I recently had the pleasure of spending an hour with 120 third- and fourth-grade girls in the cafeteria of Fairhope West Elementary (FWE). I was asked to give a presentation and lead an activity for the school’s Girls in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) series. I shared stories and pictures with them about my professional journey which includes positions such as zoo keeper, conservation biologist, nature center executive director, art business owner, yoga teacher and my current duties as a publisher. After my presentation, the girls utilized their art, technology and collaboration skills to provide me with content for their own magazine. Under their direction, I helped them publish Colorful STEAM, a digital magazine that they can share with their peers and families.

I was honored to participate in this forward-thinking program, but initially, as a mom of boys, I couldn’t help but wonder why the program was limited to girls. “Just as we don’t see as many boy teachers as we do girl teachers, we don’t see as many female scientists, engineers and mathematicians as we do male,” Principal Julie Pierce explained. It is her hope that by exposing these young ladies to STEAM at an early age while acknowledging gender stereotypes, the FWE community will inspire more women to pursue careers in fields that are often dominated by men. At the close of the program, Mrs. Pierce asked the crowd if anyone could see themselves as a biologist or a zoo keeper or a publisher. It was thrilling to see girls coming out of their seats in excitement as they raised their hands.

 A similar theme surfaced while I was writing about The Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail in Mobile for this month’s Diverse Conversations article. The trail links historic contributions of African Americans to significant Mobile locations in an effort to educate and inspire our community. Too often the edited version of history that we are taught in schools stifles the hopes and dreams of children that don’t see themselves in the characters who are being celebrated most. The heritage trail brings to life local stories that have been left out—those of Black citizens doing incredible things, from attracting U.S. presidents to visit Mobile, to becoming multimillionaires during the Jim Crow era. When kids see highly accomplished individuals that look like them, a sense of purpose and hope is ignited within them.

In this sustainable living issue, we also dive into topics such as the impact climate change has
on our health, tips for detoxifying our homes and how to be an eco-conscious athlete. Sustainability and environmentalism are daunting terms to many people, but throughout this issue you’ll discover simple ways to join this movement. You don’t have to be a certified tree hugger to reduce your plastic use, just like you don’t have to be a male to be an engineer.