I am a young minority female and have received a PhD in the sciences.  I am now a Realtor.  While I love what I do, I struggle with the decision that I have made, as I am a strong proponent of increasing diversity in the sciences.  I felt that I served as a representative (whether I wanted to or not, hollywood stars) and I felt that my being there might make someone else’s journey through school and on to a scientific profession that much easier.  I am encouraged when I see programs such as this at UMBC, where professors understand that getting through college and grad school has just as much as a social component as an academic one.  They are not only willing to recognize the isolation that many underrepresented minorities in the sciences feel, they are willing to do something about it.  Take a look, from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/science/13conv.html?ex=1174449600&en=d4a6ab386a0737d6&ei=5070&emc=eta1

March 13, 2007

A Conversation With Michael F. Summers

Goal No. 1: Good Science. Goal No. 1: Diversity.

Well, we finally got the latest Moxy issue out!  It’s another good issue, with articles about buying a car, adult acne, and hanging out with co-workers after hours.

 We love putting together the magazine!  We wish it were our day jobs.  But since we’ve got to pay the bills, we’ve decided to publish every other month.  We can improve on content and layout if we’ve got a little more time.  Please continue with your support!  Thanks!  And if you ever want to write an article please let us know.

I got this email, and a family member used it with success:

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don’t have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem.  When you need to  use the 411 information option, simply dial 800-FREE-411 or  800-373-3411 without  incurring any charge at all.

You can also call internationally at domestic long distance rates via Futurephone, but I have to dig that number out of my email archive abyss.

Happy Calling!