#International Equity Pay Day

[galleryyuhself]

Galleryyuhself - An important article for all workers.

[city-of-ladies]

An unprecedented female monarch in her dynasty, Rudrama Devi (r.1262-1289) presided over an age of prosperity. A successful warrior queen, she triumphed over both internal and external threats.

Her father’s heir

Rudrama Devi was the daughter of King Ganapati Deva (r.1199-1262) of the Kakatiya dynasty, who ruled over parts of present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. Their capital was located at Orugallu (Warangal). 

Ganapati Deva was a successful monarch. His kingdom was famed for its’ diamonds and beautiful fabrics. He had no son to succeed him and his older daughter was already married. He thus decided to make his younger daughter Rudrama Devi his heir and gave her the requisite training.

A female monarch would nonetheless be a in vulnerable position and see her legitimacy questioned. To make female rule more acceptable, he arranged a Putrikayagna ceremony for his daughter. This religious rite allowed a sonless man to declare his daughter or his daughter’s son as his son. After that, Rudrama Devi was also known by the masculine name of Rudra Deva. She also attended all public meetings in masculine attire. 

Her story is similar in that regard to that of her near-contemporary, Raziya Sultan of Delhi.

A warrior among warriors

In 1259, Rudrama Devi became her father’s co-ruler and assumed sole rule in 1262. She married the Chalukya prince Virabdhadra, who played no part in her administration, and with whom she had three daughters. 

Rudrama Devi faced many threats at once. Her neighbors saw an opportunity to conquer her kingdom and her feudatory noblemen couldn’t stand being ruled by a woman.

She stood her ground and prevailed, proving her might as a warrior queen. Many of her nobles rebelled, but she successfully defeated them. The Seuna Yadava king, Mahadeva, invaded her territories and reached her capital. Rudrama Devi chased him after 15 days of fighting and forced them to pay a heavy tribute in money and horses. 

To commemorate her victory, she styled herself “Rayagajakesari” or “the lion who rules over the elephant kings”. In the pavilion she built, she was depicted as a warrior mounted on a lion, holding a sword and a shield, with an elephant trunk holding up a lotus to her in sign of submission. 

In 1262, another of her neighbors occupied the Vengi region. She was able to recover it after 12 years of fighting. She was nonetheless unsuccessful in fending off the attacks of her southern rival Ambadeva.

Meritocratic policies

Rudrama Devi completed the construction of the nearly impregnable Warangal Fort. She bought large tracts of land under cultivation, increasing her kingdom’s revenue. She also recruited non-aristocratic warriors from diverse castes. Only 17 percent of her subordinates were of noble background. Prominent commanders could receive lands and become feudatory nobles. She thus established a new warrior class. Since the nobility had rejected her rule, this meritocratic policy allowed her to surround herself with loyal retainers.

Marco Polo, who mistook her for a widow of the previous king, wrote about her very flattering terms, calling her a “lady of much discretion” and a “lover of justice, of equity and of peace”. 

A warrior to the end

At the end of her reign, she chose her grandson, Prataparudra, as her heir. 

Rudrama Devi likely died in 1289 (though some sources date her death from 1295) according to an inscription made by a member of her army commemorating her recent death and that of her army chief. The cause and location of her death are unknown. She likely died facing Ambadeva's armies, leading her troops as she had always done.

Further reading

Gupta Archana Garodia, The women who ruled India, leaders, warriors, icons

Janchariman M., Perspectives in Indian History From the Origins to AD 1857

Talbot Cynthia, "Rudrama‐devi, Queen of Kakatiya dynasty (r. 1262–1289)", In: The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History. 

Talbot Cynthia, Precolonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra

[sunflowersandsapphires]

The Sun Will Rise

Wake Up, Chapter 8

Series Masterlist           Next Chapter

pairing: Matt Murdock x fem!reader 

summary: In an attempt to stop the advances of an unwanted suitor, Matt Murdock accidentally condemns you to being his fake girlfriend.

warnings: sexual assault themes and descriptions, if non-con themes trigger you please do not read. other warnings: swearing, misogynistic language, violence

This chapter is very intense. I tried to keep the S/A stuff as not graphic as possible to avoid triggering people but it is very much there and the violence is more present than any other chapter.

a/n: Today has been a fucking DAY yall. My new cat got sick (he’s ok he just ate too fast and then got sick on me and my bed which was gross), I am having issues with pay equity at work, and trying to deal with utility issues in my house. I am very sorry for the late update. PLEASE let me know how you feel about this chapter, your comments and reblogs literally make my day every week. 

w/c: ~4.5k

Four years ago, you’d been desperate for a change.  Despite spending thousands on a fancy degree, you had gotten nowhere in the legal field and your job waiting tables at a diner in Queens barely paid the bills, though you were grateful for the work. 

Pouring coffee and taking orders wasn’t the worst job you’d ever had and the majority of customers during your shifts were sweet. You played the role of “cute, friendly waitress” well, making even the grouchiest patrons appreciate your soft smile and quick response time. Maybe this persona you’d adopted in your efforts to avoid your crippling anxiety was the reason he started looking your way. Perhaps it was your obvious desperation to be liked. Whatever it was that drew his attention, it was your eventual disinterest that kept it. 

The first day you met James Lannister was a shitty one. You’d worked a double shift, meaning you had been less than perky towards the end of it, leading to stupid mistakes and screaming customers. Emotions were running high when he took a seat in your section, so his calm demeanor and attentive smile drew you in. 

He’d only made pleasant conversation with you the first few visits. Asking about your day, your week, your hobbies, your interests, your family, your aspirations. Anyone would’ve been eager to spill their guts to him, he was quite charming. The way that his green eyes pooled with fascination as you spoke was almost reverent. No man in your life had ever made you feel that way, like nothing else in the room mattered. 

Which is why the red flags zipped right by you without triggering your internal security system. Day after day, he’d visit your place of work after his own shift at the Pro Bono Association. He’d ask his questions and encourage you to ask your own, which led to a standing invitation to sit with him when there was a lull in traffic at the restaurant. Your shared interest in the legal system and his willingness to share a slice of that life with you compelled you to take him up on the offer. 

Next came the gifts. Little things, at first. Large tips, suggestions for weekend entertainment complete with a gift card or fully funded ticket, books to further your legal studies after work. It was strange, but the attention was divine. He wasn’t an ugly man, and you’d never felt noticed like this before. 

Eventually, he’d goaded you into joining him and his wife for dinner at their house. Mrs. Lannister was beautiful and cunning. On the surface, she was always polite, reassuring, more than willing to host you or have you join them in public, but there was an ominous undercurrent that you never could place. The way she looked at you when her husband turned his back was almost murderous, but you were so caught up in the idea of being wanted that you glossed over the tension between the two of you. 

You were lonely, sure, but you never wanted romance or…other things…from Lannister. To you, he was a mentor, an idol. Someone to live vicariously through while in a transition period in life. But after accepting all of his kindnesses, you’d unknowingly crossed a line. 

Before it all fell apart, it almost seemed like universal intervention. During a seemingly mundane conversation, Lannister clasped his hands over yours with a giddy expression. It seemed that there was an entry level position opening up at the PBA office in Queens and he thought you’d be perfect for it. Not only would it be a substantial pay raise from your current position, but there were opportunities for growth and he would be your boss. 

At the time, it felt like a miracle. Your ticket to the next stage of your life. And it was, but letting your guard down for that shark ended up being the biggest regret of your life. 

Transitioning into your new role wasn’t seamless, but you took it in stride. Your eagerness to take on complex projects and expand the mission of the organization impressed the more seasoned employees. Lannister began taking you to lunches, galas, drinks, anywhere that he could introduce you to his network of attorneys. It was thrilling to be thrown into the world you’d always dreamed of and received with such open arms. 

For a few months, it was pure bliss. Until the night you placed your first case. 

