Exploring Women’s History Month through Business

By: Ayesha Devani

With the month of March coming to an end, it is important to bring emphasis to one of the most highlighted events of the month. Despite being established to promote both feminism and job creation, it is inevitable to acknowledge its purpose with relevance to the fight for women to vote. However, the movement, its purpose and its relevance have and are evolving over the years. The business industry has stereotypically been male-driven, and this has consistently made women in business the outliers. Entrepreneurs like Oprah, Arianna Huffington, and Elizabeth Arden, amongst many, are some of the most talked-about female entrepreneurs. However, women in small businesses continue to struggle in order to climb the patriarchal ladder and create their mark in the industry. This piece aims to explore a few of these women, their journeys, struggles, and successes in order to recognize and hence, promote women in small businesses. 

Funding and support are two key aspects of a business. Due to the multiple gender-based stereotypes established, it is proven that women in business are statistically less likely to gain funding. By restricting a women’s ability to practice business, society limits the opportunities women receive and hence, prevents success. These stereotypes additionally limit the support women receive and hence take a toll on confidence doing the exact opposite of what Women’s History Month stands for. These traditional norms have continued to create an unfavorable business environment limiting the probability of success. 

Through all the challenges female entrepreneurs face, many have emerged to be successful. However, this success is often neglected by society. Lorna Rutto, Claudia Mirza, and Anita Gupta are some of the many entrepreneurs who have truly reshaped their industries. These names are amongst the many unheard and unrecognizable ones despite their bold and unique approaches in their place of work. Lorna Rutto gave the idea of sustainability a new perspective in Kenya. Despite facing systematic discrimination and being deprived of the resources to grow her business, she converted plastic waste into sustainable products. Lorna, just like many other women, used her success to encourage employment and promote many women like her truly displaying what women empowerment stands for. Claudia Mirza created a visionary business that provides multilingual business services. Her history as an immigrant in the United States fuelled her passion and led her to create a business to help many like her. Anita Gupta faced the harsh reality of the patriarchal system in her home country India. Anita has now founded an organization that financially supports 20,000 and more women around the country. With the intention of spreading awareness and ensuring her struggles are not the struggles of many other women, she revolutionized business for women in India.

Post-reading the many ways through which these women have reshaped the industry, we should truly wonder why we don’t hear their names more often. Poverty, the patriarchal system, discrimination, cultural barriers, and a lack of resources are a few of the struggles these women faced. Instead of focusing solely on the monetary success of their businesses, these women worked to ensure that other women like them are not faced with the same difficulties they were faced with. Women’s History Month is the perfect opportunity for us to not only recognize these women but recognize the numerous barriers women face in business. No matter how big or small, a business is a business. As individuals, not only should we encourage and promote these businesses, but we should also encourage and promote the women behind the businesses.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/margueritacheng/2018/10/31/8-major-challenges-women-face-in-business/?sh=4b2379d36461

https://ayeshadevani.wixsite.com/womeninbusiness

April First: Some April Fools Tools for School

By: Victoria Lauria

Picture this. It’s the first of the month and you’re in the middle school cafeteria. You open up your lunch box, and you see Oreos. You don’t question the fact that your mother never buys Oreos because you are too excited to have a tasty treat during your long day as a moody tween. You take your first bite and a minty aroma catches your attention. You are immediately grumpy again because, in your opinion, mint and chocolate are a terrible combination of flavors. By the time you swallow, it’s too late - everything is coming back up onto the table in front of your friends. You realize it’s not just any first of any month of the year, but it’s the fourth month. It’s April Fools Day: the national holiday that makes it acceptable for your mother to replace the delicious filling of the Oreo cookie with mint toothpaste. Yup, that was me. Mortified, but laughing it off and blaming my mom for being a trickster, I tried not to think of how humiliating it was that I just spat up in front of the entire 7th grade. 

Luckily, I’m at college making my own lunches now so I won’t be getting any suspiciously strong-smelling “mint” Oreos in my lunchbox. But not having my mom around to prank me also means she isn’t around to welcome me home from school, do my laundry and dishes, or tell me what to do. She definitely isn’t here to tell me when to go to bed, wake me up when I sleep through an alarm or drive me to school when I miss the bus because I slept in. Yup - this is college, the independence we have been searching for our entire lives. 

