Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Body Positivity
So what are a few things I can do to be body positive? Well, for starters... 1) Reject mainstream culture. Question and critically analyze everything you see rather than passively accepting it. Why are white, thin, young woman over-represented in the media when most of the world isn't white, thin, or young? Question why women and men are expected to be obsessed with their bodies at the determent of everything else in their life. Might it be to keep us confused, hungry and not focused on more important matters? Might it be to sell us more and more "miracle" products that promise to shave off the pounds, lighten your skin and find you a husband?
Sarah SparksPublished 6 years ago in Viva
Together We Can
College is supposed to be a safe place to experiment and learn about who you are as a person. Unfortunately, the common occurrence of sexual assault in colleges and universities across the nation makes this a mere dream for many young people. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center one in five women are sexually assaulted on a college campus while one in 16 men are. That means that there is a 20 percent chance that a woman will be assaulted and a six percent chance a man will. Those numbers, although not huge, are alarming. It is an experience that NO person should ever have to go through. So how do we lessen these statistics?
Raven SpoorPublished 6 years ago in Viva
A Non-Feminist in a Feminist World
Whilst doing my regular rounds on YouTube and looking at the arguments represented by both parties in the non-feminist and feminist community, I decided I wanted to write something that will explain what it's like for a woman to not be a feminist in the feminist world.
Fat Betty
In 1989, psychotherapist Irvin Yalom published the candid autobiography called Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy which was a journey into Yalom's own mind and the encounters he had with patients over the course of his career. One of the patient's stories presented in the book, muddled with Yalom's own self-analysis, was the story of "Fat Betty".
Sarah SparksPublished 6 years ago in Viva- Top Story - August 2017
Women in the Edwardian and Interwar Era
The Edwardian era began with the death of Queen Victoria on January 21st, 1901 and the accession of her son, Edward VII in 1902. Victoria reigned for 64 years, most of the nineteenth century which was a period of great social reform. Industrialization had created vast wealth, which was in the hands of a small minority of the population. Though the middle class was growing in industrialized countries, a significant portion of the population, those who worked in the factories which made the rich wealthy and gave the middle class the comforts they enjoyed, lived in extreme poverty. Poverty leads to many other social problems. The reform movements which sought to solve these problems often had women playing large roles. These reform movements paved the way for the social change of the twentieth century, which allowed for the emergence of some of the most remarkable, and notorious, women in history.
Rachel LeschPublished 6 years ago in Viva - Top Story - August 2017
10 Ways to Protect Your Bodily Autonomy
People seem to be obsessed with taking away a woman's bodily autonomy. It's why there's a war on abortion, why many pharmacists refuse to hand over birth control, and why doctors might even lie about services they perform.
Katie MarchbankPublished 6 years ago in Viva - Top Story - August 2017
Women's Health Organizations You Need to Know
Women's health has been under attack for the past decade, and it's really beginning to show in more ways than one. Unfortunately, many women are finding it harder and harder to actually get the healthcare they need.
Stephanie GladwellPublished 6 years ago in Viva - Top Story - August 2017
Best Books about Overlooked Women in History
Rosa Parks. Amelia Earhart. Cleopatra. Jackie Kennedy. Joan of Arc. These are just a few names on the long list of women who have unequivocally changed the course of history through their work, talent, beauty, or courage. And yet, this long list of names is immeasurably shorter than its male-centric counterpart. Over time society has been and continues to work toward gender equality; still, there are too many stories of feminine fierceness untold. While the world was busy lauding history's great men, there were women reaching equally laudable achievements, but the world wasn't ready to listen. It's time to give the long overdue recognition to some of the many women overlooked by history.
Rachel G. DavidPublished 6 years ago in Viva 
Terrifying Statistics About the State of Maternal Death in America
I'll begin this by saying that my pregnancy was a freak accident; I wasn't even supposed to be able to have kids. This pregnancy introduced me to the nightmare that is being pregnant in the United States.
Alicia SpringerPublished 6 years ago in Viva- Top Story - August 2017
How to Stop the Red Pill Phenomenon from Spreading
Among feminists, there is a strong call to stop the Red Pill phenomenon from spreading. If you don't know what the Red Pill is, it's an internet community known for misogyny and telling men to emotionally abuse women to bed them. It has been linked with advocating for rape under the guise that "all women have rape fantasies."
Chelsea KendrickPublished 6 years ago in Viva 
Why Traditional Gender Roles Are Dying Out
Back in 1950, the idea of being a stay-at-home mom was not just an option; it was a must. Women used to be resigned to being forced to cook, clean, and provide childcare for kids. In fact, up until very recently, the sheer notion that a woman might not want kids was not even considered to be a real option.
Lindsie PolhemusPublished 6 years ago in Viva
Can Men Be Feminists?
Can men be feminists? It seems like such a simple question, right? With the word "feminism," it's likely that you immediately think of feminine things. Women's rights, women's health care, equal pay for women in the work place – these are all very commonly discussed feminist topics.
Ossiana TepfenhartPublished 6 years ago in Viva
