Kari Traa’s Post

One year and 3 months passed, Lots of topics, lots of theory, we reviewed with each other, the only thing we need, is" a good closure"! Covering and hejab as I mentioned before worked perfectly even women cover their faces in public places only their eyes appear out of the hijab and their hands, Today when hejab has no place in a modern and progressive society, it's hard to believe this thing is necessary for the fundamentals of multi culture civilization. I saw quotes: "Imagine if we never saw bodies and only saw people's energy? How different the world would be " I want to help you imagine the world I wish for, for multicultural civilization, I am here to help create a new world, imagine the empty land, the shape of the building is like the things I described before, and the economic model is a Bazaar, a public place as I said before, neighbor and square. If you want to enter to this world, "covering and hijab", its required!  No one can come in without it in public places, The culture is different and the way people eat or interact is something completely different, everyone spoke the same language but besides they kept their languages too. The atmosphere of social interaction is too high enough that people forget about social media, the visual power will completely come out from TV and social media and... And believe me or not finally this multicultural civilization will happen with these equal rights! When I came to the US a few months later my friends invited me to a nice cafe in Cambridge for breakfast and the thing was strange to me, Black people were at the same table, white people were at the same table, Asian people were at the same table ... The thing we saw in Hollywood and movies, this diversity in TV shows unfortunately is not real! We need to shake our mindset from the roots to figure out how things will work for equal rights, Now when this thing not happening in multicultural civilizations, when you are not accepted, as I mentioned before this lack of acceptance in society will be the reason for a lack of, self-esteem and self-confidence. So when you can't feel this value it will appear in everything, when you never got this so, you can't never give it back! Here is my point when you never taste good respect you will go through wrong relationships, without respect, without a partner who spends his/her time during the week with you, a relationship without commitment, without social interaction and healthy dating, a relationship without healthy bonding And the consequences scare me because, the result will be single parents, or girls or boys without healthy self-esteem and self-confidence, and how they feel the value of their self when society , their family, their parents never gave them this respect. So, in this discrimination, your relationship will be settle in a vulnerable situation,  Everyone likes to choose a partner who society values her/his, but what will happen with this discrimination?

Game Changers: Elevating women and nonbinary leadership in sports A bold action to combat the lack of women and non-binary coaches was essential. For years, this thought persisted in the minds of Drs. Hannah O. Olson, Sara Lopez, and Julie McCleery, leaders of the Center for Leadership in Athletics (CLA) at the University of Washington (UW). United by a commitment to gender equality, they launched the Game Changers initiative in Spring 2017 to confront this challenge. As the UW joins the Big Ten Conference, Game Changers finds itself on an even larger stage, amplifying the university’s dedication to gender equity in sports. With the Big Ten’s vast reach, this initiative is poised to influence sports leadership not just locally, but nationally, contributing to a broader cultural shift towards diverse and equitable leadership. https://lnkd.in/g2gVYPCa

🏎️💄 Is Charlotte Tilbury's F1 Sponsorship a Step Forward or Misplaced Investment? 💼✨ Charlotte Tilbury's is the first female-founded brand to sponsor the F1 Academy. This has been marked a historic moment by many because: 🚀 It represents a groundbreaking step of a female-founded business moving into a traditionally  male-dominated industry 🚀 It sets to shatter stereotypes about women's roles in motorsports 🚀 It challenges industry norms, opening doors for more female entrepreneurs to explore unconventional marketing avenues 🚀 It spotlights the F1 academy’s 15 young female drivers to raise more awareness of the opportunities the sport has to offer women Yet, could it also be argued that this investment was misplaced? Given that 🤨 F1 is not exactly struggling for visibility (By 2023 viewership has risen to 1.24m viewers per race from 554k in 2018) 🧐 Womens sports remain underfunded with male athletes and sports still receiving the majority of the money 🤨 Female founded companies continue to receive less than 2% of investment 🧐 Tech, Finance and AI companies, all male-dominated industries, receive the lion's share of available investment funds Therefore, is this move truly an attempt to advance the cause of female entrepreneurship or is it rather a standard marketing tactic, one of visibility over substance? What do you think? #femalefounders #marketingtactics #femaleleadership #femalefinance ___________ Bonus questions: What role should female-founded companies take in challenging societal norms? What are the most effective ways to promote gender equality in business?

