Charging Forward

Dispatches from Space: We are enjoying hearing the latest from teen space enthusiast Abigail Harrison. The 15-year-old is now in Russia, getting ready to start reporting on the Russian Soyuz launch and what’s happening on the international space station. You can follow her on her Facebook page, on Twitter at @AstronautAbby or by signing up for updates on her webpage. [Astronaut Abby]

Bike is Best: Did you ride your bicycle to work or school last Friday as part of National Bike to Work Day? In the Washington D.C area alone, more than 14,000 people took part, depending on their bicycles to get through their daily commutes. Feeling inspired to keep riding? Remember that biking is good for your body (and good for the planet). Plus, riding to work or school can also give you time to clear your head and get focused before starting your busy day! [The Washington Post]

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Why did you want to appear on “Shark Tank?”

Lani: It came about because one of their producers contacted me. Up until that point, I had never thought of going on the show. I had heard of it. Then they contacted me and when I found out more I realized how good of an opportunity it was. When they first reached out to me, I never expected it to go anywhere. Before I knew it, they were telling me they wanted me to come out to LA for the show, and I was out in LA for five days.

How did you prepare for the show?

Lani: A lot of it was making sure all of our numbers were solvent. During the taping, a lot of the questions were things I already knew the answer to.

What was the experience like watching your “Shark Tank” experience on TV for the first time with family and friends?

Lani: It was kind of horrible [laughs]. I hated watching myself on TV, but it was really exciting as well. I knew what happened, but a lot was edited, so it was definitely cool to see how they put together the show. The show was taped about six months in advance, so after we actually taped it, we couldn’t tell anyone. The only person who knew was my mom. It was a big secret.  So it was exciting to reveal to everyone.

How has Simple Sugars grown since “Shark Tank” aired?

Lani: It’s been so crazy. After the show aired, we got over 15,000 orders online within three days. That was significantly more than we got the year before … I think we are one of the most popular products they’ve had on “Shark Tank.” To date, since [late March], we have had 23,000 orders. It’s really cool how much the business has changed in such a short period of time. We had five people working for us prior to the show. Now, we have 20 employees and seven interns, a mix of full-time and part-time.

What has a typical day been for you post-Shark Tank?

Lani: Depending on what the daily crisis is [laughs], I’ve been working from 8 am until midnight every day since the show aired. I have been going in and setting the production schedule for the day. Everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing. We do manufacture all of our products in house. That’s generally how I start out. We get a ridiculous number of emails and phone calls every day. I have to be there to make sure that my team is working the way they should be and work with them to resolve issues. Everything is a little different every day is a little crazy and hectic; I haven’t taken a weekend off since the beginning of February. It’s definitely a lot of work, but it’s fun at the same time.

How has “Shark Tank” affected you as an entrepreneur moving forward?

Lani: “Shark Tank” has definitely been a big opportunity and we have seen crazy, quick growth, but it hasn’t changed much about our strategy. We are still going forward with our original plan moving forward, but I am in a completely different position moving forward. Originally, I focused on a lot of operational things. Now, I am learning how to manage all of these employees and our production schedule. Prior to the show, all of our employees were doing things operationally; now we have had to hire people to answer phones and emails and work on the business side of things, too.

What exciting plans does Simple Sugars have for the near future?

Lani: Right now we are focusing on expanding our online and wholesale opportunities. Ideally, we are hoping to pick up some additional retails across the U.S., not just locally [in Pittsburgh]. So that is exciting. This summer, we are also going to launch two new scrubs, raspberry and lemonade, which come out later this month.

The post Amanda’s Corner: Catching Up with “Shark Tank” winner Lani Lazzari appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Peace of Art: “What do you see when you imagine a world in Peace?” That’s just one of the prompts to help you create a winning—and inspiring—work of art for for The 16th Annual Peace Pals International Arts Exhibition and Awards. Download the official rules to find out how to participate. [Peace Pals International]

Celebrity Jobs: Need some inspiration to start your summer job search? We’ve all got to start somewhere…even celebrities! Check out this fun article on Seventeen that looks at where some of your favorite stars like Lea Michele and Beyonce first punched the clock! [Seventeen]

The post Friday Scoop: A Teen Science Star + Celebrities’ First Jobs appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

In fact, Abigail’s currently trying to raise $35,000 through crowd-sourcing site Rockethub so she can bring space and science education young Earthlings everywhere.

Check out our Q&A with Abigail to learn more about this unique project and why she is  feeling starry-eyed about her future in space.

How did you get interested in becoming an astronaut?

Abigail: I’ve always been interested in space since I was five. I remember looking at the sky and thinking, “That’s really amazing,” and knowing I wanted to go there. Some people say to my mom, “You’re just going to let your kid strap herself to a rocket?” But my mother always says, “There’s no way I can stop her if that is what she wants to do.”

When I was 11, I started to get interested in learning more about science and the more technical aspects of what it took to become an astronaut. Since then, I’ve worked really hard at school, gone to space camp, watched a shuttle launch and started an educational outreach campaign.

