Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

On Being Child-Free
When people find out that I'm not having kids, I often hear things through the grapevine like, 'she'll change her mind', or 'there's little purpose without children', or, 'it's selfish not to have kids'.
By Jenn Tomomitsu6 years ago in Viva
Beauty and Makeup
For those of you who don't know, I am currently working with Queens and Future Queens (a non-profit organization determined to assist young girls in becoming future leaders through mentorship programs consisting of female CEOs, CFOs, etc. of big companies as well as inspirational speakers, artist, etc.) to create an event called Champions for Change Leadership Awards 2020. Now one of the things I needed to do was find empowering music for women to feature at the event and I found one song that really made me think. The song is "Strip" by Little Mix.
By Bazal Morani6 years ago in Viva
Taylor Swift and Misogyny
"There will never be another like me-e-e-e!" Taylor Swift informed us on the lead single to her album, Lover. Indeed this certainly seems to be a true statement. More than most other artists, Swift has deftly changed images and music genres without much controversy.
By Edward Anderson6 years ago in Viva
How to Become this Summer’s Hot Girl AKA the Instagram Baddie 2.0
The Hot Girl It’s safe to say that "Hot Girl Summer" has been a recurring theme for Summer 2019. So what is this hashtag, and has it brought a new meaning to ‘Instagram Baddie?' The phrase "Hot Girl Summer" originated from Meg Thee Stallion’s song featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign. So, not only is Hot Girl Summer the instagram caption of the moment, but it has become a new motto for girls across the world. In an interview with The Root, Stallion describes how "Hot Girl Summer" is for “women—and men—having a good time, hyping up your friends, doing you and not giving a damn what anybody has to say about it.” She further tweeted “Being a Hot Girl is about being unapologetically YOU, having fun, being confident, living YOUR truth, being the life of the party etc.”
By Sara Robards6 years ago in Viva
What Is the Birth Control Patch?
The birth control patch is one method of birth control that uses a release of hormones to prevent pregnancy. It is a beige patch that is stuck to the skin. The user wears the patch for a week before replacing it with a new patch. This is done for three weeks in a row and then a week break is taken for menstruation.
By Teela Hudak6 years ago in Viva
Why I'm Obsessed with the Bloodshed of Birth
When I was little, I was curious about childbirth simply because it was never talked about. A woman would grow a baby in her belly, it would become a big bump, then one day, a baby appeared as if by magic.
By Natalie Lennard6 years ago in Viva
An Open Letter to the Man Who Crossed the Line
Originally posted on my blog. I know you don’t ever think of me, at least to be honest, I truly hope you don’t. The thought of you thinking about me makes me sick to my stomach.
By Harley Myers6 years ago in Viva
Bitch VS Boss
Women are bitches and not bosses. That is the patriarch. It is oppression of women on a societal scale. Roles conditioned by demographics like: finances, education, culture, family. As a mother, I want more for my girls. I want them to know that you, a woman, can absolutely run your world.
By Melissa Yinger6 years ago in Viva
Damaged but Not Broken
Some days are amazing, others I can't even get out of bed. I am Tyger Jackson. A survivor of a brutal attack by my ex. I will not say his actual name here because well, this story is about the survivor. Not the monster who tried to kill me.
By Tyger Jackson6 years ago in Viva
The Big Future of Tiny Houses, Part I
Tiny houses are having a massive impact as an ever-increasing number of people re-assess their lifestyles to better line up with their values.
By Chiara Torelli6 years ago in Viva
The Black Cowgurls
Rarely can one conjure up a realistic image of a Black Cowgurl unless it’s from a movie such as Gang of Roses [2003] starring; Monica Calhoun, Lil’ Kim and Stacy Dash. There’s also They Die by Dawn [2013] with Erika Badu based on real life characters in Langston Oklahoma an All Black Town.
By PAT CHANEY6 years ago in Viva
The Perfect Body
As a human being, I struggle with the way my body looks. I can confidently say that every single human being (males and females) struggles with this concept. It is literally engrained in our minds at a young age that we all need to be thinner, toner, and tanner in order to be better. That is just society, social media, and celebrities in today’s society, and I feel as though it's just getting worse and worse with Instagram models blowing up your news feed.
By MarisaKaye6 years ago in Viva