From Kabul to Sacramento: What the Afghan Women's Cycling Team Taught Me about Life

Join us for our largest conference yet, TEDxSacramento2015, on June 12, 2015. Register today before space runs out.

By Lauren Herman

When filmmaker Sarah Menzies traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan to document the lives of female cyclists, she began an unexpected journey not just as a director, but also as an individual. 

She spoke at the TEDxSacramentoSalon “This Changes Everything: WOMEN” about the film, Afghan Cycles, and how it was more than just another job. She admits that it did not take much convincing for her to pack her bags when she learned about the female cyclist team based in Kabul. But, what was surprising about the project was her unexpected personal growth before and after the film that began when she landed in Afghanistan meeting, befriending and filming the female cyclists.

     Sarah Menzies on the TEDxSacramento stage at "This Changes Everything: Women" on December 12, 2015.

In a recent blog post about her TED talk, Sarah wrote, “I’ll be honest, when I was asked to speak at TEDxSacramento this winter, I was nervous...I think it’s because for the first time, I was required to insert myself into the story. We’ve tried so hard to keep ourselves out of any of the messaging, so it was strange to personalize this story and talk about myself. The truth is, the women we’re profiling in the film have completely transformed me and my way of thinking.”

Sarah’s Unexpected Journey

Sarah’s unexpected journey as a filmmaker and individual brought to light her own misconceptions of Afghanistan and the role of women in it – a county made familiar to Westerners through scenes of war produced by mass media rather than personal experience.

Sarah explains on the TEDxSacramento stage that, “Afghanistan is not an easy place to be a women let alone a women riding a bicycle.” But, she goes on to explain that the females she befriended and worked alongside were not helpless, weak individuals that need saving like she once imagined.

Watch Sarah Menzies' TEDxSacramento talk, "What the Afghan women's cycling team taught me about life" filmed at "This Changes Everything: Women" on December 12, 2014.

The women in the film completely changed her “western bias and western fears” about the lives of Afghani women. She realized that even though “women are oppressed by men, culture and tradition...that does not have to mark them as victims.” She is determined to showcase these women as the strong, hopeful females she met who challenged her to see them as more than the conflict of their homeland. They are individuals with hopes and dreams doing something they love – riding a bicycle. Rather than feel pity and sorrow, she wants the world to feel the hope of these Afghan women cyclists when learning about them.

Sarah’s Gift to Us from the TED Stage

Sarah wanted to give a voice to the story of these female cyclists through her film, but they in turn gave her a new perspective that she is now able to use to speak to our own prejudices, biases and misconceptions of our world – especially Afghanistan.

Even though Sarah was not in Afghanistan offering humanitarian aid, I believe that she was on a mission for humanity to save ourselves from our fallacies and misjudgments of “the other” -- other cultures, other religions, other countries, other governments that are different from our own and which, we -- in turn -- deem as inferior or a danger to our own. In this case, it is the unexplored country and women of Afghanistan in which most Americans only understand through the lens of the violence and conflict.

We need people like Sarah to wake us up to the realization that despite differences in culture, gender, age, nationality, and occupations, we are all human. All seven billion of us experience pain and joy; we all have family and friends; we have much more in common than differences. To truly appreciate that, we need to listen and learn from one another and be open to the possibility that the labels we give to one another are most likely wrong.

Take the opportunity to listen to Sarah’s story on the TEDxSacramento stage to see how her journey will change you. Let her film and her talk serve as transformative agents for you.

Want to learn more mind blowing ideas worth spreading? Attend the upcoming TEDxSacramento2015 conference, "THIS Changes EVERYTHING," at the Community Center Theater on June 12, 2015. Register Now!

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Pose like a superhero because you are

Join us for our largest event yet, TEDxSacramento2015, on June 12, 2015. Register today before space runs out.

We're pleased to release John Marcotte's talk, "Girls can be their own superheroes," first given at the TEDxSacramentoSalon, "This Changes Everything: Women," in December 2014.

John Marcotte at TEDxSacramentoSalon, December 2014, "This Changes Everything: Women"

#PoseLikeASuperhero

This talk has already struck a chord with the internets, inspiring women and girls to pose like a superhero, take a photo, and post it online with the hashtag #PoseLikeASuperhero, as featured on the Women You Should Know blog. Don't worry, if you're male, you can participate too.

And now, enjoy the talk, and maybe you too will be inspired. Watch it here or at the TEDx website.

From the TEDxSacramento Stage: Emily Graslie, the One and Only Chief Curiosity Correspondent, on the Value of Curiosity

By: Lauren Herman

Emily Graslie, Chief Curiosity Correspondent for the Field Museum, speaking on the TEDxSacramento stage.

On the TEDxSacramento stage, Emily Graslie treated Sacramento to humor and knowledge around the topic of women in the STEM fields - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - engaging the audience about the value of curiosity.

No surprise in her delivery. Emily has a passion for speaking to audiences about the expansive world of natural history as a female vlogger and educator running The Brain Scoop – her own YouTube channel that helped to pave her way as the first and the world’s only Chief Curiosity Correspondent at the Field Museum in Chicago.

As a Chief Curiosity Correspondent, Emily makes interactive videos featuring the museum’s collections. The museum only exhibits one percent of its collection at any given time, so that’s where Emily takes charge allowing the public access to its massive wealth of knowledge that would otherwise go undiscovered.

Rather than explore how she obtained her current job, which is a popular question among her fans, Emily introduced her talk with one of the most watched episodes of The Brain Scoop focusing on sexism in the STEM fields. This video, featuring a sample of the sexist public comments that Emily receives, sparks discussion around women in the STEM fields introducing how sexism can seep into all fields undermining the work and curiosity of both women and men. Her message is simple; no matter male or female, we should all be curiosity seekers attempting to find and uphold the value of curiosity in our lives - a topic she expands upon in her TEDxSacramento talk. 

 

The Value of Curiosity

During her TEDxSacramento talk, Emily admits that one of the most valuable lessons of her job is that “...we are all inherently conduits and correspondents of curiosity.”  Holding this firm belief, Emily shared with the TEDxSacramento audience how curiosity was and is essential in the continuation of the museum as a public good and the preservation of natural history.

