Women’s History Month celebrates the many contributions of women throughout history. Despite the fact that countless women of various identities have been the backbone in shaping our society, starting at a young age, they have been subjected to immense hostility and belittling in almost every aspect of life. As a result, it is almost impossible to identify one interest of women that is not scrutinized by others. In particular, being a “fangirl” of any subject whether that be sports, a musician, actor or entertainer comes with the cost of being criticized by society. 

   The phrase “fangirl” is used to berate and ridicule women fans of various subjects. The directness of the word holds a more significant negative connotation that extends beyond the simplicity it would suggest. When asked to describe the characteristics of a fangirl, it is likely that many would use words such as obsessive, hysterical and crazy. Hearing this language that is often used to depict women holds the potential to be damaging to the self-image of young girls, often resulting in feelings of invalidation and shame. Being a dedicated fan is not exclusive to women, as it also applies to men and those who do not identify within the confines of “femininity.” This, however, creates a double standard because male behavior is not deemed “crazy” as it is with women. For men who are interested in sports, the hypermasculinity displayed by some male fans when their favorite team loses is often justified as passion and devotion, rather than the neuroticism and obsession associated with women. 

   An article written by Vogue highlighted that the widespread negative views of fangirls stem from long-existing systems of misogyny and patriarchy. This created a system in which the interests of men have historically been placed at the forefront of society, while women’s were diminished. SLU Professor of Women and Gender Studies,  Amanda Izzo, Ph.D., provides some insight as to the reasons behind the stigma of women’s interests.

      “Some part of this may come out of widely shared stereotypes and expectations that men are rational actors, that they use reason and deliberation to move through the world,” Dr. Izzo said. “The corresponding stereotype is that women are emotional, subject to irrational and unreasonable feelings that make them behave in ways that show a lack of control and intellectual capacity. After all, the root of that word hysteria refers to the uterus.” Dr. Izzo expands by explaining that these stereotypes proceed to place emphasis on male interests within society. 

   This argument particularly resonates within the sports realm.  In 2018, professional tennis player Serena Williams slammed her racquet following a loss in an important game. Her action garnered an immense amount of criticism over her character, despite Novak Dijokic, a professional male tennis player, doing the same on several occasions. In his case, many news outlets and viewers explained his behavior as being a byproduct of the pressure of the game. This brings up the hypocrisy that when women are expressive in the same manner as men are, they are accused of being irrational and too emotionally invested. 

   More often than not, women are often placed in situations in which there is pressure to justify their interests in order for it to be deemed authentic. Women who are interested in stereotypically masculine subjects may be questioned on obscure facts to prove knowledge on the topic, or in other cases, if a woman is a fan of a male musician or boyband, her authenticity is brought into question as well. One Direction, arguably one of the most influential boybands of this generation is a good example. This fandom is notorious for being composed of mostly dedicated young girls and women. Many individuals portray the enjoyment of One Direction’s music as people’s obsession with the members and their looks, rather than the talent the group brings. As a result, it was ridiculed and deemed as a childish interest. Those who remain “tormented” by the events of March 25, 2015 understand that enjoying One Direction’s music was not simply a childish phase. This is a largely gendered phenomenon that occurs throughout many different fanbases. Not only are the fangirls ridiculed, but artists with a primarily women fanbase are also written off as illegitimate artists. 

   Fangirls do not only face criticism from men, but in fact other women have also been perpetuators of this shaming. Internalized misogyny and the attitude of desiring to be different from the girls who enjoy stereotypically feminine interests are large contributors. 

   Women’s interests have been and continue to be deemed as less serious than those of men due to the prioritization of men’s interests in society. In order to reframe the narrative behind being a fangirl, it is important to recognize the multifaceted underlying factors that contribute to the continued stigmatization of this group. 

The ongoing issue of nurse shortages has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and is hitting St. Louis hospitals hard. This nationwide phenomenon existed prior to the pandemic, however, hospitals are increasingly being caught in a vicious cycle in which health care workers may contract COVID-19 and have to isolate, resulting in the lack of hospital staff. In turn, nurses grow overworked, experience burnout and resign from their jobs. Furthermore, the demand for nurses in the United States is extremely high and some individuals may leave their job for a higher paying one.

