Latest news with #Ms.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Gender Agenda Newsletter: Are you settled?
'The more things change, the more they stay the same,' Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1808-1890), the French journalist, had said in the January 1849 issue of his journal Les Guepes (The Wasps). When I was in school in the 1990s and lived in a neighbourhood of government-job professionals who mostly had two children, it surprised me to see that parents would send their sons to boarding schools in the hills, where the education was believed to be better, but also far more expensive than regular day schools. Their daughters often went to government-run KVs (Kendriya Vidyalayas), where the expectations and the fees were low. I am not surprised to see that fewer girls than boys are enrolled in private schools even today. The proportion of girls going to private schools was 33%, while that of boys was 39% boys, in 2023-24. Private schools in India still have the image of being better than state-run institutions. Government schools recorded 54% girls and 49% boys. When girls do get the opportunity to study, they are often subject to all kinds of other social prisons, like being asked to get back to college hostels a couple of hours before the men. Natasha Narwal was known for the Pinjara Tod movement, which took up discriminatory practices in girls' students hostels, 10 years ago. She inspired a nation-wide movement of protests and demands for equality. At roughly the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme focussing on 'challenging mindsets and deep rooted patriarchy in the societal system'. In 2021, a Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women found that the government had spent 80% of the scheme's funds on media campaigns. Over the years, governments have initiated schemes to tackle female foeticide with cash transfers. But money, as they say, cannot buy everything. It can of course buy a 'good boy'. A girl, and by that corollary a woman, is seen as belonging to the family she will eventually marry into. Large loans must be taken for her wedding, to 'fund' the groom, leading families into deep debt. An unmarried woman in rural India is seen as an aberration; in urban India, she's seen as 'not settled' — her parents must worry about her future, relatives must 'look for a boy' for her. Most people don't see the irony in this — yes, she isn't 'settled' because she didn't settle. And that's cause for cheer. Toolkit Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print is a documentary on Hotstar about the feminist magazine Ms. launched in 1972 in America. The first issue had had an illustration of a blue Kali, with eight arms, each holding an iron, hand mirror, phone, steering wheel, typewriter, frying pan, duster, and clock. It sold 3 lakh copies. Ms. tackled issues of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and the repealing of laws that criminalised abortion. Wordsworth SOGIESC: Sexual Orientation (who you're attracted to), Gender Identity (what gender you identify with), Gender Expression (how you present yourself), and Sex Characteristics (biological attributes you're born with, like reproductive organs). This is an umbrella term for LGBTQAI+ communities. When the 19th Congress of the Philippines was adjourned, news organisations and those advocating for minority rights were disillusioned that the SOGIESC Equality Bill of 2022, formulated to ensure equality, was not taken up. Senator Risa Hontiveros, a health and women's rights advocate, hoped it would be passed in the next Congress, scheduled to convene next week. Ouch! Don't be afraid to be women, to allow yourselves to be led by a man.... Women, you are failing, you are eradicating masculinity, making society hypersensitive Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Mexican footballer Woman we met Taanya Kapoor, 33, started the Women and Gender Book Club in June 2023, to 'get back to reading for fun'. She remembers putting out (what was then) a tweet, asking people if they'd like to read fiction and non-fiction by women, with her. 'I just had 200 or 300 followers then, and when I woke up in the morning, there were 80,000 retweets,' she says. Now, with over 700 members of all genders from across the world, the club picks a book to read each month based on suggestions and a final poll. Sometimes, authors attend the Zoom meetings to speak about their books: Shrayana Bhattacharya (Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh), Farah Bashir (Rumours of Spring), and Neha Dixit (The Many Lives of Syeda X). Kapoor herself is in the process of doing a PhD on the contradictions of modern daughterhood in middle-class India.
