Ready to tweet? Enter gender equality.

Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay. The majority of internet users have some form of a social media account and people are spending more time digitally connected. With National Women’s History month coming to an end, let’s extend the conversation on gender equality beyond March and see how social media can grow the conversation.

So, let’s be honest, how many times a day do you check your Facebook and Twitter, watch a funny clip on YouTube, or Like a photo on Instagram? Personally, I can’t even begin to quantify the endless hours I’ve spent doing all three on a daily basis over the past several years. This bizarre dependence on social media often leaves me conflicted between wanting to go off-grid and staying on due to my geographically diverse network and the social fear of feeling left out. I need a better reason to justify the amount of time I’m online.

Enter gender equality.

Why not take advantage of Facebook’s immense network and discover some great movements and campaigns focused around gender equality? Organizations like Lean In share inspiring photos, videos, and articles to keep conversations and opinions active. Following these pages is one simple solution for anyone who would like to view stimulating, empowering content among the barrage of media clutter.  

To get you started, these organizations are tackling issues of gender equality – ranging from the workplace to home – in hopes of getting you involved.

• Lean In: Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, created this community to encourage women to pursue their career goals and how to overcome gender barriers in the workplace. Their ultimate goal is to inspire women to lean in to leadership opportunities to equalize the huge imbalance within power positions.
  • How to get connected: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
  • How they keep you involved: Features Lean In Circles, which are small groups that meet monthly in a supportive atmosphere while keeping members up-to-date and connected
  • Food for thought: “A truly equal world would be one where women ran half our countries and companies and men ran half our homes.” – Sandberg
  • Bonus: Read Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead is Sandberg’s book that inspired the cause 

• HeForShe: UN Women launched this global campaign last year with the idea that gender equality is not a women’s issue, but a human rights issue and encourages men to join.
  • How to get connected: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
  • How they keep you involved: provides an “Action Kit” that suggests several ways people can participate to support and spread awareness
  • Food for thought: “How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?” - Watson
  • Bonus: Watch UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson deliver a speech about HeForShe

• Not There: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Clinton Foundation started this movement under the principle that gender equality is simply not there yet. It touches upon issues from child marriage to the wage gap between men and women in the workplace.

  • How to get connected: Main website, Twitter   

  • How they keep you involved: Tweets a suggested action everyday to support the cause

  • Food for thought: “A women with a voice is by definition a strong women. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” – Melinda Gates

  • Bonus: Watch Amy Poehler, Sienna Miller, and others elaborate what it means to that gender equality is not be there yet equality. 

These are only three campaigns committed to tackling different issues about gender equality. It’s up to you to choose which one resonates and make a move. Just because National Women’s History month is over doesn’t mean we should let it slip from our daily dialogues. Let’s keep the conversation going. 

A game of hide and seek: where are all the women in STEM?

For 2015, National Women’s History month has a theme of “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives.” The theme encourages women to share stories of their past to build a stronger, more confident future.

I’m a business student focusing in Information Systems, the study of using technology to collect, store, process, and deliver data. I was surprised when I realized that the majority of my classmates were men. Then I learned of a common alternative acronym for the engineering school (ENG): “Expect No Girls.” This got me thinking: Why, in 2015, are women under represented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related fields? In an effort to encourage young women to pursue STEM subject areas, this is my story.

For as long as I can remember, I have always been on a computer (my mom can vouch for me). From learning HTML for my Neopets page to acing Type to Learn during class, I quickly got comfortable with the computer and it became second nature. By age seven, I was even teaching my technologically deficient parents the basics of Microsoft Office.

Here I am with my older brother; he was always a big influence on my love for games.

So, why is it that I didn’t take my first computer science course until I was 20 years old? Clearly the interest was always there, but the encouragement and information wasn’t. Up until my third year at Boston University, I had no real idea what Information Systems was and I was on track to study Accounting and Finance, simply because everyone else was doing it. It wasn’t until my first mandatory Information Systems course when I realized that it was the perfect major. I love how it combines business and technology while allowing me to use my analytical and organizational skills to someday help an organization’s daily operations.  

