For all those badasses trying to catch up on the headlines, here are a few highlights from the past week. As always, join in the conversation using #TheFemWord and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. #FemNews
1. On this week’s episode of The Bachelor, contestant Caelynn Miller-Keyes opened up about experiencing sexual assault while in college, including being denied a rape kit by the first hospital she visited. The 2018 Miss North Carolina and Miss Universe runner-up is a passionate advocate for sexual assault awareness and prevention, and she regularly speaks to students about consent. Thank you for your bravery, Caelynn. You are a badass.
2. Talk about going full Mike Pence... Increased backlash to #MeToo was apparent at this year’s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, with some finance executives saying they are hesitant to mentor or even spend time with female colleagues in such a “sensitive” climate. We know that mentorship of women in the workplace is crucial to helping close the gender pay gap and increase representation... but what happens when some use a worldwide movement as a reason to derail our careers?
"If we allow this to happen, it will set us back decades… Women have to be sponsored by leaders, and leaders are still mostly men.” - Pat Milligan (via The New York Times)
3. This February’s Vogue Arabia features an interview with badass Libyan-American journalist Noor Tagouri (who was interviewed by her friend and model Ashley Graham)! Tagouri uses storytelling to ignite conversations about identity, the state of media, and sexual violence. We highly recommend her recent podcast Sold in America is an investigative deep dive into the sex trade in the United States.
4. Four moving videos from the #MeToo movement premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The videos feature narrated stories from survivors Terry Crews, Daniela Conteras, Emily Waters, and an individual who chose to remain anonymous. “These powerful shorts place the focus back where it belongs: the dignity, humanity and healing of all survivors,” said Tarana Burke, the founder of the original Me Too movement and whose group created the videos.
5. This week, Disney and Pixar revealed that the upcoming Toy Story 4 will feature a long-absent character: Little Bo Peep. The announcement hit the internet with a flourish that took us by surprise because it turns out Bo Peep’s got a new, more practical outfit that kind of reminds us of another popular Disney badass… We can’t wait to see what hijinks Bo Peep and the rest of the gang get up in June!
6. At only 13-years-old, Alysa Liu has become the youngest winner of the U.S. Women’s Figure Skating National Championship. The teen skater from California landed two triple axles in the free skate, becoming the first American woman to do so, and a triple axel during the short program. Alysa, we’ll see you in Beijing in 2022!
7. Our hearts broke upon hearing Chef Fatima Ali passed away of cancer at 29. The Top Chef contestant inspired many with her story and her determination. Despite being told she had a year to live, Ali continued to relish life and share her story. To honor Ali, Bon Appetit ran a beautiful essay she wrote about her relationship with food, growing up in Pakistan, and how she was spending her remaining days.
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