What is this campaign all about?

Abigail: It is a six-month educational program. On May 16, I leave for Russia and will be the Earth-bound liaison to Luca Parmitano, a European Space Agency astronaut of Italian nationality who is part of the Russian Soyuz Launch. I will be in daily contact with him, and doing civilian journalism to keep the community involved in what’s happening at the international space station.

Then, I will also be speaking about my experiences in classrooms—either in person or over a Skype-like program—as well as at conferences and events. I will be writing blogs for various science and space publications. I am also starting a pen pal program for kids that lets them sign up to get a weekly email from me about what’s happening in science.

Why do you think space programs are important?

Abigail: There are three main reasons: 1) We, as humans, have so much curiosity and wonder, and we need to explore. There are so many things we need to discover. 2) So many technologies that we use in our daily lives were developed from our space program, like insulation that makes a house warm. 3) The third reason to explore space is to have a backup plan, because our Earth is incredibly fragile.

What would you tell other kids who are interested in careers in space?

Abigail: One of my big goals is to really encourage other people—especially kids—to follow their dreams in space and science, and to work hard. My advice is that if science or space really interests you, go for it. There are so many programs and amazing communities where you can get involved and start to learn more.

Did anyone ever try to tell you couldn’t do science because you are a girl?

Abigail: I’ve never encountered that, but in my engineering and applied physics class, I am one of two girls. That’s disappointing. One of the tenants in my educational outreach campaign is that we should call ourselves scientists, because it doesn’t matter if we’re men or women. I say, I want to be the first astronaut to go to Mars, not the first woman to go to Mars.

Abigail has already raised more than $25,000 for her campaign, which will continue until May 18. You can learn more about her outreach efforts at her website: http://astronautabby.com/

The post Space Enthusiast Abigail Harrison Reaches for the Stars appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Virtual Internship:

Opportunity for Filmmakers: Got a story to tell? High school and undergraduate college students can enter an inspiring film contest from ConnectHer and Harvard College Social Innovation Challenge. To enter, “submit your 3-5 minute short films that address global women’s issues such as: education for girls, maternal health, violence against women and girls and a variety of other issues.” The payoff: more than $20,000 in prizes! [ConnectHer]

Angry at Abercrombie: You heard about Do Something’s campaign against A&F CEO Mike Jeffies—whose 2006 comments about only marketing to cool kids have recently gone viral. Now there’s a new protest: “Los Angeles-based writer Greg Karber launched [a] campaign, which uses the hashtag #FitchTheHomeless… Karber encourages viewers to donate their Abercrombie & Fitch clothing to a local homeless shelter, and then share what they’re doing on social media.” What do you think of this campaign? [Mashable]

The post Wednesday Scoop: Great Ways to Build Your Network — and Help Girls! appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

1. Be the photographer. Take publicity into your own hands! With the onset of social media like Instagram and the ease of taking video on your phone, it’s simpler than ever to snap photos and footage of important events. If you’re savvy with this kind of social networking, you can use it for good! Why not volunteer to be the eyes and ears at a benefit for an important community fundraiser or non-profit initiative? Then publicize the images you capture through various social media like Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook.

2. Be willing to take on the details. Tech skills go far beyond social media. Many non-profits need help in other departments—such as graphic design or simply maintaining a blog. If you’re comfortable posting online content, this might be the job for you! And if you’ve created your own blog or website in the past? Even better. So whether you’re an ace at HTML coding or simply adding a hyperlink, don’t be afraid to approach (or start!) a cause that could use your deft online skills.

3. Go viral! Promote your passion. Numerous non-profits rely on the power of social media to spread their word and advance their cause. Many non-profits encourage teens to create videos or post to their Facebook page. If you need help finding one, take a look at our Spread the Word profiles, many of which focus on non-profits that live by social media.

4. Partner up. Work with someone who’s got a similar passion and a different skill set. Maybe you know someone else who’s great at planning an event, but not-so-great at promoting it or creating the online presence it needs? Offer up your skills and contribute to a meaningful project!

5. Look to the role models. Are you interested in enhancing your skills even further? Follow a larger non-profit (with a big budget) to see how they use social media. Get inspired by major non-profits with great social media campaigns. Check out this article for a rundown of the most successful so far, then take a read of this one for more great ideas on building online presence for an important cause.

Have you ever used social media to promote something you’re passionate about? Share your secrets in the comments!

