You've heard the stories. Pay day loan and check cashing establishments are littered throughout the city - usually in the poorest neighborhoods - counting on the residents to fall short that week. But that begs the question, where else can they go? Without other options many people rely on these types of industries to get by. Sometimes it's their only hope to be able to afford a meal that evening. But with interest rates averaging 450%, once you’re in for that first check, th

When reading the Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls core values, what strikes us the most is that there is nothing in the five values that relates only to females except for being "part of the Hawthorn sisterhood." But we suspect you don't need to be female to uphold those values either. Being the first all-girls public school in Missouri, Hawthorn the unenviable task of staking its own ground in an era when schools have less and less funding. Support outside public funding

It all began with a group of volunteers at a local jail noticing women were repeatedly returning to incarceration. These were the same women who had seemed so eager to reemerge into society as better people. What had happened? Quite literally, not much. With a clear lack of safe housing, hard to battle addictions, lack of financial stability and support systems, most of them were funneled right back into what instigated their imprisonment in the first place. That realization

You and your children have safely escaped from your abusive home. First step, a shelter. They, of course, play an important role in starting your new life in an safe environment. But shelters aren't home. And home can never feel like home until it's at least semi-permanent. Lydia’s House is a place of healing and a voice of hope for abused women and their children. The organization provides safe, conveniently located, fully furnished apartments for up to two years, bridging t

We don't need to tell you who Planned Parenthood is. We don't need to tell you the critical work they do to educate and provide essential healthcare to women. Or do we? Some quick facts -- Planned Parenthood is: - The largest provider of sex education in the nation; - An expert source on sexual health care for more than 100 years; - The resource one in five women has turned to at least once in her lifetime; - Providing care. No matter what. For all the good Planned Parenthoo

World renowned heavyweight in the fight against breast cancer, Susan G. Komen Missouri joins Rosé Day presented by St Louis Community Credit Union for 2019. It's the 20 year anniversary of funding research, education and screening for the Missouri affiliate and we're celebrating by spreading their message and support with rosé lovers this May 4th. Without a known cure, breast cancer's greatest enemy is early detection and that's what makes Susan G. Komen's work to promote awa

How often are we told to ignore pain? Or to give your body time for something to go away? St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness was founded in 2002 with the simple hope of increasing awareness about ovarian cancer, but awareness is so much more than simply knowing about the risks. There ARE risks every woman should be aware of (which can be found on the SLOCA website). Being aware of what your body is telling you is another thing entirely. SLOCA reminds every woman to "watch 4

Some of us can barely handle our daily lives as it is (you know who you are), but just consider how much an unexpected sick day can throw your whole week off. Now multiply that by whatever the math is on a fight with cancer. Suffice it to say, day-to-day tasks can become downright impossible to complete. So imagine the impact that a nonprofit organization like Pink Ribbon Girls can have with the mission to be just that kind of support for women battling breast and gynecologic

On Rosé Day the shops of the Central West End will have everything you need to start the summer off in style! Here's a short list of spots to check out while you sip your way through the neighborhood: The Perfect Bag @ East + West Where has this St. Louis Market Bag been all my life? The answer is East + West, the store for men that more often than not has something for everyone. This handcrafted reusable bag is made by female artisans (who are paid fair trade wages, btw) and

What began as a women's self help center has blossomed into one of St Louis' most impactful non profits. Safe Connections, one of the region’s oldest and largest organizations working to prevent and end domestic and sexual violence, offers 24 hour crisis prevention, group therapy and prevention education all in an effort to reduce the impact of domestic and sexual violence. They've been helping women (and men too!) since 1976 completely free of charge. There's no telling th

After a sell-out inaugural year, the wine festival that weaves through the Central West End returns in 2019 with the same goal: to raise a glass to a favorite summertime vino, and, more importantly, raise awareness for organizations improving quality of life for women and girls throughout St. Louis. Hosted by a committee of community-minded women, and a few men -- it’s Rosé Day, a wine walk and neighborhood festival that’s billed as the only women’s festival in the state!  Th

Travis Howard and Tim Wiggins of Retreat Gastropub teamed up last fall with Top Chef’s Richard Blais to open a restaurant that has quickly become a mainstay for Central West End neighbors and a destination restaurant for foodies from all over. It's a bright, modern bar with a laid back feel, offing a tropical, (and highly instagram-able) spot to hideout from the hustle and bustle. They called it Yellowbelly. With a cocktail list that reads like a love letter to rum, and a men

Last week we announced a surprise stop on the tour-de-rosé that is the annual Rosé Day walking wine festival -- a chance to try out one of Narwahl's crafted frozen cocktails at this too-cute-to-be-real antique booze truck: On menu they'll be offering a watermelon frozé made with .... you got it ... rosé wine! When you pick up your passport at check-in you'll get a map to all of the Rosé Day activities -- and this is one you won't want to miss out on. A delicious sample to qu