If you’ve been on Twitter today, you already know it: This afternoon, the New York Times reported that Jill Abramson, its executive editor, “is unexpectedly leaving the position and will be replaced by Dean Baquet, the managing editor.” Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. made the announcement in the Times newsroom at 2:30 p.m. ET. Abramson, 60,…
feminism
Jewels of the Month: Boss and Bossy Necklaces
I’ve loved singer Kelis ever since she appeared on the scene in 1999 with her debut single, “Caught Out There.” The song’s “Augggggh! I hate you so much right now!” line — aimed at a cheating man — and Kelis’s rainbow hair in the video always screamed “Badass!” to me. Because of Kelis’s badass credentials…
From Gloria Steinem to Miley Cyrus in One Day
It wasn’t on my bucket list but, in hindsight, it feels like it should have been: “I want to irk Gloria Steinem and cheer Miley Cyrus in one day!” Imagine telling someone that! I’m sure the response would be “Not a chance.” Despite the odds, on Saturday, I managed to achieve both of these things….
Good Reading for Aspiring Rocket Scientists (and Other Wimmins)
A fascinating article by Eileen Pollack in Sunday’s New York Times Magazine asks, “Why Are There Still So Few Women in Science?” It’s worthwhile reading for all wimmins, even those not interested in science, and I’m going to get to why that is … just as soon as I tell you about the science part….
Tiffany Taylor, She’s What You Want Her to Be
It strikes with no warning. Every so often, I wake up with the jingle for the 1970s Tiffany Taylor doll stuck in my head. Tiffany’s gimmick was a rotating scalp with dual hair colors. White Tiffany could be changed from blonde to brunette; African-American Tiffany switched between auburn and black. These dolls were produced by…
Wimmin-Haters and the Grammy Dress Code
I spent some time poking around teh Internets yesterday, looking for someone to confirm the authenticity of a wimmin-hating dress-code email sent out by CBS’s official prudes ahead of Sunday’s Grammy telecast. Did you see this? It was first reported by Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood on Wednesday. A source leaked the memo to her,…
Distressed About Leather, Plus the Week in Review
As a lifelong feminist, it pains me to admit it, but there is one thing that men are often* better at than women … SHOPPING. Surprise! But it’s true. And I’m not talking about how men are hunters and women are gatherers when it comes to trips to the mall. I’m more interested in the…
MTV VMA Fashion: Short Hair Don’t Care
I was digging the short hairdos at MTV’s Video Music Awards last night. Of course, Pink has been a devotee of short hair for years. But she had more company than usual at the VMAs. Miley Cyrus went short last month, and her hair looked great glammed up for the event. I’ve adored many of…
I’ve Got Love for the Olympics Women … Plus Miley Cyrus
I normally have no interest in sports, but I enjoyed the Olympics so much that I’m sad to see it end. The swimming, diving, and gymnastics were my favorites, though I liked track and field too. I preferred watching the women’s competitions. You can catch men playing sports on television every day but where besides…
Nora Ephron: 1941 – 2012
Yesterday, after writer/director Nora Ephron died for the second and final time — in a Mark Twain moment, Ephron’s friend Liz Smith reported her death from leukemia a bit prematurely — I immediately searched for Ephron’s classic 1972 Esquire essay, “A Few Words About Breasts.” At first, I couldn’t find her musings on the pain…