Social and Racial Justice

This year’s theme is “Girls’ vision for the future.” The theme represents “the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future.” As we noted last week, this celebration was started by the United Nations to “recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face Read more…

Q: Why are people sharing their pronouns? A: Using correct names and gender pronouns can make a significant difference in someone’s life. Pronouns are the words we use to refer to ourselves or someone else when not using a name. Gender pronouns specifically refer to people and possessions (she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, ze/zir/zirs, etc.) The 2022 U.S. Read more…

On this Indigenous People’s Day, Those Nerdy Girls would like to share some principles common to many Indigenous groups that help inform their public health initiatives: 1. Recognition of how today’s actions will impact the next 7 generations 2. Acting in honor of ancestors who fought to ensure their survival and elders who carry on Read more…

Q: What are all the ways people can vote? A: In-person, by mail, and absentee. Once you are registered, there are several options for voting. See below for information on these options and make sure to check deadlines in your state for each one. In-person voting: On election day, November 5th, you can vote in-person. Read more…

Q: How can I check whether I am registered to vote? A: Visit the U.S. Election Assistance Commission website. It can feel like there are a zillion websites with voter registration information, the rules are different in every state, and the information overwhelm can be well…overwhelming! Don’t worry, we got you. An easy way to Read more…

A: A lot! Elected officials play a key role in shaping policies and implementing programs that impact health at the national, state and local level. They also play a major role in navigating public health emergencies (as we’ve seen over the past 4+ years!). Voting is critical to a healthy democracy, a healthy nation, and Read more…

As a cisgender woman, Pride Month always feels like a good time for me to do some thinking on what it means to be an effective ally for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning, Two Spirit, Intersex, Agender, and Asexual (LGBTQ2SIA+) and Same Gender Loving (SGL) people. The Human Rights Campaign defines “ally” as “A Read more…

Q: June is Pride Month. Why do Those Nerdy Girls feel it is important to write about Pride? June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. Pride events serve to celebrate, honor, uplift, educate, and increase understanding and visibility for and among members of Queer communities and their families and Read more…

Today Those Nerdy Girls honor Dr. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth. We first wrote about her last year (scroll down to read that post) and now want to give you some exciting updates on her amazing life and contributions to society. 🟣 On May 3, 2024, Dr. Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Read more…

June is Pride Month in the U.S. and many countries around the world. (Pride is celebrated during other months in countries such as Denmark.) Pride events serve to celebrate, honor, uplift, educate, and increase understanding and visibility for and among members of Queer communities and their families and loved ones. Visibility is important because it Read more…

This celebration was started by the United Nations to “recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.” The International Day of the Girl: Focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face Promotes girls’ empowerment Works to protect and fulfill their human rights Did you know? Globally, the percentage Read more…

In honor of Indigenous People’s Day this Nerdy Girl would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge that right this second, she sits upon ancestral native land, in a place the Ho-Chunk people have called Teejop since time immemorial. My office sits in Agricultural Hall, on Observatory Hill. Two ancient native effigy mounds were destroyed Read more…

Today Those Nerdy Girls honor Ms. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is named for June 19th, the day in 1865 that enslaved people in Texas found out they were free. Ms. Lee, who refers to herself as “just a little old lady in Read more…