The post Going Viral: Five Ways to Use Your Mad Tech-y Skills for Good appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Summer Summit:

Fighting for Education: We’re touched by this story of 16-year-old Aida Budjut, a refugee from South Sudan, who is standing strong against a young marriage. Instead, she is pursuing her education. Aida just “started a six-month course that prepares non-English speakers to learn the language and eventually teach primary school students in English.” [AllAfrica.com]

Fit to Read: Celebrate National Fitness Month by entering this contest to win a free copy of A Girl’s Guide to Fitting in Fitness from Zest Books. “The book includes tips on making fitness a priority in your already busy schedule, essential items you need to get started on a workout routine, a list of apps to help you manage your workouts, sample exercises with helpful illustrations, dieting do’s and don’ts and much more! ” [Zest Books]

The post Monday Scoop: Girls Summit Attracts Global Talent appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

I don’t want this post to be sentimental, or clichéd. No tears here, or cringing. Instead, let’s be real. The final countdown starts now.

4.  College is stressful. Really stressful at times. I have somehow found my way out of college without joining the All-Nighters’ Club, but I have seen a few 4 AM flashings on my computer screen in my day. (Writer’s block is no fun, especially when you stare at a blank page for hours on end without writing anything productive.) But sometimes, all you need is a little splash of coffee and an impromptu dance party to make it through. And a half-hour long nap during the day, if you can fit one in.

3. Thank goodness for Facebook. It is a treat to look through my timeline and rediscover shared moments with college friends, anything from those impromptu dance parties to reveling in college traditions to taking selfies and being silly. Pause and forget for a moment that I said I wouldn’t be sentimental – but if Facebook doesn’t change drastically, my friends and I can dig into our time capsule and reconnect with Bryn Mawr when our daughters go there. (Just kidding … maybe.)

2. College is a time to try something new. The summer before I arrived at Bryn Mawr, I never would have thought that during my four years there, I would a.) become the Sports Editor of my college newspaper. b.) learn to belly dance. c.) travel across the United Kingdom and Europe during a semester abroad. d.) found a club on campus, a college chapter of the national non-profit She’s the First. e.) like coffee. I mean, love coffee.

1. I wonder what is beyond the castle walls of Bryn Mawr? It is soon time to find out. I just reread my “Letter to my Freshman Self” that I wrote for Heart of Gold back in October.  I have appreciated the depth of discussions, the papers that I am proud of, and the critical thinking that has crossed my mind with every reading. I have appreciated cultivating a place for myself in this world, filled with entrepreneurial spirit, a go-getter attitude and words galore. I have appreciated what Bryn Mawr has to offer and what I have to offer to Bryn Mawr—and to the world.

Girl, it is time.

The post Amanda’s Corner: The Final Countdown appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Hacker Girl:

The post Friday Scoop: Awesome Hacker Defies Stereotypes. Plus, Sign the Petition to Protest A&F. appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

In fact, according to a 2012 report by Girl Scouts, while women now make up 57 percent of college graduates in the United States, they only account for 20 percent of undergraduate degrees in computer science, engineering and physics.

In total, only one in four STEM jobs is held by a woman. Time to change that, don’t you think?

Smart, strong role models like Marian Bechtel are helping to do just that by breaking down stereotypes–and creating amazing innovations that can have a worldwide impact. 18-year-old Bechtel, a lifelong science enthusiast, designed an inexpensive mine-sweeper that works by using soundwaves. This invention allowed her to advance to the final round of the Intel Talent Search in 2012.

Now pursuing geology and physics at Pennsylvania’s Bryn Mawr College, Marian recently talked to Heart of Gold about the unusual inspiration for her invention, how she got to meet the President and what girls have to believe about themselves if they are going to pursue careers in STEM.

What first sparked your interest in science?

Marian: My parents are geologists and they were always really enthusiastic and passionate about what they do. When I was three years old, we would go on fossil hunts. They ran the science club at my elementary school and we would always be dissecting things and putting together contraptions.

You parents also worked with a group of international scientists to develop technology for detecting land mines. What inspired your own mine-sweeper design?

Marian: I was actually sitting at the piano, and I noticed that when I played certain chords and notes, they would resonate with a banjo, causing its strings to vibrate. I thought, “Hey, maybe that same idea could be used to helped detect land mines.”

I talked to one of the members of my parents’ group—an acoustics professor—who helped me get the project rolling. I worked on it for three years, with the third year being when I created the design of the actual device.

What was it like to be an Intel Science Talent Search finalist?

Marian: I remember getting the call about being a finalist. I was doing homework when the phone rang. After I put down the phone, I literally ran around the house screaming. I was so excited. It was all such an amazing experience and I met some of my best friends at the competition.

What makes the hard work worth it for you?

Marian: When I am actually doing the research, it can be very frustrating and tedious. But when I am done, I realize how much I miss it. Then, there’s the payoff when I compile my work and get to go to cool places, like the White House Science Fair where I got to meet the President and shake his hand.

Plus, my family is very into peace, and my cousins live in Mozambique where they have to deal with land mines. I feel very connected to this issue.

What advice do you have for girls who want to follow in your footsteps?

Marian: I would just tell them, “Yes, you will be a minority.” In my last year of high school, I was the only girl in AP physics—and my high school had 2400 students. It was very intimidating, and I felt a lot of pressure to defend my gender. I didn’t want to do poorly and have people to say, “Oh, girls aren’t good at math, or girls aren’t good at physics.” You have to be strong and be confident—and realize that you don’t fit a stereotype, because you’re you.