No more moms and dads - freedom. Literally, nobody tells us what to do nowadays besides those heinous assignments professors give us on the first day of classes, when you get lost in the neverending sea of syllabi. But even professors don’t tell us that we have to do anything, they say something along the lines of: “You guys are paying for this, so try to make the most of it.” And for the rest of the semester, it is up to us to make our own decisions. While I don’t miss unknowingly consuming toothpaste between chocolatey crackers, I do kind of miss the instruction that comes with living under the roof of my parents. Along with the growing pile of assignments comes the social pressures of being a college student at a big party school like Umass. Some of us feel like we are floating, lost far beyond the syllabi. A lot of us just float away in an ocean of students, rafting with others because being strong and swimming to shore on your own would, well, make you stand out from everybody else… and that’s… 

…embarrassing?

NO! It’s not embarrassing. At least, it shouldn’t have to be. Believe me, I’m the first one to turn red and start sweating when it comes to presenting a project on my own, being singled out in front of a classroom, or meeting somebody new. But standing out isn’t an embarrassing thing if you are being your natural self, if you are striving towards your goals. It’s a good thing to be comfortable existing, speaking, and breathing in your own skin. It’s an amazing thing to be able to recognize when you are simply following the crowd. Maybe you don’t want to go out and party on a Friday night, even though it seems like EVERYBODY will be going and having a good time. If your social battery is running low, it’s not embarrassing to be the only one of your friends that stays in for a night to do some self-care. It is important to recharge your energy so that you can not only feel yourself, but be yourself. Maybe you just want to chill and watch some Netflix with your roommates. This past Friday night, I watched a competitive baking show called Is It Cake? with my housemates, and it was a great time. The ultimate winner of the competition (spoiler alert, sorry), Andrew Fuller, is one funky dude, elaborated by his thick beaded glasses, green mohawk, and colorful style. He had some inspiring words about the importance of being your true, authentic self, even if that means being different: 

“I’ve never come this far in something. And I feel like I’m finally stepping into the person I’m supposed to be, and it’s just a cake show but this is huge for me… I just feel so humbled by this experience, and I feel like I’ve kind of proven that I don’t have to fit in with everybody else. You can still reach for whatever weird, wild, totally ridiculous dream you have, and you can achieve that. This has been the ride of my life.” 

So it’s April Fools Day again. I don’t mind if I get tricked this year, as long as I’m not fooling myself. It’s a good checkpoint as it has been 3 months since we made our New Year's Resolutions, and we are about to blossom into the beautiful spring and summer months. 

Are you still working towards your goals? Are you doing what makes you happy? Are you taking care of yourself, and recharging when you need it? Are you being yourself, even if that means being different? 

If you answered “Yes” to these questions, you should be very proud, keep going! 

If you answered “No,” I’m afraid you’re playing games with yourself. Or maybe society has tricked you into blending in, so that you don’t separate away to reach your ultimate individuality. Unfortunately, you can’t fool your way to self-actualization. Don’t be a fool, be yourself. 

In the wise words of Mr. T in Rocky 3…

“I pity the fool.” 

So, get to work. Your future self can’t wait to meet and talk about how far you’ve come.

My Self-Care Staples

By: Karta Khalsa

If you know me, you know how much I value my self-care. Whether it be a nighttime skincare ritual or splurging on a product that makes me feel good, I am a big believer in the importance of treating yourself and setting aside time every night for relaxation, especially considering the crazy and stressful lives we tend to live as college students. Here are a few of my current essential self-care staples; these products help me feel calm, clean, and overall make me love my nighttime routine as much as I do!

1.Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer

This particular moisturizer is on the more expensive end, but it is worth it if you like to splurge on skincare. Although it looks very thick at first, this moisturizer melts into my skin like butter and has a yummy honey aroma, just like the name suggests. I used to steer away from super moisturizing products for fear of breaking out, but I have found over the years that the more I moisturize, the better my skin looks and feels. I love to use it on nights when I am doing a more ~boujee~ skincare routine, and I always wake up glowing.

