Evergreen Reads to Empower Your Mind
The Standard Sister
Issue no.11
The Pack Issue
March 22, 2025
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Find Your Pack
One of the greatest strengths in life is having a space where you can be yourself—without pretense, without judgment, and with the certainty that you will be accepted as you are. Female friendships can be complex, but when they are honest, supportive, and free of judgment, they become one of the most powerful relationships a lady can have. More and more women, especially after motherhood, realize that it is not natural to go through transitions alone. What truly helps is a community of women who understand exactly what it feels like—both physically and emotionally.
As time goes by, we experience countless changes, challenges, and lessons. And sometimes, one friend or an entire pack makes all the difference—helping us grow and come out stronger.
Even when life takes us in different directions, sisterhood is not about proximity but presence. Knowing that someone will always remind you of who you are, and help you move forward gives you the confidence to keep going.
Your pack is your choice—and that choice is your power.
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Viva Forever
Culture- Article by The Standard Sister
In the history of pop culture, few groups have defined an entire era like The Spice Girls. When they burst onto the global stage in the mid-90s, they weren’t just another girl group—they were a cultural phenomenon, a force of nature, and the ultimate pack.
At a time when the music industry was largely dominated by male artists and solo female singers, The Spice Girls introduced to the music world something fresh: a collective of strong, independent women who, rather than competing with each other, thrived together at least on stage. Each of the five members had her own distinct style and personality—Sporty, Scary, Baby, Ginger, and Posh—allowing girls around the world to see a bit of themselves in at least one of them. Their message was clear: women don’t have to fit into a single mold to be powerful; they can be loud, funny, fearless, glamorous, sporty, and everything in between.
But more than their music, it was their message that made them unforgettable. However, even if on stage they seemed unbeatable, their road to success was not easy. Before signing a record deal, they refused to work with major record labels and even stole their own demo tapes, believing they deserved more creative control over their music. It was an act of defiance almost unheard of in the industry, especially from five young women determined to change the rules. Even within the group, things weren’t always perfect—like in any real-life pack, there were tensions, fights, and clashes. Mel C was nearly fired after a heated argument with Victoria on a flight, and Geri left the group suddenly in 1998, shocking fans worldwide. The universe had other plans for each of them. There is no doubt that it was their ‘togetherness’ that made them the most popular band of their time, and even today, one of the best symbols of '90s nostalgia. When they were together, they made it—big time. they weren’t just performers—The Spice Girls were actively involved in writing their own songs. Although they worked with professional songwriters and producers like Richard Stannard and Matt Rowe, they contributed ideas, lyrics, and themes that became the heart of the “Girl Power”movement. “Girl Power”was first used by the Riot Grrrl feminist movement in the early 90s but it was The Spice Girls represented a new kind of pop feminism, one that was accessible, fun, sexy, diverse, and unapologetic. They encouraged young women to embrace their individuality while also lifting up the women around them. Their dynamic was that of a true pack: different strengths, different styles, different approaches to life, yet strongest when standing together.
Before The Spice Girls, female bands had already made waves. Groups like The Supremes paved the way for women in the music industry. This bands showed that women could take center stage, write their own songs, and challenge the male-dominated music business.
Yet, despite the influence of these iconic groups and the worldwide success of The Spice Girls, and other bands something curious has happened in recent years—girl bands have all but disappeared. While boy bands continue to emerge in new generations (from One Direction to BTS) the merely as well, the music industry has shifted away from collectives and female collective especially . Instead, the biggest female pop stars today are primarily solo artists, like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish.
Have music executives decided that women function better as individuals rather than as a unit? Or have modern audiences lost interest in seeing powerful women thrive in a pack? The disappearance of female bands is feeling almost unnatural in an era that champions feminism and female empowerment more than ever.
The Spice Girls proved that a pack of women supporting each other can be unstoppable. Their impact lingers in the nostalgia of millennials and in the empowerment anthems of today’s pop music.
Image by Francesca Sorrenti 1996
Underwater Sisterhood
Nature- Article by The Standard Sister
Looking back at nature to learn about our own world as humans often teaches us invaluable lessons, revealing biological instincts and behavioral patterns we take for granted. Even if we think we have evolved far from that world—believing ourselves to be above it, the most sophisticated yet destructive species in nature—we are just a part of it. Beyond the need to respect it as an inseparable part of us, we can gain immense insight by observing and learning from it.
In the vast expanse of the ocean, where survival depends on intelligence and, at times, unity, one of the most intelligent creatures in nature thrives—the orca, also known as the killer whale. While commonly thought of as a whale, orcas actually belong to the dolphin family and are the largest species within it.
Orcas live remarkably long lives; females can reach 90 years, while males typically live 50 to 60 years. They are apex predators, meaning they have no natural enemies, and their diet varies depending on their oceanic location. Some specialize in eating fish, while others hunt seals, squid, sharks, and even other whales. Unlike the blue whale, which is the largest marine mammal and feeds exclusively on plankton through water filtration, orcas are highly strategic predatorsthat rely on teamwork to hunt.
One of the most extraordinary examples of pack structure and female leadership is found in orca pods. Unlike many animal groups where dominance is held by strong males, orca pods are matriarchal, led by the eldest and most experienced female. These wise matriarchs guide their families through changing oceanic conditions, passing down essential survival knowledge. They remember migration routes, hunting strategies, and social bonds, ensuring the long-term success of their pod.