Buzz Feed
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
The Ms. Rachel Singing Doll Is 40% Off For Prime Day
Helllooooo parents (or soon-to-be parents!), my name is Heather, and at the time I'm writing this, my son is 3 and my daughter is 1 (I'm out here truly in the trenches). As a parent of littles, the one thing I can *absolutely* stand by is my family's love for the admirable, adorable genius that is Ms. Rachel. If you also have kids, chances are she needs zero introduction. But if you *don't* and you're a delightful aunt, uncle, friend of the family (whoever!) looking for some insight, let me fill you in. That's me (pictured above) dressed as the queen herself for Halloween in Rachel has an *extremely* successful YouTube channel called "Songs For Littles" where she and other talented members of her team create videos of babies and toddlers that get them excited about learning to speak, sing, play, and more. The about page on her website perfectly explains that their videos are made "With a special focus on speech, language, and social-emotional skills, we're here to help your littles learn, bond, and thrive." TL;DR: Ms. Rachel is the best. Kids love her. Parents love her. The only qualms I personally had with her (and the brand) were that she didn't have merchandise for us to appreciate her further. Luckily, that's all changed! That's my toddler happily showing off his fresh Ms. Rachel era tee (she's basically his Taylor Swift). And you can check out more cute Ms. Rachel toddler tees, pajamas, or even a mini version of her signature look. Ms. Rachel has finally answered our parental pleas and released a *ton* of adorable and educational toys: think blocks, loveys, puzzles, tummy time items, and a book. Check out the Ms. Rachel shop page on Amazon to see for yourself. I've been lucky enough to snag the majority of these toys, so it is with GREAT authority that I tell you the cream of the crop is absolutely (and as expected) the Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll — and it's on sale for 40% off for Prime Day!!! The cheapest it has EVER been! My kids (aged 3 and 1) are equally obsessed with our savior, Ms. Rachel. I've been using the fantastic Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll to help get us through the crankiest times of the day (one click of it changes my daughter's entire persona, it's wild). It's been crafted by Gund, so you know it's a quality plush item. My son immediately wanted this doll to sleep in his crib — we just turned the sound off for the evening and told him Ms. Rachel needed some rest (haha). But it actually has a low/high setting to ensure it's sensory friendly for all kids — which I love. The doll boasts four songs and 16 phrases — all of which have been embedded into parents' brains already. If you *don't* know all the words to "Icky Sticky Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum" you're about to 😉. The doll also sings 'Wheels on the Bus,' 'Hop Little Bunny,' and 'I'm So Happy' — fan favorites, if you ask me. The phrases are all extremely positive, engaging, and reassuring (and that's just how *I* feel when I hear 'em). Other reviewers (and kids, of course!) adore this sweet plush Ms. Rachel as well: "I LOVE THIS! Ms Rachel is amazing, so I was so stinking happy for official merchandise. The doll is made so well, and my 1-year-old puts her through the wringer. The second she starts singing, it's like magic how quickly things can calm down. Super fun, no issues with my child using it, and she even made the volume changeable (thank you from an overstimulated mom). And it's soft and cute. Finally, I have a physical version of our best friend, Ms. Rachel!" —Momazon"This Ms. Rachel doll is a fan favorite in our house! My child loves carrying her around while singing along to the fun songs. The doll is soft, well-made, and looks just like her, which makes it even more special. It's a great companion for little fans of the show and encourages lots of imaginative play. If your kid loves Ms. Rachel, this doll is a must-have!" —Misty"I would highly recommend this doll! The attention to detail is impeccable, making it super realistic. It's so easy to use, just press the buttons and the doll sings and speaks. The size is perfect for little hands to carry and play with. This is such an amazing toy, every kid will love it!" —Lovannie When it was first launched, the doll was going in and out of stock on Amazon and was rumored to be as high in demand as Tickle Me Elmo was back in the day. Honestly, now that I've had it for seven months I can totally see why! I mean, just look how happy my kids are! A rare sight to see them both engaged and smiley at the same time — a parenting miracle, one might say. Get the Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll for 40% off Amazon for $17.99 (don't forget to clip the coupon to snag this price) immediately, I promise you won't regret it. And while you're at it, take a look at all the other Ms. Rachel toys that are on sale for up to 58% off right now! Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print' Trailer: Gloria Steinem Revisits Her Magazine Legacy