Watch this amazing YouTube video with Marian’s observations on war and peace:

The post Teen Inventor Marian Bechtel Reveals Her Formula For Success appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Space Girl:

Money for Activists: There’s less than a week left to apply for two really cool DoSomething scholarships: Text your friends to raise awareness about hunger or animal cruelty by May 14, and you have a chance to win $2000. That’s all there is to it!  [Do Something]

Inspiring Advice: Are you pursuing a career in leadership? Get some great encouragement in these “5 Reasons We’ll Have a Woman President” from Barbara Lee, whose Barbara Lee Family Foundation “provides the research and other tools that would get more women into the political pipeline.” We love this: “I used to dream about the first woman president. Now I talk about electing her.” [Women in the World]   

The post Wednesday Scoop: Girls Reaching for the Stars appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

There’s just one problem: women are sorely underrepresented in the world of STEM careers. Many girls steer clear of these fields for a number of reasons—negative stereotypes, lack of confidence or the belief that they’d prefer careers that seem more social or creative. Well, if you’ve ever wondered if a STEM job could ever be interesting or cool, this post is for you. Here are just a few of the amazing careers available with a background in STEM…and the women behind the job titles.

Science Illustrator: Think you can’t mix art and science?  Think again! Jo Griffiths, a science illustrator, found a way to combine her love for both science and her passion for drawing. She uses graphics to capture scientific phenomena ranging from earthquakes to whale patterns to the distribution of penguins! Need more examples of careers that combine STEM with the arts?  Try “Game Music Composer” or “Video Game Designer.”

Video Game Producer: Do you know what takes a video game from okay to great? Video game producers do just what it sounds like—oversee the production of a game throughout its development. But you have to bring more to the (game) table than just a love of gaming. Lyndsay Pearson, a producer for the “Sims” label of video games, first got her college degree in Computer Video Imaging with a focus in modeling and animation.

Oceanographer: Sylvia Earle has loved the ocean since she was three years old.  Today, she works for National Geographic as an “Explorer in Residence,” and yep—it’s just as cool as it sounds. She’s led more than a hundred expeditions and spent more than 7,000 hours underwater to learn about issues from biodiversity to building resiliency in the face of climate change. But don’t think you have to grow up too fast to live a life like hers. According to Earle, “The best scientists and explorers have the attributes of kids! They ask question and have a sense of wonder. They have curiosity.”

Roboticist: Think designing robots is something they only do in movies? Think again! Cynthia Breazeal creates robots…and not just any robots. Hers can recognize emotion and even make eye contact! To be successful in her STEM career, she has to be an inventor, computer scientist and artist. Her knowledge base comes from engineering and computer programming, but also psychology and even popular cartoons.

Cognitive Neuroscientist: Do you watch The Big Bang Theory? We couldn’t resist adding this career to the list, in honor of Mayim Bialik’s character “Amy.” Amy is both the long-suffering girlfriend of physicist Sheldon and a brilliant scientist in her own right. But did you know that actress Mayim Bialik is—in actuality—a neuroscientist? In the years she took off from acting, this smarty-pants actress earned her PhD in neuroscience. So when she rattles off all that medical terminology on the show? Yeah, she knows what she’s talking about. Watch this video about her efforts to encourage more girls and young women to pursue a STEM education like she did:

Are you interested in learning more about STEM careers? Click here for a collection of websites dedicated to this important topic—many of which are targeted towards math, science, and tech-savvy young women like you!  And for more cool STEM jobs, check out this article.

The post From Robots to Video Games: 5 Seriously Cool STEM Careers appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Thank a Teacher

Summer Schooling: If you’re between the ages 18 and 25, don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to attend an amazing conference this July: the “Women in the World Foundation is holding its first Next Generation Leadership program… There will be exciting seminars, speeches by amazing women and valuable networking opportunities.” Apply by May 15 to be one of the 50 lucky recipients (travel and lodging scholarships available, too!) [Women in the World Foundation]

Inspiring Words: Around here, we love a good quote. That’s because the right words can remind us about why we’re working so hard to begin with! Take a look at these Top 32 Quotes Every Entrepreneur Should Live By for inspiring ideas from Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and more—then tell us what words of wisdom you turn to when you need to fuel your inner fire. [Forbes]

The post Monday Scoop: Celebrating Teachers All Over the World appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Test Stress:

Singing Out Against Bullying: Check out this new video for “The Popular Song” starring Mika and “Victorious” star Ariana Grande: “The stylish video…shows the pair hosting a grisly dinner party to get revenge on a pack of schoolyard bullies. [The Huffington Post]
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Joining the Job Hunt: Looking to land a good gig for this summer? Take Seventeen magazine’s “What’s the Perfect Summer Job For You?” quiz to “find out what kind of summer gig will put extra cash in your pocket without taking the smile off your face.” [Seventeen]

The post Friday Scoop: Dealing With Stress, Bullying and More appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

My hair has a lengthy history of change. Different stages of my life present different states of hair. As my life has spiraled through different experiences, places and opportunities, my hair has spiraled, too—and straightened and frizzed and swirled around my neck and over my shoulders. Take a look:

Amanda, newborn: short sprigs of blonde hair on the crown of my head. I may have been 12 weeks premature and under constant watch for health issues, but I did have nice hair going for me. In a professional photograph of my twin brother Ian and me at this young age, just around when we left the hospital, I even have my minute hand on the side of my head, as if I am ready to run my teeny fingers through my hair.

