iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Potter & ceramicist Ladi Kwali is one of Africa's most culturally significant modern artists. Celebrated for elevating traditional Nigerian #pottery into an internationally acclaimed #art form, blending #indigenous hand-building methods w/Western studio techniques. She died #OTD in 1984. #Nigeria

011537

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Biologist & ethologist Dr. Joyce Poole is the co-founder/scientific director of ElephantVoices. #WorldElephantDay 🐘 Her meticulous field data & expert testimony served as core scientific evidence directly catalyzing the implementation of the 1989 international ban on the ivory trade. #WomenInSTEM

A fabulous photograph of Dr. Joyce Poole—the renowned American elephant biologist, ethologist, and co-founder of ElephantVoices—standing in the vast Amboseli ecosystem of Kenya. Positioned on the left side of the frame, she smiles warmly at the camera with a joyful, wind-swept expression. She has short, textured brown hair and wears a dark gray tank top layered underneath a light cream-colored safari jacket, holding the strap of a camera or bag slung over her right shoulder. The background opens up to a sweeping savanna landscape bathed in the soft, golden light of late afternoon. In the mid-distance on the right, an adult African elephant with prominent tusks and a smaller calf stand peacefully grazing on the grassy plain. In the far distance, the massive, snow-capped silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro rises subtly through the horizon haze. The composition highlights her decades of field research that proved critical in establishing the 1989 international ivory trade ban.

8408100

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Cytogeneticist Dr. Barbara McClintock won the 1983 #Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her study of corn chromosomes--revolutionizing the field of cytogenetics. She is the only woman to be awarded an unshared Nobel Prize in this category. She was born #OTD in 1902. #WomenInSTEM

A black-and-white photograph from 1947 of American cytogeneticist Dr. Barbara McClintock (1902–1992), who would later win the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering genetic transposition. She is seated in her laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor, deeply absorbed in her scientific work. Looking downward with a focused, serious expression, she wears delicate wire-rimmed glasses and a light-colored, buttoned lab coat over a collared shirt pinned with a round brooch. Her short, dark hair is parted to the side. Her right hand holds a fine tool over a petri dish, while her left hand rests carefully on the edge of another dish next to a glass specimen vial. On the table stands a large, black vintage compound microscope with multiple metal objectives. The composition centers on her meticulous hands and face, with a softly blurred background of lab shelves and window light, creating an intense, studious mood of historical scientific discovery.

7354113

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Susan La Flesche Picotte: the first #NativeAmerican woman to earn a medical degree in the US. Living in an era when Native Americans were denied citizenship & women couldn't vote, she became an indispensable physician & fierce defender of her people's sovereignty. Born #OTD in 1865. #WomenInSTEM

A black-and-white studio portrait of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte (1865–1915), the historic reformer celebrated as the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. In a bust-up composition against a dark, textured backdrop, she is positioned slightly turned to the side while facing the camera directly. She looks forward with an intelligent, steady, and composed expression, her dark hair neatly swept up away from her face into a soft bun. She wears a Victorian-era garment featuring a high-necked collar made of a contrasting, intricately patterned light fabric with fine floral or geometric motifs. This collared section is framed by a square, dark lace trim on her darker, structured bodice, which has modest pleating and slight puffing at the shoulders. The soft studio lighting emphasizes her prominent cheekbones and the calm, dignified mood of the portrait, embodying her historic legacy as an enduring pioneer of Indigenous health and civil rights.

171490490

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

#OTD in 1983, physicist & NASA astronaut Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman to go to #space. 🚀 She launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger as a mission specialist on STS-7. At 32, she was also the youngest American to travel into space (at the time). #WomenInSTEM

A historical photograph of Dr. Sally Kristen Ride (May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012)—the first American woman in space—inside the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Challenger during the STS-7 mission in June 1983. Dr. Ride is positioned in the center of the frame from the chest up with a warm, engaged smile. She wears a light-blue NASA flight jumpsuit adorned with an American flag patch on her left shoulder, a NASA insignia on her chest, and a name tag that reads "SALLY." A lightweight communications headset rests on her curly, dark brown hair, with a thin microphone curving toward her mouth. Her right hand adjusts a component of the headset wire near her ear. The background is filled with the dense, intricate instrumentation of the shuttle's overhead and aft control panels, packed with gray switches, dials, and circuit breakers. The tight framing, soft interior lighting, and candid composition emphasize a focused yet calm atmosphere, documenting a milestone moment for women in STEM and space exploration.

