The Story Exchange

The Story Exchange, a nonprofit digital media project, showcases the often-overlooked entrepreneurial women around the world who collectively impact the global economy every day.

[nprbooks]

Their influence was indirect not just with their own husbands, but with other men in power. So they would go to the secretary of the Navy and say, ‘Oh, it’s just terrible so-and-so is being deployed to Italy and his wife is pregnant. You can’t do that!’ And the secretary of the Navy would say, 'Yes, ma'am, I can’t do that. You’re right.’ And that happened all the time. These women were lobbied by favor-seekers or bill-passer-seekers or just individuals. … They would be the person who had the ear of the powerful man more than anyone else.

Author (and NPR contributor) Cokie Roberts on the secret power wielded by wives of presidents, senators and secretaries of war in Civil War Washington. Her new book is called Capital Dames.

Meet The ‘Capital Dames,’ Civil War Washington’s Secret Power Brokers

(via nprbooks)

[liebyammunition]

"I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story — I will. I will speak and share and fuck and love, and I will never apologize to the frightened millions who resent that they never had it in them to do it. I stand here and I am amazing, for you. Not because of you. I am not who I sleep with. I am not my weight. I am not my mother. I am myself." 

[liebyammunition]

Amy Schumer, 2014 Gloria Awards and Gala

[thestoryexchange]

Today at the The Story Exchange, we’re taking a moment to consider the wisdom of Emma Watson, who is best known for her turn as the powerful and independent Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” movie series.

In 2014, Watson showed the world that she’s more than just an actress when she was appointed as a Women Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations. She used this platform to launch the HeForShe campaign, which formally invites men throughout the world to join the fight for gender equality.

This quote, taken from Watson’s introduction of the campaign at the UN, speaks to the internal struggle and uncertainty we all sometimes experience when facing transitions in life. She encourages us to overcome fear and doubt by confronting them head on, and to join together to make real change happen. Her ability to conquer her own personal doubts for the betterment of (wo)mankind makes her an inspiration.

(via The Story Exchange)

[revolutionarykoolaid]

What I see actually are women who are sometimes powerful and sometimes not, sometimes sexy, sometimes not, sometimes honorable, and sometimes not. And what I think is new is the roles for ACTUAL women and movies and television. I think that’s what’s revolutionary and evolutionary, and that’s what’s turning me on.

Maggie Gyllenhaal telling it during her Golden Globes acceptance speech! 

(via socialjusticekoolaid)

[micdotcom]

14 incredible facts about Michelle Obama on her 50th birthday

Happy Birthday First Lady! We bet you didn’t know all this about her.

See the rest.

[micdotcom]

Happy end of 2014 everyone! Over the next few days we’re going to highlight our biggest Tumblr posts of 2014 to reflect on the year that was. Thanks for following and making 2014 so incredible for Mic!

[vintascope]

Midol - 19651200 McCall’s

[thestoryexchange]

Seasons greetings to our friends and followers around the world. Our global family is comprised of over a million people in more than 220 countries & territories. Happy holidays to all!

[micdotcom]

Science has bad news for exceptionally attractive people 

Being beautiful actually does have its downsides. New research reveals that being pretty doesn’t necessarily make people see you through a rosy lens. In fact, people with “average” faces are the ones we find to be the most trustworthy.

A new study published in the journal Psychological Science found that we trust people with a “typical” face more than we do someone who is either unattractive or exceptionally attractive.

[thestoryexchange]

Candy That’s Good for Your Teeth: These delicious confections that do wonders for your smile had our Gift Guide judges grinning from ear to ear.

Go HERE to learn more about 10 great gift ideas with a STEM twist, all made by female entrepreneurs.

[nycedc]

Winter Village in @UnionSquareNY - There’s no shortage of small businesses with fun and unique gifts for the holidays. What’s your favorite place to do #holidayshopping in #NYC ? Photo credit: @lizziefury

[retrocampaigns]

Yuki, world-class Christmas tree inspector

Via Business Insider

[thestoryexchange]

Anne Dowling of Breckenridge, Colo., runs a pair of wine and cheese shops -- and gets some good skiing in on powder days.

Click HERE to read more.

(via The Story Exchange)

[pulitzercenter]

In Sierra Leone, grantee Erika Check Hayden is looking at the contribution of a specific group of Ebola survivors—nurses who are caring for other victims.

“Their job—inserting intravenous lines into patients’ veins to deliver hydration and medicine—carries a high risk of exposure to Ebola through patients’ blood. But the survivor nurses, wearing full protective gear, are thought to be immune to re-infection with Ebola, so they’ve taken on this potentially dangerous task,” writes Erika in a piece for Wired.

As one nurse explained to Erika, “We want to save lives as they did to us.”

[thestoryexchange]

The Latest in Geek Chic: Floppy Disk Coasters: The cast of CBS' hit show "The Big Bang Theory" couldn't resist these charming home decorations, and neither could our Gift Guide judges.

Go HERE to learn more about 10 great gift ideas with a STEM twist, all made by female entrepreneurs.

[digg]

This is why men should not write tampon commercials.

[thestoryexchange]

Discouraged in School But Thriving as Tech Entrepreneur:  AP Computer Science nearly derailed Melody McCloskey's career in tech. Today she's running StyleSeat in San Francisco.

Click HERE to read more.

(via The Story Exchange)

[studdedheartsblog]

[glamour]

Emma Watson at the Noah premiere.

Via studdedheartsblog