Amanda, age 2: white-blonde ringlets. As I learned to talk and walk and play, my hair grew to shoulder-length. I sported bouncy curls that my mom liked to adorn with bows.

Amanda, age 4: long and wavy. By this point, I had learned how to read, and my hair loosened out to waves. It was brushed and braided by my mom, whose curls I inherited.

Amanda, age 10: straight and sleek. I distinctly remember my fourth grade picture day at school. I wore a white long-sleeve shirt, black dress pants and a pea-green vest—when vests were all the rage—and had a green background to compliment my outfit. What I remember the most about the picture—besides my puckered lips that led to a nickname which I would rather not remember—was my hair: long, sleek and beach blonde. During my worst hair days later on life, I would look back on this period and snarl with jealousy. What happened to that hair? What happened to the young girl whose biggest decision was which book to read for fun?

Amanda, age 13: frizzed out. Basically, a disaster. At the end of seventh grade, humidity clung to the air, and I grew a lion’s mane of frizzy, loose curls. This occurred toward the end of my puberty stage; thus, as I grew taller, my hair became crazier. No serum or cream seemed to help. I felt awkward. What a welcome to teenage years! Yet as I stared myself down in the mirror, I began to accept my locks, just as I began to accept and love myself.

Amanda, age 15: under control – maybe? My hairdresser cut my locks to my shoulders over MLK weekend, which rejuvenated my hard-to-tame head of hair, with a little bit of layering going on. I also found an almost magic styling liquid from mark by Avon that worked wonders when I used it as a scrunching mechanism. Suddenly, I felt better about myself in the midst of those awkward teenage years. Who knew something as simple as a haircut could be a miracle worker?

Amanda, age 22 [present day]: wispy and wavy, and a little wild at times. My hair is now the longest it has been since I was in fourth grade, falling approximately an inch below my chest. Its length has weighed down my waves. Wake-up-and-go kind of hair, no comb or curling iron necessary. (Though I would still like to learn how to properly curl my hair using a barrel.) Years ago, I would have dreamed of this kind of hair. It is absolutely nowhere near shampoo commercial status, but nevertheless, it is the silkiest it has been in ten years. But now, I have more important things to worry about.

Varying degrees of curls and frizz have ensued throughout my life. I had all sorts of haircuts in between stages, as well. (Including the Rachel. Yes, in fourth grade, I wanted the layered hair cut so coveted in the 90s, even though I had never watched Friends.) As my hair has changed over the years, I cannot say that my hair defines who I am. Cut it, shape it, style it, and I will still be me. As the song by India.Arie goes, “I am not my hair.”

I can declare, however, that I have grown up each step of the way. And in a little more than two weeks from now, I will be graduating from college. Quite frankly, the future frightens me a little bit. But I’m ready to step right into it, with my hair (however it looks) whipping in the wind.

The post Amanda’s Corner: My Hair—A History of Me appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

And that’s not all this girl power force has accomplished–since 1881 (wow!), AAUW has gone from 17 founders to more than 150,000 members around the country, along with 1,000 local branches and 700 college/university partners. On their long to-do list? Fighting for equal pay for men and women, awarding fellowships and grants to help women advance personally and professionally and acting as changemakers to get important bills and laws passed. We’re so grateful for all they’ve done to take action on behalf of women and girls.

So how can you support the efforts of AAUW? Let us count the ways:

Minute to Win It: Subscribe to the AAUW Two-Minute Activist to keep up with public policy and make your voice heard on important issues.

Attend an AAUW event: Finding out about AAUW events in your area is easy-peasy—just enter your zip code here to get a list of all upcoming events, as well as find out about local/regional AAUW branches you can contact.

Make a donation: Keeping an organization afloat isn’t easy, and every dollar counts! Support AAUW by making a donation here.

Stay current on social media: Want to keep up with all of the great things happening at AAUW? Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and all the usual suspects — click this link for an easy-access list.

Meet the women of AAUW and learn more about the mission in this inspiring video!

