Club Letter No. 1

Welcome to The Parlor, the corner of our club letter where we spill the tea on all the things happening in the world. So, why "The Parlor"? Well, The term "parlor" itself traces its roots to the Old French word "parler," meaning 'to speak' or 'to talk.' Historically, a parlor served as a space for social interaction and meaningful conversations, and that is the vibe we want to bring to this space.

We exist not to tell you what to think, but encourage you to sharpen your critical thought process at every turn and feel confident about cutting through the noise when necessary to lend your voice to the conversations happening around you.

We’re not claiming to have all the answers, but we want to inspire the curiosity that makes us ask the best questions. We live in an age of information excess, yet people are starved for knowledge when it comes to what we are to do with much of it, and are easily stressed about a lot of it. (Learn how to manage headline stress) This is a motivating factor for our entire newsletter, and we hope you will comment* on this section and the others to help drive the conversations. Pull up a chair and let’s dig in.

Something Good: Jessica Wade’s mission to make sure women’s scientific accomplishments are represented on Wikipedia (by personally making over 1,600 bios) Read the story

Election Year Things: Rep. Cori Bush under DOJ, FEC and House Ethics investigation for alleged misuse of campaign funds. Bush says these claims are baseless and is fully cooperating with the investigation, but will there be fallout as she faces the Democratic primaries? Read the story

Reproductive Rights: Former Planned Parenthood chief, Cecile Richards, is facing her own health struggles but remains more committed than ever to restoring the rights we have to make our own decisions about pregnancy. Read about Charley, the platform she co-created to combat abortion misinformation.

A Late Night Comeback Story: Jon Stewart’s return to Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show”: Gone since 2015, he’s back for what promises to be an eventful election year. Read here

Eyes on Gaza: We will prioritize featuring the latest, credible stories on Palestine and the events unfolding week to week. We value being a part of a rise in a greater global consciousness in new-age media. Read the latest on UNRWA, the “backbone” of Gaza aid response, according to UN chief.

Fellow Texans: The standoff between Abbott and the Biden administration over immigration deal continues. More here. Why does it matter? Because an increased number of voters are concerned about immigration.

Isn’t it Nice When: Andrew Tate loses another legal appeal, keeping him in Romania while he faces charges for human trafficking and sexual assault. Read it

*You will be able to comment directly to the newsletter as well as through the social media posts that will correspond with the sections of the club each week.

Just as the moon affects the tides, we are all influenced by nature and our solar system. An almanac is a calendar that contains astronomical and meteorological data for the year, as well as other important… and less important dates you need to know. When it comes to space, we will update you on any upcoming important lunar dates taking place within the week but for a comprehensive glance at the year you can find some of those dates here.

The other aspect of the Almanac is to make sure you have access to your horoscope and any information you could possibly want on your zodiac sign. Maybe you don’t identify with your sun sign, maybe you’re more in tune with your moon sign or some other aspect of your birth chart. Maybe you dont even know what any of that means. This is a place where we will talk about those aspects of the Zodiac.

Election Year Dates: It’s never too early to keep an eye on important dates in an election year. Check yours for your state here

It’s always a national something day. And today is delicious. Its National Dark Chocolate Day, folks. Side note: ever tried dark chocolate on oranges? (please don’t unsubscribe) We swear its worth a shot. Recipe 

There are plenty of health and wellness resources out there for you, but we are putting trends aside when it comes to our health and seeking truth and clarity around improving our lives. Do you know that most medical research is done with male test subjects? This is one of the facts that makes this section so important to us, as we highlight not only what we can do daily to improve our own lives, but also what work is being done to close the gaps in how research is conducted to include more female subjects that take a completely different set of needs into account. (Read more about that work, here.)

A haven is a place of safety and refuge, which is what we hope The Ozuree will become for our readers. Bringing different voices to the table when it comes to wellness and long-term health is a top priority for us. Without addressing the conversation from a place of intersectionality, we will never get where we need to be as a collective with the goal of healthy communities where everyone lives long and vibrant lives.

Neurobiology x Work: Apparently, the best time to start challenging work is around 2-4 hours after you wake up. Read this Neuroscientist’s guide to getting back to the basics when it comes to physical and mental health. Sleep. Sunlight. Movement. Nutrition.

Working out: When it comes to physical fitness, there are many options and we encourage you to find what works for you and what you enjoy doing. That said, it is known that when you work out, your body boosts the release of endorphins, which make you feel good immediately. More interestingly, though, research is showing more details regarding just how important exercise is to your long-term brain health. Read it here

Who among us doesn’t love a Greek mythology reference? This room of the club is named after none other than the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Despite being the goddess of everything love, desire, and sexuality, she had her fair share of struggles in each of those areas (get your Greek Mythology learning for the day, here.) The media has always succeeded when it comes to sexualizing women but has been less successful in bearing truth and transparency for women around sex and sexual wellness, prioritizing their needs and desires, and granting them the freedom to embrace their sexuality and make pleasure an important part of their lives.

