Mathematics and Philosophy

Philosophy was the start of anything relating to STEM, originating in countries such as Greece, Egypt, and Rome. From philosophy, mathematics began to form, and many scholars studied both at the same time. One of these scholars was Hypatia of Alexandria. Hypatia was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and followed in her father’s footsteps in mathematics and Philosophy. Hypatia continued his effort to preserve the Greek mathematical and astronomical heritage during a time they were being erased. She also worked on original pieces  such as commentaries on Apollonius of Perga’s Conics (geometry) and Diophantus of Alexandria’s Arithmetic (number theory). She also worked and commentated on the  astronomical table. These commentaries pushed the program initiated by her father into more recent and more difficult areas and ideas. Hypatia, unfortunately, died from an extremist group against the science and discoveries of Alexandria. However, that did not erase her influence on STEM today.

Psychology and Social Work

The late 1800s and early 1900s was filled with discoveries, more specifically for Psychology and the start of sociology as its own practice. Social science was being taken more seriously, and therapy was developing the practices used today. One of the most common forms of therapy, psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, was coined by Bertha Pappenheim. After the death of her father, she began having extreme anxiety attacks and hallucinations, and began treatment with Joseph Breuer. It started with hypnosis, but then morphed into the early versions of psychotherapy. Breuer published an article about his time with Pappenheim, under the pen name Anna O, and how she experienced the therapy. Pappenheim later went on to be the pioneer of social work in German and put an emphasis on how important the practice was. It paved the way for the practice to be common among middle class women.

Technology

Finally, modern technology wouldn’t have been possible without two outstanding women in the 20th century. Famous for her acting career, Hedy Lamarr moved to America right before the start of WWII. She continued her film career in America, but was also an excellent inventor. She created a Secret Communication System with composer George Antheil during the war. The system used frequency hopping to guide torpedoes and make them untrackable. The invention was incorporated into the US Navy during WWII and was later used during the Cuban missile crisis. This technology was also the predecessor to inventions such as Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. Despite this, Lamarr and Antheil were both not paid a cent for their work. However, they jointly won the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1997.

Shortly after Hedy Lammarr, Marian Croak came into the technological world. She joined AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1982 and saw the potential in the newly forming Internet. She made the internet and cellular phones her focus and developed Voice Over Internet Protocols (VoIP). This technology converts voice into a digital signal, creating a call directly from a computer or other digital device. She also invented the technology of text-based donations to charity. She won the Edison Patent Award in 2013 and 2014 and is currently working at Google as the Vice President of Engineering.

Our day-to-day life wouldn’t be possible without these incredible women. They have brought us strides in STEM and paved the way for young women all over the world. Women have created today through hard work in the past, and they are still working to create the next future.

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Sources cited:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hypatia

https://www.lbi.org/collections/german-jewish-feminism-in-the-twentieth-century/bertha-pappenheim/

https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/marian-croak

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/hedy-lamarrs-wwii-invention-helped-shape-modern-tech

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies

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Dune

Dune was originally a book published by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is a true unsung origin of modern sci-fi and world building in general. This book was the inspiration for many famous space and sci-fi stories, including Star Wars. However, this story wouldn’t get a proper film adaptation or recognition by the general public until 2021. Dune is about Paul Atreides and his family becoming the new governors of the planet of Arrakis. When they arrive, however, the locals believe that Paul is the chosen one who would help them reclaim their planet from those who want to exploit it for a fuel source called spice. He is thrown into this prophecy when the planet is attacked, and the only way to fight back is with Paul at the front lines. It’s a gorgeous story with themes of leadership and religion, a wonderful place to start for classic sci-fi.

