Evergreen Reads to Empower Your Mind
The Standard Sister
Issue no.10
The Ladies Issue
March 8, 2025
Cunt Cheerleaders, 1971, by Dori Atlantis
Every Day is Ladies's Day
The ultimate goal of The Standard Sister, above all else, is to empower women around the world. That’s why Women’s Day, for us, is a date we celebrate every single day—and we encourage all our readers to do the same.
To celebrate, first and foremost, the fact that we have the power to give life.
To celebrate the fact that this is no simple task. To celebrate the fact that we often want it all—success, money, career, family, motherhood—all at once.
To appreciate the knowledge that we are sensitive—sometimes too much.
To recognize that our strength lies not in force, but in heart.
To commit to personal growth, even when the path is filled with obstacles.
To accept the fact that sometimes we are weaker—because that is what makes us stronger.
To be a woman in the world is to surrender to the fact that we are everything at once—our superpower.
If you find this uplifting, please share this link with a woman you love.
Ⓒ Walt Disney, 1944
The Truth About Eve
History- Article by The Standard Sister
Even if history has portrayed her as a sinner, a temptress, and the cause of humanity’s downfall, Eve was never just that. If we choose (and after all, life is a matter of choice) to look at her story from a different perspective, we will see that Eve was the first woman to think, to question, and to rebel. Her story, passed down through generations, has often been used to justify the oppression of women, portraying her as an archetype of weakness and deceit—especially with the serpent playing a role in her tale. In honor of Women's Day, we choose to view Eve as the first woman who took control of her situation and made a choice.
Eve lived in paradise—a world where nothing changed, nothing challenged, and nothing required thought. She had only one rule: not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. In the quiet perfection of Eden, something stirred within her. We do not know if it was a desire to sin, but we are certain it was a desire to understand. The serpent did not deceive her; he merely asked a question. And Eve, instead of accepting the world as it was given to her, decided to take the risk and seek more knowledge. She reached for the fruit out of curiosity. She sought more than blind obedience—she sought control over her own destiny.
This moment, often described as humanity’s downfall, could just as easily be considered the birth of free will. She introduced choice, thought, and consequence into the world. She stepped into the unknown willingly, exchanging ignorance for wisdom, security for independence. In doing so, she became the first woman in history to demand more from the world than what was simply handed to her.
But for this choice, she was punished. Throughout history, women who sought knowledge, asked questions, or challenged authority were deemed dangerous. The silencing of female intellectuals, the dismissal of women as 'too emotional' or 'too ambitious'—all trace back to Eve’s supposed transgression. Her story became a tool to warn against the dangers of female independence, shaping societal expectations for generations.
But with time, curious women, those brave enough to dare, to ask questions, and to seek knowledge, have become the norm in society. And while there are still barriers to break, women no longer apologize for their desire to push past them. This is also the mission of The Standard Sister—to provide empowering knowledge as a standard for women’s lives across the world. So instead of seeing Eve as the first sinner, The Standard Sister sees her as the first pioneer. A symbol of a woman who questions, who refuses to accept limitations, who dares to seek something greater. She is the forerunner of every woman who has defied expectations, from ancient queens to modern activists. She is every scientist who has pushed beyond the boundaries of “forbidden” knowledge, every artist who has redefined success, every leader who has transformed—and dares to continue transforming—history.
It's Disney's Fault
Culture- Opinion by The Standard Sister
For decades, Disney films have been criticized for their portrayal of women. The early princesses—Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty—were often perceived as passive figures waiting for a prince to rescue them. Stories of helpless maidens seeking love and salvation. And the truth is, it’s hard not to agree with this narrative—it subtly shaped the way women around the world viewed the role of men, the lover in their lives, and the necessity of his appearance in their story.
Paul Friedrich Meyerheim
After all, if we take it at face value, what’s wrong with a prince arriving on a white horse? Especially if he is handsome, of noble lineage, intelligent, brave, and the horse is his. But if we focus only on rebelling against this narrative, we miss another idea that Disney instilled in society escorted with unforgeable soundtracks, through its portrayal of femininity: the power of women to bring light into the world with compassion and courage, the boldness to dream, and the strength to fight for one’s truth. The male characters may have arrived to save the princess, but had the film continued just a bit longer, we would have realized that the princess never really needed saving.
Snow White showed us the power of a woman to bring light wherever she went. Cinderella endured hardship and mistreatment, yet she never lost her sense of self-worth, and her courage to want more led her to a new life. Ariel defied her father’s expectations and followed her dream, Belle rejected a society that tried to dictate her future, and Jasmine refused to be seen as a prize to be won. Mulan risked everything for her family, proving that strength comes in many forms, and Pocahontas served as a bridge between worlds, seeking peace instead of war. Mulan may have been destined for a certain fate, but her boldness and devotion to her family were what led her to greatness.
Over the years, Disney heroines have become more complex, their independence growing with each new generation. The modern era brought us Elsa, who completely broke the mold of the traditional love story, and Moana, whose journey was about self-discovery rather than romance.
Beyond the perception that Disney princesses are merely waiting for happiness and fortune, these stories convey deeper meanings—highlighting the traits that give women the power to bring good into their own worlds and the lives of others. Women have always been the heart of the story. Even when their plots were shaped by love and fate, it was their choices, struggles, and growth that drove the narrative forward.
Disney films have shaped generations of girls who have grown into women. And even if these women still dream of a love story like Cinderella’s, they continue their lives with courage, kindness, intelligence, and independence. And if we had waited to see the next chapter of the story, as in life, we would have discovered that everything can change.