The post Cause of the Month: American Association of University Women (AAUW) appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Happy May Day:

Music to Our Ears: Yesterday, the cool folks at Do Something announced a new campaign: “The VH1 Save The Music Foundation provides grants to underserved music programs across the country to keep music education alive. By participating in Band Together and submitting a video, you’ll be entered to win a chance to choose the next recipient of a grant that will provide one of these schools in need with music equipment to keep their programs alive.” Learn more about how to participate in a weekly challenge! [Do Something]

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Advice for Entrepreneurs: Looking to sharpen your skills before launching a business? Cindy Morand, a participant in a Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship Biz Camp program, offers advice in for building credibility: “It is always important to show your customers that you are ahead of the trends, innovating, coming up with new ideas and researching ways to improve your products and services.” [NFTE Blog]

The post Wednesday Scoop: Celebrating Workers Everywhere — and Music appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Tune in to what this enterprising Georgetown grad has to say about her mission to change lives with art—and what she’s got up her creative sleeve for the future.

Why have you decided to use your art as a way to give back?

Tamara: I consider myself very privileged. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, education, friends and health, among many other [things]. As a child, I watched my parents give back to their community through countless hours of pro bono medical service, yearly need-based scholarship endowments, monthly child sponsorship subscription through Compassion Korea and much more.

Music is one of the most disarming means to fundraising, and for now, it is one of my best, non-threatening shots at raising social awareness and compelling skeptical strangers to action.

Once my scholarly interest in corporate law, human rights and criminal justice is fulfilled by a legal education, however, I will be able to give on a much larger scale, bringing about changes that matter to an entire sector of society. Indeed, after law school, the post-college volunteer work I have engaged in as a musician and as an educator will metamorphose into pro bono legal service from a qualified attorney. Stay tuned for my progress!

What inspired you to make an album for charity?

Tamara: After my early graduation in December 2011, I returned to Korea to give back to my people. More specifically, my focus is on underprivileged local children. I started out with volunteering at Yangjae community center, teaching English through music, and then I gradually started participating in the organization of various charity events around town as well, performing my original music to help raise funds. Once organizing fundraisers and performing at charity concerts had become my weekend routine, I gained enough courage that I decided to take the next step for my music-for-charity adventure: an all-original charity album project.

How did you choose the charities to benefit?

Tamara: I have been volunteering to teach English through music at Yangjae center for underprivileged school children 2 to 3 times every week since Spring 2012. I have helped raise money for Angel House and Myungjin orphanage at multiple charity concerts. All three charities tie perfectly into my interest in helping disadvantaged local children, and so I chose ‘em all!

How much have you raised so far? 

Tamara: In little more than a month, I raised $5,000 dollars in Korea alone using an online fundraising website called Tumblbug (the Korean equivalent of Kickstarter). After recuperating my costs, I had $3,000 to divide between the three charities. Last week, I sent $1,000 to Yangjae, and another $1,000 will be delivered to Myungjin Orphanage this week. The final $1,000 will be wired to Angel House for disabled orphans at the end of the month. And this is just round one! Round two will involve my English Kickstarter page, which is currently under construction. I hope all of your readers will chip in for an $11 album and a priceless cause!

Will you continue to do charity projects?

Tamara: Of course! Once all copies of the album are sold and all donation targets met, marking the end of my very first charity album project, I will use the remaining funds to start my second charity project. I will create and publish ESL study material, complete with textbooks and audio CDs, for the children of the Yangjae community center, so that they may be able to study English even when I’m out of the country for law school.

What advice would you give to teens who want to use their art to support charity projects?

Tamara: Know your cause and be prepared to present it to strangers. Know your target population and how best to help. Know people — or rather, get to know more people. People are everything. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be sure to ask politely and seriously, with sincerity and respect. You shall receive all that you need and more. Often, magnificent things can take place when people come together for a cause.

To order the album, message Tamara at her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MusicByTamaraKim. To learn more, watch Tamara Kim in action here:

The post Tamara Kim Records An Album to Help Children in Need appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Since I was about 11, the number on my scale ruled me. I was a perfect 99 pounds, size 0, and hadn’t hit puberty yet. By twelve, everything shifted. Suddenly I had hips, boobs and a butt. To top it off, my weight breeched the dreaded three-digits on my scale. Inappropriate. Size 0. Size perfect, I thought to myself. It was about then that I started sporadically throwing up my food. Just, you know, when I would feel TOO full.

By high school, I was overwhelmed, overworked, depressed and lonely. The problem was, I knew what I wanted to do since I was five: entertain people. Writing projects about the habits of fish and studying the square root of x just seemed to be impeding my mission in life. I felt I was wasting my time, and my youth, on subjects that neither interested me, nor would be applicable to my future. I wanted my future to start right away. I just needed a goal…a number…like a number on a scale. Perfect! Once I hit my ideal weight, I reasoned to myself, I would have control over my future. My weight was the single thread that I could knit my life to my purpose.

I poured over SELF and Shape magazines, ogling the perfect size 0 models. When I looked like that, I would be a success in my mind. Mirrors and my scale were my only measurement. So I turned to my trusty friend the toilet. Good ol’ bulimia. I made so many stupid excuses to convince myself that I was making a smart choice.

