Funny, feminist, and fighting for the planet
The Power of Sisterhood
Women finding strength and community through adventure
From
How chef Mavis-Jay Sanders transformed her culinary career into a platform for change
BY ANNA DORL
The contributions of women to our wide and wonderful world are everywhere you look. Women breathe life into every living being on the planet, and it should be no surprise when we reference our planet Earth, that she, too, is deemed our collective “mother.” Here’s a look at a few products that do right by both women and Mother Earth.
Using a menstrual cup can be a more sustainable option for people with periods. If you fall into this crowd, you understand the sanitary measures needed to maintain your body’s health and the life of your cup. This On-the-Go Menstrual Cup Sterilizer from VOXAPOD is a convenient and collapsible choice for those who use menstrual cups, disks, and silicone Kegel products. Crafted with heatresistant silicone, the sterilizer can be microwaved to clean your product with boiling water. It’s easy to use and highly transportable, ensuring an almost effortless way to achieve sanitary period care. While designed for VOXAPOD products, the wide-rimmed sterilizer can fit most menstrual cups and similar items. Choose from either Rosewater Pink or Morning Mist Gray. www.voxapod.com
The original Um Creme from Cura Mãe combines the magic of grass-finished tallow and botanical powers for a soothing skin experience. While the original unscented version (no fragrance added) does have a naturally light honey scent due to the inclusion of ethically sourced beeswax, this cream is so gentle that it’s safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as suitable for babies suffering from diaper rash. Intended for both the face and body, Um Creme calms dehydrated or irritated skin with organic jojoba oil, organic calendula, and organic camomile. Cura Mãe recommends warming the product up with your hands before use. Um Crème is also available in scented versions including Flôr Lavender, Vanilla, Sol Urbana, and Flor Eterna. www.curamae.com
Boody is a B Corp Certified company that utilizes bamboo to create eco-conscious clothing. The brand’s Full Bust Wireless Bra gives those with bigger chests a sustainable and comfortable option that also helps to support the planet. Free from uncomfortable wires, hooks, and even seams, its composition is strong and soft: 62% viscose made from bamboo, 30% nylon, and 8% Elastane. This bra is available in a shade range of neutral nudes and limited-time colors. Size choices, available up to a G cup, range from XS to 2XL. Boody is also the first Australian Promotional License Holder to endorse the FSC Fashion Forever Green Pact and is committed to safeguarding the world’s forests through responsible sourcing and supporting sustainable forestry. www.boody.com
Ready to try a deodorant option that’s good for you, the planet, and suits your individuality? Wild Natural Deodorant offers the world’s first zero-plastic deodorant refill in a number of smell-good choices that can be swapped out inside refillable aluminum cases that range from patterned limited editions to classic solid colors. Vegan, compostable refills include scents like Cherry Blossom, Lavender and Geranium, and Ocean Mist, among others. An unscented option is also available. www.wearewild.com
If you shave any part of your body, you understand the necessity of a good razor for a clean and safe shave. This Face and Body Set by Leaf Shave includes a Leaf Razor handle (a high-quality safety razor) with ten blades, and a Leaf Dermaplaner handle with two blades, two blade guards, and a precision clip. These items can be an excellent earth-friendly investment for not just women, but anyone looking for a more sustainable shave. Users can purchase refills for razor blades ($12/pack) and dermaplaner blades (from $9) — both blades and razor handles can be recycled as scrap metal once they’ve served their purposes. www.leafshave.com
BY SHELBY TUTTLE
AAs a comedian, Iliza Shlesinger views herself as a sort of societal behavioral analyst — and she’s not wrong. Her signature mix of snark and piercing insight blended with a healthy dose of vulnerability readily — and unapologetically — lays bare the absurdities, nuances, and often furtive societal attitudes that shape the ways women see themselves and each other.
In addition to doing stand up, she is an actor, writer, and executive producer. She is also a mom, wife, and passionate advocate for environmentalism. The 42year old comedian has built a wildly successful career with her own sketch show, a documentary, two books, a podcast, and a collection of six Netflix specials, with fans anxiously awaiting her newest special out on Prime Video March 11.
