Women Making Moves

Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris

2009-07-07T22:17:00.027-05:00

Women Making Moves features women from all walks of life. There are professional women who are making great strides in their career, those working to ensure their communities are well taken care of and rising Women Making Moves.

Like many I watched the memorial service for Michael Jackson and there were several memorable moments. One that stood out the most came from 11 year-old Paris. When she shared with the world her unconditional love for her father, it made Michael more human than he ever was. We never really knew Michael Jackson as his children knew him nor did we know the love shared amongst the family. But love was obviously present from Paris' aunts and uncles. And it confirmed that his children were well-loved.

Paris put everything into perspective. The media reports about Michael were no longer important because ultimately there are three children who will grow up without their father. They'll always have memories of the time spent with him, but new memories will never be made.

It took an extreme amount of courage for Paris to take the stage. With her aunt Janet's embrace, she let down her barriers and showed us what true love is made of. Paris is a rising young women who will no doubt make moves as she grows older. As we mourn the loss of a great icon, let's remember the Jackson's lost a family member.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Women in Academia

2009-06-30T22:51:00.026-05:00

I recently read an article that highlighted the achievements of several Harvard women from the Women and Public Policy Program's class of 2009. These women are standouts for their extraordinary work involving women. They were recognized by their superiors and peers for being leaders. It's encouraging to see such positive women in an age where being "a lady" is often lost in the wind.

Wivina Belmonte was awarded the Barbara Jordan Leadership Award, which highlights women who are committed to being positive role models for other women. In 1966 Barbara Johnson, a well-known public-servant and politician, was the first Black woman selected as a member of the Texas Senate. Wivina was deserving of this award for her ability to bridge the gap between her classmates of difference backgrounds.

Working directly to ignite the women of Harvard, Erica Lewis, received the Holly Taylor Sargent Prize for Women's Advancement. Erica was determined to positively affect the lives of women she interacted with daily at Harvard.

And finally, Shanza Khan, originally from Pakistan, was the recipient of the Jane Mansbridge Research Award. Shanza received this honor through nominations from her advisors. Her exceptional research paper, "An Evaluation of the Capacity Building Component of the Punjab Safe Motherhood Initiative," made her a stand-out among other students in her program. The paper focused on healthcare issues in rural Pakistan.

It's extremely encouraging for myself and future generations of young ladies, to see such great examples of women making outstanding achievements in their fields. These three stand-out because they're directly affecting other women. Kudos to their awesome achievements.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Farrah Fawcett

2009-06-29T22:08:00.027-05:00

By now we're all aware of Farrah Fawcett's passing. On Thursday, June 25, she succumbed to cancer, which she battled for three years. It's an extremely unfortunate situation, but one I know she was prepared for. Her family and friends are now making preparations to pay their last respects on Tuesday, June 30 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. The funeral will be a private event, one where those who loved her most will surely celebrate Farrah's life.

Fawcett's career spans from the ultimate pin-up girl to more serious roles such as The Burning Bed that focused on domestic violence. Diving head-on into the character of Francine Hughes, Fawcett gave a face to the violence that millions of women encounter everyday. For this Fawcett joins the ranks of other Women Making Moves. She also went against the naysayers who refused to take her seriously as an actress.

As Farrah Fawcett is laid to rest, I will forever remember her as a woman who created her own path instead of traveling one that was already well-worn. Rest in Peace Farrah.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Rachel Sklar's Charitini

2009-06-15T21:28:00.023-05:00

Several weeks ago New York City celebrated Internet Week. The week-long celebration featured tons of activities from cocktail events, a Webutante Ball and Social Media Camp. The first event I attended was New York City Ignite. Ignite brings together "geeks" for five minute presentations featuring topics of their choice.

In it's fourth installment, hosts Tikva Morowati and Brady Forrest, gave the floor to eight presenters including a satirical skit about Swine Flu to the first annual 15 Second Ignite Film Festival. My favorite speaker was Rachel Sklar who discussed her Charitini cause. It's designed to provide monetary gifts to nonprofit organizations. Rachel receives donations from her friends, family and anyone else willing to give. What started as a way to celebrate Rachel's birthday has snowballed into a continuous effort to help nonprofits in need. Kudos to Rachel for forgoing birthday drinks to ensure the need of charitable organizations are taken of!

Women start making your Moves today!

Neri Oxam "#43 on Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People"

2009-06-10T21:20:00.026-05:00

(Neri Oxam: Picture courtesy of Fast Company's June 2009 issue)

I was fortunate to have attended a reception celebrating The 100 Most Creative People in Business hosted by Fast Company Magazine. Those who received this honor ranged from a SVP with the Apple uber brand, to fashion icon Stella McCartney and music maven Lisa Ellis. While these are stellar names, I was extremely impressed by the everyday people making extraordinary strides in their professions.

