letters from…
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Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month: Highlights from the Veterans History Project
When Veterans History Project staff members are called upon to identify particularly interesting, poignant, or visually appealing collections in our archive, one name that comes up again and again is Kenje Ogata. A Japanese-American who fought for more than two years for the right to serve his country as an aviator during World War II, Ogata’s collection is…
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Florence Nightingale and her influence on modern nursing
Nurses week extends from May 6th to May 12th. The last day of this special week is also International Nurses Day and Florence Nightingale’s birthday. An incredible tribute to an amazing nurse who revolutionized nursing and health standards, from hospital planning to healthy diets for speedy recoveries. Her reports and pamphlets are still read and…
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How To Think Differently About Building Diverse and Inclusive Organizations
In today’s extremely competitive yet socially conscious business environment, one of the best ways to sustain an innovative organization and attract talent is to create an inclusive environment where a diverse range of voices can be heard. Just think of all the areas in which diversity is a powerful asset: The ideas students are exposed to…
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First black woman nominated for Marine brigadier general
The Defense Department’s April 10 release of slated general promotions includes a historic first for the Corps. Marine Corps Col. Lorna M. Mahlock, the deputy director of Operations, Plans, Policies and Operations at Marine Corps headquarters outside Washington, D.C., will become the first black woman to don the rank of brigadier general if she is confirmed. Mahlock’s…