Mirror Talk

Be yourself if you want to kill all demons inside your head. My therapist advises. Talk to yourself in the mirror. I look at my reflection, its mouth opens, wanting to start before me. But the voice is not mine. Yes. You heard it right. I am Miryam. The pretty Read more

Sarwa Azeez

Sarwa Azeez is a Kurdish poet, translator, and Fulbright scholar with an MA in English Literature at Leicester University and an MFA from Nebraska-Lincoln University. She is a Pushcart prize nominee and her debut poetry collection, Remote, was published in the UK by 4Word in 2019. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including Parentheses Journal, Collateral Journal, Writing for A Woman's Voice, the other side of hope, Genocide Studies and Prevention Journal, Kurdish Center for Studies, Wingless Dreamer, and elsewhere. Sarwa's writing draws on her childhood memories of wartime Iraq, where she grew up reading by the flickering light of kerosene lanterns, and searches for the beauty in a war-torn world while seeking to define identity and confront issues of equal gender representation and violence in male-dominant communities. In what little free time she has, Sarwa applies her knowledge of English, Arabic, Kurdish, and Farsi by practicing the subtle art of translating poetry.

Things I Wish I’d Known

As a little girl raised in a liberal Jewish household, I never knew that, for most people, only men could be Rabbis. Likewise, I had no idea that in most households, the women were those taking care of most cleaning, cooking, and childcare. I certainly didn’t know that most moms Read more

Mikhal Weiner

Mikhal Weiner is an Israeli-born alternative indie artist living and creating in Brooklyn, NY. She studied composition and songwriting at Rimon College in Tel Aviv, completing her degree at Berklee College of Music in 2014 with honors. Her works, whether text or music, are deeply influenced by her experiences as a middle-eastern gay woman and her love of poetry and all genres of music. Her published essays include 'What the World Needs Now', and 'Changing our Stripes: Why Women Artists may be Like Saber-Tooth Tigers'. She recently released her debut LP, Daughter of the Sea, in May 2017, and is currently co-producing events for Salomé ArtHaus, a community centered art-sharing venue in Brooklyn, as well as performing with her band around the East Coast.

Crunches and Compassion: Transgender Rights and the Cisgender Community

I began referring to him privately as “The Swede.” From in between my crunches on the exercise mat, I snuck glances at his pale, chiseled face. His square jaw and high, sculpted cheekbones stood out as if his face was sketched from the pages of a superhero DC comic. I Read more

Sheila Moeschen

My name is Sheila, I'm a Boston-based writer and regular contributor to the Huffington Post; I primarily write creative nonfiction. My work has appeared on MariaShriver.com, Niche Literary Journal, and Red Line Roots. In 2015 my blog, Spirit Meets Bone was awarded a WordPress Freshly Pressed designation and featured as part of their Discover New Writers gallery.

Melania Trump, What is Your Truth?

“The richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.”- Martin Luther King Jr. The world has currently Read more

Sophie Winik

I was a writer for I Am That Girl, a place that helps empower young girls. A place that was so safe I knew I could write about personal things and feel safe in doing so. Not only that but a place where my words would make a difference. And that is something I continue to be passionate about. To share my truth, even if it means I have to show my own vulnerability, and make a difference. To use my voice as an outlook for others. To help inspire and encourage others to share their truth. If I have made a difference to one single person, I know I have done good.

We Are Present. We Are Aware.

I am a part of something much bigger than myself. I woke up and decided to do good. I dragged my dad out of his office and told him we needed to go downtown to march for my rights, human rights. On January 21, 2017, I participated in the San Read more

Alana Marcelino

With everything going on in the world, it is important to know just how powerful your voice can be. Through art, music, writing, whatever; we can really do something about the world that often feels like is trying to silence us. Writing seems to be the best form of communication for me, so here it is. As a young adult or teen in this generation, it can feel like the people of generations above us don't believe we can really make an impact. This world is just as much ours as its there's. I am on the brink of growing up, and I want the world I am a part of to really pay attention to everyone in it, not just a select few.

21st Century Women: Nothing Sweet About Us

“I know it is hard to look at your own entitlement and privilege. You may be afraid of the truth. I am unafraid, to be honest. It may sound petty bringing up a few extra cents. It adds up to the pile of change I have yet to see in Read more

Stephanie Ortez

Stephanie is a highly caffeinated mother of two wonderful boys. She is hopelessly addicted to non-fiction books and literature that moves her to tears. She is an admissions advisor for George Washington University online where she assists homeschooled students internationally. Stephanie lives with Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She is a passionate mental health advocate, member of Stigma Fighters. Her writing has been featured on The Elephant Journal, The Mighty, The Organic Coffee Haphazardly and Feminine Collective.

100 Years from Yesterday

Imagine what today’s world would be like If the Suffragettes had been three million strong? 100 years from yesterday Fewer men empowered More women in power Fewer fears Class, origin, race, and gender fraternity Academic and work equality Personal liberty Mental sanity Global serenity The day after Trump’s inauguration Three Read more

Michel Bordeau

My name is Michel Bordeau, aka Area Frenchman. I am a Therapist and an Education Coach in private practice in Atlanta. Born in France, I have spent half my life in the US. I am culturally French and academically American, so you can safely assume that I know a thing or two about love (gender respectful, validating, unconditional, non-threatening) and the pleasures of life (many friends, much cheese, little w(h)ine). When I don't blog about mansplaining, teen assertiveness, guru shaming, toxic work environments and toxic people, motherhood, mindful parenting, immigrant entrepreneurs, bipolar disorder and body dysmorphic disorder, I dedicate my time speaking about the lessons I have learned as a therapist and a coach. I am the host of Le Kindness Couch on Youtube. I created this channel to demonstrate that today's therapeutic modalities are kind, validating, and solution-focused. We don't read mind or blame your mom for everything.

Why the Women’s March on Washington is So Important

“There will never be a new world order until women are a part of it.” – Alice Paul (January 11, 1885 – July 9, 1977) The historic Women’s March on Washington will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2017, the day after the Presidential Inauguration. Why are (some estimate millions) Read more

Dori Owen

Dori Owen is a storyteller, writing from small town Arizona, after living a few decades in California as an LA Wild Child, with a brief stop in Reno. She settled into grownup life as a project manager, collecting an MBA and a few husbands along the way. She is a shown artist and her favorite pastime is upcycling old furniture and decor she finds from thrift stores. She lives with the cat who came to visit but stayed. The love of her life is her grown son who lives in Portland, Oregon. Her essays and poems have been published in RAW&UNFILTERED VOL I, StigmaFighters Vol 2, and Love Notes From Humanity. Her blogs have been featured on The Lithium Chronicles, Open Thought Vortex, Sudden Denouement, and The Mighty.