The InfluencHER Project, Connecting Women & Practicing Tolerance
Nearly a year ago, I was invited by Christine Heenan of the Clarendon Group to serve as an editorial advisor for The InfluencHER Project —a weekly newsletter and social media community that curates and shares content created by women in order to elevate ideas and opinions and reinforce female expertise on a range of topics. Some weeks focus on a particular topic, like the anniversary of the Beijing Conference on Women with guest editor Yang Lan or women in film with guest editor Gloria Steinem.
Other weeks feature a range of global perspectives, or connect with timely topics like this week's focus on the International Day of Tolerance, something that is very much on my mind these days, given the political divide that the national demographics breakdown in our recent election makes very clear — particularly, the white women’s votes. It seems clear that we need to expand the information ecosystems that are forming our opinions, depending on our differences. We need more tolerance, yes, but we also need more understanding, and for me that begins with more information about all women, their fears, aspirations and ideas. That’s why I joined the InfluencHER Project—and I'm hoping you might take a closer look as well—and join the community.
InfluencHER has three editorial advisors — myself, Apiorkor Seyiram Ashong-Abbey and Alison Smale. We work closely with the Clarendon team to review content from women around the world, both established and emerging voices, and discuss which pieces are most resonant for that week's newsletter.
Please enjoy this week's compilation in lieu of my weekly opinion piece, and join us in this effort to elevate women’s voices. Follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn), subscribe to the newsletter, and submit suggestions and articles for consideration. The point of InfluencHER is to expand our sources of information, to introduce new ideas and ways of seeing and thinking, and to create a space for dialogue and, yes, tolerance.
Earlier this week, the world celebrated International Day of Tolerance in a year defined by a global pandemic, political upheaval, and a collective awakening on systemic racism and injustice.
Anger, fear, frustration, anxiety - all have been in abundant supply in 2020. Tolerance has been more elusive.
Tolerance is worth talking about this week – and after this week -- because we each have a role to play in building more accepting, inclusive communities. Start small, for example through conversations with family members this holiday season, or go big, and shape or advocate for laws and workplace policies that pave the way for equal rights and equal representation.
At The InfluencHER Project, we try to nurture tolerance by exposing our subscribers and followers to women, ideas, and outlets outside of our respective bubbles, and by curating a cross-section of content from around the world. We don’t want to be another echochamber where only like-minded people can gather. Support for gender equality is non-negotiable, but we encourage you to share women-authored pieces with us that you agree with and pieces you disagree with but think raise interesting points. Content that makes you think and ask questions. Stories that advance the conversation and that help make us all a little more tolerant.
Submit pieces for consideration through our website or email us at submissions@influencHERproject.org, or share and tag us on social media @InfluencHERproj.
Mashable: Making Smart Devices ‘Gender Neutral’ Won’t Undo Their Deep-Seated Sexism
Ever notice that smart assistants usually have female names and female voices? Rachel Kraus does a deep dive on the embedded sexism of smart devices with researchers Jenny Kennedy and Yolande Strengers, authors of “The Smart Wife.”
The Hill: Norwegian PM: Gender Equality is 'Essential for a Sustainable Recovery' from Coronavirus
At last week’s Reykjavik Global Forum, hosted by Women Political Leaders, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg laid out the need to put women at the center of COVID-19 recovery efforts, noting an "alarming increase" in women's poverty, rising rates of unintended pregnancies, and increased reports of violence against women globally.
The Atlantic: Democrats Have a Republican-Women Problem
“There is a political realignment occurring with [these] voters in the suburbs, where low taxes aren’t enough to keep them in the Republican Party.” Elaine Godfrey talks to strategists, experts, and voters to understand the growing group of conservative women who have rebuked President Donald Trump. She asks, though, is there a place for them in the Democratic party?
New Statesman: How the Women’s Equality Party Took on the Most Divisive Issue in Feminism
An interesting look from Alona Ferber for New Statesman at how the Women’s Equality Party (WEP) followed Ireland’s example to tackle an issue that is dividing the feminist movement: trans rights.
Ms. Magazine: Four Ways to Empower a New Generation of Women Political Leaders
Education, life skills, role models, and resetting social norms. Those are the elements that are key to more women seeking - and achieving - positions of leadership. “We cannot afford to continue losing so much of the world’s talent pool and fail to provide a positive vision for what leadership looks like. The future of our world truly depends on it,” writes Lucina Di-Meco for Ms.