Emily prompted the question, “why do people go to museums? What were the reasons of the past, and what are the reasons of the present?" Emily proposes that there are individuals who go to museums for quality time with their family, individuals who go to museums because they feel obligated to go, and individuals who go to museums to seek answers to their questions and want a life changing experience. The latter describes a group of people Emily calls “the explorers.”

Emily advocates that every person should take on the role of the “explorer” and allow curiosity to lead us in our daily lives. Emily advises that the Wikipedia pages should not serve as our mode of knowledge; rather, knowledge should derive from our journeys of exploration within the museum - keeping it alive as a tradition to learn about our natural environment. 

 

The History of Natural History Museums

Emily Graslie speaking about the collections of the Field Museum on the TEDxSacramento stage.

Museums have their roots in the Renaissance – the age of enlightenment. During this time, preservation of human remains and animal specimens was easier than ever before. Preservation and collecting became a fad among the rich and academics, who competed for the most shocking and puzzling collections.

As collections outgrew the storage capacity of its owners, profiteering from the curiosity of the public sparked the idea to put these collections on public display. The concept of public exhibitions eventually gave birth to the public museum - an institution we now trust will document, study, and preserve our history for current and our future generations.

Museums allow us to experience a world apart from our own without jumping on a plane or to immerse ourselves in an eco system that preserves the environment and species of a particular time and place.  Standing in front of exhibits and displays allows us to imagine the unimaginable and ask questions of yourself and the world around us; curiosity naturally emerges.

 

YOU Can Be a Curiosity Correspondent, too!

Emily explains, “That’s the thing about curiosity. You can’t be curious about something if you don’t know that it exists. That’s why we all ought to be chief curiosity correspondents. We need these story tellers of our natural environment...Technology is not what is answering our questions...it’s people who are answering these questions for us.”

Do you know any of these fascinating facts about our world? Here are some things Emily discusses that are worth exploring from the Field Museum to quench the thirst of the “explorer.” Imagine what else is out there!

Artifact: Allende Meteorite – a piece of a meteorite shower that lit up thousands of square miles of Northern Mexico and Southwestern United States in 1969. 

What You May Not Know (Surprising Fact):  It contains abundant chondrules and large Calcium-Aluminum-rich Inclusions (CAIs) that are among the oldest objects formed in the Solar System.

Shoebill - a rare species with no close relatives among living birds. Photo: Field Musuem.

Artifact: Shoebill – large stork-like bird, named after its massive shoe-shaped bill, found in the swamps of central Africa. 

What You May Not Know (Surprising Fact):  If you saw this bird anywhere else, you would think it was a Muppet. It is an extremely unique bird with no close relatives among living birds. It looks unreal!

Artifact: Aztec Sun God Opal – a 35-Carat White Opal from Mexico, 16th Century.

What You May Not Know (Surprising Fact): The opal is carved into the shape of a human face. It is known as one of the most mysterious pieces in the Field’s Museum gem collection.

These are just a small fraction of what museums have to offer us – the unimaginable and unbelievable parts of our history that might have gone undiscovered and unknown. Imagine what else museums have to offer, and how our curiosity can be sparked by the questions and exploration of our natural history. If you have not seen her videos, Emily makes you want to learn more through her curiosity whether it’s the topic of women in the STEM fields, taxidermy, or rare mammals.

Once again, we owe Emily a thank you for delivering her wit and passion about natural history that motivates us all to reconsider the role of science and history in our lives. Are you up for the challenge to become a curiosity correspondent? The world awaits you!

Interested in more speakers from the This Changes Everything: Women event? Then, read these posts also:

• From The TEDxSacramento Stage: Amy Logan And Her Journey Through Patriarchy Of Today And Yesterday
• TEDxSacramentoSalon “This Changes Everything: WOMEN” Event Ends The Year With A Bang!

Sign up for the TEDxSacramento event list to receive a priority invitation to our next event!

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Go For it!

By Lauren Herman

Editor’s Note: This blog post is the fifth of a five-part series profiling women leadership in the Sacramento region. It continues the theme of our December 2014 event, "This Changes Everything: WOMEN." These women were selected based on their contributions and participation in their community and industry. By means of this series, we hope to broaden our understanding of what constitutes a leader and provide a platform for ideas worth spreading. 

 

Debbie Manning: Law Enforcement Officer, Non-Profit Leader, and Advocate for Women

Debbie Manning is a Sacramentan, not only by birth, but because she has earned its respect from years of public service in the Capital Region. One of Debbie’s most recent “glass shattering” roles in our community is becoming the first woman and African American to serve as the California State Senate Chief Sergeant-at-Arms.

Debbie Manning, Sacramentan, Leader

Her professional journey was not always easy. As those who distinguish themselves often do, Debbie often worked harder than her counterparts at the Office of the California Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. When she started at the Senate in 1977, the first women was elected to the California Senate the previous year. It was a time of change for the Capital.

Over the decades, the role of women in the Senate expanded by Debbie becoming the first female Sergeant to eventually becoming its Deputy Chief before her retirement.

Public service called her name once more when she came out of retirement to become the Chief Sergeant-at-Arms for the California State Senate in 2014. Debbie claimed her current high-level position as an opportunity to break barriers for other women in law enforcement, but also as an opportunity to return to something that she loves – public service.

She reflects back on her personal achievements as a benefit to her and current and future women in law enforcement. Debbie is also dedicated to the advancement of women in other professions through her role in Leadership California, a non-profit providing networking and support among women in California, serving on its Executive Advisory Council.

Debbie’s current work was never her dream job. She used to play hopscotch as a little girl staring at what she called “the wedding cake” building, but never knew the significance it would play in her life until after college. She reached for new heights throughout her career allowing her to work within the capital doors and to ensure the security of elected officials.

Her lesson for all of us is simple: go for it. If you don’t try, you will never know what you are capable of achieving. She knows this to be true after decades of reaching beyond what she thought she was capable of achieving. Failure is always a possibility in life, but it should never limit your direction.

