The Fem Word Vol. 42
CURATING STORIES OF BOLD WOMEN IN CREATIVE SPACES.
weekly dose of female excellence ahead xx
FEM NEWS
MaryAnne Gilmartin has a goal: create a development team that is entirely comprised of women. Founder of L&L Mag, a real estate development company, she’s been in the business for a long time...and she’s never had a female boss. In a field that’s still overpoweringly dominated by men, it’s become important to change that. The team, called “she build” is set to build an apartment building in Toronto. Full Story
Leh, India is all about women. Statistically, Leh has the lowest crime rates against women in the world. The culture is set on raising women up, and women there are independent, strong, and are often business owners. Padma Yangchan is a product of this amazing culture, and is working to keep Leh’s traditions alive with her designer store and cafe, Namza. Learn More
Moms need friends, too. Michelle Kennedy saw the difficulties many new moms face trying to find friendships and decided to create a solution. Thus Peanut, the social media app for moms, was born. Now, Peanut is pushing its borders and including women who are trying to conceive...and has raised over $5 million in funding to do so. Learn More
33 states in the U.S. still tax period products, and the Period Equity organization is working hard to change that. They aren’t just getting angry...they’re attacking the laws that enforce this unjust taxation head-on, and you can help. Learn More
FEM SPORTS
A huge step forward was made for the U.S. women’s soccer team last week in their discrimination lawsuit regarding equal pay against U.S. Soccer. The team was granted class status, meaning that they represent a whole body and not a small group of individuals with a grievance. This will undoubtedly help in their push for the same pay as their male counterparts. Learn More
Megan Rapinoe thanked Colin Kaepernick during her acceptance speech for a Woman of the Year award last week. She attributed her platform to him, stating that while she enjoyed personal success, Kaepernick is still banned from the NFL for doing the same. She called that a byproduct of systematic racial injustice, and stated: “I see no clearer example of that system being alive and well than me standing before you right now.” Read More
FEM EVENTS
Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, delivered a powerful message last week at the Nairobi summit for women’s global empowerment. Her message was simple: the future is not sustainable until women and girls have control over their own bodies. She pushed for change, stating that “hundreds of millions of women and girls are still waiting for the promise to be kept. They have been waiting long enough.” Full Story
FEM RIGHTS
The women of Japan have had it with workplace regulations regarding their appearance. Many companies are not allowing women to wear glasses (while their male counterparts do,) causing women to take to the internet. The #KuToo movement is taking over Japanese online spaces, calling for an end to the social expectations of Japanese women’s appearance. Full Story
FEMPOWERMENT
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) took place last week, and Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto has committed to a triple zero plan for women’s rights in Kenya. That’s zero unmet for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence attacks. Learn More
FEMTERTAINMENT
“I wanted to make a movie about women at work...women can do anything if they’re given the opportunity.” In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Elizabeth Banks, director and co-star of the new Charlie’s Angels film, talked about her vision for the film and the strength of the women who starred in it. Full Interview
Country music fans are devastated in the aftermath of the CMAs this year after Carrie Underwood lost Entertainer of the Year to Garth Brooks. Underwood was the only woman to be nominated, and only seven women have won the award in 53 years overall. Fans are calling for the industry to change. Full Story
Taylor Swift may be unable to perform at the AMAs...because of the men who “own” the rights to her music. Swift aired her grievances on social media last week, stating “I just want to be able to perform my OWN music. That’s it.” Full Story
IN OTHER NEWS
Women shouldn’t have to wait longer to use the restroom. Lines for public bathrooms are a feminist issue because women biologically use the restroom more. Therefore, women’s restrooms should be larger and have more toilets to accommodate a public need for over half of the population. #pottyparity Full Story