Category Archives: History

The Google Doodle: Lady Ada Lovelace

by
Design by Kevin Laughlin

It is great to see Google honor Lady Ada Lovelace in today's doodle. As I have stated many times on this blog, Google's occasional designs to honor some of history's true pioneers and pivotal eras is something I always look  forward to. So it was inspiring to see this woman whose name is well known to tech historians. In the Nineteenth Century, she provided groundbreaking concepts and technical framework for what is recognized as an early computer.

This is something to be celebrated every day of the year because computers are now an integral part of our lives. And Lovelace laid the foundation.

I had the pleasure of including Lovelace's achievements in Passionistas, a post I co-wrote in 2011 with writers Ann Tran and  Ellianne Ramos for the Huffington Post Twitter Powerhouses Series. Kudos to Google for shining a bright, 24 hour light on her legacy. The Google Blog has a great write up on her today, which includes a lot more infomation than I was previously able to locate. Great woman. Great doodle.

Passionistas

by

This is the latest post in our series, TwitterPowerhouses, which focuses on the contributions of people who’ve helped to expand, influence, and redefine how we view social networking. I co-wrote it with Ann Tran and Elianne Ramos. 


This is cross-posted in the Huffington Post Women Section.


We are all impressed by those who create value in the lives of others, work tirelessly to accomplish their dreams and embody the purpose-driven life they often reference in their conversation. Passion is their fuel. It adds depth and energy to their vision, and provides a spark to create something timeless and substantive. As Arianna Huffington so brilliantly states, “passion is the key to success.” Writer Gretchen Rubin shares a similar thought:

A passion gives you a reason to keep learning and to work toward mastery. It can often give you a reason to travel, and therefore to have the new experiences so key to happiness. It gives you something in common with other people, and so fosters social bonds. It gives you purpose. It often has a satisfying physical aspect — rock-climbing, fly-fishing, knitting. It gives meaningful structure to your time. It makes the world a richer place.

In the Nineteenth Century, inventor Ada Augusta Lovelace provided concepts and technical framework for what is recognized as an early computer. Over 100 years later, in the latter part of the Twentieth Century, leaders Patsy Takemoto Mink, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Shirley Chisholm would all make history of their own. Their accomplishments, and those of many, many others, are rightly celebrated for the lasting impact they have had on our lives. Indeed, centuries and decades come and go, but the passion to make it happen remains the same.


If it’s true that passion is defined as an intense, driving, or excitable feeling or conviction, then these women profiled in this post are its prime example. The fact that each one of them is passionate about different things is not coincidental: they represent the diversity of voices in our world who have found a channel for their ideas and use them to better not just their own life, but the lives of those around them. What makes their work unique is its focus, determination, and intensity. What drives it, as evident by their actions, is passion.

Porter Gale 
Porter Gale, former VP at Virgin America, is a bonafide global citizen. A popular and respected
blogger for Huffington Post and AdAge, she’s very passionate about new media and how we can
use it to create positive change and develop connections. She’s launching a highly-anticipated
business venture in 2012. She told us: “Every day is a gift. My happiness level is
increasing with age.”

The Single Woman
TheSinglewoman, brimming with quotes and affirmations to help you ‘Seize the Day’! When
Oprah Winfrey expressed gratitude about it on her Twitter feed, there was no doubt that it had
struck a chord with a global audience. It’s a phenomenon. The posts are not only passionate,
but elegant.

Olivia Zaleski
A world-renowned authority on environmental issues, Olivia Zaleski is passionate about green technology. She promotes green alternatives in her speeches and public appearances. The first editor of the
Huffington Post Green Section and a former reporter with CNN, Zaleski is now a new media correspondent with The Daily, the first national daily news publication created for the iPad.

Lily Jang
The beautiful world of Lily Jang: she speaks three languages and is one of the most celebrated journalists in social media because of the way she stays connected to her fans. Her great profiles and reports reverberate far beyond her viewership.

Isa Zapata
Isa Zapata brings a whimsical and vibrant element to her art, combining her
Latin roots with eclectic sensibility. Using social media for social good, Isa Zapata is using Twitter, Facebook and her blog to spread the word about her nonprofit endeavors. Her statement to us: “I want to make people happy with my art, and remind everyone that life is simple and beautiful.”

