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This is exactly why we *need* Women’s History month

They provided “education … health care, and social services'' for poor and marginalized Americans, essentially constructing a social safety net before there was any conception that government should do the same.

But we don’t even know their names — why?

FemCatholic sat down with Kathleen Cummings, whose research focuses on the overlap of where “women’s history and religious history” overlap. Here’s what she had to say about the key figures in American women’s history, and why we don’t remember them.

Read More on FemCatholic.com

Here are the other stories that caught our attention this week…

READ: Praying for peace in Ukraine—even when it feels useless

‍What do prayers for Ukraine achieve? Is this about convincing God to intervene or softening our own hearts?

WATCH: How to Organize Your Schedule to Include Rest

‍Has time management consistently been a struggle for you? Imagine having a weekly schedule that allows you to breathe and simply be.

LISTEN: Jen Fulwilier on 'Euphoria'

‍Have you seen HBO's 'Euphoria'? One of our favorite female comedians just watched it and her review is fire.

A Question of Principle over Practice

There are Church teachings, and then there are how they actually get lived out

Dear FemCatholic Readers,

Tuesday was International Women’s Day, and Pope Francis gave opening remarks at a vatican conference celebrating seven key women saints. In the past, Pope Francis has called for women to “be fully included in decision-making processes” and he has reiterated that “every step forward for women is a step forward for humanity as a whole.”

Past Popes have spoken out about equal pay, the importance of women’s leadership in public life, and against the idea that women’s value is merely in birthing babies. Now doesn’t that sound like something that aligns with a feminist agenda?

But the Church is not immune from the problems of the world - and sexism is one of them. The IWD theme this year was #BreakTheBias, encouraging people to imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

In order to overcome bias and discrimination, we must hear women’s voices. Every single Sunday, Catholics around the world attend Mass and hear men give homilies. Many of these men are wonderful, insightful voices - but it begs the question, when and how will we hear from women?

In 1995, Pope Saint John Paul II proposed that the fastest way towards progress for women would not be merely condemning injustices against us, but actually promoting and amplifying women.

This mission - promoting the voices of women - is what drives us at FemCatholic. We’re working hard every day to bring you nuanced conversations on topics that are specifically relevant to your life as a woman in the 21st century. Whether it is how to talk about sex with your boyfriend, how to navigate conversations on abortion as laws are being challenged, or simply how to connect your faith with your real life - we are dedicated to empowering you with information you can trust and relate to.

If you’d like to support this crucial work and unlock access to everything we publish, please consider subscribing to a FemCatholic All Access Pass. To celebrate Women’s History Month, right now you can get 30 days free. Subscribe now – this offer ends tomorrow.

For women, for the Church,
Samantha Povlock
Founder, FemCatholic

Here are the other stories that caught our attention this week…

READ: Ukraine's formidable, not-so-secret weapon: Women

‍The strength and courage of Ukrainian women — on the front lines, in parliament and beyond — should not be overlooked or discounted.

WATCH: How the Church Beats Feminism at its own Game

‍Lawyer Erika Bachiochi shares her own journey from Atheist feminist to Catholic revert, and explains sexual asymmetry.

LISTEN: The Working Genius Podcast

‍The FemCatholic Team just took the Working Genius assessment to better understand our team and how we can best work together. We are loving it so far!

A spiritual season

Lent began this week on Ash Wednesday (this year with a special focus on peace) and will be around until Easter on April 17.

All are encouraged to participate in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But that can look different for everyone! Your Lent is between you and God.

