Showing posts with label lady power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lady power. Show all posts

Monday, June 1, 2015

April Roundup

It's June but I still have a lot to share from April. The first weekend, I suddenly decided that Florida would be a wonderful way to spend Easter. And of course it was (thanks Mom and Dad)! My brother Duane and nieces were down there, and we basked in the sun and gorgeous waters.


Always a blast to hang out with the dogs.
The next weekend, Tom and I took off to Boston for less than 24 hours for a Rubblebucket concert! It was a late Valentine's gift and pretty much perfect. Tom's parents live in the suburbs, so we took the T (their metro/train) to Paradise Rock Club downtown. We even ran into some of my St. Lawrence classmates, unsurprisingly! And then we did our best to stay as close to the front as possible to rock our faces off.


Rubblebucket was Thursday and we were back Friday, because SATURDAY we (Emma, Luke, and I) hosted a St. Lawrence Charter Day party!! I can't emphasize how heart-exploding and happy it made me to bring two-thirds of my favorite humans to the Berkshires. 
Annie and Elizabeth cheesin' before everyone arrived (no, really--Emma's mom filled that table with 20 kinds of cheese!!)


2014 ladies :) Kate is on the far left.
Team Habitat, otherwise known as the Cream Team.

Former Ruckus, now Rusty Bus ultimate frisbee members!
Once a Saint always a Saint -- representing classes '76 through '14!

Class of 2014 friends 
I also iced everyone at the party when they thought we were opening a surprise box of SLU goods.. that rocked.


That was the first full-blown reunion party we've had as alumni, and certainly won't be the last. It was fun to celebrate the institution that brought us all together (even though they took away our theme house..)!

And the weekend after that, I took off to Nantucket for a ladies' retreat, initiated by my lovely friend Caroline that I studied with in Shanghai. It was a weekend divorced from technology (for the most part), serious responsibilities, and full of reflection, friendship, and restoration. We cooked and crafted and went to the beach and had a hoot of a time at the daffodil festival, which was quite frankly one of the wasp-iest events I've ever willingly taken part in. Not offensive, just ostentatious displays of wealth.
The dinner I lead included ratatouille, couscous, roasted broccoli, and garlic bread.

Caroline and I. I am endlessly fortunate to be friends with such an amazing lady!


The most moving part of the weekend was when Caroline revealed packages of letters she collected from each of our loved ones, reading one letter aloud for each lady. There's a radiating amount of love in my life, and all the adventures of April really reinforced that.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

D.C. Dreams

What could be better than spending a week in the nation's capital brimming with lady power, both professional and collegiate? 
Not much, I think. Right after graduation, frenzied packing ensued and then my parents drove me to the airport in Syracuse to fly to D.C. I was selected to participate in a conference concerning Women & Policy in the Global Community through PLEN, the Public Leadership Education Network. 

The amazing staff at PLEN filled the week with panelists, site visits, and events with networking possibilities throughout the city. It was amusing to re-orient myself to public transportation, but D.C. seems to have one of the cleanest metro systems, though not the most efficient. Certain days it was quicker and more pleasant to walk to our locations. We listened to women who are humanitarians, lobbyists, lawyers, politicians, diplomats, senior advisers, economists, think tank researchers, and the mind-blowing resume continues. More than anything, it was such a pleasure to meet women who are interested in amplifying the role and influence that women have in policy. We also visited the Capitol building, the State Department, the Embassy of India, the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, and the German Marshall Fund. Every day was finished around 5 PM, which left plenty of time to digest the impressive advice and explore the city.

I visited D.C. for the first time my freshman year for a climate change rally, but the weekend was too busy to enjoy D.C.'s free cultural sites. We made it to the National Mall at sunset, and what do I find but a game of pick-up ultimate frisbee! So of course I hustle over, befriend the players on the sideline, and wholeheartedly accept their suggestion to take off my sandals and play. That's why I love the ultimate community: their open friendliness to share the game with anyone. Did you know that Lonely Planet even ranked playing ultimate frisbee on the National Mall one of the top 10 things to do in the United States?! Thank you, Asana and Elizabeth, for accepting my crazed enthusiasm for this sport and snapping some photos. 

Scoring an ultimate frisbee point on the National Mall at sunset. Is there anything more patriotic (haha)?

The World War II and Lincoln Memorials at dusk.


Our room at the Carlyle Suites Hotel had a kitchen, a lovely budoir and bathroom, two queen-sized beds, and was only a few blocks from DuPont Circle, one of the liveliest districts of the city. Check out my Tripadvisor review!

We spent too much money at Whole Foods and hustled back frequently during the lunch breaks to cook.

Many commuters use the public bike sharing system, so we decided to as well. It was such a great ride from DuPont to Georgetown and along the Potomac.