417242

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Who invented Kevlar? Chemist Stephanie Kwolek in 1965. In a 40+ year career, her work in polymer chemistry ultimately revolutionized personal body armor, industrial engineering & space exploration. Fourth woman inducted, National Inventors Hall of Fame, 1994. She died #OTD in 2014. #WomenInSTEM

Fun color photograph of pioneering American chemist Stephanie Kwolek (1923–2014), the inventor of Kevlar, taken in her later years. She is indoors in what appears to be a home or lab setting with soft lighting and kitchen-like background elements. Kwolek, an older woman with short gray hair, wears large round eyeglasses, a light plaid blouse or dress with a white collar, and holds up a bright yellow circular button that reads "ASK ME ABOUT KEVLAR" in bold black lettering. On her hand she wears thick yellow Kevlar protective gloves (the very material she invented), one glove prominently displayed in the foreground as she grips the button. Her expression is gentle, proud, and welcoming, with a slight smile, embodying her lifelong dedication to science, safety, and innovation as she invites conversation about her groundbreaking discovery that revolutionized bullet-resistant vests, tires, helmets, and countless other applications.

1384104

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

#OTD in 1932, Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland & landed in N. Ireland ~15h later--the first woman to fly solo & nonstop across the Atlantic. Nat'l Women in Aerospace Day (20 May) marks this anniversary & honors women in #aviation, aerospace engineering, #space exploration & more. #avgeek

A black-and-white photograh shows the legendary American aviator Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) standing before an aircraft. Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, is positioned centrally, gazing directly at the viewer with a gentle, confident smile and squinted eyes that suggest a bright, outdoor setting. Her signature short, wind-swept curls appear tousled, adding to the candid, adventurous mood of the shot. She is dressed in her iconic flying attire: a dark, heavy leather flight jacket worn over a collared, checkered blouse, with a silk scarf knotted neatly at her throat. Behind her, the metallic, riveted fuselage of an airplane—likely her Lockheed Vega—fills the background, its curved surface and visible rivet lines highlighting the industrial era of early flight. The composition is intimate and heroic, capturing Earhart not just as a pilot, but as a symbol of poise and determination. This image serves as a powerful historical record of a woman who broke gender barriers and redefined the possibilities of aviation before her disappearance during a circumnavigation attempt in 1937.

424047

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Fossil collector & self-taught paleontologist Mary Anning's discoveries revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric life. "The greatest fossilist the world ever knew," she made her finds in the Jurassic marine fossil beds along the cliffs of Lyme Regis (UK). Born #OTD in 1799. #WomenInSTEM

A historical oil painting portrait of Mary Anning (1799–1847), the pioneering British fossil hunter, paleontologist, and self-taught scientist from Lyme Regis, Dorset, England. Painted by B. J. Donne in the 19th century (posthumous or based on contemporary sketches), it depicts her standing outdoors on a rocky coastal shore under a dramatic, stormy sky with dark clouds and a glimpse of the sea and distant cliffs in the background. She wears a long, dark green cloak with a hood, a red neck scarf, and a wide-brimmed bonnet tied under her chin. In her gloved right hand she holds a geological hammer (her iconic tool), and a small wicker basket hangs from her left arm, likely for carrying fossils. A loyal black-and-white dog (possibly her famous companion Tray) lies curled at her feet on the rocks. Mary Anning stands with a calm, resolute expression, gazing slightly upward and to the side, conveying quiet determination and intelligence. The painting's muted tones and romantic style emphasize her as a lone figure in a rugged, fossil-rich landscape, symbolizing her groundbreaking contributions to early paleontology despite societal barriers as a working-class woman.

611330

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Mary Robinson born #OTD in 1944.☘️ Robinson was the first female president of Ireland. She served from May 1990 until September 1997 when she resigned the presidency (a few weeks early) to take up the post of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. #IrishSky #IrishHistory #history #HumanRights

A color portrait features Mary Robinson (born 1944), the first female President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She is positioned on the right side of the frame, seated and facing the camera with a calm, dignified expression. Her reddish-blonde hair is styled in a soft, feathered cut. She is dressed in a sophisticated black-and-white micro-patterned blazer over a dark top, accessorized with a multi-strand pearl necklace and large, oval-shaped pearl earrings with gold borders. Her posture is upright, conveying an air of professional grace and determination. To the left, a bright, slightly out-of-focus window reveals the architectural details of a neighboring city building, suggesting an urban office or institutional setting. The composition is balanced by the neutral off-white wall behind her, which keeps the focus entirely on her face. The overall mood is one of quiet strength and wisdom, reflecting her historical significance as a trailblazer for gender equality and a global advocate for human rights and climate justice.