But in case you need a little Lenten inspo…

Here’s how the FemCatholic team is observing Lent this year:

“I’m giving up using my phone while nursing my son. I’ve found it difficult to embrace the interruptions of life as a mom, so I’m hoping this will help me be more present and create some space for prayer as well.” —Kelly, Body Section Editor

“I'm giving up Instagram and making a resolution to call two family members a week.” —Renée, Sex & Relationships Section Editor

“I'm going to pray the daily gospel. I've been leading my students in praying the gospel each day but haven't prayed it myself for my own growth, so I'm going to pray the gospel myself before I have them do it.” —Victoria, Church Section Editor

“I’m setting aside dedicated morning and evening prayer time.” —Sophie, Career Section Editor

“I'm listening to the daily readings each day and not using Facebook on my phone. I have to use it for work but am way less likely to scroll on my laptop. Also heavily limiting Instagram and just trying to stay off my phone in general so that I can be more present to the people in front of me!” —Danielle, Head of Events & Logistics

“I’m giving up complaining (focusing on gratitude instead!) and giving up watching tv shows and movies.” —Emily, Head of Marketing & Channels

Here are the other stories that caught our attention this week…

READ: The star of Inventing Anna got pregnant mid-season; here’s how Producer Shonda Rhimes reacted

‍Just imagine if this was the norm in every workplace.

WATCH: Was Jesus a Feminist?

‍Kick off Women’s History month with this wisdom from the host of The Catholic Feminist podcast.

GIVE: To Catholics on the ground in Ukraine

‍Catholic Relief Services is helping provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, transport to safe areas, counseling support and more.

How is this happening?

The world watched in shock this week as Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine. While it’s hard to believe that state-led warfare is still possible in the 21st century (have we learned nothing from the World Wars?!), others are saying “we saw this coming — and more could have been done to prevent it.”

What's happening on the ground?
Videos across social media show civilian neighborhoods damaged by bombs, people seeking shelter in bomb shelters, and traffic jams as people try to flee.

How is the Church responding?
Calling on the Queen of Peace.

Pope Francis also asked Catholics around the world to unite in prayer, tweeting: I invite everyone to make this coming 2nd March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace: let believers dedicate themselves intensively to prayer and fasting. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.

What role will women play?
Women are needed at all levels of conflict management because our gifts uniquely equip us to find solutions to establish peace.

That’s right. Women are particularly skilled for this work of peacemaking because of our inherent capacity to “see persons with [our] hearts…independently of various ideological or political systems. [Women] see others in their greatness and limitations; they try to go out to them and help them.” (Letter to Women)

So, fellow peacemakers, let’s join in prayer through the intercession of the Queen of Peace in these coming days and work together to bring peace to our world. You can start right where you are.

Here are a few other top picks for the week...

READ: Women emphasize need for ‘reciprocity’ in Church ministry“

The church needs women and must call them to serve,” said women speakers at a Vatican conference on priesthood.

WATCH: Setting Boundaries

‍This was A+ content and a great example of setting boundaries from TikTok sensation Elyse Myers.

NOMINATE: Survey for Catholic women leaders

‍Do you know a Catholic woman in leadership? We are looking for nominations for an upcoming project!

A time to celebrate our Black sisters

For all of us, this month can be an opportunity to learn so that you can have the joy of knowing your Black sisters better. There are so many amazing Black women! This is such a great opportunity to learn about the history that in a particular way has affected them and affected all of us.

A theme close to our hearts
This year’s theme is ‘Black Health and Wellness’ — a topic that is so important, especially for black women. Did you know that Black mothers in the United States are three to four times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women?

The more we can reckon with the reality of privilege when it comes to pregnancy, the more we can support Black moms-to-be.

February may be a short month...
But even after Black History Month, it’s important to keep the conversation going. It’s especially important to raise these issues in our Catholic communities and discuss racial injustice in light of our faith and tradition of social teaching. Here are seven tips on how to facilitate conversations on race and the Catholic faith.

Two women are leading the way
Last month we profiled Chenele Shaw and Maria Benes, co-founders of the Before Gethsemane Initiative. When they launched this new organization to shine the light on Catholic teaching on racism, we were inspired by how these founders were upfront about what they believe is the source of unity and healing from racism’s wounds.

Here are a few other top picks for the week...

READ: What Black Joy Means – And Why It’s More Important Than Ever‍

Where society has told Black people to “be quiet”, or that we’re “too loud”, reveling in joy is an act of resistance and can help with healing.

