Women's Voices For Change

Poetry

Poetry Sunday: “Walking Through the Grass at Night,” by Ellery Akers

By Rebecca Foust

The poem is somewhat about being alone and a speaker who conjures life into inanimate objects to populate her world.

Politics

Change is in the Air: International Women’s Day, 2018

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

There is a definite groundswell of action lately by and for women to improve things and fast track change.

Film & Television

“And the Oscar Goes to . . .This Year’s Oscars”

By Alexandra MacAaron

This year, Hollywood's salute to its own achievements made for excellent television indeed.

Poetry

“Not Elegy, But Eros,” “The Old City,”
and “Ode to the Joke,” by Nausheen Eusuf

By Rebecca Foust

All of Nausheen Eusuf's poems show an uncommon amount of mystery, subtlety grace, wit, and intelligence, but many—including the ones offered to you today—make me catch my breath.

Film & Television

Oscar Central: Women’s Voices’ Live Blog of the 2018 Academy Awards

By Women's Voices For Change

We are live-blogging the Oscars tonight to cheer on our favorites and dish about the absurdities.

Emotional Health

Stop Blaming the Mentally Ill

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

The vast majority of people suffering from psychiatric disorders are not prone to violence. Overall, mass shootings by people with serious mental illness represent 1 percent of all gun homicides each year.

Film & Television

Oscars 2018: Winners, Losers, and Worthy Women’s Causes

By Alexandra MacAaron

There is powerful momentum right now with unprecedented attention being paid to issues that affect every woman. From sexual harassment, to pay equity, to the lack of opportunities.

Ask Dr. Pat · Health

Testing for a Healthy Heart

By Patricia Yarberry Allen, M.D.

As we wrap up February, National Heart Health Month, cardiologist Dr. Kirsten O. Healy discusses a number of diagnostic tests to further our understanding of heart disease and help patients determine if they are at risk.

Poetry

“On the Way to Grandma’s Funeral” and
“What the Confederate Flag Means to Me,”
by Glenis Redmond

By Rebecca Foust

Every poem in "What My Hand Say" is influenced by the poet’s historical and actual experience with racism, and some take it head-on.

News

School Shootings: A Nation in Crisis

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

Trying to pin mass shootings on the mentally ill is a distraction and a cop-out. The percentage of people with psychiatric disorders who are dangerous to others is very small. Opportunity [including easy access to guns] is a crucial factor when it comes to violent crimes.

Poetry

Poetry Sunday: “Making Zelnik at the Sibling Reunion,” by Karen Paul Holmes

By Rebecca Foust

My new book, "No Such Thing as Distance," was partly inspired by the Macedonian culture in which I grew up. How better to reflect that heritage, and also the closeness of my family, than through a cooking poem?

Film & Television · Marriage & Life Partners · Relationships & Dating

In the Mood for Love:
Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

Living vicariously through others’ love affairs helps us remember the feeling of being transported and to re-experience the wild emotions (and even madness) that love drives us to.

Marriage & Life Partners · Relationships & Dating

Valentine’s Day Relationship Tune-Up

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

While it may seem to be humming along, a good relationship needs care, maintenance and plenty of attention if it is going to survive the long haul.

Film & Television

I, Tonya: The Mostly True Story of Ice Skating’s Most Striking Woman

By Alexandra MacAaron

The terrific movie "I Tonya," nominated for three Oscars this year, doesn't strive to tell the truth so much as to explore different truths.

Ask Dr. Pat · Health

Steps to Maintain Your Heart’s Health

By Patricia Yarberry Allen, M.D.

The first step to living a heart healthy life is to have the tools to make effective lifestyle changes. Here are key things you can do to keep your heart beating strong for years to come.

Poetry

Poetry Sunday: “Prepositional,” by Lorna Knowles Blake

By Rebecca Foust

“Prepositional” speaks of a long relationship between the speaker and her beloved and examines the stability of their unit (“us”) against (in relation to) the larger backdrop of history and the even larger backdrop of nature and time, creating a truly unique and universal valentine.

News

The Story Continues: How the #MeToo Movement Is Already Changing Us

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

While not every alleged sexual abuser is guilty, if #MeToo leads to a lasting change in that all allegations are being heard, it will be a spectacular victory.

Health

Dr. Reszko’s Tips for Healthy Winter Skin

By Anetta Reszko, M.D., Ph.D.

Cold weather and harsh winds this winter do not have to ruin your skin. Here are detailed advice and tips from dermatologist/dermatologic surgeon Dr. Anetta Reszko on how to beautify and protect your skin.

Poetry

Poetry Sunday: Poems by Lee Harlin Bahan

By Rebecca Foust

I highly recommend "A Year of Mourning" for readers interested in translation or the sonnet form, as well as anyone suffering the pangs of unrequited love.

Emotional Health

Gymnasts Break the Silence: The Pain of Revealing Sexual Abuse

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

Throughout history, when women have taken on men they have been disbelieved, silenced, shunned, and even punished. Now, given the #MeToo movement and “monster” Larry Nassar’s 175-year prison sentence, other pedophiles may discover that, at last, #Time’sUp.

Health

The Flu Season Has Weeks To Go

By Patricia Yarberry Allen, M.D.

Assume that you and everyone around you has the influenza virus until the CDC announces that flu season is over.

Poetry

Poetry Sunday: “Are You in the Room with Me Now?” by Maw Shein Win

By Rebecca Foust

We readers understand that the speaker is in fact weeping at the end of the poem, but we also understand that something powerful is holding her back from acknowledging or owning her tears.

Film & Television

The Academy Moves in the Right Direction . . . at a Glacial Pace

By Alexandra MacAaron

Any indication that movies with powerful women at their core can be as successful as movies focused on men can only be a good sign. Hopefully, it opens the door to more movies with — and for and about and by — women.

Emotional Health

In the Blue Zone: The Happiest Places on Earth

By Cecilia M. Ford, Ph.D.

Counsel on how to achieve long life and happiness: 9 lessons distilled from research among the world’s oldest, happiest people.