#FemNews Weekly Roundup Vol. 30

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. While on tour in Morocco, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited a school for girls in the Atlas Mountains to promote education equality. Due to lack of affordable transportation and conservative social traditions, according to Education for All, up to 60% of girls in this region do not finish high school. The trip is on brand for Meghan, who has been an outspoken advocate about girls’ education and empowerment.

2. Lisa VanAllen, an R. Kelly survivor who testified against him for child pornography charges in 2008, has penned an op-ed in the “New York Times.” The article follows Chicago authorities’ indictment of Kelly on 10 counts of aggravated criminal abuse involving four victims, three of whom were underage at the time. VanAllen, who was interviewed for the 2019 Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly,” recounts the terror and further abuse she suffered while speaking out, and reflects on how things are changing for black girls struggling to be believed. Lisa, your courage in the face of the unspeakable is inspiring. We believe you.

3. Nike’s stock may have taken a hit this weekend, but the fitness giant’s new “Dream Crazier” ad about women and girls who have broken the glass ceilings of sports despite unspeakable adversity has us in legit tears. Narrated by badass tennis goddess Serena Williams — who made headlines at the 2018 U.S. Open for confronting an umpire who accused her of cheating — the commercial aired during the 91st Academy Awards, and comments on the insane double standards female athletes continue to face.

“If we show emotion, we're called dramatic. If we want to play against men, we're nuts… So if they want to call you crazy, fine. Show them what crazy can do.” - Serena Williams for Nike

4. On February 24, the world celebrated the biggest night in Hollywood! Hilarious as ever, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler opened up a host-less 91st Academy Awards (honestly, we’re not complaining) and made it very, very clear that they were NOT the hosts… unless you get “USA Today.”

The luminous Regina King took home the award for Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Sharon Rivers in “If Beale Street Could Talk.” In her tearful acceptance speech, King thanked her mom and honored her “sisters in art” (referring to fellow nominees Amy Adams, Emma Stone, Marina de Tavira, and Rachel Weisz). Yes to women supporting women!

We jumped out of our seats when “Period. End of Sentence” won for best short subject documentary, and when director Rayka Zehtabchi (who btw became the first Iranian-American to win an Academy Award!) exclaimed, “I’m not crying because I’m on my period or anything…I can’t believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar!” After all, periods should end sentences… not girls’ education.

British acting veteran Olivia Colman reminded us (yet again) she is a treasure when she took the stage to accept the award for Best Actress in a leading role for “The Favourite.” We can’t wait to watch her become Elizabeth II on the new season of Netflix’s “The Crown!”

Lady Gaga (and some dude) electrified with a performance of “The Shallow” from “A Star Is Born,” and the singer-songwriter capped off the night with the Oscar for Best Original Song. We can’t get over Gaga’s unbridled emotion and joy… we feel it, too, girl!!

It’s not about how many times you get rejected or you fall down or are beaten up, it’s about how many times you stand up and are brave and you keep on going.” - Lady Gaga

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