Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Empowering Through Education
My first experience of assault—and I mean by that a smack on the backside—was in the late 1980s. This man creeped me out so much that I would jump in the wardrobe to hide (I was working as a chambermaid) if I heard him coming down the hotel corridor, because if he caught me in the room, he would sit on the bed and try to get me to sit with him and verbally proposition me, heavy breathing added for effect.
By Lesley Anne Armour8 years ago in Viva
Vagina Troubles and How to Prevent Them
Okay, so I decided to take a break from writing about Disneyland to address a topic that is really important to me: VAGINA HEALTH. Ladies...It is shocking to me that in the time of amazing accessibility we live in, SO MANY OF YOU don't know how to take care of your beautiful, wonderful, lady parts!
By Kathryn C. 8 years ago in Viva
Was I Raped?
It was past my little brother's curfew. The street lights had been on for almost an hour; he knew to be home before they turned on. I was in charge. I was supposed to make sure that he was okay. I had called my parents—my stepfather, too. I was frantic. My stepfather had made it home first, then both of my biological parents. We organized a search throughout the neighborhood and any of his friends' houses that were close by. Being that I was seventeen and had my own vehicle, I desperately wanted to search with them. Instead, they told me to stay in case he arrived home. I was to call one of them immediately if he did.
By Opal O'Malley8 years ago in Viva
Why Is It Okay to Be Silent?
I have PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and trichotillomania all stemming from the first time I was sexually assaulted. I have now been assaulted three times, all before I turned eighteen. I am constantly on alert. I am always worrying about if I'm being followed when I'm alone. I have trust issues because two of the three times I was assaulted I knew and trusted the people who did it.
By Madison Neal8 years ago in Viva
What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger
I don't talk to people much about social issues. I don't think I should have to explain why everyone should receive basic human rights. The right to be in a country founded on immigrants. The right to choose what you do with your body. The right to proper health care and mental treatment. These are all things that every person on the planet should rightfully have, these among others. I shouldn't have to spell this out.
By Sam Kissiar8 years ago in Viva
I Tried a Menstrual Cup
I had been toying with the idea of trying out a menstrual cup for a while, but honestly, I was a little bit skeeved out by the whole idea—and it is quite a steep initial investment, usually around $35 rather than the $6-7 I was paying for a box of tampons. Of course, every month when I realized that I was out of tampons, or had forgotten to bring tampons with me and started unexpectedly at work, or the store didn't have my tampons, I was definitely intrigued with the concept of having something that would never run out and that I didn't have to purchase each month. I had watched a few videos about people's menstrual cup experiences and was definitely becoming more comfortable with the idea when, suddenly, a Facebook ad popped up, offering a free menstrual cup if I paid for shipping. I definitely am a sucker for something that is free. I was slightly scared about what kind of random mystery product I would be receiving and whether or not it was a good or safe choice, but I went through with it anyway because at least it let me play around and see what they were like.
By Alice Griffin8 years ago in Viva
Defining Solidarity
For years I have wanted to start the conversation about how women can be more supportive of each other. I have wanted to build communication among sisters. How often have women been able to get to a point in life that they can sit back and reflect, and say, "Because of (this woman), I have gotten to this point of my career."
By Regina Stone-Grover8 years ago in Viva
