Safe Lives, Strong Voices Ep.3

In this episode, host Soo reflects on Women’s Equality Day, highlighting the progress made toward equality and the achievements of women. She also shares recommendations from Tri-Valley Haven staff on inspiring women innovators, and encourages listeners to reflect, celebrate, and connect with the mission of Tri-Valley Haven. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:00

Hi everyone, welcome back to Safe Lives, Strong Voices, a podcast by Tri-Valley Haven. I'm your host, Sue, and I'm really glad you're here. In our third and very special episode, we're focusing on Women's Equality Day, a perfect topic for August since it's celebrated every year on August 26th. This day marks the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted many women in the United States the right to vote. But more than that, it's a moment to reflect on how far we've come in the fight for equality, and how far we still have to go, in education, the workplace, politics, science, and beyond. For this month's episode, I've asked some of my colleagues here at Tri-Valley Haven to share the names of women innovators who inspire them. These are women who challenged the norms of their time, broke barriers, and changed the world through their ideas, courage, and persistence. Their stories show us that equality is not just about legal rights. It's also about access, opportunity, and recognition. So let's start with a name shared by Maureen, who works in our Homeless Services Department. She chose Alice H. Parker, an African-American inventor whose groundbreaking work in home heating transformed the way we live. In 1919, Alice received a patent for a gas-powered furnace design, something truly revolutionary at the time. Back then, most homes relied on wood or coal for heat. which meant limited warmth in certain rooms, more risk of fire, and a lot of manual labor just to stay comfortable in the winter. Alice's design laid the foundation for what we now know as modern central heating systems. It allowed for more even distribution of heat throughout a home and reduced the need for open flames indoors. This invention didn't just make homes cozier, it also made them safer. Her story is a reminder that innovation isn't always about creating something flashy or high-tech. Sometimes it's about finding a smarter, safer way to meet a basic human need. And the next is a choice from Natalie, our volunteer coordinator, Dr. Antonia Novello. Dr. Novello was both the first woman and the first Hispanic person to serve as U.S. Surgeon General. from 1990 to 1993. Born in Puerto Rico, she faced serious health challenges as a child, but never let that stop her from pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. She earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico and trained in pediatric nephrology at the University of Michigan, where she became the first woman named Intern of the Year. Before becoming Surgeon General, she spent nearly two decades at the National Institute of Health. Once in office, she made bold and impactful choices like working to reduce underage drinking and smoking, especially calling out advertising that targeted children. She advocated for early childhood health through immunization and injury prevention campaigns. Dr. Novello's career shows that leadership is about using your position to make life better for people who might not have the power to speak up for themselves. And the third woman I want to highlight is my own pick, Stephanie Kwolek. Stephanie was a chemist working at DuPont in the 1960s, one of the very few women chemists in that space at the time. Her research led to the invention of Kevlar. a fiber that is lightweight yet five times stronger than steel. If you've ever seen or heard of a bullet-resistant vest, there's a good chance it was made with Kevlar. Interestingly, she discovered it almost by accident. While experimenting with new polymers, she noticed a strange liquid crystalline solution that didn't seem promising at first. But when it was spun into fibers, it turned out to be incredibly strong and heat-resistant. Kevlar has since been used in everything from body armor to bicycle tires to suspension bridge cables. Her story is proof that breakthroughs often come from curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to explore the unexpected. And finally, from Ranjani, who leads our development department, we have Kira Mazumdar-Shaw. Kiran is the founder of BioCon, a biotechnology company that became a leader in making affordable medicines available in India and around the world. When she started in the late 1970s, biotech was a male-dominated industry, and banks were hesitant to lend to a woman entrepreneur. Despite these challenges, she built BioCon into a global company focused on developing affordable treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer. Her work has made life-saving medicines accessible to millions, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Kiran's journey is a powerful reminder that innovation also means thinking about access and making sure that medical breakthroughs reach the people who need them most. When I look and think about these four women that we talked about, Alice H. Parker, Dr. Antonia Novello, Stephanie Kowalik, and Kira Mazumdar-Shaw, I see... A common thread. I see that they worked in very different fields, but each of them saw a problem and found a way to solve it. They faced barriers because of gender, race, or background, but they didn't let those obstacles define them. Instead, they focused on their work, and the work spoke for itself. Women's Equality Day, originally known as Women's Suffrage Day, is about honoring this kind of persistence, courage, and innovation. It's a reminder that progress happens when people challenge the limits set for them, and when society makes space for everyone to contribute their talents fully. As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to think about the women in your own life who've made a difference, whether in big ways or small ones. Maybe it's a teacher who encouraged you, a family member who inspired you, or a colleague who pushed for challenge and change. These stories matter, and sharing them keeps the spirit of Women's Equality Day alive beyond just August 26th. Thank you for joining me for this very special episode of Safe Lives, Strong Voices. If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. And until next time, take care of yourself and take care of each other.