There’s an old Indian proverb, which I now live by: “You cannot wake up someone who is only pretending to be sleeping.” I wanted to be ignorant of the fact that I was slowly KILLING myself. I’d stop throwing up after I graduated. I’d stop after I got an agent. I’d stop after I book my first film. Excuse, after excuse, after excuse. Truth is, I didn’t stop. I was an addict. I was addicted to bulimia and I was addicted to this idea of perfection.

I don’t remember the specific moment I realized this monster. But slowly, I started to come out with it. Talking was the key. Once I started talking, I realized I had become so sickly obsessed with myself, I was disgusted. The world is so much bigger than just me, and yet all I could think, talk, eat, sleep, drink and breathe about was ME and this stupid number on a scale. I was literally sick of myself. I got help from friends and family. My mom even sat on me once to prevent me from going to barf (that’s a good mom).

Plus, after years of throwing up, I realized that I really was no thinner, happier or successful as when I started. Bulimia doesn’t work. It just messes you up.

It was then that I found Pilates. And through Pilates I found teaching, and in teaching others, I realized that I wasn’t alone in this weight-obsessed world. I could communicate with others about their body image issues, because I have been there. I admitted to my shortcomings and no longer inundated my mind with a message of perfection. Don’t get me wrong—I always strive to do my best, but I’ve realized my humanity. And in realizing that I am human, just like everybody else, I found health. And in health, I found my success.

Weight is just a number. It has no power over you, unless you give it power. And personally, as a 25-year old business owner and freelance writer, with a Lionsgate-distributed feature film and two more films in the works, there are a lot more important numbers in your life than the numbers on a scale.

Kim MacKenzie is President of Body Archer LLC. Not only is she a pilates instructor and creator of the Core Strengthening & Body Arching™ Stretch Program but she is also a screenwriter and producer. Her latest film BRO’ is available nationwide through Lionsgate. She is also currently producing the cooking show “Don’t Kill Your Date (and Other Cooking Tips),” as well as working on a few other screenplays in her spare time. Follow her on Twitter @Kim_MacKenzie and @BodyArcher

The post Guest Post by Kim Mackenzie: Success is Not a Number on the Scale appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Phe-PROM-enal:

Sticking With STEM: Women still are way under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),  but talented trailblazers are making a difference for generations of girls to come. Take a look at Meredith Perry, age 24, who founded uBeam, “a wireless charging device that can charge multiple devices at once.” Perry is  just one of the women featured in The 30 Most Important Women Under 30 In Tech. See who else made the list—and don’t forget to check out our STEM-themed month here at HOG in May! [Business Insider]

Scientist in Training: And speaking of STEM, have you checked out the cool videos made by 11-year-old Sylvia Todd? She “has attracted more than 1.5 million YouTube views of the show she produces and hosts, the Web-based ‘Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show‘…Her most popular episode, on copper etching, attracted more than 200,000 views. Her fans learned how to create a circuit board and a copper pendant.” [The New York Times]

The post Monday Scoop: Girls Creating Change — From the Dance Floor to the Lab appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Turn It Off:

Radio Reporting: Speaking of screens: Do you use Snapchat, an application that lets you send and receive photos that disappear in seconds? Check out this was a smart piece about the app and all it’s implications — produced by a a teen for Youth Radio: “When I started researching the app for this story, most of the news reports kept saying that Snapchat was all about teens sexting. But none of my friends used it for that.” We love teens who use media to get their thoughts and opinions out there (especially when they are talking about an issue that impacts their generation!) [Youth Radio]
…

Awesome Activist: Eighteen-year-old Molly Burke was once bullied by classmates for being blind, but now she is using her painful story — and inner strength — to change the world. Molly is the new face of Foundation Fighting Blindness’s campaign “to bring awareness to children around the world who are denied basic human rights, such as good food, health care and education.” Read more about Molly’s amazing story! [CTV News]

The post Friday Scoop: Are You Able to Unplug? appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

In 140 words or less, each new tweet from the people, media and organizations I follow shed light on a new fact, a new image, a new emotion-filled proclamation by the second. My Twitter feed was an engaging combination of professional and citizen journalism, as well as an outpouring of sadness, heartbreak and hope.

Twitter is a powerful networking tool. During the chaos and uncertainty of the string of incidents in Boston, Twitter became a resourceful space for its users to connect and try to make sense of the circumstances. I was riveted.

Even before last week, I have found meaning in the Twitter-sphere. I first learned about Heart of Gold via a retweet from a friend, and countless blog posts later, here I am. (Editor’s note: we’re so glad you did!) Don’t get me wrong—I do not have a huge social media following. In fact, most of my followers are probably spam. And I still can’t figure out how to reply to and quote another handle’s tweet at the same time from my computer … if that is even possible. But I do recognize that Twitter is a wonderful starting point of opportunity and solidarity.

 Twitter can take you places beyond that 140 word limit. Creating, sharing, and perpetuating meaningful connections can lead to a new friend, a new writing opportunity, even a new job. The sky’s the limit, so let that Twitter bird fly.

