The Ladies – The film ‘Harriet’, Beauty Gadgets, Women in Film…

Welcome to The Ladies for January 18, 2020! The Ladies is a women’s blog and lifestyle brand bringing curated articles on timely topics relevant to women and girls around the world — sprinkled with tidbits on things to do/see/read/buy. Subscribe using the link at right and post your comments below! In this post we touch on the film Harriet, a touch of politics, the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, women in film, women in music, women in the workforce, beauty gadgets and more! Read on…

WOMEN

I have two teenage daughters, ages 13 and 14 and today with the snowstorm, we are cozy and watching Harriet with a toasty fire going. It’s a great film to share with kids this age to learn about slavery and most importantly a strong woman like Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. What an amazing role model!

Here are some fun Harriet Tubman inspired goodies:

POLITICS: Politics are front and center these days. Here’s a great article from the NY Times, “Why Electing a Female President Is Secondary for Some Women” – click here to read. In the Trump era, some voters say the power of a symbolic first is overshadowed by anxiety about defeating him. Though women make up 54% of registered voters and nearly 51% of the country there is a lack of unity between women in terms of electing a woman president.

Women’s marches are being organized around the country today mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment acknowledging women’s right to vote. This year marks the 4th annual Women’s March.

If you live in Manhattan, go by the Armory! Park Avenue Armory Celebrates Women’s Suffrage With 100 Artists
To mark 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the Armory and a group of 10 cultural institutions are commissioning works from women. Click here to read the full article.

WOMEN IN MUSIC
Did you know that Women make up less than 8% of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees? Here’s a good read, 41 Women Who Should Be In The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – click here to read. (P.S. Dolly Parton has not been inducted)

WOMEN IN FILM
How Could the Oscars Ignore These Brilliant Women Directors? Yes, that’s right, yet again, for the 87th time in the Oscars’ 92-year history, no space could be found in the category for a single woman – a fact all the more egregious when you consider the depth and breadth of films directed by women this year. Click here to read the full article.

RELIGION
Pope Francis Appoints First Woman to Senior Vatican Diplomatic Role
Pope Francis has appointed a female Italian lawyer to a high-ranking role in the Vatican’s diplomatic division, further cementing his credentials as one of the most progressive Holy Fathers in history. Click here to read the full article.

WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE
Women Now Hold More Jobs Than Men In The U.S. Workforce
Buried deep in the U.S. government’s December jobs report was an interesting piece of data—women hold more jobs than men, occupying 50.04% of positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are now 109,000 more women working than men. It’s believed by experts that this trend will continue and gain more momentum as the number of working women increases, while the amount of men in the workforce declines. Click here to read the full article.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

In women’s health, here are some interesting topics this week.
Blood Pressure Patterns are Different for Women – click to read.

Here’s a quick 6-minute podcast from NPR, How Puberty, Pregnancy And Perimenopause Impact Women’s Mental Health – click here to listen.

Documentary – Toxic Beauty
Have you heard about it? One of my earliest memories of my paternal grandmother was how she smelled good after a shower. She used Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower. I would ask to borrow it when I visited her and I remember sprinkling it all over myself with delight. It was a fresh, pleasant smell that I remember from childhood. She died at the age of 69 from a form of leukemia ( I was only 6 and really missed out on getting to know her). My other grandmother, who died of a rare uterine/ovarian cancer, also used talc. Thankfully my Princeton and Cornell educated pediatrician, who I adore, warned me 14 years ago when I gave birth to my first daughter NOT to use baby powder with her. I have long been wary of the ingredients in makeup and products marketed to women. I’m a bit of a naturalist these days with everything I buy for myself and my family. Checkout the documentary Toxic Beauty – click here to watch the trailer and see screening locations. You can read more here, too. I haven’t seen it yet but would love to see a screening.

It’s hard to keep up with the beauty industry these days with influencers pushing products left and right – some good, some bad. Half the time, people don’t even stop to read the ingredients or country of manufacture. Safety and beauty industry regulations can go out the window when you are purchasing makeup and skin care products made overseas. It really becomes buyer beware! Two weeks ago, news reports surfaced that Unicorn Face Masks, which were sold in drugstores around the country, were pulled after causing chemical burns. Click here to read more. It’s important to read and understand beauty product ingredients and reviews before making skin care related purchases. I often google ingredients on my phone while I’m at the drug store and I constantly use the EWF app (enviromental working group) to check the safety of ingredients in beauty products. You can get the app here.

BEAUTY GADGETS

Here are some really cool beauty gadgets that you’ve probably never heard of and should check out. Click the photos for more information on each. For example, the Lightstim for Wrinkles is an FDA-cleared device that uses LED technology to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Who knew?! If you are reading this in your email inbox, you need to click here to see the post online to view shopping widgets. Here is our beauty gadget roundup:

I generally spend a lot of time reading reviews before I make a purchase. If you have any experience with these gadgets, post your comments below!

Thanks for joining us today at TheLadies. Be sure to subscribe for more! Check out previous posts to read about 2019’s Most Powerful Women, Women in Medical School, 100 Greatest Films Directed by Women, the History of Abortion and more!