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2010 - Seven Who Invent a Better Future

Sunday, January 3, 2010
By WeNews correspondents

Profiles of seven outstanding leaders dedicated to improving women’s lives: Robin Abrams, Andrea Arroyo, Cecilia Boone, Vivian Castleberry, Salome Chasnoff, Kathy Cloninger and Martha Diaz.

Robin Abrams, Messenger of Opportunity

Silicon Valley executive Robin Abrams aims to be the conduit between women and technology.

In 2008, Abrams joined the board of the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, an organization whose mission is to increase the positive impact of technology on the world’s women. She believes that disruptive technology, or innovation that drives market creation, is the area that women should focus on because, “when change happens, it creates opportunity.”

Andrea Arroyo, Rememberer of Forgotten Women

As an artist, Andrea Arroyo always found inspiration in women.

“When I was a professional dancer, I was fascinated by the female form,” says Arroyo. “Soon after I became a visual artist, I began doing research on women’s images. Since then, I have been intrigued not only by the female form, but also by female stories.”

Cecilia Boone, Pioneer for Social Justice

Cecilia Boone’s first feminist role model was her mother, Marie Keene Guthrie, a widow who raised three children while working as a Circuit Court clerk in Kentucky from 1959 to 1981.

Vivian Castleberry, Groundbreaker for Peace

Vivian Anderson Castleberry has served as a godmother of the women’s movement in Dallas since the mid-20th century, when she was editor of the student newspaper at Southern Methodist University.

Salome Chasnoff, Giver of Tools to Be Seen
Ida B. Wells for Bravery in Journalism Award Winner

Documentary filmmaker Salome Chasnoff has not only been transformed by her women’s rights work, her work now offers transformative experiences to women and girls.

Kathy Cloninger, Scouter of Girl Power

For Kathy Cloninger, the Girl Scouts aren’t about selling cookies or earning merit badges. The chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA sees her mission as one that expands the number and diversity of girls in the leadership pipeline

Martha Diaz, Prophet of Feminist Hip Hop

As a young girl, Martha Diaz found feminism in hip-hop through artists like Queen Latfiah, Salt-n-Pepa, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante and Mary J. Blige. More than a quarter-century later, she’s dedicated herself to pushing its shared values because it bridges the gender, religious, race and generation gaps.

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