Alice Vol. 5 No. 2

100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
OF SUFFRAGE
The past, present, and future of
women’s fight for equality
STAND BESIDE HER
100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
OF SUFFRAGE
The past, present, and future of
women’s fight for equality
STAND BESIDE HER
First Alabama-born Olympian
softball player preps for Tokyo 2020
INTERIOR BIRMINGHAM
An inside look into the Southern
Film Industry
$5.99 Vol. 5 No. 2
The power to persevere
The power to persevere
The University of Alabama | Spring 2020

FRONT COVER
PHOTOGRAPHER
MODEL
INSIDE FRONT COVER
PHOTOGRAPHER
MODEL
Scarlet VanMeter
Kirklin Abercrombie
Sam MacDonald
Imani Hardy

This year marks the start of a new decade. As with every
new beginning, there is pressure to move on from the past
and be better in the next chapter. The simple fact of a new
start doesn’t erase the problems of the past– not without
work and recognition. Identifying the good, the bad, and
the ugly is a part of any evolutionary process, whether it
be professional achievement, personal progress or the
creation of a publication.
This issue, that’s come at a turning point in my own life,
has been a bigger obstacle than I initially anticipated. This
challenge has actually made the notion of our Unstoppable
issue all the more significant. This issue explores
perseverance throughout the magazine from fashion
trends to women’s suffrage. These stories all highlight the
fact that progress is almost never linear. There is power in
the setbacks we all inevitably experience, because that is
how we form communities and make progress.
Being unstoppable isn’t about feeling invincible,
always succeeding, or having all the right answers. Being
unstoppable is encapsulated in every struggle, every
misstep and every time we ask for help along the way.
I’ve definitely felt stoppable at times during these
past couple months, but as each obstacle has come and
gone, I am still standing. I’m not always standing as
tall and strong and stable as I was before, but the sheer
act of surviving it all has made me feel like a force to be
reckoned with.
Being unstoppable is equal parts a state of being and
a state of mind that doesn’t disappear in the presence of
doubt or struggles. The characteristic of being unstoppable
is not the final destination of some revolutionary journey,
but rather the way we evolve from beginning to end and
the entire process in between. I hope this issue can inspire
all readers to embrace the process of becoming their own
version of unstoppable.
Saige Rozanc-Petski
Editorial and Advertising offices for Alice Magazine are located at 414
Campus Drive East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. The mailing address is P.O. Box
870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. Phone: (205) 348-7257. Alice is published
by the Office of Student Media at The University of Alabama. All content
and design are produced by students in consultation with professional
staff advisers. All material contained herein, except advertising or where
indicated otherwise, is copyrighted © 2020 by Alice magazine. Material
herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of
Alice magazine.
Spring 2020 1

AFFIRMATIONS
FROM ALICE
Sam
MacDonald
A’Neshia
Turner
“
Strive for more. Strive for
better. Never give up on
your dreams.
”
Sarah Kimball
Stephenson
Evan
Edwards
“
Be confident in
everything you do!
”
Meghan
Mitchell
Annie
Hollon
“
Work hard, dream big,
and be BOLD.
”
Angelica
Zdzienicki
2 Spring 2020

“
Prove all the naysayers
wrong, because if you
have a passion for
something you can
achieve anything.
”
Alexander
Plant
“
Never accept second
place when you know
you can get first,
especially in a man’s
world.
”
“
You can do anything
you set your mind to if
you aren’t afraid to fail a
couple times first.
”
Ansley
Segal
“
You define yourself.
”
“
Make your voice LOUD.
”
Kayla
Acevedo
“
Don’t sell yourself short.
You are capable of so
much more than you
think.
”
“
Your vibe will attract your
tribe, and you don’t want
it to be full of people that
don’t support and love
you for who you are.
”
Meg
McGuire
“
Choose a heart of
celebration over a heart
of comparison.
”
Spring 2020 3

EDITOR IN CHIEF
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ART DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
MANAGING EDITOR
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
MARKET EDITOR
FASHION EDITOR
BEAUTY EDITOR
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
FOOD AND HEALTH EDITOR
DIGITAL EDITOR
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
ONLINE EDITOR
YOUTUBE EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS
MODELS
HAIR AND MAKEUP
EDITORIAL ADVISER
ADVERTISING
PUBLISHED BY
INTERIM DIRECTOR
Saige Rozanc-Petski
A’Neshia Turner
Sarah Lumpkin
Sam MacDonald
Meg McGuire
Sarah Kimball Stephenson
Evan Edwards
Evan Edwards
Angelica Zdzienicki
Annie Hollon
Alexander Plant
Meghan Mitchell
Ashby Brown
Ansley Segal
Tegan Goodson
Kayla Acevedo
Emily Garrett, Sarah Kimball Stephenson, Donnamy Steele
Lucy Hanley, Elanna Wright, Payton Lambert, Maddie Stevens
Kaitlyn Gabaldon, Natalie Vande Linde, Hope Northrup
Sophia Surrett, Leah Goggins, Ta’kyla Bates, Jeffrey Kelley
Emily Benito, Jennafer Bowman, Lindsey Wilkinson,
Julia Service, Savannah Bullard, Morgan Whicker, Cat Clinton
Evan Edwards, Gabrielle Gervais, Marino Naranjo,
Morgan Igou, Sarah Parker Merriman, Molly Glus, Rachel
Stern, Bailey Williams, Aran McDermott
Rebecca Martin, Scarlet VanMeter, Hannah Saad, Tanner
Bramlet, Sarah Hartsell
Aran McDermott, Baylie Smithson, Emily Garrett, Morgan
Igou, Autum Williams, Camyrn Angel, Mattie Parham
Ella Adams, Veronica Martinez, Daisy Ford, Ella Smyth,
Imani Hardy, Jennafer Bowman, Jordan Watkins, Kirklin
Abercrombie, Donnamy Steele, Destini Daris, Piper
Pochkowski, Sarah Hartsell, Sophia Surrett, Amaya McClain,
Gabrielle Gervais, Erin Edwards, Rachel Stern, Morgan Kahn
Donnamy Steele
Mark Mayfield
Julie Salter
University of Alabama’s Office of Student Media
Traci Mitchell
4 Spring 2020

A publication by college women for college
women, brought to you by a hardworking staff
of University of Alabama students. Alice began in
2015 as the brainchild of a collaborative meeting
between faculty and students who decided we
have enough material about Big Al, “so let’s make
it about Alice.”
Alice is bold, yet inclusive as an accessible
source for all things encapsulated in
the college lifestyle. We cover fashion,
beauty, entertainment, food & health,
and lifestyle for college women but also
serious issues young women face like
the gender wage gap and sexual health.
Because college women are more than
what we wear and what we look like,
but also how we feel, what we think,
and the future we want to build.
Alice is a next generation women’s magazine, emphasizing
the ability women have to support each other and focus on the
positives and potential. Alice is every woman. She is every skin
tone, every shape, every voice and every idea. When she walks into
a room, she makes a grand entrance. When she departs, she leaves
each place better than how she found it. She graces this world with
love, color and sound, and harnesses the power of words and
images to ignite a celebration of collegiate womanhood, in all its
layered, diverse complexity. She encourages community and
empowerment. A best friend to everyone. All of the women
featured in Alice are 100 percent unretouched because
we believe in the beauty every college woman already
possesses.
Though we do focus on college
women, our belief of inclusivity
extends far beyond the content we
produce. We want everyone and
anyone to feel like they can pick
up our magazine and enjoy . There
are no rules for having fun at Alice!
Spring 2020 5

