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July 31, 2008

The Science Babe

I was at the Liberty Science Center in Newark, NJ on field trip, watching a science demonstration on the cool things you oculd do with liquid nitrogen - shrink balloons, freeze ballons, make fog, etd.  The science demonstrator called for volunteers - all of the boys raised their hands of course.  Behind me, I could hear nother urgiwn her tween girl to get involved - "You're our science girl," the mom said, to which the girl promptly replied, "No I'm not - I don't wear a pocket protector or a pants that are too tight and short."  So I get the pocket protector reference...though I don't think they sell them anymore, that this girl, who probably thought all the experiments were cool and wanted to volunteer, held back because she didn't want to be that horror of horrors, a girl geek. 

So, young lady, to set your mind at rest, I introduce The Science Babe - proof that you can be way cool and be a girl geek.  You can even wear high heels.  Check out Dr. Debbie and her fascinating video on the Science of High Heels... and revel in the fact out, girl nerds, that being a science geek doesn't mean you need to sacrifice anything else...

 And don't forget to get your very own GirlMogul Science is Cool t-shirt.  We suggest the new baby doll style.

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July 29, 2008

Mrs. Magoo Reads - GirlMogul of the Day

 

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We've decided to award Sophie Epstein, creater of the Mrs. Magoo Reads blog the GirlMogul of the day.  A blog dedicated to reviewing tween (aka young adult literature), Sophie has compiled an impresive reading list, ranging from the old - Jane Austen's Emma to the new - Harry Potter.  We admire her entrepreneurial spirit to in opening up the blog to author for promotional opportunities - she's going for the Mrs Magoo Bump (much like the Colbert Bump).  Good for you Sophie - we foresee many great things for you, Future Media Mogul. So be sure to check the Mrs. Magoo Reads blog and tell all of your friends.

Love to read?  Want to be a writer when you grow up?  Then check out GirlMogul's Future Best Selling Author tee - now in Baby Doll Style.

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July 28, 2008

Surprise - Girls are good at math

Good News – Girls really are good in math.  A new study refutes the talking Barbie claim that “Math class is hard.” Y showing that there is no gap between girls and boys when it comes to math.   In a study funded by the National Science Foundation, It found that while 20 years ago boys scored better on math tests, that is no longer the case – they now perform equally.

 

The NY Times article “Math Scores show no Gap for Girls” goes on quote the co-author of the study ,Marcia C. Linn of the University of California, Berkeley,. “But people are surprised by these findings, which suggests to me that the stereotypes are still there.”

Girls are still underrepresented in high school physics classes (which require a decent level of math knowledge), as well as the professions, such as engineering that require math.  Another author of the study, Janet Hyde, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, said: “The stereotype that boys do better at math is still held widely by teachers and parents.… I still hear anecdotes about guidance counselors steering girls away from engineering, telling them they won’t be able to do the math.”

So what does this mean – don’t assume that just because she’s girl, she can’t do math.  And if she doesn’t like math or isn’t doing well, take a look at her classes and her teachers.  Is there something going on in the classroom (like a biased teacher) discouraging her from doing well at math.  Perhaps this might be an area to get a few enrichment classes – with someone or somewhere that is committed to girls and math, or do start doing some fun math drills at home.  Even if she never wants to go onto a calculus, a solid foundation of math will serve her well in any analytic classes, better prepare her for financial freedom (no mortgage broker will snow her. Also, strengthening a math weakness to at least competency will give her more self-confidence in school in general – as well as help maintain her overall GPA.

 Check out the I Like Math shirt at GirlMogul.com

 

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July 17, 2008

From Engineering to HR - Joelle Hinds-Ware - a Real GirlMogul

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Today we're happy to feature a Real Life GirlMogul, Joelle Hinds-Ware, entrepreneur, engineer, wife and mother - who says you can't ahve it all.  Read on for her take on being a female engineer, balancing career and family and seizing an opportunity in the market to start her own business.