One of the honorees that stood out the most was Neri Oxman who serves as a Presidential Fellow for the MIT Media Lab. Neri's background includes work as an architecture, computer scientist and artist. She considers herself a professional student, having spent a number of years completing various degrees, but in 10 months she'll receive her Ph.D. Neri's portfolio is impressive. She's known for combining her knowledge of sustainable materials and design to create unique master pieces.

Neri is doing awesome work in her field. Fast Company reports she's currently seeking a patent for a one of the kind 3-D printer. It's refreshing to see a women in a non-conventional field stand-out as Neri does. All 100 honorees are featured on Fast Company's website, but I encourage you to buy the print version because it includes a more indepth profile of everyone. Congrats to all who made the list!

Women, start making your Moves today!

The Women of the T3PR Conference

2009-06-09T22:45:00.022-05:00

The Technology Section of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) held its annual T3PR Conference in NYC on June 9. I attended for the first time and this year's program confirmed that I'll attend again. The event was well planned and attended by a variety of PR professionals in the technology field. There were a number of prominent speakers from the tech and social media field present, but what amazed me the most is that half of the speakers were women. I was super excited when I realized that a full day of tech talk would include women!

I've blogged on several occasions about the need for more women involvement in the tech field. And I fully believe providing PR representation to a tech company equates to working in the field. As a PR professional, you have to fully understand how a client's business works before providing them with publicity services. My final count consisted of eight women who presented at the conference.

I have to recognize Sandra Fathi, Debra Dixon and Robin Lane. These three women served as Co-Chairs of the event. Each has a unique background in the technology field and due to their efforts, the conference went on without any major hitches. Other speakers included: Beth Murphy-Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for Digg; Dawn Marie Yankeelov-President of Kentucky based ASPectx; Shonali Burke-Owner of Shonali Burke Consulting; Caroline McCarthy-Staff Writer for CNET; and Deirdre Brenkenridge-President and Director of Communications at PFS Marketwyse. Most of these women are active on Twitter. I encourage you to reach out and thank them for their work in the technology field. T3PR Twitter updates are also available. Start there to find out what was discussed and consider attending next year. You'll certainly see me there.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Ariane de Bonvoisin

2009-06-08T22:36:00.017-05:00

I'm sure some of you can relate to me. I'm reevaluating my goals and changing the way I approach life. It's now or never. We've entered the half-way point of 2009 and now is the perfect time to see if you're on the right track. As I was going through this process, it just so happened that I came across an uplifting book by author Ariane de Bonvoisin. As the Founder and CEO of http://www.first30days.com/, Ariane's passion involves helping people achieve the change in their life they deserve. She refers to herself as the Chief Change Optimist. A title that's sure to bring forth positive outcomes.

Ariane recently authored "The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Any Change (and Loving Your Life More)." Change can't be avoided. It's happening today more than ever. People are reconsidering what's important as they experience layoffs and foreclosures due to the current economy. The First 30 Days is designed to show readers how to confront change head-on. The first chapter begins: "Change Your View of Change" and the last chapter encourages readers to: "Get Unstuck." You've heard of the power of positive thinking, I'm sure. This is exactly what Ariane suggests as she tells us to change the way our mind works. Positive thoughts normally lead to positive outcomes. And most of the time when a person thinks negatively, they can't open themselves up for the good things that are sure to come.

I encourage women who are looking to jump-start a change in their life to read The First 30 Days or connect with Ariane via Twitter to receive her up-to-date thoughts on creating a new you. Don't wait until tomorrow to do what can be done today. One of my changes involves growing as an independent public relations consultant. Please share in the comments section the changes occurring in your life.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Mara Brock Akil "Creator-CW's The Game"

2009-05-18T22:41:00.025-05:00

Mara Brock Akil is a dynamic TV writer and producer. She's currently one of the few African-American women making a mark on the television industry. She's had several hit shows including South Central, which originally aired on Fox, UPN's Moesha, as well as two shows for The CW network, Girlfriends and The Game. Girlfriends was a hit show that aired for eight years, but it was abruptly canceled and its last episode aired in February 2008 without a series finale. Unfortunately, Mara's newest show, The Game, is on the verge of cancellation if the CW doesn't decide to increase the half-hour show to one-hour.