 

The Interview: Debbie’s Ideas Worth Spreading

TEDxSacramento: Why did you choose your current career?

Debbie: The better question is why did I come back [out of retirement] after six years? I came back to work at the Capital because, at my core, I am a public servant. Public service is part of my life.

Since retirement, I have worked with international women’s groups through Leadership California [a non-profit dedicated to fostering relationships and networks between women in California]. I am inspired by the women leaders around the world whom I have met, many of whom experience harassment, but are still dedicated to serving as leaders.

When I was offered this leadership role [as Chief Sergeant-at-Arms], a position that no other woman has held, I jumped at the chance. How could I say no? I wanted to further my role as a woman leader, and I wanted to show that a woman can do this job. There are not many women in law enforcement, so I thought how important this opportunity is to promote females in law enforcement.

TEDxSacramento: What motivates you to push forward during difficult moments in your career?

Debbie: The fear of failure. As a woman in this field [law enforcement], I have pushed myself hard to make sure that the women who come after me have the same opportunities that I have. I want to make sure that opportunities for other women are open, rather than closed, because of me.

TEDxSacramento: What advice do you have for others in your field?

Debbie: Go for it! Women are rare in law enforcement, but the training and requirements are not insurmountable. Women are invaluable to the field. In my experience, women have the patience along with the ability to multitask and compromise to work through things that are necessary to be a successful law enforcement officer.

TEDxSacramento: Does anyone in your field inspire you? If so, who and why?

Debbie: There were no other women when I started working here [at the California State Senate Sergeant-at-Arms office]. But, there were many men in my field who helped me to see that I was capable of more than I thought I could do. My former boss [the former Chief Sergeant-at-Arms] gave me many opportunities where I gained the knowledge and experience to perform the job I currently hold. Today, I admire Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton, who have forged their own voices. I strive to do the same.

TEDxSacramento: What do you like most about working in the Sacramento region?

Debbie: I am a native daughter to Sacramento. I grew up on 11th street where I played hopscotch while staring at what I called the wedding cake building [the State Capital]. I didn’t know what it was, so I never thought I would be here now. I grew up in a political family, a Republican household. My grandmother, the matriarch of the household, was an active Republican. I appreciate the involvement of Sacramentans in politics. I grew up talking about politics, so it is what I love about Sacramento.

TEDxSacramento: What is your favorite TED talk? How do the ideas of this talk impact your life? 

Debbie: My favorite TED Talk is Sheryl Sandberg’s famous talk, “Why we have too few women leaders.” Her talk was all over Facebook, so I decided to watch it. Being a little older then Sheryl Sandberg, I was not aware of the many assumptions we as women took as fact. She challenges our assumptions and why things are the way they are for women in the workforce. Her candid talk questions why there are not more women leaders resonated with me, especially being the only woman who has held my position [as the California Senate Chief Sergeant-at-Arms].

TEDxSacramento: If you could speak on the TED stage, what would be your idea worth spreading?

Debbie: I would talk about going for it. I would urge others, especially women, to not be afraid to try new things. You don’t have to know everything before you start a new job or position. We all learn things our own way; all you need to do is jump in and get working.

Sign up for the TEDxSacramento event list to receive a priority invitation to our next event!

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Science Reporter, YouTube Star, Vlogger, Artist (and Much More) Emily Graslie to Speak at TEDxSacramento

We are excited to announce Emily Graslie will speak at the upcoming TEDxSacramento event, “This Changes Everything: WOMEN,” on Friday, December 12, 2014.

Emily Graslie. Photo by: Serri Graslie.

About Emily Graslie

A few years ago, if you were to tell Emily Graslie that she would skin a wolf, smell the trees of Amazonia, or discuss pangolins (bet you never heard of this mammal) on camera as part of her job, she probably would not believe you.

Emily is currently serving as the Chief Curiosity Correspondent for The Field Museum in Chicago, showcasing its collection using short educational videos. How did she get this awesome and interesting gig?

Almost two years ago, Emily began hosting the educational YouTube channel, The Brain Scoop, a witty and fascinating show discussing the world of natural history. Her subject matter is influenced by her experiences sketching specimen and exhibits at museums as an art student. 

In July 2013, Emily and her show relocated to the Field Museum where she is now responsible for sparking public discussion and interest around its collection. It’s not just her endless access to material that make her one of the most interesting female scientists and vloggers on the web, but her curiosity and strong desire to share science with others.

Emily has many ideas worth spreading – reinventing how society consumes, understands and approaches science in a digital age, and showing through example that girls can rook the STEM fields -- science, technology, engineering and math. We can’t wait to hear about them! 

Never be caught ticketless for a TEDxSacramento event: Apply today for a priority invitation to our next event.

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Filmmaker and Director Sarah Menzies to speak at TEDxSacramento

Sarah Menzies. Photographed by Kristin Folsland Olsen. 

It brings us great pleasure to announce that storyteller Sarah Menzies will speak at our sold out event, “This Changes Everything: Women,” on Friday, December 12, 2014.

As a young person, Sarah Menzies dreamed of venturing beyond her small town and discovering the world.

In 2010, that dream came true. Now Sarah is an acclaimed filmmaker and director who brings to life inspiring stories from around the globe.

Sarah has found one simple truth: Some of the most inspiring stories come from the most unexpected places. The only question now is this: Will Sarah find the story before the story finds her?

About Storyteller Sarah Menzies

Included in Sarah’s film credits, among others, are Catch It and the upcoming release, Afghan Cycles.

The documentary film, Afghan Cycles, tells a story of empowerment as it follows the lives of the women of the Afghan Women’s National Cycling Team as they face off against the cultural taboo of riding a bicycle.

The short documentary, Catch It, compels audiences to ‘live simply and follow your passions.’ It was an official selection at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival, the Ojai Film Festival, and the Festival Experience Outdoor Montpellier.

Never be caught ticketless for a TEDxSacramento event: Apply today for a priority invitation to our next event.
 