Gloria Steinem's legacy extends far beyond her literary achievements, but her beloved magazine Ms. is what really started a movement. The story of Ms. has been fictionalized onscreen in 'Mrs. America,' 'Minx,' and 'Good Girls Revolt,' and even had a real-life syndicated spinoff 'Woman Alive!' that started in 1974. The reach of Ms. is almost unfathomable — and its imprint (pun intended) on the sociocultural landscape is still being felt today. 'Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print' revisits the iconic publication through the lens of three directors: Salima Koroma, Alice Gu, and Cecilia Aldarondo. In the film, the trio each examine a different Ms. cover story to honor the legacy of the magazine. More from IndieWire 'Cloud' Trailer: 'Cure' Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa Again Proves He's a Master - This Time with a Grand Shootout Brian Cox Decided to Become a Character Actor After Visiting Hollywood: 'It Really Gave Me the Creeps' Ms. launched in 1972 and arguably revolutionized the feminist movement at the time. As the official synopsis for the documentary states, the magazine was suddenly 'bringing radical ideas to kitchen tables across the country and sparking provocative conversations about everything from politics to porn.' The documentary itself 'tells the untold story of the magazine's rise — how it defied the odds, transformed its readers, and continually fought to uphold its bold ideals in the face of cultural and political resistance.' 'Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print' features interviews with Steinem, Patricia Carbine, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Marcia Ann Gillespie, Lindsy Van Gelder, and Suzanne Braun Levine. The film premiered at Tribeca 2025 in the Spotlight Documentary section. William Ventura produces the feature, with Dyllan McGee, Amy Richards, Cindi Leive, Regina K. Scully, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez, and Anna Klein executive producing. Steinem was recently also at the center of 2020 biopic 'The Glorias,' which was based on her bestselling 2015 book 'My Life on the Road.' Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander both portray Steinem across years of her life in the film. HBO Documentary Films additionally released 'Gloria Steinem: In Her Own Words' in 2011. 'There are more young women now who are feminist leaders than there ever were during my era,' Steinem said at the time when promoting the doc, 'and young women have better shit detectors than we ever had.' 'Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print' will premiere Wednesday, July 2 on HBO and Max. Check out the trailer, an IndieWire exclusive, below. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Scientific American
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scientific American
Stories by Aviva Dove-Viebahn
Aviva Dove-Viebahn is an associate professor of film and media studies at Arizona State University. She has a Ph.D. in visual and cultural studies from the University of Rochester and is a contributing editor for Ms. magazine. She is the author of There She Goes Again: Gender, Knowledge, and Power in Contemporary Film and Television Franchises and is currently working on an edited collection about representations of precarity in contemporary youth television.
Elle
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
If Your Saturn Return Is In Aries - Like Chappell Roan And Kylie Jenner - You're In For A Wild Ride
What do Chappell Roan, Kylie Jenner, and Parker Posey have in common? No, they haven't been secretly cast in the fourth season of The White Lotus. But this May 24, all three begin their Saturn return. The planet of adulting and tough lessons circles back to Aries, where it was hanging out when these three luminaries were born in the late 1960s and 1990s. FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE The Saturn return in a cosmic rite of passage that comes around every 29.5 years, delivering endurance tests to make you stronger, wiser, and more resilient. If you were born between the following dates, buckle up. You're about to join Chappell, Kylie, and Parker for your Saturn return as well. Uh, good luck, babe? Just kidding, this will only be painful if you resist change. Saturn orbits through each zodiac sign for approximately three years. When it does, we all experience the challenging aspects of that sign's energy. That goes double for people born with Saturn in Aries in their birth charts. There's definitely a boot-camp vibe to your Saturn return, but oh, the muscle you can build! You can read your daily horoscope here We can attest to it personally. Our Saturn return took place when the ringed taskmaster was in Gemini, the sign of the writer, back in the early aughts. This also happened to be exactly when we landed our first job as astrology columnists, for the now-out-of-print Teen People magazine. Astrology was merely a personal obsession up to that