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*cw = Content Warning*
 
Coming Back to Myself Written anonymously If you told me when I was 17 that in ten years I would be living on a different continent, I never would have believed you. If you told me that I would also be divorced, I would have laughed a
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Anonymous

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My Body is Not Your Mount Everest Written by Sydney, Writer The sexualization of young black girls is a harsh reality that forces them to mature more quickly, and it’s a reality that I lived for many years. Growing up in a black fam
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Sydney, Writer

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She’s Just Flirty Written by a 22-year-old, Chicago I was never flirting with the man at the grocery store. I wasn’t flirting with the pledge driver, my professor, nor with that one boy in my class. I was simply being kind. When, an
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

22, Chicago

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Eight-Year-Old Misogynist Written by Holly, Chicago Growing up, I was the stereotypical tomboy. I sat at the boys table at lunch, I would run around with them at recess and go over to their houses after school. I played baseball, to
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Holly, Chicago

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Exotic Written by Gina, writer and linguist from London Since before I was a teenager, the perception of my own natural beauty has been warped and modified to adhere to the male gaze. I was an early bloomer and was made aware of tha
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Gina, London

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You Are Pregnant Written by a Chicago Medical Student, 27 I never walk into an exam room and say ‘congratulations’. You can never assume a pregnancy is planned nor desired, I am taught. I sit down and I try to truly see the woman
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Chicago Med Student, 27

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2012: My Stolen Summer Written Anonymously (CW: sexual assault) I did everything I thought I was supposed to do. I screamed, I kicked. He did not stop! The more I resisted, the more I screamed: “NO!” the more he kept going. It f
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Anonymous

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Relief Written by Stephanie, 24 I have a recurring dream that I get diagnosed with breast cancer. In the dream I decide to get a double mastectomy and I do a naked photoshoot to capture my breasts while I still have them. I wake up be
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Stephanie, 25

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Sensing Fire Written by Ma’ayan, 23 (CW: sexual assault) I was in India, having already traveled alone for quite some time. I was staying in Rishikesh, and stopped for a bite to eat. I don't remember if he or I initiated, but I en
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Ma’ayan, 23

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My Cowboy Destiny Written by Heidi, Golden Valley, MN One day, our first grade teacher asked us: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Career exploration played no role in our first grade curriculum in the 1960s. The question se
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Heidi, Minnesota

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On Air and In the Know Written by Antoinette, reporter & anchor When I knew I wanted to go into the media industry, I knew it wouldn’t be an easy journey. First, I’m a woman. Second, I’m a Black woman. As women, we face so many h
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Antoinette, Reporter

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Running From Myself  Written Anonymously  As many others do, I gained ‘the freshman fifteen’. I was lucky to be able to go to the university of my choice which not only had great academics but was also in a fabulous city w
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Anonymous

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Satisfaction Written by Helen, Minneapolis “You need to dress more girly” … “You need to get boys to like you”  … “You can only have straight hair” … “You have to start wearing makeup” … “You need to be skinny” … “You can’t be
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Helen, Minneapolis

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Is My Period a Death Sentence? Written Anonymously In 2017, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I was 22 at the time of my diagnosis. Nearly ten years after my first period, and I finally had an understanding of why
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Anonymous

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The Masculinities of Queer Women Written by Bella, Strasbourg, France “How do you deal with toxic masculinity, MacKenzie?”  I knew when I asked the question that he wasn’t going to give me the answer I needed. While MacKenzie
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Bella, Strasbourg

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No, It’s Not Fine Written by Sydney, 24 (CW: sexual assault) I have known Evan since the sixth grade. All of the elementary schools came together in middle school, and he became best friends with my neighbor, so we became friend
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Sydney, 24

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Chopped Off My Locks Written by Sophie, Portland The daily suffering of being born a woman is immeasurable.  I’ve been called gross from complaining about my intrauterine pain, and called crazy about my hormone imbalances. I’ve
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Sophie, Portland

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She, Too Written by Samantha, 23 (CW: sexual assault) She was 16. She was at a party at someone else’s house. Scratch that, more like a small gathering than a party. She made sure to shave her legs and in between her thighs befo
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Samantha, 23

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My Period Story Written Anonymously My first period came at summer camp. Surrounded by a pack of giggling girls, I ran towards the bathroom, arms full of our cabin’s stash of women’s products (three boxes of tampons and six pads, to
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Anonymous

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In This Household Perseus Is A Goddamn Villain Written by Margo In this household Perseus is a  Goddamn.  Villain.   bookshelves tilted  as I was given access to novels and textbooks as I learned to c
Samantha Freeman Samantha Freeman

Margo

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