Susaye Greene Interviewwith Preme for Women
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MSTEM A G A for Women Z Still Supreme Exclusive Interview with Susaye Greene \\016v July 2017 If you could drive a car at the speed of light, and then turned on the head lights... ...would they do anything? As the life longevity of our students continues to increase, they should expect to have a work span of 50 years. As fast as the world is changing... ...is it fair to say to a 12 year old, “ You need to decide now what career you want for the next 50 years.” DIVERSITY of STEM SKILLS “Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind” - Louis Pasteur Susaye Greene “The STEM in Me” / by Azam Shaghaghi Women Dominate STEM / By Daniella Rendour Preparing for my Career / by Edmond R. Renkin Growth Oriented Mindset / by Katie Finley Wendy Hamilton / CEO of TechSmith Every Woman is a STEM Woman Advertising / STEM for Women Magazine strives to Articles Submissions encourage and support every effort to engage girls and young women grades STEM for Women is currently K-16 to become and remain curious seeking state, national and global about science, technology, engineering sponsors. Please contact the publisher and math. for more information. As women in these fields continue to inspire and innovate, more opportu- Growth Oriented Mindset / by Katie Finley [email protected] nities present themselves for women to take the lead, both on the local level and within global corporations. STEM for Women Magazine presents the worlds finest authors, many of whom are professional women in STEM careers, to inform and inspire. Gender is not a factor in innovation or imagination. Let us show them the way and provide any needed confidence to achieve the dreams they once thought were unattainable. Wayne Carley Publisher [email protected] 478.319.7177 Susaye Greene “The STEM in Me” An exclusive interview Azam - by Azam Shaghaghi “When do you remember being first interested/influenced in technology?” The science fiction and fantasy genre is an oeuvre of otherworldly and won- Susaye - drous. The mythic, strange, speculative “I have always been passionate about are not so much a day-to-day occur- film, especially science-related films. rence but a mission statement. The I remember as a child thinking; one unusual expectation of what would day, we will go to other planets. It was be above the clouds, deep stars, other science fiction that inspired me to do galaxies and the unknown has always many creative things. I have always been a refuge of many-many minds. felt that anything is possible! Human beings have the ability to make great The 1970s was full of science fiction and impossible things happen. I always realities. Star Wars, Apollo 13 moon believed that science, invention and landing, and other thought provoking technology would be the tools to stories. The music, art, and politics was further humankind.” also mixed with these greatest histor- ical events that had an inspirational “I remember watching two films as a impact. Even the artists and musicians child which influenced me greatly, that were inspired by the scientific break- I have never forgotten. One was about throughs of the time. The well-known Thomas Alva Edison. It was probably American singer–songwriter Susaye romanticized for the sake of movie- Greene, best known for being the last making, but its impact was deeply official member to join the Motown felt by me. Young Edison knew about girl group- someone who needed an operation, “The Supremes” who would not survive the journey to the hospital, but there was not enough - remaining in the group during its light for the doctor to operate at the final years of existence from 1976 to patient’s home. He tried to tell the 1977, is one of the artists inspired by doctor about an idea he had, but the science and now is one of the greatest Dr. chased him away because he was S.T.E.M advocates. just a teenager.” I had a friendly chat with Susaye on her fascination for science and art. Young Thomas Edison A powerful tool, that we have made so much a part of our existence.” Azam- “What is it about technology that interests you most?” Susaye - “I love the idea that technology, re- gardless of our profession, gives us the ability to achieve whatever our goals are. Through technology, in the music industry, we are able to create almost anywhere in the world, with the high- est standards of recording, mixing, “Thomas gathered all of the mirrors mastering. From the beginning of a in the home around the dining room project to the end, we are able through table and the reflection created enough the availability of technology to create light in the room for the Dr. to operate new things, to be innovative, to disrupt and save the patient’s life. That taught the status quo. It’s a special realm of me about problem solving in a very freedom. The rules are in our hands to concrete way, and I was impressed that change.” regardless of people telling him he was wrong, he pushed ahead” (the engineer- I have always painted (Arts), since ing method of problem solving). childhood. My fortes were oil and wa- tercolor. But when I moved back to “The second film was about Alexander America, after living in England 10 Graham Bell inventing the telephone. years, I began to look into the possibili- My mother was big on language and ties of digital art. I bought a digital tab- manners. She insisted that I learn to let and began to paint in Photoshop. I answer the phone correctly, in a man- didn’t have a clue, in the beginning, but nerly fashion. When I saw this film, I with the help of the hundreds of artists began to realize the importance of the I know around the world, through the telephone in our lives. Of course, now, world’s largest art site, Deviantart.com, so many people’s lives revolve around I became quite proficient and fell deep- their phones. It is the single most used ly in love with the techniques. piece of modern technology that affects our lives, our businesses, etc. Once again, technology made so much more possible for me. The many painters, animators, artists of all kinds, reached out to give me their time and knowl- edge. “Technology has helped me to create..” They were young and old, famous and not, but extremely generous with what they knew. I cannot imagine my life now without all they taught me. Paint- ing has always been something I was compelled to do. It is a deep part of my creative life. Technology has helped me to create many wonderful projects, and with all of the available Adobe prod- ucts, artists of all kinds can find their place in the world of art and film- making. The results are endlessly gratifying.” Azam - “What were some of the obstacles that you had to overcome?” Susaye - “It is an ongoing struggle. Music (especially production) has always been a male-dominated industry. Women in every genre have had to continue to fight for the right to guide Painting by Susaye Greene their own careers. Production has con- tinued to be male dominated. Music is everywhere in the world; we all have our ideas about what music is or should be. It is each person’s taste Azam - that makes music touch their feelings. “Who was your hero or idol that you admired during your rise?” It’s totally subjective. We all have a song or songs that are special to us Susaye - and that even reconnect us to a special “My first hero was my sister, Jade, who time in our lives. I believe women have was the 6th child in America diagnosed the same sensibility for music creation with Lupus. and production that men have. It takes a strong overview of recording tech- nique to make great music and good ears (Acoustic Engineering). That is not something that is exclusive to men. I was brought up to believe in myself; trained in many areas, and I had great teachers, in and out of the studio. For me, the studio is where I feel the most comfortable of all places. Pro Tools (software) has made it possible to bring what I create in my head to frui- tion. I love taking unique sounds, and making them into unique recordings. The technology has made it possible for musicians around the world to create in a state of the art studio, or in a small space in ones’ home. She taught me to be brave and to fight I am very much about a high standard against adversity before she died at 12 of technique. Sound quality is extremely years of age.” important to me, as much as excellent songwriting. It’s all about good com- “My mother, Viviane Greene of course munication and trusting your instincts was my first vocal coach, and my about what is appropriate to each song champion in all ways. She was a bril- or recording. I have always had great liant student, graduating from Prairie ears, I know what I love and I trust my View College at 17 as valedictorian. instincts.” She was a classical pianist, a child prodigy, brought up in Nacogdoches, Texas, by two educators, who along President of the National Council of with my father, became some of the Negro Women for 40 years and first black DJ’s in America. With a received the Presidential Medal of Master’s Degree in Music, my mother Freedom.” taught me the value of preparation in ones’ chosen field.” “Ray Charles was my friend and men- tor until he passed; always generous “I grew up in New York City, and I with advice and counsel, down to earth cannot remember a time when I was and so extremely knowledgeable about not reading.