The Game quickly became one of my favorite shows. I stayed committed as a fan even when it was moved from Sunday night to Monday and finally to the Friday evening time-slot. The Game includes a number of talented actors such as Tia Mowry of Sister, Sister fame and Wendy Raquel Robinson from The Steve Harvey Show. The show has found a committed audience and many are petitioning The CW network to ensure it isn't cancelled. A final decision about its future will be made on May 21.

Mara, along with cast members, and a PR representative have joined forces to save the show. A Facebook Fan Page with almost 100,000 members, a Twitter page with an additional 100,000 followers and a campaign on The CW's website, "One Million For the Game" are currently underway.

I think the network should give the fans what they want. The season finale was a success and many watched in fear that it may be the last show of the series. Fans have been known to make noise if they're favorite show is in jeopardy of being canceled. Recently, through the support of social media, NBC decided to renew Chuck for another season. This proves that saving The Game can certainly be done. Mara Brock Akil is standing her ground and refusing to take no for an answer. These are ultimate attributes of a woman making moves. I'm wishing Mara the best of luck as she awaits the outcome regarding The Game.

Women , start making your Moves today!

Top 30 Female Internet Entrepreneurs

2009-05-14T23:20:00.021-05:00

A list of Top 30 Female Internet Entrepreneurs were featured on TheNextWeb.com site. The unscientific list originated from IncomeDiary.com. The creator of IncomeDairy, Michael Dunlop, is an advocate of being successful by making money online. The women highlighted in this list are doing exactly that. Some who were featured were very familiar. Most of us are well aware of Ariana Huffington of the Huffington Post and Gina Bianchini, Co-Founder and CEO of Ning.com. But many of the women are not well-known. A partial list is featured below.

I'm extremely excited to see women making strides in the technology field. I've mentioned several times via Women Making Moves the need for increased participation in this field. These women are definitely making moves. Although when the next list is composed, it would be more representative of society if women from all ethnics are represented. With that said, I'm soliciting the help of Women Making Moves readers. Is there a female Internet entrepreneur you think should be highlighted? Please share your suggestions in the comments section. Let's work together to showcase as many women as possible.

Ladies, start making your Moves today!

Amanda Marcotte www.pandagon.net

Ashley Qualls www.whateverlife.com

Catherine Cook www.flickr.com

Eileen Gittins www.blurb.com

Gina Trapani www.lifehacker.com

Juliette Brindak www.missoandfriends.com

Lisa Stone www.blogher.com

Louise Wannier www.myshape.com

Michelle Malkin www.michellemalkin.com

Nancy Price www.sheknows.com

Double X

2009-05-13T20:24:00.027-05:00

A new online magazine launched Tuesday in honor of all things women. The idea for DoubleX was conceived from group blog posting originally featured on Slate.com in late 2007. Women shared their opinions through, The XX Factor, which was named after the two X chromosomes women carry. Slate.com writers Emily Bazelon, Meghan O'Rourke and Hanna Rosin serve as the site's co-editors. The team is rounded off by Jessica Grose, who most recently served as an editor for Gawker's Jezebel blog.

I know you're probably thinking this is not a new concept. There are tons of websites, magazines, etc. dedicated to women. A Google search produces thousands of results. But editors at DoubleX insist that women focused content is more popular than ever. They're positive if the content is produced, women as well as men, will follow.

I'm excited there's more great content showcasing women writers in the blogosphere. It's often said asking the same question to a woman and a man will result in different answers. DoubleX is the ultimate resource to find out what's going on in the minds of women. Visit the site, check-out the content and support the writers by sharing your opinion.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Women Who Tech

2009-05-12T23:00:00.020-05:00

Women Who Tech is an outstanding organization that connects women working in the field of technology. The network is designed to encourage mentorship among members and inspire other women to enter the tech field. According to the Women Who Tech website, the organization was formed primarily because of three reasons. In the technology industry women are underrepresented, breaking down barriers is necessary and mobilizing a network of women is essential.

On May 12, the organization held its 2nd Annual TeleSummit for Women in Technology. The telesummit, which included over 600 women participants, included panels that focused on "Breaking Through the Digital Ceiling," "Social Networks and Diversity Barriers" and many more that will be available for download in the near future.

Since Women Who Tech is a strong advocate of networking, telesummit after-parties were held in Atlanta, DC, NYC, San Francisco and London. I attended the festivities in New York. It was full of extraordinary women programmers, graphic designers and social media enthusiasts. I connected with a number of women I'm sure I'll form lasting relationships with.

