Melinda Gates' $1 Billion To Advance American Women | Trump Voters Want Women at Home

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Philanthropist Melinda Gates is not sleeping well in Trumplandia. After a decade of watching the erosion of women’s rights and women’s progress in America, Gates has decided to do a very public reality check on the state of American women.

Reality is that 50 years after the second wave of the women’s movement ignited, only one CEO on the list of people running Fortune 500 companies is a woman of color. Gates cites the sobering fact that in 2018, there were more men names James running Fortune 500 companies than women.

Her action plan involves $1 billion spent towards expanding women’s power and influence in America. “There is no reason to believe this moment will last forever,” Gates, founder of investment and incubation company Pivotal Ventures, wrote in a Time.com opinion piece about the women’s marches, #MeToo movement, and the political activism and elections to office for American women.

“Too many people - women and men - have worked too hard to get us this far,” she wrote. “There are too many possible solutions we haven’t tried yet.”

Goals include dismantling barriers to women’s job advancement such as care-giving obligations and sexual harassment and fast-tracking women in influential job sectors such as technology, media and public office. Gates doesn’t

I, too, lie awake at night worrying about this possibility -- and have for a decade. The arrival of the Republican Tea Party in 2010 signaled an awesome erosion of women’s rights that have exploded since Trump became president.

One night I actually had a terrifying nightmare related to women’s access to contraception in America, and this was several years before the dystopian Handmaid Tale became a Hulu hit.

There is no doubt that Republicans are determined to take US women back to the 50s, eliminate all child care support, even public education in an effort to get American women having babies and even home schooling them with the Biblical good book.

I worry that America is increasingly becoming an Arab country -- and I don't mean too many Muslims. I mean too many Republicans wanting a theocracy where a Christian God runs the country, just as Allah and his men culturally and politically run the Muslim countries. The vast majority (over 70% of Trump's women voters and 58% of men) support this vision for America, as evidenced by extensive research done on Trump voters by Baylor Christian University in Waco, Texas. ~ Anne

THE SACRED VALUES OF “TRUMPISM”

Core Values

Researchers looked at how religious values, behaviors and beliefs predicted political support for Trump, finding that the majority of those who voted for him tend to:

  • Say they are “very religious”

  • Are members of white Evangelical Protestant churches

  • View the United States as a Christian nation

  • Believe in an authoritative God who is actively engaged in world affairs

  • See Muslims as threats to America

  • Value gender traditionalism, feeling that men are better suited for politics and should earn more than women; women should provide primary child care; and working women are deficient as mothers

  • Oppose lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights (such as legal marriage)

Lilly Stent Luxuriates in Camel Land, Lensed by Steven Chee for Grazia Australia

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Lilly Stent Luxuriates in Camel Land, Lensed by Steven Chee for Grazia Australia

Model Lilly Stent is styled by Charlotte Stokes in ‘The Western Front’ — and we’re not talking Morocco. Lensman Steven Chee captures the adventure on location at Cable Beach, Broome, WA for Grazia Australia’s ‘The Reinvention Issue’. / Hair and makeup Hendra Widjaja

In all honesty, camels and Australia never went together in our inquiring minds at AOC. Camels are not native to Australia but the country’s wild camel population is the largest in the world.

NYC Restaurateur Camilla Marcus Partners with Vivvi for Employer Subsidized Childcare

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Camilla Marcus’ Westbourne cafe in New York Soho has partnered with Vivvi, to offer flexible hours, employer-subsidized, education-based healthcare for her New York workers.

Worker-conscious restauranteur Camilla Marcus, the founder of Soho’s vegetarian cafe Westbourne, faced head-on the challenges her employees endured to find affordable and flexible hours childcare in New York. Formerly director of business development for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group and the cofounder of TechTable, Marcus clearly has a “let’s get-it-done” mentality.

At first Marcus assumed research on finding affordable, flexible healthcare for her workers was primarily a “connecting the dots” job of finding realistic alternatives to the average $16,000 annual cost of having a family in New York as a working parent. Surely the mayor’s office could point Marcus in the right direction.

Frustrated and at the end of the road in her search for a worker-friendly childcare solution, Marcus was sent to Charles Bonello and Ben Newton, entrepreneurs who also saw the problem. Their checklist included a more affordable and accessible option that includes flexible hours, a robust early education curriculum, and back-up care options for those whose existing childcare is unavailable on short notice, writes Vogue US.