Offering intelligent and relatable commentary on situations that throngs of women and girls can relate to, Shlesinger’s Netflix specials, which began in 2016, naturally track the evolution of her viewpoints on dating, relationships, and feminism.
“I think as a woman, your relationship to yourself and where you fit in in society is an ever-evolving thing. As much as we’d like to be forever 21, our brains grow. I think I really made my mark in terms of commenting on girl culture,” she says. “But I went from participating in it, to really taking a step back and commenting on it and defending it.”
Shlesinger notes that while the way she approaches the topic of feminism has evolved, it’s always been about advocating for equality and creating a space for herself without fear of backlash.
She points out that feminism has experienced an odd pendulum swing in recent decades, transitioning from a movement often associated with radicalist views to being commercialized on coffee mugs and wall hangings in home goods stores or online.
“Feminism became this sort of commodified thing that you could buy at the tchotchke store along with a crystal and a card,” she says.
And while the movement’s commercialization has inevitably sparked conversation, recognition for the meaning behind the term may be somewhat diluted and still misunderstood.
“At the end of the day, any woman doing what she needs to do to survive and what she needs to do to set up the life that she deserves to live — that’s feminism,” she says.
Although Shlesinger celebrates women's voices and experiences, her perspective isn’t rooted in gender bias. She shares her balanced perspective.
“Feminism became this sort of commodified thing that you could buy at the tchotchke store along with a crystal and a card.”
“I use the word feminism because at the end of the day, a feminist wants equality for all, and like most positive things, it gets a really bad rap,” she says.
“A big hole that I naturally [filled] was having a voice
as a smart woman in comedy that was not trying to be one of the guys, that didn’t care if the guys like me. I wanted to say what I felt needed to be said,” she shares. “And so it's about showing up, saying what's in your heart without fear of retaliation. When I speak, I'm not worried. I don't care if somebody doesn't get it because there's enough people that do get it.”
“[It’s] certainly not [about] writing someone off because they’re a man or for any reason other than they might suck. Feminism is actually approaching situations equally. Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean I support you, but I would never take away support simply because you’re a woman. And I feel that same way about men and I think that it’s not the sexiest opinion, but in my heart, that’s just how I am,” she says.
She also acknowledges the complexities of gender dynamics and that insecurity and problematic behavior aren't exclusive to one gender.
“It’s easy to call a woman a slut,” she says. “Well, let’s look at who’s doing the calling of that. Is it a man who felt slighted? Is it a woman who felt insecure?”
She stresses the need for empathy and suggests that
blaming women — in a myriad of situations — is often too easy.
“We have this responsibility to take a step back and actually always question why people are saying something and what’s going on. This is about genuinely using the critical thinking skills that we all rolled our eyes at when we had to do that unit in social studies and actually asking ‘Why are we calling her that?’” she says. “Why are we grabbing our pitchforks? Because the part I’m most tired of in our society is all of these sort of, after-the-buzzer, weak nods to the women who were owed an apology.”
She continues, “So 15 years after someone’s life is ruined, after you all called someone a whore, after you all ignored someone’s story — the mea culpa of ‘we should have listened’ — like, no. Now we know better. So let’s in real time, take a better look. And I think we are getting better. I don’t think it’s as bad as it was, say, like in the 90s.”
Shlesinger’s concerns for the ways in which society harms women through judgement and dismissal extend to healthcare — a topic she covered in her 2022 Netflix special, “Hot Forever.” Near the end of her act, she shares that prior to giving birth to her daughter, she suffered a miscarriage. She’s also been vocal in media interviews about the postpartum depression she experienced after giving birth to her son.
This stifling of women's voices is symptomatic of a larger systemic problem: the underfunding and underappreciation of women's health. Shlesinger explains that the full spectrum of healthcare — from reproductive care, to maternal health, postpartum care, and mental well-being — is imperative to the overall health of our society as a whole.