What I’m curious about is what happened (or rather, what didn’t) in between elementary school and college. Maybe I thought a career in technology would be too challenging. Or maybe I had a strong presumption that computer geeks were usually male.  

My story is only one example of why we need schools to educate today’s youth in STEM so that everybody has a chance to discover their passion in a supportive environment. Plenty of research has been done to analyze the why behind the lack of women persuing STEM careers, but the truth is that there is gender inequality within STEM-related fields. By encouraging girls and women to explore their creativity in new ways and aim for challenging careers, we may start to equalize this imbalance. Let’s weave more women into our nation’s technology stories to inspire future generations.

To get started, here’s a list of inspiring videos (and a FableVision Studios project) some organizations have done to address the issue of #WomenInSTEM:

1. Verizon – Inspire Her Mind
Words can have a huge impact. From “don’t get your dress dirty” to “why don’t you hand that [power tool] to your brother,” it is shockingly clear how a girl’s creativity can be inhibited in subtle ways. What I liked about this video was how relatable these situations were; it definitely put things into perspective for me. 

2. The White House – Girls in STEM: A New Generation of Women in Science
In this video, watch all these brilliant young women wow President Obama with their innovations in science and technology. Two young girls who invented a UV-sterilizing lunchbox said, “I never knew I could do that.” I love the diversity portrayed in this video, further emphasizing how anybody can pursue their dreams.  

3. AT&T – Women in STEM Careers
In this commercial, AT&T sends a strong message: “All of you are capable of turning the things you love into the things you do.” This resonates with me because I recently turned my love for computers into something that I know will be related to my career. 

4. National Academy of Sciences – Women’s Adventures in Science
FableVision created a website for the National Academy of Sciences to teach 8-12 years old girls about STEM. The website showcases the accomplishments of contemporary women scientists with games, interactive comic books, and scrapbooks. It’s only appropriate that I am interning at a company that has already shown their support for #WomenInSTEM.

Celebrate International Women's Day with FableVision!

FableVision showing their support by wearing the official IWD's color - purple!

Calling men and women everywhere! International Women’s Day is fast approaching. Celebrated on Sunday, March 8, this day is a wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate women, but to also recognize the need for greater gender equality. The best part is that it doesn’t just end after one day because March is also National Women’s History month! We’re celebrating by kicking off a series of blog posts this month with some thoughts on inspiration from FableVisionaries. We started with asking two questions:

1. Working in media, what drives you?
2. Who is your female role model and why?

What are your answers? What drives you and who is your female role model? How are you celebrating International Women’s Day and National Women’s History Month?
 

Anny (left) and her older sister, Raks (right)

Anny Din, Production Assistant
Working in media, what drives you?
Knowing what you're good at is one thing, but to actually find a career in what you're passionate about is another. The potential to excel as a producer is what drives me. Being around others who share the same fire and passion drives me. I anxiously anticipate what I can learn from my peers and that is what ultimately drives me.

Who is your female role model and why?
My female role model is my older sister, Raks. She is nine years older than me and has always been my backbone. Although my parents were constantly pushing me to be more like her, she never gave into the pressure. She made me feel like I could do anything. She always believed in me and my dreams, and would always come to save the day if needed.
 

Sarah Ditkoff, Communications and Development Strategist
Working in media, what drives you?
Ultimately, working at a mission-based company has reinforced my interest in media. Everything FableVision makes has emphasis on both educational and authentic experiences for the end-user. Our focus is always on that end-user, and that's a driving force. 

Who is your female role model and why?
I've been enamored with Amelia Earhart since elementary school. She quite literally, and figuratively, made her own path in the world. The word "no" held little weight in her world, and I always admired that.
 