BEAUTY
10
16
18
20
21
LOOK LUXE FOR LESS
BASE TO BEAUTIFUL NAILS
INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY STANDARDS
ACNE BREAKTHROUGH
HASTA LA VISTA TO BAD SKINCARE HABITS
ENTERTAINMENT
24
28
30
32
34
HEY GRIFF!
CAN I SEE YOUR ID?
INTERIOR BIRMINGHAM — FILM INDUSTRY
NICKI COLLEN
IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY THIS
LIFESTYLE
40
42
44
48
50
CHRONIC ILLNESS IN COLLEGE
THE STRESS FOR SUCCESS
TRAVEL BUDGET TIPS
AN OPEN LINE FOR LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS
SCARRED
6 Spring 2020

FEATURES
54
56
62
68
74
EVEN THE “MOM FRIEND” NEEDS A MOM FRIEND
WELCOME TO CHATTANOOGA
STAND BESIDE HER
100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SUFFRAGE
WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR OWN OPINIONS
FASHION
78
82
84
86
90
GEAR UP
EAST COAST VS. WEST COAST
THAT ‘70S STYLE: VINTAGE LOOKS FOR SPRING
GNARLY ‘80S STYLES WE JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF
BANGIN’ ‘90S: FASHION FADS
FOOD & HEALTH
96
98
104
106
108
BON APPETIT: A EUROPEAN FOOD AFFAIR
KNOW YOUR FLOW
ALABAMA’S FIGHT TO END FOOD INSECURITY
TRASH IS NOT TRENDY
TAG YOURSELF
Spring 2020 7

8 Spring 2020

BEAUTY
10
16
18
20
21
LOOK LUXE FOR LESS
BASE TO BEAUTIFUL NAILS
INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY STANDARDS
ACNE BREAKTHROUGH
HASTA LA VISTA TO BAD SKINCARE HABITS
Spring 2020 9

Look
LUXE
for Less
By Donnamy Steele
10 Spring 2020

Have you ever wondered how you could achieve stunning celebrity makeup looks from magazines
and social media? Their makeup routines may have a high price tag, but yours doesn’t have to. The
beauty industry is constantly evolving, bringing high quality products for lower prices. Here are some
products from an average routine that will save you money without sacrificing quality. These beauty products
and tips will have you red carpet ready for only a fraction of the price. Create the look of luxury, for less.
MOISTURIZER
Pond’s Dry Skin Cream, $5
LIP BALM
Hempz Ultra Moisturizing Herbal Lip Balm, $8
Skincare is essential for creating a flawless
makeup look. One of the most important steps in
creating this is a seamless base, and this can be done
by prepping your skin. This moisturizer by Pond’s is
tried and true, and celebrity makeup artists swear
by it! Erika LaPearl, the woman behind Cardi B’s
iconic makeup, has raved about this product on
social media and uses this moisturizer on her VIP
clients on a regular basis. It hydrates the skin and
creates a smooth foundation for the rest of the
makeup. All for less than $5! To get the most out
of your moisturizer, rub the moisturizer into the
palms of your hands to warm the product, before
applying to your face. This helps the moisturizer
sink deeper into the skin and prevents you from
applying more product than needed.
Lip balm is essential for a good lipstick day.
This product gives major hydration for parched
lips and is one of the best, most affordable options
available. The Hempz lip balm will leave your lips
feeling hydrated and soft, without having to spend
a fortune. Apply this lip balm to your lips at the
beginning of your routine to give your pout some
time to absorb the hydration. If you want to achieve
that plump look, softly scrub the lip balm off of your
lips with a makeup remover wipe before applying
your other lip products. This will lightly exfoliate
your lips to keep your lipstick looking smooth and
fresh all day long.
PRIMER
E.L.F. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer, $8
FOUNDATION
Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full
Coverage Foundation, $12
Some people stick solely with moisturizer to prep
their skin for makeup, but primer is an essential
in your routine to achieve a smooth, hydrated
complexion. This primer, by E.L.F. Cosmetics, is all
over social media and for good reason! As the name
suggests, this product looks and feels like putty.
When applied to the skin, it fills the fine lines and
pores to create a smooth even surface. It has been
labeled as the best affordable dupe for the Tatcha
Silk Canvas primer, which has been raved about for
some time now. You choose, $60 or $8. Press this
primer into your skin to smooth your complexion
and create a poreless effect for your base makeup
application.
Drugstore makeup has stepped up its game with
new and improved products to compare to those
sold at Ulta, Sephora, and other department stores.
Makeup Revolution is one of the many affordable
brands that comes out with dupe-worthy products.
The Conceal & Define Foundation gives brands like
Nars and Too Faced a run for their money. The
foundation is light in consistency, so it doesn’t feel
like a mask, and it paves the way for a flawless base
for the rest of your makeup. Apply this foundation
using a flat kabuki brush to spread the coverage
evenly, and go over it again with a damp beauty
sponge to soak up any excess product. This process
will keep your foundation from looking clumped
and caked on, while still maintaining that desirable
full-coverage look.
Spring 2020 11

CONCEALER
Morphe’s Fluidity Full-Coverage Concealer, $9
BRONZER
Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer Murumuru
Butter Bronzer, $16
Concealer is essential for achieving a full glam
makeup look. This Morphe concealer is the goto
for effortless, full coverage makeup looks. It
covers dark circles like a high-end concealer would,
while still looking natural on the skin. Apply the
concealer to the areas you want to cover and blend
using a damp beauty sponge or a small fluffy brush.
For maximum coverage, leave your concealer on
for at least 30 seconds before blending it out. This
allows the product to dry down just enough that
the coverage won’t be lost during the rest of your
makeup application.
Bronzer is an important step to creating a
luscious look. It is responsible for that effortless
sunkissed glow after you’ve covered your natural
pigmentation with foundation, concealer, and
powder. This Physician’s Formula bronzer is a
fan favorite and has been labeled one of the best
drugstore bronzers. This product is a little more
on the pricey side of affordable makeup, but is
worth every penny. The bronzer also comes in six
different shades to accommodate more skin tones,
and it smells like you’re on a tropical vacation.
What more could we ask for in a bronzer? For an
all-over bronzed look, use a large powder brush to
dust the bronzer onto the perimeter of your face.
For a more defined look, use a smaller brush to
better focus the product.
POWDER
Maybelline’s Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder, $8
BLUSH
Morphe’s Blushing Babes Blush Trio, $12
When it comes down to finding the perfect
powder, there are three factors to consider. You
want a powder that doesn’t budge, doesn’t cake,
and doesn’t flashback. This powder by Maybelline
meets all of the above, making it the best affordable
powder. High-end powders start at about $30, and
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder is just
$7.99. This is a game changer for beauty enthusiasts
on a budget. To set your foundation and concealer
for a long-wearing glam, press the powder into the
skin using a powder puff. This locks in the coverage
from your base products while keeping your skin
matte and smooth. Dust away any excess powder
with a soft, fluffy brush to avoid product buildup.
Need a pink-me-up? This blush trio by Morphe
is for you. This product has four color stories of
blushes to choose from, catering to a variety of skin
tones. To elevate your makeup look, choose a blush
tone that fits the color story of the rest of your
makeup. For example, if you’re wearing a peach
toned eyeshadow look, you’ll need a peach toned
blush to tie the look together. Apply this blush
to your cheekbones, and dust any excess product
from your brush onto the perimeters of your face
and nose for a subtle yet vibrant look.
12 Spring 2020

