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 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 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 MoreChina’s definition of “beauty” has undergone many changes over the millennia, and Chinese women have taken up countless fashions, regimens, and styles in order to be seen as beautiful. Join us as we take a look at the way beauty rituals and ideals have changed throughout Chinese history - and take a look at the future of Chinese fashion as it harkens back to a not-so-distant cultural past.
Read MoreWhile sing-a-longs and talking dragons are fun, the Disney version of Mulan gets a lot of things wrong. Join The Fem Word as we explore the original story of a young woman who goes to war - and the values, culture, and unique way of life her character was meant to represent.
Read MoreApril is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and The Fem Word is exploring the role of pleasure and safety as a way for survivors to heal. One of our Fem Word interns is a Student Senator at UVM and one of the organizers of the University’s Sexual Assault Awareness Summit. Her insight and perspective are a valuable resource as we continue to discuss trauma and healing in a way that empowers assault survivors - while simultaneously accepting the reality of their trauma and the complexity that healing presents to us all.
Read MoreUpcycling is more than a trend - it’s a way of life! It may also be one of the best and simplest ways for the average person to make a real difference for our shared environment. Join TFW Youth Contributor Alisha Durbhakula in her pocket-sized guide to responsible upcycling.
Read MoreThe Trung sisters are central to Vietnam’s long history. Their legendary exploits and rise to power are a source of intense pride for the Vietnamese people, and today they are celebrated through art, theater, and even temples. Learn about these warrior Queens and the values they represented in the first article of our Maidens, Mavens, & Magic series. Keep an eye out for more stories of superhero women from around the world!
Read MoreEverybody’s talking about the future of work - especially the potential of permanently working from home. But are women’s voices truly being respected when it comes to permanent remote work? Join Akytech & The Fem Word as we explore the conversation and take a deeper look at women, work, and working from home.
Read MoreWomen have been turned into statues and paintings, symbols and concepts and everything that is both beautiful and ugly in the world - Women are Art, but for millennia the pictures we see in gilded frames rarely match up to our lived reality. Join The Fem Word as we explore women, art, and the world of contradictions the two of them have inhabited across the ages.
Read MoreWe’ve all felt the impact of Covid in our lives, in ways both large and small. As the pandemic continues it’s more important than ever to share and read the stories of those who have had the virus and emerged from it with new perspectives and views - including those views unique to America’s younger generations. In this piece, The Fem Word’s Avery Delacey opens up about her own fight with Covid as an immunocompromised young adult, and she shares her insights on what the experience has taught her.
Read MoreA crucial election is waiting on the horizon, so make sure you’re prepared to cast your vote and make your voice heard! Here is a step-by-step guide with links and other resources to help you out, courtesy of The Fem Word’s Charlotte Cook.
Read MoreThe days of lords and ladies are gone, but art patronage lives on in the digital age. Supporting artists can be done in a variety of ways - and it’s never been easier. Here’s what it means to be a Patron of the Arts in 2020!
Read MoreThe majority of society may not pay much mind to the complaints college students have expressed lately in regard to the crisis, simply because everyone is experiencing some difference in their lives. College students are struggling in many more ways than simply being unable to attend class in person, however.