Star Wars

Star Wars is a sci-fi genre staple. One of the biggest names in sci-fi next to Star Trek. This world has been expanding since 1977 and continues to this day. Star Wars is, in its most basic form, about a family of magic knights, called Jedi, who are both the galaxy’s saviors and destroyers. The original movies, episodes 4-6, focus on Luke Skywalker, the prequels, episodes 1-3, focus on his father, and the sequels, episodes 7-9, are about the Skywalker legacy in general. The other properties of Star Wars, the spin-off movies, the shows, and the video games, are about the consequences and ripple effect the Skywalkers had on the galaxy.

If starting Star Wars, it is important to know the order to watch everything. Different people will give you different recommendations, and while there is no wrong way to watch Star Wars, here is my recommended order. Episodes four through five, episodes one through three, Solo, Rogue One, Episode seven through nine, Clone Wars, Mandalorian, Book of Boba, Andor, and then the other shows and video games if you’re up for them. Star Wars can be complicated and has lots of time jumps, so don’t feel disheartened if you’re confused at first. Watch with a friend who knows the world and story. They will be able to explain, and watching with someone is always fun. If you are looking for a sci-fi staple that you can get lost in, Star Wars is a perfect place to start.

2001 a Space Odyssey

2001 a Space Odyssey is a one-off movie, but still a staple of sci-fi. Released in 1968 and created by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, this movie is a deep look at the past, present, and future. The movie is less about a central story and more about the positives and negatives that could be in the future. The moon landing wasn’t until 1969, so a majority of the film focuses on the fear of the unknown and the introspection of the vastness of space. The movie is severely trippy, but it’s meant to be less of a story and more of a conversation starter. If you are looking for something with incredible visuals and an ending that leaves you reeling, I couldn’t recommend this movie more.

I have no Mouth, and I must Scream

I have no mouth, and I must scream is a short story by Harlan Ellison published in 1967. The story may be 10-15 pages long, but do not let that fool you. This story is one of the most haunting stories of the genre as a whole. The story is about an AI that named itself AM, wiping out humanity and putting five humans on trial for their crimes. AM talks about the complexities of humanity and its perspective on the topic as an AI. The story ends with all of those on trial dead except for one. It is definitely the scariest sci-fi staple. It does not hold back with its debates over man vs machine. If you are someone who loves horror and wants to shift into sci-fi, then this story is perfect. However, if you are squeamish, I would stick to the other recommendations on this list.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a much lighter and funnier option than the others. Written by Douglas Adams in 1979, this book is a comedic take on the sci-fi genre as a whole. There are still themes and moments that are incredibly sci-fi. But most of the book is more about the silliness of sci-fi’s debates on philosophy and the future. The book is about a man named Arthur Dent who finds out that his friend, Ford, isn’t from earth and is a researcher for the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. They then get forced into this grand adventure, succeeding through knowing zero to nothing about Aliens and other planets. The book is a hilarious and trippy ride through the genre as a whole. While it is not something for someone new to sci-fi, it is required reading for anyone who enjoys the genre.

There are so many to recommend and experience, including my current watch, Trigun: Stampede. However, the world of sci-fi is as vast as space itself. There are many more stories in sci-fi, but you can’t explore a whole galaxy without a good starting point. So take some of these recommendations and dive into the world of sci-fi; a galaxy awaits you.

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The start

When the film industry first started in Hollywood, the directors would hire stage actors because the art and reputation of screen acting hadn’t been developed yet. This left room to pave the way for the new type of acting, and Mary Pickford was up to the task. She started out doing stage shows in her youth before her first film in 1909. She quickly rose through the ranks with each film she did. People adored her for many reasons, but most for her dedication to acting and care she put into each role. Mary helped to create the United Artists Corporation with Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks. The UAC was a film studio that created films like West Side Story and The Gold Rush. Mary was in over 200 films and was given an honorary Oscar in 1976.

