Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
10 Rights That Women Don't Have But Men Do
America is a white supremacist patriarchy. That's the only way that Trump was able to become president. And every day that Trump is in the White House is a day that the set of rights that women don't have but men do have remains unchanged. That means wide spread social ills remain unaddressed. Less pay, less safety, and less representation for women hurts everybody. And in case you were unaware, here are just some of the ways that women are deprived of social equality in the US.
Lauren SkopkowskiPublished 6 years ago in VivaWhat Is a Beauty Queen?
Since my first days in the pageant world, I've often been asked by several people, "What is the difference between Miss USA and Miss America?" In the modern world, the two tend to run together more than ever before. Having competed in both systems, the major differences became very clear to me this past week.
Rae'Lee KleinPublished 6 years ago in VivaTo the Woman Who Ever Felt Less Than Amazing
Honestly, when I started this article, I had no idea what I was going to write about. I just knew that it needed to be something inspirational. I’ve seen too many posts by women lately who are struggling or fighting against life.
Loran DavisPublished 6 years ago in VivaMy Story - The Life of Endo I Live
Endometriosis affects almost every aspect of my life! My job, my social life, relationships, and my eating habits. Most children I knew were worried about acne, sex, and what they looked like when they hit puberty. My worry was reaching the time of the month when my period came! I was 11-years-old when I first started my monthly circle.
Sinead SmythePublished 6 years ago in VivaHow Is This My Fault?
This is a constant battle back and forth; one neither side can win. At the moment, it's just women yelling at a brick wall as men don't really have a decent argument. But, we actually do. Women want to be heard, which is understandable. They want change and a way to tip the scales to be equal. I mean, this is my pure, unadulterated non-rage version. I don't like what feminism has become so I'm going to focus on the message it was supposed to have. Here is my defence for all the men out there constantly in a battle to the death with a dragon that doesn't understand four words. Four simple words. ITS NOT OUR FAULT.
Kyle FergusonPublished 6 years ago in VivaLets Talk About That: Body Image
There was a girl name Sheryl and she was the brightest in her class. She was reading books and solving problems like no other student had. The only problem was her brother. Her parents weren’t around much, so they never really influenced her in a important way but her brother was always around. What he would do is just make little comments about her that would hurt her feelings. He would say stuff about how ugly she was and how fat she was, even though she was not obese at all. One day, Sheryl’s brother once again called her ugly and fat, but this time Sheryl did one thing that will follow her though the years. Sheryl looked in the mirror, checking her appearance.
Angel TapiaPublished 6 years ago in VivaWait, You Were Naked?
I could say that I was mortified about having every mole, pimple, and hair on my body captured in an eternal digital file. But the truth is, I didn’t really mind. I could say that my knees got weak at the thought of posing in a completely vulnerable state in front of dozens of people who studied every detail of my figure...but instead, I anticipated the moment.
Amy PattersonPublished 6 years ago in VivaThe Concerning Trend of Our Bodies and Image Becoming Commodities
For my university project, I had to pick a study and design an academic poster about the topic. This is basically a colourful illustration of the findings of the experiment with charts, illustrations, and huge headers. You know, teachers forcing us to do something "fun" and creative between a 1,500 word lab report and a 4,000 word essay.
Maura DudasPublished 6 years ago in VivaFictional Characters I Admire
Like most of my generation, I grew up watching TV. There are probably hundreds of studies that tell you watching too much TV is bad for you, they're most likely right. However, I learned a LOT about life and myself through fictional characters and storylines. Some of the actresses behind these fictional characters have even become some of my favourite idols, and they do deserve the title "idol" because they are doing some amazing work in the activist world, and I am so happy with the fact that I get to admire the actress as well as the character. Whether I related to the character or they made me feel like I could face my own demons, I want to thank these women for making these characters so relatable and playing them so well!
Shannon CourtneyPublished 6 years ago in Viva- Top Story - April 2018
How I Overcame Losing My Breasts
Body positivity is a growing trend, and a good one. So much of society seems determined to knock people down for their appearance that it is time reclaim our relationships to our bodies. Today’s post is about my breasts and how such seemingly trivial things can greatly impact a person’s body image, especially when you consider how other people respond to them. Yet despite the power of these simple fatty deposits, you can still have the confidence to define and redefine your own self-worth. I know, because I did. Here’s my story.
Elizabeth BertPublished 6 years ago in Viva Love Yourself
I wasn't sure about creating this but I know other girls struggle too. I've struggled with my weight most of my life, I've always been the little pudgy kid. I've always had some sort of insecurity about my body and how I look. It's like you don't get bullied but you know people talk behind your back. Frankly, I'd rather have someone call me fat to my face than see them stare. On my bad days, I even tell my closest friends, "I'm fat," and of course they always respond with something like, "no you're not!"
Alyssa SmithPublished 6 years ago in VivaEqual Work for Equal Pay
I believe in radical changes with equal work, equal pay. Women get paid less than a man in many areas of work. Feminism seeks to level the playing field. Feminists want to help women climb the corporate ladder as equals to men. But in this political climate where the Republicans couldn’t stand having another liberal for president this time around, women are hard-pressed to find social equality at all. I value my brain and brawn over my body in general. I value my brains more than I value my physical attractiveness. I would much rather be known for academia than my beauty.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 6 years ago in Viva