Vivvi, which is now open, partners with local employers to subsidize up to 100 percent of the cost of regular full-time care and backup care for working parents of infants, toddlers, and pre-school-age children. Thanks to Camilla, Vivvi's backup childcare is equipped to meet the needs of hospitality workers, with hours ranging from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays and weekends.

"There are just not that many industries left where you don't need to have a certain degree," says Marcus. "You don't need to have a certain background and you can rise to a six-figure salary. We need to keep those pathways open and this [lack of accessible childcare] is a big barrier to that being possible."

For Camilla Marcus, she's leveraging her new partnership with Vivvi, now offering backup care to all of her employees at no cost. It's the beginning of a much-needed equalizing force in an industry that has long undervalued its workers.

"It isn't just a banker or a lawyer who is able to have access to this world class program," said Bonello. "It's also hospitality workers whose entire livelihood is tied up with being able to get to work and being able to get there during the times when it makes the most sense and it's most valuable. So it's empowering for us because our entire mission is honor the potential of work and families."

Read more details about this exciting project at Vogue US.

Ugbad Abdi is Lensed by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue Arabia October 2019

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Ugbad Abdi is Lensed by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue Arabia October 2019

Rising model Ugbad Abdi poses in ‘A Legend has fallen and a new legacy RISES’, a tribute to famed photographer Peter Lindbergh, who captured these images. Katie Trotter styles Ugbad for Vogue Arabia October 2019.

Vogue Arabia chats with the refugee who was born in Kismayo, Somalia before fleeing to Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, where she lived for nine years. Ugbad’s family eventually relocated to Iowa, living in one of America’s oldest Muslim communities.

Mica Arganaraz + Selena Forrest in Fendi Haute Couture for Vogue UK

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Mica Arganaraz + Selena Forrest in Fendi Haute Couture for Vogue UK

Models Mica Arganaraz and Selena Forrest are styled by Julia Sarr-Jamois in Fendi Haute Couture, the first showing of the Italian luxury label without Karl Lagerfeld. Photographer Angelo Pennetta is behind the lens for British Vogue November 2019 with ‘There’s No Place Like Rome’.

Hailey Bieber Takes A Country Stroll Lensed by Matt Easton for British Vogue October 2019

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Hailey Bieber Takes A Country Stroll Lensed by Matt Easton for British Vogue October 2019

Model Hailey Bieber dresses up fine, styled by Dena Giannini in ‘A River Runs Through It’. Photographer Matt Easton captures Hailey country stroll for British Vogue October 2019./ Hair by Panos Papandrianos; makeup by Frank B

God's Man, Donald Trump, Played Golf as Hevrin Khalaf Was Stoned to Death

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After giving the go-ahead to Turkey’s assault on the Kurds in Northern Syria, disgraced US President Donald Trump played golf on Saturday. As the bullet-riddled SUV of Secretary-General of the pro-Kurdish Future Syria Party and Hevrin Khalaf herself was shot and stoned to death, along with others in her convoy, Trump had a mighty good golf game. The Republicans scream “liar, liar, pants on fire”, but this fact is the truth, the image is real. Trump has nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide. The US president has totally disgraced America’s military and American values in support of the Kurds. His self-serving, Putin’s-puppet actions repulse us, and we grieve for the Kurdish people. Trump playing golf via.

God's man in America, Donald Trump, played golf on Saturday, while the bullet-riddled SUV of Secretary-General of the pro-Kurdish Future Syria Party and Hevrin Khalaf herself was shot and stoned to death, articulated Monday by MSNBC on the ground in Syria.

I couldn't second-source the method of killing her on Sunday and refused to spread a false rumor. Has Trump even mentioned her being stoned to death? Has he evoked any sense of horror over what he has unleashed in northern Syria? Not an ounce of concern. NOTHING!!!! Trump played golf through the entire Syrian violence.

Khalaf probably deserved such a horrific death in Trump's misogynist playbook, but she was a great defender of Christians.

I do not believe in revenge, but I pray that the spirit of Hevrin Khalaf emerges quickly into the universe, where she is needed. And I pray that she comes to sit on the shoulder of Donald Trump, connected to him in an inescapable constant presence of what Trump has done to her, to the Kurdish people, and to the total balance of power in the region.

Perhaps she could use her new powers in a way that doesn't harm him physically. We want Trump to live with his actions. Personally, I wouldn't mind if Trump Tower Istanbul went up in smoke.

A Prayer for Hevrin Khalaf’s Return

I want the goddess status of Hevrin Khalaf to appear to Trump, when he's chowing down his cheeseburgers in bed at the White House. I want him to see constant apparitions of her everywhere. I want Khalaf to help us rid America of this corrupt, sinful man and his corrupt posse who surround their every horrific action with God's name.