213037

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

American aviator Harriet Quimby the first woman to fly across the English Channel, 1912. Her only instruments were a hand-held compass and a watch. She was the first woman in the US to obtain a pilot's license, 1911. She was born #OTD in 1875. #aviation #AvGeek #AviationHistory

A high-contrast, black-and-white historical photograph captures American aviation pioneer Harriet Quimby (1875–1912) seated in the cockpit of her Blériot monoplane. The composition is a medium shot, framed by the intricate network of the aircraft's structural wires and bracing struts that converge above her head, creating a geometric web against the soft, overcast sky.

Quimby is dressed in her iconic signature flying suit: a dark, shimmering satin hooded ensemble that fits snugly around her face, emphasizing her striking features. She looks directly at the camera with a confident, radiant smile and bright eyes, projecting a mood of adventurous optimism. Her gloved hands rest on the controls of the open-air cockpit. The background is a soft-focus, desolate airfield, which highlights her as the central figure of progress.

This image carries immense historical weight, representing the first woman to earn a U.S. pilot’s license and the first to fly across the English Channel. The handwritten caption at the bottom reads, "Harriet Quimby in her Blériot monoplane," grounding the portrait in its early 20th-century origins.

7534124

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Esperanza Spalding was the first jazz artist to win the Grammy for Best New Artist (2011), beating out Justin Bieber and Drake. The now 5-time Grammy-winning virtuoso bassist, singer, and composer is a leading figure in 21st-century #jazz. #JazzDay #music #musicsky

A charming color photograph of American jazz bassist, singer, and composer Esperanza Emily Spalding (born October 18, 1984), a five-time Grammy winner and the first jazz artist to be named Best New Artist (2011). Spalding is seated on a warm wooden floor, her head resting thoughtfully on her left hand as she leans against a polished cello. Her right hand holds a black pen, suggesting a moment of creative composition. She is surrounded by her musical world: a towering double bass stands behind her, and two violins (one standing up, one laying down) rest against the cello to her side. Spalding radiates a calm, intellectual air, her expression serene with a slight, knowing smile. Her signature large, round Afro frames her face, while her attire—a white tank top and navy-and-white pinstriped trousers—blends classic and modern styles. Multiple layers of colorful beaded and metallic necklaces add a bohemian touch. Set against a striking red and white wall, the composition captures her as a trailblazing figure in contemporary music, embodying a mood of artistic brilliance and deep connection to her craft.

703094451

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Evelyn Boyd Granville's work was instrumental during the early years of the US space program. 2nd Black woman in the US to earn a PhD in #mathematics (Yale 1949), she worked on orbit computations/computer procedures for 3 space projects: Vanguard, Mercury & Apollo.🚀 Born #OTD in 1924. #WomenInSTEM

A sepia-toned historical portrait of Evelyn Boyd Granville (1924–2023), the second Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics in the U.S. She is positioned in the center, shown from the chest up in a three-quarter pose. Her expression is calm, intelligent, and determined, with a slight, confident smile. Her dark hair is styled in a voluminous, textured updo typical of the mid-20th century. She wears a light-colored, structured blouse with a classic pointed collar. The foreground portrait is superimposed over a blurred background of a dark chalkboard filled with complex mathematical formulas, symbols, and notations—including limits, Greek letters, and geometric equations. The composition places Granville as the literal face of the advanced science behind her, symbolizing her groundbreaking work for NASA’s Project Mercury and the Apollo program. The overall mood is academic, reverent, and inspiring, highlighting her historical significance as a "Hidden Figure" who helped pave the way for women of color in STEM.

624681

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Chemist Helen Murray Free revolutionized diagnostic medicine by co-developing the first dip-&-read test strip for monitoring glucose in urine. Her work transformed diabetes management, allowing people to monitor their glucose at home rather than w/lab tests. She was born #OTD in 1923. #WomenInSTEM

A color photograph of American chemist and inventor Helen Murray Free in her later years, taken at a formal awards ceremony. She is seated on a black chair in a banquet-style room with warm lighting and blurred background attendees. Helen, an older woman with short light-brown or graying hair, wears glasses and smiles gently with a warm, contented expression as she looks slightly off to the side. She is dressed in a elegant black blazer over a sparkly black top, accessorized with a long beaded necklace, and proudly wears a red-white-blue patriotic ribbon with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation medal. The image captures her poised and dignified presence, reflecting her lifelong achievements in developing life-changing diagnostic tests for diabetes and other conditions.

