Judy Shepard, founding president and the first executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award is the highest and most prestigious civilian honor in the United States and recognizes Judy for her unwavering support, advocacy and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and its safety.In 1998, Judy’s son Matthew Shepard was killed in an anti-gay hate crime. Since his death, Judy and her husband Dennis have dedicated their lives to social justice and championing their son’s legacy to secure civil rights and inspire people to embrace dignity and equality for all.…
Author: DiversityComm
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Recruiting top talent takes a combination of creativity and persistence. To really connect with qualified candidates and drive excitement about new positions and your company, finding ways to stand out from other employers is key.Below are 10 strategies to help you attract job seekers, create a memorable first impression of your company and successfully hire top candidates.Utilize Your SocialsSocial media is a fantastic recruiting tool. It allows you to share job postings with your entire network and encourages a two-way conversation. Even if the people you reach aren’t interested in the role you’re hiring for, they might know someone who…
Since the advent of Coco Chanel’s influential suits in 1916, knitwear has undergone a remarkable evolution. Chanel’s classic line of knitwear heralded a new era in sportswear, laying the groundwork for its transformation into a symbol of modern femininity.Throughout the 1950s, sex symbols like Lana Turner and Jane Russell further popularized knits, establishing them as a timeless and appealing choice for women. By the 1980s, knitwear had transcended its sportswear origins to become a staple of high fashion, with iconic designs such as Romeo Gigli’s haute-bohemian cocoon coats and Ralph Lauren’s floor-length cashmere turtlenecks.A Knitwear VisionaryEnter Monique “Mary” du Rock,…
Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) honors a woman-owned small business that is using their business platform to make a difference.This year, the 2024 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year award has been given to IBEX IT Business Experts, LLC (IBEX) and its founder, president and CEO Tracey Grace.The Atlanta, Georgia-based IBEX is an award-winning software, training, professional services and consulting firm serving the needs of both the public and private sectors.Founded in 2012, IBEX’s portfolio includes partnerships with such prestigious clients as the Department…
In a roundtable discussion held in Phoenix, we convened with U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and East Valley Institute of Technology, to highlight the importance of new $4 million Apprenticeship Building America grants from the U.S. Department of Labor that will help expand pathways to Good Jobs for women, young people and Latinx workers, which ultimately help improve local communities seeking to enable greater economic mobility.“So often, Latino workers have been in jobs that have not always been the best jobs in the community, so we need to create different outcomes there too,” said…
When she came to Accenture in 1986, first generation Latina Nellie Borrero saw a need for inclusive culture. But with DEI not being as prominent of a factor in the business world at the time, Borrero’s continual learning and relentless advocacy led to a long but utterly successful journey, turning Accenture into an inclusive powerhouse. Today, as the company’s managing director and senior global inclusion, diversity and equity strategic advisor, Borrero uses her award-winning strategies to not only continue inclusive culture at Accenture, but bring it to their clients, partners and audiences around the world. Now, Borrero is taking her…
Heman Bekele, who grew up in Ethiopia, first observed the adverse effects of sun exposure on skin at a young age. He saw many people working outdoors without sun protection, as noted by TIME in their feature celebrating Bekele as their “Kid of the Year.”After moving to the U.S., 7-year-old Bekele received a chemistry set for Christmas, which sparked his interest in chemical reactions. This curiosity grew into a deeper awareness of the risks associated with prolonged sun exposure.“When I was younger, I didn’t think much of it, but when I came to America, I realized the serious impact of…
Considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history and has carved her path with unparalleled brilliance and individuality. Born in Columbus, Ohio, on March 14, 1997, Simone Biles started her gymnastics odyssey at only six years old and her journey was destined for greatness from the start. Too young to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, Biles skyrocketed to fame in 2013. At just 16, she clinched two gold medals at the Antwerp Championship, including the coveted all-around title. Here, she introduced the world to a groundbreaking move on the…
American women dominated the Summer Olympics, securing more than half of Team USA’s medals. The U.S. earned a total of 126 medals, the highest of any nation, with women contributing an impressive 67 of them. One of these medals is still under review: Olympic officials have requested gymnast Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal from the floor exercise final following a score reversal, though the U.S. is currently appealing the decision. Despite this controversy, the success of American women in Paris has been extraordinary. If they competed as their own country, they would rank third in the overall medal…
Cuban-American singer Celia Cruz, who passed away in 2003, has become the first Afro-Latina to be featured on a U.S. quarter, as issued by the United States Mint. The coin was recently unveiled on the Mint’s website. Cruz is the 14th woman honored in the American Women Quarters program, which began in 2022. Other notable figures who have received this recognition include writer and activist Maya Angelou, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mexican American journalist Jovita Idar. The coin depicts Cruz smiling alongside her famous catchphrase, “¡Azúcar!” On the reverse side, an image of George Washington, designed by artist…