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Home Is Where Your Story Begins

By Lauren Herman

Editor’s Note: This blog post is the fourth of a five-part series profiling women leadership in the Sacramento region. It serves as a prelude to our upcoming event, "This Changes Everything: WOMEN." These women were selected based on their contributions and participation in their community and industry. By means of this series, we hope to broaden our understanding of what constitutes a leader and provide a platform for ideas worth spreading. 

 

Danielle Vincent: Activist, Student, and Entrepreneur

Danielle Vincent, Sacramentan, Leader

Danielle Vincent may be the youngest woman leader to be featured in this blog series, but she already has a lifetime of experiences that come from her ability to balance her passion for fashion, business, education, and community outreach in her daily life.

While studying at Sacramento State University, Danielle operates Firefly, a midtown Sacramento clothing boutique, that was not only established as a creative outlet for Danielle, but also as a funding source for her community outreach organization, Shoes & Sandwiches (S&S).

To reach out to other entrepreneurs, Danielle recently expanded the walls of Firefly to house an entrepreneurial paradise called the “Midtown Collective.” The Midtown Collective houses four other small, locally owned businesses that give entrepreneurs a support network helping them grow and focus on their business without the financial burden of managing their own building.

Danielle is a millennial, a member of a generation trying to do it all while making a positive impact in their community. Originally from Orange County, Danielle has adopted Sacramento as her home by becoming an active citizen engaging with local politics, local issues and local business. Her goal is to contribute to Sacramento by making it a more creative, aware, kindhearted, and generous city.

She will not slow down any time soon. She has future plans for S&S – a voucher based clothing closet making it easier for low-income families to cloth their families, a mobile “pop-up shop” to reach low income families throughout the Sacramento region, and further street-level outreach for the homeless with community involvement.

Danielle puts it simply: “You can’t learn so much about something and walk away. That’s the trouble with knowledge. The more you know, the more you want, and the more you want to make change.”

Whether working toward a law degree, organizing community outreach for the homeless or low-income families, working within local politics, or collaborating with like-minded entrepreneurs, Danielle has the experiences that allow her a holistic perspective to make the change she wants to see in Sacramento. Just wait and see!

 

The Interview: Danielle Vincent’s Ideas Worth Spreading

TEDxSacramento: Why did you choose your current career?

Danielle: Originally, I became a small business owner and opened Firefly to fund Shoes and Sandwiches (S&S). S&S is an outlet to materialize change and a way to help people. I wanted to help the most underrepresented groups in our society – the homeless and low-income families that struggle with basic necessities.

While earning my minors in Administration of Justice and Corrections, I found myself more and more interested in local policies impacting the homeless and our community. I wanted to understand how these policies are applied and affect people in their day-to-day lives. I thought, if I have this passion for the law, I should learn as much as possible inside and outside the classroom and apply it to what I do in my community.

There has to be a middle ground between the different approaches to Sacramento homelessness — something between the ten year plan and tent cities; a union between the two. That’s where the community and organizations, like S&S, come in at the street level. Growing both Firefly and S&S will help further that mission.

TEDxSacramento: How has your business and organization changed over the years?

Danielle Vincent during a Shoes and Sandwiches (S&S) outreach event.

Danielle: My business evolved into the Midtown Collective inviting other entrepreneurs into my space after operating as a clothing exchange for almost three years. In order for Firefly to serve its ultimate purpose, funding S&S, something had to change. The Midtown Collective was the solution to that problem. Bringing other businesses into the space takes part of the burden of heavy operating costs off of Firefly and distributes it among many businesses. Firefly can now re-focus on building up S&S and achieving the goals that I have put in place for it.

At the same time, the Midtown Collective gives local entrepreneurs opportunities to open or expand their businesses that I never had. It eliminates rough experiences that small business owners experience by creating a support network. There is no club or membership that gives you the real life information needed when opening and operating a business. It’s nice to help in that way. The space has an eclectic feel with so much life and potential. It is exciting!

S&S is constantly collecting and planning for future outreach events and mobile units, including the overarching goal of opening a voucher based clothing closet or a “pop-up shop” that moves to different locations enabling low-income individuals to access clothing in a dignified way. These pop-ups will allow me to reach low-income and homeless school aged children, who are otherwise hidden from outreach at the street level.

TEDxSacramento: What motivates you to push forward during difficult moments in your career?

Danielle: The biggest struggle is not being able to progress the way I want in my organization at the rate that I had hoped for. It has been a struggle building Firefly into a foundation that can support S&S in a way that allows me to do as much outreach as I truly want to do.

What motivates me most is the community around me. They want to help, they want to be a part of something, and I want to give that to them. I want to not only make change, but I want to inspire change in others. I also find motivation at the street level in the most basic ways. The ones who need the most help aren’t the ones asking for it; they’re harder to find, and they’re harder to reach. Those are the ones that keep me going.

TEDxSacramento: What advice do you have for others in your field?

Danielle: Embrace change. Sometimes it [your business or organization] doesn’t turn out how you originally envisioned, but that is okay. Even when it comes down to what you love, you have to make changes if your mission calls for it. Be open to something as simple as altering product packaging or sometimes, like in my case, reworking your entire business model. If you can listen to and harness this necessity for evolution in business, there is no stopping you.

TEDxSacramento: Does anyone in your field inspire you? If so, who and why?

Danielle: I worked for Sacramento City Council member Steve Cohn during his final year and half in office handling his constituent affairs. He is one of my biggest inspirations that I can make a difference in my community. I took on a role in his office in order to gain extremely valuable experience in the city and to experience our City Council first hand.

During my time there, I was able to watch Council member Cohn lead his district and this city. He was driven by his ethics while not being afraid to make hard choices that are best for our community. I saw that until he left office. I hope one day I can make as big of an impact that he has for our community.

TEDxSacramento: What do you like most about working in the Sacramento region?

Danielle: There is such a sense of community in Sacramento that I haven’t felt anywhere else. I am originally from Orange County, but I feel at home here. You don’t know what home really feels like until you find it, and I found it in Sacramento. We are a State Capital, and if that is not at least a little bit inspiring, I don’t know what is. The capital represents hope and opportunity. Real change can happen here — the kind of change that resonates beyond the city boundaries. It is an amazing opportunity to be here.