113043

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Celebrating Mother Jones Internat'l #WorkersDay! Irish-American #labor organizer & hellraiser who became the most famous (& feared) woman in the US labor movement. Nicknamed “the most dangerous woman in America” by a US district attorney because she could rally 1000s & shut down entire industries.

111950

Reposted by Michael

Art & Nature @capecodfairytales.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

#CapeCod #Poetry #Painting #Spring "An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” — Henry David Thoreau 🎨 Steve Sanderson

0448

Reposted by Michael

Art & Nature @capecodfairytales.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

#Poetry #Painting Where's My Kitty-Kitty Cat, Oh, Where's My Kitty Cat At? I swore that she was right beside me, Furry tail grazed my shoe, But here I am looking Behind Me, She Disappeared from my view! 🎨 Sarah Simpson

0114

Reposted by Michael

Art & Nature @capecodfairytales.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

#CapeCod #Poetry #Painting #Spring The winter's long and unbidden freeze begins to lift as March arrives and deep within the hive of bees a movement comes from those alive. Barantoff 🎨 Helen Klebesadel

1216

Reposted by Michael

Art & Nature @capecodfairytales.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

#CapeCod #Poetry #Painting #Spring The shadows of the afternoon are drawing long lines Gert Strydom 🎨 Line Koltegaard

0699

Reposted by Michael

Barack Obama @barackobama.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

The young people in our @obamafoundation.bsky.social Leaders program give me hope. One of those leaders, Luisa Neubauer, is working to fight climate change and recently traveled to Antarctica. This Earth Day, I hope you'll check out her incredible story.

14780992027

Reposted by Michael

Barack Obama @barackobama.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Hope isn’t blind optimism — it arises in the face of uncertainty. If you look at our history, we’ve gone through some rough patches. But we tend to come out on the other side of them stronger than before.

38777511942

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Caltech molecular microbiologist & geobiologist Dianne Newman launched the field of molecular geomicrobiology, which explores how microorganisms have shaped Earth's evolution over billions of years. + MacArthur "Genius" Fellow, 2016 + Elected, National Academy of Sciences, 2019 #WomenInSTEM

Color photograph of Dr. Dianne K. Newman (born 1971), the pioneering American molecular microbiologist and geobiologist whose interdisciplinary research at the California Institute of Technology has transformed our understanding of microbial metabolism in oxygen-poor environments, ancient Earth geochemistry, and modern applications in chronic infections and sustainable ecosystems. In the image, Newman appears in a warm, close-up head-and-shoulders composition, positioned slightly right of center and looking directly at the viewer with a gentle, knowing smile and bright, intelligent eyes framed by rectangular black glasses. Her dark, wavy, shoulder-length hair falls naturally around her face. She wears a simple black V-neck top, a delicate gold chain with a small heart-shaped pendant and small pearl stud earrings. The background is a softly blurred laboratory or research office setting filled with wooden shelves, glassware, bottles, scientific equipment, and storage containers—evoking the active, hands-on environment where her groundbreaking work takes place. The lighting is natural and even, highlighting her face while keeping the scientific surroundings visible but unobtrusive.

29536

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Raden Adjeng Kartini was a pioneering Javanese noblewoman, educator & advocate for #womensrights & education whose short life and powerful letters made her a national heroine and enduring symbol of Indonesian women’s emancipation. She was born #OTD in 1879 and it's Kartini Day in #Indonesia.

This black-and-white studio portrait from the early 1900s shows Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), the groundbreaking Javanese noblewoman, educator, and advocate for women’s rights whose letters and activism became a cornerstone of Indonesian feminism and national awakening. In the image, the young Kartini appears in a classic head-and-shoulders composition, positioned slightly off-center against a softly lit, plain backdrop accented on the left by dark, feathery palm or bamboo fronds that add a subtle tropical touch. Her dark hair is elegantly pulled back into a neat traditional Javanese bun adorned with a small white flower or ornamental accessory, framing a youthful face with smooth skin, and a calm, thoughtful expression—her gaze directed slightly to the right of the viewer, lips gently parted in a poised, intelligent demeanor that conveys quiet determination and introspection. She wears a delicate white kebaya-style blouse of fine woven fabric featuring intricate lace trim and subtle embroidery along the high collar and front, evoking the refined elegance of Javanese aristocratic dress at the turn of the 20th century.