I'm a big believer in highlighting women in the tech field. There aren't enough of us in the industry and organizations such as Women Who Tech are great opportunities to expose new women to the field. Visit a previous Women Making Moves blog post that highlights other organizations working to increase the number of women in the field. Is there a reason why women are not becoming technology professionals? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Hopefully, we can work together to reverse the trend.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Rachel Sterne "CEO, GroundReport.com"

2009-05-11T21:23:00.030-05:00

I meet amazing women everywhere! During the NYC Entrepreneur Week festivities, I saw Rachel Sterne, CEO of GroundReport.com, as she spoke about entrepreneurship during BootUp NYC. (A video of Rachel's speech is below or you can view her presentation here.) GroundReport.com, launched in 2006, pegs itself as a global citizen platform designed to allow anyone to publish stories and get paid for their original reporting. Community members can share their opinions or provide news in various categories such as business, world news or politics.

Citizen journalism has become a full-contact sport. Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, but GroundReport.com initiated its platform before many of the others became mainstream. The platform provides a unique opportunity for ordinary citizens to be a part of the conversation.

Rachel's professional background is remarkable. She's worked in the entertainment field, but her passion for reporting seems to come from her time as a Political Reporter covering the United Nations. While serving in that position, Rachel saw first-hand the affects of Darfur. This inspired her to create GroundReport.com, so people could report in their voice what's going on without the red tape.

It was refreshing to see a woman entrepreneur sharing her success story. Take a page from Rachel's book and follow your passion. Is there a dream you haven't acted on yet? Share it in the comments section and receive encouragement from the Women Making Moves community. Visit GroundReport.com to learn how you can become involved and connect with Rachel on Twitter.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Elizabeth Thode Hoard "The Gift of Music"

2009-05-10T21:16:00.029-05:00

It's not often that New Yorkers can take advantage of a free classical music concert, but that's exactly what The Bronx Conservatory of Music (BCM) provided on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in April. To honor the birthday of Founder and Director Emeritus, Elizabeth Thode Hoard, BCM hosted "The Gift of Music," which featured music from the conservatory's faculty and the legendary pianist Ana Maria Trenchi Bottazzi.

Miss Thode, as she's affectionately called, recently celebrated her 102nd birthday and the BCM faculty celebrated her commitment to the school. Miss Thode discovered music at at young age in her hometown of Walhalla, South Carolina. Her superb music skills led her to the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. She's received the honor of playing at the White House for First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and has traveled all over the world teaching and performing classical music. At 83, when most have long retired, Miss Thode established The Bronx Conservatory of Music. Today BCM is housed in its original location on the campus of the Bronx Community College. While Miss Thode no longer works with BCM, she provided the school with a foundation, which allows it to continue providing affordable music training to the Bronx community.

Those who attended "The Gift of Music" were treated to a performance by Maria Trenchi Bottazzi as she showed her appreciation to Miss Thode. Ana Maria, who completed her first world tour at 23 years old, dealt with the horrific tragedy of a severe car accident. Although Ana Maria was told she would never play again, she overcame those obstacles and is a world-renown concert pianist. I was in a state of peace listening to Ana Maria Trenchi Bottazzi perform. I encourage you to research Ana Maria's background, but below is a video of her perform during "The Gift of Music" concert.

Are you aware of a non-profit doing great things for the community? Please share your suggestions in the comments section. It's often forgotten how much non-profits positively affect communities and Women Making Moves wants to do its part in showcasing these organizations.

Women, start making Moves today!

Burju Perez "Creator of Burju Shoes"

2009-04-23T12:36:00.051-05:00

AMP 3 PR was the official PR agency for the launch of Burju Shoes, a new line created by professional salsa dancer Burju Pe rez. One of my favorite Twitter connections, @AlyAMP3 coordinated the festivities. The creation of Burju Shoes wasn't a fly-by-night idea. After years of dancing, designer Burju was determined to find an attractive shoe that was also comfortable. She loved the comfort of her performance shoes and the look of her street shoes. No longer wanting to wait for the perfect shoe to find its way to the market, Burju created her own line.

The launch, held at the Nest Lounge in NYC, featured two floors of beautiful models showcasing the shoe line. While only women were on hand wearing Burju Shoes, the company offers over 50 styles of shoes, which also feature items for men and children. The shoes range from one to three inches in height and are designed to fit like a sock for all day comfort. I attended the event for at lease three hours and not once did I see a model or other attendees wearing Burju Shoes looking for a seat to rest their soles. That definitely says a lot for fashionable women shoes.

