The Fem Word Vol. 43

CURATING STORIES OF BOLD WOMEN IN CREATIVE SPACES.

weekly dose of female excellence ahead xx

FEM TOP NEWS

Does your state have a period tax? The answer might surprise you, 33 U.S. states still tax menstrual products. Jennifer Weiss-Wolf is trying to change that with the “Tax Free. Period.” campaign from Period Equity. Check out the list and find out how you can help change this. Full List

FEM NEWS

A new initiative in apparel chains is trying to accelerate gender equity in the workplace. Known as the Empower@Work Collaborative, the initiative aims to work as a toolkit and guide for accessible, free, and equal job training for employees in the apparel industry. Learn More

Fans of Kate Middleton and Mary Berry, get ready...there’s a Christmas special coming your way. The Duchess of Cambridge is supposedly the guest of honor on Mary Berry’s new Christmas special, The Mary Berry Royal Christmas Show. Rumor has it that the show will take place at a royal venue, and fans of Great British Bake Off won’t want to miss it. Learn More

Marie Kondo recently announced her new online store, and the response has varied dramatically. Many posit that Kondo just urged the globe to get rid of all their unwanted items...only to offer more on her store right at holiday time. Others are thrilled. Decide for yourself with this handy rating list for all of the products offered. Learn More

Angelique Kidjo has a goal: reach gender parity for loans and financing in Africa. The iconic African singer is using her voice to make a change at home, stating that she’s “taking up reducing the poverty rate in Africa to the smallest number ever. That’s my passion. That’s why I’m here.” Learn More

FEMPOWERMENT

“Mary Kay is more than a beauty brand - it’s an empowerment brand, an entrepreneurship brand.” Last week, Mary Kay executives advocated for global female empowerment at the International Forum World Leadership Conference in Toronto, Canada and the Reykjavik Global Forum - Women Leaders in Reykjavik, Iceland. They spoke out for increasing women’s access to the economy and attending sessions on how to solve problems women still face in the workforce. Learn More

SHE’S SO COOL

Indra Nooyi became the first Indian American to be inducted into the Smithsonian Portrait gallery last week. Nooyi is the former CEO of PepsiCo. She was the first female CEO of PepsiCo, and was selected for the gallery for breaking “all sorts of glass ceilings.” Learn More 

FEMTERTAINMENT

If you’re sick of the overdone holiday romance film genre, Parade has done some research for you. They’re created a convenient list of all the holiday films with girl boss energy. All of the films star strong and well developed female protagonists that represent the full spectrum of womanhood...you won’t want to miss any of them. ‘Tis the season for women’s empowerment. Full List