Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
The Fear of the Woman Who Doesn't Work
It's been nearly six months since I graduated college, and I'm starting to feel a bit panicky. Job listings have become a blur on my laptop screen. Sometimes I don't know if it's from staring too hard or trying to hold back tears. I scroll past retail positions—not out of a sense of entitlement but from too many side-swipes with customers who made me cry in break rooms—but I feel the pressure starting to mount.
By Jillian Spiridon5 years ago in Viva
Why I won't stand with the 'All Men' theory.
The #me too movement is a movement rightly dedicated to women speaking up about abuse and rape they have suffered. I am one of those who spoke up about my own suffering of rape and abuse. I am also one of those women who hates going out at night, is constantly looking over my shoulder, and is afraid of suffering the more than violent torment of my past. I am also a woman who deeply struggled because the authorities blam everything on my mental health when I spoke my truth, lost my children because of the torture of the mental health problems I suffered for years because of what I had been through and misdiagnose, and because of that I am still suffering some symptoms of PTSD.
By Carol Ann Townend5 years ago in Viva
Is It Hot in Here??
Three things I used to believe about hot flashes that turned out to be untrue: They can't be that bad! ("So, you get a little warm. Just dress lighter, or turn on a fan. It can't be that disruptive!") It only happens when you're "old" There's nothing you can do about hot flashes besides HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
By Shell St. James5 years ago in Viva
The Progress of Feminism
Feminism has been around for millennia. When I say this, I'm referring to women who have held some high level of administrative and executive position responsible for the operation of a empire, kingdom, republic, democratic federation and so on. I believe when a woman holds considerable power either domestically, internationally, economically, politically and corporately, I believe it's a sign of feminism at work. Nowadays, I see many women at the top of power. This trend has progressed through the industrial modern era with Suffrage, present day and future. Of course. If a man can do it, so can a woman, right? A society can't function properly if an entire gender is marginalized, subjugated and segregated. Everyone has to be involved in order for it to prosper on a grand scale. Yet it doesn't happen all the time and there's historic evidence to show this. But why was there a need for feminism in the first place? Let's find out.
By Kevin Tennert5 years ago in Viva
“The Happy Hooker”
I was sexually assaulted. At the age of sixteen, one of the school football jocks, in my ceramics class, forced me to satisfy his ‘needs’. I did not know how to manage the traumatic aftermath. Nightmares by moon kept sleep restless and disturbed, while inescapable images slammed through my head like a freight train; leaving me exhausted, paranoid, and completely helpless from sunrise to sunset. What he had done, caused me to die inside that day. He had taken away my dignity, self-respect, and spirit. I had lost faith and trust in humanity, but more importantly, had lost faith and trust in myself. He had scared my voice right out of me and somehow, I believed, this was my fault.
By Charleen Richey5 years ago in Viva
A Look at The Female Quotient: Its Mission, Founder Story, and Partnership with Vocal to Celebrate Motherhood. Top Story - May 2021.
Of all the gratifying aspects of my career - of which there are many - it is a wonderful thing indeed to have built and maintained such a rich and meaningful network of relationships. Even more rewarding is to keep finding ways to work, all these years later, with the incredible individuals that I originally ‘came up with’ – particularly the women with whom I have, for obvious reasons, established a noteworthy and crucial kinship.
By Laurie Weisberg5 years ago in Viva
Meet 5 Beauty Queens Representing Africa at This Year's Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant run by the United States based Miss Universe Organization. It is by far one of the most watched beauty pageants in the world with an estimated audience of over 500 million viewers across over 190 territories. This year’s edition, the 69th edition – Miss Universe 2020 will be held on May 16, 2021 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
By Jide Okonjo5 years ago in Viva
Stress & Your Period
The menstrual cycle is such an interesting thing - some humans have the capability to carry and bear new life! Just like sleeping, waking and other rhythms of the body, having a period (usually) occurs on a regular schedule with routine changes in hormone levels.
By Emily the Period RD5 years ago in Viva