The Hays era

In the early 1930s, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) put in place the Hays codes. These codes put in place moral regulations on the films coming out of Hollywood. However, these codes also promoted bigotry typical to the time period. The codes weren’t fully implemented into the whole of Hollywood until 1934, so any films before then are considered ‘pre-code films’. These pre-code films made huge unintentional strides in representation before the censorship set in. Josephine Baker was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture, Zouzou (1934). She became the most successful American entertainer in France, where she moved because of segregation laws in America. Marlene Dietrich, dressed in men’s clothing, had the first lgbtq kiss on film in Morocco (1930). This representation, led by women, would have been the standard without the Hays code’s censorship.

That didn’t stop the women of Hollywood from seeking out that representation. The 1940s saw the rise of women in plots that had nothing to do with romance or marriage. Hattie McDaniel became the first Black woman to win an Oscar for Gone with the Wind in 1940. Bette Davis became the first woman president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1941. Olivia de Havilland won a lawsuit against Warner Bros on an unfair labor loophole that traps actors in unfairly long contracts in 1944. Pauline Frederick became the first full-time TV newswoman correspondent, and Mary Kay and Johnny featured the first pregnant woman on TV in 1948. The 40s were a strong time for creating that representation for women despite the hays codes.

Real women in fictional characters

The 1950s and 60s embraced a world of realism on the screen. All About Eve and Sunset Boulevard addressed ageism in Hollywood and I Love Lucy is the first time a couple is seen sleeping in the same bed in 1951. That Girl (1966) is about an independent woman in New York City. Julia (1968) was a sitcom about a single, widowed mom and was incredible at avoiding most stereotypes about Black single moms. Which doesn’t seem like much, but with the strict standards and stereotypes of the 50s, these were huge influences on breaking those standards.

It Girls

The late 20th century was a shining point for iconic women in pop culture. While it’s not her first role, Marilyn Monroe stars in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1953 and becomes one of the biggest icons of the 20th century. Dorothy Dandridge, in Carmen Jones, is the first black woman to be nominated for best actress in 1955. Nichelle Nichols plays Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek in 1966 and is one of the first Black female characters on TV to not be a maid. Also, Nichelle and William Shatner shared the first interracial kiss on TV. Rita Moreno, starring in West Side Story, is the first Latino woman to win an Oscar in 1962. Gail Fisher is the first black woman to win a primetime Emmy in 1970. Finally, in 1972, The Mary Tyler Moore Show was the first show to have a character openly on birth control.

Woman at the forefront

The latter 20th century opened up stories and discussions of women in the workplace. From real-world change like Congress passing the Equal Credit Opportunity Act in 1974, and the Directors Guild of America suing Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures over discrimination for female directors. To representation on the silver screen like 9 to 5 (1980), Joan Rivers’s late-night talk show (1986), Princess Leia (1978), and Ripley (1979). This time was also a time of firsts when it came to controversial topics such as menstruation and sexuality. Courteney Cox was the first person to say the word “period” on TV in 1985. Heartbeat on ABC stars Marilyn McGrath as TV’s first lesbian main character in a long-term relationship in 1988, and 21 Jump Street had the first lesbian kiss on TV in 1990. Finally, But I’m a Cheerleader (1999), by Jamie Babbit, explores the complexity of sexuality and a happy ending.

Because of the efforts of women all throughout the 20th century, the 21st century has looked incredibly promising. Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win Best Actress in 2002. Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director for The Hurt Locker in 2010, and Patty Jenkins became the highest-paid woman director in 2017. Today, 26% of directors in Hollywood are women.

Hollywood is a place where you reach for the stars. Women have every right to those stars as men, so start with a film on your phone and then the big screen.

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Setting Up and Organizing

First is your setup. Most dorm rooms will have a bed, a desk, and a dresser. The goal is to make it your own, homey, and comfortable, while not taking up too much space. An easy place to start is with bins. Most dorm beds will be raised and provide room underneath for storage. There, you can place some bins to store extra items. Keeping these bins organized is also key to making the most of your space. Some options are to get bins with preexisting sections, getting smaller organizers to place in the bins, or getting smaller bins all with different purposes. You can also decorate the bins or get cute bins to make them more personal.

