The digital economy loves to talk about innovation. It talks far less about access.

As artificial intelligence accelerates, tech valuations soar, and governments race toward digital transformation, one question sits uncomfortably beneath the headlines: Who is being prepared to participate—and who is being systematically left out?

Hermina Johnny is not interested in incremental change. She is interested in structural correction.

Born in Saint Lucia and shaped by years of living and working across the United States and Europe, Johnny has positioned herself at the intersection of education, economic strategy, and gender equity. As Founder and Executive Director of the Aspire Artemis Foundation, she is working to redesign the pipeline into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)—with a deliberate focus on girls and underrepresented communities.

And she is unapologetic about the stakes.

“Digital transformation without intentional inclusion doesn’t close gaps—it widens them.”

From Global Policy To Ground-Level Access

Johnny’s academic background spans international relations, economics, anthropology, and international law. She earned her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and completed an LL.M. in International Law and International Relations in Brussels, later pursuing research in constitutionalism and fundamental rights.

But rather than remaining in policy circles, she moved toward execution.

Global development frameworks routinely articulate commitments to equity. Yet implementation often stalls at the structural level. Johnny saw that disconnect firsthand.

So she built an institution designed to close it.

Education As Economic Infrastructure

Through the Aspire Artemis Foundation, Johnny develops STEAM-focused leadership programs, global symposia, and digital literacy initiatives that go beyond exposure. The organization integrates arts into STEM disciplines—not as decoration, but as strategic design—training young people to think adaptively in a workforce defined by rapid change.

Her framing is deliberately economic.

STEAM education, she argues, is not a social side project. It is workforce architecture.

“If education isn’t treated as infrastructure, we shouldn’t be surprised when opportunity collapses under pressure.”

Under her leadership, the foundation has convened programming connected to international development discussions and United Nations–related venues, reinforcing a simple but disruptive thesis: innovation ecosystems that exclude women are economically inefficient.

The conversation, she insists, must shift from representation optics to structural preparation.

Encouragement is not a strategy. Infrastructure is.

Small States, Global Systems — And Female Leadership

Johnny’s work also challenges geographic bias in global innovation narratives. Participation in forums linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN General Assembly, and the ECOSOC Science, Technology and Innovation Forum places her within high-level policy discussions.

At the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), debates centered on resilience and connectivity. For Johnny, the message was direct: small island nations cannot diversify their economies without digital capability.

And digital capability does not appear spontaneously. It is built—intentionally.

As a woman leader from a small island state, Johnny’s presence in these arenas disrupts two assumptions at once: that innovation leadership belongs to large economies, and that systems change is driven primarily by traditional power centers.

“Geography should not determine destiny. Neither should gender.”

Strategy Meets Execution

Before founding her nonprofit, Johnny built experience in business strategy and legal advisory work, including corporate and intellectual property matters. That foundation shapes her leadership style—analytical, cross-sector, and systems-focused.

But she refuses to operate solely at altitude.

She continues to teach and develop educational materials, maintaining direct engagement with learners. The result is rare: a leader equally fluent in boardroom strategy and classroom realities.

In conversations about women in technology, she pushes back against surface-level diversity narratives.

Representation without preparation, she argues, sets women up to enter systems that were never designed for them to succeed.

Structured pathways, market-aligned skills, mentorship networks, and institutional accountability are non-negotiable.

The Real Leadership Test

The digital economy disproportionately rewards early exposure and sustained access. Johnny’s work is built around intervening before exclusion calcifies into inevitability.

By positioning STEAM education as both an equity imperative and an economic growth strategy, she reframes inclusion not as charity—but as competitiveness.

In her view, the most dangerous myth in innovation culture is that talent naturally rises.

Talent rises when infrastructure supports it.

“The question isn’t whether women can lead in technology. The question is whether systems are willing to evolve fast enough to make room.”

In the expanding landscape of women in leadership, Hermina Johnny represents a category of leader that is increasingly impossible to ignore: not symbolic, not peripheral—but systemic.

She is not asking to be included in the digital economy.

She is helping decide who gets to build it.

The post Women In Leadership: Hermina Johnny Is Challenging Who Gets To Build The Digital Economy appeared first on Good News!.

worldpeace.org

Welcome to our Monthly Newsletter

We are excited to share news from JUNE 2025 regarding May Peace Prevail On Earth International, The Peace Pole Project and Peace Pals International.

May Peace Prevail On Earth 

We’d love to hear from you! Share your exciting news about Peace Pole plantings, flag ceremonies, Peace Pals making headlines, or anything else that aligns with our mission of ” May Peace Prevail On Earth.” Your stories inspire us all!

Send your news to: info@worldpeace.org

Monthly News Highlights

JUNE 2025

JUNE 1, 2025

Saturday Crowd Dedicates Peace Pole on St. John in Coral Bay, Virgin Islands.

