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ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by Account Coordinator Liza Butegwa, who is currently drowning in moving boxes.
A win for the world
In good news for global public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first ever malaria vaccine. With 95% of malaria cases coming out of sub-Saharan Africa and claiming nearly half a million lives each year, this is a historic milestone. Questions still swirl around how and when the doses will be administered, as well as how to strengthen the efficacy of the drugs, but as a Ugandan who has seen the devastating impacts of the disease, the prospect that there is a way forward is incredibly encouraging for the world’s youngest continent. I’ll leave you with this comment from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General: "Malaria has been with us for millennia, and the dream of a malaria vaccine has been a long-held, but unattainable dream. We still have a very long road to travel. But this is a big stride down that road.”
It’s getting hot in here...
As world leaders prepare to discuss climate change at COP26 in just a few weeks, there’s a growing sense that we are at a “now or never” moment. Despite the continuous campaigning (64% of Americans say the environment is a top priority, up from 41% in 2008), a recent report shows that globally, we’re nowhere near the level of action needed. While businesses are eager to add the green label to their name and public image, many are simultaneously lobbying against green legislation. A recent report also found that less than 2% of global giving goes to curbing climate change, with the bulk of this amount given by individual donors as opposed to foundations. But, we are seeing progress with the UN declaring “access to a healthy environment” as a human right. Netflix announced that it would air sustainability stories, a collection of over 30 titles to help inspire action and awareness of what’s happening to our planet. To keep up on the latest climate and COP-related news, we suggest subscribing to client Tim Mohin’s LinkedIn newsletter.
Bye Bye, Binary
The New York Times published a compelling article on the relationship between gender and fashion. It raised important questions of why we tend to cling to outdated power structures and gender stereotypes. Still, we continue to see positive steps taken by organizations and policymakers to rectify this and account for evolving perceptions of gender. Case in point: by 2024, California law will require retailers with 500 or more employees to have gender-neutral toy sections, and LEGO announced the removal of gender bias from its toys as research showed girls were being held back by outdated notions of gender. Why haven’t more companies addressed this, and why do whole industries and sectors such as fitness still heavily rely on binary views around gender? Truly progressive companies need to be willing to put in the work to dismantle the deep biases that still exist in their structures. A good resource is McPherson client Reimagine Gender, committed to helping organizations create environments free from constricting gender norms, where everyone is empowered to be their authentic self.
ON OUR RADAR
Celebrate:
- Congratulations to the incredible leaders in this year’s Fortune Most Powerful Women list!
- The New York Public Library said goodbye to late fines in a bid to ensure knowledge is more accessible to our most vulnerable communities. Find out more about why this is so important in this article from The Atlantic.
- Snapchat has created a new “Run for Office” tool to encourage young adults to run for public office.
- Two journalists won the Nobel Peace Prize this year—the first since 1935. Learn more about Maria Ressa and Dmitry Andreyevich Muratov here.
- This week, WHO acknowledged a “historic wrong” and honored Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cancer cells provided the basis for many game-changing developments in medicine.
Attend:
- The Economist’s Innovation@Work US Summit starts next week! Register here and learn from experts including McP clients Dr. Angela Jackson of New Profit and Lisa Kenney of Reimagine Gender for more on the changing nature of corporate culture and the future of work.
- International Women’s Media Foundation (IMWF) will host a Washington Post Live event on November 4, 2021, at 5:30pm ET to honor the women who have persisted against the odds to share their communities’ stories. Register and learn more about the event.
- Sustainable Brands is bringing together a global community of change agents at SB ’21 San Diego from October 18-21. McP clients Lisa Kenney, CEO of Remagine Gender, and Mike Wallace, SVP, Strategic Market Engagement at Persefoni, will be speaking. You can sign up to tune in virtually here.
Listen:
- Paul Polman joined Purpose 360 Podcast host Carol Cone and shared his insights on why we all need to build on our courage, hope and positivity as we work to solve the world’s challenges.
- Susan discussed the difference between connecting and networking in this week’s episode of The Remarkable Leadership Podcast with Kevin Eikenberry.
Watch:
- For this year’s International Day of the Girl, Girls Leadership released this video and new research that speaks to why adults need to trust, center, and support the girls in their lives.
- This weekend, check out the new film “Introducing, Selma Blair” from Director Rachel Fleit out in NY and LA. The film will also start streaming on Discovery+ on Thursday, October 21.
- Not quite a video but watch what your city could look like if we don’t drastically reduce emissions and change our approach to climate change.
Read:
- McP client Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider from the End Well Project wrote this piece in TIME on how the COVID-19 pandemic opened the door to a new era in psychedelic medicine.
- Ever wondered what you’d do with a limit of 100 posts in your lifetime? This Fast Company article lets us know it’s possible with the new Minus social network.
- Be amazed by the winning and finalist stories from Grist’s “2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors” story competition.
- New research from think tank Coqual studies the practices that promote feelings of fairness among employees and shares solutions on how companies can create more equitable workplaces.
- Hitha Palepu’s new book We Are Speaking shares lessons about life, work, and overcoming adversity—drawn from Kamala Harris’s norm-shattering ascent to Vice President of the United States. Pre-order your copy here.
- The nonprofit Hello Neighbor is now federally approved to resettle refugees in Pittsburgh and across Allegheny County. Read the organization’s full statement here and learn about how you can get involved.
Apply:
- She’s the First is hiring its first Director of Development. Learn more about the remote-friendly post and apply here.
- McPherson Strategies is also hiring. Learn more about our open positions here.
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