for today

Listening

American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal by Neil King

Reading 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Enjoying 

Woolzies Laundry and Linen Spray

We have a country to save.

 We have a country to save and it is worth defending.

A Mentor passed

Betty Edwards Obituary Obituary 

published on Legacy.com by The Springs Funeral Services - Platte on May 11, 2024. 

Betty Rosetta Carlile Edwards, 92, of Colorado Springs, passed away May 1, 2024.

Born in Miami, Florida, she was the second child of Leslie and Suzanna (Kovatch) Carlile. Betty graduated from Miami Jackson High School with the class of 1949, along with her future husband, Lowell R. Edwards. Betty attended Florida State University earning a degree in Business. After her graduation, and Lowell's commissioning in the Air Force, they married and together began a 26-year military career which included the births of their three children and 10 moves, 2 which were overseas. Betty created a loving, stable home wherever they were and discovered she loved international travel and learning. 

With Lowell approaching retirement from the Air Force, Betty went back to school, attending the University of Colorado and earned a Master's in Business Administration. She was hired by Colorado Interstate Gas in 1978 and enjoyed a 16-year career in Management before retiring. Her experiences in business led her to form her own consulting business and she was on the adjunct faculty at Regis University and Pikes Peak Community College. 

She was a 35-year member of Zonta International and passionately believed in their mission of advancing the status of women around the world. Learning about the prevalence of Human Trafficking in Colorado, Betty started the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado in 2008 with the support of her Zonta Club, Youth With a Mission (YWAM), and other concerned citizens in Colorado Springs. Serving as the Task Force Chairman for over ten years, she tirelessly championed this cause in southern Colorado through education, collaboration with other organizations, and relentless activism.

 Betty is survived by her brother Richard Carlile and his wife Debbie of Orlando, Florida; her 3 children, Sharon Moore (Kevin) of Wolf Creek, Montana; Sandy Mingonet (Chuck) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Doug Edwards (Gina) of Eugene, Oregon; 4 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Lowell R. Edwards, her parents, her sister, Clara Carlile Phillips, and her brother, Donald Carlile. Services will be held at The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 E Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO on Thursday, May 16, 2024. A viewing for friends will begin at 10:00 am with her Celebration of Life following at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift to one of the following organizations in her memory: Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, PO Box 784, Colorado Springs CO 80901, or the Zonta Club of the Pikes Peak Area, PO Box 7924, Colorado Springs, CO 80933.

Thanks for the friendship Betty - miss you.

O Come, Emmanuel – Epic Version!

The power of the blog... Celebrate International Women's Day

 The power of online blogging, communication, connection, and education. One of the great things about the online space is that it that has the capability to unite people for the good.  March 8th is International Women’s Day. If you an advocate for advancing the status of women around the world or just a wee bit curious about the stories of women, this is the month.  Celebrations are being held all over the world and thanks to technology just about anyone anywhere can be a part of it.  Like minded individuals can gather in virtual spaces and share ideas, brainstorm on problems, and celebrate milestones.

So many events that caught my eye are themes that we have touched upon the last seven weeks of class. 

INCOSE - International Council on Systems Engineering is hosting an event on March 8th.  Link to the webinar - This year's theme is "DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality". It is a day of celebration for the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education and the progress which has been made toward women’s empowerment and gender equality. It will also critically reflect on the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities to strive for greater momentum toward gender equality.  

You can travel around the globe to UK  to connect virtually students form with Staffordshire University.  With just a click of a few buttons you can connect and learn. 'Creating HERstory' is an event project brought to you by the Event Management students at Staffordshire University. In celebration of International Women's Day and in collaboration with Staffordshire Women's Aid.

Women in Journalism and Reach is hosting an International Women’s Day (March 8, 1pm – 2pm) revealing the findings of the first Online Harms for Women in Journalism survey. Registration link

Speakers include Mirror Editor-in-Chief Alison Phillips, Reach Online Safety Editor Dr Rebecca Whittington and Columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.  If one had time to chime in it would be very interesting to see what harms were reported and any next steps to mitigate.