I want the last vision Donald Trump has of life to be Hevrin Khalaf being stoned to death. If I must live with her vision that is grieving me so painfully, so must Trump -- the heartless, gutless, corrupt golf-playing, sinner man who has duped an entire political party and sanctioned the death of by all accounts, one of the most important women promoting peace and positive action for the Kurdish people.

My last action around stoning was almost single-handedly saving a woman from being stoned to death in Sudan. Within 48 hrs. of my getting involved, it stopped with Khartoum saying "not her again (meaning me)." It gave me some solace in all this violence that my action stopped a horrific death. Now Trump has taken even that small memory of good action from me, because everything happened so quickly to the Kurds.

I don't know if Khalaf was traveling with a poison pill or not. Obviously, events happened so quickly, swallowing one was not an option for her, and all reports are that her death was agonizing.

May the original goddesses of the universe greet and bask in warmth and love the spirit of Hevrin Khalaf. And when her tears have stopped flowing for her beloved Kurdish people, let the goddesses send her on her way to Washington, DC where she sits on the shoulder of this decadent, despicable man.

The Republicans constantly call strong women with democratic values 'witches'. Let them understand the power of a true goddess in their presence, as they plot their ugly assassination of American greatness right under our disbelieving eyes.

As for the Kurdish women soldiers and Hevrin Khalaf, I prostrate myself on the ground and grieve for the horror that Trump and America have unleashed on you. I am so, so, so sorry for this animalistic, subhuman atrocity that EVERY SEASONED MILITARY OFFICIAL TOLD TRUMP WOULD HAPPEN.

Still, Trump powered on — because he is Putin’s Puppet and Erdogan’s, too. Trump has killed the full promise of a great experiment in democracy; you are dead, and chaos reigns in Syria. But then, Donald Trump does not believe in democracy for the Kurds or for America. ~ Anne

Gemma Ward Chills In Cold-Weather Casual for Telegraph UK Autumn Fashion Special

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Gemma Ward Chills In Cold-Weather Casual for Telegraph UK Autumn Fashion Special

Gemma Ward is styled by Megha Kapoor in cold-weather luxury, lensed by James Tolich for Telegraph UK’s Autumn Fashion Special October 12, 2019. / Hair by Sophie Roberts; makeup by Isabella Schimid

Alek Wek + Jeremy O. Harris in 'Tender Head' by Campbell Addy for Interview Magazine

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Alek Wek + Jeremy O. Harris in 'Tender Head' by Campbell Addy for Interview Magazine AOC Fashion & Style

IMG model Alek Wek and playwright Jeremy O. Harris star in ‘Tender Head’, an original short story by Harris and fashion editorial for Interview Magazine, published online October 4, 2019. Gabriella Karefa-Johnson styles the duo for images by Campbell Addy. / Makeup by Raisa Flowers; hair by Susy; set design Michael Younker.

AOC last encountered Jeremy O. Harris in his New York Times interview with Rihanna, after her new partnership with LVMH was announced.

Harris’ words and tight, poignant prose in ‘Tender Head’ are emotionally and psychologically gripping, as he writes from the interior perspective of the experience. Known for his work on ‘Daddy’ and now ‘Slave Play’, Jeremy O. Harris was the winner of the 2018 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, given by the Vineyard Theatre in New York City.

Alek Wek AOC Archives
Alek Wek Model Archives @ AOC.jpg
Alek Wek
Campbell Addy AOC Archives
Campbell Addy Photography Archives @ AOC.jpg
Campbell Addy

Annemarieke van Drimmelen Flashes Naomi Campbell for WSJ Magazine October 2019

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Annemarieke van Drimmelen Flashes Naomi Campbell for WSJ Magazine October 2019

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is styled by Alex White in ‘The Naomi Mystique’, lensed by Annemarieke van Drimmelen for WSJ Magazine October 2019./ Hair by Lorenzo Barcella; makeup by Angloma

“Naomi sweeps you into her world—one minute you are in London, next minute you are in India, next minute you could be in Africa. It’s a whirlwind,” says another member of that group chat, Edward Enninful, the editor in chief of British Vogue, who met her when he was a 19-year-old fashion director for i-D magazine. The day of their first shoot, she invited him to hop on a private jet to Dublin with her. Enninful, who named Campbell a Vogue contributing editor in 2017, describes her as having the mystique of an old Hollywood star such as Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich. “Naomi came up at a time when models had to really learn their craft, almost like a studio system,” he says. “Apart from being incredibly ambitious, she is incredibly focused. Naomi loves being a model. When you shoot her, you realize there are only a handful of models who can give what she can. It’s just this magic.”