 Joelle Hinds-Ware is the managing partner of Verify-ED, an HR (Human Resources) Services Company she co-founded.   Her background however, is in engineering, so we were intrigued – how does an engineer become an HR entrepreneur, and how did an engineering background set her up for success, no matter what the field?  Read on for her story, as well as great tips on finding a mentor and studying and doing what you love.  Check out Joelle and her company, Verify Ed at Verify-ED


 Q. Why/How did you decide to study engineering in college?
A:  Fate and good luck.  When I was a senior at Cardinal Spellman HS (Bronx, NY), I fell in love with Calculus in Ms. Sirakos’ class.  I was a member of the Bronx YMCA gymnastics team and, before practice, the father of one of my teammates would often help me with my Calculus homework.  One day he asked me about my college plans, and I really had no idea where I wanted to go and what I wanted to study.  He said that he had never met any girl who loved Calculus as much as I did and he invited me to visit his alma mater, Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ).  Without David Silverberg’s intervention, I would not have known that engineering was a viable option – so I am indebted to him for his help.
 
Q: What did you study in school that helped you?
A: Calculus and algebra were the most applicable courses to engineering that I took in high school.
 
Q: What was your favorite subject growing up?
A: Algebra.  In algebra, I love that it is so applicable to solving everyday problems.  You are always trying to find the unknown X to something – and that does not only apply to math.  It could be the unknown X in a logic statement, but it is still algebra.
 
Q: What were/are your hobbies?
 A: I still consider myself a gymnast, and I have parlayed this love into coaching my daughters’ competitive gymnastics teams.  I was also introduced to fencing in college, and I take any opportunity to pick up my foil.  I am also a certified fitness instructor.  I really like teaching strength training to women because I recognize the great effects of muscle development on your health and positive self-image.
 
Q: What was your favorite book growing up?
 A: I was such a voracious reader when I was younger.  I am sure that I read almost every young adult fiction book in the Castle Hill (Bronx, NY) public library.  I can’t recall that I had a favorite book, but I do recall immensely enjoying The Chosen by Chaim Potok and The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.  Interestingly, those books were required summer reading and they really made lasting impressions.  My reading choices have always been for books that make me happy – I do not like horror stories!
 
Q: What was your first engineering job?
A:  I have never held a traditional engineering job.  Many people may not realize that employers seek engineers for their analytical skills – not the ability to use a compass.  My first job out of college was with a management consulting company – where I did not do well.  I was not mature enough to work on client sites, but I was GREAT at creating analytical spreadsheets that used macros to perform amazing calculations.
 
Q: Why did you switch from engineering to HR entrepreneurship?
A:  I wanted more control over my schedule.  I have 3 children and a husband.  I was getting up every morning to catch a 6:15 am train and rushing home to relieve the au pair – it was stressful.  At my job as a business analyst at an executive staffing firm, I recognized that the vendor that we used to verify education degrees could not fulfill a basic need.  I formed a partnership with someone who had extensive background screening experience and we developed a way for our clients to verify degrees without collecting sensitive data from job candidates.  This feature is how we stand apart from our competitors!
 
Q: Were you the only woman in your class, at your job?   If so, was it weird?
A: Not only am I often the only woman, but I am often the only Black woman – and it is fun!  I don’t mind being the most different, because people tend to remember me and I believe that I get more opportunities to present my ideas than others.  The hardest part is being confident that you “belong” because there are many people who seek to belittle others.  That was the situation at my first job.  There were not many women at the company, and most of the women were very helpful and provided guidance.  But there was one woman who was determined to make me feel badly.  That experience actually makes me very aware to provide guidance and assistance to other women when I can.  Our interns are all women and I am asked to speak about my experiences at events geared toward women.
 
Q: Is engineering family friendly?
A:  As with everything, it depends on the engineering path taken.  I have friends who have become staff engineers at large firms that have structured programs geared toward work-life balance, so managing family and work is easier.  I also have friends who have chosen to work in very hands on, small environments where the demands on their time do  not make it easy to find a good balance.
 
