The Word is a collection of articles & stories crafted and curated by the women of The Fem Word as well as other contributors.
Since the beginning, women have world-makers and world-shapers. We are teachers with wise hearts and warners clothed in the colors of blood, of famine, and of war. There are times when we take the forms of goddesses, divine and cloaked in mystery; there are other times when we are tricksters, spirits who use mischief and cunning to humble the hearts of wayward heroes, or to defeat monsters who threaten our people…
Read MoreWomen have come a long way since the days of total financial dependence, and it’s important to reflect on how our relationships with money have changed in recent decades. In this article, TFW’s Managing Editor reflects on the perspectives, experiences, and lessons gained from her grandmother’s, mother’s, and her own generation.
Read MoreThe opioid crisis has stolen countless lives and ruined countless others. It is a complex, enormous, and overwhelming problem that touches every part of the USA. It is also a crisis that women play an important role in — both as victims and as the activists seeking to help them.
Women experience addiction differently. They face different consequences and endure different forms of stigma than men do. Their stories deserve to be highlighted and told so that we, as a society, can mount a truly effective effort against the addiction crisis.
Welcome to crisis corner. Population: all of us.
Read MoreMidterm elections have already begun! The process can be stressful. Check your registration, your ballot status, and your polling location. Here’s a simple list of resources to make sure your voice is heard.
Read MoreMany women find cardio workouts intimidating. Who has the time, the energy, or the motivation to break into a sweat every other day? We talked to our partners at Montgomery Cardiology and collected a few simple tips for maintaining cardio health from the comfort of your home. Maybe it’s not so scary, after all!
Read MoreThe Fem Word Contributors Meera Dahiya and Laura Hennawi were having an interesting conversation about their feminist theologies courses at school when they discovered that not only did their professors go to grad school together - but they were also past neighbors!
The realization led to a wonderful re-connection - and deep discussion - about being a woman in the field between Dr. Nicole Reibe, theology professor at Loyola University Maryland and contributor to Loyola’s Gender and Sexuality program, and Dr. Annie Selak, a feminist theologian and Associate Director of the Women’s Center at Georgetown University.
Read MoreSince the fall of Roe v Wade in June 2022, the heartbreaking reality has set in about access to safe abortions and healthcare for women across the country.
The Fem Word met with Dr. Amita Vyas, Associate Professor at the George Washington University (GW) School of Public Health and leader in the public health space to discuss this life changing ruling and to gain a better understanding of how it will affect Americans of childbearing age and countless others, who it will affect the most, and what average Americans can do about the changing reproductive landscape.
Read MoreThere are a lot of stereotypes about women and their money. We’re big spenders who love to shop, we aren’t interested in stock reports or investment margins, we’re less likely to save… But are any of these stereotypes true? How do we REALLY shape up when it comes to our wealth and finances? Find out in this latest article!
Read MoreIn a majority opinion released in June of 2022 and delivered by Justice Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act which banned abortions later than 15 weeks or “in the case of a medical emergency or severe fetal abnormality.” With this decision, the Court overturned the precedent of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, both of which protected one’s right to an abortion (though with slightly different reasonings). TFW contributor Olivia Eisenberg goes looks at the decision in depth to expose the biases and corruption of the Dobbs Court.
Read MoreVisible scars — especially facial ones — are often associated with “tough guys” or evil movie villains. These stereotypes can be harmful, limiting, and painful to face for real-life women and girls with visible scarring. It’s time to stand up for those with visible scars and tell the world that they’re not your movie villain. They’re beautiful, diverse, and complex people, and their scars are simply one more part of that complex beauty.
Read MoreThe Fem Word contributors Laura Hennawi and Saisha Kapoor are both rising juniors in college. Like many girls, when they transitioned from high school to college, they experienced a tangible change in the idea and expectations of the beauty standards expected of them. They were curious to see if their peers felt the same way about topics like beauty culture, conforming, reclaiming, over sexualization, guilt, and validation - plus confidence in girls at college. So they got together with some friends to share their experiences, and the result was ‘Real Talk about Beauty Standards in College’.
Read MoreBy now you’ve likely heard all about the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade by our current Supreme Court. With the decision comes a slew of trigger laws, proposals, and state-by-state decisions that have a collective impact on hundreds of millions of women and anyone else who happens to have female reproductive organs.
For most of us, it feels like a violation. It feels like fear. It feels like asking a thousand questions with no good answers, and it feels like anger. This article is part of a special TFW series taking a deep look at the Supreme Court abortion ruling..and it’s repercussions.
Read MoreSTEM education has been a priority for K-12 educators, but it was limited to things like algebra and computer science for a long time. Accounting has finally been added to the curriculum, and that’s a big deal for girls and women. We’re finally giving our girls the preparation they need for a financially successful (and safe) future!
In this photo, Jerelyn Rodriguez speaks at the Engaging Women and Girls in STEM through Data Science event in 2016 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Jerelyn is Co-Founder and CEO of The Knowledge House, a non-profit that engages youth and young adults in technology in the South Bronx. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Read MoreGenerally, women are taught that it’s okay to cry and express emotions, while men are expected to remain stoic and calm at all times. At the same time, vulnerability is seen as an indication that a man is “not really a man,” and he’s at risk of ridicule, judgment, and rejection from other men and women. Going to the doctor is sometimes felt as an open display of vulnerability by men in our society. By growing up with the idea that showing any form of weakness is inherently bad, men learn to ignore their health for the sake of remaining “manly.”
Read MoreOn June 19, 1865 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and informed enslaved African Americans of their emancipation. But the troops’ arrival came more than 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the United States to recognize the end of slavery as well as to celebrate African American culture and achievements.
To really understand the history of enslaved people in the US, The Fem Word team takes a look at when it began, and what the iconic civil rights activist Opal Lee - and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize nominee - did in 2016 to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
Read MoreThe Public Universal Friend is a well known name to the queer community today, and rightfully so. They are a shining example of gender queerness in the past, proof positive that queer folks have always been here. But what does their life teach us? And what have the recent years of increased anti-trans legislation and hate crimes tell us about social “progress”? For Pride Month, The Fem Word’s Quinn Terry examines the one and only PUF in juxtaposition to current events in the United States. They ask a hard question: why are trans people still fighting for their lives?
Read MoreThe world’s obsession with fair skin is, well, unfair. The Fem Word contributor, Laura Hennawi, partnered up with our Managing Editor, Emily Montague, to explore the dangers, problems, and long-term impacts hiding within whitewashed beauty ideals. Learn about the history, culture, and issues behind skin-whitening trends, and become part of the movement that’s celebrating inclusive beauty standards for all!
Read MoreThe term “invisible illness” is used to refer to a number of chronic conditions that may not show obvious outward symptoms, but which can greatly impact the health and lives of those who suffer from them. May happens to be EDS month - this is one of many invisible illnesses impacting millions of people all over the world. We took a look at the ways that artists, celebrities, and everyday people are spreading knowledge and staying their experiences with EDS and other invisible illnesses.
Read MoreLittle is known about the enigmatic warrior-Queen known as Boudicca, but the details we do have paint the picture of a woman who defined an era. This is the story of the iconic Iceni chieftess who dared to set her world on fire––and in doing so, reclaim the dignity of her people from the Romans who had sought to destroy it.
Read MoreBeing a mom comes with a million responsibilities - and stress goes with the territory! It's not always easy to figure out the best coping mechanisms - and turning to a glass of wine to unwind with friends can often be a fun and easy solution. But how much is too much in our 'Wine Mom' culture - and can the fun come with a long-term cost?
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