One can travel to the Africa virtual to partner with the Inspiring Girls Tanzania & TDT program. Another amazing organization offering  Global programming to share. They have three amazing speakers lined up. Rhobi Samwelly, an FGM survivor and activist and director of Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania who will talk about her journey from a small village in Butiama to talking at the United Nations in New York, and receiving an award from French President Macron.

Lawyer and activist Rebeca Gyumi, winner of the UN Human Rights prize. Rebeca successfully challenged the Tanzanian marriage act in 2016.

Catherine R. Kimambo, the Founder and Executive Director of African Child Projects, an NGO that helps connect rural Tanzanian schools to the internet. Catherine is also a blogger and a storyteller on how the Internet is changing narratives in rural Tanzania, where she shares transformative stories on Internet4good.

There will be chances for girls to ask questions in English or Swahili. The session will be recorded and shared with people who register. You will also have a chance to request speakers for future events.

And why should we limit ourselves to the just the earth?  International Women's Day 2023 - Space Café Summit - Women and Space.  Speakers will be from USA, UAE, Israel, India and Finland.

The view in 2023

On the 8th of March at 4 pm CET, in the occasion of International Women's Day, SpaceWatch.Global will held a special  Space Cafe summit fully dedicated to women in the space industry.

Dr. Emma Gatti, SpaceWatch.Global's Editor-in-Chief, will interview

- Sumaya Al Hajeri, Technology Expert - UAE

- Maya Glickman-Pariente, Spacecialist - Israel

- Jennifer Manner, EchoStar - USA

- Dr. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, ORF - India

- Jenni Tapio, ESA - Finland

Together they will discuss, among other topics, the meaning of the lack of representation in the space sector, the value that women can and should bring to the table, and the several challenges the sector still faces while on its path for true gender equality.

What a line up!

I am encouraged and moved by the opportunities that digital technology is connect women together.  We are all probably more similar than we are different. We can encourage one another and learn from one another.   It is really is beautiful and worldwide web makes it a lot easier.  None of this would be possible with partnerships and technological advances.  We have come a long way from computers designated for government projects housed hundreds of square feet to today.

Grab a cup of tea and explore on March 8th.

Children and digital technology

Children and digital technology

Chances are if you are looking for a camp for your children this summer there are a lot of options around STEM. You can find coding camps, space camp, 3D models, and math camp.  I was surprised to find journals online like The Elementary STEM Journal, Technology and Engineering Teacher journal, and the Journal of Technology Education (JTE).  It is all things technology for educators which in turn is all things STEM for students. For more tenured teachers diving into technology can be challenging.

The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs offers several STEM programs to schools and teachers in the community of Colorado Springs  USAFA is heavily focused on engineering and technology (it is rocket science after all in some cases).  Air Force Cadets connect with classrooms to read a picture book and a kit of materials is provided for a STEM activity. This builds connection with children, provides resources with technology, but possible plants a seed in the kids when think about STEM and the military.

They also provide online opportunities for the Virtual Audience with an Astronaut Sessions.  I know many kids are looking at becoming professional gamers and influencers, but there are still a few that want to be astronauts! This program connects with the Space Foundation to bring six free virtual Audience with an Astronaut sessions to classrooms! This year’s sessions will feature retired General and former NASA Astronaut Susan Helms.  Ms. Helms is amazing and such a great example for kids.  She has both street and space cred. She has flown into space aboard Shuttles Endeavor, Atlantis, Discovery, and Columbia, and has served aboard the International Space Station. She has spent a total of 211 days in space, including establishing a world record for the longest spacewalk at 8 hours and 56 minutes!  Virtual learning and technology make this happen.  The Academy partners with Peak Area Leadership in Science (PALS) and hosts additional STEM modules for Colorado Springs students. 

On the opposite side of the US Norwich University is hosting cyber camps this summer for teachers that want to teach cyber in the Vermont area.  The workshop is  9th - 12th Grade Teachers.  Via a grant it iss free and  helps get materials into the classrooms. They are offer earn 6 credits at the graduate level.  Norwich University is proud to host its first Residential GenCyber Teacher Camp wholly funded by a grant awarded by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation. This week-long residential camp will be held in early Summer 2023. As part of the full GenCyber experience, you will also attend a day-long "CyberTaster" session in Spring 2023.   I appreciate the way the University is digging in to prepare those that teach cyber technology to plant seeds for the future of the organization. Cyber crime and warfare are topics the Department of Defense is actively investing in for the future.

