I’m sitting in this powerful session on empowering women and girls at CGI and encourage readers can watch along as well via the live webcast:

Empowering girls and women is both smart policy and smart business. When given opportunities to learn and work, women can drive economic growth and development. For example, women are likely to reinvest significantly more of their income into their families than men do. In some countries, an increase of just 1 percent in girls’ education can boost GDP growth rates by 0.2 percent. Businesses, governments, and development organizations that fail to invest in women are missing out on important ways to improve productivity, develop new markets, and address global challenges. This plenary session will explore new ways to empower girls and women, such as incorporating more women-owned businesses into global supply chains. Panelists will also discuss strategies for enabling girls and women to access education, high-quality health care, and viable economic opportunities.

Remarks:

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, United States of America

Participants:

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah , Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Katie Couric, Anchor and Managing Editor, CBS Evening News
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia
Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company

Yes folks, ‘I’m Glad I’m a Boy! I’m Glad I’m a Girl!‘ is a real book apparently, brought to my attention by a friend who sent this link. The publication date appears to be 1970.

Finally, we have something that actually makes 1966′s The Exciting Game For Career Girls sound progressive. [Deep breath].  Where do I begin…

You can read the full book below the fold.  [Or order it used for $300 at Amazon.] (more…)

Here she is…

You’ve read about the controversy and now it’s time to weigh in. According to Reuters, Dora will continue solving mysteries related to the environment, wildlife, and school while maintaining her sense of adventure.

As I wrote last week, I hope the middle school aged explorer remains curious, clever, self confident, and kind. And if she chooses to do so while wearing cute shoes, she’s entitled. Isis and I agree that brains and social consciousness are not defined by appearances.

So folks, what do you think?

The blogosphere is buzzing over the new middle school aged Dora The Explorer because of her recently released silhouette.

Over at Packaging Girlhood, Lynn and Sharon suggest:

If the original Dora grew up, she wouldn’t be a fashion icon or a shopaholic. She’d develop her map reading skills and imagine the places she could go. She’d capitalize on those problem solving skills to design new ways to bring fresh water to communities in need around the world. Maybe she’d become a world class runner or follow her love of animals and become a wildlife preservationist or biologist.

Wait… what?! We’ve only seen her silhouette and have no idea what Dora’s up to yet. And since when are brains and social consciousness defined by appearances? The notion is absolutely ridiculous. Further, I would love to see more messages to girls (and boys) that smart = attractive. Because it certainly does!

I hope that Dora remains curious, clever, self confident, and kind. And if she chooses to do so while wearing cute shoes, she’s entitled. I could wax poetic on this one, but Isis has done a terrific job over at On Becoming A Domestic And Laboratory Goddess so go take a look. In short, we each have many dimensions that make us interesting and unique.  Let’s not judge Dora’s character based on an obscure image before we learn more about who she is. 

Of course, I hope she loses the monkey… Sends the wrong message to kids.