04816

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Biochemist Marie M. Daly (b. #OTD in 1921) was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in #chemistry in the US (Columbia 1947). Overcoming the dual hurdles of racial & gender bias, her pioneering studies included cholesterol’s role in heart disease, protein synthesis, and nucleic acids. #WomenInSTEM

This black-and-white photograph captures Marie Maynard Daly (1921–2003), the trailblazing American biochemist who became the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States (Columbia University, 1947), at work in her laboratory. Centered in the frame, Daly leans slightly forward with quiet intensity, her gaze directed downward in deep concentration at the scientific glassware she holds with practiced precision: a slender glass pipette in her right hand and a small test tube or vial in her left, as if carefully transferring a liquid during an experiment. She wears a crisp white lab coat unbuttoned at the front, revealing a dark dress or skirt beneath and a boldly contrasting scarf tied neatly at her neck; her short, wavy dark hair is neatly styled, and a pen peeks from her coat pocket. The mid-20th-century laboratory setting envelops her with authentic period detail—white tiled walls, wooden cabinets with glass doors stacked high with books and papers, a cluttered wooden desk, a tall stool, a visible refrigerator, scattered beakers and equipment on the bench, and even a fire extinguisher mounted on the wall—creating a sense of purposeful, hands-on scientific discovery. The composition places Daly as the clear focal point, her figure framed by the ordered chaos of research tools and notes, conveying a mood of focused dedication, intellectual rigor, and quiet empowerment. This historic image endures as a powerful symbol of Daly’s groundbreaking legacy: her pioneering studies on cholesterol’s role in heart disease, protein synthesis, and nucleic acids helped shape modern biochemistry, while her lifelong advocacy opened doors for women and people of color in STEM fields.

1539115

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

French painter Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun: one of the most successful/sought-after portraitists of the late 1700s. Easy to see why. She was the official court painter to Marie Antoinette, producing ~30 portraits of the Queen over 6 years. Born #OTD in 1755. #art #artsky Left: Self-portrait, 1782

This luminous oil-on-canvas self-portrait, painted in 1782 by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842), captures the artist at the height of her early fame. The 27-year-old Vigée Le Brun — already a sought-after portraitist to the French court — presents herself with confident grace against a dramatic sky of soft blue clouds. She wears an elaborate wide-brimmed straw hat decorated with a large white feather and a garland of red, white, and blue flowers, her curly hair cascading over one shoulder. Her gown is a soft pink silk with a low neckline framed by a voluminous white ruffled fichu, accented by satin sleeves with lace cuffs, a black sash, and delicate earrings. In her left hand she holds a wooden painter’s palette laden with vivid pigments and several brushes. Her expression is direct, intelligent, and subtly smiling, conveying warmth, poise, and professional pride. The composition places her figure prominently against the atmospheric background, emphasizing her identity as both elegant woman and working artist. This celebrated self-portrait, one of several she created, underscores her key achievements as a trailblazing female painter who escaped the French Revolution to continue her career across Europe, painting royalty from Russia to Italy. It stands as a powerful declaration of her talent and independence in an era when women artists faced significant barriers.

This grand oil-on-canvas portrait, titled Marie Antoinette and Her Children (1787), was painted by the celebrated French artist Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (16 April 1755 – 30 March 1842). One of the most accomplished women painters of the 18th century, Vigée Le Brun served as official portraitist to Queen Marie Antoinette, produced over 600 portraits, and became one of the first women admitted to the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. In this monumental composition, the queen sits regally yet maternally at center in a sumptuous crimson gown edged in gold, a towering powdered wig adorned with a dramatic red velvet hat trimmed in white ostrich plumes and gauze. She gazes calmly outward with poised serenity, cradling the infant Duc de Normandie (future Louis XVII) in white on her lap while her eldest daughter, Madame Royale (Marie Thérèse), leans affectionately against her in a rich red dress with lace cuffs. To the right, the young Dauphin Louis Joseph stands in an elegant blue-and-gold suit, pointing toward the large, draped empty cradle swathed in black fabric — a subtle reference to the recent loss of an earlier child. The opulent Versailles setting features heavy brocade curtains, marble columns, a gilded cabinet topped with a crown, and an ornate floral carpet. The overall mood is one of tender domesticity and royal dignity, yet it carries poignant historical significance: completed just two years before the French Revolution, the painting was intended to humanize the queen as a devoted mother but became a symbol of the monarchy’s final years. It remains one of Vigée Le Brun’s most famous works, blending Rococo elegance with emerging Neoclassical restraint.