Placing the case itself was unproblematic, you were happy that you fit into the role so well—and you expressed such sentiments to Lannister who invited you over to his house to celebrate. Arriving with a bottle of your favorite wine, it was immediately clear that something had changed. The once cozy house was in absolute disarray, riddled with empty liquor bottles and boxes of feminine clothes. And, although Lannister had implied there would be others there, you found him alone. 

Lannister noticed your wandering eyes and explained that his wife had left him. He told you not to worry about that and to focus on your personal success. The two of you enjoyed some good food and cheap wine, the older man drifting closer by the glass. Eventually, you felt your eyes growing heavy and he insisted that you stay over given the late hour. 

That night, you dreamt of a large shadow, looking over you while you slept, warm touch dancing over your clothes. You tried to protect yourself, but your arms wouldn’t respond to the commands your brain sent. When you woke up, you found your skirt unzipped. 

It got blurry after that. Lannister’s very public divorce led to inopportune inebriation, massive hangovers in the office, lewd comments, and wandering hands. While you still accompanied him to events, he began claiming you in public in increasingly repulsive ways. Holding you by the waist, kissing your cheeks, stroking his fingers over your neck, using that disgusting pet name. My little Princess. 

You only tried expressing your discomfort once before it escalated. You’d approached him in his office after lunch, when he was likely to be more sober, and hesitantly asked if he would consider pulling back. You’d been met with the most terrifying display of anger you’d ever seen. You hazily recall books being thrown, hits landing along your arms and torso, insults being hurled at you. 

He had made you. You would be nothing without him. You were ungrateful and whoreish and conniving just like his wife. While the memories faded, the scars from your skin splitting over the hinges of his office door still shone in certain lights. 

After that his actions were deliberate. His lingering touches scalded you. Being alone with him meant sentencing yourself to torture. When he was angry, he’d call you into his office to “talk it through.” To your absolute horror, these talks often involved a locked door and drunk hands groping your trembling form. 

For weeks you endured his abrupt switches between calculated insults, physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and inappropriate contact. You were barely alive, going through the motions and slowly convincing yourself that you deserved it. You’d fallen out of contact with your friends, were so emotionally fragile that a stern look from a stranger could send you into a panic attack, and you found yourself so nauseous that the first few hours of each day were spent hugging a toilet. 

It was clear you needed help, but Lannister was your boss and his threats terrified you. He’d made it clear that if anyone found out about his behavior, it would cost you your livelihood. As an incredibly well-known attorney with an impeccable record, there was no way you’d win in court, he had too many friends on the force or the bench. Not to mention how new you were to the organization. Despite his growing alcoholism, your coworkers were as enamored with Lannister as you used to be, the chances of them believing you were minimal. 

So, you stayed, trapped in a nightmare of your own unintentional creation. Until a position opened up in Manhattan. 

Applying on a whim, you’d kept your application a secret, not expecting to even get an interview. But, apparently the managing attorney across the East River had heard your name through the grapevine because she reached out within the week to schedule a lunch with you. 

The heavy weight that hung over your shoulders like a shadow has lessened considerably in the days leading up to the lunch. The possibility of escaping the hell you were living in quickly appeared like the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Manhattan was beautiful and the employees of the PBA office in Midtown were ecstatic to meet you. It was the best day you’d had in months, until you got back to your own office. 

Realizing you’d forgotten an important file you needed for a clinic the next day, you walked briskly through the quiet building, hoping to get in and out without running into your supervisor. Unfortunately, the world was not that gracious. 

As you rummaged through your desk, the overhead lights turned on making you flinch. Your hands stilled over the file cabinet, your breath catching on your throat. 

“You little bitch.” Lannister was furious if the rage dripping from his tone was any indication. “Tell me, Princess, why did I receive a call from Midtown about how happy they were to have finally met my assistant?”

You couldn’t speak, your throat constricting as if wrapped with fabric. Frozen in place, you heard him approaching and you cowered. 

“Thought you could go behind my back? Leave me high and dry without a warning? You owe me, little princess. After all I’ve done for you…”

Whether from fear or something else entirely, your brain blocked out the rest of his actions that night. You came to shaking on the floor, bloody and partially undressed, but you weren’t alone. Lannister had disappeared, thankfully, but your coworker stepped into your office with a shaky inhale. 

Erica was a young attorney who’d started a few weeks before you. Your emotional state had made it difficult to grow close to anyone in the office, but she’d always seemed sweet. And, fortunately for you in the end, she’d heard the commotion your boss had caused before storming home. 

As your wonderful coworker helped you clean yourself up, you tearily confessed the secrets you’d worked so hard to hide. Disgusted, Erica had encouraged you to speak to HR and you’d submitted a complaint later that day with her assistance. 

You owed Erica a great debt. Over the period of the investigation, she’d become a fixture in your office, making sure to keep you at a distance from your abuser. Without your prompting, she’d offered the committee looking into the allegations her full testimony. You were quite certain that her statement is the reason Lannister was fired. 

In the weeks following his termination, you felt like a new woman. You’d moved to a cute little place in Hell’s Kitchen and begun your new work as a volunteer coordinator. While you still struggled with crowds of lawyers and the taste of alcohol, a good therapist and a decent amount of time had helped you heal a considerable amount. 

Enough to open yourself up for the possibility of a relationship, which you weren’t sure you’d ever want after everything you’d been through. Meeting Matt had changed that though, turning ‘never’ into a ‘not right now’. 

Sweet, considerate, adorable Matt who had brought you more comfort than you ever thought you deserved. Who was probably still furious with you for falling for him, but you couldn’t help but plead with the universe to send him anyway. Please, Matty, please come for me. 

As the muggy van rumbled over potholes and uneven roads, you pictured his beautiful face. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. How his brow furrowed with concern over the most minor harm that had befallen you. The beautiful way his lips melded with yours as a single kiss made you feel weightless. You regretted not kissing him one last time before ruining what you had. 

I’m sorry, darling. Please don’t let them take me from you. I’m not ready to let you go just yet. 

As Matt neared the 4th floor, a knawing pit of dread grew in his stomach. He could smell your tears, newer than those that had fallen after he’d left, but your heartbeat was nowhere to be found. Frantically pacing the hallway, he quickly noticed your suitcase abandoned a few feet from the door to your shared room. Crouching down, he tilted his head, evaluating the scene. The scent of your fear coated the floor, walls, and fabric of your bag. You must have been terrified for it to penetrate your surroundings to that degree. Underneath your pheromones, Matt shuddered with rage as the sickly saccharine fragrance of Beatrice Snyder’s reached his sensitive nose. Mingling with her perfume was a different smell, smoky and dark. 

You’d been cornered by Snyder and an unidentified man, he was sure of it. Fumbling to find the right end of his key card, he threw open the door and stripped out of his suit. Given that he’d intended to share the night with you, he’d intentionally left his body armor at home. A black long sleeve tee and scarf around his face would have to do tonight. 

Stepping back into the empty hallway, he fled to the stairs. While the scent of your fear only fueled his dark anger, it was strong enough to leave a trail down the stairs and out the back door into the cool night air. As inconspicuously as possible, Matt navigated through the building, dodging employees and guests successfully until he reached the loading dock behind the kitchen. Your scent stopped here, replaced by the smell of gasoline. 

No, no, no. Where are you, angel? What happened to you? 

Matt growled in frustration, spinning around desperately searching for any sign of you, he ripped his phone out of his pocket and pressed your speed dial, hoping that you could still reach your phone. 

Receiving nothing but your voicemail message in return, he felt his fists clench. “It’s going to be ok, my beautiful girl. I’m coming.” 

Replacing the phone in his pocket, he took off in the direction of the strong scent of auto fuel, praying to God that the most recent vehicle would lead him to you. 

The van jolted to an abrupt stop and you slid along the dirty carpet into a seat in front of you. Your back ached from the jostling you’d gotten on the ride to whatever destination you’d apparently arrived at, and you could feel the imprint of thousands of plastic carpet strands that had melded with the flesh on your cheek during the drive. The sound of car doors slamming and the heavy footfalls following made you strain against your binds one final time. 

