From detailed diagrams of the uterus to suffragette slogans; embellished prints of inspirational women to vibrators spouting positive vibes (geddit?), the riot of feminist embroidery is as powerful as it is creative – but why?
How to Be a Man Who Doesn't Scare Women
Sarah Everard was kidnapped while walking the 50-minute journey home from her friend’s house through Clapham Common. She took a well-lit route, made a phone call on the way and wore brightly coloured clothing – in short, she did everything women are taught to do to protect themselves, and it still wasn’t enough.
Here’s Why British Protesters Want to “Kill the Bill”
On 18 March Sisters Uncut gathered women and allies from all over the country, under the rallying cry #KilltheBill, for an online public meeting featuring speakers from Black Lives Matter, Traveller Pride, No More Exclusions, SWARM and Disability Justice.
‘The limits of my language mean the limits of my world’: sexism and the English language
After a truly terrible week for women’s safety, Katherine Grayson takes a look at the deeply unsettling repercussions of the language we use every day.
International Women's Day 2021: Challenging Gender Bias at Work
The theme of International Women’s Day this year is #ChooseToChallenge, a call to each of us to call out gender bias and inequality wherever we see it. Here’s how you can advocate for equality at work.
8 Contemporary Books by Women that are Totally Unmissable
From the spellbinding memoir of Carmen Maria Machado, to the hilarious personal essays of Samantha Irby, we’ve selected a few of our favourite books by women that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.
Mary Anning Rocks: how a young campaigner is righting a centuries-old wrong
This Women’s History Month, guest writer Katherine Grayson spoke to the Mary Anning Rocks campaign about the past, the future and the fossilised faeces of ancient fish.
Why we should all stop saying “feminine hygiene products”
When we use words like “feminine” and “hygiene” in relation to period products, it harms the people who need them. If we want a period revolution, it’s time to modernise the language of menstruation.
An Ode to Galentine's Day
I love love. Unapologetically and wholeheartedly, to the point that it makes people around me uncomfortable. However, there is one celebration which sanctions – nay, encourages – such an outpouring. I’m talking, of course, about Galentine’s Day.
#LLF21: Leeds Lit Fest Gets Digital
Showcasing international literary names alongside incredible local talent, Leeds Lit Fest is back… and coming to living rooms near you!
Understanding RED-S: what we don’t know about women and sport
To celebrate National Women & Girls in Sport Day, guest writer Katherine Grayson spoke to GB athlete and founder of Athletes in Balance, a resource and support programme for athletes suffering from RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) Pippa Woolven.
‘We’re Northern, Not Stupid’ – An Interview with Justine McNichol
Harpy Mag chats to Justine McNichol, founder of Love the North - an organisation committed to raising money for small Northern businesses during the pandemic.
Great Womxn Who Work in the Arts: Finding Power in our Collective Voice
Meet Anna and Lily, two creatives on a mission to unite artists and arts workers and be catalysts for positive change in the city.
Es ley! As Argentina legalises abortion, can the green tide sweep Latin America?
On the 30 of December 2020, the Argentinian National Congress voted to legalise abortion. This is a huge victory - one celebrated across the world. But will this green tide sweep the rest of Latin America?
Search Trends 2020: Searching for Hope (or Googling Our Way Through the Shitshow)
It will come as no surprise that ‘coronavirus’ was the most Googled term worldwide during 2020. But, what else did we search for? Here are some of my favourite glimpses of humanity from the internet-sphere in 2020.
20 Good Things That Happened in 2020
We don’t associate 2020 with good news. It’s been a year of doom scrolling, mask wearing and quarantining for many, but behind the miserable clickbait there are plenty of positive stories flying under the radar, from sudden onset lust for Andy Burnham to a fourth season of Big Mouth.
Why We Need to Talk About Perfume Advertising this Christmas
Imagine, for one heady moment, perfume advertising that simply represents a diversity of bodies instead of recycling again and again the sculpted silhouette of the model du jour. Would it change the way we look at ourselves after seeing a beauty ad?
Top Trumps: Lockdown relationship edition
Which type of lockdown relationship are you? A fun game to while away the time until lockdown 2.0 is over!
Mary Wollstonecraft’s Statue: How to Subordinate a Woman on her Own Platform
This week saw the unveiling of a long-awaited statue. Yet the Mary Wollstonecraft sculpture is a striking example of artistic gaslighting: how literally to belittle a woman whilst purporting to honour her.
#BuyLeeds: Support Leeds Indie Business this Christmas
We know it feels a little early to get excited about Christmas - especially with over 2 weeks left of the national lockdown - but #BuyLeeds has definitely conjured a little festive cheer here at Harpy Mag.