Security Skeptic endorses Pioneers in Skirts

We met Dave Piscitello at a cyber security conference. He had just won a lifetime achievement award for fighting DNS and online abuse, and we followed his special moment with a keynote about Pioneers in Skirts. After we spoke of our mission and why we started this massive journey — Dave stepped forward to offer his assistance. He wanted us to achieve our goals.

He wants a better world for his daughter.

He’s a Pioneer.

Here’s a snippet of the article he wrote on our behalf: (thank you Dave!)

Pioneers in Skirts: An Innovative Movement to Identify and Combat Bias in the Workplace

Monday, 08 April 2019

I recently had the opportunity to preview a documentary, Pioneers in Skirts, by Ashley Maria and Lea-Ann Berst. The film is a character-driven documentary addressing how women and girls with pioneering ambitions combat bias and sexism in our culture.

Through candid conversations of women who’ve encountered that bias, and most importantly, women have overcome bias to succeed when circumstances conspire against them, the movie seeks to encourage cultures worldwide to adopt gender parity.

I watched the documentary in a male dominated ballroom during a recent security conference. It’s real. I’ve raised a daughter to be a dreamer, to believe she can do anything, and I recognized biases I wouldn’t have imagined having. This is an important film for every work environment, and perhaps particularly for cyber security, where women confront gender discrimination in the work place, while collaborating, and sadly, at prominent security conferences.

Read full story on the Security Skeptic website here: https://www.securityskeptic.com/2019/04/innovative-movement-to-identify-and-combat-bias-in-the-workplace.html

Day 1: feeling so little and yet so BIG

General Assembly Hall

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Is it possible to feel so small yet so large all at the same time? If it is, then that was me on Monday as I walked into the United Nations General Assembly.

The UN’s Commission on the Status of Women promotes women’s rights and documents the reality of women’s lives throughout the world. It also helps shape global standards on gender equality.

The organizers did tell me and my fellow NGO* Young BPW delegates every step of the way – “You WILL feel overwhelmed. There are over 400 events to attend so you must strategize. You need to figure out what event will do the most good for your personal goals.”

But what if my goal is to learn everything?

I started my day attending the Opening of the CSW63 Session in the General Assembly. I was the only Young BPW delegate to receive a ticket (I got there early the day before to get the ticket!) So, it was a huge honor to attend.

They began with a moment of silence for the people lost in the plane crash in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, the woman sitting next to me did know one of the victims. I’m sure many more in the room knew those on that plane because it was full of humanitarians from around the region.

Then the speeches began. Please, take some time to listen to the opening session. My favorite part starts around the 22-min mark —

“…we all need to act. It’s not enough to just add women and stir.”

I know you will feel just as proud as I am that these people are spearheading gender equality issues around the world.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=””][fusion_code]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[/fusion_code][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=””][fusion_text]Click here to watch the many broadcasted speeches from the opening event. Even though I was there, the room was so large that it was easier to hear with a headset.

Plus, I mean, everyone else was doing it…[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_4″ layout=”1_4″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”left” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=””][fusion_text]

After this exciting morning, it was time to figure out which individual sessions I was going to attend.

Nearly everything was already closing their doors by the time I got out of the Opening Session, so I ran over to what’s called a “parallel” event (held outside of the UN) — the “Asian Model of Building a Gender Equality City.” I then attended the “Infrastructure to Combat Misogyny” meeting.

Next up: the “Gender Round-table: Making Space for Girls to Lead” event. This one was the most engaging because of its audience – girls! They showed up, some even in their Girl Scouts uniform, and engaged with the presenter, basically calling him (yes him) out on not doing enough to help ALL girls in all age groups, AND for not focusing on the real issue here – educating the boys & men to not harm the girls. I mean – c’mon! YAS! It was awesome.

A few more meetings (events) later, I was back in the hotel room remembering my day. I felt like one small person (me) had run around New York City, learning about the issues women and girls face all over the world. And for a moment, I felt so BIG.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=””][fusion_text]*NGO – non-governmental organization. The NGO I’m with is Business & Professional Women International. Our goals in these talks is to push the agenda of the group, which you can click to read here. (BPW written statement with recommendations)[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=”” min_height=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

A movie commentary

Hope Hills

March 11, 2019

Dear Ashley and Lea-Ann,

One of the many things I love about the movie, Pioneers in Skirts, is that it creates the awareness for both women and men that rigid gender roles and biases are still a part of our lives and culture – and they truly affect us all. This film opens the doors for all of us (in all our roles: mothers, fathers, daughters, sons) to feel the impact of shattered dreams.

What I loved about the way that you tell this story is that instead of focusing on holding on to anger, Ashley tells the story with her own voice; inviting us to “increase our response-ability and decrease blame.”

Anger is often a necessary wake-up call. It can help us set healthy limits (if we don’t have to hold on to it to protect ourselves). 