The role of the matriarch in an orca pod is not just about leadership—it embodies wisdom, patience, and collective survival. Their social structure is unique in that orcas remain with their families for life, with male offspring never leaving their mother’s side. Even after reaching post-reproductive age, female orcas continue to lead, teach, and guide the younger members on how to navigate an ever-changing environment. Research shows that orca pods led by elder females have higher survival rates, as these matriarchs use their extensive knowledge to find food sources and adapt to environmental shifts. These senior orca females demonstrate the indispensable role of older women in nature, a phenomenon that parallels human societies, where grandmothers often play a vital role in passing down wisdom and nurturing families.
Orcas are not the only example of female-led societies in the animal kingdom. Elephants also depend on their matriarchs, who lead herds to water, remember migration patterns, and protect younger generations from danger. Hyenas operate under a strict female-dominated hierarchy, where females are larger, stronger, and outrank all males in the clan. Bonobos, known for their peaceful societies, rely on female coalitions to maintain harmony, using cooperation rather than aggression to establish social bonds. Meerkats, too, function under cooperative leadership, with females sharing roles in leading, nurturing the young, and keeping watch for predators.
Across the animal kingdom, these examples challenge traditional notions of leadership. True power is not dictated by physical strength alone—it is built on **wisdom, dedication, loyalty, collaboration, and adaptability—all qualities inherent in the female figure. Female packs in nature highlight the importance of community, resilience, and intergenerational knowledge, values that have always been present in women-led spaces. Just as these animals rely on their matriarchs, so too do human societies benefit from the leadership, guidance, and unity of women paving the way for future generations.
Hermanas
In an era where individualism dominates our attention, in a world where competition is often prioritized over community, Hermanas (Spanish for "Sisters") serves as a reminder that true power lies in deep connection and the act of collaboration. This unique female collective finds strength and beauty in togetherness, placing a global network of women accelerating personal, professional, and cultural growth, healing, and empowerment at the forefront of their mission. Hermanas is more than just an initiative—it is a modern international pack, redefining the way women support one another and the planet.
It all began on a beach in Mexico. A group of seven friends, connected through a WhatsApp group, sought to collaborate on various aspects of life. Organically, through word-of-mouth and a lot of love, the Hermanas community blossomed to 20,000 women across five continents.
Much like matriarchal societies in nature, Hermanas is built on the principle that women are natural caregivers, nurturers, and protectors—not just for one another, but for the Earth itself. Through their community space, they create an environment where women can gather, heal, and take part in meaningful actions toward sustainability. Whether through workshops, ecological projects, or simply through picnics offering a safe and well-curated space for deep conversations, Hermanas unites women with a shared purpose: to restore balance, within themselves and in the world around them.
They embrace multitudes, treasure differences, and celebrate individuality and creativity. They elevate unique voices and dare to shape their vision of the world—unapologetically. The conversations they move forward inform and inspire both within and beyond their community, proving that real transformation begins when women come together with a shared intention.
Hermanas collaborates with businesses that share their values and works closely with nonprofits to drive meaningful change. They offer an exclusive membership program, providing members with access to unique experiences, resources, and a supportive sisterhood that extends across five continents. You can apply for membership, donate, gift a membership to someone else, become an ambassador, invest in the collective, or become a partner. The essence of it all—Hermanas invites you to get involved and evolve alongside them.
Their work reminds us that just as female-led groups in nature ensure the survival of their species, so too do women-led communities play a vital role in preserving culture, healing trauma, and protecting the planet. Each individual contribution feeds into the collective, propelling the movement forward.
Sisterhood Caged
Culture- Article by The Standard sister
Sisterhood is often celebrated as a source of strength, a space of unconditional support, love, and empowerment. But what happens when sisterhood is not a choice, but a circumstance? When it is both a refuge and a prison? In The Virgin Suicides (1999, directed by Sofia Coppola, based on Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel, nominated for the Cannes Film Festival Golden Camera Award) and Mustang (2015, directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and won multiple César Awards, including Best First Feature), we witness a different kind of pack—a sisterhood that is unbreakable yet suffocating, deeply connected yet painfully isolating.
Both films follow five sisters bound together not only by blood but by fate. They share a home, a story, a struggle. They are seen as a singular entity by the outside world—five girls who move together, dress alike, whisper secrets, and live under the same roof. But within the pack, each sister is still an individual. Each one has her own dreams, fears, desires, and demons. The beauty and the tragedy of their bond lie in this paradox: they are together, yet each one is alone in her own fight for freedom.
In The Virgin Suicides, the Lisbon sisters are trapped within the suffocating constraints of their strict Catholic home, their identities slowly erased by their parents’ control and the obsessive gaze of the neighborhood boys who watch them from afar. Their sisterhood is both their comfort and their curse—no one understands them like each other, yet their shared fate leaves no room for escape.
In Mustang, the five orphaned sisters in rural Turkey face a different kind of imprisonment—one imposed by their conservative relatives, who fear their girlhood and seek to control their future. As each sister is forced into marriage one by one, their bond becomes their last form of resistance. Some find ways to break free, others cannot. But even as their paths diverge, the weight of their shared history remains—their sisterhood forever imprinted on their souls.
There is something deeply profound about the way these films portray sisters as both mirrors and witnesses to each other’s struggles. They are bound not just by genetics, but by an invisible thread of understanding. Even when they can no longer walk the same path, we cannot imagine each character without her sister beside her.
Sisterhood is for better or worse. It is that one woman, whether by blood or not, who fully understands you—who knows your heart, your thoughts, and your soul. She is the one helping you survive the journey. And if it is more than one, you feel even more welcomed in this world. In The Virgin Suicides and Mustang, sisterhood is the last refuge in a world that refuses to see them as individuals. And yet, within the pack, they remain uniquely themselves, navigating love, pain, and the quiet rebellion of simply existing.