What I enjoy most about the Burju Shoes collection is its ability to custom design pieces. Custom pieces can include a variety of colors, details or beading. Brides are definitely taking the company up on its offer to prepare a special shoe for their wedding day. The bride and her wedding party can dance the night away in something special that's sure to be stylish and comfortable. The company's philosophy says "there's no reason beautiful shoes can't be comfortable."

Receiving an opportunity to preview some of the cutest and most comfortable shoes a gal can find is a great treat for the upcoming Spring season. I'm excited that I'll be able to step-out in style and not have to sacrifice my feet in the process.

Women, start making Moves today!

The Smart Cookies' Guide to Making More Dough

2009-04-10T21:46:00.022-05:00

I often review books relating to women and my most recent read, The Smart Cookies Guide to Making More Dough is a how-to-guide for making and saving more money. Ultimately, the five authors want women to take control of their finances and not let it control them.

The story of Andrea, Robyn, Katie, Angela and Sandra is not uncommon, but they're unique because each person made a commitment to ensure other women are financially self-sufficient. These friends formed a money group, exceeded their goals upon expectations and are now providing expert advice to other women hoping to do the same. After watching an episode of the Oprah show about personal finance in 2005, these woman knew it was time to make their financial well-being a priority. Each were at different stages in their lives, but working together allowed them to achieve their money goals.

Like most, you're probably wondering how it is possible to save money when many are on the verge of becoming unemployed, prices increasing and each day is uncertain. It seems impossible, but it's not. The Smart Cookies provide practical advice such as hanging with friends for lunch vs. dinner, participating in clothes swaps instead of buying new items and how to reduce credit card dependence.

Encouraged by their 2007 visit to the Oprah show to discuss their success along with support from best selling money author Jean Chatzky, the idea to write a book was solidified. While many tips are shared throughout the book, the one that sticks out the most is ensuring family and friends are supportive. The Smart Cookies' Guide is a fast read packed with powerful information. Buy a copy today, visit the website or borrow it from your local library if you're being extremely budget conscious. This is a great book for yourself or the perfect gift for upcoming graduations. Let's make 2009 and beyond the year of financial freedom.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Shaun Robinson "Exactly As I Am"

2009-04-07T23:16:00.037-05:00

Access Hollywood's entertainment reporter, Shaun Robinson, debuted her new book Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice With Today's Girls On What It Takes to Believe in Yourself at an intimate event in Harlem, NY. The elegant brownstone was filled with Shaun's friends and family celebrating as she accomplished another life goal. I took two of my high-school mentees to the book signing with hopes they would gain encouragement from Shaun's book.

Exactly As I Am includes interviews from some of the top women in Hollywood giving tips to young women about self-esteem, self-worth and self-sufficiency. Media extraordinaire Oprah Winfrey, powerhouse entertainer Queen Latifah along with Kansas Governor and Health & Human Services Secretary nominee, Kathleen Sebelius, took part in Shaun's book. Each provided their own view of what young women can do to live life to the fullest.

Shaun, an award winning journalist, shared that young girls should value themselves and embrace who they are. She understands the pressure teens may feel as they attempt to emulate their favorite superstar. But Shaun's advice, along with the input of other successful women, reminds young women to live their dreams and not the dreams of others.

Exactly As I Am provides positive reinforcement to the millions of teen girls searching to find themselves. Shaun's book should be read by every teenage girl. I encourage you to purchase a copy for the teen girl in your life and encourage her to read, re-read, highlight and share information she finds helpful. I would also like to know of other books helpful to teens as they experience growing pains. Share your suggestions in the comments area.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Bettina Lee, far right, of Tinalee Media & Events, myself,

Shaun Robinson and my mentees enjoy the book signing.
(Pictures courtesy of The Creative Cookie and Kamau Studios)

Girls in Tech

2009-04-02T23:39:00.024-05:00

(I enjoy myself along with other Girls in Tech attendees.)

This week I attended the relaunch of the New York chapter of Girls in Tech, an organization created for women working in technology to connect. I only stayed a short while since the event occurred the evening of my wedding anniversary. But the mission of Girls in Tech is encouraging and I wanted to support the organization.

The GITNYC chapter debuted last year, but it's relaunch includes a new Managing Director, Amy Cham, and advisory board. Drinks and hor d'oeuvres flowed at M1-5 in Soho as women, along with men, celebrated the re-emergence of a solid female tech community in NYC. There are many ways to become involved with the chapter. Follow GITNYC on Twitter or join the chapter's Facebook or Meetup.com groups.

While there, I connected with a Facebook friend, Juliette Powell who's new book, 33 Million People in the Room, has received rave reviews. This was our first time meeting and her energy was amazing. The event was chronicled by The New York Observer, so I was able to get a full recap of what I missed since I dashed out early.