A large, rough hand snatched your ankle, yanking you towards the night air at the tail end of the vehicle. Kicking your legs wildly, you flopped like a dying fish along the carpet as you were slowly pulled outside. The fingers at your ankle moved to wrap around your throat, forcing the airway to constrict. Struggling fiercely against your captor, you heard a familiar, rasping voice from behind you snarl, “Shut her up, you idiot!” 

Lannister’s goon pressed a sharp implement against the soft flesh of your stomach. “Keep movin’ and you’ll lose a lot more than your man, bitch.” 

As your squirming died down, reality set in and tears began flooding down your face. It was over. He’d won. All of the efforts that went into putting distance between the two of you were meaningless. He’d found you, and Snyder was going to take Matt from you because of it. 

You were roughly stood on your feet and forced to move in the trail of Lannister and his other goon. Eventually, you were forced into a cold metal chair, binds attached to the stiff bars of the furniture. Your blindfold was ripped off, though your gag remained. James Lannister’s ferocious grin appeared in your line of vision, making you flinch. “So glad we’ve been reunited, Princess. We’re gonna have some fun.” 

The group had taken you to what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse. There were broken wooden palettes and scraps of steel scattered around the floor. Holes in the sheet metal walls allowed cold, winter air to blow crisp waves of wind through the space, raising the hairs on your neck. A gaping hole in the roof above you showers you in moonlight, illuminating a small s circle around you and Lannister. 

A knife glinted in your peripheral vision and you whimpered, squirming involuntarily. Lannister grabbed a fistful of your shirt, yanking you forward with a growl. “The more you squirm, the more damage I do, little princess. I’d hold still if I were you.” 

With that warning, he slashed a jagged cut in your top, nicking the skin along your collarbone. A hand ran over your hair, grasping the strands and tugging so that your face was turned towards your captor’s once again. “There’s my obedient little pet. Was wondering where she’d gone.” 

Bile rose in your throat as Lannister stroked his massive hands along your face, planting heated, bourbon-soaked kisses along your neck and down your chest. Prying away your torn clothes, he turned to face the goons. “Is it ready?” 

“Yes, sir.” One deep voice responded from the shadows of the warehouse beyond your visible surroundings. “Before I have my fun,” Lannister stepped aside, revealing a tall dark shape topped with a blinking red light. “I’d like to record a confession, dear. For my sanity, and for the board to know the truth.” 

Raising his barely slurred voice, he turned to the camera. 

“State your name, for the record.”

“Please don’t do this. I don’t—“ Your pleading morphed into a screech of pain as the point of the blade ripped a gash in the exposed skin of your shoulder. 

“Wrong answer, pet.” Lannister took a swig from a practically empty bottle of liquor that had seemingly materialized out of thin air. A trail of blood wormed its way to the cement floor, pooling at your feet. You stared at the river of red liquid for a moment before stammering out your name. 

“That’s a good pet. What’s your relation to me, my dear?” Chucking the now empty bottle aside, it shattered at your feet, spraying you with cheap alcohol and pieces of glass. 

“I worked with you. In Queens.” A smaller knife plunged into the meat of your thigh and you screamed in agony. The larger of the two goons shuffled into your wavering vision, smiling as he wiped your blood from his hands. 

“More specific, Princess.” Lannister spat at you. 

“You were my boss.” 

“That’s right. Now tell us, how did you get me fired?” 

You sobbed, “I didn’t, I wasn’t—“ Grasping the knife still planted in your leg, Lannister twisted it, grabbing your throat. 

“Yes you did, you miserable bitch. You ruined my fucking life. I lost my divorce settlement, my job, my house, my reputation. All because I took an ungrateful slut under my wing.” Ripping the blade from your body, he hurled you to the ground. 

“TELL THE TRUTH!” Lannister roared, sending a brutal kick into your chest and knocking the air from your lungs. “Tell them that you seduced me for months and then used me to land a promotion. TELL THEM THAT YOU TOOK MY ENTIRE LIFE FROM ME AFTER I’D GIVEN YOU EVERYTHING!”

Stomping over your body again, he stumbled backwards allowing you to cough out a response. “I—I took everything f-from you. I was un-ungrateful.” 

Lannister cackled, pulling you from the ground by your uninjured arm. “Turn the camera off. They won’t want to see this next part.” 

The goons stepped forward to follow your former boss’s orders, but a piercing sound from outside halted them in their tracks. A horrific shriek, the sound of metal grinding on metal, echoed through the warehouse. All three men froze, looking to each other as if expecting to find the cause of the noise at the hands of their fellow assholes. Dropping you hard onto your shoulder, Lannister turned towards the source of the creaking and your head lolled after him.

As the door to the warehouse slammed open, you cried in relief as your weak gaze made out the black clad figure against the night sky. Daredevil. Your devil. He came for you. Tears poured down your cheeks and your limbs tensed, Matt’s presence drawing you in like a magnet. 

Lannister huffs out a laugh. “The fuck do you want, shadow man? Don’t you have robberies to stop?” At his sides, the other men shuffled nervously, knives gripped firmly as they awaited their next command. 

Matt stalked forward into the warehouse, his body stiff as it held his rage back, visible tension like that of water building against a dam. Fists clenched, he prowled an arc around your three kidnappers. “Step the fuck away from her.” His deep timbre was pitched exceedingly low with pure fury and it sent ripples of goosebumps across your bare skin. 

Drawing the handgun from the back pocket of his slacks, Lannister stepped towards you once more. “Do your worst, Devil. She’s not leaving here alive.” The world slowed, as if the air around you was suddenly thick as molasses. Your eyes were processing as much as they could as dread settled in your stomach. The barrel of the gun moved across Lannister’s body and pointed at you as his meaty thumb cocked the weapon. 

Simultaneously, Matt’s athletic form rocketed forward, skillfully dodging the swings from both of your unnamed assailants and leaping at Lannister. A gunshot rang and you traced the bullet as it soared towards you. Suddenly, your vision went white as pain seared through your body following the pointed metal cylinder as it tore through your abdomen. Screaming in anguish, your ears rang with a high pitched tone, the flash of white across your sight fading to black. The only thing you could focus on was the burning agony as the puddle of your blood seeped into your torn clothes. Forcefully shutting your eyes, your inhales turned shallow, and you prayed to your beloved Matthew that he would get you out of here before you took your last breath. 

Matt’s skin was alight with rage as he maniacally tore through the three brutes to reach your collapsed form. The head captor’s words barely registered in his ears over the deafening sound of a gun being pulled. No. Do not let it be her, take me. The safety was undone as Matt ripped one man’s shoulder from its socket, using the falter in his steps to knock him unconscious. He needed to be faster. He had to reach you. Planting a hefty kick into the next guy’s stomach, he brought his billy club up to meet the force of the man’s own body weight bringing him down. A hollow thud of a body on cement meant there was one attacker left. And then came the gunshot. 

As the bullet escaped the barrel it was encased in, Matt roared, the devil inside him fully consuming his consciousness as tackled the shooter. Knuckles connected with a jawbone, then the softer cartilage of a nose, then the lumpy space of a rib cage. Matt poured every emotion he had into this criminal, each punch holding seeds of guilt and regret and desperation. 

The smell of your blood cascading over the dirty floor broke him from his trance. Dropping the battered body of your captor to the floor, he dove beside you, hands hovering over your body as he assessed the damage. 

Sobbing in relief, he cupped your face as gently as he could. “It’s ok, angel. You’re gonna be ok. They’re not gonna hurt you anymore. Just breathe with me, please sweetness, breathe.” 

Your shallow pants stuttered as your hand weakly grasped his shirt. “Ma-Matty?” 

“Yah sweetness, it’s me. I’m right here. Gonna get you out of here, ok? Just hold on.” Ripped a strip of fabric from his shirt, he pressed it over your largest wound, biting back a pained sound of his own when you hissed. “I know, I know, angel. I have to stop the bleeding.” 