View of Arlington.

Lafayette Square, near the White House.

The Eisenhower Executive castle Office Building. I was strolling around trying to get a good picture, was yelled at when I stepped on the lawn (just trying to gain a better photo angle!), and then it dawned on me that security was pretty heavy. I think I saw the President land via helicopter, and then definitely witness his motorcade gunning down New Hampshire Avenue! Quite the spectacle, but I bet it's old after the first time when you live there.

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History was such a spectacle, even with the crazed groups of students.


Views of the Regan International Airport.

D.C. was a much-needed limbo from the shock of finishing college. I'm home now, attempting to convey my ever-evolving career ambitions on paper as I apply for jobs. Cheers to St. Lawrence for sponsoring me and my two classmates to participate in this incredible program. One day, I want to will be one of the panelists advising and inspiring the rising generation of women!

Listening: "Hard Time" by Seinabo Sey

Sunday, March 16, 2014

The Body Pride Project

I love my lips. I was born in China with a cleft lip, then adopted at two months old by my current U.S. parents. Because of them, I underwent plastic surgery as an infant then again at age seven to reform my upper lip. Some children aren’t as lucky, because cleft lips and palates can severely impair your quality of life. When I was younger, other kids would ask me, “What’s wrong with your lips?” These comments hurt but I realized that the scars simply reinforce the luck, stories and love that guide my life. This is my body, and I am more than just my appearance, but beautiful for my imperfections. This is the meaning of St. Lawrence’s Body Pride Project.


In February, we turned a Student Center room into a photo studio for the project. Beyoncé music bumped in the background. So many women, some friends and others I’ve never seen before, laughed, watched and cheered. Each of us took turns striking a pose in front of the white board while my friend, Raina Puels ’16, snapped away on her camera. Some ladies flexed their arms, sat on a table, whipped their hair, or revealed scars, birth marks and tattoos. We all highlighted what we loved about ourselves and tried to express in a single quote why.

My friend, Chelsea Draper ’15, who lives in The Women’s Resource Center theme house, (better known on campus as The Dub), led the campaign. Chelsea was inspired by body-image campaigns such as Dove and Seventeen magazine’s Body Peace Project. She wanted to create the Body Pride Project for St. Lawrence because, as she put it, “college can be a bed of judgments.” “We’re so quick to look in the mirror and find what we don’t like about ourselves, so this is about boosting your own esteem, while encouraging others to do the same.”

Last spring was the preliminary trial for the project, and though feedback was enthusiastic, this year we received even more support. There were over 80 volunteer participants, with three photography sessions across two weeks. The result was 76 portraits of St. Lawrence women expressing their pride for who they are. Whether ladies featured something about their bodies that they’ve loved forever, reminded them of family, or an insecurity they’ve battled with, those few minutes in front of a camera were inspiring.

Raina, the vivacious lady behind the lens, was honored to be part of the Body Pride Project: “Some participants emailed me afterwards told me how empowered they felt. It’s incredible what having your photo taken can make you feel.”

The Body Pride Project is also a collaboration with Body Beautiful Week/Love Your Body Week and the Advocate’s Program “Campus Peace Project” from last spring. Those portraits featured male students and their thoughts on granting sexual consent. As the project—or perhaps the movement—gains traction and reaches more eyes, Chelsea thinks that it could possibly expand to other campuses and become an ongoing project.

I couldn’t agree more with Chelsea’s hopes that the Body Pride Project “keeps the positivity going all year and the good vibes from the photo shoot.”

I hope you’ve caught a glimpse of the Body Pride Project posted around campus! If you missed it, all 76 photographs can also be found in the Body Pride Project album of the Women’s Resource Center Facebook page.

This post was originally written for St. Lawrence's Admissions Blog.

Currently: catching up on everyone's spring breaks-- post to come soon!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

La economía Feminista

One of my classes this semester is an advanced speaking course for Spanish. I'm hoping that we have more conversation-based work so I can improve my colloquial speaking, but this past week I had to present a political discourse as if we were a political candidate. I was unsure of my ability to maintain a formal dialogue on politics in Spanish, let alone English! So, I re-interpreted the assignment a bit and presented on the value of adding a feminist perspective to our economy.  The grammar is far from perfect and I recognize that many of my ideas aren't fully developed, but I was pleased with my 12 minute talk, even swaying some of my classmates onto these views!
Os presento mi político discurso sobre la economía feminista:

Introducción
Hola amigos, me llamo Nicole.  No soy una representante de un partido político especial, pero voy a presentar unas soluciones alternativas para los Estados Unidos.  Me gustaría explicar cómo abordar la política con una perspectiva feminista puede abrir unas posibilidades para la economía.  O sea, la economía feminista puede renovar nuestra estrategia fiscal para soluciones efectivos.  Voy a hablar sobre el significado del feminismo, pues los problemas finánciales del presente, y finalmente explicaros como la economía feminista podría producir soluciones. 