I'm excited that so many people were there to support women in the technology field. We're certainly under represented, but the numbers are growing each day. Women Making Moves will continue to showcase outstanding women in the tech industry, which hopes that more women will become interested. Girls in Tech is paving the way for future generations, which I applaud.

Women, start Making your Moves today!

Elline Surianello

2009-03-30T00:00:00.006-05:00

Elline Surianello and Alyson Campbell celebrate

An Evening of Reinvention.

(Picture courtesy of Belkis Carrasco)

I was excited to receive an invite to attend an after-hours event at Saks from Alyson Campbell, partner and publicist with AMP3 PR. The event was in celebration of Elline Surianello, Founder and CEO of LeMetric Hair Center, Inc. An Evening of Reinvention, as it was billed, was a joint event with BettyConfidential.com, an emerging online magazine catering to women.

Women were encouraged to bring their best girlfriends for a night of empowerment. Elline's story of dealing with hairloss at a young age, was sure to motivate attendees to live their best live's ever. Elline was among several women panelist who shared their life stories with hopes of providing inspiration to the mass of women. The energy in the room proved that a good time was being had by all. The complimentary wine, hors d'oeuvres and makeovers helped as well!

Elline's story was extremely inspirational. Her company, The LeMetric Hair Center, has empowered women around the world. She begin dealing with hair loss at the age of nine and after experiencing disappoints with several products, Elline created a product line. Her goal was to help the over 50 million women who suffer from hair loss due to stress, illness and other factors. Women have a unique relationship with hair. We love it and we hate it, but when we look great, it gives us that extra boost of confidence needed to move mountains and follow our own paths.

Some of the wise words I took away from Elline were:

-"Be comfortable with yourself."
-"Don't be afraid of imperfections, but if you don't like it, fix it!"
-"Learn from your experiences and in the process, learn to love yourself."
-"And like Nike, Just Do It."

I enjoyed the evening filled with cocktails, confessions and caring girlfriends. I left knowing that adversity can lead to new opportunities. Nothing is impossible. Take a look at Elline Surianello's success and begin charting your own path.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Ada Lovelace Day

2009-03-24T14:03:00.024-05:00

Today is Ada Lovelace Day and I'm honoring this pioneer by highlighting women excelling in the field of technology. I committed to honoring Ada Lovelace because the representation of women in technology could certainly be higher. Women Making Moves has discussed the role of women in technology previously here and here.

I've been exposed to a number of female techies on Twitter. Through my Twitter connections, a new outlet has opened itself up for women to display their knowledge in the field. There is no lack of women interested in technology and these results prove it.

I've wondered why my interest was never sparked in this field. I concluded that I was never exposed to the field. While in my freshman year of college, I was required to take a computer science course, which I detested. But with the proper mentoring, I could have learned to love that course and pursue technology as a career.

Today there are numerous organizations encouraging women and girls to participate in technology. Girls in Tech, Webgrrls and She's Geeky are all committed to mentoring women and encouraging them to take an interest in technology.

One of the women I admire in the tech field is Dr. Dhyana Ziegler. She currently serves as Vice President for Instructional Technology and Academic Affairs at Florida A&M University. Dr. Ziegler also supervises the Division of Instructional Technology. She's a firm believer in exposing children to science and technology and was recognized by the National Science Foundation. Additionally, Dr. Ziegler is the host and co-producer of “The Delta SEE Connection,”a one-hour radio program highlighting the contributions of African-Americans who work in math, science, technology and engineering. Dr. Ziegler peers recognize her commitment to the field and named her as one of the "Top 50 Most Important African-Americans in Technology" three years in a row. She is an outstanding woman! Starting today, I encourage women and girls to commit themselves to being more active in technology. Let's prepare the next generation of women techies.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Sandra Jackson

2009-03-22T22:08:00.028-05:00

Domestic violence has recently been a hot topic since the media out-pour surrounding the Rhianna and Chris Brown incident. While this was an unfortunate incident, it's the perfect opportunity to highlight domestic abuse. I discussed this topic with the high-school group I mentor and I was amazed that several of the young women threw their support behind Chris Brown. But this isn't abnormal. Oprah has dedicated two shows to this subject and one featured a teenager who said Rhianna may have provoked the violence.

In the midst of the current focus on domestic abuse, a chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted a community forum. The New York Alumnae Chapter hosted a Violence Against Women panel discussion in Harlem. Several panelist, including Sandra Jackson a Senior Director with the Urban Resources Institute, gave a first-hand account of abuse involving women. Sandra oversees an emergency facility that houses women leaving violent situations. Her organization is the first place women and their children along with men come to escape abuse.

