Upvote Women

Celebrating positivity & creativity in a world obsessed with down-voting

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Historian and Feminist Scholar Gerda Lerner

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Queen

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(via UGA’s first African-American female physics doctoral graduate urges girls to pursue sciences | Columns | UGA)

Whitney Ingram’s interest in science started as a girl. This month, she becomes the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate in physics at UGA—and she wants other young girls to do the same. “I hope I can encourage girls to pursue the sciences no matter what might hold them down,” she said. “It’s fulfilling to go after something you really like. Go after what you love.” In particular, Ingram wants to see the number of minorities and women working in sciences grow. “There are not a lot of black women in physics,” she said. “There are recorded data that show there are less than 150 black females—living or deceased—in physics. I want people to know that because it’s a small number—pitifully small.” As a child, Ingram read a story in National Geographic about the death of the sun. It scared her, but it also sparked an inquisitive nature that wanted to know more. “I’ve always had a natural interest in science,” she said. In high school, she took even more of an interest in science. Her physics teacher “made it come to life” by encouraging interactive experiences and taking time to answer questions. “You look at the world differently when you apply physics,” she said. “I like the idea of breaking down what you see and really thinking about it.” Ingram started at UGA as a freshman in 2007 and changed her major to physics early on, saying she “had a whim to stick with something I was passionate about.” After getting her bachelor’s degree in 2011, she started the doctoral program. Ingram  works  in  nanotechnology and its applications in cloaking and sensors. For example, one project she worked on involved metamaterials that can be used as sensors for glucose and other molecules. During her time at UGA, Ingram earned several scholarships and fellowships, attended eight conferences throughout her academic career, and authored or coauthored 14 studies for publication. Additionally, Ingram was chosen as part of a national competition to be one of 65 students to represent the U.S. delegation at the Annual Nobel Laureate Conference in Lindau, Germany, in 2015, where she had the opportunity to meet Nobel Laureates in physics, chemistry, physiology, peace and literature. She’s looking at postdoctoral research positions after graduation but also hopes to find time to travel and pursue other hobbies in addition to finding ways to mentor those with an interest in science. Not only has Ingram gained factual knowledge in her study of physics, but she’s also learned some life lessons like learning to collaborate and being flexible. “Because you have to look at things differently, I think it’s good to never approach something from just one direction,” she said.

[nprbooks]

The advice column has changed a lot since Ann Landers. It used to be advice handed down from a kind of wise aunt or uncle, but now it’s more like your cool big sister who happens to swear a lot. A wave of internet advice columns by women who weren’t afraid to empathize with readers, like Cheryl Strayed and Mallory Ortberg, have modernized the form.

One of those advice givers is Heather Havrilesky. Her column, “Ask Polly,” for New York Magazine’s The Cut is profane and profound and really connected with young women, in particular. Now she’s got a new book out called How To Be A Person In The World, and in it she gives a lot of advice about love. “It’s probably fair to say that I kind of have a soft spot for romantic travails as a subject,” she tells NPR’s Rachel Martin.

‘Ask Polly’ Columnist Tells Advice-Seekers ‘How To Be A Person In The World’

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Rosario Dawson about receiving compliments when she lost weight to play a drug addict in the film “Rent”.

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Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958): The Overlooked Mother of DNA

In 1962, three men received the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine. Their acceptance speech was pretty standard – descriptions of their hard work, expressions of gratitude to their peers, and thanks to their collaborators. But one person was left off their acknowledgements, her contribution swept under the rug. Had this forgotten figure lived but four more years, she might have been at the podium herself. Or at least put up a good fight in the process.

The men were James Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins. The woman was Rosalind Franklin. Their discovery was DNA.

Keep reading

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Nobody bad-mouths Hagrid on Hermione’s watch! ᕙ( •̀ʖ•́ )୨

(Thank you to lizmaryr and zexionlikesmuffins for suggesting this glorious scene from the Prisoner of Azkaban!)

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Hermione the bad-ass. Imagine her when she’s McGonagall’s age!

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It’s time for the Second Annual Wear Your Superheroes Day! If you believe that superheroes are for girls, boys, and everyone in between, then join us October 1st by wearing your superhero gear (t-shirt, jewelry, or full-on cosplay if you like!) and share your pictures with #WearYourSuperheroes!  From Wear Your Superheroes:   “Wear Your Superheroes Day is back! Last year we shared the story of Leanna, a five-year-old girl who loves superheroes but was teased at school for wearing her superhero clothes. Her older sister Adalina promptly declared October 1 to be Wear Your Superheroes Day, when boys and girls who believe superheroes are for EVERYONE could show solidarity by wearing their superhero gear. The event was a tremendous success, both at the girls' school and here on Facebook, where we had more than 1,800 participants from the U.S. and around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom (to name just a few countries). Since that day, Leanna has been much more comfortable with sharing her interest in superheroes, and better yet, we've heard from parents of other kids who have been encouraged by her story and by the many photos and messages that were shared by others here on Facebook and elsewhere online. This year, we'd like to keep the momentum going. On Thursday, October 1, please join us by wearing your favorite superhero attire and sharing your photos here or on Twitter/Instagram with the hashtag#WearYourSuperheroes. Whether it's a full costume that you designed or something simple like an accessory to go with your work clothes, we'd love to see what ideas everyone comes up with! In the meantime, please help us spread the word by sharing this event page! You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the links below. Thank you! Wear Your Superheroes http://www.wearyoursuperheroes.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearyoursuperheroes Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearsuperheroes Instagram: https://instagram.com/wearyoursuperheroes” 

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Have courage.

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Where will your dreams take you?

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Watch: Serena Williams isn’t here for your body shaming — and it’s downright inspiring.

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Bless this woman💕

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“I just don’t have time to be brought down. I have too many things to do.” -Serena Williams

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Some books swallow you up.

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You are wonderful.

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I have in me the germs of intense life. If I could live, and if I could succeed in writing out my living, the world itself would feel the heavy intensity of it…I have the personality, the nature, of a Napoleon, albeit a feminine translation. And therefore I do not conquer; I do not even fight. I manage only to exist.

from the diary of 19-year-old Mary MacLane, in Butte, Montana (1902), reprinted as I Await the Devil’s Coming (Melville House, 2013)

MARY.

(via melvillehouse)

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so incredibly proud of this lil munchkin sprinkleofglitr on her clothing line!! the fact that its for plus sized women and that it had POCKETS makes me so incredibly happy, you go girl! <3 GET ITEMS FROM HER LINE RIGHT NOW!

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louise is so pretty I’m gonna die

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Pockets.

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Happy Esther Day!

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The words of Esther Earl & the art of Risa Rodil: a match made in Tumblr heaven.