Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

Conquering Girl-Crazy
Ladies, we’ve all been there. Everything seems fine and then he (or she or whomever), does something, says something, and suddenly we go girl-crazy. We get excited and emotional, and our thoughts are directly connected to our mouths, no filter to save us. We say things we mean, but didn’t necessarily mean to say out loud. We behave irrationally. And much later we might find ourselves giving apologies and asking for forgiveness, blaming our behavior on lack of sleep or caffeine, or hormones. What if you could break the cycle? I have 5 steps that might help.
By Layla Knight8 years ago in Viva
There's a Place for Your Kind of Love... Prison
Four years of age and not knowing quite what life is all about, playing with toys, and being happy as can be, so far. Well, at quite a young age, I was being looked after by one of my parents good friends while they were at work and my old brother at school. Nice family, lovely woman and man with a few much older kids than I, with one being in a wheelchair due to having meningitis. I became quite good friends with one of their daughters, but being a wee girl, I was quite taken back by their son, as many young females are at the age of four. Their son was quite a few years older than I, possibly 10 years older. Everyday Monday to Friday, only for just a few hours, while my parents go to work, I'd go to this other family's house. At a very young age of 5-years-old, I started to realise something REALLY wasn't right with their son...
By Marianne McGarry8 years ago in Viva
Til it Happens to You
I didn't say yes. But I didn't say no. After, we were at church. I stood while we sang. And I cried. I wasn't crying because I was moved by the spirit. I was crying because I was 14 and had just performed the first sexual act of my life.
By V. Renae8 years ago in Viva
Just Ignore It
It was determined from the beginning. I was weak, small, less. I need to be pretty, I need to smile, I need to not instigate the male gaze.
By Sandra Quin8 years ago in Viva
Layering with the Wisdom of Paris
Ah, winter. The only time of the year you can layer to your heart's desire without sweating through your once-perfect silk top. Or, at least that's how it is if you live in beautifully-hot Southern California like I do.
By Raven Yule8 years ago in Viva
The Aftermath of Abuse
In my last post, I shared my own experience that I’ve had with domestic violence in an abusive relationship. I knew it was an issue, but wow, I never realized how truly relevant it was until I got so many responses to my last post from people who are either in the same situation, or had been at some point. It’s heartbreaking to hear that it’s happening all around me, however, it makes me that much more content with my own story going public. I feel so relieved that my story impacted readers, and brought attention as well as started conversations that need to be had. A lot of people reached out to me with questions, such as “how do you handle dating now?” “are you still scared of him?” and simply “how do you cope?”. All solid questions in which I will now address in my second post called: The Aftermath of Abuse. Then I shall move on from this particular subject because who wants to dwell on damage?
By . /8 years ago in Viva
Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy Proposes A Commission To Protect Against 'Sexual Terrorism' In Hollywood
More than 40 women have come forward to tell their stories of harassment and sexual assault at the hands of former film executive Harvey Weinstein. The accusations span more than three decades, and undoubtedly, more survivors will gather the courage to break their silence.
By Rachel Carrington8 years ago in Viva
I Slapped The Pastor
Everyone was pleased with the new pastor, whom I’ll refer to as Tim (not his real name) at first. The new pastor was younger, preached in a style that made the congregation pay attention, encouraged people to refer to him by his first name. Tim was full of ideas that people hoped would help revive a decades-old neighborhood church that needed to grow. We all were drawn to him and we wanted to help.
By Hillari Hunter8 years ago in Viva
A Force For Women: Gal Gadot Stands With Those Confronting Sexual Harassment And Violence
Having portrayed a powerful woman who isn't afraid to face any danger in her path, Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot offered young girls and women hope for a future in which women aren't treated as any less than a man. After her role as Diana Prince in the massively successful film, the Israeli-born actress amassed millions of fans.
By Rachel Carrington8 years ago in Viva
Christina Applegate Had Her Ovaries And Fallopian Tubes Removed — And She’s Talking About It For An Important Reason
Christina Applegate played the clueless Kelly Bundy on Married With Children, but in being an advocate for women's health, she has proven that she is anything but clueless.
By Rachel Carrington8 years ago in Viva
Former Pussycat Doll Kaya Jones Says The Band Was A 'Prostitute Ring'—Literally
All-female singing group The Pussycat Dolls formed in 2003 and quickly achieved worldwide acclaim. The group sold 54 million records, making it one of the bestselling girl groups of all time. But while the singers were making music, there was something more insidious going on behind the scenes, according to former member, Kaya Jones, who left the Pussycat Dolls in 2005, only two short years after her arrival.
By Rachel Carrington8 years ago in Viva
The One Thing We're Forgetting In The Hollywood Sexual Assault Scandals: The Victims
Since the news broke of Harvey Weinstein's atrocities against women, the door has been opened for his victims to share their personal stories of trauma that came at the hands of a man who was supposed to be helping them and their careers. The sexual harassment allegations go back decades, and most likely, more women will come forward before Weinstein is no longer front page news. Though he was recently terminated from the company he co-founded and kicked from both the Academy and the PGA, it's a small consolation for those who have spent years trying to heal from the damage he inflicted.
By Rachel Carrington8 years ago in Viva