   As a short-term fix to this crisis, hospitals are hiring traveling nurses. These are temporary nurses that are brought in from various states and countries to aid hospitals during nurse shortages. Due to the high demand for traveling nurses, they are paid a greater amount than staff nurses, which has caused frustration within the profession. 

   The surge of the Omicron variant has led to a record number of COVID-19 patients in the St. Louis area, overwhelming and overworking hospital staff. KSDK reports from early January indicate that out of the 964 patients admitted to the St. Louis hospitals, 67 percent were unvaccinated and 33 percent were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This discrepancy between vaccine status showcases that hospitalizations are primarily occurring amongst the unvaccinated population. These numbers, in turn, are reflective of the amount of pressure and stress nurses experience. Healthcare workers that were considered “healthcare heroes” at the start of the pandemic are often the target of frustration of patients with positive COVID-19 test results.  Upon receiving a positive COVID-19 test result, some patients get angry with their nurses and deny their results. Many of these individuals, according to local health care workers, do not believe in the reality of the virus and are typically unvaccinated. The brash reactions of patients are both disheartening and frustrating for those trying to do their jobs. 

   The growing crisis of nurse shortages can be daunting for the next generation of students, who are studying to become nurses during the pandemic. Current SLU students have reported feeling discouraged at times due to the current circumstances in the medical field.

   “It is scary to hear about the unbalanced nurse-to-patient ratio, as having to fulfill timed orders for five or more patients puts a lot of pressure on a singular nurse,” junior Sara Coleman explains. Coleman further indicated that the pandemic has highlighted the amount of hard work and dedication that is required of health care workers. Along with the mental health effects that inevitably arise from being overloaded with work, nurses are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their constant exposure. 

   After observing the burnout of young nurses, some SLU students describe feeling nervous about their pursuit of nursing. “I chose nursing because I thought it was something that I would genuinely enjoy doing, but now I’m afraid that I will quickly become tired of it,” junior Shelby Berghorst says. This is a real concern that many individuals are bringing to light. Much of the future of the nursing profession relies on this generation. 

   The pandemic has shown a rise in nursing students, as individuals may feel inspired by current health care workers to pursue nursing; however, this is not the case for everyone. The pandemic has presented numerous challenges within the medical field resulting in a fear of negative experiences. This can deter some individuals from going into a career that they were previously passionate about. Both students and nurses alike may experience a lack of motivation to continue in this path of medicine. Coleman urges these individuals to reflect on the reasons why they chose to go into the medical field. 

   Berghorst explains that many health care workers have taken to social media to express their frustration online. She notes that while nurses are enduring a great deal of stress, a lot of them are trying to remain devoted to their mission. 

   “​​One ICU nurse recently made a video saying that she still cares for COVID patients who do not believe that the virus is real,” Berghorst says. 

   Berghorst also noted the increasing hostility towards health care workers due to a rise in distrust. Having to navigate difficult patients while trying to save their lives is an exhausting process. 

   Despite the copious amount of stress nurses experience, Coleman notes that there is a good support system in the area. “One thing I have noticed at the different hospitals in the area is that the nurses are happy to help their colleagues out when things get hectic. These relationships have motivated me, as they are a reminder that no matter how daunting the circumstances, if you are on the right team you are never alone.”

   The effects of the continuing nursing shortages highlight the importance of healthcare professionals. “Nursing poses a great opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life, big or small. The world will always need nurses, but especially now,” Coleman says.

Living through historically significant events can be a strange phenomenon. We go about our days realizing, but not fully acknowledging, that someday students will be tested over what we consider to be the most abnormal time of our lives. Each individual has had a different experience over the course of the pandemic and it brings up the question: what do I want future generations to know about my experience during this time? 

The United States has been at the epicenter of historical events this past year. From the handling of the pandemic to racial tensions, as well as an unprecedented election season, those living in the U.S. have faced many challenges. Future generations may not understand just how surreal these collective experiences were.

“Being home with my family and opening up social media and seeing all the events happening in the world was a very unreal feeling,” said sophomore Miah Cramer. “That also speaks to my privilege because I don’t have to experience that in my own home. I think that future generations should know that even though we were seeing all this on social media, we were also encouraged to have these political conversations in our own household.”  