TEDxSacramento: What is your favorite TED talk? How do the ideas of this talk impact your life?

Danielle: I am slightly hesitant about choosing this TED Talk because it may seem out of left field, but it's definitely my favorite. My favorite TED Talk is “How Do You Explain Consciousness?” by David Chalmers.

Experiencing our consciousness is something that many of us don't take the time to do regularly enough. Each human has their own inner movie playing and being cognitive of that is an important part of understanding the human condition — understanding each other, finding compassion for others in their struggles, and embracing each other during difficult times. We're inside our own consciousness viewing the world from behind our own distinct lens. Understanding that we're all viewing the same world distinctly differently is the first step to helping each other.

TEDxSacramento: If you have the opportunity to speak on the TED Stage, what would be your idea worth spreading?

Danielle: You’re going to hear ‘no’ a lot in life, and the bigger you dream, the more ‘no’ answers you’re going to get. Some of them are verbal, most of them aren’t. ‘No’ is never final; it’s just a signal to change what you’re doing, maybe just a little or sometimes a great deal. There’s always a ‘yes’ waiting amidst those ‘no’ responses when you’re willing to accept change.

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The Art of Listening and Understanding

By Lauren Herman

Editor’s Note: This blog post is the third of a five-part series profiling women leadership in the Sacramento region. It serves as a prelude to our upcoming event, "This Changes Everything: WOMEN." These women were selected based on their contributions and participation in their community and industry. By means of this series, we hope to broaden our understanding of what constitutes a leader and provide a platform for ideas worth spreading. 

 

Professor Kristina Casper-Denman: Instructor, Student Advocate, and Listener

Professor Casper-Denman, Instructor, Leader

Professor Kristina Casper-Denman is a star in her own right. As an Anthropology and History Professor at American River College (ARC), she is dedicated to teaching community college students inside and outside the classroom. Known as the “EFG” (Educational Fairy Godmother) by her friends and colleagues, Professor Casper-Denman is celebrated for her ability to teach, but, more importantly, for her ability to listen.

Over the past 18 years, Professor Casper-Denman has served as an instructor, mentor, student club advisor, and active faculty member within numerous ARC campus centers and committees. It is no surprise that she has numerous campus awards under her belt – ARC Associated Student Body Instructor of the Year, ARC Foundation Faculty Award, and ARC Associated Student Body Club Advisor of the Year.

Despite her numerous accomplishments, such as recently earning a doctorate in Native American Studies from U.C. Davis, my interview with Professor Casper-Denman centered on her students rather than herself. She spoke with pride of the lessons and stories she has learned from them.

These stories signify her commitment to listening and understanding her students, to not only help them pass their courses, but also help them obtain their dreams. She keeps in contact with dozens of her current and former students to let them know that they are not alone, they are remembered, and they have someone in their life who believes in their dreams.

Professor Casper-Denman’s students are an inspiration to her, just as she wants to be an inspiration to them. When I asked her what motivated her to go back to graduate school to earn a Ph.D., her answer was straightforward. She answered, “If my students can do it, why can’t I? I want to show them that anyone can reach their dreams. Often, you just need someone to share those dreams with.”

When asked by a colleague if she would seek a professorship at a university, Professor Casper-Denman’s answer was absolutely, “NO!” Despite her professional achievements, she continues to work toward being the best instructor she can be at the same community college that helped her find her passion – teaching and helping students realize their calling in life.  

 

The Interview: Professor Casper-Denman's Ideas Worth Spreading

TEDxSacramento: Why did you choose your current career?

Professor Casper-Denman: I ended up teaching by mistake. After working at California Regional Primate Research Center in the infectious nursery at U.C. Davis, I was ready for something new. The job broke my heart. My husband told me about an available adjunct instructor position at American River College. When I applied, my only experience was teaching Sunday school, and I had a fear of public speaking, but I have taught there for almost 18 years. There is something about the student body; its diversity, including age, ability, gender, and experience, is unlike any community college I have visited. I am honored to work there.

TEDxSacramento: What motivates you to push forward during difficult moments in your career?

Professor Casper-Denman: The most difficult part of my career is not job stability; it is whether I am serving my students to the best of my ability. I get feedback from my students every semester. I ask them, “What do you need from me? You can ask me anything.” I have learned that students need help outside the classroom. They ask me all types of questions - anything from how to navigate college to advice on life decisions.

When I think about these students, I know that I am fortunate in so many ways. Some are homeless, returning to school after a long absence, or struggling with mental illness. What I have gone through in my life is nothing compared to the things that my students overcome everyday. They give me a reason to serve them. If they can overcome the many struggles that I have witnessed, I can approach life with humility and thoughtfulness in ways that make me a better instructor.

TEDxSacramento: What advice do you have for others in your field?

Professor Casper-Denman: Years ago we [faculty at American River College] talked about how to be better instructors. American River College prioritizes professional development for instructors. I think all instructors should seek ways to improve and better help our students. The minute we [instructors] stop reaching to be our best, the minute we stop serving our students, we fail our students. Instructors forget that improvement doesn’t mean you are bad; it means you want to be better.

TEDxSacramento: Does anyone in your field inspire you? If so, who and why?

Professor Casper-Denman: Students expect me to be inspired by the big names [in Anthropology] - Margaret Mead and Jane Goodall. I am inspired by the students who work within their communities, not by the big-name researchers. There are so many Native American students, whom I have worked with at U.C. Davis, who are revitalizing ceremonies, bringing economic development and preserving languages within their communities. You probably do not know their names, but there are many unknown individuals who learn, go back and are able to solve their communities’ problems. These people inspire me.

TEDxSacramento: What do you like most about working in the Sacramento region?

Professor Casper-Denman: What I love about Sacramento is that it is not only a Capital City, but also a home to diverse communities and opportunities. There are extended families, a large immigrant population, and a diversity of food options. I never had this where I grew-up [on the East Coast]. You can eat around the world just by visiting the restaurants on Broadway.