28924

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Novelist/playwright Edna Ferber died #OTD in 1968. Her novels included: 1924: 𝘚𝘰 𝘉𝘪𝘨, #Pulitzer Prize 1925 1926: 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘰𝘢𝘵, adapted into the #Broadway musical 1930: 𝘊𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘯, made into the 1931 #film (won Oscar for Best Picture) 1952: 𝘎𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵, made into the epic 1956 movie #litsky #moviesky #filmsky

This composite image is a three-panel collage honoring Edna Ferber, the Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist and playwright whose sweeping, socially conscious bestsellers captured the American experience across race, class, gender, and the frontier. In the central black-and-white portrait, Ferber appears in her prime, seated and leaning slightly forward with poised confidence. She wears a stylish cloche-style hat trimmed with a feather, a tailored coat with a luxurious dark fur collar, a single-strand pearl necklace, and a sparkling brooch pinned to her lapel. Her expression is direct and engaging—eyes meeting the viewer, lips parted in a subtle, knowing smile that conveys intelligence, wit, and quiet authority. The plain studio background keeps the focus entirely on her. Flanking the portrait are two iconic posters representing her most enduring literary legacies. On the left is the vibrant, color-saturated 1956 movie poster for Giant, featuring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean, with bold text declaring “A George Stevens Production GIANT From the Novel by Edna Ferber.” On the right is the classic 1927 theatrical poster for Show Boat, illustrated with lively passengers on a Mississippi riverboat; it proudly announces “Florenz Ziegfeld presents SHOW BOAT,” with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Jerome Kern, and the credit “Adapted from the novel by Edna Ferber” at the top.

06114

Michael @michaelsten.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

The Mask We Refuse to Remove – A Review of the ontological novel Il-Maskra (2026) by Anton Sammut, Reviewed in The Sunday Times of Malta, by Karl Coleiro, a Qualified Teacher, Counsellor, and Proofreader. #booksky #literature #books #goodreads #book #reading #novel timesofmalta.com/article/mask...

timesofmalta.com

The mask we refuse to remove

A review of 'Il-Maskra' (2026) by Anton Sammut

0160

Reposted by Michael

Anton Sammut @antonsammut.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

My new Maltese novel: Everything in his life works. That’s the problem. The Mask—about the pressure to be normal, and what happens when you stop performing and start being, when a person begins to recognize not what they should become, but what they no longer want to be.

071

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

🚀 Astronaut, neurologist & photographer Dr. Roberta Bondar was #Canada's first female astronaut (1992). The world's first neurologist in space, she is globally recognized for her contributions to space medicine. #WomenInSTEM robertabondar.com It's International Day of #HumanSpaceFlight!🚀

Official NASA portrait of Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada's first female astronaut. She smiles confidently in an orange NASA space suit, holding her helmet, with the US and Canadian flags behind her (left and right, respectively). A mission patch on her suit reads “STS-42 Discovery – International Microgravity Laboratory.

Dr. Roberta Bondar in the field (at the edge of Lake Elementaita, Kenya, watching for lesser flamingoes.) as a wildlife and nature photographer. Seated inside an open safari vehicle, she peers intently through a large telephoto camera pointed toward a sunlit African savanna landscape with water and distant trees under a clear blue sky. She wears a light hoodie and glasses on a cord.

011626

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

American physician, engineer & retired #NASA astronaut Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to travel into space (1992). Founder, 100 Year Starship project, which aims to make human interstellar travel possible within the next century. #WomenInSTEM It's International #HumanSpaceFlightDay! 🚀

A color portrait of Dr. Mae Carol Jemison, the first Black woman to travel into space and a pioneering engineer, physician, and advocate for science education. In this warm, studio-lit photograph from 2013, she appears as a confident woman with short, stylishly layered dark hair, smiling directly at the camera with a bright, engaging expression that radiates warmth, intelligence, and approachability. She wears a soft blue V-neck top, large silver hoop earrings, and a striking black cord necklace featuring a prominent circular turquoise pendant that rests at her collarbone. The background is a smooth, neutral gradient, keeping the focus entirely on her poised and professional presence. The overall composition is intimate and celebratory, conveying quiet strength and accomplishment while highlighting her enduring role as an inspirational figure in STEM and in women’s history.

