Women’s Issue 2023
Volume
29
/ Issue 29
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
iStock
Our annual Women’s Issue returns with a look at a number of topics: birth-related trauma; life for trans women in Asheville; issues local female performers face; marriage trends; and insights on education, the arts and entrepreneurship.
arts
Best Medicine: Cupid has left the building
Ah, February. The real start to the new year. Let’s face it, January’s a wash — a monthlong decompression session (better known as weighted blanket season) brought on from too much holiday…Building community through books
Xpress speaks with local book club organizers and participants about the unique ways in which these groups create community.Around Town: ‘The Vagina Monologues’ raises money for domestic violence nonprofit
The Orange Peel presents 'The Vagina Monologues' to raise money for Helpmate. Plus, a local poet releases a small collection, the Asheville Celtic Festival returns and Story Parlor's AVL Revue…food
What’s new in food: Mardi Gras arrives with multivenue extravaganza
Ready for Mardi Gras? Xpress has you covered!living
Green in brief: Duke Energy completes Hot Springs microgrid
The microgrid includes 2 megawatts of solar panel capacity and 4.4 MW of battery storage. Those resources are enough to power the entire town for an extended period if its…news
Quick takes: The goal is thought
Sarah Steiner, Western Carolina University’s head of research and instruction services at Hunter Library, shares her thoughts on community, uplifting fellow librarians and the importance of asking questions.Home-based child care may help with Buncombe needs
One potential way to close the child care gap, according to a recent report commissioned by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, would be to boost…Trans women in Asheville share their experiences
Asheville has a reputation as welcoming individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations. The city has numerous gender-affirming health care providers, social groups for the LGBTQ community and inclusive…Quick takes: On the importance of mentorships
Michele Cook, owner of Blaze On Creations, discusses the importance of mentorships and inspiring the next wave of female business owners.Quick takes: Camaraderie in the arts
Rae Geoffrey, managing director of Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, discusses the power of giving, the arts and the unique superpowers women bring to leadership positions.Therapists discuss resources for coping with birth-related trauma
As many as 1-in-5 women experience mood changes or anxiety after experiencing trauma while giving birth, with roughly 9% being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Postpartum Support International.Quick takes: Support, protect and respect women
Shaneka Haynes, director of Women's Empowerment at YWCA, discusses role models, making connections and respecting women's needs.Quick takes: Empowered women
Nicole Cush, the principal of School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville, discusses local news, empowerment and the importance of speaking up.Asheville residents ponder name changes after marriage
An Xpress reporter seeks input from local couples as she weighs the merits of changing her name after marriage.Quick takes: We are social creatures
Mathilda Potter, a local artist, arts teacher and vice president of the the Arrowhead Artist and Artisans League, discusses the importance of community art centers, the perks of hugs and ways…Buncombe commissioners reckon with racial disparities in education
Just 11% of Black students in grades 3-8 at Asheville City Schools scored as proficient in math, with 13% proficient in reading. Rates were somewhat better in the county system,…opinion
Letter: Thanks for spot-on dating advice
"This was a great read and advice on relationships!"Letter: Council ‘check-ins’ are tool for understanding
"Council check-ins are a good tool for better understanding in a smaller setting."Letter: Thumbs-up for more eyes on the street
"We need cameras and more of them."Tails of woe
Letter: WNC offers many more dance options
"I was then disheartened at the many dance options not included in the write-up."Whose space is public space?
"The people we exclude from public spaces, and the things we refer to as worthless, say a lot about what we value as a community."Letter: Development is ruining North Buncombe
"This building boom is on steroids, and it’s turning what was a quaint little town and quiet rural countryside into constant traffic congestion."Assisted living