WATCH: How To Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby (FemCatholic Book Club)

‍We are called to fight for equality for all women and to help remove the obstacles that stand in their way — including racism.

‍FOLLOW: 10 Black Catholic Women to Follow on Social Media

‍To celebrate Black History Month, we’re highlighting ten Black Catholic women who provide a much-needed voice in the Church.

We could all use a little love right now

In the middle of pandemic burnout, all of us can certainly use a little more love in the air — regardless of your romantic status. Soak up this holiday weekend as a break from the dead of winter, and a reminder to focus on the relationships that matter most to you.

What vibes are you bringing into the Valentine’s Day weekend?

If you’re just excited to celebrate years(!) of married life with a date night...5 Things I’ve Learned in 10 Years of Marriage

If you have a super romantic night planned…4 Tips for Setting Sexual Boundaries

New BF and wondering if you should go public?...Here’s How to Know if You Should Post About Your Relationship on Social Media

Head over heels and falling in love with every Bumble match?...Easily Infatuated? How to Practice Emotional Chastity

Feeling stuck in a dating rut and a little cynical?...How to Make the Most of Dating in a Secular World when You’re Catholic

If you're feeling confused by all the dating advice out there...8 Busted Myths About Dating as a Catholic

If you’re single and not focused on dating right now…Your Vocation Doesn’t Start When You Get Married
**Bonus! What I’ve Learned from Living with Roommates as an Adult

Check out more Sex & Relationships content from FemCatholic

Here are a few other top picks for the week...

READ: It's Your Friends Who Break Your Heart
The older we get, the more we need our friends—and the harder it is to keep them, writes Jennifer Senior for The Atlantic.

WATCH: Authentic Connection and Emotional Intimacy
Learn why women and men get their wires crossed about emotional intimacy and what we can do about it.

LISTEN: Galentine's Day Spotify Playlist
You can celebrate female friendship no matter your relationship status. Brunching with the empowered women in your life? Tag @FemCatholic on Instagram!

This tragedy hit close to home

Hearts broke this week after hearing the news that the 2019 Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst, died by suicide on Sunday. Part of the tragedy was how many people who knew her were shocked to learn that she was battling depression because of her “light,” “beauty,” and “strength.” Cheslie’s mother revealed later in the week that the pageant queen had “high-functioning depression.”

Is that a diagnosis?
“High-functioning depression” is not a clinical term, but it’s one that is commonly used to describe people who have been diagnosed with depression but maintain normal/happy-looking lives that leave friends and family to believe nothing is wrong.

If that feels relatable, you're not alone.
The FemCatholic team wrestled this week with the realization that many of us aren’t as okay as we say we are. So many women are “go, go, go” #bossbabes that being vulnerable and seeking help becomes a challenging task.

Especially in a pandemic.

Check on your friends.
We are taking this as a wake-up call reminder to spend some time this weekend checking on the people we care about. Especially the ones we know have diagnosed mental health issues or the ones who hesitate to let their guard down. Even a simple text like, “This week was hard for me! How are you doing? Do you want to catch up?” can make a difference.

We’re in this together and need women supporting women, and it’s worth the extra effort to help try to avoid tragedies with the Cheslie’s in our own lives.

Here are a few other top picks for the week...

READ: 4 Steps to Start Prioritizing Your Mental Health
People often underestimate the value of mental health because it goes unseen. The more you develop these mental health care skills, the easier it will be to care for yourself.

WATCH: Moving Through the Dark Emotions: Anger, Fear, and Hopelessness
This talk explores the difficult, painful feelings we tend to numb or repress, and teaches you how to have the courage to enter into the broken spaces in our lives.

LEARN: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
A number you should know by heart: 800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress — plus prevention and crisis resources.

Women-only gym spaces were just banned in Connecticut

Rulings like this beg the question, when do single-sex spaces make sense?

What happened in Connecticut?

