Drawing upon humour for change

As the “Women for Social Change” event is rearing its head, I’d like to share with my readers, both men and women, a TED Talk that made me sit up and listen.

This 6 min talk by New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly, gracefully highlights how humor can empower women to change the rules. I truly believe that. In fact, I believe women all around the world can engineer change.

She talks about how women can break down barriers and not be confined by how society shapes our persona. Liza uses her talent and skill as a cartoonist to make this change. WE, can use OURS.

The “Women for Social Change” event is the first of its kind, organized by the lovely Miss Carrie Bishop (@carriebish).
She describes the event below

You might be working in government, the voluntary sector, academia or be a social entrepreneur. You might just be nosey.

Whatever your interest in social change I hope you can come along to meet other talented, creative, witty, and downright interesting women.

I have no idea what these meetups will involve so I’m hoping that at this session we can start to shape them together. I’ll be asking for your thoughts on how often we should meet up, what format(s) you’d like to see, who else should be invited (our supportive male colleagues perhaps?), and any other aspirations you might have for a group like this.

If nothing else it will be a great chance for us all to get together, compare notes and do something fun to brighten up an otherwise dreary month.

I believe one of the things that has always bugged me in the tech world is attending events and conferences where there are hardly any women speakers. I know so many great women who are more than capable to stand up in front of a large crowd and wow them at the same time. I know so many women who are empowering, inspiring, knowledgeable and aspire to make change.

I often count how many women there are speaking at an event and its usually just one or two and sometimes even close to none.  THIS HAS TO CHANGE. We must be heard. We must WANT to be heard. But in our own way…. we CAN start to socially change the world we live in.

If you want to support the “Woman for Social Change” event, kindly get in touch with @carriebish. You have no idea what you are going to be a part of… all I can say, it is going to be the beginning of something AMAZING! 🙂

http://womenforsocialchange.eventbrite.com/