Sacramento has so much to offer – fresh fruit and vegetables at the farmer’s market, community theatre, and nature. You can walk from Folsom to Old Sacramento and see deer; what other region offers that? There is a huge Native American community as well. The diversity is amazing!

TEDxSacramento: What is your favorite TED talk? How do the ideas of this talk impact your life?

Professor Casper-Denman: I think Rita's Pierson TEDTalk, “Every Kid Needs a Champion,” is important because it challenges how we think about education. We think of education in different categories, including University, community college, K-12, and pre-school, but I think it is more than that.

As Rita points out, education should be defined by personal impact, building relationships. I think she is right to ask, if we give up now, who will be there for our students later. Teachers should remind themselves that we were once that problem student. Educators who are burned out should watch this talk and consider that the most difficult students are often the most wanting and deserving students.

TEDxSacramento: If you have the opportunity to speak on the TED Stage, what would be your idea worth spreading?

Professor Casper-Denman: I think the most important issue that I can speak to is the importance of non-linear careers. Most of us will never have a lot of money, like Bill and Melinda Gates, to fund massive projects that we hope will change the world. It is important to give back everyday no matter what you do whether it’s signing a petition, reading an article or the news, or sharing your ideas with others. Be a life-long learner, educate yourself, and take responsibility for what happens in the world.

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Think Globally, Act Locally

By Lauren Herman

Editor’s Note: This blog post is the second of a five-part series profiling women leadership in the Sacramento region. It serves as a prelude to our upcoming event, "This Changes Everything: WOMEN." These women were selected based on their contributions and participation in their community and industry. By means of this series, we hope to broaden our understanding of what constitutes a leader and provide a platform for ideas worth spreading. 

 

Dr. Soheir Stolba: Professor, Non-Profit Director, and Philanthropist

Dr. Soheir Stolba of the SHARE Institute shares her ideas worth spreading.

Think globally, act locally is a strong belief of Dr. Soheir Stolba. It’s no wonder that this belief became the mission of the SHARE Institute, a grassroots non-profit organization that she founded over ten years ago with the help of two other liked-minded women in the Sacramento region. These women came together with the purpose of partnering and supporting small non-profit organizations around the world that work within their communities for the health and welfare of women and children.

Over the last 14 years, SHARE has funded 220 projects in 30 countries - an impressive outreach for a small non-profit operated mainly by volunteers and supported by private individual donors or other small organizations.

After gaining her doctorate in political anthropology from U.C. Davis, Dr. Stolba learned the strength of local ownership and accountability during her work as a consultant for United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She found that big donors and large-scale outreach are not always required to make a difference; bigger is not always better.

Dr. Soheir Stolba with SHARE Institute Interns

Dr. Stolba also tries to foster a sense of ownership and empowerment by helping college students to volunteer abroad and to develop philanthropic projects in their Sacramento communities. By means of the SHARE Institute Intern Program, she helps these college students experience the results of improving their communities. 

Dr. Stolba strives to teach future generations in both the United States and aboard that anyone can make a difference no matter how big or small their contributions may seem.

The Interview: Dr. Stolba’s Ideas Worth Spreading

TEDxSacramento: Why did you choose your career?

Dr. Stolba: I came to the United States with a degree in English, but I took a Cultural Anthropology course at a community college. I found a disciple I was passionate about. I thought that with my experience traveling and growing up in Egypt, I could teach it. I already knew a lot about the cultures that I was learning about from my instructor. I had the travel experience and the language needed to give a unique perspective different than the instructor.

TEDxSacramento: Why did you start the SHARE Institute?

Dr. Stolba: I have done a great deal of international consulting for USAID, the World Bank and many other international organizations. I learned that there is a great need for the advancement of women in terms of poverty. I became a big believer in microcredit. I wanted to establish a people to people organization that helps make visible issues that affect poor women and children.

I used my international contacts with women, whom I thought had the potential to change or were already changing their communities but lacked funding. Later, I made contacts through the Internet and social media to expand SHARE’s reach. I did not want SHARE to become a big donor. I thought it should only fund community-based groups that need help.

TEDxSacramento: Why did you choose to be a part of the non-profit world?

Dr. Stolba: Because I am a firm believer that small organizations working with other small organizations can make a difference in the lives of women without big funding. Big funding can attract unwelcome individuals who may have motives other than helping women. Individuals working to help their community know the problems and can propose possible solutions better than anyone else.

TEDxSacramento: What motivates you to push forward during difficult moments in your career?

Dr. Stolba: What helps me during difficult times is my firm belief that the SHARE Institute has the right mission and approach to improving the lives of women and their communities. It helps that I have the support of the [SHARE Institute] board, other women who are in full support of the organization’s programs.

TEDxSacramento: What advice do you have for others who would like to work in the non-profit industry?

Dr. Stolba: You have to be passionate about the mission of the organization you are working in because it’s a lot of work with little pay. So, you have to believe that what you are doing is making a difference in the lives of others.

TEDxSacramento: Does anyone in your field inspire you? If so, who and why?

Dr. Stolba: Today [the day of the interview] is the anniversary of the death of my dear friend, Barbara Pillsbury, who was my colleague at USAID. She was a big believer in helping women. We became good friends, and I owe it to her that I am here now. We remained friends, and our lives intertwined for the next 20 years. She inspired me to start SHARE and to continue to help women worldwide.

TEDxSacramento: What do you like most about working in the Sacramento region?

Dr. Stolba: I enjoy the weather and the rural feeling of living in Fair Oaks with my horses and dog, yet I am so close to town. Living in the Sacramento region has many possibilities, and you don’t miss out on cultural experiences.

TEDxSacramento: What is your favorite TED Talk?

Dr. Stolba: I enjoyed watching Sheikha Al Mayassa's TEDTalk, “Globalizing the Local, Localizing the Global,” because she talks about cultural identity in a new and fresh way.  She manages to maintain tradition but have a dialogue with the West.

TEDxSacramento: If you have the opportunity to speak on the TED stage, what would be your idea worth spreading?

Dr. Stolba: I would talk about the importance of volunteering in a small non-profit organization that has a mission you can identify with. It’s an important, life changing experience to seek solutions and remain active in your community.