Sexuality is a necessary component to consider in your overall health. We believe it, which is why we have dedicated an entire section to the destigmatization of this topic and the exploration of the many personal and larger social questions, concepts, and ideas that are covered under this umbrella.

Fact Checker: While we all love stumbling on unexpected knowledge on social media, we have to check sources, which we did when it comes to debunking Tik Tok vaginal health tips. Read here

Something Good: A new study has found no cases of cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer for women worldwide, in young women fully vaccinated against HPV in Scotland.

Yep, It’s a Thing: Sexual wellness retreats

For your Timeline: Follow Emily Morse, Doctor of Human Sexuality on Instagram and listen to her podcast

A lighthouse might seem like an oddity among the other spaces, or maybe not, but just work with us for a minute. While they are located all over the world and come in a myriad of heights, colors, materials, and shapes, their purpose remains the same: to emit a beacon of light and help guide ships safely through the night. I found this to be a fitting metaphor for the role that activists play in our society. Throughout history, activism has been present within every political system and institution. We are up against many challenges, but there are always those who are leading the way and holding a beacon in the night. Activism strengthens our sense of empathy and community and even shows benefits to one’s psychological well-being. 

At the lighthouse, we will talk to leaders and participants in movements and do our part to illuminate the individuals, organizations, and communities that are leading the way through the night.

Additionally, we will explore the ways in which we can be more active participants in our communities and how to fight against performative activism and direct our efforts and resources toward enacting and supporting impactful and positive change in the world around us. It is work that never stops, and we are personally committed to getting better at it each day.

Ever wonder what percentage of non-profit staff are women? We’ll tell ya: 75%. Community change is largely led by women and their desire and determination to better the world around them.

Nonprofit Spotlight: Elevate Aviation, led by co-founders Kendra Kincade, who serves as President and CEO, and Laura Foote is a nonprofit that introduces women and girls all across Canada to careers in aviation.

We have no interest in getting caught up in the white noise of tabloid headlines or the drama, well, not all of the drama (it is entertainment, after all), but mostly just focusing on the good stuff that comes out of the industry that inspires us, entertains us, and helps us indulge in our reveries a bit. One thing you’ll always find here is our weekly club soundtrack, which you can listen to on Spotify.

Who Made the Deal: Dua Lipa, who has bought back the rights to her songs from TAP Music Publishing. Story

Who Didn’t Make the Deal: Universal Music Group with TikTok, losing the rights to a slate of music including that of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and more

Are You Ready For Festival Season? See the lineups for all of this year’s biggest musical celebrations here

Something We Love: It’s been two months and we’re still not over it— Måneskin’s RUSH! (Are U Coming?) new edition and the VALENTINE music video. How to pronounce Måneskin (Danish for “moonlight”)? Hear it from the band themselves. Treat yourself to the masterfully-shot B&W music video.

Some facts: By the year 2028, women will own 75 percent of the discretionary spending. Only 5 percent of women of color hold C-suite leadership roles. 36 percent of women worry about their financial well-being daily. These are just some of the facts that motivate us to bring these conversations to the forefront.

This is not your dad’s business section. Here, we recognize the power and importance of women when discussing the economy, business, and finance. The Conference Chamber is a no b.s. zone where we will hear from experts and highlight information on topics from personal finance to entrepreneurship, workplace equality, and everything in between.

We want to bring you facts and helpful content that will allow you to strive for (and achieve) your own version of success, financial freedom, and fulfillment that you desire.

Women Making Money Moves: While many of its viewers are still recovering from (or still complaining about) Taylor’s brief appearances at football games, the NFL is busy striking a deal with Kristin Juszczyk, the designer behind Taylor Swift’s iconic KC Chief’s jacket. We love to see it. Read it

Workin’ it at Work: Younger professionals might be more likely to make the mistake of overcommitting. Read CEO Kristen Sonday’s advice on walking the line between being assertive and arrogant.

Budgeting Refresh: It’s not exactly a fun task, but it can pay off Here’s a good place to start (there are Google spreadsheets for everything)

Women x AI: Women are already frequently leveraging AI in their personal and working lives. Check the poll by The Female Quotient and The Harris Poll

Never stop learning. The best version of you is someone who is always asking questions, cracking open books, and allowing your mind to travel to unexpected places. This section is named after the idea that there is a scholar in all of us, and we should always be feeding that side of ourselves in whatever ways are accessible.