2. Tonymoly Sheet Masks

Over the past year, I have grown to love a good moisturizing sheet mask. Specifically, I have been loving the Tonymoly brand because they are affordable and leave my face feeling insanely soft and moisturized the next morning! Especially in the winter when it tends to be dryer and more irritated than usual, these have been a lifesaver, and the adorable packaging is a plus. I suggest popping them in the fridge beforehand or running an ice cube over your face while you have the mask on for an extra refreshing and de-puffing sensation!

3. Vaseline Original Chapstick

Sometimes, it is best to stick to the basics. I have always been a Vaseline enthusiast, and I will never travel anywhere without packing my tub of it. This past semester at school, my roommate introduced me to Vaseline in chapstick form! I cannot believe I never knew it existed, but I am so glad that I found out. You can get a two-pack at Target for just $2.49 and for some reason, this chapstick is so incredibly comforting to use. Over the years I have used all types of different lip masks and chapsticks, but as I said before, nothing beats the original. 

4. Lavender FOG - Aromatherapy Spray Mist

Like it says on the Lavender Life Company website, “all-natural lavender spray mist is made with organic lavender and smells absolutely heavenly!”, and I couldn’t agree more. This particular company makes hand-crafted spray bottles filled with distilled water, a blend of Bulgarian lavender, palmarosa, eucalyptus, and rose essential oils from their farm in Michigan. I love giving my pillow and bedding a spritz of this before I get in bed because it smells great and helps me relax before going to sleep. This brand is one of my favorites, but there are definitely other lavender sprays out there on the market to experiment with, and I highly recommend adding this detail to your bedtime routine for some extra relaxation! 

5. Sleepytime Extra Tea

Made with a blend of chamomile, spearmint, valerian, and other soothing herbs, enjoying a warm cup of Sleepytime tea has been a cozy addition to my night. One of the best feelings has been crawling into bed after a long day, watching a movie or show, and sipping my tea while I wind down. I can confidently say that this particular tea helps me sleep because I usually end up dozing off before I’m able to finish the whole cup!

Mindfulness and Productivity During a Chaotic Spring

By: Lisa Freeley

We all know the feeling. Spring break gave us a blissful taste of Summer but now it's time to wake up and revive your routine. It may feel a bit like a slap in the face, but there are still ways to appreciate the Springtime and maintain a mindful and productive headspace with Summer just around the corner.

Personally, I have always used the future as my primary motivator for getting sh*t done in the present. The future is a beautiful thing. So much opportunity and potential for growth lies in the future. If I am ever struggling or generally feeling low, I try to imagine aspects of my future that I can look forward to. Whether that means planning a day trip with friends, setting goals for myself, or simply looking forward to the next three-day weekend, there is ALWAYS something relaxing and rewarding that awaits you. 

A productive habit that goes hand-in-hand with this is goal setting. Without goals, the day-to-day routine of life can begin to feel rather pointless. Sometimes I get caught up in this feeling and the mindset that my everyday actions have no meaning, which often leads to a depressive mindset and a complete lack of motivation. This is why it is so important to remind yourself of what you are working towards. For some, their goals are set out and clear in their minds, however, if you are like me, you might have difficulty with this. If you are struggling to figure out exactly what your goals are, I recommend journaling or designing a vision board. 

Over the summer while cleaning out my family’s basement, I found a vision board that my mother’s friend made for her in college. It included her goals for where she wanted to live and work in the future, representations of her current and sought-after lifestyle, and imagery of various aspects of life that brought her happiness. This summer I plan to make a similar board for myself, as I feel that creativity and valuable ideas can sometimes get lost in a cluster of thoughts. Creating something concrete and admirable out of your ideas can help you see them from a new and more optimistic perspective. This can also be accomplished through journaling. Any strategy that helps you to visualize yourself and the direction you wish to go in life will help you set goals and go through each day with a sense of purpose. 

My last piece of advice for bettering your mindset and overall productivity is to work on improving your internal dialogue. Negative self-talk is something that I am still working through myself, and simply speaking to yourself with kindness and compassion is so much easier said than done. One major way I have been able to combat negative self-talk is by recognizing those thoughts and contradicting them in that moment. This can be tricky because I tend to bully myself in my mind almost subconsciously, but whenever I start to notice these thoughts, I recall a time when I felt confident and sure of myself and counter the thought with three self-assured statements that I know to be true. Another way that I work against negative self-talk is by listening to podcasts. I have recently started listening to “Anything Goes” by Emma Chamberlain and have found it difficult to think negatively in general when listening to someone speak positively and thoughtfully about life. I would recommend podcasts to anyone who struggles with negative thoughts as this is a productive form of entertainment that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.