The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of two men who complained about women-only workout spaces that exist at two different gyms.

“A reading of (the law) to imply a gender privacy exception, although presumably to benefit women, could also negatively affect the rights of women in a different way,” Chief Justice Richard Robinson wrote.

Women want protection and privacy

One British study reported that 91% of women said they had been stared at while working out at a public gym. Some clubs have attempted to address this problem by creating these women only spaces. Many universities have single-sex residence halls too.

But does it go both ways?

Single-sex spaces are a phenomenon all over the globe, from elite business clubs to private islands.. where women are not allowed to go. These spaces have increasingly come under fire, including in the US, where there are still multiple golf clubs that do not admit women.

Debating online spaces too

We have a feeling these debates about the role of single-sex spaces aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re even becoming part of the conversation in online spaces; this week the Washington Post’s women-focused publication The Lily announced it is shifting focus away from women’s issues and instead focusing on gender & identity at large.

The end of No Boys Allowed?

Is there still value in women’s only spaces, on or offline? Let us know what you think.

Here are a few other top picks for the week…

READ: My Experience with Vaginismus
A vulnerable sharing of one woman’s experience with this painful condition that can sometimes happen in the female body.

WATCH: Invisible Women Book Club Discussions
One of our most popular FemCatholic book club picks on how a world designed for men leaves women at a dangerous and even deadly disadvantage.

LISTEN: HBR on Making Yourself Heard at Work
A fascinating conversation on how men and women communicate differently at work, and what women can do to make our ideas heard when it matters most.

Two conversations we think women should be at the center of

When do you see Catholicism in the news? This week it was abortion and the sex abuse scandals… Here’s our take on both.

Saturday is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade...
...so "pro-life" is the word of the week. At FemCatholic, that's means a lot more to us than marching in protest of abortion laws. It means having honest conversations about maternal health, considering what women seeking an abortion really need, and accompanying friends or sisters who have had abortions.

Two steps forward...
...one step back. The Catholic Church was in the mainstream news for a sex abuse cover-up again. This time it was a report that accused Pope Benedict XVI of failing to discipline four priests during his time as an archbishop in Munich (before he became pope). While it can be so hard to hear this news *again*, it's good to take a step back and remember that these things need to be brought into the light so there can be justice and healing.

And the Church has responded by toughening punishments, focusing especially on the protection of minors, new standards for thorough investigations that involve the laity, and more.

But we can't leave it up to the institutional church to make change — here's how you can use your voice to speak up against clerical sex abuse.

Can we all agree...
...that the Church needs more women in leadership? Then there's some good news! Not only was 2021 a year of historic appointments for women in the Vatican, but women are also being granted access to ministries that were previously reserved for men.

Doors are opening for women in the Church in an unprecedented way. Now is the time to speak up! Add your voice to the conversation.

Here are a few other top picks for the week...

READ: 10 Must-Read Quotes from Catholic Women about the Scandals
Something that gives us hope: Catholic women speaking out for justice and healing —whether it be providing consolation or encouraging action.

WATCH: The Rights of Women (Webinar)
How does abortion change the fight for women’s equality? Erika Bachiochi discusses where we should be focusing our efforts to achieve true equality for women.

LISTEN: Texas' abortion ban and systemic sexism against women
Systemic failures in economic and social systems have led to broad acceptance of abortion, says Helen Alvaré.

We're not letting the winter blues get us down

It's right about this time in January the joy of Christmas feels a little too far in the past and the hope of spring a little too far in the future. If this turns into a hard month for you, know you're not alone. But you don't have to accept being seasoned with depression for the next 6 weeks!

Here are 10 easy pick-me-ups
Go for a stupid walk for your stupid mental health 😉

Book your next vacation

Plan your next salary negotiation (basically planning for your future)

Pray or sit in quiet — even for just 60 seconds!

Blast a 'songs you can sing along' playlist and turn cooking dinner into karaoke

Text a friend who lives out of state and ask the highlight of her day (or surprise her with a voice message!)

