Called “society’s best-kept secret”, Ann Lowe made dresses for New York’s elite, including the Roosevelts, the Rockeffelers, and the du Ponts. Although her dresses garnered attention and praise, Ann Lowe herself was hidden for the duration of her storied career. Jackie Kennedy, when questioned about her universally-loved wedding dress, dismissed Lowe as a “colored dressmaker”, and openly expressed her wishes for a French-made dress instead. Only now is the designer getting her (well-deserved) second look. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