Image by Walter Crane
Sister Parish
Long before interior design was recognized as a serious profession, a young woman named Dorothy “Sister” Parish was quietly and confidently reshaping American homes. She was born in 1910 to a wealthy family in New Jersey and grew up in a world of refinement and tradition. But instead of following the expected path for women of her social class, she was drawn to the art of creating spaces that were not only visually beautiful but also full of atmosphere and feeling—spaces that were not just houses, but homes.
Sister Parish by Lord Snowdon for HG magazine,1980s
Without formal training, she established her decorating business in 1933, during the height of the Great Depression. At a time when women were rarely seen as entrepreneurs, Parish stood out for her innate ability to make rooms feel warm, inviting, and deeply personal. She rejected the rigid and sterile aesthetic that characterized the early 20th century, instead embracing a layered and welcoming approach to design—one that would later become known as the “Sister Parish Look”. Floral chintz fabrics, plush upholstered furniture, hand-stitched needlepoint pillows, and hand-painted wallpaper—Parish had an intuitive ability to blend luxury with simplicity, old with new, creating spaces that felt inviting rather than intimidating.
But the defining moment of her career came in 1961 when she was chosen to redesign the White House for newly elected President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline. Working closely with Jackie Kennedy, she helped transform the presidential residence into a space that felt like a home rather than just a political symbol. She introduced elements of American craftsmanship and historic artistry, restoring attention to the nation’s design heritage and giving the White House warmth and personality. Though her influence was later overshadowed by the arrival of French designer Stéphane Boudin, there was no doubt—it was Sister Parish’s touch that laid the foundation for the Kennedy-era White House interiors.
Beyond aesthetics, Parish believed that a home should be comfortable for everyone who enters it. She famously said, “If a room is comfortable for forty, it’s comfortable for four.” It was a simple yet powerful philosophy—whether a space was hosting a lavish gathering or an intimate evening, it should always feel warm, lived-in, and welcoming.
Parish continued on to co-found Parish-Hadley, one of the most influential design firms of the 20th century, alongside designer Albert Hadley. She designed estates for families like the Rockefellers and the Gettys, but regardless of the client—whether a celebrity or a friend—her approach remained the same: a home should reflect the lives of the people who live in it.
And perhaps, at its core, this ability to create a home is something deeply ingrained in women. Just as women have the power to bring life into the world, they also have the ability to create a home—a space where life unfolds. Whether through interior design, family traditions, or the simple act of making a place feel safe and inviting, women have always been the architects of home- the ability to turn walls into shelter, rooms into memories, and houses into places where life truly happens.
Mother Earth
Whether or not you consider yourself a spiritual person, the concept of "Mother Earth" is surely familiar to you. Throughout history, the Earth has been seen as a mother—a force of creation, nourishment, and life. In almost every culture, she is depicted as the giver of existence, the source from which all things grow and to which all things return. Like the power inherent in every living woman, she creates, nurtures, and sustains life. She carries the weight of existence within her, giving without expectation, shaping the world with quiet yet sometimes fierce resilience. She is wild, full of strength, and often taken for granted, giving endlessly until she reaches her limits.
In Greek mythology, Gaia, the primordial goddess of the Earth, was the first deity to emerge from Chaos. She was the Earth itself, the foundation upon which all existence was built—out of chaos came order. From her came the sky, the seas, and the mountains, and she gave birth to the Titans, the gods who would shape the universe, including Oceanus, the god of the great river encircling the world, Hyperion, the god of light, and Rhea, the mother of the Olympian gods. But Gaia was more than just a creator; she was also a symbol of justice and rebellion. When Uranus, the god of the sky and Gaia’s husband, sought to suppress their Titan children, including Cronus, who would later overthrow Uranus, it was Gaia who orchestrated his downfall, proving that even the sky could not silence the mother of all life. Later, when Cronus, the leader of the Titans, became a tyrant himself, Gaia once again played a role in restoring balance, aiding Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods, in overthrowing him.
From Gaia to Pachamama in Andean culture, the Hindu goddess Prithvi, and the Virgin Mary in Christianity, the sacred mother has been revered across spiritual traditions. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is seen as the ultimate maternal figure, embodying unconditional love, sacrifice, and compassion. Like Mother Earth, she provides comfort and protection, embodying the essence of selfless care and grace.
It is no coincidence that women share a profound connection to motherhood and the Earth. Just as the Earth nourishes forests and sustains oceans, women carry life within them, bring children into the world, and nurture them until they become independent. Both experience cycles—Earth transitions through the seasons: spring symbolizes birth and growth, summer represents abundance, autumn brings transformation, and winter allows rest and renewal. Similarly, a woman’s body follows its own natural cycles—through fertility, pregnancy, and birth, alongside the phases of aging and change. Both have been placed under control, expected to give without protest, yet both have also been at the forefront of resistance and renewal.
In modern times, we see maternal figures revered by millions. Figures such as Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to serving the most vulnerable, or Mata Amritanandamayi, known as "Amma," the Indian spiritual leader whose message of love and compassion has touched millions, show us that the power of motherhood extends beyond biology. These women, like Mother Earth and the revered maternal figures of history and spirituality, exemplify the enduring strength and compassion found in motherhood.
In every Q&A The Standard Sister has conducted, when asked, "Who is the hero of your life?" every woman, without exception, answered: "My mother."
Whether you have already fulfilled your role as a mother, are on your way there, or perhaps never will, remember that these virtues are already within you by virtue of being a woman.
We, as women, as mothers in all forms, shape the world—whether visibly or beneath the surface. We have the power to create, sustain, and heal, to offer love, support, and compassion even in the face of challenges. Whether through mythology, faith, or devotion in real life, the power of the mother is undeniable—the quiet architect of civilizations, the steady force behind every new beginning, and the guiding light that can illuminate the path to the future. To honor these abilities within yourself is to honor life itself.