Watch a favorite movie that gives you a *good* cry (our team is currently loving Encanto)

Indulge in a bath (or other at-home spa treatment)

Scroll through your Favorites album of photos on your phone

"Tidy up" a space that has been distracting you (spring cleaning doesn't need to wait for the snow to melt)

It's OK to get help
If you're really struggling, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor! Whether you could use a Vitamin D boost or are struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (did you know SAD is more common in women?), your doctor can help!

Here are a few other top picks for the week...

READ: The one big thing missing from the Working Mom debate
There’s a lot of talk about working moms vs stay at home moms, but there’s one critical thing those conversations leave out altogether.

‍WATCH: Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
In honor of MLK Day on Monday, we invite you to dive into this book from a black feminist perspective. It's incredible how much of this book aligns with Catholic Social Teaching.

Get Inspired with Jen Fulwiler's Word of the Year
Starting your third week of the new year and feeling uninspired? Check out this Word of the Year generator from one of our favorite female comedians!

New year, new you (same you, though!)

It's the start of a new year and hundreds of you told us on Instagram that you're making resolutions to start the year. (Our team is, too!) One of our goals for 2022 is to continue giving you stories and insights that you really want, so we Googled the top 5 most common resolutions, and have some advice to support each one.

If you are resolved to...
...Exercise more — learn about Cycle-Syncing Exercise to better support your unique female physiology.

...Jumpstart your prayer life — pick one of these routines and commit to doing it for a week

...Improve your mental health — here are the first four steps you can take to begin prioritizing this in your daily life

...Manage your money — we've got four tips for engaged couples who are navigating their approach to joint finances

...Give up hormonal birth control — here are three fertility awareness methods for you to consider

Not into resolutions?
Here are three books that can help heal your relationship with food. Or maybe your resolution is to be more body-positive? Here's how to lose the weight of trying to change your body. Instead of a resolution, maybe try a January habit, like Dry January.

Here are a few other top picks for the week...

READ: Did Pope Francis Really Say It's Selfish to Have Pets instead of Kids?
Did Pope Francis actually call childless couples selfish? Does he believe that those who opt for pets over kids “diminish their humanity”? What did he really mean?

LISTEN: What's Changed about How We Show Up at Work
Which feelings (and shoes) are work-appropriate these days? How do return-to-office mandates compromise the authenticity of employees who prefer to stay remote?

WATCH: The Absorption of Shame
Shame has a dual purpose for the human person - positive and negative. This talk will explore shame and how it relates to the woman, how we can learn to embrace and overcome shame.

Looking back on our biggest year, yet!

FemCatholic is passionate about bringing you the stories and advice you really want. In summer 2021, we hired five section editors and started publishing more articles than ever. And our commitment to creating impactful content for Catholic women led to us winning the OSV Innovation Challenge in September.

Our work has always been about YOU. Here are the pieces from each section that you read and shared the most this year:

Career
1. We Need Better Support for Women Working Outside the Home
2. Back to the Office? 3 Steps to Achieving a Work-Life Balance
3. Dorothy Day and the History of Labor Day

Church
1. Does the Bible Really Say "Wives Be Subordinate"?
2. St. Hildegard & The Fight Against Imposter Syndrome
3. What Does the Church Teach About Abortion When it Comes to Maternal Health?

Culture
1. The Real Reason Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” Resonates with so Many of Us
2. The Best (and Healthiest) Holiday Romance Movies
3. The Problem with “Girl-Power” Cinderella Reboots

Body
1. Here's Why Modesty Is About More than Clothing
2. Cycle-Syncing Exercise: What It Is and How to Do It
3. Here's What’s Missing from the Conversation around Women’s Dress Codes

Sex & Relationships
1. 8 Busted Myths About Dating as a Catholic
2. Q&A with Catholic Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Dr. Jillian Stecklein
3. 5 Questions About Sex to Ask Before Marriage

What topics would you love to see covered in 2022? Let us know!