For many, the disagreements about the pandemic in the U.S. has been a source of frustration. Members of our society have had to face challenges such as unemployment, poverty and homelessness, often driving them to blame the government for the lack of preventative measures. Sophomore Kenya Reeves explains that she would want future generations to understand her grievances surrounding how the U.S. dealt with the pandemic.

“If we as a culture cared more about the person instead of the profit, COVID wouldn’t have taken the toll that it did,” said Reeves. 

Individuals who practiced COVID-19 safety protocols since the start of the pandemic may feel like their efforts are unnoticed when it seemed that a large part of society was not. Students studying the pandemic in the future will not fully understand the perspective of individuals committed to combating the spread of COVID-19 transmission. Even today, foreign nationals may perceive that the entirety of the U.S. does not prioritize health safeguards, despite the fact that many people do. Sophomore Juliana Cortese feels that it is important to recognize these individuals.

“I would want future generations to know that there were people doing the right thing,” said Cortese. “Even though it has dragged on for a long time, there are people that are doing the right thing.” 

For those not going through these events, it can be challenging to understand the mental health struggles of young adults during this time. According to a study done by KFF, four out of ten adults have reported feelings of anxiety and depression since the start of the pandemic. Young people during this time have felt isolated which in turn negatively affects their mental health. While this past year has been challenging for a lot of individuals, some have been able to see positives throughout this difficult time that may translate in history books years from now.

“At first Covid felt like it was ruining my life and in a lot of ways it did but it taught me how to be with myself and evolve as a person,” said Reeves.

Looking back, now almost three months into 2021, individuals may find themselves struggling to maintain their New Years’ resolutions. During a regular year, these goals would seem more plausible to abide by, however, 2021 is not a normal year. On top of the deadly pandemic that has been tearing its way across the world, the racial and social injustice that plagued the United States is also an ongoing hardship. Despite the desperate need for a reset, we entered the new year facing many of the same challenges as the year prior. This is why it is important to revisit our goals so that not only are they achievable but they are also not taxing on our mental health. 

When setting goals, it is important to consider what will make us the happiest. This may seem obvious to some, however, more often than not, people do not properly do this. A lot of the time, individuals will set resolutions such as restrictions on food or saving money but end up not following through because life seems to get in the way of completing them. It is very important to recognize our boundaries and what we will realistically be able to achieve. Sophomore Vanessa Reger feels as though it is important to set basic goals so one does not feel guilty if they do not achieve them fully.

“We all mess up sometimes,” says Reger. “One goal I set was to be more mindful of my actions and try to be cognizant of the ways in which they affect myself and others. I made a point to consider goals that may be difficult but in the long run, would help me work on self-love and improvement.” Considering the state of the world, focusing on ourselves this year and attempting to better our own mental health is very important. 

In other cases, some individuals may feel as though they want to be more sociable in order to improve their happiness. For sophomore Miah Cramer, she does not normally do resolutions, however, she decided to take on a different approach this year and be more open to trying new things.

“My New Year’s resolution is to say yes to more things because too many times I just stay in my comfort zone and I realized that life is too short to not do so,” says Cramer. “Sometimes I forget but then someone will ask me if I want to grab dinner or get coffee and then I will remember the resolution and follow through and that usually just works. I get satisfaction from having a good time that I would have otherwise missed out on, so I get excited for the next time.”

Other SLU students feel the same about wanting to connect more with others this year. The toll that COVID-19 has taken on individuals is immense and many people find themselves feeling isolated and lonely during this ongoing time. A Harvard Graduate School initiative called Making a Care Common indicates that around 61 percent of individuals in the age range of 18-25 have reported being lonely frequently during the pandemic. Richard Weissbourd, the faculty director of Making a Care Common explains that many young people may have also felt lonely prior to the pandemic due to dealing with life-changing decisions and the current social climate that focuses on grades and personal achievement amongst other stressful aspects. Add a deadly virus on top of this, individuals can begin to feel secluded. For this reason, it is important to go easy on ourselves and attempt goals that are positively impactful. 

Sophomore Taylor Stalling talks about having the tendency to cut herself off from the world when things get stressful which is what prompted her to make resolutions to make more friends. 

“Friends make me happier and give me an outlet from stress,” says Stalling. In order to fulfill her goal, Stalling meets up with friends for safe get-togethers and also is more open to meeting new classmates. While Zoom classes do not provide the personal aspect of in-person classes, it is still possible to reach out to fellow classmates through the chat button. Exchanging phone numbers and possibly creating a groupchat is a good way to stay connected with others during this time. 