HIGHLIGHT
WetnWild’s MegaGlo Highlighting Powder, $6
EYESHADOW
Colourpop’s Nude Mood Pressed Powder
Palette, $14
Highlighters have become a staple in beauty
trends in recent years and a must for many beauty
gurus. It contrasts with the depth of your face to
bring dimension and light to your face. Whether
you like the blinding highlight look or a soft glow
from within, you can achieve either with this
product. The WetnWild MegaGlo highlighter
is available in four different shades, so you can
choose the most fitting highlighter to compliment
your look. For an intense shine, apply setting spray
onto a small highlighting brush before dipping into
the product. For a gentle glow, apply highlighter to
the high points of your face using a larger, fluffier
brush to diffuse the product.
Eyeshadow trends come and go, but one that
will stay forever is a classic smokey eye. The Nude
Mood palette by Colourpop is a great addition to
your makeup collection. It has neutral mattes and
shimmers to create a stunning, luxurious look.
To create a smokey, eye-opening look, begin by
applying a transition shade from the palette to the
crease of your eye and on your lower lash line. Take
a deeper shade and build it in the outer corner of
your eye, bringing it slightly into the crease. Keep
building the color until your desired depth is
created. Then, take the darkest shade in the palette
and line your upper and lower lash lines. Keep the
shadow close to the lash line to mimic an eyeliner,
then diffuse the harshness with a blending brush
to create the desired smoky effect. Clean up the
inner corner and lid of your eye by applying a light
matte shade from the palette. Keep the look matte,
or give it some glow by adding a highlighting shade
(or even your highlighter) to the inner corner and
also under the brow bone.
BROWS
Colourpop’s Brow Boss Pencil, $6
Colourpop’s Brow Boss Gel, $7
MASCARA
Maybelline’s Falsies Lash Lift Mascara, $11
Brows can make or break a look. Using the wrong
products can cause your eyebrows to look too
harsh or too light, taking away from the statement
look you are trying to achieve! Colourpop has two
products that can improve your brow game. The
Brow Boss Pencil and Brow Boss Gel have just
the right amount of pigmentation, allowing you
to create a subtle look along your natural brow or
building it up to design Instagram-worthy brows.
For an arched and sculpted brow, fill in your brow
shape with the Brow Boss Pencil and complete
the look with the Brow Boss Gel. For a softer, less
defined look, apply the Brow Boss Gel alone.
This mascara is the newest addition to the
Maybelline falsies lash collection. Although it’s a
fairly new product, it has already made an impact
in the makeup industry. Retailing for only $10,
this mascara gives your lashes envious depth and a
flirty flare. Use a lash curler to add height to your
lashes before applying mascara to get the most out
of your product. For an extra wispy effect, apply
mascara mainly on the outer corner of your eye.
This will bring the lashes outward, elongating the
look. Wear this product alone for a naturally wispy
lash look, or apply falsies to further accentuate
your lashes.
Spring 2020 13

LASHES
Ardell’s Lash Faux Mink Demi Wispies, $3
LIPSTICK
Maybelline’s Color Sensational Shine
Compulsion Lipstick, $8
False lashes are a fun and flirty addition to vamp
up your look. High-end falsies can retail for about
$20 or $30, but thankfully brands like Ardell have
affordable options to choose from. The best part?
You can get multiple wears from just one pair of
lashes, which make it a better bang for your buck
(or three). The style Demi Wispies is a crowd
pleaser and fits most eye shapes due to it’s wispy
outer corner. To apply false lashes seamlessly, trim
the ends to fit your eye shape. Then you can coat
the lash band with lash glue and allow the glue to
dry until it settles into a tacky consistency. Apply
directly to your lash line, and conceal the lash band
with a dark eyeliner or eyeshadow. Voila! A flawless,
sultry lash to boost your eye game.
There are so many lipsticks out there, it’s difficult
to find THE one! Here’s a recommendation to
narrow down your search for the best lipstick on
the market. The Maybelline high shine lipstick is
like no other. It glides onto your lips like a normal
cream lipstick, yet it has the look of a luscious gloss.
This product is intensely pigmented and gives your
lips just the right amount of shine, without having
to apply a lip gloss overtop. After applying your
lip liner, apply this lipstick to the center of your
lips for a subtle effect. Fill in your lips completely
for a glossy, glamorous lip look. If the glossy look
isn’t your vibe, try Maybelline’s Color Sensational
Creamy Matte Lipsticks.
LIP LINER
Colourpop’s Lippie Pencil, $6
SETTING SPRAY
Morphe’s Continuous Setting Mist, $16
Lip liner is a must-have for flawless lips.
Colourpop’s lip liner glides onto the skin
effortlessly, stays put for hours, and costs only $6.
To achieve a full and pouty lip look, apply the Lippie
Pencil where the edge of your lip line meets your
skin and outline your lips. Apply similarly colored
lipstick, stain, or gloss products over it to complete
the desired look.
If you’ve ever been victim of having your makeup
completely ruined after spritzing your face with a
poorly made setting spray, let us put your faith
back into them with Morphe’s Continuous Setting
Mist. This has become one of the most popular
setting sprays since its release in 2017. It’s rise
to fame is due to its stellar formula and its easy
mist. The mist on the setting spray is so fine and
gentle that it helps spray your entire face evenly
without disrupting any of your makeup. To keep
your makeup fresh all day (and night), mist your
face before priming and after you’ve applied your
makeup to lock your look. Fan your face to allow
the product to dry down, and then your look is
complete.
14 Spring 2020

Spring 2020 15

TO
Nails
By Natalie Vande Linde
As we begin to see a surge in evolving nail trends, such as
complex nail art and beautiful long acrylics, it’s also important to
give your nails just as much attention as your skin. Nail care can
be easily forgotten or ignored, but it is vital to your manicure. Alice
is here to inspire some healthy habits for you to keep your nails
strong, long, and beautiful.
16 Spring 2020

Take a Breather
Hydration
Nails, in many ways, reflect our overall health. A strong, healthy
set of nails means your diet is likely balanced and full of the right
vitamins and nutrients entering your system. One very simple
mistake that can lead to fickle nails is the lack of hydration. Of
course, hydration can be as basic as drinking your water, which
is amazing for your beauty routine in every aspect, but it is also
important to remember that your nails need direct, local hydration.
The perfect solution to this is a hydrating hand cream. To avoid
thinning and cracking of the nails, apply hand cream and make
sure to rub into your nail bed and cuticles. If you find your skin to
be extra dry or you are just looking for extra hydration, it’s always
helpful to grab cuticle oil and layer that on as well. Hydration is a
great and essential first step to maintaining strong nails.
This is a pretty simple task. If you’re like me and constantly
pamper your nails with crazy designs and new shapes, let them
breathe for a minute. Often, we go straight from look to look and
never let our nails have a minute to repair themselves. This is a
really important part of maintaining healthy nail. It’s great practice
to take a few weeks or even a month in between sets to just apply
a strengthening top coat and let your nails rest and relax. During
this break, remember to follow our first two tips. While everyone
enjoys a trip to the nail salon, it is important to remember how
harsh some of those products can be on our nails, especially things
like acetone, nail glue, dip powders, and gel.
Protein, Protein, Protein
Cuticle Health
Your cuticles are a very sensitive part of the nail and require a
little extra love. As mentioned above, cuticle oil is always a great
idea for keeping a healthy, manicured nail. It is also important,
however, to know what NOT to do to your cuticles. Your cuticles
are there for a reason – they protect your nail as it grows and they
work to keep bacteria and infection away from that new, lovely
nail that’s trying to grow. It’s important to let the cuticle work its
magic and by this, we mean DO NOT cut them, or allow anyone
else to cut them. Cutting the cuticle is something you might
experience a decent amount in nail salons, or be tempted to do
if you’re experiencing a pesky hangnail, but it’s best to groom
them and avoid the cuticle. It is good practice to occasionally push
your cuticles back. Generally, the best time for this is fresh out of
the shower, when they’re soft and pliable. Keeping your cuticles
pushed back and keeping oil on them as often as possible to avoid
breakage is a key step to ensure a strong nail bed.
This last tip involves a bit more commitment and intention than
the others, but it is arguably the most important. Our nails are
made up of many things, mainly keratin, so they need nutrients
and proteins to grow strong and avoid breaks and cracks. You have
an option to take these nutrients directly in a supplement, but
you can simply incorporate them into your everyday diet. Think
protein-rich foods like beans, fish, or nuts. These foods will offer
the nutrients your nails need to grow stronger, plus they also offer
great benefits for your skin and hair. However, if these foods just
aren’t for you there are supplement options to look into like fish
oil, vitamin-E, or biotin. These will all help create a strong base for
your nails while benefiting your hair and skin as well.
Nail care is essential to a lovely manicured set of nails and is
often forgotten in your nail routine. These tips are a quick and
simple way to leave your nails happy, healthy and strong! It can be
damaging to your nails and wallet to keep making frequent trips to
the nail salon, but it turns out, it’s not impossible to keep healthy
nails with a fun design. Just remember to keep your nails hydrated,
maintain cuticle health, and give them a chance to breathe. Above
all, have FUN with your nails. Nail care is to a fun manicure as
skincare is to a powerful makeup look. Nails are an amazing way to
express yourself and experiment with new trends. Try new colors
and patterns and wear what makes you happy.
Spring 2020 17