Posters and pictures are a great way to make your dorm feel more of your own. While most dorms don’t allow thumbtacks and duct tape, there are other ways to hang things up. Posters can be held up with painter’s tape or specialized poster backers. These are both available at any standard store. A creative way to hang up photos is to hang fairy lights and attach the photos to the wire. It’s easy and aesthetic while providing another source of light in the room. The overhead light of the dorm is often harsh and fluorescent, so getting a lamp or string light in yellow will be better on your eyes. String lights also aren’t as bright as other lights, so it’ll allow you to still have light while your roommate sleeps.

Roommates

Roommates are tricky to get the hang of at first, but as long as you stay communicative, that is the key to a good year. When you first meet your roommate, it’ll probably be over the phone or text. Get to know each other a little bit before going into the logistics of rooming together. Important things to ask when you talk to them about rooming are: are you a morning person or a night owl? When do you usually take a shower? Thoughts on alarms? Are you busy, or will you be more likely to stay in? Will friends be coming over? Do you want to share food or have your own sections in the cabinet? These questions will provide a baseline of understanding between the two of you while also giving you a glimpse of what living with your new roommate will be like.

The showers in the dorm will be communal, and there’s very little room for privacy, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve privacy. If you feel uncomfortable or need more privacy, communicate that with your roommate, and if they don’t respect that, go to the dorm’s RA for help. This also applies the other way around; if your roommate places a boundary, try your best to respect it. It’s fun to have a night in with your friends or partner, but you need to tell your roommate first. This allows them time to make other plans or not be surprised by a stranger in their space. This should be done a few hours before at the very least.

Dorm rules

There will be hall and dorm meetings, and those are important to attend. Like stated before, communication is key, so make sure to keep in mind all of the rules of the dorm building. Something that will be said in these meetings is that candles are not allowed, and while they do smell nice and are very calming, they are a fire hazard, and that rule is meant to keep everyone safe. Be mindful of quiet hours; some people have 8am classes. Some dorms also have rules about guests, and as annoying as it may be, it is for safety. Each dorm rule has a reason, and that’s why they’re so important. The RA(s) of the dorm are a great resource; if you have any questions, go to them.

Going to college is a grand new adventure, and even though it might be out of your comfort zone, it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Having nerves and being homesick at first is completely normal, but you will find a rhythm with the person you will be living with. Dorm life can be very freeing as long as you communicate, understand building rules, and make your space your own. If you keep those things in mind and put them into your life, then that first year of college is yours.

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In the Star Wars universe, Queen and Senator Padmé Amidala is the leader and representative of the planet of Naboo and the later wife of Anakin Skywalker, who later becomes dark vader, as well as the mother of Luke and Leia Skywalker. Even though she is not a Jedi, she is still an incredibly critical part of the story. A ruler and politician who stands for justice and democracy, who is loved by her people, should look the part, and Trisha Bigger understood that. She placed Padmé in extravagant outfits and dresses, always creating a distinct look for every moment of the prequels to show off her power and authority, as well as a pride in her home planet and a display of her personality.

Episode one costumes

The costumes she was put in for episode one were extravagant and traditional. They all contained the same makeup look with white foundation, red dots, and elaborate updos, and accessories inspired by costumes meant for Kabuki, traditional Japanese theater from the Edo Period. The dresses are adorned with layers of cloth and giant sleeves, all in colors of red, purple, and whites. This displays her power as a politician and, at the time, princess while also staying to the traditional royal clothing of Naboo, which includes those pieces of heavy clothes and extravagant sleeves. This tie to tradition shifts slightly when she is disguised as one of her handmaidens for her own safety.

