Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

The Emancipation of Women
March is Women's History Month. I happened to notice that today. What can we do as women to make this planet a better place? What can we do to contribute while generating income for ourselves? Some of you have children and husbands and think I am crazy for even suggesting this. Like how could you possibly take on anymore than what you have in front of you right now?
By Missy Conley6 years ago in Viva
Novia McDonald Whyte O.D. A Celebration of Words, Wit and Wardrobe
“Find your niche and become an expert.” Twenty years since the start of her career at the Jamaica Observer, an Order of Distinction is permanently fixed to Novia McDonald Whyte’s legal name. The award serves as a reminder that NMW’s editorial work feeds her country with food and fashion knowledge. Today, her annual signature events are economic drivers; Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards, Takes Style Out (formerly Fashion’s Night Out - FNO) and Design Week JA. She is an innovator whose column contributions transformed newspaper traditions. On International Women’s Day (IWD 2020), we celebrate the words, wit and wardrobe of a pioneer woman, and it all began with a poem.
By Bridgett Leslie6 years ago in Viva
She Is All That. 10 Traits Of A Strong Woman.
The question isn’t who is going to let me. It’s who is going to stop me. A new breed of strong and independent women are rising. Standing on the shoulders of the female ancestors who came before them. Women who were born to be wild. Women who were born to be free.
By Samantha Wilson6 years ago in Viva
10 Ways To Embrace Living As A Wild Woman.
There’s a new breed of women emerging. Women who are embracing their wild and fierce roots. Women who have the courage to be vulnerable, to face their fears, and to be honest with themselves and others around them.
By Samantha Wilson6 years ago in Viva
Frida, through my eyes
When talking about great women, I can certainly name a few that inspire me; Amelia Earhart comes to mind, Georgia O’Keeffe, Princess Diana, another favorite of mine is Joan of Arc and then there is Mother Teresa.
By Susanne Swanson Bernard6 years ago in Viva
Breast Ironing in Cameroon
What goes on in the mind of an 11-year-old girl who is locked up in a kitchen daily by her own mother, who uses a fire-hot stone to burn and press her sprouting breasts?
By Chi Yvonne Leina6 years ago in Viva
5 Interesting Facts about Fredrika Newton
For me, Black History does not stop when February ends. Black History is American history! Black History is World History! I feel the same way about Women's History. So, for the next month, I'll be doing something special. I will post a series of articles on black women who have made significant contributions to history. I decided to write my first post on a woman you may not know. This woman's work inspires me to better my community. Today, I choose to shine a light on Fredrika Newton.
By Zari's Diary6 years ago in Viva
The Female Uprising and Conquering of the Tyrannical Monsters
The Female Uprising and Conquering of the Tyrannical Monsters by Liv Atterson Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams March 31, 1776
By Liv Atterson6 years ago in Viva
I Do Not Consent
It’s not ok~ To the women of my generation. To all who came before and all who come after, it’s not ok. I am ashamed to say that we have been raised in a world where we have been told “ this is how it is, get used to it” and conditioned to just accept it. Ashamed that young men are being brought up in a culture that teaches them to sexualize and treat women like they aren’t anything but a pretty play toy, eye candy to devour, trash to throw away when they’re done. So I am here to say enough. It’s not ok. It needs to stop. It ends with us.
By Marissa Luna ☽❁6 years ago in Viva
Why Hasn't #METOO Gotten Howard Stern?
I don't understand who Howard Stern has paid off? Maybe the King of All Media somehow made a deal with the devil? I just don't get it. After coasting off the talent of Jackie Martling for years and then going to XM where he was somehow less offensive than he was on FM, somehow Howard Stern is now around kids all the time? How is this not setting off radars! How is this not causing huge online unrest! I just don't understand it, try as I might!
By Regular Person6 years ago in Viva
Ovarian Cysts
All women go through the same phase of the period. Some women have seven days of bleeding, others have only five. Every woman is different and we all know that. There are woman who don't bleed for months at a time and then have a ten day streak of heavy bleeding. This my be uncomfortable for you to read, but some women have hard menstrual cramps and others barely feel a difference. This article will get personal and a little bit awkward. When I first got my period it was normal I was one of the lucky ones, I did not feel any different, there was no pain or cramping and quite frankly it sneaked up on me. I have lived very happy with my period up until I started university. The first time I experienced the pain was thanksgiving. I was eating dinner and over eating and I was happy and laughing with my family, until I suddenly felt like someone had stabbed me in the lower intestine. I thought it was only indigestion, but then the pain was moving towards my left side. I got up from the table and fell to the ground, it hurt too much to stand. My mom found a pillow to put under my head and my oldest sister stood there accusing me of being weak, saying hurtful things like "she's just being dramatic". No, sister. No, she is not "being just dramatic". It felt like someone had stabbed me with a knife in the lower left quadrant of my stomach. My parents helped me up and put me in their bed (because it is the closest from the kitchen). I remember crying lots and howling from the pain as the rest of my family had no idea what to do. I remembered that I had some left over naproxen from my shoulder injury. I directed my dad to go find it and he did. I took one immediately and I prayed that the pain would be going away soon. I was crying badly because the pain was not going away and I was in a fetal crouching position screaming "make it go away" at the top of my lungs but it came out all weird because it was through my tears. Then my other sister brought me a hot water bottle and I put it on my stomach, which helped a lot but I was still crying and my head started to hurt from lack of oxygen. I decided to convince my body to shut down. I took in a deep breath and pretended to go to sleep, i closed my eyes and still nothing. luckily we had melatonin in the house so I took it quickly and within minutes I started to feel all the medications starting to work. As the months wore on I started to learn the signs that the pain was coming, first step was my legs being in unbelievable pain, like growing pains, but a little more intense because no position is comfortable for you to lay in. My doctor had given me a stronger dose of naproxen. I would take it before my period would come, so I would be well prepared. One time we went to the movie theater to see Moana and I felt a little weird so I went to the bathroom and even though I had taken naproxen the pain came to me anyway. I went back to the theater grabbed my coat told my sisters "it's happening, I am calling dad" and I sneaked out of the theater and I collapsed beside the door of the theater. I lay there for thirty minutes and no one, not even a staff member came to help me. When I woke up I managed to call my dad, but he said he could not understand me my words were slurred, but I finally told him where I was and he was on his way. Ten minutes went by when finally one staff member came to see if I was okay and needed water. I probably sounded drunk to her, but I should have called an ambulance then. My dad came fifteen minutes later, he helped me to the car and took me home. I went into bed and passed out. My body took the flight response as opposed to fight. This was not a normal thing happening. I made an appointment with my doctor and she said I might have endometriosis and it could reduce my chances of having children. All I ever wanted were children. After doing an ultrasound for my pelvis. I was relieved to hear it was not endometriosis. Instead I had cysts on both my ovaries, which explains the painful periods I have been experiencing. On the left side I had a cyst that was four inches all around and on my right it was two and a half inches. It was usually my left side that hurt, so I was shocked to hear that they were on both sides of me. I was booked to get surgery on them because of the size. My doctor prescribed other medication for me, which I could tell it helped. Now, the pain was came for five minutes and then I was fully functional. Then, I had my last ultrasound to see if any changes had happened and during my English class I got a phone call from the Gynecologist's office. I ignored it because I was in class and I called them back five minutes later.
By Ada Zuba6 years ago in Viva
A seasonal objection to abortion
Tonight on the way home I encountered some pro life protesters. You have all seen them; holding pictures of dead fetuses and their heads high in righteousness.
By Emily Whyte6 years ago in Viva