Lifestyle & Family
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The manosphere
The Manosphere has come about in a new and shifting political climate. It is important for women to know about it and understand how they are impacted by it. Courtesy of Filippo Peisino In the shifting political climate, we have seen a rise in misogynistic hate speech within communities of young men on the internet. Misogyny and the dehumanization of women is something that is far from new, but within the past year, the bolstering of alt-right and “conservative” online personalities has given misogyny a fresh face. It is important for women to be aware of the faces that misogyny is taking on in the modern world. Identifying misogyny and…
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My apologies: The habit of saying sorry
Two women discuss over-apologizing and how to stop Sorry! Oh, that was a tree. Elizabeth Shaw is a Toronto-based administrative professional and mother who struggles with a nasty habit that bothers her from time to time: Being overly polite and apologetic. Shaw believes her habit partly stems from her client-facing career. She says she will apologize even when a mistake is someone else’s to make the other person more comfortable. Often, she will apologize when clients fail to understand her explanation of something. It’s not just Shaw who feels the need to be overly accommodating and apologetic. Other women, like stay-at-home mom Jenni McGuire of Toronto, feel the same way. McGuire…
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Three life lessons from Ontario’s Celina Caesar-Chavannes’ memoir
Hear what advice Whitby, Ontario’s, MP has to share. Mother, wife, business owner, student, friend and change-maker are only a few ways to describe Celina-Caesar Chavannes. In 2019, Member of Parliament was added to that list, and as of 2021, so was published author. In her memoir, Can You Hear Me Now?, Caesar-Chavannes recounts her life, her mistakes, her triumphs and everything in-between prior to and following her role as a Member of Parliament for the riding of Whitby, Ont. Throughout her memoir, she intertwines her experiences and hardships with life lessons she learned along the way. Lesson #1: Stories are sticky Historically, storytelling has been a cherished means of…
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Gaslight, Gatekeep, but most importantly, Girlboss
Why the ‘Girlboss’ phenomenon is problematic and slowly fading “Girlboss” is a new term popularized by Nasty Gal Founder and Executive Chairman Sophia Amoruso, an American entrepreneur who channelled her notoriety from the rise of her multi-million-dollar fashion business, into a best-selling book. According to Amoruso, a “Girlboss” is a woman “whose success is defined in opposition to the masculine business world in which she swims upstream.” The “Girlboss” was originally a term for feminist empowerment, referring to women who put professional (i.e. financial) success above all by adopting a relentless cut-throat yet feminine persona to get there. It’s been codified in popular culture through figures such as Miranda Priestly…
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Solo dates: Fall in love with yourself
The benefits of venturing out on your own, and ideas for solo dates. Recently, the practice of taking oneself out on a date has been growing in popularity. It may seem strange, but whether you have a significant other or not, taking yourself on solo dates can be a great way to connect with yourself, gain independence and experience things you might have missed out on otherwise. At first, taking yourself out might feel lonely, awkward and maybe even embarrassing. However, many women who go on solo dates have reported learning some pretty life-changing lessons. Take for example, Natalie Lusinski. Lusinki is an online blogger that decided to travel the…
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On-screen female relationships: The good, the bad and the ugly
A look at positive female friendships in the media and why they matter. Media can have an incredible influence, especially on young, impressionable minds. TV shows and movies teach young people what to wear, how to flirt, how to be funny and how to be in relationships of all kinds. The influence that TV and movies have on this susceptible demographic is remarkable, but potentially harmful. Consider, for example, the types of platonic female relationships we’ve seen on screen in the recent past and the fact that young girls subconsciously absorb the dynamics that are normalized in the media. In the media, female friendships have long been depicted as shallow,…
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10 Female-founded beauty brands from Ontario
Want to support local brands and look good doing it? Ontario is home to many women-owned beauty brands that are working to make the industry to be more inclusive, sustainable and cruelty-free. Supporting small beauty businesses will not only empower and support female entrepreneurs across Ontario but also help local economies to thrive. Even better is purchasing products from companies that you can feel good about supporting. Listed below are 10 beauty brands to look out for. Cheekbone In 2015, Jenn Harper, an Anishinaabe-Canadian from St. Catharines, Ont. awoke in the middle of the night with the idea to start making lip gloss. At the time, Harper was working in…
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Interview with Influencer Soheila Hakimi
Life as a full-time influencer – And tips to get you started. 10 years ago, you may have daydreamed about quitting your job to become an astronaut, a ballerina or a figure skater. In today’s era of social media, that dream has likely been replaced with a desire to take to your phone and influence the masses for money. It may seem like a questionable career path, but social media influencers represent the new generation of advertising. From Tik Tok stars to Instagram models, these modern-day Mad Men (and women) are single-handedly garnering the attention of the world’s biggest brands, with many making a killing while they do it. Whether…
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Books by, for and about women
Writers drawing attention to real-life women’s issues through works of fiction Novels are incredible tools for self-discovery, education and social commentary. Often bringing important social and political issues to light, through both fictional and non-fictional formats, books can provide both an escape from and a confrontation with the state of our world. In 2022, several women authors from Ontario are using their literary voices to examine, criticize and bring attention to a myriad of women’s issues. These authors cover topics such as abortion, race, sexuality and gender. Heather Marshall, Farah Heron and Danielle Daniel are a notable few among the many Ontarian authors whose books deserve a spot on your…
