Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
The Modern Southern Woman
Life for a woman south of the Mason-Dixon line has historically been portrayed as an existence of niceties, casseroles, cotillons, and looking polished in the sweltering heat. Southern women are often perceived as either well-mannered, obedient conservatives with a deep collection of recipes, or as cigarette smoking, non-working, undereducated women that can often be found barefoot and pregnant. Yes, there are other depictions of the southern woman but let’s be honest; the modern southern woman is not Scarlet O’hara, or Honey Boo-Boo. In 2022, being a Southern woman is a mixture of the past, present, and the future. We are evolving, and, to be honest, we are changing the game!
By Crystal Dalton4 years ago in Viva
This Happens To The Women You Know During Their Menstrual Cycle
I have always avoided going out during my period. As much as I can help it, I hole up in my home. Not just because of the pelvic pain and mood swings. Not the bloating or excessive cramps. Not even the period poop.
By Oly Awamba4 years ago in Viva
Did Women Really Get Sent to a Red Tent To Bleed?
Some of my friends are starting to write for Substack. Substack is similar to Vocal I believe except that when you subscribe to someone their written pieces are sent to your email. This made me feel stressed because the last thing I need is more emails.
By Melissa Steussy4 years ago in Viva
"Bloody Mary"
She was the first daughter of Henry VIII and ruled as Queen of England for five years. However, in those five short years Mary made her mark within the pages of English history. There was a reason why she was called “Bloody Mary!” She was Mary 1.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Viva
Don't Give Up Your Safety Ladies
I know this is a sensitive topic and there are very vocal people leading the charge against men that don’t behave properly with women. I’m all for that. Improper behavior should not be condoned. But it is ludicrous to tell women that they don’t have to take precautionary actions because men should leave them alone. Life is not that simple.
By Pam Reeder4 years ago in Viva
Breaking Down of A Tampon
In her book Everything You Must Know About Tampons (1981), Nancy Friedman has written the following excerpt - “There is evidence of tampon use throughout history in a multitude of cultures. The oldest printed medical document, Papyrus Ebers, refers to the use of soft papyrus tampons by Egyptian women in the 15th century BCE. Roman women used wool tampons. Women in ancient Japan fashioned tampons out of paper, held them in place with a bandage, and changed them 10 to 12 times a day. Traditional Hawaiian women used the furry part of a native fern called hapu'u; and grasses, mosses and other plants are still used by women in parts of Asia.”
By mamta lemmebe4 years ago in Viva
The Joy of being Un-Box-Able
“So, what kind of curries do you love to cook?” asked my new boss, a lovely Englishman, with a big smile. I had moved continents to settle in a beautiful corner of the world. We were at a team bonding lunch where the senior management was getting to know the new recruits.
By Rhea Dyuti4 years ago in Viva
9 Female Celebrities Reveal Greatest Lesson Life Has Taught Them
Who doesn't like a good piece of life advice? Nuggets of wisdom from other people who have navigated and continue to navigate this world is always welcome. We too, on our journeys in this thing called life, we have picked up a couple of nuggets of wisdom, so have other people.
By Jide Okonjo4 years ago in Viva
Here Are Some Ways To Make You Feel More Secure In Your Relationship
Before I get started, here’s a quick disclaimer: these tips are probably not going to be what you expected and this article is not about how to make sure your partner doesn’t lose interest in you. Instead, these tips are how to be more secure with yourself, because as cliché as it sounds, you need to be confident in yourself in order to successfully be confident in any relationship. Trust me, insecurities will only lead to problems and you may even be the one causing them without realizing it. I myself am guilty of this, and while there were definitely other factors contributing to my past relationships ending, I’d be lying if I said that it was all on them. I was controlling, untrusting, and insecure, which led to a lot of unnecessary arguments and eventually, me breaking up with them because “I couldn’t deal with them anymore”. Looking back, while the way that I see things now naturally come with maturity, I have a lot more self confidence than I used to. I also realize that I was the one who ended all of my past relationships, which makes me think that maybe it did have more to do with me and how I viewed myself, than anything else. Below are a few things I have gathered that I think could have improved my past relationships, based on changes within myself.
By Sarah Graham4 years ago in Viva
4 Small Everyday Things That Are Actually Promoting Sexism
We've come a long way in the war against sexism. Modern women vote, drive, work, and are financially independent. We have our own identities, dreams and goals. Legally speaking, we are equal to men in every way.
By Aditi Balaji4 years ago in Viva