 
Q: What makes engineering a great career for a woman?  (Or not)
A: First, engineering is a wonderful major for women because it is a great way to apply the analytical strengths women and girls have.  Women tend to think and ponder issues.  The application of engineering studies is limitless.  An engineer can be anything from a teacher to a medical doctor, so women can find a career that utilizes their engineering skills and complements the life they choose.
 
Q: How do you know if engineering might be right for you?
A: If you like to analyze and find solutions, that is a good indicator that you will enjoy engineering.  There are many engineering disciplines, so you can find a focus that you enjoy.  I chose to major in Engineering Management because I enjoyed getting a foundation in every engineering field and studying management concepts to complement my engineering skills.

What are some good resources for students thinking about becoming an engineer?
A: Another engineer is always great!  You can also check out engineering organizations like the Society of Women Engineers (www.swe.org) or professional organizations that focus on specific disciplines like the American Society for Engineering Management (www.asem.org) .  These organizations usually have programs for providing information about engineering and mentoring programs.
Q: Quick paragraph about what you’re doing now – promote your business of course…
A: I am a Managing Partner at Verify-ED, a company that provides background screening services.  Employers come to us to check the backgrounds (education, past employment, criminal history, etc.) of people who they are considering to hire.  We also have a tool called Val-ID-ate that lets job seekers use our services to show proof of their qualifications.  For example, you would use our services to show proof that you earned your engineering degree and Val-ID-ate lets you create a screen of this information that you can show to prospective employers.  People can attach the URL to their MySpace or LinkedIn profiles.  We are very excited about this product!
 

Q: And anything else you want to add?

A: We would love to hear from you!  Please visit our website and tell us what you think.  You can view our past monthly newsletters (www.verify-ed.com/inthemedia.php) and sign up to receive future ones.  You can also read my blog (http://verify-ed.blogspot.com).

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July 13, 2008

GirlMogul Featured on Mommy Track'd.com

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We love Mommy Track'd.com, even before they wrote nice things about GirlMogul. But seriously, they get the whole girl power apparel thing.  Be sure to check out their Anti-Princess Reading list as well.  It's full of great girl stories.  Anyway, please check out the review of the GirlMogul  Future Leader of the Free World - Lily shirt - be sure to leave a comment and show your support.

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July 09, 2008

The GirlMogul Story

The GirlMogul Story

It all started with a strange invitation. A simple, clean crisp invitation to four very different girls, from different backgrounds, with different interests and talents. Asked to meet at the City Library one weekend afternoon, their parents and caregivers dropped them off (after thoroughly checking everything out) into the optimistic and caring arms of Abby. Led through the ancient building to, they went up , up and up, to the top floor (which they had never even known about, not even Rose), to meet the strange mysterious Dr. Smith. With her gray hair pulled back in a bun and crisp navy suit on, she looked over the girls. Rose, Poppy, Lily and Daisy. Under that steely gaze, even Daisy straigntned up from her slouch and wished she was wearing something beside her favorite, torn and tattered t-shirt.

And then Dr. Smith smiled. “Welcome girls. We have big things planned for you…” And so begins the story of the GirlMoguls – Lily, Rose, Poppy and Daisy – and no, those aren’t their real names. Read on to find out more about the Girls

Lily

Lily’s fun vivacious and outgoing. She’s a natural leader and that’s the role she’ll assume in the group. She makes friends everywhere she goes. A decent student, Lily can do really well when she tries hard. When she doesn’t try in school, she does ok. She’s a little better at math than any other subject and sometimes finds reading a whole book tough going, unless it’s about something really interesting. Unlike the other GirlMoguls it may seem Lily doesn’t have any special talents, but her natural ability to rally the team around, listen to all sides and make decisions will make her an excellent leader. Watch as she discovers an unknown interest in money and business.

Lily lives in the suburbs of the city, with her Mom, a real estate agent, and her dad, a banker. They have a dog named Scoochie.

Poppy

Poppy’s the scientist of the group – insatiably curious she’s always asking why. She has a love of animals and when she was little spent hours collecting bugs, worms and other things. She has two fish tanks, one turtle tank and a hamster. She’s always watching the Science channel and reading anything about science. For the holidays last year, she got her first chemistry kit. She set up her own lab in her room, where she’s constantly working on perfecting a new hand lotion for her older sister.

