Arlene Blum PhD, biophysical chemist, author, and mountaineer is a Visiting Scholar in Chemistry UC Berkeley and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute. The Institute brings government, industry, scientists and citizens groups together to support chemical policies to protect human health and the global environment. This work has contributed has contributed to stopping the use of tens of millions of pounds of toxic chemicals such as flame retardants in children's sleepwear, furniture, pillows, bed coverings, electronics etc. Arlene Blum also led the first American ascent of Annapurna I, considered one of the world's most dangerous and difficult mountains, co-led the first women's team to climb Denali, was the first American woman to attempt Mt. Everest, completed the Great Himalayan Traverse across the mountain regions of Bhutan, Nepal, and India, and hiked the length of the European Alps with her baby daughter on her back. She is the author of Annapurna: A Woman's Place and Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life. Blum's awards include selection by the UK Guardian as one of the world's 100 most inspiring women and National Women's History Project choice as one of 100 "Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet", selection as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow, and election to the Hall of Mountaineering Excellence.
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• TEDxWellesleyCollege
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)