Follow me on Twitter! @msamandakennedy

The post Amanda’s Corner: Calling All Tweeps appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

“Waiting on the World to Change” — John Mayer
John Mayer is frustrated. Or at least he was in 2006 when he recorded this hit song, which laments the lack of action on the part of his generation—amidst a world that desperately needed positive activism and initiative. It was the first time Mayer tackled a political message in his music, but maybe he should try it again—it remains his most successful single to date and took home the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

“Where the Streets Have No Name” — U2
It would be nearly impossible to create a list of Grammy-winning songs with a cause, and not mention U2. Arguably the most activist of modern bands, U2 recorded this hit when religious tensions were at a high in their native Ireland. Lead singer Bono wrote the lyrics in response to the idea that you could identify someone’s religion and income based on the street where they lived.

“Do They Know it’s Christmas?” — Band Aid
Released in time for Christmas 1984, proceeds from this mega-hit song benefitted anti-poverty efforts in Ethiopia. The charity super-group “Band Aid” was comprised of a very long list of British and Irish musical stars, including George Michael, Paul McCartney, Bono, Phil Collins and David Bowie. And they sure started a trend. Since its inception, Band Aid inspired several other charitable music projects, as well as benefit concerts like “Live Aid” and “Farm Aid”—going strong to this day.

“We are the World,” USA for Africa
Inspired by the work of Band Aid, the USA responded with their own musical message.  Assembled to record a song which would raise funds for famine and disease relief in Africa (specifically Ethiopia), “USA for Africa” included 47 American singers and musical artists led by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Richie and Jackson also penned the song “We are the World,” which went on to sell more than 20 million copies. More recently, an all-star cast of singers recorded a remake of the song in response to the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

“Another Day in Paradise” — Phil Collins
As with John Mayer, the biggest hit of Phil Collins’s career moved beyond the stuff of typical pop songs and tackled big issues. In this case, it was poverty and homelessness—issues that remain incredibly relevant today. The song reminds us that there are those living in terrible conditions, while we remain immersed in our own version of comparative “paradise.”

“Streets of Philadelphia” — Bruce Springsteen
Written for the film Philadelphia, the Boss’s song about the tragedy of HIV/AIDS was a double-award-winner, picking up not only a Grammy but an Oscar as well. By writing the song and lending his voice to the movie’s major single, Springsteen also put HIV and AIDS in the spotlight. And it achieved even greater success overseas, where it reached #1 on the charts.

Check out the We Are the World remake with Justin Bieber, Pink, Lil Wayne and many more!

Grammy or not, what’s your favorite song with an important message or one that depicts an important social cause?

The post Songs that Speak Volumes: Grammy-Winning Hits with a Message appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

Focus on Film:

Education First: We are in awe of brave Gladys Kiranto, the founder of Kenya-based Tareto Maa, “an organisation that supports girls who run away from home to avoid FGM,” or female genital mutilation. Through her organization, she works at “convincing fathers that girls are more than just wives, they are of huge value to the community. But to unlock that potential, you need to give them an education.” [The Girl Effect]

Earth Day Every Day: Earth Day may be over for this year, but we like to keep thinking about better ways to help our planet throughout the year. Think you know what it takes to be Earth friendly? Take the “How Eco-Friendly Are You?” quiz and find out now. [Discovery Girls]

The post Wednesday Scoop: So Many Ways to Make a Difference appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.

In fact, the girl group’s YouTube channel has more than 1.6 million subscribers and their videos attract up to seven million views! It all started with a cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in The USA,” followed by popular covers of One Direction, Demi Lovato and lots of other chart-toppers. Their acapella awesomeness caught the eye of lots of new followers, including a 13-year-girl whose mom was a major music manager over in Britain. Fast forward to a music deal with Universal Records, and these ladies were well on their way to stardom.

You know what else makes Cimorelli something special? The six members are all sisters who have learned to harmonize with each other on and off stage.

Recently, we talked to Katherine—the second oldest sister—about singing with sisters, Cimorelli’s exciting Radio Disney award nomination and why the group is hosting  two very special benefit concerts.

What’s it like making music with your sisters?

Katherine: First, get the training you need and really master your craft. That’s very important if you want to be an artist and performer.

Second, figure out who you are and stay true to yourself—there are a lot of copycats out there, but a true artist expresses what is in her heart without feeling the need to conform to the industry’s standards—or anyone else’s . It’s been really important to us as sisters to stay true to who we are and really express ourselves in a way that feels genuine to our unique experiences.

Finally, create goals and continue to work towards those goals until you achieve them. Don’t give up! Any “failures” you may experience along the way are not endings. They are simply stepping stones on the way to success. We’ve been working on our band since 2007 and the hours have been countless. But the rewards have been incredible!

See Cimorelli in action here!

The post Sister Act: The Cimorelli Sisters Sing Their Hearts Out appeared first on Heart Of Gold Girls.