WOMENS MARCH, Long Beach, California on the 50th anniversary of the passing of Roe v Wade,January 22, 2023
Women’s voices
Return to the Grandmothers and 2 Other Poems by Annelinde Metzner
This past summer, my family and I lovingly carried my brother’s ashes to a favorite spot of his, in the woods at our grandparents’ Catskill farm. My mind was on the simple, beautiful ritual, each of us stating memories and… Read More ›
We Endure Abuse to Survive, Part 1 by Karen Tate
I considered myself savvy and educated and an advocate for peace, fairness and equality. I thought abuse was something that happened to others, not me. But it was happening to me. It had happened to me and I didn’t see… Read More ›
Willful Women, Feminist Killjoys, and Jesus: Reflections on Sara Ahmed’s Living a Feminist Life by Liz Cooledge Jenkins
I’ve been thinking about willful women and feminist killjoys—two main guiding images in feminist scholar Sara Ahmed’s book Living a Feminist Life (Duke University Press 2017). The idea of the willful woman (or willful girl, or willful person) is something… Read More ›
Unsung Heroines: Pamela Coleman Smith by Mary Gelfand
If you’ve ever had a Tarot reading or played with reading cards yourself, you’re probably familiar with the work of Pamela Coleman Smith, illustrator of the great-grandmother of all contemporary Tarot decks—The Rider Waite Smith Deck. First published in 1909, the… Read More ›
For Mahsa by Lori Stewart
On Friday, September 16, 2022 Mahsa Amini died in a Tehran hospital having been arrested by Iranian morality police on September 13 for wearing “inappropriate attire”. She was 22. Mahsa’s family claims she had bruises to her head and limbs… Read More ›
Building Community: Starting a Local Sacred Circle K & Letting It Go by Caryn MacGrandle
In January of this year, I put out the call for a Sacred Circle at a local Healing Arts Center. Over 150 people responded interested from a Facebook invite. Thirteen showed up. From strangers, we have become friends and a community. One… Read More ›
From Footbinding to Abortion and Beyond – This Has to Stop! by Janet Maika’i Rudolph
My husband, Marty, is a retired podiatrist. He worked in pockets of New York City that were poor and largely immigrant. When he first started his practice, he treated women from China whose feet had been bound. Despite being officially… Read More ›
From Kavanaugh to Hell by Sara Wright
The glorious blue and gold summer day permeated by the scent of wild roses faded as the ominous words swirled around my head trying to get in. Roe overturned. For a moment rebellion – disbelief, NO, something screamed in silent… Read More ›
Inspired by Carol P. Christ: Patriarchy Rules the Supreme Court by Janet Maika’i Rudolph
Along with the words of Justices Sotomayer, Breyer and Kagan. The Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe was expected, but there was nothing that could prepare me (nor likely anyone else) for the devastation of the actual decision. My gut is… Read More ›
photo essay, part 2: bans off our bodies rally by Marie Cartier
photos from bans off our bodies rally, long beach ca may 14, 2022 all photos by: marie cartier BIO: Marie Cartier is a teacher, poet, writer, healer, artist, and scholar. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of New… Read More ›
photo essay, part 1: bans off our bodies rally by Marie Cartier
photos from bans off our bodies rally, long beach ca may 14, 2022 all photos by: marie cartier BIO: Marie Cartier is a teacher, poet, writer, healer, artist, and scholar. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of New… Read More ›
Hear Me by Winifred Nathan
I found the confirmation hearings of now Justice Kavanaugh deeply disturbing. I have ideas for preventing a replay. First, secret keeping doesn’t work. For too long girls/women have suffered in silence with their secret while boys/men move along often without… Read More ›
Mamma Mia and the Mother-Daughter Connection by Katie M. Deaver
A couple of weeks ago I went to see the new Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! movie. In addition to being a fan of movies inspired by musicals I also loved the emphasis that was placed on the mother/daughter… Read More ›
In Light of Women by Mary Jane Miller
Why are so few women mentioned in the great feast days like Pentecost, the Last Supper, the Baptism of Christ, etc.? God made no commandment that they not be included. Inquisitive women like myself have always been around Christ listening… Read More ›
Michal the Priestess: Midrash, Multiplicity, and the Tales of King David by Jill Hammer
When I was in my late teens, I discovered midrash: the Jewish exegetical process by which commentators weave creative and additive interpretations into the sacred text. Midrash comes from the word “to ask,” “to seek,” or “to divine.” For example,… Read More ›
What If…She’s Stronger than She Knows…by Molly Remer
“When I dare to be powerful–to use my strength in the service of my vision–then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” –Audre Lorde “The purpose of life is not to maintain personal comfort; it’s to grow… Read More ›
Have You Seen These Muslim Women? by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente
The photo that accompanies this article, or others similar, have been posted, shared and commented through social networks as expression of the inherent misogyny of Islam, with descriptions such as “DAESH taking women to sell in the concubine’s market” or… Read More ›
The Nuns Jumped Over the Wall by Dawn Morais Webster
One of the most prized dishes in Chinese cuisine is called “The Monk Jumped Over the Wall.” The name comes from the folk belief that the monk was unable to resist the aroma of this delicious dish and jumped the… Read More ›
Mother’s Day Wish: “Don’t take me backwards or on a detour” by Dawn Morais Webster
Mother’s Day schmaltz in the media and in our malls makes me wonder if others struggle with some of the mixture of deep gratitude—and impatience I feel. So I asked a few friends if they would tell me what they… Read More ›