BY AMBERLY ASHCRAFT
UK, DUBAI, AND THE UAE
Every nation and region of the world have specific ideals of
beauty that are shaped by the geographic location and cultural
norms of the area. These ideals can center around a single aspect
of beauty that then defines the visual landscape of a culture.
Bold and defined eyes are significant in the Middle East due
to cultural and religious practices in these areas. This trend has
always been a staple of beauty in Dubai. Depending on specific
religious or cultural practices, women are limited in the ways in
which they can express themselves, thus the eyes and eyebrows
have become a beauty staple.
A full, defined brow is a must-have in Dubai. When creating
these statement brows, women usually allow the tail of the brow to
extend further than their natural growth. Even if you haven’t been
naturally blessed with lush, bushy brows, beauty innovators in
Dubai have a variety of solutions to help anyone achieve the look.
Microblading is a noninvasive, brow-enhancing procedure that
originated in Dubai, though it has quickly spread across the world.
Chelsea Gregory, a microblading specialist from Dubai, discusses
how this technique is used to create or improve definition, fill in
gaps in your natural brows, or extend brows in order to achieve the
desired look. It currently serves as the ultimate remedy for those
brows that fell victom to the over-plucking that was wildly popular
in the early 2000s.
This microblading technique creates the illusion of hairs via
very thin blades that are able to precisely deposit colored pigments
in the upper layers of the skin. In doing so, each “hair” is drawn
individually by a certified esthetician. Much of microblading’s
appeal comes from the incredibly realistic and natural effect it can
create.
Because this process is so detailed, the average microblading
session clocks in at around two hours. Despite the timely nature of
the procedure, many women prefer this one-time cost to the time
and effort it takes to fill in their eyebrows on a daily basis. Results
can last up to two years and only require sporadic, “as-needed”
maintenance.
If microblading seems too much of a commitment for you,
Hayley Kadrou of The National offers an even less invasive
alternative to microblading: Brow Lamination.
This relatively new technique is currently on the rise and
expected to be the biggest global eyebrow trend of 2020. The
process is much simpler when compared to microblading, as
lamination is essentially a perm for your brows. The eyebrow
hairs are lifted from their roots and set into place with lotion,
which allows the hairs to be brushed in any desired direction to
create fuller, fluffier and denser-looking brows. This treatment
also allows for the addition of color, upon request.
For those with more wiry brows, lamination is said to be a
godsend. The process serves to calm the hair’s natural texture,
allowing it to be smoothed against the skin.
Brow lamination can last anywhere from six to eight weeks,
depending on your exposure to the elements and your skincare
routines. According to Gregory, lamination is the perfect option
for those who are looking to enhance what they already have.
Ultimately, these long-term brow enhancing treatments we see
popping up around the world are the true embodiment of the “low
maintenance” beauty idolized by the industry in the past years.
Just as eyelash extensions or lifts cut down on time and hassle,
these brow enhancement options aim to do the same.
Note: According to the American Medical Spa Association
(AMSA), as the demand for the procedure has skyrocketed, so
has the need for properly trained estheticians and technicians —
leaving some potentially untrained and inexperienced individuals
to fill the void. Always be sure to do your research before
undergoing the procedure. It’s highly recommended to look for
someone with accreditation from either the American Association
of Micropigmentation or the Society of Permanent Cosmetic
Professionals (SPCP). Both of these organizations are a great
starting point for finding licensed and skilled technicians in your
area.
18
Spring 2020

It’s a widely accepted truth that Japanese, Korean, and Chinese
beauty trends have long influenced trends in the rest of the world.
Korean beauty and skincare dominated the industry in 2019, and
there’s no reason to believe they won’t continue to do so in 2020.
Blush that is applied exaggeratingly high on the cheekbones
and directly under the eyes is a cornerstone of the Harajuku
community, a district in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Although the
trend originated within a district of Tokyo, it has quickly gained
popularity all across the country.
The style, called “me no shita chiiku” (translating to “undereye
blush”), first started popping up on the streets of Tokyo within the
last five years, but recently reached its peak in popularity in the
fall of 2019.
The look itself is derived from a more specific niche trend called
“byojaku,” or “sickly,” in which women purposefully sport pale
skin, puffy under eyes, and reddish skin around the eyes. There
are countless tutorials detailing how to recreate the look of puffy,
slightly swollen under eyes on social media.
Clearly, not all aspects of this niche community’s trend have
become mainstream. Many women seem to be drawn to the
practice of applying blush underneath the eyes because of its ability
to create a more youthful, innocent look. When applying color
higher up on the cheeks, the face appears more round and childlike.
Many Japanese beauty bloggers have coined the term “uruuru”
to describe the effect this look creates, as it is an expression
used to describe big, round eyes that are almost brimming over
with tears. We might think of this as “puppy-dog” eyes.
While it’s true that applying deeper blush tones atop the
cheekbones can chisel the face, thus creating a more sophisticated
and mature look, it is also true that concentrating color toward
the center of the face draws more attention to the eyes, creating a
younger effect.
This trend also has roots in Japanese history, as the makeup of
Geisha and Kabuki dancers often included a red accent around the
eyes. The look even prevails in modern day Japanese culture, as
anime characters are known for their signature “blush” drawn high
on their cheeks.
French women have always looked for makeup to enhance their
natural features, and the rest of the world isn’t far behind. We’ve
seen a serious interest in “clean” makeup and intense emphasis on
skincare in the past year, a trend that was undoubtedly sparked by
the classic French look.
French makeup artist Patrick de Fontbrune, renowned for his
work with celebrities and publications like Sports Illustrated and
Women’s Health, encourages the use of makeup for enhancement
with the goal of achieving your best possible self, rather than
transforming yourself into someone else. Fontbrune highly
encourages prepping the skin before makeup with a fine waterbased
mist, serum, and light moisturizer or primer, depending on
your skin type.
Another wildly popular practice in France is to choose one
aspect of your makeup and play it up while leaving the rest of
your face clean in order to emphasize the focus of your look. This
practice usually involves a light layer of foundation, natural blush,
and simple eyes, all paired with a bold lip.
This signature Parisian red lip is meant to stand out on a
relatively plain face, and is renowned for its flexibility. Fontbrune
himself states that the look can be paired with jeans or a cocktail
dress just the same. However, if you do want to play up a different
feature — “deepen the eyes or add color elsewhere” — consider
playing down other elements of your look, e.g. lip or cheek color,
bronzer, contour, etc., to maintain the desired air of sophistication
and simplicity.
Yet another signature practice involves embracing the casualness
of makeup and its application. In essence, French women readily
welcome the messiness of makeup.
For example, creating a smokey eye using a creamy pencil and
blending it in with your finger instead of a precise brush. Don’t
overthink it. You want to make your look appear more lived in and
less contrived. Instead of using heavy highlighters and bronzers
to sculpt out a new shape, use them to capture ambient light and
effortlessly bring elements of your face forward.
Spring 2020 19

