Marriage Proposal Follies
A personal essay in which, after she proposes to her girlfriend, Amy Deneson rethinks what it means to wed.
A Woman Becomes a Nightingale
An illustrated essay in which Carolita Johnson reviews the ugly history of rape being weaponized — and politicized — as a means of silencing women.
A Place to Stay, Untouched by Death
In this personal essay, after her mother’s passing, Jane Ratcliffe considers the role everyday objects play in a good death.
The Power of Shutting Up and Sitting in Silence
A personal essay in which Kathryn Smith recalls going to an Ashram and taking a vow of silence — which (temporarily) made her feel better about everything.
Fat Girl Cries Herself to Sleep At Night: An Illustrated Essay
In an illustrated essay, Natalie Lima describes how weird and hilarious living in a body can be.
A Woman, Tree or Not
In this essay from our Fine Lines series about age, Terese Marie Mailhot questions the value of Native coming of age ceremonies she missed out on.
Charting the Love — and Betrayal — in Our Stars
A personal essay in which Cherise Morris turns to astrology and Beyonce lyrics to move through of a difficult moment in her relationship.
A Visit to Opioid Country
In this personal essay, Aaron Thier contemplates the connections between privilege, addiction, and recovery.
A Birth Plan for Dying
In this personal essay, Hanna Neuschwander grapples with ending a wanted pregnancy, and finds that “right” or “wrong” fail to describe the moral reckoning.
Queens of Infamy: The Rise of Catherine De’ Medici
Kings and popes thought she was their pawn. The Merchant’s Daughter begged to differ.