El significado del feminismo
Primero, es esencial explicar el significado del feminismo como yo lo interpreto.  La definición y la misión del feminismo han cambiado a través de los siglos veinte y veinte y uno en tres movimientos.  Creo que existen muchas malentiendas y estereotipos, por ejemplo, ser una feminista indica el oído para los hombres.  Para mí, no es el caso; al contrario, me los gustan!  Es verdad hay feministas con perspectivas y tácticas radicales, pero vienen de un origen de frustración—el dolor de siglos de injustos y abusos, muchos que continúan hoy en día. 
No estoy aquí para aumentar la polarización entre nuestras diferencias.  Porque ahora, el feminismo no es solo para las mujeres blancas; las fundadores del segundo movimiento d feminismo como bell hooks revelé como sistemas de patriarca daña los hombres también.  El movimiento es para la igualdad y los derechos humanos.  Como una teoría cultura, el feminismo nos permite tener cuenta de nuestra posición en la sociedad: las intersecciones de raíz, clase, género, los privilegios, y el poder de cada posición.  Cuando nos ponemos en la posición de los demás, podemos hacer decisiones más informados e incluidos.

Problemas
Voy a focalizar sobre dos problemas economías en nuestro país.  Según Time Magazine, en dos mil doce, la deuda del gobierno cuenta por  73 por ciento del producto interior bruto.[1]  Es decir que dieciséis trillones dólares de deuda.  Y los impuestos cuentan por más o menos diez por ciento de eso.
El segundo problema es la desigualdad socioeconómica.  Las ganas de las empresas son el más alto, hay millones de americanos aun sin empleado, y  es más difícil  cambiar su clase social.  También incluido la brecha salarial de género en los Estados Unidos.  Reciamente, el presidente de los Estados Unidos notó que las mujeres son una mitad de la fuerza laboral.  Sin embargo, ellas aún ganan setenta y siete centavos por cada dólar que los hombres ganan.[2]  Según una encuesta del New York Times en dos mil diez, 72 por ciento de los hombres y de las mujeres entre 18 y 29 anos piensan que la unión mejor es una donde los dos pueden trabajar y cuidarse para la casa.[3]  La encuesta afirma que hoy en día, la lucha para la igualdad no es  principalmente las actitudes personales, pero las límites estructurales.

Economía Feminista
Creo que la economía necesita una perspectiva alternativa.  El problema con nuestra definición de economía es trátalo como una ciencia objetiva.  Aunque “el mercado” es un sistema de números digitales y financias hipotéticos, en realidad, es baso en la gente.  A la fin de los anos noventas, académicos como Ester Boserup, Marianne Ferber, y Nancy Folbre han establecido la economía feminista como un estudio oficial.  La economía feminista rechaza abstracción de la economía porque la gente tiene emociones, motivaciones, y conexiones.   Las economistas señalan las construcciones sociales en la economía tradicional porque los perspectivos no son realmente objetivos—están en favor de los métodos masculinos.  Según Julie Matthaei, la desigualdad de género y de raíz existen antes del capitalismo.  Por eso, cada aspecto de la economía hoy en día está prejuiciado.[4] 
Por ejemplo, la brecha salarial no es simplemente a causa de las preferencias laborales de las mujeres y los hombres.  Hay consecuencias cruciales del estereotipo, el sexismo,  y las creencias patriarcas que dirigen la distribución de recursos.  El poder de los actores determina un salario: sus conocimientos culturales, sus determinaciones del valor de obra, y las normalidades de género.  
Entonces, la economía feminista enfatiza los asuntos tradicionalmente femeninos, como la economía familia, la economía informal, y los estructurales sociales.  La inclusión de estos asuntos han creído los políticos que ya ayudan unas minorías y han reducidos discriminación de género, raíz, y étnico.