ACNE
BREAKTHROUGH
BY HOPE NORTHRUP
D
you ever just get tired of the same old remarks from your
friends with perfect skin? Me too. Of course, anybody
who struggles with severe acne and breakouts knows
that no matter how many promising new face washes
or three-step trends advertised on TV that you try, your stubborn
acne sticks around (or even gets worse). Buying things that were
supposed to help my acne began to feel like shredding my money
in a blender. I was 21 years old and beginning to feel like I would
have acne forever. No matter how many dermatologists I saw, I
would leave feeling just as discouraged as when I arrived. I was
tired of trying every topical cream imaginable and watching my
diet closely. I was tired of praying that my face would magically
clear up before the next big social event. I got to the point
where I would even find myself skipping class, because I was so
embarrassed of how broken out my face was. I was ready to take
matters into my own hands and find a solution to fix the acne
that had dominated my self-esteem and so many aspects of my life.
After seeing dermatologists who told me “just don’t wear
makeup; it will clog your pores and break you out,” I decided to
educate myself on my skin. Anyone who is educated on acne knows
that breakouts are caused more by your genetics and hormones
than wearing makeup. Some medications that dermatologists told
me would clear up my skin had common side effects that were so
severe that I knew many people who’d rather have acne than deal
with the consequences of the medication.
Something my dermatologists did not tell me is that there
is such a thing as hormonal acne. After doing some research,
I realized that was exactly what I had. The next time I went to
the dermatologist I knew I could request oral pills that exist to
specifically help with hormonal acne. Hormonal acne is linked
directly to the fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone, and the
ratio of these two hormones can affect a woman’s testosterone
levels and result in hormonal acne. If you are past your teen years
and in your early 20’s and still struggling with severe acne, there’s
a good chance you are struggling with hormonal acne.
My acne was very painful, and a lot of it was around my jawline,
which is a primary side effect of hormonal acne.
After a couple of months of treating my hormonal acne with
prescribed medicine, I cannot believe the transformation that my
skin went through. With a little dedication and research, you can
start on your own journey to better skin.
20 Spring 2020

TO BAD SKINCARE
BY ELANNA WRIGHT
A
new season means you can say goodbye to bad habits
and hello to new, improved healthier ones. The surprise
pimple that magically appeared right before grad
pictures is a nightmare, but no matter how much you
want to pop it, you have to leave your uninvited guest alone. Many
dermatologists advise their patients not to pop pimples,
because it can lead to the spreading of bacteria, and leave
permanent scars and scabs, which requires so much more
work to get rid of than the pimple itself.
Touching your face is a no-go in general, along with popping
your pimples. This is because it can leave dirt, oil, and bacteria on
your skin, causing clogged pores and even more breakouts in the
future.
Accidentally going to bed with makeup on and not washing your
face is another important habit you must break. Leaving makeup
to settle into your skin overnight clogs your pores and leaves a
build-up of oil, product, and dead skin
To remove any makeup, you can use makeup removers like
Neutrogena’s Make-up Removing wipes (only $1.99 at Target) or
get micellar water, which cleanses and wipes off your makeup and
any oil.
For cleansing and washing your face, a good practice is looking
at the ingredients of your skincare products. Avoid washing your
face with parabens. According to a survey conducted by CervaVe
skincare, 52 percent of American consumers use bath wash or
hand soap to cleanse their face.
Washing your face with regular soaps or skincare products with
parabens, artificial fragrances, sulfates, triclosan, and phthalates
will harm and strip the natural oils from your skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association
recommends washing your face twice a day and after working out.
Don’t forget to use a toner! Toners are the most underrated and
underappreciated step in skin routines. According to Dermatology
Times, medical doctor Zoe Diana Draelos says toners are known as
astringents, which can be used to remove any waterproof product
after cleaning. They can also help remove any excess dirt you might
have missed while cleansing, and it helps to close your pores. Its
properties act as a balance to the pH scale of your skin and give
your skin the extra protection to keep on flourishing.
Habits might be hard to break, but your skin definitely will be
gleaming after making the changes.
Spring 2020 21

22
Spring 2020

ENTERTAINMENT
24
28
30
32
34
HEY GRIFF!
CAN I SEE YOUR ID?
INTERIOR BIRMINGHAM — FILM INDUSTRY
NICKI COLLEN
IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY THIS
Spring 2020 23

BY MEGHAN MITCHELL
A
skeleton of PVC pipe lined with ridged soundproofing
pads and swaddled in blankets is where Garrick
Griffin II (Griff) lets out his emotions. Sitting in the
corner of a candlelit room pulsating softly to the
beat of an old mix, the makeshift sound booth resembles a
time machine. With the Frank Sinatra poster, Kobe Bryant
Lakers jersey and hand-drawn ode to Mac Miller hanging on
the wall, you wonder if it might be. Sitting next to a pillowcase
full of lavender and a fluorite rock, Griff turned back the clock.
The home-made music machine is located in Griff’s co-writer
Justin Speegle’s basement. This was where Griff recorded his first
released album, The White EP, but the two started making music
together even before their studio was complete. In a jam session
which saw the conception and completion of an unreleased single,
“Father Forgive Me,” Griff and Speegle began a friendship built on
a shared love for creation and Frank Ocean.
As multi-job holding artists, partners in music and selfdescribed
perfectionists, Speegle and Griff say their friendship is
better described as a brotherhood. As they sing along under their
breaths in deliberate, measured time to the raw version of “Father
Forgive Me” playing on Speegle’s computer, it’s clear the two have
a harmony that extends beyond their tracks.
Griff credits Speegle, who has been writing songs since he was
six years old, for the release of his first album.
“He’s 10 times more talented [than me] in my opinion,” Griff
said. “But he gets so caught up in making a perfect product that
he’ll never release anything. And I’m just like, ‘Dude, what’s the
reason that you’re doing this if you’re not even ever going to release
anything?’ I was like, ‘Maybe if I do this it’ll inspire him to do this.’
And he ended up releasing a project later on last year.’
24 Spring 2020