The handmaiden’s outfits are red and velvety but do not have the makeup or elaborate hair as her royal attire. However, Padmé’s true personality shines through in her outfit for Tatooine and her outfit for the final battle of episode one. Her hair is still done up in something intricate but not as elaborate; furthermore, she still retains the puffy or swooping sleeves, but they are more subdued, and she is no longer wearing makeup. She still holds that connection to her home planet, but the added flare of royalty has been stripped away, leaving a more natural, human look. This also highlights her leadership because she was able to command her army in battle without emphasis on royal status in her appearance. Even without the gowns or title, she is still a natural-born leader who holds value for her home, and that shines in her final battle costume.

Episode two and three costumes

This trend continues throughout the prequels but shifts. After the time jump and she is officially queen, her hair is up and intricate, but there are fewer added headdresses and no extravagant makeup besides occasional dark eye shadow. The dresses still retain their elaborate quality and layers; however, when spending time with Anakin, her future husband, she loses the layers and darker colors while also maintaining the elaborate shape and flow. This is also a trend in her costume design that continues into episode three. When needing to display diplomatic and planetary power, she sticks to the traditional layers, fabrics, and colors of Naboo, the dark blues and purples she wears creating a sense of authority, while the traditional clothes let all those around her know immediately who she represents.

However, in her more vulnerable moments, she is wearing fewer layers and heavy fabrics and has shifted to lighter colors. In these moments, she is talking to friends and loved ones, not a senate floor, so she doesn’t need to tell strangers who she is through her clothing; they already know and can be less formal. Her personality and goals never change, just like the flowing and elaborate structures of her dress, but what tone she needs to take, who she needs to be, is conveyed in her colors and layering. What stands out is that the shift in outfits is less about two different sides of her and more about who she is talking to and who she needs to be at that moment, whether a friend or a senator.

The designer

The designer to bring all of this together was Trisha Biggar, a Scottish costume designer who would later go on to make costumes for shows such as Outlander, Ordeal by Innocence, Da Vinci’s Demons, and many more. She won four awards for Star Wars alone and an additional one for Da Vinci’s Demons. She talks about some of Padmé’s costumes being a challenge due to their detail and weight, as well as the time crunch the crew was under. Some of the details for the dresses were having details added as late as minutes before shooting, and some of the headdresses were so heavy that the crew had to add pulley systems to take the weight off between shots. This issue is why the second and third films had her headdresses much simpler, unintentionally reflecting her character.

Another issue was that new digital cameras were developed between episode one and two, which caused the colors and textures of clothing to be displayed differently. This caused her to alter a lot of the fabric she was going to use, including redesigning a section of a dress due to a strobing effect on the cameras.

The costumes of Padmé Amidala were challenging in their structure and detail, but were worth the effort. These clothes have become iconic in displaying Padmé’s character, the world of Star Wars, and inspiring sci-fi clothing in future films and books. Trisha Bigger’s work, though rushed, has inspired girls everywhere and was massively important in creating one of the most recognizable women in the Star Wars Universe.

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1800s-1910s

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, women turned fashion into something practical yet beautiful with bloomers and hat pins. In 1851, a group of women created a skirt called the bloomer costume. This skirt was a knee-caf length skirt with pants underneath and named after Amelia Bloomer, an editor for a women’s rights newspaper named The Lily. These skirts held some popularity for a while but were rejected by formerly enslaved women because it reminded them too much of what they wore on plantations. Instead, former enslaved women opted for longer and more luxurious dresses to wear their freedom and show their change in class.

Nearing the end of the 20th century, women once again made a practical and a show of liberation through using hat pins as weapons. Women would use their hat pins to prevent being attacked, and by 1910, Chicago debated creating a law that would make hat pins longer than nine inches illegal, and those who wore them out would be arrested and fined $50. The law eventually passed and spread to other cities throughout the United States, but it never stopped women from wearing the long hat pins and using them as weapons, even if there were several arrests in the process.

