Free Republic

With increasing rates of infertility and higher average rates of maternal age, people are turning to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) more than ever. More than 8 million babies have been born since the first IVF pregnancy in 1978. Recognizing the emotional agony of dealing with trouble conceiving, it makes sense why IVF is becoming so widely used. IVF provides a glimmer of hope for couples who have faced numerous cycles of negative pregnancy tests. But recently, some light has been shed on less positive aspects of the ART industry, revealing inflated success rates, maternal and...

Every day, women become less of a minority amongst American gun owners. The trend data shows that women feel responsible for their own protection and are taking the necessary steps to ensure it. Even more interesting is the quietly growing number of females who are participating in self-defense firearms courses that go beyond the basics. What these courses offer are aspects of shooting that relate directly to real life. Spatial and situational awareness as well as firearm manipulation techniques are just a few of those concepts. The combination of these skill sets begins to introduce a new shooter to thinking...

A self-described progressive activist, who helped found an advocacy group in Pittsburgh that supports autistic people, is mounting a challenge against longtime incumbent state Rep. Harry Readshaw. Jessica Benham, 28, of the South Side Slopes, is bidding for the Democratic nomination in the 36th legislative district, shaping her candidacy after the campaigns of a number of progressive women who have toppled longtime Democratic incumbents in the past two years. Her campaign is framing the race that way, too, and in a recent email, used the secondary headline to proclaim “Progressive Benham to challenge conservative incumbent Harry Readshaw.” “In some ways,...

When the most popular medical marijuana dispensary in Chicago begins selling recreational pot on New Year’s Day, it will operate like a busy restaurant. Dispensary 33 plans to take names from those in line and page customers by phone when they can get in. The North Side cannabis shop will take that unusual step due to the huge crowds expected when weed sales become legal under state law at 6 a.m. Jan. 1, 2020. The celebration will be similar to the unofficial pot holiday of April 20, or 4/20, when a Dispensary 33 street fest and special deals this year...

Concerned Women for America at the White House. CWA CEO and President, Penny Nance, wearing one of the historic sashes, is a member of the bi-partisan Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. To commemorate the 100th year anniversary of women’s right to vote, a coin with some of the amazing women suffragists will be minted. Penny Nance joined President Trump in a Signing Ceremony for H.R. 2423, The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act.

In my work as a psychotherapist, one of the first things I try to address with my clients is identifying any areas of their life that might be exacerbating whatever mental health issue they are experiencing. I ask them about their sleep habits, their eating habits, the health of their significant relationships, their exercise habits, significant stressors, and any medication they are prescribed. All of these facets of their life might be worsening their symptoms. For example, not getting enough quality sleep is linked to an increased risk of developing depression. One study found that individuals who struggle with insomnia...

We’re still doing this, huh? Still writing to women who have degrees in meteorology and telling them to “STOP WEARING PATTERNS.” Still contacting grown professionals about their butts. (“VERY wide.”) Still watching morning news like we’re Us Weekly’s Fashion Police, armed with salty insults and not afraid to hurl them. Tuesday morning, WGN Morning News anchors Morgan Kolkmeyer, Lauren Jiggetts and Sarah Jindra read aloud some of the feedback they get from viewers about their bodies and their wardrobe choices during their pregnancies. Kolkmeyer is due to give birth in eight weeks. Jiggetts and Jindra both had babies within the...

This is Your Brain on Birth Control, a new book by Dr. Sara E. Hill takes a remarkably deep dive into the myriad ways that hormonal contraception alters women’s bodies, demonstrating that our sex hormones have an enormous impact on how our brains and bodies function. As we learn more about the consequences of altering women’s hormonal balance with contraception, we’ve come to find that those consequences can be very serious, indeed—in some cases, even fatal. Although the book is about the consequences of meddling with the hormones of women of reproductive age, it should also serve as a cautionary...

Left-wing pop icon Cher called on women to vote President Donald Trump out of office for possibly misgendering Conan the combat dog, who helped U.S. special forces kill Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last month. “trump’s LOWEST FORM OF LIFE EVER.LYING’S IN HIS DNA.HES CHAUVINIST.HE LIED ABOUT SEX OF DOG WHO HELPED KILL BAGHDADIHE SAID 3 TIMES DOG WAS A BOY. DEFENSE DEPT SAID NO,DOG’S A GIRL3 TIMESFINALLYASS DEFENSE DEPT CAVED,& SAID”ITS A BOY”. WOMEN VOTE & KICK HIS ASS OUT,” Cher, a frequent Trump critic, wrote on Twitter early Wednesday morning.

Most people assume that all Southern black women are liberal Democrats who can’t stand President Donald Trump. It’s a common misperception, according to Huntsville-based executive chef Merle Phillip, who says she’s somewhat of a political “unicorn” – a conservative African-American woman who “got on the Trump train” early on. That train is taking Phillip to Washington, D.C., this week where she’ll contribute her design and culinary skills as part of an elite volunteer team who were chosen, based on work samples, to prepare the White House for elaborate Christmas festivities including dinners, parties, and tours. Phillip said in a recent...