Teachers, schools, politicians, and communities are investing in STEM everything. With a quick search I found just a few examples in 2023.  It does require investment both the families and the schools but it is more and accessible.

Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2023: - $1,000,000 to Sloan Museum of Discovery at the Flint Institute of Science and History to support afterschool programs in STEM education for students.   Recently, Kildee secured $650,000 federal funding to create a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education program for students at Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village's (SBEV's) north Flint afterschool center, in coordination with Berston Field House's youth mentoring program for young adults.

Meyer reported to the School Library Journal, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN hosts after school coding clubs at the library at Rose Park School. Undergrads from Code Ignite visit the school for an hour each week to teach kids game design and animation using Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), the simplified programming language designed for kids by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  "It's really exciting to watch the fifth and sixth graders designing their animations or thinking up their games…  they have the tools to go beyond Scratch into a different [programming] language."

America on Tech  provided a grant $230,000 to prepare young people for the technology workforce.  Zonta International is a that help advance the status of women around the world and they offer the Zonta International Women in Technology Scholarships to encourage women to pursue education, career opportunities and leadership roles in information  technology.

 Digital technology is helping to connect parents with the classroom. As activities become more digital some schools are embracing “Digital documentation provides a quick and convenient way for families (and teachers) to follow children's experiences and growth-not just highlights or end products” (Haney, 2022).  This is an investment for the teacher, school district, and caregivers. Rather than having your refrigerator filled with construction paper handprint turkeys and thumbprint zoo animals, a digital file can be exchanged.  (I hope this never catches on; it is just one more thing for the teach to do rather than teach).

All private and public sector employment opportunities have an aspect of STEM and the competition for raw talent is very high. Everything from corporate sign on bonuses to Military Enlistment bonus.  Kids spend 7-10 hours a day on technology, and it makes sense to create programs that nest into their hobbies.  It presents issues and dangers but everything in moderation.

I am grateful for the digital technology that keeps me connected with my 11-year-old granddaughter and my nieces and nephews.  During the first few months of the pandemic, we would hop on Zoom and connect.  Now, we send messages back and forth and she often will send emoji’s. Since we are separated by three states, we can stay connected. When her parents travel, she stays connected and even checks in on her fur bothers and sisters.  She builds PowerPoints for projects and uses virtual textbooks. I am grateful that she has a pen pal that she writes cursive letters rather than an email.  The evolution of her learning and development continues to advance. 

References

Meyer, L., 2017. Higher Stem. School Library Journal 63 (04) (04): 38.

Kildee Delivers New Federal Funding to Expand Educational Programs in Genesee County. 2023.Targeted News Service, Feb 18.

 Haney, S. 2022. Experiences can't Go Home in Cubbies using Digital Technology and Documentation to Connect with Families. Teaching Young Children, vol. 15, no. 2, 2022, pp. 20-22. 

 

Branding

Week 7

Your brand, your brands’ brand

Webcasts, ted talks, and books are devoted to the importance of creating your own personal brand and for business and organization’s there are agencies devotes to solidifying and building their brands. 

This week we listed to Rory Sutherland. He devoted a Ted Talk discussing the advertising revolution in brand identities, designing cutting-edge, interactive campaigns that blur the line between ad and entertainment.  Brand management has become one of the most critical aspects of business strategy. Brands are often a central organizing principle of successful organizations. They guide decisions and actions. 

When developing your personal branding one must remember that it is your legacy and your reputation that are on the line.  You want to control the way you are seen.  It is also important to understand how to position yourself against others.  One thing to ask yourself is – How did you get to where you are at? Did you design it or did someone direct it? Many times, you may find yourself in position that you just fell into not that you necessarily wanted.  When you think about your own brand you can stop where you are at and answer where you want to be going forward. Developing a strategy to help make decisions.  Always remember that just because you can does not mean you should. You must decide whether you want to have a reactive career or a proactive career. There can be a lot of judgment in personal branding.  It can take some time but you have to think what you stand for and what you desire. Ask yourself what your desired reputation looks like.