131802304

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Remembering German photojournalist Anja Niedringhaus who was killed in Afghanistan #OTD in 2014. The only woman on a team of 11 AP photographers who won the 2005 #Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News #Photography for coverage of the Iraq War. Afghanistan: Seen Through Her Lens theatln.tc/2pZHcET

Close-up portrait of German photojournalist Anja Niedringhaus smiling warmly at the camera while holding a large white Canon EOS-1 DSLR with a massive telephoto lens in her right hand. She has light brown hair with gray streaks pulled back, sunglasses resting on top of her head, and wears a blue vest over a black-and-white striped shirt; the out-of-focus background is dark, drawing all attention to her face and the professional camera gear she carries, capturing her as the Pulitzer Prize-winning war photographer known for her powerful images from conflict zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond.

220062

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Dorothea Dix transformed the treatment of people w/mental illness in the 19th century. +Exposed inhumane conditions in prisons/poorhouses +Successfully lobbied for the 1st major expansion of US public mental asylums +Union Army Superintendent of Nurses US #CivilWar Born #OTD in 1802. #WomeninSTEM

111433334

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month #SAAM This year’s theme, 𝟤𝟧 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳: 𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥, celebrates the resilience of survivors and the communities that have worked for change. Learn more: www.nsvrc.org/saam-2026/ #VAWG #EndVAWG

Promotional graphic for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) April 2026 celebrating “25 YEARS STRONGER.” Large yellow “25” is centered on a white background and interwoven with a teal awareness ribbon; bold black “STRONGER” appears below it. The tagline “LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD” sits underneath in teal and yellow with arrow accents. At the bottom left: “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.” At the bottom right: “April 2026” and the hashtags “#SAAM #25YearsStronger.”

36829

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Maria Sibylla Merian was a pioneering naturalist, entomologist & scientific illustrator whose meticulous artwork & observations revolutionized the study of insects and laid early groundwork for #ecology. She was born #OTD in 1647. #ecosky #entomology #artsky #WomenInSTEM

Side-by-side composite image. On the left: a 17th-century oil portrait of Maria Sibylla Merian, showing her as a fair-skinned woman with curly brown hair, wearing a black dress, white sheer shawl collar, pearl necklace and earrings, and a jeweled brooch. On the right: the colorful cover of the book Maria Sibylla Merian’s Metamorphosis, filled with her detailed, vibrant scientific illustrations of butterflies, moths, insects, flowers, and a lizard against a white background with a gold border.

316333

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

📚 Happy International #ChildrensBookDay! Today we celebrate the wondrous children’s books that introduce young readers to remarkable women—from Drs. Wu & Maathai to Drs. Goodall & Bath & so many more. Share their stories of exploration, discovery, courage, persistence... #kidslit #litsky #booksky

A 2x2 collage of four colorful children's nonfiction picture book covers celebrating trailblazing women.

Top left: Queen of Physics — an illustration of Chien-Shiung Wu in a white lab coat smiles at a desk covered in papers and scientific diagrams, with atoms and stars floating around her.

Top right: Wangari’s Trees of Peace — Wangari Maathai, wearing a bright yellow patterned dress and headwrap, kneels to plant a tree against a backdrop of African mountains and sky.

Bottom left: The Amazing Story of Jane Goodall — Jane Goodall in a green shirt kneels in a lush jungle, gently interacting with a chimpanzee.

Bottom right: The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes — close-up of Dr. Patricia Bath, a Black woman with dark hair, holding an eye-examination device against a purple background decorated with cartoon eyes.

215948

Reposted by Michael

Barack Obama @barackobama.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Wisconsin Supreme Court justices have a profound responsibility: protecting the rights of the people and delivering on the promise of equal justice under the law. Judge Chris Taylor is the only candidate running for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court with a proven record of delivering on that promise.

12696432708

Reposted by Michael

Molly Moonshine singer @mollymoonshine.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

⚠️New cover!🥳🤘🎤 The new video is out! I hope you like it! If you do, please like, share, and subscribe! Thank you for your support!🤘☮️🙏 #metalhead #symphonicmetal #therion #lilith #lesfleursdumal #metalcover youtu.be/Z8oT5rMbH9s?...

youtu.be

"Lilith" // THERION symphonic metal band // Cover Molly Moonshine

YouTube video by Molly Moonshine

141

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

❤️ Alice Wong is regarded as one of the most influential voices in modern disability justice. She founded the Disability Visibility Project (2014) and used storytelling, social media & intersectional advocacy to center disabled people in cultural & political conversations. She was born #OTD in 1974.

