Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

An Open Letter to Roseanne Barr. Top Story - November 2018.
Dear Roseanne, The new season of The Conners has spurred me to write to you. I've been so upset with you ever since the reboot of your self-titled show. You see, I grew up with you as a secondary mother. Your television family was a reflection of my family, and your parenting lessons echoed my mother's. You were the first feminist woman I saw blazing a path with no regard to those she upset. You were revolutionary to girls of my age.
By Diane Nivens7 years ago in Viva
The Fight For Equality In A 'Pretty' Work Place
Has your boss ever told you that you ‘had’ to wear makeup to work? Or that you ‘have’ to wear heels? Sadly for many women in Britain today, in non-uniform working environments, getting told they have to wear certain clothes is a very real issue.
By Anna-Roisin Ullman-Smith7 years ago in Viva
Finding Out I Have PCOS
I have always known there was something wrong with me... I started my period at 9-years-old and would suffer through excruciating pain and extremely heaving bleeding EVERY SINGLE MONTH. My Mum thought I had endometriosis, therefore took me to the doctors; however, they brushed it off and sent me on my way. Eventually when I was 14, I went back to the doctors because I couldn’t take it anymore... They put me on the pill. Thinking back, I wish I had put up more of a fight for more answers but I was given my Microgynon 30 and went on my way.
By Jodie Denny7 years ago in Viva
The Black Female Body as Art
Throughout my time taking Art-History courses in college, a lot of the dialogue that accompanies the great artists in their religions, class systems, landscapes, themselves, and women are generally white, or with the "borrowing" of an exotic woman whether that have been Asian, Tahitian, or of African-Descent. That is why I have such a deep interest when I see images of black people in art, and their relationships to the artist, or to the other objects, or scenes depicted in the work. When I found Mickalene Thomas, through doing work in an Women's Studies course, she was the first Queer Black artist that struck my interest. For me, when a black artist interests their images, flavor, and their politics onto a work of art, this is such a powerful act. For me, painters & drawers strike a fascination and wonder.
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa7 years ago in Viva
'The Handmaid's Tale' Analysis: Chapters 3-5
Link to 1st part. Chapter 3 One motif you’ll see recurring throughout the novel is Offred’s descriptive prose about Serena Joy’s garden, specifically her flowers. The Commander’s Wife dutifully dotes on her garden, which symbolizes her desperate want for a child. The flowers are her children, the only life she can fertilize and raise to adulthood. Note also of Serena Joy’s introduction, that she is the Commander’s Wife, not her own identity. This represents that even elite women of Gilead are oppressed and owned by men. Offred is reminded of how she also had a garden in the past, a way to pass time, something she isn’t permitted now.
By CT Idlehouse7 years ago in Viva
The Future of Feminine Hygiene
Let me begin by saying (ranting) that I’m going to discuss the content of this article in pretty candid detail, so if women’s bodies make you uncomfortable, I might suggest putting this article down and stepping out of the 7th grade. It’s about time women everywhere feel they’re able to talk about their periods if they so choose. Some people don’t want to talk about their periods because it makes them uncomfortable to do so (or for whatever reason), and that’s totally valid. That’s okay, and it’s really none of anyone’s business. However, the women who do want to talk about it should be able to without feeling “gross.”
By Stripes Joplin7 years ago in Viva
Next Wave Feminism?
Women have been fighting for their rights for the last 200 years. In many ways, we have progressed by leaps and bounds. We can vote, own property, have a job, make our own money, go to school, and are no longer sent to a looney bin for saying no to our dads or husbands. However, when it comes to domestic abuse, there is still a long way to go before the law and society catches up to where we should be.
By Mich7 years ago in Viva
Girl Problems: Beach Edition
Being a girl is great at times, but then there are times where being a female is absolute hell. One of those specific times is at the beach. Throughout this ranty post, I will do nothing but complain about being a female while visiting the beach and be a relatable queen.
By Lyvia Jack7 years ago in Viva
Vodka and Orange Juice
The first time I drank was with Jake Henderson*. He was seventeen and I was thirteen, he lived in my neighbourhood and he used to message me on facebook and we'd talk. He wasn't my boyfriend or anything, but I'd go to his house after school sometimes and we'd make out. We did that a few times and then I'd leave before his parents got home from work. But this one time, his parents were out of town and he gave me a big glass of vodka and orange juice.
By TC Brown7 years ago in Viva
Endo' an Era
It wasn't supposed to be like this. Clinging to the sheets on my hospital bed to try and survive the now constant lapping of waves of pain, two thoughts permeated my mind: "I can't do this any more," and "It wasn't supposed to be like this."
By Lindsay Bruce7 years ago in Viva
Finding Peace
For much of my high school years, I was much “smaller.” By that, I mean I was in a gym constantly because I thought the only way to be happy was to be thin. I went to a “gym” that was geared towards sex appeal. To be honest, sometimes it was so much fun. It felt nice to feel sexy, to do dances and hold poses on a pole. We did all kinds of things, and sometimes I was uncomfortable, but I did it anyway. It made the world seem, to me, like I could only go places in life with sex appeal. I thought that these classes would launch me straight into a great life with money and happiness and romance, but it honestly crushed my soul. The people I surrounded myself with in these classes, unintentionally, were hurting me. They would say how weird it was that one specific person was with me all the time and “Oh, she must be in love with you, how weird.” She was, still is, and we are very happy, but that’s another story.
By S Nicole7 years ago in Viva
An Open Letter to the Femmes Who Walked Through Fire
To All The Femmes Who Have Walked Through Fire, I suppose I should start this open letter with an explanation of what I mean when I say, "walked through fire." Any woman who has ever experienced trauma. This is for the femme identified people who have faced death of a loved one, sexual assault, abusive relationships, sexism in the work place, sexism in the home place, discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or orientation. This is a letter for all my female identified, or socialized people who have ever felt shame for existing, felt that they needed to be more than they are to be worthy, and less than they are to be loved. To all my femmes who have ever held their tongue in the face of a rape joke for fear of retaliation. Who have smiled at a street harasser, or who have lied to protect their abuser. I see you.
By Paige Graffunder7 years ago in Viva