point. We cataloged celebrity zodiac signs as research data and read every book on the subject that we could get our hands on. It certainly wasn't something we planned to do professionally—not because we didn't want to, but more because the opportunity had not emerged. At the start of our Saturn return, we were both working for Ms. magazine, the feminist tome started by Gloria Steinem. A copy editor at Ms. began moonlighting for Teen People and heard they were adding a horoscope column. After submitting writing samples, we landed the gig by firing off the signs of every cover star plastered across the editor-in-chief's wall. (Eminem: Libra! Britney: Sagittarius! Timberlake: Aquarius, the sign of the pop star.) The pay was amazing. The parameters were daunting. Along with the monthly print column, Teen People wanted a daily 'his' and 'hers' horoscope, which amounted to 168 forecasts a week. We spent much of our Saturn return toting our laptops to beach houses, typing under umbrellas while others splashed in the Atlantic. We met friends for extra-late dinners and midnight karaoke, because at 8 P.M., we still had Libra through Pisces to write. It was 100 percent Saturn-in-Gemini writer's bootcamp. Nonetheless, here we are a couple decades later, fully minted as professional astrologers and the authors of over 20 books on the subject. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely. So what's ahead for us all between now and April 12, 2028? Saturn's move into combative Aries affects everyone, even if you aren't one of the 'lucky' souls embarking on your Saturn return. Aries is independent. This is the sign of the lone warrior, the bold initiator, the first to leap into the unknown. No more waiting for permission or external validation. It's time to lead, to claim space, and to own your ambition without apology. But be warned: Saturn in Aries doesn't suffer fools or half-baked plans. Courage counts, yes, but so does follow-through. Also, how about a little anger management? Mature Saturn forces us to reckon with how we assert ourselves. There's a worldwide fight ahead for many of the personal liberties Aries holds dear. But systematic Saturn in Aries can help you develop a strategic battle plan so you can actually win the war against those repressive foes. This is definitely a sea change from Saturn's tour through watery Pisces, which began on March 7, 2023. Feisty Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and compassionate Pisces is the last. Although Saturn does one final lap through Pisces—from September 1, 2025, to February 13, 2026—that cycle is winding down. That also means people born with Saturn in Pisces will soon have reason to celebrate their quantum leaps. Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet, breakout actress Aimee Lou Wood, and forever pop star Harry Styles are all part of the 1994 to 1996 Saturn-in-Pisces graduating class. Justin Bieber, who has both his sun and Saturn in Pisces, hasn't had an easy go of his Saturn return, though he spent some time in Iceland recording new music and recharging near the Arctic Circle. If Saturn has a say in the matter, this could be his most meaningful album yet. If you were born during these time periods, you'll soon be free from the grips of your Saturn return in Pisces. And if you're wondering where Saturn falls in your chart, you can calculate it here. While it's true that Saturn is the Tracy Anderson of the skies, there's a reason she's made a name for herself as a celebrity trainer. Hustle culture may be passé, but Saturn knows the power of persistence. Stay disciplined. Put in the effort with integrity. Humbly follow instructions, and you'll emerge ripped and ready for the next stage of life's journey. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Ophira and Tali Edut (The AstroTwins) are among the most sought-after astrologers and intuitive advisors of our times. As the longtime resident astrologers for ELLE Magazine and the authors of over 20 books, they are the advisors to a roster of CEOs, celebrities, global leaders and successful entrepreneurs. They've read charts for celebrities the likes of Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and Emma Roberts. Their new book, The Astrology Advantage (Simon & Schuster), introduces The AstroTwins' revolutionary I*AM System, which simplifies the birth chart into three archetypes: Innovator, Authority, and Maven. On television, The AstroTwins have appeared as guest experts for Bravo, MTV, 'Good Morning America,' and the 'Today' show, and created the first streaming reality TV dating show based on astrology, Cosmic Love (Amazon Prime Video, 2022). Their work on the subject of 'spiritual technology' as an essential tool for business success has been featured in Fast Company and at leadership conferences around the world. Ophira and Tali have taught thousands of people their methods through their online platform, and at their signature retreats. Graduates of The University of Michigan, Ophira and Tali grew up in Detroit and currently live in New York and Seattle.