The soft smell of salt melded with the metallic odor of your blood. You were crying, holding on to the fistful of his shirt like it was a lifeline. “Y-you came for me? I’m—I’m so-sorry” 

Stroking your face lightly before he dialed 911, he cooed. “Of course I came, lovely. I’ll always come for you. Always. Now you just focus on breathing. In and out, sweetness. Good girl, just like that.” 

At the operator’s greeting, he spit out a rough command for police and an ambulance, giving a brief description of the events that had happened. Next, he pleaded for their help. There was no way he alone could get you to a hospital in time. 

“They were holding her hostage. She’s been shot, stabbed too. Lost a lot of blood. She’s still alive but she needs medical attention, please hurry.” He spit out the approximate location, scrubbing tears from his face as he pocketed his phone. 

Pressing his forehead to yours delicately, he whispered. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, my sweet girl. It’s going to be ok. I’m so sorry.” Your hand raised shakily to cradle his nape. 

“Matty,” Your voice was weak, but determined. “I—I need you to know—“ 

“Hey, this isn’t one of those moments, sweet girl. You can tell me later, when you’re healing. You focus on—“ 

“No, please.” You begged, he fought back a choked cry so that you could say your piece. 

“I love you. S-so much.” You heaved a breath.  “I’m sorry that I ruined—“

“Shh, you didn’t ruin anything.” Matt chided gently, tears slipping faster after you'd confirmed his previous mistake. “I love you too, my wonderful, sweet girl. I won’t let them take you from me. I won’t.” 

“I’m sorry.” You choked out, and then you fell out of consciousness. 

Matt collapsed against your chest, clinging to the sound of your weak pulse as his body trembled with sobs. He planted soft kisses to your hair and cheeks, stroking lightly over your skin as he willed God to save you. 

The distant sound of sirens forced Matt to pry his face from your pummeled body. As the sound of vehicles approached, he made sure to alert the paramedics to your presence before taking back to the shadows. Hearing the clamor of attendants around you, he made a promise. “I’ll be there when you wake, angel. I’m sorry.”

Taglist: @maladaptivedaydreamingbum @scoliobean @harperdoodle @mattkinsella @leikelle @sweetbee0108 @dark-night-sky-99 @fallen-angels2213 @will-delete-this-later-probably @cheshirecat484 @thornbushrose @vernon-dursley

[atlafan]

based off this blurb...

Why would someone ever want to be a lawyer? It’s three extra years of school, a ton of hard work and memorization, interning for no pay, and dealing with the politics of actually working at a firm. Growing up, there was a lot of pressure put on Blake to become something important. By important, her father meant someone of status in society. Apparently, doctors and lawyers are the only important people out there. Blake is squeamish, so becoming a doctor was not an option. So, her father pushed her into the lawyer  track.

In high school, Blake made sure to take advanced psychology, U.S. history, government, and public speaking courses. For undergrad, she went to Duke. She knew she would end up going to a law school in New England, so she wanted to get out and away for a bit. Besides that, Duke’s pre-law program is one of the best in the country. Blake couldn’t decide what law she wanted to practice, all she knew was that she couldn’t major in criminal justice. Her father told her to stay away from criminal law because, “there’s no money in it. If you’re going to break your back and work 80-hour weeks, at least make some money”.

So, she majored in business with a minor in pre-law. Most corporate high-paying firms deal with business and entertainment. Blake made sure to study public relations and media studies as well. Her father was pleased with her decisions. He was even more pleased when Blake was accepted into Harvard Law School. Three years of non-stop studying and hard work got her to be in the top ten of her graduating cohort. None of that really meant anything, though. Just because she was good at taking notes and applying her studies to cases didn’t mean she would excel at a firm. It didn’t mean she would excel in a boardroom. It didn’t mean shit.

Blake interned at a firm for two years while still in law school. That’s where she first met Harry. He was a junior associate at the time. He was one of the few associates that didn’t treat her like a secretary. It’s a man’s world. She knew that, of course, but it’s still annoying to live through it day after day. Harry never let his eyes wander, he never made lewd comments, and he certainly never crossed any lines that would warrant HR’s involvement. Harry had also gone to Harvard Law, so he was a great person to rant to about certain professors. Blake never minded working late if she was assigned to help Harry.

And of course she developed a crush on him, it would have been impossible not to. He’s funny and sweet and smart. He’s the total package. But Blake couldn’t take it further than friendship. There was a multitude of reasons why. She needed to stay focused. She didn’t have time for a relationship. Getting involved with an associate when you’re just an intern is a major no-no. And the biggest reason was that Harry was in a committed relationship. He was twenty-eight and engaged. He and his fiancé hadn’t set a date yet. He wanted to wait until he was bumped up to senior associate.

Blake never got the chance to find out when that wedding date was. When she entered her second year of interning, Harry had accepted a position at another law firm. He’d be a senior associate on the fast track to becoming a non-equity partner. He couldn’t pass that up. Blake thought of him often, but she didn’t think it would be appropriate for her to contact him just to see how he was. However, she did find it appropriate to contact him three months before her law school graduation when she was applying for firms and she saw that he had, in fact, become a non-equity partner at a firm she really wanted to work for. She had his personal email, so why not?

Harry remembered Blake…just barely. But he recognized her name and was happy to see that she had made it through law school. He told her about an upcoming networking opportunity the firm would be having – some sort of “Spring Mixer”. Just about everyone from the firm would be there, including human resources, and it was open to prospective associates. She’d just have to pay a small fee for a ticket. Harry told her he’d take care of that because he knows how broke law students are. He told her to put the money towards a nice outfit, and business cards with her contact information on them.

Blake was nervous for the event. She knew how to network, but the event itself was at a really exclusive, swanky club. She had to spend a lot of money on a proper cocktail dress. Her father insisted on her buying a pair of red bottoms as well. She thought it was excessive, but she also knows that first impressions are everything. Harry gave her his contact information so he could meet her at the entrance. She was relieved when she saw him. They shook hands, and he guided her inside. He pointed out various people she would want to talk to if she wanted one of the open junior associate positions.

“Just so you know, I think you’ll at least get an interview.” He told her after handing her a seltzer with lime. He had mentioned it’s best to make it look like you’re drinking at these events. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are hot buzzwords right now. You’re a woman and you’re Jewish, so you’re the perfect diverse candidate.”

“I’m a white woman, that’s not exactly diverse.” She muttered.

“No, but a lot of these old shits will think so. They’ll think they’ve done their part to meet their quota. It sucks, and I’m not a fan of it, but it’s something you’ll want to play up right now to help yourself stand out.”

Blake understood what Harry was saying. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. She worked her way around the room, speaking with various equity partners and management partners, giving out her business cards and making herself look good. She dropped Harry’s name a few times, which many people smiled at. Harry even told her she could use him as a reference for when she applied. She didn’t take that lightly. She didn’t take any of the night lightly.

When she got home that night, she immediately took out her blank cards, and wrote Harry a thank you. She wrote a number of thank you cards, but she made Harry’s much more personalized. These little things go a long way.

She applied to various law firms, but the only one she wanted to hear back from was Langley, West, Monroe, and Associates. That’s where Harry worked. And she wanted to work in their entertainment law division. It’s what she was most passionate about, but she also mentioned that she has expertise with business law as well.

Two weeks before graduating from Harvard Law, Blake got the call she had been waiting for. An interview. The interview led to a second interview, the second interview led to an offer, that offer led to negotiations, and the negotiations led to an acceptance of that offer.

Her father couldn’t have been more proud.

Blake and Harry work in the same division, often working on some of the same larger projects. Harry works one on one with quite a few sports agents. He helps the agents and the players go over their contracts. It’s simple stuff. He also does a lot of work with copyright and fair use laws, helping artists get their money, those sort of things. Blake usually helps with those. She loves getting to combine business and entertainment law. And thanks to all of her study skills over the years, her brain is like a search engine. She can whip out cases left and right to help her clients. The junior and senior associates usually all hang out together, some even live together. The only times Harry and Blake are at the same social gatherings is if there’s an event for the entire firm, or there’s business to be done. And since there’s always business to be done, neither of them have the time to talk about things in their personal lives when they’re working together. No, Blake saves those chats for her fellow associates over drinks and dinner. She’s made some good friends at the firm. She’s grateful.