Photo Source

1920s

The 1920s were the start of a new movement for women’s fashion when the bra became popularized, the first official bra being made in 1910 by Mary Phelps Jacob. Hemlines became shorter, and waistlines became lower in an effort to create clothes that were less formal with fewer layers. These dresses were focused on comfort and convenience. Another advantage of the dress style was that it was easy to recreate at home, allowing it to be worn by women of all classes as long as they had the materials. This boxy look also promoted women’s sports wear and, in turn, the increased participation of women in sports.

Photo Source

1940s

In the 1940s, fashion was a way of showing patriotism and fighting back against Hitler. Clothing was rationed, so new designs, like Claire McCardell’s wrap dress, and fabrics, such as denim, seersucker, and jersey, were being used in everyday fashion. However, the biggest way women promoted the war through fashion was with makeup. In response to Hitler’s disdain for “made-up women”, makeup companies promoted makeup, especially a bold lip, as a way to fight against fascism. Elizabeth Arden’s lipstick that perfectly matches the red piping on women’s military uniforms became a staple and was even included in official military kits for women.

Photo source

1960s

The 1960s were a second wave of the fashion trends in the twenties, shorter hemlines and boxy silhouettes that could be recreated at home. The most iconic dress to come out of this decade, however, was made from a gradual process inspired by young London women. For the first half of the 1960s, Londoners were manually shortening the hemline of their dresses, slowly going up the calf, over the knee, and reaching as short as high thigh. Mary Quant saw this phenomenon and put it into her designs, creating the first commercialized miniskirt. This design promoted the liberation from the strict rules on women in the 1950s and represented the transition into a new era of rights.

1980s

The 1980s saw a shift in fashion when clothes started appealing towards different body types instead of the wearer having to change their bodies to be fashionable. This shone through the jersey athletic wear of the early ’80s. Women were also flooding into the workforce and used fashionable, bold dress suits to cement their place in the office. It was both professional and fashionable and commanded respect.

Present Day

Today, there are several fashion trends coming in from all over the world with some sort of origin in women’s rights and liberation. Vintage girls enjoy the designs of bygone eras without the toxic political environment towards women. Lolita fashion from Japan promotes rococo style frills and the rejection of giving up on child-like fashion. Punk fashion promotes inclusivity and rejection of bigotry through safety pins, both a fashion statement and a sign to others that those who are wearing them are safe. Thrift flippers are beacons of recycled fabrics and original designs. Athleisure sports both fashion and function as a loved style among athletes and busy moms. Every style is beautiful in its own way, and showing the dimensions of women and how we are all different but bound through fashion.

Fashion changes with time, so every article of clothing is a preserved moment in history. Looking back on what was worn and how it changed can help us understand how we as a society changed and why that change was so important. Fashion involves being open to change, but don’t forget how our clothes used to look. After all, history is all about understanding the past so we can go towards the future.

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Sources cited:

1920-1929

1980-1989

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Zines are magazines not created by a company or publishing house, but instead by one person or a small group, and sold nontraditionally. They are often handmade with glued on photos and art and hand written paragraphs or phrases. Zines became popular for their lack of censorship and attention to detail. They are often used for activist movements, by small artists wanting to spread their work, or as a piece of fan work for a separate piece of media.

The Start

Zines were originally created in the early 20th century with the amateur press movement. Small printers would buy their own printing presses to make magazines that were more specific to one central idea. They were originally known as “little magazines” and were often overlooked. However, in the 1920s, black artists started using zines to share their work and promote the black community. Ten years later, zines started getting picked up by science fiction fans by creating “fanzines”. These were used to share theories and opinions on their favorite stories. This subsection of zines eventually expanded to other fictional media such as comics, music, movies, fantasy, and horror. This also paved the way for the first fanfiction zines to be made in the late 60s, early 70s, by house wives who were fans of star trek.

Activism

Also in the 1970s, with the invention of the photocopier, zines expanded their popularity because they were easier to mass produce. Zines became very popular in the punk music scene of the 1970s and 1980s for several reasons. The main one being that the movement was built on the foundation of anti-establishment and a rejection of mainstream media and corporations. So, the zine allowed them to stick to that mentality while also promoting and advertising their events and music.

