The Fem Word Vol. 41
curating stories of bold women in creative spaces.
weekly dose of female excellence ahead xx
FEM NEWS
What if cities were designed for everyone? Most cities are designed and built by men...what would it look like if a city was designed by women? Female urban planners in Barcelona are answering these questions. Learn More
Ava Duvernay recently tweeted, “To all my fellow show creators: let’s create a new normal.” She has done just that by announcing that her series “Cherish the Day” is at full gender parity with the production team...over 50% of the crew are women. Full Story
Anne Nicholas, vice president of affiliate marketing at NBC, is calling for an end to male exclusion at women empowerment meetings. Nicholas brought her husband to the Ladies Get Paid event last week, stating that “we need to have the men understand.” Here’s to breaking down barriers. Full Story
While there is still plenty of room for lead female roles in Hollywood, there has been a definite increase in the quality of female roles on the screen. Women can be people on the screen now...what a shocker... Full Story
The UN announced last week that global gender equality is still a long way off. Despite adopting a program to reach equality last year, Women’s Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stated that “we did not go far enough [...] there is not a single country that has achieved gender equality.” Full Story
Pittsburgh’s Women of Color Achievement Awards honored nine local women last week for their contributions to their communities. The honorees were all awarded for their entrepreneurial spirit. Learn More
FEM SPORTS
Women in tennis make a lot of money today...but what about the women who forged their way into the sport first? Many of the original winners of the women’s tour in the 70s and 80s never received pensions, and the WTA is working to remedy this with the creation of The Legacy Fund. Learn More
In response to the growing issue of the gender disparity in professional athlete’s salaries, Australian soccer players will earn equal pay, regardless of gender. This historic decision is all thanks to years of negotiations with the Matildas, a women’s soccer team. Full Story
FEM TECH
Yes, more women are in tech than ever. But why aren’t they inhabiting higher offices? Despite the industry continually hiring more women and narrowing the pay-gap, there is still a marked lack of women at the top. Learn More
FEM INSPIRE
SistaazHood formed in Cape Town to end the stigma against trans women. The organization fights for the trans community’s voice to be heard, and to bring light to issues such as housing and health care. Despite South Africa being the only African country to allow same-sex marriage, trans activists say that their community has been left behind. Learn More
FEM HEALTH
“That fair girl in my head is someone that’s a little better than me.” Women in the Philippines are dying from skin bleaching. In a culture that offers more opportunity to lighter-skinned individuals, bleaching seems like many women’s only option. Despite the dangers, the industry continues to grow, but the younger generation is working hard to change the colorism that’s so pervasive in the culture. Full Story