{READ WHEN YOU'RE READY ON PATREON NOW}

[melodylsimpson]

Melanin in YA

Imagine a space where you can easily find the next YA book written by a Black author to add to your TBR list. Best of all, amongst that book are an endless amount of other YA books waiting to be discovered by you, all written by Black authors. In that same space, you can find out if any of these authors have a book event near you or will be attending a festival / convention near you. In that same space, you can find out their NYT bestseller stats, book to screen adaptation details, a list of Black audiobook narrators to listen to, a detailed list of Black literary agents to query, Black bookish social media influencers to follow, Black led bookish podcasts to subscribe to, Black owned bookstores to visit and so much more. 

That space is Melanin in Y.A. A database for all things Black in traditional young adult publishing. It acts as a no excuses cross-referencing tool for industry professionals, press, readers, writers, students, educators, librarians, program administrators and more. It’s available to you 24/7 for free.

I, Melody Simpson, created Melanin in YA in August 2020 and have been running it entirely by myself from day one. I really want to hire an intern to help me out because maintaining and promoting this is a lot but I’m tapped out on funds and cannot afford an intern right now. Though I am in desperate need of one and would never ask anyone to do the amount of work that I need done without paying them. If you’d like to help in that regard, you can do so here (gofundme) and no donation is too small, thank you so much. If you’d like to help out in other ways, can you please do any of the following below to help amplify this invaluable resource? 

1) Follow and/or repost/retweet Melanin in YA content on Instagram or Twitter

2) Shop merch at Shop Melanin in YA

3) Send the melanininya.com link to your English teachers / professors, librarians, favorite booksellers, colleagues, fellow book club members, anyone you know who loves books, anyone you know who values diversity, equity and inclusion, and everyone you think could use this resource.

Full transparency, when Melanin in YA first launched, there was lots of excitement around it. But it’s been quite the struggle to get people to talk about this resource and share this resource outside of moments in time, say other than Black History Month or when something tragic doesn’t happen to Black people and makes it to mainstream news. I appreciate your support 365 days a year. Especially during a time when Black YA books are being banned more than ever before. This resource is so necessary. Your support is so necessary. It means so, so much. 

Thank you.

[denimbex1986]

'Irish actors claim they have been treated like the poor relations in the film industry for decades despite big government tax breaks for major studios.

LA-based actor Alan Smyth revealed that Colin Farrell, Ruth Negga and Cillian Murphy have signed a petition for fair and equal pay for native performers and crew.

Over 2,500 people have added their signatures online.

It says the Irish diaspora in the US and worldwide strongly support the efforts of Irish Actors Equity, which is in talks with several government ministers to secure a guarantee “that Irish performers will not be subject to lesser terms and conditions regarding their intellectual property rights than international performers in similar roles”.

“This, unfortunately, has been the case for many years,” it states.

The petition is still open as Irish Equity plans to hold a solidarity rally with the striking SAG-AFTRA union and the Writers Guild of America today.

Smyth, who is from Dundalk, has first-hand experience of the set-up on both sides of the Atlantic. He has reaped the benefits of the American system where actors traditionally got residual cheques whenever their performances are aired.

The threat now, he says, is that the so-called “streamer” networks are imposing drastic cuts to the value of the residuals.

Hence, the strikes.

“It’s a lot worse in Ireland,” said the actor, who has starred in a number of big TV dramas, including CSI: NY and Criminal Minds.

“The system in Ireland is that the Irish cast and crew for the most part, unless it’s Colin or Cillian, are put on buyout contracts so don’t get residual payments.

“The awful thing about it is the Irish Government gives tax breaks to film and TV productions. Within the productions, the Irish cast and crew are paid far less than anyone brought over from England or the US. It’s 100pc discriminatory.

“Colin, Cillian and Ruth Negga have got behind the petition. They know how hard it is until you get to a point where you’re doing really, really well. I can really see how hurtful it is in Ireland.”

Actor Gerry O’Brien lodged a cheque for $800 (€735) yesterday for his role as an Irish man in Pirates of the Caribbean years ago. The payment covers just a quarter of the year.

He got a US contract for the job, rather than the typical Irish buyout one.

In contrast, he has earned just €54 in residuals in the last 20 years here. That was for an RTÉ TV series.

O’Brien said Equity wants a contract for Irish actors like that on offer to their British counterparts. The coveted UK contract sets out minimum pay rates, residual arrangements and other terms and conditions.

Irish production companies offer the buyout contracts on behalf of the major international studios when they are in town, he says.

A Dublin-based actor (27) did not want to be named for fear he would be “blacklisted” when going for jobs.

He has been following the Hollywood strike very closely.

“It shines a light on just how unfair the industry is,” he said.

“Those at the top are earning incredible amounts of money and profit. In a large part, it is due to those at the bottom scraping a living.

“I graduated from drama school in 2017. Last year, I made the most money I ever made working as an actor and that was €14,000. Obviously that is not sustainable.

“If you work on an Irish film, you get paid for the day of work and never see another penny. I routinely sign off my rights for €600 or €700 a day.

“I’m delighted that Cillian Murphy and Colm Meaney are coming out in support of small fry actors like myself.”

Actor Owen Roe has won many theatre awards during his career and his film appearances including Breakfast on Pluto, Intermission, Wide Open Spaces and Michael Collins.

He said actors here are “not prepared to go on strike” but it is an opportunity to inform younger ones of their rights.

“It’s far more competitive as well . There is AI and all those things. The whole buyout situation is not good for us.”

He was glad to see Cillian Murphy and other stars walk out of the Oppenheimer premiere in support of their US union.

“They don’t have to financially, I’d imagine,” he said. “It gives confidence to people who feel they are being exploited.

“I think it will be interesting to see what happens in America. If the whole thing of buyouts and residuals gets sorted. The attitude that we’re cheaper is offensive,” he said.'

[leveloneandup]

ukginc Today we celebrate International Day of the Girl, supporting more opportunity for girls and increasing awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide.

UKG is proud to sponsor the NWSL and the 2023 Challenge Cup to support fair pay for all. Making pay equity a reality takes a village, which is why we are huddling together with the NWSL, UKG athletes Sydney Leroux and Christen Press, and our #UKGCloseTheGap nonprofit partners.

[rjzimmerman]

Summary of this Harvard Business Review article from Bill McKibben:

The ever-vigilant Kenneth Pucker, writing in the Harvard Business Review, finds that companies are scaling back diversity and sustainability pledges under pressure from conservative activists. (Ford and Lowe’s have joined the list in recent days). He calls it shortsighted, pointing out

Over time, the balance of negative- and positive-return sustainability investments will shift. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, pricing of carbon will become even more common. Already, starting in 2026, the newly enacted European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a tariff, will put a price on the embodied carbon for several key heavy industry inputs including steel, aluminum, iron, and cement entering the EU. As a result, many investments that may not pay out today will be accretive in the future. To prepare for truer pricing of carbon, companies ought to set an internal carbon price with proceeds used to fund investments to lower emissions. Carbon prices are already in place in more than 20% of U.S. and EU companies. Danone, for example, started with an internal carbon price of €35 and Klarna recently doubled its price for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions to $200 per metric. Also, given that 90% of public equity valueis comprised of intangible assets (such as a company’s brand and intellectual property), several companies adjust cash flows or the corporate hurdle rate to advantage sustainability investments. Though imprecise, so doing attempts to account for the increasingly important value of intangible assets. Like working with suppliers, making these adjustments demands an orientation that balances short- and medium-term results. This is because these financial tactics spur companies to accelerate the costs (e.g., of regulation) and risks (e.g., to brand reputation) of environmental degradation by replacing the mispriced incentives of the market with clearer signals to advance sustainability. Courageous executives will realize, however, that so doing is in fact in keeping with how investors value companies — based on future cash flows, not each 90-day earnings cycle.

