Lauren Simone Blogs
Melissa-Sue John, Ph.D. receives Women Rising Award from CT WBDC
black owned business WBDC women owned business
On October 27, 2023, Dr. Melissa-Sue John received the CT Women Rising Award in a prestigious ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. The event featured prominent figures, including Senator Blumenthal and Governor Lamont. Fran Pastore highlighted the historical challenges women faced in obtaining credit. Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz discussed the need for empowering women in business, especially in light of the unequal distribution of PPP Loans. Videos showcased inspiring entrepreneurs, and Impact Awards were presented to Leander Dolphin and Jeffrey A. Flaks. Keynote speaker Katrina Adams shared her wisdom, making it a remarkable event that celebrated women entrepreneurs and leaders.
Twenty Alternate Book Fairs for Diverse Schools
Lauren Simone Publishing House strongly opposes the recent move by Scholastic Book Fairs to separate books addressing issues of race, gender, and sexuality in response to the increasing number of book bans and challenges nationwide. In their official statement, Scholastic erroneously claims that their only options were to segregate these books or to not include them at all. Rather than stand firmly with BIPOC individuals, they have pandered to those calling for book bans. Our society is characterized by diversity, and students cannot change or opt out of their own diverse identities; it's an intrinsic part of their lives. Factors...
Librarians react to Scholastic's Option to opt in or out of diverse book selections
According to a blog written by Kara Yorio of the School Library Journal on October 17, 2023, librarians seek book fair alternatives to Scholastic Book Fairs. Amanda Jones, a highly regarded middle school librarian in Louisiana, had been hosting Scholastic Book Fairs at her school for nine years but decided not to continue for the tenth year. Her decision came after a disappointing interaction with her Scholastic representative. During a meeting with her representative, she was presented with the option to include a "Share Every Story" case of books featuring diverse authors and characters in her book fair. Amanda eagerly...
Victoria's Secret and Pink have gone ADAPTIVE. What does this mean for me, a girl with Autism?
As an individual with Autism, I understand the often overlooked sensory challenges within our community. Brands like Pink have been integral in my life, offering comfort and support, particularly for those of us with sensory sensitivities. The adaptive designs provided a solution to issues I'd faced with traditional undergarments. These adaptive garments, equipped with magnetic fastenings, soft materials, and thoughtful adjustments, have the potential to be a game-changer for the Autism community, ensuring comfort and ease of use. The collaborative efforts of Gamut, Victoria's Secret, and Pink represent a significant step toward inclusive and functional fashion for women with disabilities.
Scholastics Opt in or Opt out option to school book fairs
Scholastic, the company known for its popular Book Fairs in elementary schools, is making a significant change this year. They have created a new collection called "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice," which includes 64 books focusing on topics related to race and LGBTQ+ themes. These books are being separated from the main Book Fair offerings, allowing elementary schools to decide whether to include them or exclude them from their book fairs. This decision comes in response to the targeting of such titles by conservative legislators in various states. Scholastic's intent in creating this collection is to provide "diverse titles"...