There are plenty of effective ways to improve your mindset, but these have personally been instrumental in my own mindfulness journey. That said, you must nourish your present self in order to fully enjoy and appreciate whatever the future holds, so be kind to yourself and set goals for yourself because your role in the world is important and you have the power to create meaningful change.

“Read the Card First”: How Expressive Writing Can Make You a More Positive Person

By: Kylie Acerra

Greeting Cards, a monetary item given from one person to another with the purpose of celebrating or giving the other support. The importance of greeting cards lies within the purpose, but the intentions change per person. Consumers buy them in order to express positive emotions, but producers sell them in order to make a profit. To provide some examples of events in which greeting card companies profit would include: birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, graduations, injuries or illness, and death. Out of these events, the cards that sell the most are birthday cards followed up by sympathy cards. For the consumer, they are celebrating a loved one’s life and consoling a loved one; for the producer, they are profiting the most off of both life and death. To have positivity in your life you need to stay the consumer, positively keeping others in mind, not the producer, negatively gaining off of others’ loss. Having a parallel connection to life, greeting cards either focus on life or focus on death. The cards that celebrate life, birthday cards, “are still the best-selling card type, accounting for more than half of the total cards sold” (Greeting Card Association). Hence, in life, it pays more to support the positive over the negative. 

Being a very profitable industry, the “annual retail sales of greeting cards are estimated between $7 and $8 billion” given “Americans purchase approximately 6.5 billion greeting cards each year” (Greeting Card Association). Because Americans pay an extensive amount on greeting cards, Americans stand to save a lot of money if they create them themselves. As children, one does not have the ability to go out and purchase a pre-made card, so they are forced to use their creative side to express emotion. People not only stand to save money by making cards themselves but also benefit psychologically. Writing a card forces you to express your emotion in your own words, not Hallmarks’, and think about another person in your life. Now, if we as humans can write support for others, then we can definitely write support for ourselves. Moreover, a study done by psychologist Adam Grant demonstrates how “expressive writing has also been linked to improved mood, well-being, and reduced stress levels for those who do it regularly” (Ciotti). The idea is that if a person continually writes positive thoughts and words of self-encouragement, then they are more likely to believe and assimilate those positive thoughts into their everyday actions. 

With writing being a catalyst of self-positivity, I challenge whoever is reading this post to try positive self-reflection journaling. Furthermore, I recognize people have busy schedules and may not have the time to sit down and write a page about themselves. I assure you this challenge will not take more than five minutes a day. I also recognize that the task of writing about oneself is difficult because in our society the idea of complementing yourself has been ingrained as an action of selfishness. I assure you complimenting yourself and finding self-confidence is not selfish, but rather selfless. If one possesses a more positive view of themselves then they can use that positivity to express kindness to others.

Take out a piece of paper. Fold it in half. Bring out your colored pencils and transform into a child again. Seeing bright colors will provide you with more energy. Draw an image of something you love. The first thing you see on the card is something that brings you happiness. On the inside write down three things you like about yourself or three positive events that happened to you today. By doing this task daily, you will focus your mind to focus on the positive and connect the idea of yourself with positivity. To take this challenge one step further place your cards in the same location daily. At the beginning of each day, read a card or two. By reading the card first- before opening your phone to social media, a sole producer of self-consciousness, and before having the time to construct a negative thought- you can start your day with a positive mindset. Read the card first because the positive words might just influence how you perceive the gift. 

Sources: 

Ciotti, Gregory. “The Psychological Benefits of Writing - Help Scout.” Help Scout: Shared Inbox, Help Center, & Live Chat Software, Help Scout, 20 Apr. 2016, https://www.helpscout.com/blog/benefits-of-writing/. 

“Greeting Cards Info to Know - Greeting Card Association.” Greeting Cards- Info to Know, Greeting Card Association, 1 Feb. 2020, https://www.greetingcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Greeting-Card-Facts-2020.pdf.