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Art imitates life—always and forever.

But that particularly rings true now in the U.S. as the urgency to establish gender parity across all leadership sectors is amplified as women’s cultural, economic, civil and human rights erode and are rescinded. This is at the same time as a popular fictional series articulates the reality almost too well.

In the new Hulu series, “The Testaments,” based on literary icon Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel, the culture of the dystopian Gilead honors the glory of men, and the use of women mostly as heir-producing wives and mothers only—though some roles are for cooks, teachers and beekeepers.

In the era of “fake news,” the power of the media to shape our understanding of reality is undeniable. Sexist news coverage is nothing new for women, but in an election year, it’s crucial we remain vigilant and outspoken. In this episode, Gloria urges us to be conscious, careful, and critical about women’s representation in the media and gives us concrete tips for how to recognize and leverage our own power to change the narrative.

By Jaya Iyer

When my daughter was about two years old, she told me she wanted to be an astronaut. I remember walking into the girls’ section of a store, expecting to find rockets or planets. Instead, I found slogans about being pretty like a princess. The boys’ section had fighter pilots and space themes, in general, showing them as strong and tough. The girls’ side had none of it.

It may seem small, but clothing sends messages about what is “normal” or “expected.” In that absence, I saw inequity. Instead of accepting it, I decided to build something different. That became the beginning of Svaha. I started creating apparel that reflected science, space, and technology in a joyful, expressive way for girls. I didn’t want my daughter, or any child, to feel that her interests were unusual or unfeminine.