[secondhand-snow]

Stalker!Lukas has definitely been on Twitter since day one, and he likes to lurk other profiles even if he doesn't follows them because he thinks knowledge is power, so eventually, one day he's on Stewy Hosseini's page and he's going over his whole feed, because Stewy is a private equity investor and well, you should always follow the money, and that's how he learns about reader, she's barely opened her account and hasn't even been verified, but since Stewy reblogs her and has full conversations with her, Lukas just knows she's well connected. Cut to him actually clicking on her profile and seeing her full name, so, he Googles her, back then he really doesn't know who the Roys are because he's in Sweden and it's a completely different world. Of course he spends the whole night reading about the family and their business. He reads her whole feed and finds every social media account she's ever had and reads everything over a few days, he downloads pictures, videos, anything he can get his mitts on, even content from her friends' accounts. He finds a private investigator in the US to follow her and keep him posted on her activities, Lukas basically puts the PI's kids through college with how much money he pays him over the span a few years. He slowly but surely starts scheming how to approach the Roys, since he had that PI on lock he also has so much info on the family that he knows when to attack and how to make it look like it happened naturally, even getting invited to Ken's party seems like it was not something that was years in the making. He knows he has just one chance to get her, so he makes sure he uses all of his knowledge to make her fall for him

this is so good- literally so accurate to his character

I can just imagine Lukas hunched over his desk in a hoodie going through every piece of information he can find on her for days straight. He makes a ton of dummy accounts to keep things from being traced back to him, he goes far enough to use his technology skills to get into her friends private accounts and get more information that way. He has a whole folder on his desktop full of screenshots and photos and videos and articles. But the folder is just labeled with a heart emoji, not even her name (because he’s already that delusional about her.)

He finds a really well connected PI (maybe pn the dark web lol) to keep tabs on her in person, and he puts this man through the wringer. If he finds out she went to an event and the PI didn’t get pictures of her he gets so upset. Full on “WAKE UP ZOMBIES!!” mode. His obsession just grows and grows, to the point that he starts interacting with entertainment companies in America in order to begin entering the same social and business circles as her. He does it so well that things look natural. By the time he gets the invite to Kendall’s birthday party, he’s more than ready to finally seal the deal.

I’d go as far as saying that even their first meeting is ser up by him. He sees the scene that Roman and Shiv cause at not being let into the VIP area, sees you following Kendall up into the treehouse, and perfectly positions himself in what will be your direct line of sight. And he acts all casual and bored, pulling up the first game on his phone that he can find and quickly drinking his beer to make it look half-full. But when he sees you for the first time in person he’s freaking out internally and having to sneakily hide his growing erection.

[vintagelasvegas]

Las Vegas Park Race Track, 1953

The track went bust after just 13 days of live racing in 1953, a failure of what was intended to marry the Las Vegas gambling and entertainment destination with the Thoroughbred racing boom. The site later became Las Vegas Country Club, Westgate, Regency Towers, and part of Las Vegas Convention Center.

Joe Smoot founded Las Vegas Park in ‘49, and acquired 750 acres from the estate of Leigh S. J. Hunt at $750/acre. The architects were Arthur Froehlich and Paul R. Williams. Construction began in summer of ‘50, and by the following year the business was bankrupt.

Smoot pleaded not guilty to a grand jury embezzlement indictment. In federal court, failing to produce receipts or canceled checks for $500,000 in missing money, he said: “You ever try to pay a politician with a check?”

Las Vegas Jockey Club, a new corporation headed by Lou Smith and Al Luke, emerged as the new owner and operator in early 1953. The park opened September 4, 1953. Their only season was married by faulty ticking and betting equipment. The stables were vacated in Oct. ‘53. Joe W. Brown bought the track following its second bankruptcy.

• Photos of Las Vegas Park Race Track

Las Vegas Turf Club was the second organization to use the track for horse racing. Their Dec. ‘54 season had poor attendance, as low as 400. Ten years later in ‘64 & 65, Las Vegas Park was used for the last time for Nevada Racing Association’s Thunderbird Downs. (The name Thunderbird Downs was also used for the half-mile track a short distance away at the Thunderbird Hotel.)

Throughout the 50s, the track – alternately known as Joe W. Brown Race Track – was also used for convention events and automobile racing: American Automobile Association Championship (‘54), NASCAR Grand National Championship (‘55), and the USAC Grand Prix (‘59). It was the race track seen in the movie “Viva Las Vegas.”

Part of the property was sold to Clark County in ‘57 for the construction of the Convention Center. Joe W. Brown’s estate sold the remaining property to National Equities Inc. in ‘65 for the creation of what became Las Vegas Country Club. National Equities sold some 60 acres to Kirk Kerkorian for The International Hotel; 20 acres to Clark County for an expansion of the Convention Center; the southeast section was saved for what would be come Regency Towers.

• Video: construction and opening of Las Vegas Park in 1953

Photos: Las Vegas News Bureau; Keeneland Library Thoroughbred Times.

Sources. Work to Begin on Las Vegas Park Stand. Review-Journal, 5/26/50; B. Dow. “Sports Snorts.” Review-Journal, 7/21/50; Vegas Park Story of Accomplishment. RJ 9/4/53; Big Car Race. Review-Journal, 5/23/54; Vegas Race to Preview 500 Dash? Review-Journal, 11/7/54; Sad Ending: Turf Club Scratched. Review-Journal, 12/6/54; Vegas Track Mark of 95 MPH Might Fall Under Stocks. Review-Journal, 10/16/55; Home Show Opens Tonight at the Race Track. Review-Journal, 6/12/57; 250-Mile Grand Prix Set for Vegas Today. Review-Journal, 11/29/59; J. Price. “A Dream of Horse Racing that became a Nightmare.” The Nevadan, 2/6/66; R. Miech. A sad saga: horse racing in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Sun, 4/29/2008; J. Lowe. The lavish Las Vegas racetrack that went bust in 13 days. Thoroughbred Racing, 2/25/2019; J. Warren, 2021. The Path of the Shield.

[casteliacityramen]

Looking Back: Unsung Events in the 20th century

Unovan EMIT magazine vault, March 21st, 2010:

If you were to walk into the Genetic Sciences building in Goldenrod University, you may come across a statue of an eevee adorned with a lab coat, a pair of goggles, and a graduation cap. This statue, titled as "Simon's Sacrifice," is dedicated to a certain individual who decided to give their life for the sake of science to propel a new golden age of evolution and sapient sciences.

CW: Terminal Illness (Self Harm just in case)

August 19th, 1949 CE: Sophomore Melanie Lee and her pokemon, Simon, are given the news that Simon is diagnosed with Advanced Evolutionary Sickness. AEVS is a rare occurrence for eeveelutions (or those with multiple evolutionary forms) involving a failure to evolve when exposed to multiple types of evolutionary stimuli. Pokemon who contract AEVS often struggle with fluctuating bone density, irregular blood cell counts, and immunodeficiency, leading to a shortened lifespan.

When the two went home after Simon's Diagnosis, they immediately went to work in learning how to speak with one another. After learning how to speak common in a staggeringly short time of one month, Simon was able to fluently hold a conversation with Melanie.

On the evening of September 4th, 1949, after much deliberation between student and companion, Simon was able to converse between himself, the head of the university genetic sciences lab, and a Goldenrod city official at Simon’s request. During this conversation, Simon revealed that he decided to volunteer himself as a subject of genetic research and that he would donate his body to the Goldenrod Genetic Research department post mortem (video and audio recordings of Simon’s conversation can be seen in Goldenrod City Hall and Goldenrod's building of genetic sciences).

After months of arduous genetic exams and medical treatments, Simon went on to spend the rest of his life with Melanie in relative peace and comfort. He passed in his sleep on December 21st, 1949.

