Vol 001 | February 25 2021

EQUALITY

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL

Straight, married women appeared to get a new item on their to-do list last week, thanks to Australia’s Prime Minister admitting his wife had to explain why rape allegations should be investigated. If you missed this crash course in gender politics, here's Scott Morrison himself: “She said to me, ‘You have to think about this as a father first. What would you want to happen if it were our girls?’” Clearly in awe of his wife's patience at his lack of EQ, Morrison added “Jenny has a way of clarifying things."

With more claims of sexual assault inside the Australian parliament this week, the “what ifs” abound. What if Jenny had been too engrossed in Bridgerton that night to hear Scott's “so, umm, there's this thing at work...”? What if the Morrisons didn’t have daughters? And what other basics of human decency might the PM need Jenny’s “clarity” on? (If your fury just can’t take this right now, feel free to jump to this piece of ridicule instead.)

But what Morrison’s statement really lays bare is how in 2021 women are still routinely reduced to labels, best summarised as saint or sinner. And how men get to assign their labels, largely to enhance their status (we see you Ted Cruz, you ‘good dad’, you). Labels don’t always stick though. Just days after Morrison’s enlightenment, the judge in a landmark victory for India’s MeToo movement, declared, "Even a man of social status can be a sexual harasser." It shouldn’t need to be said, but it does. Labels of course, can be ripped off too. Writing this reminded me of a profile of Nadia Waheed, an American / Pakistani artist. She boldly champions women who refuse to conform, both in her words and her paintings. Though it's hard to read the last paragraph now without thinking of Dubai’s Sheikha Latifa, Waheed's women radiate freedom at having thrown off their labels. They’re a riot of colour, self-assurance and hope. It's worth a click just for them.

CAREER

IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME THE REAL IMPOSTER?

Much has been written about how women should handle Imposter Syndrome - less so on why it actually exists. This thorough report tackles it head on. Spoiler alert: You know that time in your twenties when you finally realised you weren't ‘always hormonal’, it was just a shit relationship? That...

See also: Business innovator Cindy Gallop’s response on Twitter when Google announced an initiative to train 100,000 black women in digital skills:

"No, Google. You need to announce Initiative To Train 100,000 White Men In Acknowledging, Valuing, Championing, Hiring, Promoting, Bonusing And Rewarding The Skills Of Black Women."

Action point: If workplace politics have you dreaming of a dramatic exit, here's an out of this world job opp actively looking for women...

BUSINESS

IF ONLY ALL THOUGHT LEADERS SPOKE LIKE THIS (YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY WANT TO LISTEN TO THEM)

As soon as I finished reading this interview with Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia, I went right back to the top and started again. I think it's one of the most quietly powerful business profiles that I've read in a long time. Not just because she speaks incredibly wisely on ALL the hot topics du jour; sustainability, leadership, reaching a career crossroads, but because of HOW she speaks - utterly devoid of any spin, and completely herself. During most interviews with successful leaders, however down to earth, there's the bit where you can feel them putting on the CEO hat, or checking the official-line script, especially if explaining an abrupt departure from a business as Marcario does here. (Kudos to the interviewer too, who never asks how she feels about being a role model to other women and instead allows her to be one for all). But what makes Marcario’s delivery so memorable is how inherently intertwined her personal and professional selves appear to be. Everything she says thrums with honesty - there is zero sense of laying the bread crumbs for her next role or shrewdly dropping in personal details to make herself relatable (although as a Buddhist living in a rainforest, that could be tricky). At a time when authenticity is seen as the holy grail of corporate life, she manages to epitomise it completely without mentioning it once.

RELATIONSHIPS

WHAT NOT TO SAY TO A MUM IN A PANDEMIC

Have we reached critical mass for testimonies from broken mothers yet? Instead of asking them to recount every multi-tasking minute (oh the irony), won't someone ask the obvious - is there another parent in the house? Could they muck in? While this article doesn't quite go that far, it it does start unpicking the issue, and I felt every line. Take this quote: 'When we say (mothers) are “amazing,” we’re actually complimenting them for living in a completely unsustainable way. This has to stop.'

Meanwhile, this is one of the few pieces I've seen that asks Dads (albeit straight dads) to talk honestly about pandemic life. It's an excellent, touching and frustrating read, and if there's not already a crowdfunding site to send Claire a crate of gin, what is the internet even for?

POLITICS

WHY WE MUST NOT FORGET POLAND

Plenty of important stories slipped off the news agenda thanks to Tango Man and his electoral dysfunction, but the draconian change to abortion laws in Poland feels like one of the most dangerous. Since January, terminations are no longer permitted for serious fetal defects or incurable disease, forcing many women to birth and lose their child on the same day. If you can face it, this chilling video report by journalist Valérie Gauriat is an unforgettable, if uneasy watch. It sensitively examines the new law through everyone's eyes; from the priest who thinks it doesn't go far enough to the doctor determined to defy it.

Here's how you can help:

1. Poland is part of the EU, who recommend that “in order to safeguard women’s reproductive health and rights, abortion should be made legal, safe and accessible to all”. Some MEPs have already spoken out against the assult on women's liberties - if you're in Europe, write to your representative here.

2. In the UK, 40 days of US funded protests outside British clinics started last week. Sign the government's consultation allowing women to take abortion pills in their own homes, and avoid the clinics altogether (closes midnight 26/2/21).

3. If you can, donate. The International Women’s Health Coalition advocates for women’s sexual rights around the world. This is not just Poland's problem.

JOY

I've just disovered I-D's Pinterest board and frankly, I feel like I’ve been on holiday. As you'd expect from the cult style bible launched in 1980, it's teeming with nostalgia, style inspo and outrageous outfits - and not a selfie pout in sight. All the gang's there - Winona, Vanessa Paradis, Devon Aoki, and a very girlish Kate Moss who seems to be giggling in every snap. 10 minutes gawking (ok, 20) feels like rummaging through a fashion archive and taking a memory test in one - surely healthier than another scroll on Instagram. The captions are a gift too: "Rodman walked so Yungblud could fly". Enjoy.

THE PERSIST LIST

What’s keepin’ me keepin’ on?

Saima Mir, journalist and author of The Khan from London, England

Thanks for your company. I’d love to hear your thoughts - on these stories, the state of the world or just what the hell’s for dinner tonight. Inbox open.

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Main photo by Amanda Souza @ducherwolf