On the Women’s March

Honouring the Women’s March on Washington/World January 21, 2017 Winning freedom over the Washington D.C. building tops, every mouth of reason never stops. Happy collision between sidewalk steam and sky tears! Cross over crowds, Chicago, my heroic home! March on, Madison! Safe steps, St. Paul! Words carried away: winged mothers Read more

Z. M. Wise

Z.M. Wise is a proud Illinois native from Chicago, poet, essayist, occasional playwright, seldom screenwriter, co-editor and arts activist, writing since his first steps as a child. He is co-owner and co-editor of Transcendent Zero Press https://transcendentzeropress.org/ , an independent publishing house for poetry that produces an international quarterly journal known as Harbinger Asylum. He is the author of seven books and chapbooks of published poetry and a play, including: Take Me Back, Kingswood Clock! (MavLit Press, 2013); The Wandering Poet (Transcendent Zero Press, 2014); Wolf: An Epic & Other Poems (Weasel Press, 2015); Cuentos de Amor (Red Ferret Press, 2015); Kosmish and the Horned Ones (Weasel Press, 2018); Illinois Infinitarium (Cherry House Press, 2020); and The Nightmare Mask (TBD). His debut play, Bottles of Emerald for the Demon Queen (Transcendent Zero Press, 2019), was published in late December of 2019. His most recent chapbook of poetry, the mini-epic known as The Nightmare Mask, is searching for a brand new home. Other than these books, his poems, lyrics, essays, and book reviews have been published in various journals, magazines, and anthologies. Besides poetry and other forms of writing, his other passions/interests include professional voice acting, singing/lyricism/songwriting, playing a few instruments, fitness, and reading.

We March for Our Daughters, We March for You

I’m in a foul mood right now, and usually, when I feel like this I want to get in someone’s face. Here’s the topic of the moment that I need to get off my chest…For the past year, and increasingly during the past week, I’ve skimmed past negative messages I Read more

Laurie Hiatt

Laurie Hiatt is an adventure traveler, avid reader, music lover, mother, and chocolate connoisseur who gets to make her living by making a difference in her community. A community organizer and health educator for 28 years, she loves to get down in the trenches with all types of people to make positive changes in their neighborhoods. It’s taken her a while, but she’s finally figuring out how to find a healthy balance of the magic that chaos brings to life and the centering of herself. She is currently throwing a dart at a map to decide where to travel next.

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.

Dear Resident President,

Dear Resident President, We chanted “This is what democracy looks like” as loud as we could from the White House lawn. I suppose the men on the roof were not taking notes. I didn’t know the three blind women with canes who linked arms to march. They were beside me, Read more

Tricia Knoll

Tricia Knoll is a tree-hugging feminist Oregon poet who is retired from many years of communications work for the City of Portland. She has a slight voice disabilty which makes humming sound better than her singing. Her fingernails are often dirty from working in a garden planned to attract pollinators, preserve native plants, and delight the eye with outrageous roses. Her poetry collections focus on eco-poetry. Ocean's Laughter (Aldrich Press 2016) focuses on change over time in a small Oregon town on the north coast. Urban Wild (Finishing Line Press 2014) examines human interactions with wildlife in urban habitat.

After the Women’s Marches, Grab Your Wallet 2.0

Millions of people participated in Women’s Marches in 673 cities around the globe on Saturday. The marches across the U.S. marked the largest day of protests in the history of our country. And yet, last Friday, when Donald J. Trump became the 45th President of the United States of America, Read more

Nancy Levine

Nancy Levine is the author of the four-book series beginning with The Tao of Pug (Penguin) has just been released. She spent 30 years in corporate recruiting and human resources roles, starting at American Express Company. More recently, Nancy has devoted herself to advocacy efforts, working to eradicate child sexual abuse and amplifying the voices of survivors. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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.