While this was a selfless sacrifice in its own merit, Simon's contributions to Goldenrod University were critical in pioneering countermeasures to AEVS. AEVS is now no longer a death sentence to those diagnosed with it, and there are multiple steps to avoid any potential illnesses that may happen during such a critical event in a pokemon’s development phase.

Additionally, with the result of data put together by Melanie Lee and university graduate students, Goldenrod scientists made a breakthrough in creating the "Common Language" Technical Machine, designation: TM00. This TM can be found in nearly any store that sells commercial goods for pokemon well being.

Simon’s Sacrifice was one of the main events in history mentioned allegorically in the creation of the International Sapient Protection Act in 2005, which ultimately led to international pokemon citizenship, bodily autonomy, and overall equity that parallels human rights to this day.

The statue was unveiled in 1999 CE during Goldenrod's rebuilding efforts after the Kanto-Johto War of Annexation. Since then, Goldenrod University students pay tribute by rubbing the nose of the statue—a tradition thought to bring good fortune during exams. Students are known to adorn the statue in warm clothing during the winter months with items such as scarves, hats, and wool knit blankets—all to pay tribute to an unsung hero who gave their life for the betterment for all sapient-kind.

[mariacallous]

The empowerment of young women and girls is one of the hallmarks of a free and fair society. Unfortunately, they still frequently experience exclusion and inequity, especially in terms of agency and socioeconomic status. Around the world, gender equity significantly contributes to reducing conflict and extreme poverty. That’s why autocrats, extremist organizations, gangs, and other rogue actors attack women and girls to assert power and control. But too often, the global community delays action on or even disregards so-called women’s issues, including gender-based violence.

The International Day of the Girl Child on Oct. 11 provides an opportunity for the United States and the broader international community to recognize that economic growth and long-term security hinge on the status and well-being of women and girls. To actively promote their access to secondary education, youth-appropriate health care services, and seats at the decision-making table is both good policy and good business. Furthermore, taking action to support young women and girls isn’t just a moral imperative for the United States—it is in its own best interest.

Since the Taliban takeover last year, Afghanistan has once again become one of the worst countries in terms of female disempowerment. The Taliban regime is intent on the erasure of Afghan women and girls from public life, including banning girls age 12 and above from attending school, excluding most women from the workforce, and restricting freedom of movement for women and girls. But the problem is global: Young women and girls everywhere are paying the price for democratic backsliding and instability, with limited international action. But governments, businesses, international institutions, and philanthropic organizations all have a role to play to reverse this trend.

Advancing the status of young women and girls starts with education: Each year of school that female students complete—especially at the secondary level—reduces early and forced marriage, the risk of HIV infection, and infant and maternal mortality. Recent research shows that children born to mothers with at least 12 years of education are 31 percent less likely to die before the age of 5 than those born to mothers with no education. Equal access to learning also reduces vulnerability to natural disasters and conflict. Moreover, not educating girls translates to trillions of dollars in lost productivity and earnings. (The Taliban’s ban on access to secondary education for female students has cost the Afghan economy more than $500 million, according to UNICEF��estimates.)

Education initiatives, and particularly those focused on completing secondary school, require more funding from both public and private institutions—and not just for classroom-specific needs. Young women and girls also need access to clean water and sanitation facilities, menstrual hygiene products, and mental health support. Global businesses have a lot to contribute in these areas. For example, the U.S. multinational Procter & Gamble created the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, providing low-income communities worldwide with fast-acting chemicals to purify their drinking water. This keeps women and girls from walking long distances each day to collect safe water, freeing up their time for school. While this program was charitable, it was also good business, strengthening the global economy in the long term.

Policymakers must also demonstrate greater consideration of the well-being of young women and girls, particularly in the context of peace and security. The global community should back its verbal support for gender equity with decisive action, including increasing resource support for advocacy and holding perpetrators of human rights abuses to account. Taking decisive action now is critical, particularly given the proliferation of bad actors and democratic backsliding around the world. The empowerment of young women and girls is a direct challenge to autocracy, poverty, and terrorism. It is essential that policymakers see the advancement of women and girls within all societies as a central pillar of foreign policy.

The list goes on and on. In Central America, gender-based violence is a daily threat fueled by long-standing impunity that causes physical, economic, and emotional damage and also accelerates emigration. Unsurprisingly, many of the countries with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa are designated as “not free” in Freedom House’s annual Freedom in the World index, which ranks countries based on political rights and civil liberties. Young women in Iran face violence from the regime’s morality police and are now standing up in defiance of decades of state-imposed inequity and abuse.

Nearly half of young people today live in low-income countries. The young women and girls there have the potential to accelerate progress for all, protect human dignity, and demand accountability from governments and private sector institutions. Now more than ever, they need sustained support from the international community to achieve this potential and contribute to advancing a more secure and stable future for all.

[thefandomentals]

Organizing for a third season of Warrior Nun

We know the fandom impulse, and it has been for many fandoms, is to go and try to rent a billboard to try and save your show. 

We would gently like the discourage those ideas because at the end of the day, empirically they rarely work, and simply put money into corporate wallets.

If y’all are truly willing to part with your money, might we suggest organizing a WN fundraiser for an LGBT charity/organization? Publicity can still be generated that way, but instead of putting money into a corporate exec’s pocket, you’ll also be helping out LGBT persons in the process. Some organizations (though all could use support, if you want to make the news we suggest picking one and then doing a GFM with them): Out & Equal - LGBTQ+ workplace equality

Outright International - Global LGBT rights advocacy

LGBTQ Freedom Fund - Pays bail to secure the safety and liberty of individuals in jail and immigration detention

Center for Black Equity - Working to improve the lives of Black LGBT persons  with economic, health, and social equity

Trans Lifeline - Trans-led organization that connects trans people to community, support, and resources

Ali Forney Center - Protecting homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning youths 

[whatsonmedia]

International Women’s Day 2023: Accelerating Equality and Empowerment

International Women’s Day is marked annually on March 8 in an effort to promote gender equality and build a more equitable society. The day honors Women and raises awareness of topics including equal rights for women, violence and abuse against women, and reproductive freedom. How did international Women’s Day start? The seeds were planted when 15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908 demanding less work, better pay, and the right to vote. The Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman’s Day a year later. Making the day a global holiday was the idea of Clara Zethkin, a communist activist and defender of women’s rights. She floated the idea during a gathering of working women in Copenhagen in 1910. There were 100 women, from 17 different countries, and they all agreed to support her idea. International Women’s Day’s purpose: The goals of International Women’s Day are to celebrate women’s accomplishments and advance gender equality. This day also strives to promote gender equality by encouraging equal participation in social, economic, cultural, and political activities in order to guarantee that the most vulnerable people of our society have equal rights in all areas. How is Women’s Day celebrated? International Women’s Day is observed as a national holiday in a number of countries, including Russia, where flower sales increase in the three to four day leading up to March 8. A large number of Chinese women will have a half day off from work on March 8 in accordance with the State Council’s recommendation. Italy celebrates the Festa della Donna, or International Women’s Day, by exchanging mimosa blooms. This habit is said to have started in Rome after World War Two, however its exact origins are uncertain. In the US, March is observed as Women’s History Month. A presidential proclamation recognizes American Women’s achievements each year. Theme for IWD 2023 The United Nations Designated “DigitalALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” as the year’s theme in order to highlight the significance of technology in bringing gender concerns to light. The website for International Women’s Day states, Equity is a necessity, not simply a pleasant to have. Every society needs to have a strong emphasis on gender equity. Understanding the distinction between equity and equality is also crucial. The IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to spread awareness about why equal opportunities are insufficient. According to the IWD website, equity takes into account that each person has unique circumstances and distributes the precise resources and opportunities required to produce an equal result, as opposed to equality, which refers to providing each person or group of people with the same resources or opportunities. Some facts about women in digital technology In 2022, only 63% of women would be internet users, compared to 69% of men, according to a forecast by International Telecommunication Union (ITU). According to a survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF), 75% of occupations by 2050 will be in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Yet, women only hold 22% of the role in the workforce today, to name just one industry. According to the Gender Snapshot report from 2022, a study of 51 nations found that 38% of women have personally encountered online assault. The potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and advance gender equality is increased when women are involved in technology. UNESCO’s message for this year In her message for this year’s International Women’s Day, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay noted the importance of guaranteeing equal opportunity for women and girls while also ensuring that they benefit from the opportunities presented by technological change. She said that the theme for this year will be “Innovation and technology for gender equality”, noting that women are four times less likely to possess advanced ICT skills, make up less than 20% of the IT workforce, and just 12% of AI research is conducted. Read the full article

