Gender
Grace Richardson makes history as first openly gay Miss England: ‘I’ve achieved my dream’
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When Grace Richardson took the stage at the Miss England final in Wolverhampton, she wasn’t just chasing a crown. She was closing a chapter on years of being bullied for who she is and opening a new one as the first openly gay woman to win the national Read More...
U.S. introduces first female crash test dummy to close decades-long safety gap
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a move hailed as decades overdue, the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced the country’s first crash test dummy modeled on female anatomy. The new model, called the THOR-05F, marks a significant step toward addressing long-standing gender Read More...
Italy officially recognizes femicide as a crime punishable by life in prison
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a powerful and symbolic move, Italy’s parliament passed a historic law that formally recognizes femicide as a distinct criminal offense. The law, approved on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, imposes life sentences for Read More...
Shereen Arent and Sambhali U.S. help uplift 80,000+ women and girls in India
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Women and youth empowerment through education Welcome to the final week of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series, where we’ve spent five weeks celebrating community-rooted leaders driving bold solutions across the globe. We close this Read More...
NHS expands free morning-after pill access across England: a major win for women’s health
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a sweeping expansion of women’s health services, the National Health Service (NHS) made the morning-after pill available for free across nearly 10,000 pharmacies in England. The change, which began this week, means anyone who needs emergency Read More...
Move Over Bob: changing the trades so women don’t just join the workforce—they lead it
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Building new foundations Welcome to the third installment of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. Over five weeks, we’re celebrating ten extraordinary individuals and organizations transforming their communities through heart-led Read More...
How Swim Sista Swim Is Redefining Water Confidence for Black Women in the UK
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Language, Identity & Belonging Welcome to the second week of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. Each Friday, we highlight people who are quietly transforming what it means to feel seen and included. This week, we focus on voice, Read More...
Stronger after 40: the smarter way men should train to build muscle and avoid injury
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There’s no rule that says strength has to fade with age. But after 40, how you train matters more than ever. Your workouts don’t have to get easier, but they do have to get smarter. For men navigating this new phase of fitness, the challenge often lies Read More...
Closing the longevity gap: what research reveals about why women live longer
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Across the animal kingdom, females tend to live longer than males, and the same is true for humans. In the U.S., the gap has actually increased to 5.8 years in 2021. The average life expectancy for men is nearly 76 years, while women live to around 81 years. Read More...
Should women rethink cold plunges? What science says about gender, stress, and ice baths
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Cold plunges have become a staple in many wellness routines. From viral TikToks to health retreats, everyone seems to be diving into icy tubs for muscle recovery, mental clarity, and stress relief. But a growing number of experts are urging women to approach Read More...