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Why Failure is a Blessing, Not a Curse

By Lauren Herman

Editor’s Note: This blog post is the first of a five-part series profiling women leadership in the Sacramento region. It serves as a prelude to our upcoming event, "This Changes Everything: WOMEN." These women were selected based on their contributions and participation in their community and industry. By means of this series, we hope to broaden our understanding of what constitutes a leader and provide a platform for ideas worth spreading. 

I have to admit that interviewing is a secret obsession of mine. It fuels my curiosity and belief that everyone has a story. Everyone has something they can teach to one another and learn from one another. Thus, I had to begin this blog series with an individual that without a doubt can offer readers a story with a lesson and purpose.

Tania Voochen: Small Business Owner, Entrepreneur, And Instructor

Tania Voochen, Sacramentan, Leader

Tania Voochen looks like a tough chick (showing more than a few well-crafted tattoos and a wardrobe of black attire and boots), but has a heart of gold, a sharp mind that is as quick as her tongue, and an eye for hair.

When I asked Tania if she would be willing to sit down with me for an interview as an example of a leader in the Sacramento region and within her industry, she simply asked, “Why me?” Her honesty is the exact reason I responded, “Why not you?”

For many years, Tania has served as a leader in Sacramento as a business owner, entrepreneur and instructor. During her eight years working at byuti salon + spa, Tania delved into not only being a small business owner, but also serves as the cutting instructor at the salon.

Throughout her career, Tania has competed in numerous competitions and attended hands-on courses across the country with the purpose of expanding her skill set. She will not stop anytime soon. Next year, she will take advanced cutting and styling courses to gain a network educator title.

Despite all of these achievements, she doesn’t see herself as a leader but rather as someone who simply loves their craft. Her humility, strive for continual excellence, dedication to her industry, and work ethic make her a leader in her community and in the Sacramento region.

After leaving home at a young age, entering into beauty school while supporting herself, facing numerous struggles and heart-ache in her journey, today Tania, ever humble and self-reflexive, stands as an example of what can happen when you follow your passion and dreams.

 

The Interview: Tania’s Ideas Worth Spreading

TEDxSacramento: Why did you choose your career?

Tania: I was not a good student in the traditional sense, so I was never encouraged to go in the direction of college. I was told that I was lazy, and because of my intimidation with school, I decided to follow a different path – hair – which is something that I equally love just as much as books. In my 30s, I have learned that I should not have listened to those that didn’t support me. I love what I do now, and I am grateful for those who have helped me along the way to what I am doing today as an instructor and stylist.

TEDxSacramento: What motivates you to push forward during difficult moments in your career?

Tania: Anything worth having is never easy. That is what I tell my students. Everything is a learning opportunity; never waste a defeating moment. Life should make you fight harder every year, and you should not expect anything less. Knowing this makes it easier to not become a victim and to pick yourself up by your bootstraps after a good cry. Always strive to be better, and those difficult moments will get easier with time.  

TEDxSacramento: What advice do you have for others in your field?

Tania: People come into [the beauty industry] because they think it’s easy. They think it’s easy money, and you get to come to work whenever you want and have no responsibilities. It’s the biggest myth. It’s a big slap in the face when you learn it’s not true. You work harder than 90% [of people] out there, and you have dozens of bosses. Those bosses are your clients, and if you are not on your game or a good listener, you will lose them. It’s hard, but one of the most rewarding lines of work. If you think nothing less, you will fail. You have to be a stylist for the love of the craft, not the money.

And, always be open to learning new things. I may be an instructor, but I teach not because I know everything. I teach because, in my opinion, teaching makes you better at whatever you do. You have to know it to teach it. You can’t guide someone in the wrong or right way. A good teacher is a student of their teachings.

TEDxSacramento: Does anyone in your field inspire you? If so, who and why?

Tania: Definitely. Many people, especially my mentors, who I assisted over the years [have inspired me]. They will never know how much they impacted me. To this day, I always think of them and what they taught me. Their mentorship was invaluable. My heroes are those that strive to do their best, those who are at the top-notch of their game. Just as I serve as a cutting instructor to many, I am also a student to those in my industry to whom I look for inspiration and reinvention of techniques. They guide my path now with what I want to be and become.

TEDxSacramento: What do you like most about working in the Sacramento region?

Tania: I like working near the Capital. I love capital cities. There are so many different religious and political views here [in Sacramento]. Capitals are a melting pot that allow for diversity within communities with different viewpoints, and there is an opportunity to learn from those differences. I am inspired by those differences in my daily work.

TEDxSacramento: What is your favorite TED talk? How do the ideas of this talk impact your life?

Tania: “The 4 a.m. Mystery” is my favorite TED Talk at the moment because I enjoy the fact that it’s whimsical. It’s inspirational and points out the poetry of life. Life is a circle with patterns and repetition, and there is something reassuring and beautiful about it. For someone to deliver something that allowed me to see the connecting patterns of life, that is something amazing. Delivery is everything, so how can you not enjoy that TED Talk.

TEDxSacramento: If you have the opportunity to speak on the TED stage, what would be your idea worth spreading?

Tania: What I love about TED Talks is the theme of being passionate about something and challenging yourself whether you are a presenter or listener to be a student.

I would talk about being open to failure, embracing failure. We forget that it’s okay to learn as we grow older and to learn from both failure and success. There will always be those moments that set us up for our futures. We need to respect and honor that some of those times we will fail in life. We need to be okay that life is a disaster, but it will be a fun disaster if we are open to change and challenge.

Need more inspiration and fresh ideas in your life? Subscribe to our newsletter today, or request a priority invitation to our next event.

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Five Women Leaders in Our Capital Region and Their Ideas Worth Spreading

By Lauren Herman

Four years ago, the CEO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, stood on the TED Stage to address the hot button issue of gender in the workplace, addressing in great detail why there are too few women leaders worldwide in almost every profession.

Many warned her to avoid the topic, not just as a leader of a Fortune 500 company, but also as a woman.  She did not heed the continual warnings about the damage the topic could do to her career. Instead, she spoke about her experiences and challenges as a leader in the corporate world from the view of a woman, especially as one of the few of her gender to reach the top leadership level in her field.