Spring 2020 25

26
Spring 2020

When Speegle is working on a project, he’ll play his tracks every
time he gets in his car, listening fastidiously for bars to improve
and sounds to enhance. Different from Griff, Speegle likes to record
his songs in one take — no cuts — and craving such a particular
orientation of words, pitches and beats can take time to perfect.
“I’ll record the same song at least 10 to 15 times, just to make
sure I get it right,” Speegle admitted. “Every time I go listen to it in
the car I hear something I don’t like. That’s just being judgemental
and critical of myself, but it’s good to have those thoughts because
you want to make it perfect.”
If Griff and Speegle could, they’d spend most of their time
perfecting their craft. But Speegle works at a landscaping job, and
Griff considers music — making his third job — so they have to
split their time working for others while working for themselves.
“I spend most of my time on my phone in my notes,” Speegle
said. “If I ever catch a break at work, I’m back to trying to write.
Of course, I don’t like being somewhere where I’m distracted, but
you just find time to do things that you want to do.”
There’s no question that the four walls of this dimly-lit studio
have been illuminated with strategically lyricized bars and heartpulled
song concepts, but there’s another place Griff lets his ideas
flow with even less inhibition. Within the confines of four smaller
borders, Griff’s bed, he colors two blank sheets of paper with the
goings-on of his mind every morning when he wakes up. Inspired
by an interview with J. Cole in which the rapper mentions the
technique from the book The Artist’s Way, Griff uses his “morning
pages” as a release, writing down his feelings or events in his life
and then never looking back at them.
“I know it’s going to be a good day of morning pages when I don’t
want to do it at all,” Griff said. “I’ll go back to sleep specifically so I
don’t have to write anything. But on those mornings where I hate
it, and I don’t want to do it, those are the mornings that I live for.
That’s when I get everything out.”
The pages function as a personal, creative outlet which Griff
says helps him become attuned to his feelings and turn them into
songs with more ease. You can’t say you have writer’s block, he
says, if you force yourself to just start writing every morning.
Like Speegle, Griff holds his music close to his heart, reluctant
to release it until he deems it worthy. It wasn’t until Griff
translated all of his thoughts to his satisfaction into the completed
The White EP album that his father, Garrick Griffin, realized his
son’s seriousness about breaking into the music industry. It was
an unexpected GroupMe message from a cousin that brought
Griff’s music to his dad’s attention.
A Command Sgt. Major at Fort Knox, Griffin has gotten the
opportunity to expose himself and his kids to faces and places far
removed from his hometown in Birmingham. Born in Germany,
Griff has lived in Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky and Alabama.
Griff finished his sophomore year of high school in Korea.
“I really felt like [Griff] was safer in Korea than in the United
States,” Griffin said. “I never had to worry about whether or not I
was going to get that phone call saying that something happened
with the police. I never really worried about him, Garrick could
go as he pleased. Here in the States, there’s a possibility that
something could happen to him even if he’s doing all the right
things.”
It wasn’t a call about Griff, but Griff’s stepbrother, Daqun
Ramey, that threatened the family’s sense of security. It was 4
a.m. when Griff received the call from his dad. Hours later, Griff
would attempt to work through a shift carrying the weight of
serving trays and the news that his stepbrother, Daquan Ramey,
had been murdered.
Daquan was murdered less than a year ago in a home invasion
during his first semester enrolled back in school. Griff described
that the painful death was one made even harder by the fact that
he and his stepbrother were facing similar hardships. Griff said
the two were beginning to mend the troubles in their lives when
his stepbrother’s life was taken from him and his family.
“[After being shot] he literally was just laying on the ground
for 5 hours before they did anything,” Griff said, his voice hushed.
“Laying underneath his car. He was crawling to his f---ing car to
make it to the hospital, and nothing. His friends left him there,
because they were scared they would get in trouble.”
Daquan covered Griff’s morning pages for a while, but, Griff
said, he has yet to fully realize the scope of the pain that his
brother’s murder inflicted on him.
“I’ve probably written 10 or 15 songs that never turned into
anything because I was like man, f--- this. I’m not doing him any
justice. This isn’t worthy. And then I get to my thoughts, and I’m
like, I don’t know if that’s a line that I want to cross. I don’t want
it to ever come across as me using my brother to gain sympathy.”
Despite struggling to put his feelings into music that he feels
meets the standard his brother deserves, Griff has used the trauma
to propel his music in other ways. His brother motivates him to
feel pain, to create through the pain, to succeed through the pain.
He feels grateful for the opportunity to at least feel, a right that was
stolen from Daquan.
“I feel like shit right now, but man, feeling like shit sure does
beat not feeling at all,” Griff said.
Spring 2020 27

28 Spring 2020
BY LINDSEY WILKINSON

W
hen we think about our onscreen crushes, we usually
think of characters like Zach Dempsey from 13
Reasons Why, Regina George from Mean Girls, Sandy
from Grease, or even Damon Salvatore from The
Vampire Diaries. All these characters have one thing in common,
something shocking: They’re all played by people who are at least
ten years older than the character they are playing. These famous
characters who run the halls of their respective schools aren’t
plagued with frizzy hair or acne; they are sporting post-puberty
bodies, chiseled chins and an aura of confidence.
The fantasy of perfection is not limited to recent popular
movies. In fact, even some of Hollywood’s classics warped viewers’
sense of age. Audrey Hepburn was 31 when she played 19-year-old
Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Leonardo Dicaprio
was 28 when he played 16-year-old Frank Abagnale in the movie
Catch Me If You Can. The aging process is one that is not usually a
topic of discussion when it comes to representation in media, but
it is important.
According to Forbes, in 2015, teens consumed nine hours of
media a day. While most of what was watched was fictional, onscreen
images can shape our views of reality. Even when we are
aware that what is on-screen is not a true representation, it still
alters our perceptions. By and large this is due to many elements of
a show or movie being accurate in style. Characters have iPhones,
classroom set ups and part-time jobs.
Tina Turner, a senior journalism major at The University of
Alabama, said, “Representation matters in media. It’s not good
whenever you have a group of adults playing high schoolers who
look like they fell from heaven. There are plenty of beautiful kids
in high school, but in reality, we aren’t dressing to the nines every
day. You know some people don’t have the time, some people don’t
have the money and some people just don’t care.”
Another issue is the ethical dilemma of having adults portraying
sexualized teenagers such as on Riverdale, Pretty Little Liars, or
The Vampire Diaries.
Chris Roberts, an associate professor at UA who researches
media ethics said, “I have always struggled with people
representing their own age doing things that would be bad for
people that age.”
The New York Times highlighted the concerns that Roberts
presents in a 2019 article, in which the comedy Good Boys is used
in conjunction with Superbad, Sandlot, American Pie, and Kick-
Ass. All of these films employed younger actors using curse words
for comedic effect. Chloë Grace Moretz was only 11 years old when
she was portrayed slicing and dicing drug dealers and uttering
obscenities in Kick-Ass. Many critics and viewers criticized
Moretz’s role because of her age. Examples like these, along with
many other factors, could be used to promote the usage of older
actors.
“If it’s a television show with teenagers, often older actors
play the teens for a variety of reasons, not limited to the kinds of
content the show would be interested in showing.” said Kristin
Warner, associate professor at UA.“Hiring actors under a certain
age has major restrictions regarding what they can do onscreen
and rightly so. But, the more pertinent question is probably much
more about what the producers have in mind for the characters,
and what would an older actor allow them to do versus a minor.”
As an audience, we may question what we can do to fight the
stereotype of looking extraordinarily perfect on any given day or
what a studio’s responsibility is if they do choose to hire adults to
play teenagers.
“But why not have people who just look normal?” Warner
wondered. “Maybe it is up to makeup teams to be like ‘Let’s not
make this person look extra glammed up walking around to class,’
or ‘Let’s not hide all your blemishes today.’ These actors are still
normal people. I’m sure they have insecurities, and I think if they
share that then maybe the world will be more accepting of others’
insecurities.”
In an industry of fantasy and fiction, it is not surprising that age
is veiled in mystery like much else. This systematic casting actors
and actresses allows studios to have more flexibility in content,
production, and hours. Even so, on-screen material has and will
shape our society’s view of aging and perfection. Whether this is
morally acceptable or not is up to viewers.
Spring 2020 29

