A Brief History Of Beauty - How Beauty Was Seen In Ancient China

China’s definition of “beauty” has undergone many changes over the millennia, and Chinese women have taken up countless fashions, regimens, and styles in order to be seen as beautiful. Join us as we take a look at the way beauty rituals and ideals have changed throughout Chinese history - and take a look at the future of Chinese fashion as it harkens back to a not-so-distant cultural past.

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Getting To Know The Real Mulan: Preserving Her Story The Way It Was Meant To Be Told

While sing-a-longs and talking dragons are fun, the Disney version of Mulan gets a lot of things wrong. Join The Fem Word as we explore the original story of a young woman who goes to war - and the values, culture, and unique way of life her character was meant to represent.

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Sexual Violence Awareness Month: Highlighting the Importance of Self Love and Pleasure

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and The Fem Word is exploring the role of pleasure and safety as a way for survivors to heal. One of our Fem Word interns is a Student Senator at UVM and one of the organizers of the University’s Sexual Assault Awareness Summit. Her insight and perspective are a valuable resource as we continue to discuss trauma and healing in a way that empowers assault survivors - while simultaneously accepting the reality of their trauma and the complexity that healing presents to us all.

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International Women’s Day 2022: #BREAKTHEBIAS

March 8th, 2022 marks International Women’s Day around the world. This year the theme is #BreakTheBias…and The Fem Word is here for it! Our team got together and talked about the areas of our lives that are most important to us as individuals where we work everyday to build a more inclusive world.

The Fem Word is committed to sharing stories of bold women everywhere who, “call out bias, smash stereotypes, break inequality, and reject discrimination”…and we came up with a list of influencers, perspectives, and topics in support of representation of all people around the world.

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Monika Samtani
TFW Youth Contributor Series: A Quick Guide To Upcycling

Upcycling is more than a trend - it’s a way of life! It may also be one of the best and simplest ways for the average person to make a real difference for our shared environment. Join TFW Youth Contributor Alisha Durbhakula in her pocket-sized guide to responsible upcycling.

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HB205: Working Against Period Poverty in Maryland

One in five girls in America will miss school while on their period because they lack access to menstrual products. Though not gender inclusive, the statistic demonstrates the immediate need for increased access to menstrual products.

Over the past few years, the Maryland State Legislature has seen multiple versions of the newly passed HB205 which mandates that Maryland public middle and high schools provide menstrual products at no cost to students.

The Fem Word contributor Olivia Eisenberg tracks the bill’s progression, highlights its flaws, and offers action steps that both Marylanders and others can take in making sure a bill is passed that addresses the needs of every menstruator.

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Olivia Eisenberg
Too Much Heart–POTS and Other Forms of Tachycardia In Women

We all know what a “racing heart” feels like–but what if it’s your everyday, 24/7 reality? Tachycardia is a term that refers to an excessively quick heart rate, and it impacts millions of women all over the world. It can be a symptom of much bigger problems than nerves or excitement, however, and you should take it seriously. This article explains everything you need to know about tachycardia, including the many ways it impacts the body and ties into disorders like POTS.

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Maternity On The Move: Everything You Need To Know About Perinatal Mobility

Pregnancy is an all-systems undertaking that impacts your body from head to toe. Mental health is also a major part of this journey - and your mobility plays a big role in how you feel, inside and out. Despite this, many women are left without much information on how their mobility can or will be impacted by pregnancy, especially when it comes to the “fourth trimester” following a successful birth. This article will give you the information and support you need to stay mobile, healthy, and safe as you prepare for this exciting new phase of life!

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Damned If We Do, Damned If We Don't: Exploring Society's Judgment Against Women Who Undergo Cosmetic Surgery

We have a love-hate relationship with cosmetic surgery. We love the results of plastic surgery, but we tend to hate on the women who go out and get it. Why is that? Join us as we explore the issue of women’s beauty and our unfair judgment against those who seek to get it through surgical means–because we all have the right to feel beautiful, however we achieve it.

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Why Women Should Re-learn The Signs Of A Heart Attack

Most of the information regarding heart attack symptoms is specifically related to the symptoms in men. Unfortunately, most women aren’t aware of this. Re-learning the signs of a heart attack as they appear in women is not just important–it can be a matter of life or death.

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Maidens, Mavens, & Magic Series: The Trung Sisters of Vietnam

The Trung sisters are central to Vietnam’s long history. Their legendary exploits and rise to power are a source of intense pride for the Vietnamese people, and today they are celebrated through art, theater, and even temples. Learn about these warrior Queens and the values they represented in the first article of our Maidens, Mavens, & Magic series. Keep an eye out for more stories of superhero women from around the world!

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Bent Out Of Shape: What You Should Know About Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome And Its Impact On The Body & Mind

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or EDS, is a serious genetic disease that impacts tens of thousands of people in the U.S. and beyond. The symptoms of EDS can impact any and all areas of a sufferer’s life, from their mobility and physical abilities to their mental health. Despite the seriousness of this disease, few people know about it. We’re partnering with Restore Motion to change that–read on to learn about EDS and find out what you need to look for if you think you or a loved one might have it.

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Money Versus Missus: How Women Slowly Gained Financial Rights In The USA

Financial rights are a cornerstone of overall equality between men and women. You might be surprised to learn how recently some of those rights were granted to women in the USA–and how hard-won they were. As we move into 2022, it’s the perfect time for a little history lesson on women, money, and our journey toward financial recognition in America.

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The Fem Word: Grateful

The Fem Word started with an idea: sharing true personal stories of women from around the world. Today, we are so proud of our small but mighty team of women and girls who have connected with people from 99+ countries representing all walks of life to share their beautiful stories. We learn so much from each other, and it’s incredible what the power of storytelling can do to unite us as human beings.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Fem Word team. Today we are grateful for our family, friends, and you - our supporters from all over the world.

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Monika Samtani
Fighting Child Marriage In The Digital Age

Every year October 11th commemorates the UN’s ‘International Day of the GIrl’ to celebrate and amplify the voices of young girls around the world. The 2021 theme is "Digital generation. Our generation.” Digital technology is changing the lives of girls all over the world, and is helping raise awareness about child marriage and prevent it from happening to thousands of girl in America and beyond. Child marriage is a serious problem in the USA, but most Americans have no awareness of the scale of this issue.

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Emily MontagueComment
Sexual Assault on College Campus: Resources for Survivors

College is open and campuses are buzzing with life again after more than a year of remote learning. But with kids making up for lost time with friends, the parties are in full swing - and this unfortunately means an increased risk of sexual assault and harassment on campus. The Fem Word has put together a list of the signs to look for and resources for survivors.

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Olivia Eisenberg
Olympians: Four Fierce Female Surfers to Watch in the Tokyo Olympic Games

This year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo will mark the first year that surfers will compete in the world largest athletic competition. Following the 2016 Olympics, the international Olympic Committee added surfing as a sport. Now, 40 surfers will represent for their countries at Tsurigaski Beach on the Japanese coastline of the Chiba Province.

Though it will be the first time surfers are completing in the Olympics, many badass female surfers have already won many global competitions. Here are a few who have already made their mark in the surfing world and will compete for the gold in the Olympics.

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Meera Dahiya