Tag Archives: power

Frisky Q&A: Gloria Feldt, Author Of “No Excuses,” On Women And Power

Jessica WakemanOctober 21, 2010 //

Growing up in rural Texas, Gloria Feldt became pregnant at age 15 in the 1950s. The birth control pill did not exist and abortion was illegal; it was a time when a wife needed her husband’s signature to open a bank account and job listings said “Wanted: Male” and “Wanted: Female.” So, she married the guy who got her pregnant and by age 20, they had three kids together. Although she loved her family, Gloria felt she had very little ability to make choices for her own life. She began working at a small Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas (and can remember a time when the birth control pill was so new that men were afraid of it and would flush their wives’ pills down the toilet!). Eventually, the kids were grown and the marriage dissolved, but Gloria rose through the ranks of Planned Parenthood, eventually becoming the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She served PPFA from 1996 to 2005, testifying before Congress and even appearing on “The O’Reilly Factor” (and coming out alive). Keep reading »

What Tori Amos Learned From Her Sexual Assault

Jessica WakemanJuly 13, 2009 //

One of the first things you learn about alt-girl favorite Tori Amos is that she was raped when she was younger. Anyone who listens to her chilling song, “Me And A Gun,” off her Little Earthquakes album knows that and Amos has been honest about her assault for years.

Recently, Amos bravely opened up to London’s Guardian newspaper for their “What I Know About Men,” feature, in which a famous woman shares her secrets about the opposite sex. But Amos’ heartbreaking piece may as well have been titled “How Being Raped Affected My Life.” It was only after giving birth to her daughter that she “claimed [her] body back” and through the love of her husband that she could have a healthy relationship with men. Keep reading »

Frisky Rant: Should Women Use Sex As A Power Tool In Relationships?

SimchaJanuary 27, 2009 //

This past week on VH1′s “Tool Academy,” the dudes were taught humility by admitting their deepest fears about their relationships and prancing around in tutus. However, their girlfriends have been trying to put them in their place since the season began by withholding sex. Granted, none of those bros deserve a piece of their girl’s promise land, since they’ve been complete bastards, but if these ladies are willing to stand by their jerky boyfriends while they man up, what’s the point of not having sexy times?! It simply turns sex into a control issue. However, these “Tool”-ettes are not alone in their belief that keeping their legs closed for business will bring about a positive change in their love life. The question is, does denying what you both need — sex — get you what you want — a good relationship?

Keep reading »

Where the Girls Aren’t: Vanity Fair’s New Establishment Doesn’t Include Many Women

Susannah BreslinSeptember 16, 2008 //

Vanity Fair has posted the latest version of its annual New Establishment list. But, hey! Where are all the women? Out of the 100 moguls, entertainers, and businessfolk who made the list as the top 100 “leaders of the information age,” just how many are women? A whopping nine. Who are they, you ask? Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Arianna Huffington, Miuccia Prada, Diane Sawyer, Anna Wintour, Annette de la Renta, Donatella Versace, and Diane Von Furstenberg. So, what have we learned? If you’re a woman who wants to be considered a player in the New Media era by the media, you better be an entertainer, work in fashion, or have really, really great hair. Keep reading »