INTERIOR
BIRMINGHAM —
FILM INDUSTRY
BY LEAH GOGGINS
A
few days before she was due on set in Naples, Florida,
Virginia Newcomb sat at one of the many tables in
Birmingham’s Pizitz Food Hall, raking her chopsticks
through a Poké bowl and settling in for her eighth
interview of the week.
“This is probably the third thing today and the eighth thing this
week where I’m talking about this kind of stuff,” Newcomb said.
“It’s my world right now.”
This kind of stuff — the burgeoning film industry bubbling up in
Alabama and how women and people of color fit into that industry
— brought Newcomb back to Birmingham from Los Angeles years
ago. Newcomb left her Alabama hometown after high school,
a scholarship to the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in
hand and a bright future ahead of her. But after about a decade in
Hollywood, it was time to come home.
After shooting a short film with her partner, Paul Hart, and
seeing it screen in several southern film festivals, Newcomb began
to realize just how many independent filmmakers were working
down south. That reassurance grounded her, but it also opened
her eyes.
“The conversations around filmmakers and stories in the South
all deeply resonated with what I realized I’ve been wanting to
do for a long time, which is amplify southern women’s voices,”
Newcomb said.
One of the festivals where Newcomb began to make new
connections is based just below the place where she’d poked at
her scallion-strewn lunch. The Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema
opened its doors on the lower level of the Pizitz building in late
2019, after 21 years of producing an annual film festival in the
streets of Birmingham. Kiwi Lanier, Sidewalk’s education and
outreach coordinator, has been around for almost a third of those
years.
“I interned here because I was trying to get out of taking classes
for college credit,” Lanier said. “so I did an internship over the
summer, and then I just didn’t leave.”
That was the summer of 2012. Lanier would go on to serve as
ticketing coordinator and education and outreach coordinator
before taking a break to attend graduate school in Texas. When
she arrived back in 2018, she took on yet another role: shorts
programmer.
“When I was programming shorts, it seemed like the female
filmmakers were trying twice as hard, and it showed,” Lanier said.
“I definitely felt like I saw that effort. I get how much harder they
have to work, so I salute them.”
In the two years that Lanier was on the shorts programming
team, the women-to-men ratio of directors on local films was
basically equal, but Lanier said she never wanted to consider
gender while making programming decisions.
“I tried to focus mostly on which shorts I enjoyed the most and
which ones I thought executed their vision the best,” Lanier said. “I
feel like programming something and saying, ‘We’re going to have
50/50 women filmmakers,’ kind of devalues what they’re making.
It’s reducing them to their gender, which is the whole thing we’re
trying to avoid.”
Megan Friend, a creative media student at The University of
Alabama, co-directed one of the many shorts that populated
Sidewalk’s 2019 lineup. It was the first time one of her films had
been accepted into the festival circuit, but she’s more than familiar
with the process of programming a festival. Friend is one of two
directors of the Black Warrior Film Festival, which takes place at
UA each spring. Black Warrior, just like Sidewalk, sports a staff of
mostly women.
30 Spring 2020

“I’m pretty happy with it,” Friend said. “It’s definitely a great
experience that can feed into getting jobs in the industry and
getting internships, so it’s awesome that this will be a way for
those women to move on to other things and hopefully rise up the
ranks.”
Friend has also been on her fair share of film sets as a student
filmmaker, serving in a variety of roles. As a junior, she’s been
working as an assistant director more and more, often with women
directors.
“A lot of the people who have mentored me in the years above
me in film school have been women,” Friend said. “And there’s
always been a big emphasis on women directors and women
directing the senior capstone films.”
It’s that push, both in and out of the classroom, that leaves
Friend hopeful for her post-graduation prospects.
“I am optimistic as someone in college who wants to work in
film, in development and writing,” Friend said. “I feel like there’s
definitely a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm to find those
women voices.”
As for Newcomb, she’s found a community of people who
have that energy to elevate women voices in the South. Years of
oppression have instilled a deep-rooted fear in southern women,
Newcomb said, and that fear is becoming fuel for their creative
endeavors. Newcomb has seen her friends and family channel that
fear, but she’s also seen it within herself.
“Growing up as a little girl, a little weird kid in the South, you’re
not always given the spaces you need to explore your perspective,”
Newcomb said. “It’s very easy to just conform to what is accepted,
and that happens on such a subconscious level. Only recently have
I been able to wrap my brain around that.”
What comes next, Newcomb said, is self-expression born of “all
of the -pressions: suppression, repression, oppression.”
But self-expression is one thing. Exposure is another.
In 2018 and 2019, high profile film festivals in the United States
programmed almost twice as many films directed by men than
those directed by women, according to a study sponsored by the
Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film.
“The mantra has become, ‘Just make your film,’ because it
should be easy,” Newcomb said. “But we’re having to look at all of
the spaces and statistics and figure out why it’s so hard for certain
people to make their movies. And it’s not just making them.
Anyone could cash out their credit card and ask all their friends
and learn how to crowdfund, but it’s also about how those films
get seen.”
That’s where smaller festivals like Black Warrior and Sidewalk
come in.
Sidewalk plans to host their first-ever Women in Film Week in
the middle of March. Lanier looks forward to seeing how patrons
respond but notes that all of Sidewalk’s programming is far from
what “a programming team of all dudes would” put together,
though she said that “it’s hard to quantify.”
Black Warrior, which focuses on student films, programmed 15
women-directed films out of the 36 total films programmed this
year.
As long as women continue to be even less represented in
big budget projects, it’s crucial that they find equal footing in
independent film. Of the 1,300 top grossing films from 2007-2019,
only 4.8 percent of directors were women, according
to a study from the Annenberg Foundation.
Regardless of the numbers, Newcomb feels that
there is a change coming. It’s just one that not everybody
is ready to recognize.
“I think it’s a very exciting time,” Newcomb said. “We
just still have to forge forward and keep doing what we know
is right, even though the Oscars or certain things that we’ve
held up on a pedestal for a long time don’t represent the change
that we feel and know needs to happen.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for their
part, didn’t nominate a single woman director for an Oscar in
2019. It was a choice that snubbed countless films, notably Lulu
Wang’s The Farewell, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, Alma Har’el’s
Honey Boy and Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers.
Lanier might have been disappointed, but she’s already given
up on the annual awards ceremony. After yet another anonymous
Academy member came forward with her thoughts on who
should win which awards, any remaining respect Lanier had for
the ceremony flew out the window. In February, the offending
Academy member said that Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A
Time… In Hollywood should have won nearly every award it was
nominated for and admitted to having not watched any of the
nominated documentary or animated shorts.
Lanier was disappointed, she said, but “it’s hard to degrade an
already corrupt and pointless process.”
Friend has also learned that awards season is not to be trusted.
Though she looked forward to the Oscars as a high school student,
further education in the creative media department has changed
her views.
“I’ve grown to really not care at all… after a couple of years of
not understanding their decisions, their nominations, and being
kind of frustrated with it, talking to my professors about it and
just realizing how much power is held by that voting body and
the people who happen to be in that voting body … ,” Friend said.
“While some great films win, [films] that are of great quality, I
don’t really correlate winning best picture to actually being best
movie of the year.”
The only woman to win the Best Director trophy at the Oscars is
Kathryn Bigelow, for The Hurt Locker, who won in 2010. She was
only the fourth female nominee. Since then, the Academy has only
nominated one additional woman in the category.
But Newcomb’s reality doesn’t really mesh with the maledominated
image of the film industry that the Academy promotes.
She’s more concerned with looking forward to a future where the
southern film community has solidified into a robust industry with
women and men equally at its helm.
“We’re ready to do big stuff,” Newcomb said. “Sometimes the
limitations of the area as far as it not being an established industry
keep people back. But there are some really great creatives here,
and I’m excited to see what we all make.”
Spring 2020 31

32 Spring 2020
F
or Atlanta Dream Head Coach, Nicki Collen, nothing is a
given. Collen was an assistant coach from 2001 until 2018
when she finally got her opportunity to be the face of a
team. In her first season after initial struggles, the Dream
took the WNBA by storm and finished 23-9 as the No. 1 seed in the
Eastern Conference.
“We walked into my first season and really changed the roster
over to some degree,” Collen said. “ [The team] had something to
prove to me, I had something to prove to them, and I think we
played with a chip on our shoulder.”
The next season was not so successful. The team couldn’t get
out of the midseason lull and missed the playoffs entirely. There’s
a whole new outlook for this upcoming year for both Collen and
the team. She wants to reset the mentality of her players.

