For all those badasses trying to catch up on the headlines, here are a few highlights from the past week. Sign up for our newsletter to receive #FemNews and other videos, articles, and updates from The Fem Word every Tuesday.
1. On Monday, we celebrated Daisy Gatson Bates Day, which commemorates the life, courage and leadership of badass U.S. Civil Rights activist and journalist, Daisy Bates. From a young age, the First Lady of Little Rock was sticking it to institutional racism, eventually becoming president of the NAACP’s Arkansas Conference and instrumental in fighting school segregation. She recruited and mentored the Little Rock Nine, which led to her arrest, and co-founded the Arkansas State Press. 🔥🙌🏾
2. A bombshell report by the New York Times has shed light on #MeToo allegations regarding musician Ryan Adams. Adams allegedly promised female artists musical success and fame in exchange for sex, and threatened to derail their careers or harm himself if they did not reciprocate his advances. Survivors include Ryan’s ex-spouse, singer and actress Mandy Moore; singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers; and a teenaged bass player who “never played another gig” after enduring explicit harassment. Thank you for your bravery. We believe you, survivors. ❤️
3. We’re mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Dr. Mags Portman, a passionate pioneer in sexual health advocacy and the fight against HIV. A doctor dedicated to public sexual health, Portman worked to bring PrEP, the drug that prevents HIV, to the UK long before the medical community rallied around it, and worked to spread education and awareness about HIV prevention and treatment, saving countless lives. Thank you, Dr. Portman. Your achievements and persistence will never be forgotten.
4. Current Bachelor Colton Underwood has come forward about being groped during a photo op with fans at an event for his Legacy Foundation. After leaving the event, Underwood, who has been subject to a pretty gross public debate about his virginity, offered an explanation to anyone who didn’t get a picture on his Instagram story, saying, “Once that happened I had to do what was best for me as a human being. I didn’t sign up to be a piece of meat or a zoo animal.” Amen, Colton. We stand with you. Sexual assault is NEVER ok, no matter the survivor’s gender or celebrity status.
5. Women in business are CRUSHING it… badass CEO/chairman Jody Gerson, the first woman to run a major music publishing company, has led Universal Publishing Group to become a billion-dollar business in a single calendar year. After stepping into her current position in 2015, Gerson was named ‘Executive of the Year’ in Billboard Magazine’s Woman in Music 2015 issue, was added to the Variety Power of Women L.A. list, and appeared on the Billboard Power 100 in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Yaaasss, Jody!
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