Additionally, if one is finding it difficult to maintain the goals they set up for themselves, they can also refer to a support system. “I have worked to reach out to more people for support, guidance and general accountability which has been hard because I worry about judgment but it has been helpful,” says Reger. Having someone to trust with keeping an individual accountable to personal goals can also aid in bettering one’s mental health. 

The whole point of setting goals is to ultimately better oneself. Instead of stating broad resolutions, going forward, try to focus on what will be possible in a practical sense. Remember: life is just as hectic as it was in 2020, so let’s not be too hard on ourselves.

“Enola Holmes,” based on author Nancy Spring’s novels, is an exciting and adventurous film showcasing the life of a young girl fearlessly navigating her way through Victorian England. 

Enola Holmes, portrayed by “Stranger Things” actress Millie Bobby Brown, wakes up on her sixteenth birthday to find that her mother left. Her two brothers, Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), are placed as her caretakers. Enola, being raised as a fighter, finds that she does not want the life her brothers suggest, so she embarks on her journey to find her mother through the clues left for her.

On her venture, Enola comes across a young boy, Lord Viscount Tewksbury, who happens to also be on his own journey away from home. Tewksbury (Lewis Partridge), is an entertaining and cheeky character who bonds with Enola over their desire to create their own path for themselves.

While many may not even consider the sister of Sherlock Holmes, this film provides an insight into the life of Enola and different women during the late nineteenth century. At countless points in the film, the audience sees Enola’s capabilities, both as a fighter as well as an analytical and clever detective. From the start, her brothers criticize their mother’s teaching methods and state that Enola should attend a boarding school for women. While there are those seeking to put her in her place, her mother, inspired by like-thinking women, taught Enola to not be confined by the patriarchal structures of the time. Along with readings of feminist novels, Enola was taught combat fighting, mental mind games as well as science experiments. This was not the conventional teaching of women during this time as many would attend finishing school.

Unlike most films, “Enola Holmes” seeks to connect more with the audience through breaking the fourth wall. Throughout the picture, Enola frequently speaks directly to the camera both immersing the audience into the storyline as well as showcasing her personality. At the beginning of this movie, Enola rides her bike through a field giving an overview of her life and upbringing. Her wittiness, knowledge and desire to denounce the social norms for women during the time are often shown through these moments.

While the film mainly focuses on Enola’s journey and those she encounters on the way, there is also a major political event taking place in the background. In 19th century England, women increasingly demanded their rights. Throughout the movie, many of the characters reference the upcoming election on the reform bill. This bill, if it were to pass, would give women the right to vote, a major political change for England. This was being decided in the House of Lords in which Lord Viscount Tewksbury played a vital role. When talking about women’s rights in the movie, it can be seen that some support this bill, while some disapprove. Enola’s desire for women’s rights can be seen through her many references of being raised on feminist novels and writers such as Mary Wollenscraft. 

“Enola Holmes” is a must-watch film that explores different themes of feminism, individualism and knowledge. Through the many talented actors and actresses, this movie was very informative and entertaining to watch.

“Realizing that I was Pansexual and Gender Fluid was a very hard experience because I grew up in a very conservative area. I knew that nobody knew what it was. The only reason I knew what it was because I was looking things up. I was like, “what is this weird feeling I have?” and the internet was like it could be fifty million things. A, I knew that nobody was going to know about it, and B, I knew that people weren’t going to understand. Even now, one of the fears we talked about in my friend group at home is that if someone were to find out we were gay or that I was trans, we could be a target for violence. It was very hard and took me years to accept and when I did accept it, I remember the moment very clearly. I was at my grandmothers’ house in small-town Alabama and I started crying. I was like, “I don’t know that I could ever tell my grandma this thing that is so important to me, ever.” That was really hard. Even though it was very hard to come to this conclusion, it is not something to pity someone about. There are a lot of good things. I feel a wider appreciation for gender culture and I get to experience both mindsets [of being a man and woman].”