Soluciones
Me gustaría desarrollar unas soluciones para ayudar la economía.  Debemos evaluar el dólar de acuerdo a la inflación y como resultado, podríamos aumentar el salario mínimo.  Según el Business Insider, los salarios mínimos han cambiado casi nada en treinta anos.[5] ¿Cómo es que una madre soltera puede trabajar al menos dos trabajos de tiempo completo,  pero todavía vive debajo de la línea de pobreza?  No es justo.  Cuando los salarios suben, el nivel de vida y la agencia de los grupos minorías suben.
Igualmente, para resolver la brecha salarial, necesitamos cambiar  el sistema de impuestos para ser más progresivo.  Es decir que, los más ricos contribuyen proporcionalmente a los programas federales y los servicios sociales. 
Con respecto a la deuda, debemos eliminar las razones para las empresas buscar los obreros al extranjero.  Los incentivos mantener unos prácticos de explotación y simplemente, hay millones de personas que están cualificados aquí.  Podemos renovar las empresas de la manufactura que pagan un salario vivible y creen materiales útiles.
Finalmente, tenemos que apoyar la política laboral que valuar la humanidad en los obreros, no solo sus productos.  Vacaciones pagas por las madres Y los padres, días enfermas pagadas, y quizás un límite de horas de trabajo podrían apoyar un ambiente mejor para la gente.  Aunque no tiene un esposo, o no tiene hijos, la vida doméstica afecta la vida laboral.

Conclusión
A pesar de un población de tres ciento millones, los Estados Unidos se dirigen por solamente dos partidos políticos en la mayoría, y por lo tanto, yo sé que mis ideas parecen radicales.  No obstante, debemos reflejar más sobre el político que existe y porque no hay progreso tan rápido.  Tenemos que abordar los problemas de la sociedad con una nueva perspectiva.
En resumen, os hablo con la esperanza que considerarais la perspectiva feminista para la economía.  Necesitamos priorizar las necesidades humanos en vez de las metas beneficios—no solo en los Estados Unidos, pero por todo el mundo.  La explotación y la desigualdad que acompañan al capitalismo no son la meta teleológico para los humanos.  ¡Gracias!

------------------------------------------------------------

Vocabulario útil

abordar – to approach
la política – political policy
la economia feminista – feminist economics
dañar – to harm
la igualdad de género – gender equality
la brecha salarial – wage gap
producto interior bruto (PIB) – gross domestic product (GDP)
las metas beneficios – profit goals
teleológico – telelogical; the natural endpoint

Bibliografía
Cootnz, Stephanie. “Why gender equality stalled.” 16 Feb 2013. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. <
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/opinion/sunday/why-gender-equality-stalled.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&>.
Blodget, Henry. "Here's the biggest problem in the American economy." Business Insider. 29 Sept
2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. .
NPR. “Transcript: Obama’s State Of The Union Address As Prepared for Delivery.” 28 Jan 2014. Web.
                3 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/01/28/267901424/transcript
-obamas-state-of-the-union-address-as-prepared-for-delivery>.
Schneider, Geoff. "Ten Principles of Feminist Economics: A Modestly Proposed
Antidote." Department of Economics at Bucknell University. Bucknell University. Web. 3 Feb 2014. .
Sivy, Michael. "The six daunting financial problems facing America." Time Magazine. 21 Aug
2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. .
Waylen, Georgina. "Time to stop ignoring feminist economics." Conversation. 2 Dec 2013. Web. 3
Feb. 2014. .




[1] Blodget 2012.
[2] NPR 2014.
[3] Coontz 2013.
[4] Schneider 2014.
[5] Blodget 2012. 

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Scenes from the Start of 2014


I ended 2013 and started 2014 with my favorite ladies from home, Caitlan and Kristen.
 Kristen lives around the fields and woodlands of Bristol.  On my way out I stopped to take photos of leftover hay bales and her neighboring alpacas.  I wished them a Happy New Year.



What a pleasant surprise it was to return home with two letters from France!  One, from my host family in the countryside of Normandy, and the other from my friend Nutta.  She is from Thailand but I met her through tennis lessons at the University of Rouen.  It's been two years now since I've traveled to France, and I would love to go back and ride the trains through the country side again, pick up fresh baguettes each morning, and play soccer with my host brothers who are growing up so quickly.

I'm spending this week more or less on the road for career fairs in Boston and New York City.  However, aviation transport is terribly unreliable this time of year-- cancellations throughout the country because of snow storms on the east coast.  So here I was, trying to fly to Boston from Rochester and they send me to Detroit, and then my flight was cancelled.  I spent a frustrating few hours talking in circles with flight representatives, and vying for a spot on flights.  The Detroit Wayne County Airport, at least, is well-designed with psychedelic transit tunnels and in concourse A there's a raised express monorail that brings you from one end to the other.








After a going back and forth in the airport all day I finally booked a flight to Boston, took a bus to Newbury Port, and Kat picked me up and brought me to her house in Amesbury.  She is one of my classmates from St. Lawrence and we studied together in Shanghai last spring -- I don't know what I would have done without her.  New England is freezing right now, but so idyllic.  It's my launching point into Boston for the job interviews Monday, then NYC on Thursday.


And finally, a visual guide of not only 2014, but general life resolutions:

I hope your 2014 is off to a fantastic start!
Listening: Explosions in the Sky radio on Pandora