[ejesgistnews]

The latest political news now in Edo State is that, Kennedy Iyere, the Accord Party’s governorship candidate for the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial election, has officially withdrawn just hours before the polls. Iyere’s decision is rooted in his desire to address Nigeria’s broader social and economic challenges, particularly the growing food crisis.   Read Also : BREAKING: Adeleke Counters Makinde, Reveals Position on PDP National Chairmanship In a statement, Iyere emphasized his commitment to tackling national issues, including his proposed ‘Food4All Initiative,’ aimed at ensuring food security and creating mass employment for youths and women through the “One-Family-One-Farmer Scheme.” This program, according to Iyere, would significantly boost the agricultural sector and help alleviate unemployment in Nigeria. His initiative, which he shared with President Bola Tinubu, is projected to create six million jobs within its first year. However, Iyere also cited internal party issues as a key reason for his withdrawal. He pointed to a conspiracy within his own party, involving his running mate, Bright Enabulele, whom he accused of undermining his candidacy. This, he said, further pushed him toward a larger national focus rather than state-level politics. Pay Attention To: Pregnant Woman Found In Port Harcourt A Day After She Was Reportedly Abducted In Edo Advantages of Iyere’s Decision: Broader National Impact: By stepping away from the governorship race, Iyere could focus on his larger goal of national development, particularly his ‘Food4All Initiative,’ which promises to have a far-reaching impact across the country. Targeted Social Solutions: His focus on youth entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation through agriculture and technology could address Nigeria’s unemployment crisis, potentially helping millions. Collaboration with the Federal Government: Iyere's alignment with the Federal Government may provide the necessary backing and resources to effectively implement his ambitious initiatives. Disadvantages of Iyere’s Withdrawal: Sudden Leadership Vacuum: His withdrawal at such a late stage leaves the Accord Party without a viable candidate, potentially weakening the party's influence in the upcoming elections. Unresolved Party Conflicts: The internal issues Iyere mentioned highlight deeper challenges within the Accord Party, which could affect its performance and credibility moving forward. Local Leadership Impact: While his national ambitions may have a broader impact, Edo State loses a candidate with significant plans for local development, particularly in addressing food security and power distribution issues within the state. Despite the challenges, Iyere has called on Edo State voters to remain peaceful and vote their conscience, stressing the importance of equity and fairness in the distribution of political power across the state’s three senatorial districts. Looking ahead, Iyere reaffirmed his dedication to national service, stating that he would focus on developing a comprehensive economic roadmap for the inclusion and empowerment of Nigerian youths. His social intervention programs, aimed at deradicalizing and engaging the youth, are set to launch in October 2024

[smrutishree]

What Can Job Seekers Learn from Employer Reviews and Ratings on Hirekingdom?

Employer reviews and ratings on Hirekingdom offer valuable insights that help job seekers make informed decisions when considering potential employers. These reviews, written by current and former employees, provide a deeper understanding of a company's work environment, culture, management practices, and more. Here’s what job seekers can learn from them:

1. Workplace Culture

Understanding the Day-to-Day Environment:

Real-Life Experiences: Reviews often reflect the day-to-day experiences of employees, shedding light on the company’s internal culture, values, and attitudes toward work-life balance. You can learn if the company promotes collaboration, innovation, or if it has a competitive and high-pressure environment.

Team Dynamics: Reviews can reveal insights into team interactions, whether colleagues are supportive and friendly, and how well different departments work together.

2. Leadership and Management Styles

Evaluating Leadership Practices:

Managerial Support: Employees often comment on leadership styles, offering feedback on how managers engage with their teams. You can learn if the company’s leadership is approachable, supportive, and provides clear communication or if there are issues with micromanagement or lack of direction.

Leadership Vision: Reviews can provide insight into whether the company's leadership has a strong, forward-thinking vision or if there is a disconnect between management and the workforce.

3. Work-Life Balance

Assessing Flexibility and Employee Well-Being:

Flexible Working Conditions: Job seekers can gather information on whether the company offers flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks. Reviews may also reveal how supportive the company is of personal commitments and employee well-being.

Overtime and Workload: Comments on workloads and expectations for overtime help job seekers understand if employees are often overworked or if the company respects personal time and boundaries.

4. Compensation and Benefits

Insight into Pay and Perks:

Salary Satisfaction: Reviews often discuss whether employees feel their compensation is fair and competitive for their role and industry. You can get a sense of whether the company offers raises or bonuses regularly.

Benefits Overview: In addition to salary, employees share their experiences with company benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other perks like wellness programs, professional development, and travel opportunities.

5. Career Growth and Development Opportunities

Evaluating Promotion and Learning Potential:

Promotion Pathways: Reviews frequently highlight whether the company promotes from within and provides clear career advancement opportunities. Job seekers can gauge how easy or difficult it is to move up the career ladder in a particular organization.

Learning and Development: Job seekers can learn if the company invests in employee development through mentorship, training programs, or opportunities for further education and skill development.

6. Company Stability and Job Security

Understanding Organizational Health:

Job Security: Reviews can offer insight into the company's financial health, job stability, and whether layoffs or organizational restructuring are common. You can learn about any potential red flags related to company instability.

Growth Prospects: Employees may also comment on the company’s growth trajectory, revealing whether the business is expanding and creating new opportunities, or if it’s facing challenges.

7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Assessing Commitment to DEI:

Inclusive Practices: Employer reviews can highlight how committed the company is to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. This includes comments on representation in leadership, support for underrepresented groups, and the presence of employee resource groups.

Diversity Challenges: Some reviews might point out challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering job seekers a more complete picture of the company’s practices beyond its public statements.

8. Workplace Policies and Practices

Learning About Internal Policies:

Policy Transparency: Reviews can shed light on how well the company adheres to its stated policies on ethics, diversity, and professional behavior. If there are any inconsistencies or gaps between company policies and actual practices, employees often point them out.

Handling of Complaints: Job seekers can also learn how well the company manages complaints related to discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment, and whether they address these issues promptly and effectively.

9. Company Reputation

How the Company Is Viewed Internally and Externally:

Employee Pride: Reviews can indicate whether employees feel proud to work for the company and whether they would recommend it to others. This reflects the company's reputation within its industry and among its staff.

External Perception: Job seekers can also gauge how the company is perceived externally, particularly in terms of brand values, social responsibility, and customer satisfaction, based on employee feedback.

10. Interview Process and Hiring Experience

Getting a Preview of the Hiring Experience:

Interview Insights: Some reviews provide details about the interview process, including the types of questions asked, the stages involved, and the overall experience. This helps job seekers prepare more effectively for interviews with the company.

Hiring Transparency: Reviews may also share information about the company’s hiring timeline, communication during the hiring process, and how transparent the company is about its expectations and requirements.

11. Handling of Remote and Hybrid Work

Flexibility in Modern Work Arrangements:

Remote Work Policies: For job seekers interested in remote or hybrid work options, reviews can offer insights into how well the company supports these arrangements, whether they are temporary or permanent, and how seamless the transition to remote work has been.

Collaboration and Communication: Employees may comment on how well the company facilitates communication and collaboration in remote settings, as well as any challenges with technology or management in virtual work environments.

Conclusion

Employer reviews and ratings on Hirekingdom provide job seekers with essential information that goes beyond job descriptions and company websites. By reading these reviews, you can gain a realistic perspective on what it’s like to work at a company, assess whether it aligns with your personal and professional values, and make better-informed decisions about where to apply.