Daisy



Daisy is one tough cookie. Super smart, sarcastic and a little bit of a rebel, Daisy looks tough on the inside but has a heart of gold on the inside. She lives with her father in an apartment in the heart of the City. She loves the great views, but her favorite thing is working on her computer. She disassembled her first computer when she was 3, and since then has been building her own and writing programs for it. She’s even built a few of her own gadgets like a remote door bell and phone ringer – it drives her dad crazy. Daisy never does well in school, but she could if she tried. She doesn’t though – she’d rather be playing a video game, building a computer or programming an widget for My Space.

Rose

Rose is the quiet one of the group. The scholar, the writer and the observer. The voice of the GirlMoguls, she starts chronicling their adventures. Rose lives on a farm on the outskirts of the City. Her mom works the farm while her dad is overseas. It’s a busy life, but overall it’s good. Rose loves to read and can lose herself in a book when she’s not supposed to be doing chores. Also very curious, Rose believes that everything worth knowing is in a book – she most often goes to the library (or her computer) to find the answer to something. Often the voice of reason in the GirlMoguls, Rose is an excellent researcher – with Daisy’s internet skills, Poppy’s curiosity and need to experiment and Lily’s leadership, there’s no problem they can’t solve.

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July 08, 2008

Running A Successful Lemonade Stand

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Ready to make some money this summer? Want to make lemonade out of lemons? Well read on for some great tips on running a successful lemonade stand. It will take some hard work, but the effort will be rewarded. For a great way to get started, check out our Lemonade Stand Entrepreneur Kit

Safety First!

Before you decide on running a lemonade stand, talk to your parents. A responsible adult should always been within eye contact. Also, never go up to a car to deliver lemonade – let the buyer come to you.

Location, Location, Location



It’s an old rule but true. Lemonade stands rely on passersby for business, so you’ll want to choose a spot that has a decent amount of people passing by, whether it’s walkers, cyclists or vehicles. If you’re counting on car traffic, make sure that there is a place for thirsty drivers to pull over and be able to get out.

Also, don’t forget to make signs directing people to your stand – people will go out of there way for a cup of lemonade on a hot day, but only if they know it’s there.

Quick Tip:

Do your market research – not sure of the best spot? Pick a couple of spots and do a count – stay at each spot for certain length of time and count the number of people/cars that pass by. When checking on different spots, try to do it at the same time of day and with the same weather. Pick the most heavily-trafficked spot.

Who's it for?

Are you doing this for yourself or for charity> If you’re doing a lemonade stand for charity be sure to advertise that fact. If you’re doing it for yourself, then make sure you’re honest about that to – in fact if you’re doing it for something specific, like a new bike, you might want to let people know that you’re raising money for a goal.

Quick Tip:

Combine the 2 - You can run a lemonade stand for good and profit. You can sell lemonade and donate a portion (a percent) of your sales to a charity – make sure you tell people about it and make sure you actually donate some money.

A great charity is Alex's Lemonade Stand. Started in 2000 by a little girl with cancer named, Alex, the Alex's Lemonade Stand program has raised millions of dollars to fight pediatric cancer.

Or if you're feeling a little competitive, check out Inc Magazine's Lemonade Stand contest.

Professionalism

It doesn’t take much – you don’t have to build a fancy stand – just a card table, a nice tablecloth, some cups & the lemonade. Don’t forget to dress neatly and smile. Also have change on hand (get help from Mom or Dad with this) and have a calculator handy.

Making Money, Honey

You’re running a business, not a charity, even if you’re raising money for a charity. Don’t give your lemonade away for free. You’ll want to determine how much it costs to make a cup of lemonade (including the ice, the cup, etc) and then set your price higher than that. You’ll want to look around and see what other lemonade stands are charging so you’re in line (or competitive). Charge too much and no one will come to you. Charge too little and you won’t make any money.

Want Fries With That?