“When a society isn’t healthy, it’s because the women in it aren't healthy. When women are suppressed and unhealthy and not cared for, the ripple effect it has on your community, and in your economy, and in your government, and in the way that your country or your city is being run [is evident].” She adds, “We are going to start to see that here in America, in the places where women are being treated like prisoners,” pointing out that the consequences will likely be felt across communities for generations to come.
Now a mother of two young children, Shlesinger’s deep concern for future generations also extends to the health of the planet. At the time of our interview, 10 fires across greater Los Angeles are burning, making 2025 the second most destructive fire year in California’s history just one month into the year. Shlesinger and her family were evacuated.
“It was something I was very open about…and this is not for attention. This is to normalize and destigmatize things that happen,” she says. “Women are labeled hysterical. And so therefore you're usually just labeled as annoying. And you do feel alone, and you don’t wanna talk about it because you don’t wanna be labeled as crazy.”
“I have not lost anything in this fire. But as I was evacuating — I was looking around to say like, ‘What can I take?’ — i n a moment I realized how little we actually do need in this world. And all of the beautiful things that I filled my home with in a moment, like when the rubber met the road, meant nothing to me. Like, it would be horrific to lose them. But what I wanted to take all fit in a bag and I didn't really care about anything else.”
Fittingly, Shlesinger is acutely aware of our culture of mass consumption.
“I think as humans, we are living in these unprecedented times where you are just trying to feel good and feel something,” she says. “And for many people, the serotonin burst of buying something does that. So that’s scary because now it's tied into mental health. And anyone who dares to criticize like I am with these words, will be hung in the town square for making someone question their choices,” she says.
She remains refreshingly candid when discussing the difficulties of navigating the complex world of sustainable living, pointing out the "lateral moves" that often occur when trying to make eco-friendly choices — like swapping plastic straws for metal ones — only to realize the environmental impact of metal production. Shlesinger believes that we can all make choices that fit into our lifestyles to make a difference.
“I fly on airplanes, you know — we still have to continue our lives. But I think we [can] all make small changes, [like realizing], you know, that bullshit electronic gadget that you’re buying off of Amazon and being shipped to your house from China in two days, is made from cobalt that was mined in the Congo where orangutans live. These purchases are not made in a vacuum,” she says. “Maybe you try to buy locally, and if you can’t, maybe you don’t need 50 snacks that are all wrapped in plastic. And if you need that, maybe you don’t drink bottled water and you get a filter for your house. The point is, at least you’re thinking about it.”
about the environment that are like, ‘Use a diva cup, don't use a tampon!’ Absolutely not. This global inferno cannot fall on the shoulders of women who just don't wanna bleed into their underwear every time they jump,” she says with a laugh. “Like if, if that is what's standing between us and tigers being eradicated, I'm sorry, I'm using a tampon. It cannot come down to women's access to sanitary products. Maybe the top scientific minds should be focusing on a way to make sanitary products biodegradable.”
The truth is, Shlesinger adopts a plethora of ways to do better for the environment every day. She and her husband, chef Noah Galuten, prioritize sustainable eating habits, focusing on consuming locally sourced produce, seasonal eating, and prioritizing more sustainable American seafood choices like mussels and clams. Their household food waste gets composted and goes “out back.”
While acknowledging that maintaining a perfectly eco-friendly lifestyle is more than challenging, she focuses on making consistent, manageable changes. She's swapped out bottled shampoo and face wash for bar versions, and instead of single-use facial wipes, opts for a washable cloth. She relies on natural cleaning concentrates for her home to do more with less material waste.
“It's all about getting more uses out of things,” she says. “I drive a hybrid plug-in, but prior to that, I had a Honda Civic that I won on Last Comic Standing, and I got it in 2009 and didn't get rid of it until I had my daughter in 2022. If you see pictures of me doing stand up not on tour, I’m usually in one of like five shirts. Like, I wear things into the ground.”