Disability justice activist and author Alice Wong, a trailblazing Chinese-American leader in the disability rights movement, sits in her wheelchair and smiles warmly at the camera while proudly holding up her wonderful memoir Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life — a powerful, joyful celebration of disabled lives, resilience, and intersectional advocacy. She wears a bright blue sweater with red lipstick, her ventilator and other assistive technology visible against a neutral gray wall.

226669

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

⚠️ CW: Comments may contain discussion of suicide. English writer Virginia Woolf died #OTD in 1941. She was 59. Woolf is considered one of the most important modernist 20th-century authors and a pioneer in the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device. #literature #litsky #booksky

Sepia-toned close-up portrait photograph of Virginia Woolf from 1927. She appears from the shoulders up against a dark studio backdrop, wearing a voluminous fluffy fur stole, with her left hand resting gently against her cheek and a ring visible on her finger. Her light hair is parted in the center and styled in soft waves, and she gazes directly at the camera with wide eyes and a subtle, closed-mouth expression.

10597116

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

British illustrator Peggy Fortnum was the first artist to give a visual form to Paddington Bear, the marmalade-loving bear from “darkest Peru.” Her whimsical drawings helped make Paddington an instantly recognizable & beloved character worldwide. She died #OTD in 2016. #artsky #WomensHistoryMonth

Black-and-white photograph of British illustrator Peggy Fortnum seated at her drawing desk. She wears glasses and a striped shirt over a white collared blouse, holds a pencil in her right hand above a sheet of paper, and looks directly at the camera with a calm expression. Art supplies, papers, and files fill the workspace around her.

Side-by-side comparison of two illustrations of Paddington Bear by Peggy Fortnum. On the left, her original black-and-white pen-and-ink sketch shows the bear sitting with his head in his paws, wearing a floppy hat, signed “P.F.” and “Peggy Fortnum” below. On the right, the classic full-color version of Paddington stands wearing his red hat and blue duffle coat while carrying a suitcase marked “P.B.”

221035

Reposted by Michael

Molly Moonshine singer @mollymoonshine.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

The latest single from Broken Springs and me is out!A message of peace across the world.Please, listen to it,like it,and share it as much as possible to bring a little happiness 🙏☮️❤️🏵️ #PEACEANDLOVEVE #newsingle #progrock #alltogether #lovesong #friendship #love #metalsinger youtu.be/7jxLd0IjgNk?...

youtu.be

Broken Springs - The Other Side (34 Countries - One Message: Peace)

YouTube video by Broken Springs

052

Reposted by Michael

Molly Moonshine singer @mollymoonshine.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

⚠️NEW COVER!⚠️ It's finally online! My level cover of Nightwish's Elan! Please like, share and subscribe to my channel to support me! Thanks a lot! 🤘🎤📽️😘 #cover #metalcover #coversong #nightwish #floorjansen #nightwishfans #metalhead #metalsinger #singer #symphonicmetal youtu.be/md3o5MW7XHI?...

youtu.be

"Élan" // Nightwish // Cover by Molly Moonshine (symphonic metal)

YouTube video by Molly Moonshine

072

Michael @michaelsten.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

I can say in all frankness that it is the most powerful novel I have ever read: the ontological novel Il-Maskra by the brilliant philosopher and author Anton Sammut (written in Maltese and not yet translated into English). Author Anton Sammut – Goodreads link: www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Just freshly published, I can say in all frankness that it is the most powerful novel I have ever read: the ontological novel Il-Maskra by the brilliant philosopher and author Anton Sammut (written in Maltese and not yet translated into English).

0140

Reposted by Michael

Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

French filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché is widely recognized as the world's first female director & a primary inventor of narrative cinema. Founder & artistic director of the Solax Studios in Flushing, New York in 1910. She died #OTD in 1968. #WomensHistoryMonth #film

Black-and-white historical photograph of pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché directing on set. She wears an elaborate white bridal gown, veil, tiara, and pearl necklace, with her right arm extended to operate a large vintage motion-picture camera on a tripod. A man in a dark suit and cap stands beside her, holding an open script, against an ornate carved wooden backdrop.

218952