Read the interview at WSJ.com

Arthur Elgort Eyes Tasha Tilberg & Co in Modern Classics for Sunday Times UK

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Arthur Elgort Eyes Tasha Tilberg & Co in Modern Classics for Sunday Times UK

Models Tasha Tilberg is joined by Liisa Winkler and Yasmine Warsame in a red, black and white Sunday Times Style Magazine UK October 6, 2019 fashion editorial. Photographer Arthur Elgort captures the trio on the streets of New York, with styling by Verity Parker./ Hair by Kevin Ryan; makeup artist Maki Ryoke

Mariacarla Boscono Is Eternal Goddess Lensed by Nadine Ijewere for Modern China Weekly

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Mariacarla Boscono Is Eternal Goddess Lensed by Nadine Ijewere for Modern China Weekly

Top model Mariacarla Boscono is styled by Nathan Klein in ethereal nothingness at home in Rome. Photographer Nadine Ijewere is behind the lens for Modern Weekly China September 11, 2019. / Hair by Edward Lampley; makeup by Celia Burton

Bella Hadid Covers Vogue Netherlands November Design Issue, Lensed by Sean Thomas

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Bella Hadid Covers Vogue Netherlands November Design Issue, Lensed by Sean Thomas

Supermodel Bella Hadid covers the November 2019 issue of Vogue Netherlands Dutch Design Issue. Dimphy Den Otter styles Bella in luxe looks from Alexander McQueen, Dior, Rolf Haute Couture, Valentino Haute Couture and more. Sean Thomas is on location, capturing Bella at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Litza Veloz Stars in 'Forbidden Love' by Fernando Gomez in Vogue Czech November 2019

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Model Litza Veloz is styled by Daniel Gonzalez Elizondo in ‘Forbidden Love’, a provocative, elegant fashion editorial. Central to these images is the subliminal preoccupation of white men historically with black women — a reality that most often worked against the well-being and personal lives of women of color. Photographer Fernando Gomez captures Litza’s dazzling fashion attraction for Vogue Czechlosvakia’s November 2019 issue. / Makeup by Rosa Matilla

More specifically, the ‘Forbidden Love’ fashion editorial is probably referencing Pope Clement VII (aka Giuliano de'Medici) who as pope took a black slave girl as a mistress. Their child Alessandro became the first black head of state when he became Duke of Florence in 1530. Alas, Allessandro met a tragic end, stabbed to death by his own cousin after an argument over a woman.

Revisiting this story and the strong connection between between imported slave women and the Italian aristocracy, is recharging my brain cells around current arguments between Italian luxury brands and charges of racism. Thinking . . thinking . . thinking. ~ Anne

Charlee Fraser Wears Minimal Lingerie, Bold Gold Jewelry for Vogue Mexico October 2019

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Charlee Fraser Wears Minimal Lingerie, Bold Gold Jewelry for Vogue Mexico October 2019

Model Charlee Fraser fronts a collection of modern, minimal lingerie and bold jewelry from Alexander Wang, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Chopard, Tiffany, Wolford and more, styled by Sandy Armeni. Photographer Yulia Gorbachenko flashes ‘The Skin I Live In’ for Vogue Mexico October 2019./ Hair by Peter Gray; makeup by Tyron Machhausen; creative direction by JP Micallef

Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Honored With Own Typeface Greta Grotesk

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As the world goes totally mad, we must turn to the creatives -- that would be me -- to keep us from losing our minds entirely. LOL and crying through my tears.

Greta Thunberg has been honored with a typeface called Greta Grotesk, inspired by and emulating the teenage activist’s handwriting.

Tal Shub, creator of the typeface, is a designer based in New York who co-founded Uno, a company with a mission to eradicate single-use plastic bottles by offering a reusable alternative.

“We’re all very moved by how this girl has inspired so many people to take action,” Tal states. “From the very first moment of seeing her sign, I was really impressed by the bold design and clarity of the message.” As Greta’s letterings clearly struck a chord with many around the world, not just Tal, he was surprised at how little discussion there was around the actual typography. “Here’s this iconic piece of visual communication, yet nobody’s really paying attention to how that design is central to this movement. It’s really the classic typographic discussion – something that’s starring you in the face, but most people don’t pay attention to it,” he adds.

Read more details about Greta Grotesk’s typeface.