READ MORE

JUNE 3, 2025

Multilingual Peace Pole unveiled at Hanna Center Santa Rosa, California, USA.

READ MORE

JUNE 3, 2025

Peace Pole Gathering Zuvuyaland in Taupo, North Island of New Zealand.

READ MORE

The post May Peace Prevail On Earth in the News • June 2025 appeared first on Good News!.

Welcome to this week’s MNT newsletter, bringing you the headlines and updated stories of the past week from our team of expert writers.

Stay informed with the latest developments in the current COVID-19 outbreak and our dedicated COVID-19 daily newsletter.

Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine

What are the side effects of ginger tea?
Ginger tea may cause some mild side effects in some people. In this article, learn more about the risks and possible benefits of drinking ginger tea.

Dermatology

Benefits of rice water for the skin
Many people use rice water to improve skin appearance or ease skin conditions. Read on to learn about potential rice water benefits, preparation, and usage.

How to clean nose piercings: Everything you need to know
A new nose piercing requires regular and thorough cleaning to help it heal and to prevent infection and other potential complications, such as scarring.

What can cause bumps to appear on the scalp?
Bumps can appear on the scalp for a range of reasons. Learn more about the causes, their treatments, and when to contact a doctor here.

Why is my skin itchy?
Itchy skin can result from various conditions, including allergies and eczema. Here, learn about some causes and treatment options, including home remedies.

Hives on black skin: Diagnosis and when to see a doctor
Hives are raised bumps or welts that may affect large areas of skin. They sometimes cause redness, though this may not appear on black skin. Learn more here.

How to treat acne on black skin
For people of color, there are many safe acne treatments, remedies, and care techniques. Here, learn about these and the risk of complications in black skin.

How to improve the appearance of stretch marks on the back
Stretch marks can appear on any part of the skin, including on the back. Learn what stretch marks are and what treatments may help improve their appearance.

DIY foot soaks for dry skin, pain, relaxation, and more
Foot soaks may help people soothe sore muscles, moisturize dry skin, and aid in relaxation. Here are six recipes for DIY foot soaks.

Ear, Nose, and Throat

What can cause a person to wake up with a stuffy nose?
Waking up with a stuffy nose can occur for many reasons. Learn more about the causes and accompanying symptoms in this article. It will also cover treatments.

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

Tips to prevent coronavirus transmission
There are many steps a person can take to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, including frequent hand-washing and social distancing. Learn more here.

What to know about Valtrex for cold sores
Valtrex is an antiviral drug that doctors prescribe to shorten the duration of genital or oral herpes (cold sores) and shingles flare-ups.

What to know about Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an illness that infected black-legged ticks can transmit to humans. Find out about the symptoms, treatment, and how to reduce the risk.

All about mononucleosis (mono)
Mononucleosis, otherwise known as mono, glandular fever, or the “kissing disease,” is a common illness, especially among teens and college students. In this article, find out the risk factors for contracting it, the disease’s timeline, its symptoms, treatments, complications, and what you can do to try and avoid it.

What is a Candida overgrowth?
Candida is a type of yeast that normally exists on and in the body, but certain factors can cause it to multiply out of control. Learn more here.

When does hand sanitizer expire?
Hand sanitizer does expire, and while it may still be safe to use, it may not work as well. Here, learn about the timing, how to use it effectively, and more.

Neurology / Neuroscience

Loneliness and hunger share a home in the brain
Researchers find that when people need company, the same part of their brain lights up as when they need food — more evidence that socializing is a basic human need.

What you need to know about spina bifida
Spina bifida is a congenital malformation which can lead to problems with mobility and incontinence. Treatment and therapy can improve the outlook.

Nutrition / Diet

Are sardines good for you?
Sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and some vitamins and minerals. They may also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can provide health benefits.

Amazon meal kits review
Amazon’s meal kit delivery service helps people cook from scratch if they cannot find the time. Ingredients are premeasured and no subscription is necessary. Learn more about Amazon’s meal kit service here.

What is the best app for grocery delivery?
There are several apps for grocery delivery. Read about the best ones here.

What is Blue Apron’s Weight Watchers plan?
Blue Apron’s Weight Watchers (WW) plan is a collaboration between Blue Apron and WW. Learn more about Blue Apron’s WW meal kits here.

Eating dried fruit linked to better overall diet and health
New research suggests that people could try boosting their intake of vital nutrients by eating more dried fruit without added sugar.

6 of the top smoothie delivery options
What are the best smoothie delivery options? This article lists six smoothie delivery services that may help a busy person maintain a healthful diet.

What to know about Diet-to-Go
Diet-to-Go is a meal delivery service that aims to help people lose weight. Here is an overview of how it works and some example menus.

Vegan diets may be linked to a higher risk of bone fractures
A new study has found that vegan diets — and, to some extent, vegetarian and pescatarian diets — may be linked to an increased risk of bone fractures.