“I don’t necessarily call myself an activist, but some people may. I call myself more of an advocate, someone who is a conduit to help elevate and empower voices. Being in a position of not always having my voice heard or my voice being oppressed pushed me into being one of the more active roles. I always think of what Shirley Chisholm said, ‘if you don’t have a seat at the table, you get a folding chair and you put one at the table.’ The more experiences I have had in life, the more I have felt compelled to speak out and use whatever privileges I have to advocate for others and help elevate and empower others to have a voice. Being a Black male here, [at SLU] can be asinine. I definitely stand out quite a bit. Black students represent about five percent of the student population at SLU and males make up about two to three percent. So, I am a bit of an anomaly in terms of being here. It puts me in a precarious position in terms of where I sit in the campus community and campus culture. Sometimes you are put in situations where your identities are often clashing and many folks think that some of my experiences are up for debate. That’s the culture that’s ingrained in an institution that is predominantly white and built off of white supremacy. I don’t think prior to being here, I realized how proud I am of my identity and how much I love my identity. I have learned to unapologetically live my truth. I sometimes fear for the safety of myself and others but I don’t worry about being about who I am anymore. Being Black at SLU is a kind of binary. It is kind of exhausting but it is also a huge privilege. It’s exhausting in the fact that the systems here aren’t necessarily built for folks like me. It is a privilege in the sense that I have learned so much about the world and living life being here. I do have respect for the Jesuit education and I recognize the fact that not many folks like me end up being here. It does mean a lot to have gotten here, but it’s more like ‘so what am I going to do to help open that door for the next person behind me?’”

“I’ve wanted to come to SLU since I was really little. I had two older brothers come here so I have been visiting once or twice a year for the past seven years, so I always knew I was going to come here. Even if something were to go wrong with COVID-19, I have my brothers here, so I would be able to move in with them, so the fear of getting sick here and being stuck alone was never really a big one for me. Recently, my second oldest brother and I have been getting a lot closer, because obviously, he’s right there. In the past we kind of hated each other, there was some sort of sibling rivalry for god knows what reason, but ever since I’ve come here, I’ve realized how he’s always going to be there for me. When we got the first email that there had unfortunately been a sexual assault on campus, my brother got the email too, because he is at the Med school. He sent me this really long text that was like I just wanted you to know that if anything like that ever happens to you, please call me and I’ll be there for you. It was really sweet to see how our relationship has changed. Just from being siblings that barely talked to each other and now he’s a support system for me is really cool. Just knowing that even if we fight, he will be there for me and that’s really cool. We never talk about our feelings but that showed me that he still really cares.”

With the number of unknowns out there surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be challenging to not get caught up in the panic. One way to stay grounded may not have even crossed the minds of those struggling. Across the United States, animal shelters have had to close for safety measures, and now more than ever, they are in need of foster families. Animals, who are especially used to being surrounded by activity, may seriously be affected by remaining in their kennels for days. By fostering, people are both saving the lives of these animals, while also benefiting from the love these animals bring. 

“Animals are not just a tool, but they are companions to us and because of that, the benefit that we get is unconditional love,” Gina Breadon, Community Outreach Coordinator of Saint Louis County Adoption Center, said.  

Animals have been shown to have a very soothing and therapeutic effect on humans, which is much-needed during this stressful time. Animals can provide both essential physical and mental relaxation. 

“Even just sitting down with, let’s say, a kitten or cat in your lap, and just the act of petting them for a few minutes, immediately lowers your blood pressure,” Breadon said. “It also puts out endorphins, and the other thing that is proven is that it puts out endorphins in the animals, too, so it’s a mutually beneficial thing.”

Many people may not feel ready to commit to getting a pet permanently, so this can be a good opportunity for these individuals to get an idea of what it is like. 

“It is critically important right now that we find as many people as we can that will help these shelters by fostering, even if they can only foster one pet, a cat or a dog, even if it’s for a short period of time or if it’s for a few months until we pull out,” Breadon said. 

Those looking to foster should contact their local animal shelter. Saint Louis County Adoption Center is currently working towards a foster program, but are presently working with the rescues to find foster homes. Throughout the span of a couple of months, but more heavily in the last few weeks, the Saint Louis County Adoption Center has gone from over 300 animals to 85 in their program. 

Whether people are struggling with mental health or they just want to help in some form, taking in animals is a good way to remain healthy during this challenging time. With the majority of people home now is the perfect time to do this, if able. However, for those who are unable to foster animals, donations can also be made to help local animal shelters.