Shlesinger addresses the topic of trade offs with humor and a personal anecdote.
“The amount of people, whenever I post something
Although she’s hyper aware of her decisions now, Shlesinger admits to past ignorance regarding the environmental impact of her everyday choices.
“I’m not gonna sit here and pretend that I didn’t have a balloon sculpture at my wedding,” she says. “My only way that I excuse that is like, I wasn’t aware of how horribly impacted our environment was.”
She adds that her awareness, and subsequent action, has grown significantly in recent years, largely due to the constant influx of news and information available through social media.
“I've become much more aligned with those types of values,” she says.
When it comes to her kids, Shlesinger wryly comments on the “hellscape” they may inherit but is optimistic that they will be the generation to fully embrace environmentally friendly living.
Beyond specific eco-friendly habits, Shlesinger hopes to impart to her children a love and respect for nature, in addition to emphasizing the importance of healthy eating and a preference for fruits and vegetables over processed snacks.
“Just teaching [them] all the things that you wish you knew a little bit earlier,” she says.
When it comes to the topic of feminism and her kids, Shlesinger says it’s important not to shy away from conversations but to allow them space for critical thinking.
“And anyone who dares to criticize like I am with these words, will be hung in the town square for making someone question their choices.”
“I think it’s more powerful when kids can arrive at their own conclusion,” she says. “I'll just always try to do my best.”
“I hope that they are the generation that looks at us with disgust,” she says, imagining a future where practices like owning a gas-guzzling car are relics of the past.
To see Iliza on The Get Ready tour in 2025, visit www.iliza.com/pages/tour-dates.
Better Battery Co. has redefined sustainability in the battery industry as the first certified carbon-neutral alkaline battery company. The company’s 100% plastic-free packaging across all of its products aligns with its broader commitment to sustainability, including carbon neutrality and a focus on responsible battery disposal.
Climate scientists hypothesize that an effect of climate change — called “hydroclimate whiplash” — played a major role in California's January wildfires. Unusually wet winters in 2023 and 2024 fueled vegetation growth and were immediately followed by a season of extreme dryness, which created kindling for the fires to spread.
Red Lobster launched its nationwide Ocean Sustainability Challenge, which invites middle school students to dream up innovative solutions to address real-world issues affecting oceans and waterways. Students make a three-minute video to showcase their creativity and apply STEAM skills to develop practical, impactful ideas that promote a healthier planet.
A 2024 study published in Lancet Planetary Health found that 59% of young people across 10 countries are very or extremely worried about climate change, with 84% at least moderately concerned. Those experiencing climate disasters face even greater mental health risks, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, with children being particularly vulnerable.
According to researchers from the University of Birmingham, Chlorella Vulgaris, a type of freshwater alga, has emerged as a promising solution to fight food insecurity. Compared to traditional crops, Chlorella uses fewer resources like land and water, making it a more efficient alternative.
Ingredients
Tacos:
1 pound salmon
2 tablespoons avocado oil
Salt and pepper to taste
8 corn tortillas
Micro cilantro for garnish
Fresh salsa:
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
Juice of 2 limes
1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
Chipotle aioli:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon (or to taste) canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced
Juice of 1 lime
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Remove the pin bones and any skin from the salmon and let it come to room temperature. Cut the salmon into two-ounce filets and set aside.
Next, make the fresh salsa. In a bowl combine the onion, tomatoes, and cilantro. Add the lime juice and salt and pepper to taste, then pop the bowl into the refrigerator to cool while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
To make the chipotle aioli, combine mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. If you find it too spicy, add an additional 1/4 cup of mayo and a little more lime juice. Set aside to allow flavors to combine.
Return to your salmon filets and season both sides with a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil and cook the salmon on one side for about 3-5 minutes until it’s cooked through.
Place the salmon filets in warm tortillas and top with a spoonful of fresh salsa, chipotle aioli, and a sprinkle of micro cilantro. Serve with wedges of fresh lime and enjoy.
