Growing up, I was always quiet and shy, but never unsure about one thing: I loved space and I loved rocks. In elementary school, I announced that I wanted to lead the geology lab we had just split into groups for. Instead, my teacher told me I should be satisfied with secretary, before directing the boys to take the lead.

So began my journey navigating STEM as a queer, disabled Latina.

I went through most of my classes in middle and high school without seeing a single woman scientist portrayed in our textbooks. It wasn’t until my freshman year of university that I met Sarah Sheffield, the first woman geologist I had ever encountered. Future generations should not have to wait so long to see themselves represented in STEM – diversity and representation matter. We owe it to ourselves and those in our footsteps to break down these barriers, and make STEM a welcoming field for all.

When I started this internship at NASA Headquarters in October 2020, I was already excited for the opportunity to work at my dream organization, one whose amazing work had inspired me every day. But this was also where my twin passions for science and equity met in full force, the moment I’d been unknowingly preparing for since playing secretary in elementary school. I was finally able to apply the concepts I’ve been studying – as a simultaneous student of STEM, feminism, and antiracism – to further NASA’s progress towards being a fully welcoming place for everyone who wants to work here.

Right away, I met two other powerful women, who would also influence my career: McRae Lenahan and Shobhana Gupta. McRae works in communications with NASA Earth Applied Sciences, and Shobhana manages NASA’s Open Innovation and Community Applications program.

Under their amazing mentorship, I’m working on projects with two main focuses: increasing the diversity of our outreach opportunities, and fostering an inclusive environment for current and future employees of all identities.

https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/our-impact/people/path-towards-inclusivity-lisette-melendez

'Simply unacceptable': New York police investigate 6 synagogue attacks in 3 days as possible hate crimes

A string of attacks that targeted synagogues across New York City over the weekend are being investigated as possible hate crimes, authorities said.

The six attacks from Friday to Sunday at Bronx-area synagogues are being investigated by the New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force. Surveillance footage released by police appears to show the same man may have been involved in several of the attacks and police are seeking him for questioning.

The attacks come amid a wave of violence across the country, including a spate of mass shootings and hate crimes that have targeted Asian Americans – including a Friday night incident in East Harlem in which a 61-year-old Chinese American was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head, surveillance video showed.

Two of the New York City synagogue attacks happened Friday, three on Saturday and another on Sunday, NYPD Detective Denise Moroney said. Each happened late in the evening or in the early morning hours.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/04/26/new-york-synagogue-attacks-nypd-hate-crime-investigation/7384864002/

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Last week, Ariel Davis came from Connecticut to meet Prancer. She has no other pets and there are no men or children living in her home. She wanted to give the particular pup the life he wanted.

“Ariel showed up with a platter of his favorite foods to make a great first impression on him, and was respectful of his space and giving him time to warm up and trust,” the adoption center said. “She listened to our decompression advice and training tips to help him be the best little devil he can be.”

Davis told TODAY that she previously owned a dog that was a lot like Prancer, and when she saw the adoption ad, she knew she might be a good fit.

“I had a dog that I adopted probably about seven years ago, and I raised him from a puppy and he was a Chihuahua/Jack Russel Terrier mix,” she told TODAY. “He had a lot of the same qualities as Prancer, he was a little neurotic and he barked a lot and he didn’t work well with other people and other animals. I spent a lot of time working with him and understanding his personality and learning about myself through him.”

Davis said she has been getting along great with Prancer, who has been happy and relaxed in his new home. That’s definitely an improvement from his last home, where Prancer was “a 13-pound rage machine.”

“So Farewell New Jersey Devil,” the adoption center said. “You are Connecticut’s problem now.”

https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article250953239.html

Detroit has all the ingredients—local pride, spaces for conversation, opportunities for reflection, and a strong connection to its industrial past—for a revival that reflects the innovation and creativity of its residents, and it’s exciting to see.

Woodward Avenue is the wire that conducts electricity, via the arts, university research centers, sports, and restaurants, through the center of new Detroit. Start at the world-famous Detroit Industry Murals at DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) Museum. Diego Rivera’s murals show us the visual poetry of factory workers who built the city. Continue down Woodward and stop at the beloved Avalon Bakery, where it's bread ovens, not factory forges, that illuminate the faces of local bakers. Then take a tour at the magnificent Fox Theatre and witness how Detroit’s industry and arts have always been entwined (motors are central to the Motown name, after all).

Finally, turn onto the Riverwalk, where planners have channeled public and private wealth into a safe, beautiful space for festivals, running, walking, and even fishing. This dynamic expanse along the Detroit River allows you to look into the city blocks beyond Woodward, all with their own arts collectives, urban farm groups, educators, cooks, DIY renovators, and curators who wake up every morning with the same Detroit pride and determination of their factory-working predecessors.

This is the city that brought us everything from the Model T to Marvin Gaye. When we walk down Woodward onto the Riverwalk, we can be a part of the R-E-S-P-E-C-T that drives the Motor City home to itself.