Fighting world's worst abortion ban, Data analyst at Gender Policy Institute, Become an effective negotiator

New political party forms in El Salvador to fight one of the world’s harshest abortion bans: 5 young women are taking on the abortion ban in this month’s legislative elections. The women are part of a new party on a shared platform of women’s rights. They don’t expect to win—yet: “I decided to run to put on the public agenda topics that were not being touched. That, for me, is already a victory.” >> Full Story

What a feminist foreign policy looks like in the United States: Over the past 7 years, Sweden, Canada, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico all have pledged to implement what they call a “feminist foreign policy.” What can U.S. learn from these countries? How might such a policy change America’s positions and priorities on climate change, migration, and military intervention, and tilt the balance of power around the world? >> Register 

‘We’re unstoppable’ – meet the women leading Myanmar’s protests: As tension increases throughout the country following the 1 February military coup, women of all ages in major towns and cities across Myanmar have flooded the streets. OpenDemocracy takes a look at some of the bold women leading the protest against the military coup. >> Full Story

After 70 days 3 hours 48 minutes, Jasmine Harrison, 21, has just become the youngest woman to row an ocean. She is among a diverse set of endurance athletes to attempt the feat.

Bring some joy to your ears and listen to an incredible virtual concert by Sampa the Great, a Zambian-born poet, rapper and songwriter: "Freedom is what we feel when we perform. And freedom is what the world is in need of right now. In this pandemic it feels like we all need a sense of freedom."  

For when you've had one too many Zoom calls.  

This week, we discovered that LinkedIn censored a post because the "explicit" language on female anatomy went against community guidelines. Here's a moment of appreciation to highlight the brilliant work that was censored: Style Your Vulva, a coloring book to start conversations about the female body and engage with the topic in an easy way. 

Through a series of intimate interviews, the podcast A Sex Worker's Guide to the Galaxy offers guests in the industry a stage to share their experiences free of sanction and simply tell it like it is, from life in lockdown, stripping for a living to sex with a disability.  

Listening, and creating moments for profound listening, is a truly special experience. A few months ago, we took the first step to do exactly that and listen to you 🖤through our annual subscriber survey. From your countless, thoughtful replies, we learned two main points: 

• You're excited for our newsletter to improve the format, layout, and design. You love the content (for over 80% of you, The Bloom is a regular resource throughout the week!), but it's time for the experience in reading the newsletter to grow. 
• You want to meet fellow subscribers! You're craving an online community in which you can meet others part of The Bloom's audience, to network, attend events, grow professionally, and engage in meaningful dialogues.  

As a team, we listened, discussed, reflected on these two critical observations and are now, with much pride and excitement, at the point of ACTING on what we heard. And that's where, we hope, you come in! 

We want to continue evolving The Bloom's future in a way that best aligns with the hopes and needs of its community and, that said, we'd love to make the building of this virtual space as collaborative as possible.  If you're passionate about testing ideas with us, would like to contribute ideas (events, speakers, or activities) on how to make the space more meaningful, hit "join the discussion" and let us know! 
 

with deep gratitude and excitement,
The Bloom team