In 1987, a man, a woman, and their daughter attended a Tchaikovsky concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The most notable thing about their outing, all these years later, is something that actually wasn’t the least bit unusual: The two women waited in an interminably long line for the bathroom, while the man did not. What separates their uncomfortable experience from those of innumerable others is that the man in their party was a California state senator. After witnessing just how long his family members had to wait, he introduced legislation to guarantee the state’s women more toilets. In the three...

On the eve of Wednesday’s Democratic debate on MSNBC, four presidential contenders called for an independent investigation into sister network NBC in the wake of allegations of sexual abuse. The candidates, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., demanded the inquiry in a letter to Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez dated Monday. “We, the undersigned candidates, are very concerned about the message it would send to sexual assault survivors if our next debate is sponsored by MSNBC without clear commitments from Comcast, the parent company of NBC and MSNBC,...

All over the world 4.8 million people, mostly women and children, are stolen and sold as sex slaves to the highest bidder each year. In America, few regions have been hit by this scourge worse than Orange County, California. On the outside, the Southern California county appears to be a safe, wealthy, and even fairly conservative community, boasting a median income of over $86,000 and a healthy employment rate. According to The Epoch Times, however, the county has become a hot destination for human traffickers: "The official Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF), set up to fight real time...

Government-mandated employee perks might sound like a good way to help out working women, but, in reality, these programs do more harm than good. European women are already paying the price, and American women might be next. Carrie Lukas, President of Independent Women’s Forum, explains how keeping the government out of the workplace goes a long way toward keeping women in it. For more information on Independent Women's Forum visit IWF.org

Two female ISIS supporters will be permitted to walk the streets of Germany after they’re returned from Syria by the Turkish government. Former Islamic State members Heida R. and Nasim A. are set to be deported by the Turkish government back to Germany, but neither woman is expected to be arrested upon their arrival despite having been involved with the murderous terror organization for years in Syria, German national newspaper Die Welt reports.Heida, who’s originally from Lower Saxony, traveled to Syria in 2014 with her ISIS fighter husband. She was first captured in northern Syria after her husband died during clashes. Somehow...

The share of adults who have lived with a romantic partner is now higher than the share who have ever been married; married adults are more satisfied with their relationships, more trusting of their partners.As more U.S. adults are delaying marriage – or forgoing it altogether – the share who have ever lived with an unmarried partner has been on the rise. Amid these changes, most Americans find cohabitation acceptable, even for couples who don’t plan to get married, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Even so, a narrow majority says society is better off if couples in...

Wave a flag for original movies at the box office, as Disney’s release of 20th Century Fox/Chernin Entertainment’s Ford v. Ferrari is racing to a $30M win after a $11M Friday (including $2.1M Thursday previews). That buried Sony’s franchise reboot of Elizabeth Banks’s Charlie’s Angels, which dropped well below $12M-$14M expectations with a $8.2M debut in 3rd place. James Mangold’s Ford v. Ferrari gets an A+ CinemaScore, and 4 1/2 stars and a 68% definite recommend on PostTrak. With a boost like that, it’s a great blast off for FvF in a fierce awards season and Thanksgiving holiday, which is...

Contrary to popular belief, Russian people are not all cold-hearted alcoholics. We're actually pretty great once you get to know us. Take advantage of Montreal's multiculturalism and get yourself a Russian girlfriend ASAP. This post is addressed to both girls and guys alike. The truth is, you absolutely need a Russian girlfriend in your life, you just don't know it yet. So here are 10 reasons why you need a Russian girlfriend in your life. 1. We NEVER Come Over Empty-Handed If you invite us over for dinner, or something, just know that we'll bring stuff. We'll even call you...

It may be the most dangerous bill no one's really talking about. But if becomes law -- this radical grab bag of social extremism -- all of America will live to regret it. Meet the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). It's not just about women anymore. In fact, it's not really about women at all. How much damage can 52 words do? Trust me, you don't want to find out. The House majority's new ERA may be short, but the list of consequences is never-ending. Liberals will say it's about equality, but what it's really about is a one-way ticket to...

Runner’s abuse allegations embolden other female athletes Posted Nov 9, 2019 at 4:58 PM Former teen running star Mary Cain’s account this week of alleged physical and emotional abuse at the recently disbanded Nike Oregon Project is prompting more top athletes to come forward. Track and field is facing a painful and public reckoning with the treatment of some female athletes. Former teen running star Mary Cain’s account this week of alleged physical and emotional abuse at the recently disbanded Nike Oregon Project is prompting more top athletes to come forward. Amy Yoder Begley, a 10,000-meter runner, said Friday she...