For businesses and non-profits every brand has a personality and character.  Branding is about open and communication with user.  People will have strong feelings about the product or company.  Successful brands need to optimistic. Consumers want to be feel good about a product and over time it even becomes apart of their personal brand.  Creating a logo is very important. Your brand could be recognized just by your logo alone. This could be what makes someone pick up a product over a different one.  Story telling and tone of voice are essential in branding. What message are you telling.  Remember, typically people don’t fall in love with companies they fall in love with the brand experiences, everything high quality products to excellent customer service. Brand recognition indicates how easy it is for audiences to identify your brand without hearing or seeing the brand name.

Traditional brands 

I love Tiffany – I can recognize the blue color and box from afar. Ironically, I have no Tiffany pieces in my jewelry box but I recognize the exquisite product and the iconic customer service. When shopping Tiffany and Co. in the Middle East you have to pass through a velvet rope and the security personnel often don white gloves, It feels luxurious.  Just this week it was announced “Lebanese superstar singer Nancy Ajram has been named Tiffany and Co.'s new brand ambassador, becoming the first Arab to hold the post.”  The iconic brand seeks out stars to represent the brand. Name recognition times two.  For the Super Bowl Tiffany and Co.  handcraft the Vince Lombardi trophy. The also craft 65 other trophies each year at the Tiffany & Co. hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island (TCA. Feb 21, 2023).

One local brand in Colorado Springs is The Broadmoor Hotel.  In a recent article The Broadmoor, they said, "has no corporate brand, just three families passionate about a very special place."   The owners have continued to build on the legacy of Spencer Penrose with 61 years as a Forbes 5-Star Award property and the AAA Five-Diamond Award since 1979 (Navarro, 2021).  When you go to the property you understand that you are part of the culture of the west, mixed with history, and class. The experience is luxurious but friendly. They pay attention to the details whether you are an on-site guest or just stopped in for a coffee. The valets are dressed in top hat, gladly offer an elbow to assist with a step, and a golf umbrella in in climate weather. No one talk negatively about The Broadmoor in my company.

Land Rover is a very classic brand and recognized worldwide.  For decades, Land Rover and Jeep dominated the market for go-anywhere, off-road vehicles, and the luxurious Range Rover had no real competition. The Rover is king. Pop songs have sung about them, they are in 007 high speed chases and carry Indiana Jones on his adventures. That, of course, has changed, and the Range Rover especially is seeing more and more competitors inch onto its turf, as other luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Maserati and Cadillac roll out six-figure SUVs. (Trutt, 2022) Car enthusiasts tend to be Brand snobs. Advertisers hone in on the brand identities and speak to the consumer.

When I fly on Emirates airlines, it is gives me a feeling that I am going somewhere big and great people are coming with me. It is an experience. When I see the Fly Emirates logo and tagline, I am in.   Coke is just soda but most people recognize it and have a very specific opinion about it.  Andy Warhol incorporated the brands in his art and created additional recognition.

Levi’s are just jeans but most people can relate this brand to an event or memory. I have a friend that only washes their favorite pair of Levi’s once a month to make them last longer. 

If someone talks bad about your brand it is almost as if someone is insulting them and they will adamantly defend it.

Always be aware of why you like a certain brand. We have connections to brands, and it becomes a pillar of our identity.  I love many outdoor clothing brands. But recently some became very political, and it made me like them less, which is horrible because the quality is amazing

“Patagonia has been a longtime champion for environmental issues, so in the most recent election cycle, it endorsed four senatorial candidates from Arizona, Maine, North Carolina, and Montana who were “over whelmingly focused on taking the climate and ecological crisis seriously” (Morse, 2020).

Not sure how that makes me feel as a consumer.

But I can speak with my wallet if I need to change.  

References

Nancy Ajram Becomes Tiffany & Co.'s First Arab Brand Ambassador. TCA Regional News, Feb 21, 2023 

Morse, B. (2020, December 22). Patagonia’s Guide to Politics. Inc, 42(5), 18.

Navarro, L. (2021). How the Broadmoor Became 'the Grande Dame of the Rockies'. TCA News Service, Dec 16, 2021.

Truett, R. (2022). Off-Road Rovering Builds Customer Loyalty: Land Rover Retailer Gives Customers Chance to Play on Rough Terrain. Automotive News 97, no. 7063 (Nov 07, 2022): 15.