Things We Saw Today: Shell Gas Station Attempts to Celebrate International Women’s Day by Becoming “She’ll”

Shell

Sunday is International Women’s Day. Yes, the same day as Daylight Savings Time, meaning it will have only 23 hours—rendering it one of the shortest days of the year. As our Princess Weekes brilliantly phrased it, “the Black History Month of days.” But fear not, ladies. Giant corporations are stepping up to make token gestures of solidarity to tell us that we as women really matter. You know, for a day at least.

A single female-owned Shell gas station in San Dimas California will become “She’ll” for a day on Sunday, as part of a wider “She Will” initiative from the company which will include social media elements and a video “featuring some of Shell’s female employees and the company’s dedication to creating a gender-balanced workplace.”

This is a nice gesture, I guess, as far as oil companies can make nice gestures. As noted in the release: “While She Will is Shell’s latest initiative, over the past several years Shell has been committed to improving gender equality by increasing female representation on the Board of Directors from 8% to 33% over the last five years.” Overall there aren’t a lot of women, just 15% actually in the oil and gas industry, despite the fact that the featured “She’ll” station owned by Rene and Reem Anabi is one of the most successful in California.

The rebrand is supposed to show how “small gestures can motivate and deliver big messages,” but gestures do need to be part of bigger changes. That actually does seem to be the case here—though I’m sure the silly name will get more attention than the overall initiative, which is unfortunate, because the initiative is commendable.

I’m just sad San Dimas is inland so we can’t see Shell sell “She’ll” Shell down by the seashore.

Here are a few of the other things we saw today.

Students are leaving personal notes to Elizabeth Warren by her picture at Harvard and we’re not crying, YOU’RE crying. (via CNN)
Speaking of:

Silver lining on today is that I can finally tweet this truly epic shot of Warren staff reacting to Jacob Wohl claiming our boss was having a BDSM affair with a young marine. #GoCougars pic.twitter.com/LcmB1eSnFj

— Lee Sova Claypool (@lee_gsc) March 6, 2020
And here’s how much it would actually cost Marvel heroes to live in their neighborhoods. (I always just assumed SHIELD or Tony paid their rent?) (via AM New York)
AJ and the Queen has been canceled. (via Variety)
In a turn around from earlier in the week, Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle has been rescheduled because of COVID-19.

After many hours of conversation internally & consultation with local government officials and the tourism bureau, we have decided to move next week’s Emerald City Comic Con to Summer 2020 with date & detail announcement forthcoming. Read more at https://t.co/ahL1TOmHLF #ECCC2020 pic.twitter.com/qq3ZnDPXWb

— Emerald City Comic Con (@emeraldcitycon) March 6, 2020
SXSW has ALSO been canceled.

An Update on SXSW 2020. Please read our full statement here: https://t.co/P56nF8KFmE pic.twitter.com/ouJPKM9GNy

— SXSW (@sxsw) March 6, 2020
The DA has recommended that Harvey Weinstein receive a harsh sentence because of his “total lack of remorse.” Agreed. (via Deadline)
Get paid to watch The Office! (via Thrillist)
The Russos and The Obamas are making a movie for Netflix. (via Comicbook.com)
And finally: stroll happily into your weekend like this sweet, senior porcupine:

Porcupine fitness routine is on point pic.twitter.com/3FJykiJsUb

— Oregon Zoo (@OregonZoo) March 6, 2020