I can use my privilege to decide to belong.   After showing up to Hvatningadagur Vertonet the other day, I received the following comments and questions from many men:   I would have joined, but I didn't think I was welcome I didn't want to take attention away from women I didn't feel like it was for me Didn't you feel uncomfortable there? Didn't you feel like you didn't belong?   There is much to be written about the importance of showing up even if it might be uncomfortable. However I wanted to point out an interesting realization I had after pondering on these comments and questions.   I did not, in fact, feel uncomfortable there. I felt like I belonged. And there are several reasons for that:   - The text of the invite said I was welcome. - Every person there was either absolutely ecstatic about my presence, or didn't say anything. I got no sidelong glances, absolutely nothing but a welcoming atmosphere. - I decided I belonged.   The third point is important. It's something I can easily do because I am privileged. Nearly every space in the world is designed by default for me to feel like I belong. Only the places which are explicitly designed to exclude me are places where I feel like I don't belong. And notice the word "feel". Belonging is a feeling. Inclusion is actions that allow me to feel belonging.   The more privileged we are, the easier we can just decide to feel like we belong. And why? Because all implicit inclusivity is designed towards privilege. It lowers the threshold to feeling belonging.   When I began to show up at events about women in tech, my threshold to belonging was extremely low. And so I could simply dismiss the discomfort, show up, and feel like I belong.   A black, disabled, queer person in Iceland who does not speak Icelandic cannot simply dismiss their discomfort and show up to work and feel like they instantly belong.   Inclusion is not about ticking boxes. It is not about being nice. It is about creating an environment where that black, disabled, queer person in Iceland who does not speak Icelandic, can feel they belong as strongly as I do, with as little effort. EDIT: Changed the word "woman" to "person" to include all genders. Even though I'm on this journey and raising awareness, I keep making mistakes.

[ Reflecting on the Kordsa Unistars Ideathon Program Experience ] Three exhilarating days have just flown by. This was my first time participating in an ideathon or hackathon focused specifically on Inclusive Language. The experience was truly enlightening as I engaged in discussions about creating a more inclusive workplace environment, starting with the use of inclusive language. This program prompted me to reflect on my own experiences with discrimination in previous jobs. As a female intern, I was particularly vulnerable to discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Talking with my team members, I discovered that they, too, had faced discrimination during their internships. It became clear to me that this isn't just my issue—it's a challenge we all face. While we didn't achieve a top spot in the program, the insights and connections gained were invaluable, and I am optimistic about more opportunities to advocate for gender equality and justice in professional settings. As a woman, it is crucial for me to raise awareness about Inclusive Language and its importance to everyone. Beyond fighting for equal pay, we must also advocate for other essential rights in the workplace, such as the ability to express our opinions freely, support minority colleagues, and ensure that everyone feels included and respected. Have you ever wondered if our struggles to thrive in the workplace are rooted in discriminatory practices and the lack of inclusive language that makes us feel valued and respected? #UnistarsIdeathon #Kordsa #Growth #Career #Innovation

The Paris Olympics 2024 has been an extraordinary case study in understanding the dynamics of communication and evolving trends in global discourse. From the outset, the event has provided a platform for profound expression and dialogue. One of the most striking moments for me was the presentation of a tableau during the opening ceremony, featuring a reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper with prominent drag queens like Nicky Doll, Paloma, and Le Filip. This showcased the vibrant role of the LGBTQ+ community and the journey they have made. This powerful expression of freedom has sparked widespread conversations and brought diverse perspectives to the forefront of international media. It reminds me of the symbolic acts during the apartheid era when athletes bowed down to show their stance against racism. Such moments have always been pivotal in shaping our global conversations. Another intriguing aspect has been the public’s reaction and questioning of the events. Every occurrence is scrutinized, debated, and discussed, showcasing audiences' increasing engagement and critical thinking worldwide. The Palestine and Israel conflict has also been a topic of discussion, with the Olympics serving as a platform for expression, highlighting the importance of dialogue without taking sides. Additionally, the games have sparked important conversations about the representation of gender and the terminologies we use. These discussions highlight the ongoing challenges and questions around patriarchal mindsets and how we address and respect individuals in the sports community. As a communications professional, witnessing these developments is incredibly insightful. The Olympics 2024 is not just about sports; it’s a perfect case story for understanding messaging, packaging, dissemination, and the transactional model of communication. It’s a testament to how international events can serve as a microcosm of our larger societal conversations, pushing us toward greater understanding and inclusivity. . . #ParisOlympics2024 #GlobalDiscourse #LGBTQ+ #FreedomOfExpression #Apartheid #InternationalMedia #PublicEngagement #PalestineIsrael #GenderRepresentation #Patriarchy #Communication #Inclusivity #InternationalEvents [Image generated using the text of this LinkedIn post on DALL-E Open Ai]