Pioneers in Skirts calls us to become aware of the anger and pain — and encourages us to respond by creating the space to get real work done between us.

In the film we see boys and girls truly enjoy working together, with girls often taking charge and even winning in robotic challenges. They are great examples for adults!

Personally, I watched the film and found myself acknowledging there was still mourning to do over the lost chances to physically build things as a child. But I soon realized there is also celebrating to do for overcoming that rigid thinking of “girls don’t build things” and remember: in my thirties I built a bookcase to fit into a very tight place in my kitchen. Yay, me!

The story lets us connect with others. We see real people of all ages working to reject rigid roles, create new freedom and recover dreams for themselves, their children, and our world.

This is a gift! It ultimately allows us to connect with the feeling and longing for our birthright to be our full selves. And I can’t wait to see the movie included as part of D&I training and leadership coaching work!

To learn more about Hope I. Hills, Ph.D., BCC, check out her bio at the Circle Consulting Group. You can see her in the theatrical version of Pioneers in Skirts too! We respectfully, and lovingly, call her Dr. Hope 🙂

We’re heading to the UN!

SCW Session

ANNOUNCEMENT

Our director, Ashley Maria, is heading to NYC to attend this year’s United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) — to be held March 11-22, 2019! The CSW is a global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality.

North American Delegate
A long-time Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Club member, and because of her work with Pioneers in Skirts, Ashley was appointed by the international organization to be their North American BPW delegate at the meeting.

Ashley is tasked to engage in conversations surrounding women’s equality on an international scale, and return with a wealth of knowledge of the reality of women’s lives throughout the world. This is something she intends to carry forward as part of her outreach efforts with Pioneers in Skirts.

Watch the announcement we made last week after our M3AAWG keynote and private screening —Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are expected to attend the session.

Download the CSW63 Brochure for more information:
Arabic | English | French | Spanish

Themes

  • Priority theme: Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality;
  • Review theme: Sustainable development (agreed conclusions of the sixtieth session);

Business and Professional Women is the oldest organization of its kind in the world; devoted entirely and actively to the interests and needs of all women irrespective of their occupations and of their status. BPW is a member organization of the UN, and has a mission of achieving equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.

Pioneer for Change: behind the scenes

Behind the Scenes Header

During the Summer of 2018, we were in the midst of fine-tuning every moment of our film, Pioneers in Skirts. We were focused on every detail – all the way from someone’s title card to a shot that may be just a little too shaky. So, when Vince Gonzales, owner of VinPix Studios, called to offer his creative ideas for helping us raise our film-finishing & launch funds, we immediately said ‘yes!’

Vince had been following the progress of Pioneers in Skirts over the years, since our days of working at USC together, and had the idea of creating a t-shirt design and selling them to help us raise money. ALL of the profits would go to the film.

Sounds like a magical idea, right? And it was! No plot twist here!

It was, however, no easy task. We worked for a few months with Vince and his graphic artist fine-tuning the Pioneer for Change design. It was important to us that the design could stand on its own – that everyone could get the message without having to know the film. We wanted it to feel powerful, too.

After searching for a U.S. based printer/distributor, in late November 2018, we beta-tested a batch of t-shirts to make sure the quality was great.

We then promoted the launch of our online store! Our friends and family were the first to order shirts (thank you!) and sent photos of their ‘cheesin’ faces :).

AND THEN Vince came calling again – let’s do a photoshoot! Again, no plot twist here. Just genuine support. Not only did Vince donate the Pioneer for Change design to the film, he now wanted to help us promote the many different ways a person can feel like change-makers while wearing the shirts.

We said YES! and immediately knew our theme: the crew of Pioneers!

We made a call out to people who worked on set with us as we filmed Pioneers in Skirts and luckily they said ‘yes.’ You must understand…most people who work on set behind the camera…filmmakers choose behind the camera for a reason. So, thank you again to our crew!

And, now *drumroll please* here are some of the photos captured that day along with some behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos of how we made those photos a reality:

BTS video: cinematographer Liz Yarwood. Her husband, Scott, used their daughter as incentive for Liz to smile for the camera.

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It worked!

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Liz and Scott cheesed it up for us! Their daughter, Rose, was a natural. 🙂

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BTS video: Justine Patrick PA’d (production assistant) on set during our Hollywood Roundtable shoot.

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Here’s me filming in the background…then I got yelled at…

Justine is shown here keeping everyone on schedule with her clipboard and Pioneer cardholder for her phone.

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BTS video: director Becca Louisell and composer Jordan Balagot with her sweet, sweet guitar.

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Becca knows how to handle a camera on set, but wow – I think she just found her side job as a model! (smize ladies!)

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Thank you to the crew that just keeps on giving!

I hope this entices you into checking out our shirts in our fundraising store!

And for Vince, THANK YOU! You are so appreciated.

We could never do this without people like him stepping forward.