Pigging backing off of the punk scene movement was the “Riot Grrrl” movement of the 90s. The movement focusing and discussing sexism through the lens of punk and alt music and art. Zines were a crucial part of this movement and were used to talk about discrimination in a way that wouldn’t be censored and allowed for creative freedom. As the movement evolved, so did the world, and some of the women of the movement moved their zines online to reach a wider audience and be easier to access. The new electronic version of zines, known as e-zines, is still used to this day.

Our zines

Today, zines are used in a myriad of different ways. Fanzines are still popular but have become more of a charity focus product. Many fanzines’ revenue goes to a charity of the author’s or authors’ choosing, with the extra set aside for any popular guest artists. Zines are also still used in the punk and activism circles to share stories, art, news, and event times. These zines, especially the punk ones, lean more into the craftsmanship aspect of the zines and will make fewer zines just so each zine can be made by hand.

Zines are a creative and incredibly specific and personal form of art that highlights the author’s feelings using several different art methods in one media. It is extremely accessible and easy to make. If you have a spare moment, try making a zine and expressing yourself. You’ll be left with a magazine that’s a tiny part of your soul that you can read and view yourself through fresh eyes.

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Sources cited:

https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/c.php?g=1332410&p=9812968

https://www.sheridan.com/magazines-register/a-brief-history-of-magazine-publishing/

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Not going alone

The first and easiest way to stay safe is not to go alone. Take this as an opportunity to hang out with someone in your life, whether it’s a friend, family member, or partner. It is important to make sure it’s someone you trust and someone who you know will have your back if things go wrong. The more the merrier, so maybe make it a group activity or something that you and whoever you bring do weekly. It’s easy to get caught up in life, as busy as it gets, and forget to check in with the people in your life, so include them in your night walks if you don’t have time during the day. Most things are better when you’re not alone, so don’t be when you walk.

Things to remember

It’s also understandable if that late-night walk is the only alone time you get, and it’s your way of winding down. If you decide to go it alone, then there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, and most importantly, have a charged phone with you where you can quickly access it! If you are somewhere that is isolated and can’t scream for help, calling 911 is the perfect first step to getting help. Also, try your best not to get lost. It’s easier to contact help if they know exactly where you are. Make sure that you can relay your location to whoever you contact, whether that be the police or a loved one. If you are going to contact a loved one, make sure it’s someone you trust who is also close to your location, so they can get there faster.

Defending yourself

If it’s down to you defending yourself against an attacker, there are a few options to get yourself out. Firstly, wear shoes that are good for running, these are tennis shoes, not heels, ballet flats, or even some boots. Being able to outrun your attacker and get somewhere safe is a top priority. Second, self defense classes teach you how to keep yourself safe when you have nothing to defend yourself with. If you can’t afford classes, that’s OK! There are tutorials on YouTube that teach a few basic moves. Practice with a loved one and learning something, even if it’s small, is better than nothing.

Other ways to defend against an attacker is with items that you brought with you. Pepper spray is always the ideal option, aiming for the eyes. It blinds and incapacitates the attacker enough for you to get somewhere safe. Another option is taking your keys and making them into claws through your knuckles. This works well in a bind, but it can also hurt the inside of your hand and can be hard to aim. Alternatively, you can spike to hang on your key chain and use that as an individual weapon. Finally, there are alert whistles and alarms that can be added to a bag or key chain; use them to contact those around you for help. Even if no one comes over to help you, people  will either check on the odd sound or report it to the police. There will be a way out.

The right to a beautiful night

It is hard to live in a world where women feel unsafe to leave their homes, not just at night, because of the horror stories of fellow women. However, hope is never fully lost, and there are ways to feel and stay safe when being outside. We have every right to enjoy the night sky and all its beauty; we just need to stay safe when looking at it.

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