Encouraging Girls in STEM
According to UNESCO, fewer than 30% of researchers around the world are women. In higher education, around 30% of female students pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. While low, these percentages actually show that women have steadily increased participation in STEM since 2000. As of 2019, the majority of veterinarians and pharmacists are women. But, steep gender pay and participation gaps persist in other STEM careers. February 11, 2021 will be the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the perfect time to encourage girls who want to pursue STEM-related fields.
Saving Sacred Apache Land in Arizona
The San Carlos Apache Tribe has been advocating to protect the sacred Oak Flat area from copper mining, but the land may soon be owned by a foreign mining company. Copper mining has been a key industry in Arizona since the 19th century, but it can negatively impact the environment. On January 15, 2021, with the publication of the final environmental impact statement, the U.S. government started the 60-day period in which the land can transfer to Resolution Copper. There's limited time left to protect Oak Flat. How did this happen?
"Don't Melt Our Future"
Today, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service released troubling data: 2020 tied 2016 as the two hottest years on record and 2010 to 2020 was the hottest decade on record. Temperatures in 2020 were 1.08 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the average temperature from 1981 to 2010. Why is this happening?
Where the Wild Things Are
In April 2020, Girl Friday started tracking the Trump administration's renewed focus on auctioning off oil and gas drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). On December 3, 2020, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the controversial sale of oil and gas leases will take place on January 6, 2021. Indigenous activists, politicians, and conservation groups have been working hard to block this outcome for decades. Can we save ANWR?
Giving Tuesday & Season of Giving List
Because of the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, there are so many charitable organizations and communities in dire need of support and resources. Below, with a focus on combatting hunger and supporting farmworkers in the United States, we’ve listed some of our favorite organizations for Giving Tuesday. Want to add to this list? Send us a direct message, or leave us a comment, on Instagram @DearGirlFriday. We’ll make updates and add new categories throughout the 2020 Season of Giving.
Farmworkers Face Wildfires
As wildfires rage on the West Coast, farmworkers continue to harvest crops. On top of the coronavirus pandemic, they have faced soaring summer temperatures, unpredictable fires, and dense smoke. Some companies, like Oregon's Arlyn Vineyard, have prioritized health and safety over profits, but there's more we can all do year-round to protect these essential workers and valuable members of our community.