6 of the best gluten-free meal delivery services
Gluten-free meal delivery can make meal preparation for people with celiac disease easier. We list the best meal delivery services for gluten-free diets here.

Noom reviews
Noom is a diet app that teaches people the psychology of eating to help them make more healthful food choices. Here, we review Noom and explain how it works

Cheapest meal delivery: Options and considerations
Cooking meals requires time and effort. Using a meal delivery service can help minimize the time a person spends in the kitchen. Learn more here.

What is the best meal kit delivery service?
We review some of the best meal kits that offer people with underlying health conditions and different dietary preferences healthful food choices.

Pain / Anesthetics

What to know about Tietze syndrome
Tietze syndrome is an inflammatory condition affecting the cartilage connecting the upper ribs to the breastbone. Learn about the symptoms and more here.

15 possible causes of abdominal pain
Abdominal pain can result from problems in the stomach, gallbladder, or large intestine. Causes include gas and menstrual cramps. Here, find out more.

Pregnancy / Obstetrics

Is it possible to get pregnant right after a period?
This article discusses how it is possible to get pregnant right after a period, factors that increase the chances, and how to prevent unplanned pregnancy.

How early can people find out the sex of a baby?
Finding out the sex of a fetus can be an exciting moment in pregnancy. Early blood tests now make this possible toward the end of the first trimester.

What do contractions feel like throughout the pregnancy?
Contractions happen throughout pregnancy. Here, learn what preterm, Braxton-Hicks, early, transitional, pushing, and active labor contractions feel like.

7 types of pregnancy rash and what they look like
Pregnancy rashes can occur due to conditions such as eczema, hives, or heat rash. In rare cases, they can signal a more serious condition.

Public Health

What to know about Instacart shopping app
For those short on time or have difficulty buying groceries in-person, Instacart allows people to purchase products through an app, which are then delivered. Learn more here.

The Recovery Room: News beyond the pandemic — November 27
Medical News Today’s Recovery Room is the place to find 10 recent stories that you may have missed amid all the COVID-19 fervor.

How to remove moths from the home
Moth larvae can eat through clothes and other fabrics, and the insects can trigger allergic reactions, which may be serious. Learn how to get rid of them here.

Respiratory

Is it possible to have pneumonia without a cough?
People with pneumonia typically develop a cough. However, it is possible to have pneumonia without a cough. Learn more here.

What to know about salmeterol
What is salmeterol? In this article, learn more about salmeterol, including what it is, which conditions it treats, safety concerns, and drug interactions.

Sexual Health / STDs

Can sexually transmitted infections cause rectal itching?
An itchy anus may indicate that a person has a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Learn more about possible causes of an itchy anus and treatment options.rn

What to know about genital herpes in men
Genital herpes is a common condition that can cause red bumps around the genital area. There are no cures for genital herpes, but a number of treatment options. Learn more.

Sports Medicine / Fitness

Comparing biking and running for fitness and weight loss
Biking and running are exercises that can benefit a person’s health and fitness. Here, we compare the calories they burn, and their benefits, risks, and cost

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The post Medical News Today newsletter, containing the headlines from the past week, across your chosen news categories. appeared first on Good News!.

When it comes to our planet and how we treat it, we often neglect how essential its well-being is to our existence.

 As climate change and the myriad of underlying issues become a mounting discussion in households

worldwide, the need for people to voice their concerns has arisen. Dear Mama Earth brings together

artist Toussaint Liberator and producer Brian McKenna to translate discussion about climate change into musical terms.

     Combining reggae with influences of both classic R&B and soul, Dear Mama Earth is a timely call to action that transcends

 languages and stands out equally for its lyrical poeticism and enchanting music. Herein McKenna fuses his vast talents

with Toussaint’s equally robust and silky smooth voice plus performances by some of NYC’s hottest young musicians.

Together Toussaint and McKenna have created a powerful and essential exposé about Earth’s climate with positive,

driving musical lines that remind listeners that there is still time to rectify the global climate crisis.

To help support change now, buy the album here — 10% of all album profits will be donated to the Sierra Club.

For more information about Dear Mama Earth, please visit dearmamaearth.org.

Upcoming Tour Dates: 

DME headlines Earth Day NYC ’13
April 21st, 4:30pm to 6pm
Free public concert, Union Square North

DME with Majora Carter eco-event at MIST Harlem
May 18th, 10pm to 12:30am
Purchase Tickets at www.myimagestudios.com.

Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Soundcloud

Youtube

EARTH DAY PROGRAM NOTES:

Dear Mama Earth is an eco-conscious suite of Reggae & Soul music. Written and performed by artist Toussaint Liberator and producer Brian McKenna, DME is a call to action — to save our planet. Featuring NYC’s hottest young musicians and DJs as well as samples contributed by maestro Galt MacDermot, this cutting-edge musical adventure is not to be missed! www.dearmamaearth.org

The post Environmentalism and Reggae Come Together on Dear Mama Earth appeared first on Good News!.