Within this section of the club, you can find book recommendations and reviews (Ozuree-exclusive contributors will be featured in the coming weeks and we’re very excited) in addition to other content such as author interviews, quotes from the classics, a word of the week, writing submissions, thoughts on learning habits and taking on new things, as well as other features that will engage your intelligence and awaken the scholar in you.

Worth the Time it Takes to Read: Susan Sontag’s Interview with Rolling Stone (1979). While there are certainly split opinions on the life and work of the iconic intellectual and essayist, her words never fail to make you think. Read it here

A Thing We Learned: Do you ever just go down random rabbit holes? Us too. But we always learn something down there. This week, one of those was the history of professional dream interpretation in Arabia. Check out the 3-minute read by Livia Gershon

Literature’s Mean Girls: Reading recommendations in honor of the girls who drive the plot. Read the list on Lit Hub

Whether it’s enjoying the solitude of your daily routine, getting ready with your closest friends, or getting compliments from a stranger in line, we know this space can be special for women as individuals and a community, especially as it symbolizes the overall state of the beauty and fashion industry that we live in. We can be each other’s biggest supporters, and sometimes, our own biggest enemies when it comes to ideas of beauty, how we define it, and how we achieve it.

Did you know that the beauty industry was estimated to generate $579.20 billion in 2023? While some of that can certainly be attributed to all of us partaking in the innocent enjoyment of various products and treating ourselves to skincare regimens that make us feel good, the bulk of the revenue is fueled by companies who perpetuate the idea that we must keep up with the trends or that we need the latest thing. We want to use this section to push back on harmful ideas and get below the surface of what drives them. There’s a lot of fun to be had in these areas, but we have to call out nonsense when we see it.

Is a natural beauty revolution on the way? Why did Pamela Anderson’s no-makeup appearance at Parish Fashion Week cause such a frenzy? Why has social media platforms like TikTok become a product-pushing machine? These are the kinds of questions that we are here to explore. Our voices matter in this discussion. So let’s set the tone.

What is the purpose of art? Why do we create it? How is it intertwined with social progress and rebellion? Can these questions even be answered? That’s what makes it such fun to talk about. Here’s a 2 minute read on the topic just for kicks.

Our goal in the Art Wing is to curate thoughts and stories that speak to the creative appreciation in all of us, in addition to talking to artists of all categories and mediums. Allowing others to see inside your process is an intimate notion as an artist, but we hope to establish ourselves as a thoughtful voice that recognizes the value that artists bring to so many areas of our lived experiences and how art evolves and contributes to our understanding of ourselves and others.

Artist Spotlight: Sarah Bahbah, artist and creative agency, Possy, Director

“Locker room talk.” Whatever you just thought of, this is not that.

We know that sports can be an intimidating and seemingly uninteresting area of entertainment for those who have never considered themselves fans. We humbly ask you to challenge this idea and give yourself a chance to learn and become a supporter in a non-threatening environment where you won’t be judged for not knowing terms, teams, and stats right off the bat. No one here will ask you “Oh yeah? Name five players” (We’ve all been there).

History is in the making by women in sports, and you don’t want to miss it.

Speaking of which… Chloe Kim just became the first woman to land 1260 in a snowboard superpipe competition. Read about it

Speaking of history-makers and hall-of-famers… As we reckon with what we were and were not taught from our school textbooks books, we know that as history was mostly recorded by men (insofar as what was considered credible records of history), it often leaves women’s contributions to footnotes and afterthoughts. While we certainly learned plenty of “big names", much of the history that women made and were a part of went by the wayside compared to that of men.

It is a simple thing to dedicate a few minutes each week to dig up a piece of history that provides us with insight and reverence for a story that might be lost if we do not pick up the baton and continue to tell it.

This Week: Joyce Bryant, the glamorous and ultra-talented singer, dancer, and civil rights activist passed in 2022 at 95, but left an impactful legacy.

While this section could never take the place of going antiquing with your best friends or hitting the downtown on a girl’s trip with your family, we want to create a section for shopping that makes you feel good and allows you to expand your capacity for sustainable practices and creative alternatives.

We also want to enforce the importance of putting your money where it can do good. Rather than supporting big business, we will work hard to highlight products from brands and partner with those that are making the world a kinder, greener, safer place.

Rather than shining light on any specific products or places this week, here are a few thoughts on why shopping locally matters so much (when you’re able to).

1. Shopping at local businesses keeps money circulating in the local economy.

2. Local businesses are vital to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the community.

3. Local businesses are the first supporters of local charities and nonprofits.

Read more of the details and statistics here

Where are your favorite places to shop in your local area? We would love to hear about them.

If you are reading this, we want to personally thank you for subscribing and hope that you will refer a friend and help us grow the club. See you next week xx C&C

If you’re not already, follow us on Instagram and TikTok to continue the conversation.