From left to right: Andrea's mother, herself, and her sister 

Andrea Calvin, Brand and Development Strategist
Working in media, what drives you?
Truth. And now I will explain, in my life before FableVision, I was a newspaper editor. As journalist you a called to uncover the truth, report the truth, and reflect upon the truth. So you could say, for 7 years the truth was my daily guide. At FableVision truth continues to be my motivating force. The truth of story, education, and fun.    

Who is your female role model and why?
My mom. She's silly. She's driven. She's creative. She's my mom. What more can I say?
 

Hannah O’Neal, Animator
Working in media, what drives you?
Creating something that makes people smile, think, or feel. Anything that might positively affect someone or something.  

Who is your female role model and why?
Barbra Allen, my high school art teacher. She is such a strong, loving, talented, and beautiful human being. She was the best teacher I ever had and changed the lives of so many people. I hope I can be like that someday.

Jordan Bach, Senior Developer
Working in media, what drives you?
I’m inspired by the things I don’t yet know. I love learning new things and learning how to do and make new things.

Who is your female role model and why?
Alison Bechdel’s two recent books (Fun Home and Are You My Mother?) have meant a lot to me. Her bravery, her intelligence, and her relentless curiosity about herself and her history are inspiring to me.

Renee Kurilla, Lead Artist
Working in media, what drives you?
I think reaction drives me. I love making people happy. Watching both kids and adults react pleasantly to my art, in turn, makes me happy too.  

Who is your female role model and why?
I look to many female artists and storytellers of all levels for artistic inspiration. Currently I am admiring illustrators Erin Stead, Sophie Blackall, and Carson Ellis from afar. They all have a quiet sense of creativity and understanding of their subjects that I strive for in my own work. 

Jordan Persson, Production Assistant
Working in media, what drives you?
The opportunity to put more things I like in the world.

Who is your female role model and why?
Sally Ride. It takes an incredible amount of courage to fling yourself into the inhospitable unknown purely to help make it to the known.
 

Danielle Gillis, Producer
Working in media, what drives you?
For me, I'm driven to create media that not only entertains but educates. Instead of being a teacher in a classroom, being a producer allows me to work on content that's broadcast to a "classroom" of kids all over the country.

Who is your female role model and why?
A few years ago I heard Geena Davis speak about her research on gender prevalence in family entertainment. I was inspired by her message: "if she can see it, she can be it," meaning that if we start to show girls different ways of living, different roles they can play, then they'll start to imagine it. So a girl who has never met a chemist, but sees one on television or in a movie, might start to gain an interest in science. As creators of media, we have a huge responsibility to our audiences and I keep Geena Davis' research and mantra in mind as I help to shape what goes out into the world.  

Meet the Spring Interns!

Through the Snowmageddon that has become 2015, four new FableVision interns have battled the weather that has imperiled the city of Boston – fighting T delays and bitter cold temperatures to make their way to the fun (and thankfully warm!) FableVision studio at 308 Congress St.  

Whether we are tweeting with the marketing team or bringing illustrations to life with the artists, all of us have the opportunity to develop our individual skills at FableVision’s creative and colorful studio here in Boston. With that being said, say hello to FableVision’s spring – even if it is still snowy – interns!

Paloma Diaz-Dickson, Art Intern

My name is Paloma Diaz-Dickson and I was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I attended a German school K-12 and did a semester abroad in Germany when I was sixteen. I returned to the US for college, first attending Williams College for a few years before transferring to the Art Institute of Boston (now Lesley University College of Art and Design) and completing a BFA in illustration.

Having done a previous internship at a small toy company in Lakeville, MA, I discovered that I mainly enjoy producing illustrations intended for children, which is what led me to FableVision. In the future I hope to continue producing art and illustrations for toys, other children's products, games, apps, and other interactive media for children. 

"Chicken Bus" by Paloma Diaz-Dickson is a digital piece loosely inspired by public transportation in her hometown, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

Interesting facts about Paloma:

• I have probably seen the 1985 Anne of Green Gables mini series close to 100 times.
• I have eaten a piraña that I fished out of the Amazon river myself.
• I can do ten push-ups in a row.
• I have been ice fishing. It was very cold, but lots of fun!
• I have held many baby sloths in my lifetime and will hold many more.