Notice how they always ask you that at a fast food restaurant? It’s so you’ll buy the fries you didn’t even know you wanted and spend more money. Consider selling some other items with the lemonade. Can you make a great chocolate chip cookie? Or perhaps you have access to one of those warehouse clubs where you could buy pre-packaged snacks (chips, cookies, candy bars, bottled water) and re-sell it.

Juicing the Juice

Sometimes people will pay a lot more for the same thing. You may able to charge more for a cup of homemade (really homemade) lemonade than something made from mix. In fact it could be your stand’s signature – “Authentic, homemade lemonade”. Just be sure you know what it costs and how to price it – and that it really is better than everyone else’s.

Staying in the Game

If you’re committed to running your stand week after were you can make more money than if you just do it once. Why? For one thing, you’ll become a community fixture – people will expect you to be there – if they weren’t thirsty one day they might be the other. If you do a good job and have great lemonade and cookies, then your customers will tell other customers, and so on – you just need to be there.


 

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July 07, 2008

The Lolita Effect - The End of Innocence

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This book came to my attention from People Magazine of all place (I swear, my mother in law bought it).  In the book, univ of Iowa Professor M. Gigi Durham discusses out culture's sexualization of younger and younger girls and what we can do to protect our daughters.  Here's the review from Publishers Weekly: From Publishers Weekly
We've all seen it—the tiny T-shirts with sexually suggestive slogans, the four-year-old gyrating to a Britney Spears song, the young boy shooting prostitutes in his video game—and University of Iowa journalism professor Durham has had enough. In her debut book, she argues that the media—from advertisements to Seventeen magazine—are circulating damaging myths that distort, undermine and restrict girls' sexual progress. Durham, who describes herself as pro-girl and pro-media, does more than criticize profit-driven media, recognizing as part of the problem Americans' contradictory willingness to view sexualized ad images but not to talk about sex. Chapters expose five media myths: that by flaunting her hotness a little girl is acting powerfully; that Barbie has the ideal body; that children—especially little girls—are sexy; that violence against women is sexy; and that girls must learn what boys want, but not vice versa. After debunking each myth, Durham offers practical suggestions for overcoming these falsehoods, including sample questions for parents and children. In a well-written and well-researched book, she exposes a troubling phenomenon and calls readers to action.

 I haven't read the book, but you can bet it's going on the GirlMogul reading list.

For Girl Power Apparel check out GirlMogul - Encouraging Successful Girls

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July 03, 2008

Celebrating Independence Day

I am going to post something that came to me an email during campaign season, but I think it's important, that we, as GirlMoguls remember the value of democracy and independence...I don't know the original author - so if anyone does, please put a comment here.  Enjouy your 4th of July and rememer - History is being made...and you are a part of it.

 Why women should vote--I needed the reminder.

Author Unknown...

 

This is the story of our Grandmothers, and Great-grandmothers, as they lived only 90 years ago. It was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

 The women were innocent and defenseless. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of "obstructing sidewalk traffic."

 They beat Lucy Burn, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

 Thus unfolded the "Night of Terror" on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.

 For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press. 

 So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?
 
 Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie "Iron Jawed Angels." It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.
 
 All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.
 
 My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. "One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie," she said. "What would those women think of the way I use--or don't use--my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn." The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her "all over again."
 
 HBO released the movie on video and DVD. I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum. I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.
 
 It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.
 
 The doctor admonished the men: "Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity."

 Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know.
 
 We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.
 
 History is being made.

 

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July 01, 2008

Dominique Moorefield

We heard from Dominique Moorefield our Lemonade Stand Hero and GirlMogul of the Day.  She was able to contact us and selected her GirlMogul shirt - Future Best Selling Author.  Congratulations Dominique -hope you enjoy your GirlMogul girl power apparel.


Anyone else know of a special, unique girl who might qualify as a GirlMogul of the day - send her story our way, and maybe, just maybe she'll be our GirlMogul of the day.


Contact us at girlmogul@girlmogul.com

 

Posted by girlmogul at 08:12 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)


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