Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
I Own My Body
I don't even know where to start this. I have been so disgusted today with the news about new abortion laws and the continued efforts that Old White Men continue to put in policing MY body and the bodies of other individuals with the same reproductive organs as myself. I'm sick to my stomach when I think about the actual CHILDREN who will now be forced to carry fetuses that they a) cannot raise, b) do not want, and c) should not have to risk their life bringing into a world that doesn't care about them after they take their first breath.
Cassie ValenciaPublished 5 years ago in VivaAll Patients Aren't Treated Equal
"I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug. Hippocratic Oath—Modern Version.
teisha lesheaPublished 5 years ago in VivaAn Open Letter
My first week of college, I was raped. For the longest time, I could not bring myself to say that I was raped. I started off by denying that it had ever happened to me. Yet when I finally did begin to accept that it had happened, I could only call it sexual assault. I denied myself the reality of what had happened in order to protect myself, but it only hurt me more.
Gabriella ElainePublished 5 years ago in Viva- Top Story - May 2019
Why Is This Still Okay?
objectification |əbˌjektəfəˈkāSH(ə)n| noun 1. the action of degrading someone to the status of a mere object. Most of society can agree that objectification is harmful in some way or another to everyone involved, especially women. The biggest reason being that it tells women that they are only worth paying attention to when they have a body to offer, that nothing else about them matters or deserves consideration.
A Letter to Men, and Probably Some Women Too
Do you know what it’s like to be terrified of entitled men and what they are capable of if they want something? That something being your body, specifically. A man in a room full of women is excited and lucky, a women in a room full of men would be absolutely terrified—surely, you can see that something is obviously not right there? Ever since I was young enough to understand the way "men" work in this world, I have been subjected to the dehumanising and gross behaviour of them. I remember on my 16th birthday, I was in York with my mum. On the way back, a man who must have been at least 65, stared me down whilst licking his lips as we were waiting for the train, before going on to make comments: "Wouldn’t you like to come home with me darling?" "I’ll show you a lovely time sweetheart." Even when my mum physically stood in front of me, he continued. I remember exactly what I was wearing that day, skinny jeans that were too big for me and a massive hoodie—I looked like a child. I was a child. I remember exactly how I felt on the train home after, a feeling that I had felt many times before, and a feeling that would and has stuck with me until this day. It's a horrendous feeling. Imagine fear, helplessness, disgust, a sickness in the bottom of your stomach, and a crawling under your skin all mixed into one. It’s a feeling that too many girls know all too well.
Izzy GallowayPublished 5 years ago in VivaWhere Do Broken Hearts Go?
Little Girl Many people dream of becoming a star one day. Whether that is to become a singer, model, CEO, Astronaut etc., we all have a moment. My moment started when I was just six years old, from the time I could remember I was happy; laughing, smiling, a bright little girl around family and friends. That light dimmed at the touch of my step grandfather. I never told my mom, family, friends, anybody. I sat with that pain for so long, acting out. I was angry, sad. I finally told my mother when I was 13 years old. She took me to the police, counseling... I had to draw out the picture of the things that took place. I remember seeing him standing in the bathroom door saying, “Come get in the shower.” Coming into the room, sitting at my bedside and licking my ear, rubbing my chest. I woke up and didn’t want to get out of bed. He and my grandmother were leaving. As they were walking out, he winked at me and smiled. I was never the same. At the age of 13, I was then again molested by my cousin until the age of 16 or 17. That was very hard for me. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want my immediate family to go to jail, or worse. I finally told my mom at the age of 28, when I wrote it in a magazine article. I want to believe that I will get better, after holding things in for so long... feeling alone and broken. There has to be light at the end... right?
Drea WilliamsPublished 5 years ago in VivaWhat Actually Goes into Pageants
Disclaimer For those of you who have watched Toddlers and Tiaras, I will not be speaking on the Glitz pageant world in this article. This article is specifically touching on the "natural" pageant realm, regarding systems such as USA, United States, America, and many more along those lines.
Sommer LeighPublished 5 years ago in VivaSummer=Seasonal Insecurities
We are having a heat wave in Seattle. It is 85 degrees this weekend, and steamy. Hot weather means we (women) start donning our splashy summer outfits. I have drawers full of hot pants, cutoffs, slinky dresses, and jumpers that require me to get half naked to go pee.
Soo Young LeePublished 5 years ago in VivaA Feminist Call to Arms
The news lately is rife with five states that are proposing anti-abortion laws dictating that abortions cannot be performed past the six week mark. These laws have been dubbed "Heartbeat Bills," because an embryo develops a heartbeat around the five-week mark. (Please note that I said embryo, and not fetus, or baby. In the stages of development, an embryo is considered a fetus around the eight-week mark.) Many women don't even know they're pregnant until after six weeks. Furthermore, Georgia is proposing laws that would criminalize women that plan to go out of state to get an abortion, and cause this act to be a punishable offense that could result in imprisonment. This also makes women that experience a miscarriage vulnerable to possible murder charges.
Diane NivensPublished 5 years ago in VivaMaking Sure You Look Your Best This Summer
While the seasons are changing, it's important to make sure that you're always evolving as well. As a woman, it's nice to evolve and uncover different parts of yourself. One of the ways most women like to improve themselves is through their looks. If you want to look your best this summer, consider the following tips.
Paisley HansenPublished 5 years ago in VivaStrong Female Role Models (Other Than Oprah)
When we hear the words "Strong female leader" our minds usually wander to Oprah or Michele Obama. Oprah has a strong influence on a lot of charities and her interviews with inspirational people can really change an outlook on life. How about the other strong female role models? Who are they, and what do they do that's inspirational?
Spotlight on Female Reproductive Health
Despite our hyper-sexualized society, female reproductive health often gets swept under the rug. It can be uncomfortable to talk about, either in a social context or with a health professional, and it's certainly something that isn't especially fun to get checked out for.
Ashley L. PetersonPublished 5 years ago in Viva