Britt Michaelian
Britt Michaelian is known as the Smart Start Up Coach for Lifestyle
Entrepreneurs at Work Smart Lifestyle, where she helps aspiring entrepreneurs design businesses
that allow them to pursue their dream lifestyle. Britt is also Co-Founder of Social Media Girlfriends,
a fast-growing social media community for women to connect, support and encourage each other to be the best they can be.

Carla Young
Founder & Publisher of  Momeo Magazine and Entrepreneurial Moms, Carla Young is an inspiration many. With a dedicated staff and loyal following, she is able to focus singularly on her passion for helping ‘mom bloggers’ and momprepreneurs.

Natalie McNeal
A specialist on career development and a savings expert for geezeo.com, Natalie P. McNeal is the author The Frugalista Files: How One Woman Got Out of Debt Without Giving Up the Fabulous Life.
In fact, the word “Frugalista”, which she owns a trademark for, was a ‘Word of the Year’ finalist by
Oxford University Press.

Green Girls
GreenGirls, the creation of the eco-minded Apple Levy, is a great resource of articles, blogs,
videos and other content highlighting a green lifestyle. Her work with eco-conscious
celebrities is well-known

Sarah Austin
A smart popular culture observer with keen eye for what’s hot, and a knack for epic videography.
This is how many describe Sarah Austin. And they’re correct. She’s an angel investor in a
tech start-up, and her Pop17 site, which deserves its own prime time show,
profiles great names in the world of social media.

Click here to see the entire list of 41 women in this Passionistas post.
Authors Note: In case you missed it, here’s Part 21 of the series: 39 Inspiring Men and Their Passion for Charity.

Marc Parent and the Art of Twitter Activism

by

This is cross-posted in the Huffingtonpost Technology Section.

This is the latest post in our series, Twitter Powerhouses, which focuses on the contributions of people who’ve helped to expand, influence, and redefine how we view social networking.

Throughout history, activists have used a wide range of tools to bring about change – economic, social, political and otherwise. Letter writing campaigns, marches, boycotts, and hunger strikes are just a few of the things used to make a strong impact. Indeed, Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King, and Rock the Vote‘s Maegan Carberry are just a few names that give vision and voice to the truly dynamic history of world activism.

Marc Parent, one of the most celebrated observers and activists on Twitter today, dedicates his thought-provoking feed to shining a spotlight on that history, and provides great links that are often the subject of great debate. If its happening in the world, it will likely show up on his feed. Parent has maximized his social media presence, allowing him to take full advantage of the huge Twitter stage on which hundreds of millions share their views.

What is a great activist, you ask? I’ll tell you: one who informs you of the issues, inspires you to take action, and empowers you to make a difference. And for years now, Marc Parent has been that activist. As you will read below, he is most certainly for real, and absolutely necessary.

How do you see your role as an online activist?

I have been into “activist blogging” for 10 years, and what a great field it is. As I learned the techniques to gather information and motivate readers, I found that many appreciated this service. Handling controversial material brings on loads of criticism and frequently censorship. I have learned the value of a trustworthy and known blogging platform. For me, Twitter has become this and so much more. Frankly, I am pleasantly surprised Twitter hasn’t ditched me (Laughs).

Speaking of Twitter, explain how it has helped you connect with both your fans and the issues you are passionate about?

Twitter posts cross the many boundaries between people and reach a much larger audience than on most well-known, social media platforms. Instant and positive reader responses to posts provide the comfort of knowing others are just as passionate about issues. No matter the country or continent, folks are incredibly engaged and hungry for the truth. If you want to create a deep, lasting connection with people, you have to be of value to them, and it’s a blessing that many value what I post.

How important is technology to your particular kind of activism?

I am driven and dedicated to providing enlightening commentary on politics, finance, media, society, government, and the internet. Technology gives me a connection to the vast network of media outlets and independent online sources. Armed with great information – some of which the mainstream media never touches – I have great hope that I can help change political systems and atiitudes for the better. My readers understand this. It is extremely rewarding to see them take action and use all of constructive tools available to them. I can’t tell you how much I love being an activist.

How would you describe yourself in 140 characters?

Persuer and sharer of truth that matters.

For more information on Marc Parent and the international issues that inspire and inform his activism, follow him on his Twitter feed and friend him on his Facebook page.

Author’s Note: In case you missed it, here’s Part 13 of the series: 16 Brilliant Business Minds on Twitter.