Sandra provided some disturbing statics. She reported that women represent 95% of all reported victims. Sandra went on to mention that young women between the ages of 16-24 experienced the highest rate of relationship violence. Sandra continued to stress the point that under no circumstances does a person have the right to hit another person. This message sounds simple, but it went a long with with the youth who were in attendance. In the video below, Sandra reveals additional statics about domestic violence. It takes courage for victims to leave their abusers. But it's also imperative to point out the danger Sandra puts herself in by working with these victims. I applaud Sandra for her commitment. Domestic violence is an issue that often gets ignored, but this program, if only for one day, brought it to the light.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Janice Tunnell

2009-03-16T22:51:00.026-05:00

Illusions Cosmetics, doesn't this name just sound luxurious. That's the concept Janice Tunnell had in mind when she and sister, Denise Tunnell, launched the company. An accomplished make-up artist, Janice, has worked in the entertainment industry for a majority of her creative career. Television along with print, video and film have all showcased the work of Janice. Her work can be found in such movies as The Notebook and National Treasure.

Janice is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. She studied Business Management and Accounting at North Carolina State University and had a career as a Tax Accountant for over 10 years. Although, Janice enjoyed her line of work, her passion for make-up could not be denied. She trained and became licensed at the Von Lee School of Aesthetics. Through this experience, Janice was convinced she could become a successful business owner. Janice prides herself on being a woman making moves because she's taking steps to successfully achieve her goals.

Living your dreams is certain to be a goal of many, but Janice realizes she's living her dream now and she owes much of her success to her parents who encourage her unconditionally. They've been her biggest cheerleaders throughout her career. She credits her family and friends for helping her stay motivated. Through their support and her hard-work, she's achieved many of her goals. A strong spiritual foundation and the power of prayer has gotten Janice even farther than she's imagined.

As a professional make-up artist working with a number of high-profile clients, Janice's day-to-day activities are hectic. Her morning begins by answering emails and voice-mails relating to Illusions Cosmetics. Conference calls, order filling, creative and marketing sessions as well as budget and finance meetings are all a part of Janice's day. She's working extremely hard and in five years, Janice expects to fully enjoy the fruits of her labor. Of course, she'll still be a hardworking woman on the move, but an Illusions Cosmetics Boutique will have launched by then. Janice advises women who want to become successful to study their craft, find out what they were placed on this earth to do and work diligently to achieve it. She goes on to say that money should not be a primary factor, but finding a profession that brings joy is the ultimate goal. Janice's determination is uplifting. She's an amazing woman because she realizes her gift and believes in making herself happy.

Visit Illusions Cosmetics on the web at the company's main website. Receive beauty tips from the Illusions blog and listen to the online radio show. While visiting the sites, don't forget to review and purchase items you may enjoy. I've sampled several products from the lip gloss line and they've left my lips with a beautiful shine and extremely moisturized. The Lustre Lip Glosses in Khadijah and Sparkle are colors that can move you from day to night. Illusions has a number of testimonials. And if the products are good enough for Oscar nominated Taraji P. Henson, comedian Necy Nash and Zeola Gaye, sister of the famed Marvin Gaye, they're good enough for me! But don't take my word for it, let the products speak for themselves.

Women, start making your Moves today!

The Red Pump Project

2009-03-10T19:37:00.014-05:00

National Women/Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is today and I'm dedicating this blog post to The Red Pump Project. HIV/AIDS is near and dear to my heart. The number of women, especially African-Americans, affected by the disease has grown drastically in the last several years. It's necessary to bring this issue to the forefront and continue discussing it until it's talked about in every household.

Today, over 100 bloggers are dedicating posts to the issue of HIV/AIDS. One of my Twitter connections, @thefabgiver, initiated this project along with a friend. Visit her website for a list of other bloggers participating in the project. While we're highlighting this disease today, The Red Pump Project hopes to continue its presence as a resource for information on how HIV/AIDS affect women. Together we can end this disease by educating one another.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2006 over 1 million people were living with HIV/AIDS and almost 300,000 of them were women. For women between the ages of 25-44, HIV is the 5th leading cause of death. Most of these women, 80% to be exact, contract HIV through high-risk heterosexual contact. These statics are three years old, which means more women have been diagnosed with the disease since the CDC's last reporting. The CDC lists several things women can do to take control of this disease. The first includes getting tested regularly. I'll also add that women should be prepared and carry contraceptives with them at all times. I recently read a feature in Essence Magazine and several men mentioned it's a turn-off when women carry condoms. If a man says this, it should be an automatic red flag.