Alyssa Graca, Marketing Intern

My name is Alyssa Graca, and I am currently a senior at Simmons College studying Communications and English, with a minor in Cinema and Media Studies. I grew up in the small town of Somerset, MA – being in Boston has been a change, but it has now become my second home!

Ever since I was a kid I loved drawing, writing, and making videos – cartoons and books were what originally inspired me to want to pursue a career in media. FableVision thrives off of a desire to educate and inspire children, so I immediately felt a connection when I first heard of their studio here in Boston. I was ecstatic to join the FableVision team as a marketing intern, and have absolutely loved every minute of it! From drafting blog posts to researching information for upcoming projects, I have already learned a bunch and can’t wait to see what other experience I will gain during the rest of my time here!

Interesting facts about Alyssa:

• I used to be terrified of roller coasters until my friend forced me on Bizarro at Six Flags New England - which we then proceeded to ride a total of 3 times that day (and another 8 the next time we went!).
• My favorite cartoon (and the one that had the most positive impact on my life) is Danny Phantom.
• This past summer I visited my dad's old hometown in the Açores, which was the farthest I've ever been from home.
• My childhood home was haunted; I am a firm believer in ghosts.
• I have been to the Kids' Choice Awards - which was a totally unexpected, yet super amazing experience!

Kat Jia, Art Intern

Hello, I'm Kat Jia. I'm one of the art interns at FableVision. I focus mostly on animations with Flash. I spent my childhood in Beijing China, and came to America when I was 12. My teenage years were spent under the lovely sun of California, and I eventually came to the East Coast to study art at Rhode Island School of Design. I love the autumns here with golden leaves, but the now [winter] is a little harder to handle. I came to FableVision because I really enjoy hand drawn animation. It's really exciting to see that FableVision still believes in that handcrafted feel in this age filled with 3D modeled animation. In the future I hope to continue to animate and learn how to tell stories more effectively. 

Interesting facts about Kat:

Kat's piece is part of a non-fiction children's book about mushrooms.

• I'm on a lion dance team~ Two people make up one lion, with one person controlling the head, and another person being the butt.
• I like making steam buns, especially on warm days. It's super exciting watching them rise to twice the original size - that's when you know they will turn out really fluffy.
• The cube is my favorite geometric solid. I think it's slightly awkward, which makes it all the more adorable.
• I'm pretty good with giving shoulder massages.
• I love fresh laundry. They smell so lovely, and come out so warm from the dryer. I always wanted to dive into the pile and nap inside.

Alice Kim, Marketing Intern

My name is Alice Kim and I was born in Aurora, Colorado and grew up in Seoul, South Korea. From kindergarten to 12th grade, I attended Department of Defense schools – i.e. for children of military parents stationed overseas. However, I always knew I wanted to come back to the U.S. for college and decided to attend Boston University, despite having never visited the city. Fortunately, I immediately fell in love with the city and had a new home [far] away from home.

With graduation creeping up in less than three months, I am slightly anxious to figure out my next “big step,” but am hoping to continue my career in marketing somewhere within the entertainment industry. I stumbled upon the internship opportunities at FableVision and realized how it could be the perfect chance for me to refine and improve upon skills I have learned before, including social media management and research. Working in such an open and collaborative environment has been great and I am excited to see what else is in store with this internship!

Interesting facts about Alice:

• At 21, I still don't know how to drive.
• Last year, I flew from Boston to Seoul to London and back to Boston - circling the entire globe.
• I am told that I am very reminiscent of Monica Geller from Friends (minus the OCD).
• I can still name around 90% of the original 150 Pokémon.
• Back in the day, Freddi Fish, Putt-Putt, and Pajama Sam were some of my favorite computer games.

Share your own facts, passions, and interests with us at FableVision! Join FableVision Studios' league of interns. You can apply on the website here.