Articles by Steven Gilchrist

T he Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry is operated by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Michigan.   One part of the museum’s online exhibit shows the struggles and achievements of women in the dental profession.   Nationwide, women currently represent nearly ½ of all dental students and 25% of all practicing dentists.   The exhibit includes several women who were the pioneers for women in dentistry. Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor (1833-1910) was the first woman to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.   In 1866, Taylor graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. Ida Gray Nelson (1866-1953): A graduate of the University of Michigan dental program, Nelson became the first African American woman dentist. Jessie Castle La Moreaux (1866-1954): In 1897 La Moreaux became the first woman to practice dentistry in Texas. M. Evangeline Jordon (1865-1952): Jordon was the first president of the Federation of Women in 1921. Grace Rogers Spalding (1881-1953): Co

L ocated in southern Asia between China and India, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world.   According to estimates from the United Nations, 40% of Nepalis live in poverty.   Most of Nepal’s residents are dependent on agriculture.   In April 2015, a devastating earthquake ravaged Nepal.   The natural disaster left 9,000 people dead.   About ¾ of Nepal is covered by mountains.   Mt. Everest, the world’s tallest mountain is located in Nepal.   In September 2015, the Nepali government established a new constitution making it the first constitution in Asia to specifically protect gay rights. In July 2008, Ram Baran Yadav became the first president of Nepal.   Yadav’s election as president came after the abolishment of 239 years of monarchy.   Yadav’s role as president is largely ceremonial.   The prime minister has more influence under the current Nepali political system.   In October 2015, Khadga Prasad Oli was selected by Parliament to be the prime minister of Nepal. T

L ast month, on September 10 th , Vice President Joe Biden and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced that $79 million in funding will be directed towards testing sexual assault kits currently being held by police departments across the country.   The funding from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Justice Department will be given to more than 40 law enforcement jurisdictions to pay for crime-lab processing of 70,000 untested sexual assault evidence kits. “It’s estimated there are hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits sitting in police storage facilities nationwide.   What stands in the way of testing them is money and the will to get the job done,” Vance said during the September press conference announcing the funding initiative.   Testing kits for DNA evidence has proved to be a valuable component in identifying perpetrators of sexual assault crimes.   However, nationwide there are thousands of untested rape kits that sit in law enforcem

T he National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument is located in New Britain, Connecticut.   The monument is dedicated to the 6,821 Americans who died during the battle of Iwo Jima, February 19 – March 16, 1945.   The island of Iwo Jima was the first Japanese soil invaded by American forces during World War II.   Approximately 60,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese fought in the battle.   Approximately 1/3 rd of all American marines killed during World War II died during the battle of Iwo Jima. The monument was designed by Dr. George Gentile – founder and president of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association, Inc.   From the base of the monument to the top of the flagpole the monument reaches almost 40 feet.   Each of the six figures on the monument is cast in bronze.   The monument depicts an historic picture of the battle by photographer Joe Rosenthal.   In the photograph, U.S. Marines raised the American flag at the top of Mt. Suribachi. 27 Medals of Honor were awarded to American combat troo

In January 2015, Croatia (formerly of the Yugoslav Republic) elected its first woman president.   Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic won slightly more than ½ of the votes in the election earlier this year.   Grabar-Kitarovic is a member of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and she is the former foreign minister of Croatia.   In the election, Grabar-Kitarovic received 50.5% of the vote while incumbent Ivo Josipovic received 49.5% of the votes. On July 1, 2013, Croatia became the 28 th member of the European Union.   The 2008-2009 global financial crisis drastically affected Croatia.   The country, which is located along the Adriatic Sea, is known for natural beauty and picturesque coastlines.   Since 2009, Croatia’s economy has been in recession.   The unemployment rate in Croatia is almost 20%.   Presently, shipbuilding is a primary component of the Croatian economy. Facts about Croatia: Population: 4,464,844 (July 2015 est.) Area: Slightly smaller than West Virginia Capital: Zag