It's simple, educate yourself, educate others and together we can stop this disease in its tracks. Let's work together now before the numbers continue to rise.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Zena Nelson

2009-03-04T15:39:00.016-05:00

I was amazed when I heard the work being done by Zena Nelson and the South Bronx Food Cooperative (SBxFC). A previous Women Making Moves post, focused on the North Star Fund and the work the organization does to provide funding for grassroots organizations. At a recent North Star informational event, Zena was on-hand to discuss what the co-op is doing for the Bronx community.

SBxFC provides organic food products to residents of the Bronx. The organization is an alternative to the unhealthy food choices mostly available in the area. Giving residents food options that are healthy and affordable is the main focus of the co-op. Members and non-members are able to shop for organic and conventionally grown products. SBxFC also offers nutrition workshops and healthy cooking classes.

The concept of SBxFC was the brainchild of Zena Nelson. What started as a project for her MBA class at Baruch College, turned into a sustainable business that helps those who need it most. Zena entered a business contest sponsored by Baruch. After much preparation, she won first place and was awarded $20,000 to continue her goal of providing quality food choices for her community. The statics that Zena rattled off were shocking. There aren't many choices for organic and healthy food in the Bronx, but the borough ships thousands of produce and organic food to states all along the East Coast. These shipments go directly through Hunts Points. She also pointed out that the Bronx has the highest rate of asthma throughout NYC. One of the primary reasons relates directly to the hundreds of trucks shipping food to other locales except the Bronx.

The co-op is a start-up organization and while its small at the moment, members and staff are doing their best to get the word out. SBxFC has been featured in the Daily News and the New York Times. This co-op is one of the most affordable in the city. There are discounts for students, senior citizens and those receiving public assistance. This is a timely program considering the health disparities in the Black community. CNN's Soledad O'Brien highlighted the statics during her Black in America special. The work of Zena and her team is outstanding. She could have easily taken her business and marketing skills and used them to benefit herself. Instead Zena decided to positively impact the community in which she was born, raised and still resides. What an amazing woman!

Women, start making your Moves today!

Wanda Imasuen

2009-03-03T00:25:00.022-05:00

On Sunday I attended a wonderful informational event hosted by the North Star Fund, which supports grassroots groups in NYC. North Star distributes grants to organizations who are working towards equality, economic justice and peace for all. The information session was held to introduce people to the work of the North Star Fund. For 30 years, North Star has distributed almost 30 million dollars to needy organizations.

Several programs that have benefited from North Star grants were on-hand to share their experiences with those in attendance. Wanda Imasuen, lead organizer for FUREE, gave a passionate speech about her work with the organization. Families United for Racial and Economic Equality is based in Brooklyn and helps low-income families create a world where everyone has the economic means to choose and live their destinies. So often the working class is ignored due to their economic status. Wanda along with the other 14 members of the FUREE staff are constantly rallying the Brooklyn community to stand up for their rights. Since 2000 the organization has helped families stand up for themselves and show the power of organizing within the community.

It was encouraging to be in the presence of everyday people determined to make their communities better. I encourage you to visit the North Star Fund's website and get involved. I also encourage donating time through volunteering, but monetary donations are just as helpful. Wanda Imasuen is fully committed to serving her community and I applaud her for the decision to do so.

Women, start making your Moves today!

Robin Wolaner

2009-02-25T12:13:00.023-05:00

I'm a huge book lover. I enjoy all things books and am currently reading three simultaneously. I just completed a book authored by Robin Wolaner. Robin shares behind the scenes stories about her experience climbing the corporate ladder. "Naked in the Boardroom: A CEO Bares Her Secrets So You Can Transform Your Career" is a must read for all women. Young women entering the work force as well as professionals hoping to take their career to the next level, will benefit from the information Robin shares.

Robin's publishing career began when the industry was primarily dominated by men. She landed unexpectedly at Penthouse magazine and went on to head Mother Jones and Runner's World before launching her dream publication, Parenting. Robin's background is filled with strategic career moves, which makes her an ideal person to provide advice on how to succeed in the fast paced world of corporate America.

"Naked in the Boardroom" covers steps for successful negotiation, how to manage your career and how women can recover from potential harmful career mistakes. The book not only provides the perspective of Robin, but it also features advice from other women. "Naked in the Boardroom" was extremely helpful as I am in the process of making a career move. You're heard the saying "Knowledge is Power." Read Robin's book to move your career onward and upward.

Women, start making your Moves today!