Senegal’s first female pro surfer, A TikToker educating millions on the Deaf community, Internships in climate & sustainability.

First black woman to join International Space Station's crew: Though more than a dozen Black Americans have traveled to space since Guion Bluford became the first to do so in 1983, none has had the opportunity to live and work in space for an extended period, as the ISS has enabled more than 200 astronauts to do since 2000. This week, NASA announced that Jeanette Epps will join a 2021 mission. >> Full Story 

After Afghan women asked #WhereIsMyName, a small victory: Afghan citizens’ national identification cards have long included the name of card holder’s father; now they will also note the name of the citizen’s mother. The step, announced by the government this week, has long been an aim of women’s rights activists. >> Full Story

A poster campaign begins in France to spotlight the country's femicide crisis: France has one of the highest femicide rates in western Europe, and this week the names of 122 women murdered by men over the past year in France were plastered onto a Paris wall as part of a memorial to mark the first year of a poster campaign by “les colleuses” (the gluers). >> Full Story

This week’s reflection is brought to you by Amber on The Bloom team 
– more on her (and us!) soon. 🤍

Megan Jayne Crabbe, also known as bodyposipanda, is undoubtedly one of my favorite, most impactful Instagram accounts to follow. I first started following her a few years ago while actively struggling with an eating disorder and I was drawn to her unapologetic yet loving approach to body positivity and anti-diet culture.

An anorexia survivor and biracial woman, Megan emphasizes the importance of including and featuring individuals of all identities, especially those who are disabled, plus-sized, LGBTQIA+ and/or people of color, in the body positivity movement. Crabbe’s posts include fun videos of her dancing without shame, calling out racism and fatphobia, and encouraging self-compassion and beneficial mental health behaviors.

Bodyposipanda is an account I genuinely love seeing on my Instagram feed, especially as I work to transform my social media into a more positive, informative space. Her book, Body Positive Power, is a great and freeing read I recommend to those who struggle with eating disorders and those tired of diet culture and fatphobia.