It's PRIDE Month! Let's celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and be true allies every day. The theme of our Symposium panel discussion this year is allyship. Below we've collated some of the top tips shared so far by speakers on how to be a good ally to LGBTQIA+ and all marginalised individuals and groups. ✨ 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐮𝐩, 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 Use inclusive language (e.g "partner" instead of assuming gender). Stand up against discrimination, even if the person isn't there. “A part of the role as an ally is to take the load off. Make change through listening and don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” - Ben Graetz "It's not enough to say you aren't part of the problem, you have to be part of the solution too" - Andrew Kay ✨ 𝐁𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 Don't wait to be an ally - start a conversation and elevate diverse voices. Attend LGBTQIA+ events & wear rainbow. "An imperfect ally in lots of places is better than a perfect ally in only one place" - Han Worsley "Ask not who is my ally, but for whom can I be an ally?" - Jan Fran ✨ 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 Show your pronouns and encourage others to do the same. It normalises respecting everyone's identity. “Think about what you can provide to that person that means they can be their authentic selves.” - Tahlia Biggs “It is about encouraging everyone. They are welcome, they are valued. Respect is key.” - @Deb Jones 💭 What are your top tips for being a good ally? About the artwork: We’re part of Navitas, a leading global education provider. This artwork has been created by Benjamin Bullock-Smith, Senior Creative Manager at Navitas. Ben says of his design: "This year's design is indicative of the history of PRIDE and representing the seriousness of some struggles the community has been facing recently...The visual reflects conviction of values." #PrideMonth #Pride2024 #equalitymatters #Allyship

The Power of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: A Game-Changer for Success!! In today’s rapidly evolving world, diversity and inclusion (D&I) are not just buzzwords—they’re essential elements of a thriving workplace. The sports industry, often a reflection of society at large, has been striving to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates individuals from different backgrounds, genders, and abilities. Take, for example, the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 'Basketball for All' initiative, which promotes #gender equality, #racial diversity, and #mental health awareness across its teams and fanbase. Women's Sports Foundation's is another organization actively #championing the visibility of female #athletes and ensuring equal opportunities for women in sports. Diversity drives innovation, pushing teams to think creatively and solve challenges from multiple perspectives. In sports, diversity often leads to success—teams that embrace it consistently outperform those that don't. It fosters collaboration, resilience, and mutual respect, key ingredients for success both on and off the field. However, achieving true inclusivity is a continuous effort. Initiatives like equal pay for the U.S. Soccer Federation Women’s Team or the English Premier League’s Inclusion Advisory Group are steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done. We must continue to invest in creating equal opportunities for underrepresented groups, challenge biases, and ensure that every voice is heard. Together, we can create a culture where everyone—regardless of race, gender, or background—feels valued and empowered to bring their best selves to the table. What are your thoughts on fostering diversity in the workplace? Let’s continue this conversation and learn from the progress being made across industries. #100xLearners #Diversity #Inclusion #SportsIndustry #WorkplaceEquality #Leadership #InclusionMatters #NBA #Foundation #athletes

#cfp re #women-identifying #athlete experiences and #intersectionality in intercollegiate #athletics. See below for the call for paper for a special issue of the Journal of Women and #Gender in Higher Education: https://lnkd.in/e6cDAcN8

I recently shared an analysis of the rise of valuations in National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Women’s sports is hitting an inflection point. Ironically, despite the title of the article, there hasn’t been much discussion about the HUGE opportunity that exists around actual #betting in women’s sports. The sports betting industry in the U.S. produced revenue of $10.92 billion in 2023 which is 44.5% higher than the $7.56 billion from last year. How much of this revenue came from women’s sports? Prediction: you will see 100x increase in sports betting revenue tied women’s professional sports over the next four years! Don’t say I didn’t tell ya!! P.S. If you want the inside track on this, then check out my guy Doug Kezirian!! No one has deeper knowledge handicapping the WNBA then him. Stay tune for more on this front!