As the Aspen Institute mourns the passing of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, we reflect on her influence on the organization and deep impact on our work. A diplomat, professor, author, and business leader, she was the first female Secretary of State—an iconic fixture in US foreign policy circles with an essential voice. Listen to Secretary Albright in her own words here.

While the country celebrates the achievements of women during Women’s History Month, tremendous barriers still stand in the way of their success. At the intersection of race and gender, inequities are compounded, particularly for Black women who continue to be denied fair wages and opportunities despite their significant contributions to society. This was a topic featured on the Aspen Institute’s AscendTogether webcast, which invited policy, philanthropic, and systems change leaders to explore better pathways to economic mobility. Read more about the lessons learned along the way.

Aspen Words recently announced its latest cohort of Emerging Writer Fellows, a group of remarkable writers early in their careers. The fellowships, awarded in fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and poetry, allow participants to attend Summer Words, the annual writers’ conference in Aspen. Get to know the 2022 Emerging Writer Fellows by learning about their writing routines, current reading lists, and favorite words.

When large companies contract work out to smaller companies, they drive down job quality even as profits rise. Subcontracted work tends to offer lower pay and fewer benefits than direct-hire work, and this affects the workers of color who are disproportionately hired into these roles. These temporary and contingent workers who work in tech have been largely locked out of the industry's prosperity, says Natalie Foster, a fellow with the Future of Work Initiative.

When the mob stormed the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, religious imagery, symbolism, and sounds were part of the melee. Though rioters waved flags glorifying Jesus and shouted prayers through megaphones, much of the media chose to focus solely on their political beliefs. The Institute’s Religion & Society Program gathered religious scholars to discuss how the rise of Christian nationalism fueled the siege.

To understand Russia’s role in Syria, you must know a particular Russian word, Derzhavnost: “great-powerness” or ”unquestionable sphere of influence.” Vladimir Putin sees Syria as an opportunity to end the traditional balance of power and alliances and to reassert his country’s place in the world.

SOF members enjoy unparalleled access to Aspen Institute programs, including discussion receptions, luncheons, intimate dialogues, half-day forums, and multi-day symposia featuring experts on policy and current affairs. They are the first to know about Institute events, and receive special invitations to member-exclusive programs in locations across the country. Join today.

MSNBC featured comments from Yuliya Tychkivska, executive director of Aspen Institute Kyiv. Tychkivska, who has been displaced by the war, spoke about the acts of resistance by the Ukrainian people against Russia’s invasion at Forbes’ 30/50 summit. “It’s not just about our country,” she said. “It’s about good; it’s about democratic values; it’s about freedom.”

High school sports are important to the health and educational needs of students, but it’s time to update our game plan. Sports & Society's Project Play recently launched Sport for All, Play for Life: A Playbook to Develop Every Student Through Sports. The playbook, which was featured in Axios and other outlets, offers eight strategies to help principals and school leaders improve the traditional high school sports model.

Aspen Words: Winter Words with Richard Powers

March 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm MT

Aspen Words hosts a conversation with 2019 Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers who will discuss his newest novel, Bewilderment.

Accelerating Breakthroughs in Global Health: the Impact and Power of Women's Leadership

March 29, 10:00am ET

This conversation hosted by the Aspen Global Innovators Group and the Forum on Women and Girls with global health exemplars explores how to advance and celebrate women’s leadership in global health.

Cultivating the Neuroarts Ecosystem

March 30, 3:30pm - 4:15 ET

Learn how art can be used as an extraordinary tool for promoting health and well-being in this virtual event presented by the Neuroarts Blueprint Initiative’s co-directors, including Health, Medicine & Society's Ruth Katz.

Becoming a Better Leader: The Executive Leadership Series

March 30 - April 6, 2022

Join us for a special series of free Executive Leadership Seminars. Topics will range from rooting leadership in humanity, to fostering diversity and equity, and exploring what defines a just society.

Aspen Words Literary Prize Awards Ceremony

April 21, 6:30pm - 7:45pm ET

Presented by Aspen Words, the fifth annual awards ceremony will include a conversation with the finalist authors moderated by Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” at The Morgan Library in New York City.

Join us in Miami Beach for Aspen Ideas: Climate, an inaugural, in-person event from May 9-12. We will feature conversations, tours, and workshops on the most innovative climate solutions, policies, and technology today. Purchase your pass today.

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