Since Sheryl pointed out the elephant in the boardroom, it is a topic that society seems to be open to discussing more than ever before, yet the glass ceiling has not been shattered.  A few of Sheryl’s TEDTalk questions remain relevant, including “How do we change these numbers at the top? How do we make this different?”

Announcing Series Highlighting Region's Women Leaders

TEDxSacramento, a licensed local TEDx organization, is proud to continue this conversation with a new series of blog posts highlighting five women leaders in the Sacramento region and their expanding leadership positions in their industries.

We hope that you, the reader of this blog, whether male or female, will use their stories as sources of inspiration for the continual growth of strong female leadership in the Capitol Region.

Want a Priority Invitation to Our Next Event?

If you want to hear more ideas worth spreading in the Sacramento community, we encourage you to take a break from your ordinary routine and step into an intellectual odyssey with hundreds of bright and inquisitive friends at the upcoming TEDxSacramentoSalon, “This Changes Everything: Women," on December 12, 2014.

For a priority invitation to this event, please apply online.

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Kick-Ass Women of Yesterday and Today: Who is your reminder of Women's History Month?

By Lauren Herman

When you think of the month of March, what comes to mind? The warmer weather of springtime in Sacramento? Drinking with friends on St. Patrick’s Day?

It is not surprising that we need to be reminded that March is Women’s History Month.

My reminder is my grandmother. She reminds me that there are women, some more famous than others, who define and redefine a generation’s actions toward female equality.

She was inspired by individuals such as Betty Friedan, the researcher and writer of The Feminine Mystique, who argued that women had the right to, and in fact wanted to, seek an identity and fulfillment outside of the home.

My grandmother was one of those individuals who, in the early 1970s, divorced at the age of 35 and decided to enroll in college with her daughter, who was also embarking upon the same journey of higher education.

She would later recount that this life-changing experience was inspired by the courage and curiosity of Friedan, whose writings encouraged generations of women to dream and achieve beyond the confines of gender norms.

From Friedan to Sandberg

A few generations have passed since my grandmother’s extraordinary journey. I consider myself to be lucky to live in the 21st century, a time where there are more female than male college graduates.

However, despite the past advancements for women fifty-one years after the publication of Friedan’s book, Sheryl Sandberg reminds my generation that equality for women has yet to be achieved, especially in the work force.

Sandberg, a prolific superstar in the corporate world, is among the few females to reach the top of her profession. Yet, despite her personal successes, especially as the COO of Facebook, at TEDWomen 2010 and then again at TEDWomen 2013, she discussed why she is concerned about the lack of female leadership in the 21st century.  

Just as my grandmother turned to The Feminine Mystic, women of the 21st century are leaning in to listen to and read about what Sandberg has to say in her recent TED talks and book entitled Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.

I think women should consider what Sandberg has to say in her TEDWomen 2010 and then again at TEDWomen 2013 talks about women, work and leadership, for the following reasons:

Despite being one of the few female executives of a Fortune 500 company, and thus having a different career and income compared to most women, Sandberg is able to make her personal and professional experiences relatable to her audience.

Through the art of storytelling, Sandberg is able to emphasize that women are not alone in their struggles, celebrations and challenges while building a career and finding personal fulfillment.

Sandberg brings to light statistical evidence that is hard to dispute suggesting that women are not achieving at the same level as their male counterparts, including:

Among the 190 heads of states in the world, only nine are women.

In the corporate world, women make up 16% of CEOs, COOs and other top leadership positions; Sandberg is one of them.   

In the non-profit world, men also dominate top-level positions as well. Women account for 20% of its leadership.

Such numbers are hard to swallow because there are now more female than male college graduates. Women are not advancing to the top of their professions despite more educational opportunities, nor are they receiving the income that they deserve. Sandberg points out that even women’s and men’s pay are not equal; women make 77 cents to the male dollar.

Sandberg uses her own stories, the stories of others and statistical evidence to not only support her argument that equality for women has not been achieved, but also to challenge her viewers and readers to take individual action.

She asks her listeners, “How are we going to fix this?” She does not leave them empty handed, rather providing readers with tools, including:

Do not be afraid to sit at the table with your colleagues (both male and female).

Always negotiate for the salary that you think you deserve and attribute your success to yourself.

Make your partner a real partner. Whether you are married or dating, you need to be selective when choosing your interpersonal relationships because this person has a huge role in whether you will achieve your goals, especially if you want to have both children and a career.

Women, even with a job outside of the home, are statistically more likely to do more housework and child rearing duties compared to male members of their family.

Don’t leave before you leave. Sandberg explains this statement as an encouragement to invest in the now; invest in your career, even if you want to take time off to have children or work from home in the future.

She encourages all women to focus on the present and invest in their careers until the actual day comes to take a break for their families.

Sandberg redefines feminism.

In recent decades, the word feminism has adapted a negative connotation. Images that come to mind are overzealous women who reject all feminine aspects of American culture, such as bras and the color pink.

This has led many women to perceive that if they talk about being a woman, others will think that they are seeking special treatment.

Sandberg challenges these stereotypes and refines a feminist as someone, man or woman, who strives for equal treatment, not special treatment, for women.

Equality not achieved: Now what?

Unfortunately, despite the motivations and suggestions that Sandberg gives to her audience, there is still the stark reality that societal change, especially in the realm of gender, is slow. Women will continue to face institutionalized discriminatory practices that men will never experience. This is a reality for all women, even Sandberg.

The light at the end of the tunnel is the possibility of shaping the opportunities and success of future generations, both men and women.

Sandberg’s closing remarks to her first TED talk mirror this concern. She states that, “I want my son to have a choice to contribute fully in the workforce and at home, and I want my daughter to have the choice to not just succeed but to be liked for her accomplishments.”

I will only know the impact that Sandberg, like Friedan, has made on the world if, and when, my daughter comes to me and asks my thoughts of her message, just as I turn to my grandmother to learn about Friedan.

Who are the kick-ass women you will remember?

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