“I think [last year] we got a little comfortable because our roster
was almost the same from one year to the next,” Collen said. “I
learned more about leadership in a year of losing than I did in a
year when we were winning. Nothing is given. You earn everything,
day by day, possession by possession.”
Collen isn’t looking to bounce from this new coaching job very
quickly. After losing her sister to a battle with cancer five years
ago, she is focused on the here and now.
The game is what Collen truly loves. Coming from an engineering
background in college, she loves the way basketball can be a chess
match. Trying to take down an opponent and manipulate their
weakness is what she obsesses over. Realistically, Collen wants to
follow trendsetters like Becky Hammond, an assistant coach of the
San Antonio Spurs.
“I’ve been around the NBA enough now through the [Atlanta
Hawks] to know that [coaching in the NBA] might be more of a
long-term goal of mine than I would’ve ever thought,” Collen said.
“There was a time when women didn’t coach in the NBA, so you
don’t think it’s a possibility. What I do is the same as what Lloyd
Pierce (Atlanta Hawks Head Coach) does. He just does it a little
bit different, and he has more resources, coaches, facilities and all
these things. But when you talk about basketball or breaking the
game down, we’re all coaching the same thing.”
Although coaching jobs were originally given to men, women
are finally getting their shot as the WNBA has been at the forefront
of the women’s rights movement. But she still has goals for the
women that follow behind her in the WNBA.
“What I would love to see is us, as a league and society, finding
ways to continue to push women, former players who have played
at the highest level, who then have the opportunity to get in at the
ground level and work their way up,” Collen said. “I think there
has to be a bit of a grassroots movement to continue to empower
women in coaching to stay in the coaching profession. ”
Collen wants to see women take advantage of all the
opportunities that are given to them. She loves being a part of a
movement and working towards a better future for women as a
collective.
“I just would love to see continued growth,” Collen said.
“I’m someone that worked my way up in the college game, who
coached at a lot of different levels. I truly believe in outworking
and outperforming people for opportunity and not being given
opportunity that’s not deserved, but I think it’s finding ways
to continue to give people opportunities so that they can get
that experience, they can get to the point where they’re going to
outperform, outthink, outwork their opposition.”
Spring 2020 33

IF YOU LIKE
BY SOPHIA SURRETT
Game of Thrones
The Witcher
If you like gory, science fiction and have
indulged in the eight seasons of the wellworshiped
Game of Thrones, also known
as “GOT,” the new Netflix show The
Witcher is here for you. This high-action,
fantasy drama of mystical, middle ages,
starring Henry Cavill, will draw you into
its perfect, twisted plot. If you like cliffhangers
that have you sitting on the edge
of your seat, this show is IT.
Grey’s Anatomy
Private Practice
If you are “basic” and have watched the
medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, you will
like the spin-off Private Practice. The show
centers on the employees and patients of a
public clinic in Los Angeles. Spoiler Alert:
Addison Montgomery is the star of Private
Practice. Many of you will recognize her
as Grey’s Anatomy heartthrob Derek
Shepherd’s ex wife. Drama, am I right?
Login to Netflix and start your next bingewatch
ASAP.
34
Spring 2020

THIS, TRY THIS
Bachelor
Love Island
If you are a drama fiend with a Bachelor
Nation obsession, you have to watch
the British reality dating series Love
Island. With the same concept as the ABC
original, young singles are thrown into
an extravagant vacation with hopes of
finding “the one.” The biggest difference is
Love Island contestants get the chance of
winning $50,000 at the end of the season
if they win over the public.
Sherlock
Lucifer
If you are a fellow crime junkie and have
enjoyed all four series of Sherlock for
its unique perspective, join in watching
Lucifer. The devil himself opens a
nightclub and connects with a homicide
detective to solve crimes. Ring any bells?
Both of these shows capture the pure love
for solving crimes and catching the bad
guys.
Spring 2020 35

This is Us
Big Little Lies
If you love to cry and find yourself getting
way too invested in the lives of fictional
families, like the Pearsons from This Is
Us, Big Little Lies is the next move. The
murder mystery is not what you think. The
wealthy women of Monterey, California
battle individual hardships in their
families, but despite this are able to come
together, showing great strength in the
midst of tragedy. Sound familiar?
Pretty Little Liars
You
I’m calling all my teen drama fans out
there that fell in love with the mysteryfilled
series Pretty Little Liars. The new
thriller You has taken over social media
and has many viewers binging both
seasons in a matter of days. If you are a fan
of anticipation and the unexpected, You’s
twisted storyline will keep you up until
the wee hours of the morning, wanting to
know what happens next.
Atypical
Sex Education
If you loved Atypical, then you will love
Sex Education. These two shows are both
coming-of-age stories, centered on teens
finding out who they are. Much like college
students, these kids are trying to figure out
their lives, who they want to be, and who
they are now.
36
Spring 2020

Shameless The End of the
F***ing World
If you are the type of person who loves dark
comedy and enjoyed binging Shameless,
you definitely have to watch The End of
the F***ing World. The Netflix dramedy
is about a young “psychopath” and a
rebellious girl trying to find their place in
the world after escaping their small town.
The dysfunctional family of Shameless and
the rebellious adventure the pair embark
on evoke the same emotions, which create
a great watch.
Modern Family
Grownish
If you’ve ever dipped a toe into the world of
sitcoms, you’ve definitely heard of Modern
Family. The comedy shows us both the
laughs and struggles of family, much like
the show Grownish. Grownish is a spinoff
of Blackish, that airs on Freeform,
which follows a young college student who
is conquering adulthood.
The Fosters
Party of Five
Who doesn’t love family drama (as long
as it’s not ours)? If you’ve watched the
Freeform original, The Fosters, the
network has a new show for you. Party
of Five is the new show that’s pulling
everyone’s heartstrings. Much like The
Fosters kept everyone on their toes with
heartbreaking twists, Party of Five does
not disappoint in the soul-crushing
category. Don’t put your box of tissues up
just yet. Party of Five is waiting for you.
Spring 2020 37

38 Spring 2020

LIFESTYLE
40
42
44
48
50
CHRONIC ILLNESS IN COLLEGE
TRAVEL BUDGET TIPS
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
AN OPEN LINE FOR LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS
SCARRED
Spring 2020 39

CHRONIC ILLNESS
F
or the average student, college can be hard. It’s a
complete 180 to everything you’ve ever known, and
starting over can cause a lot of added stress on top of
everything else you deal with as a college student. A
trigger for breakouts, breakdowns and break-ups, stress revolves
around a college student like the earth revolves around the sun.
Yet for some, like myself, stress can trigger something else: a
Chronic Illness flare-up.
“I try to occupy myself and my mind with something, so I
can distract myself from things that might stress me out,” said
Tayge Molino, a freshman at Messiah College who was diagnosed
with Crohn’s disease at the early age of 11. Crohn’s disease is an
inflammatory bowel disease, that can affect people in different
areas of their digestive tract. It causes inflammation, which can
lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss.
It affects less than 800,000 people in the U.S., according to the
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
“I’ve had two flare-ups since coming to college,” Molino said.
“They were tough to deal with, because it was up to me to deal with
it. Mostly, I made sure to stay close to a bathroom, and I laid in
bed most of the time. My disease does not really limit me on doing
other activities as long as I’m not having a flare-up.”
Flare-ups in most chronic illnesses can be sporadic, but if
you’ve been diagnosed for a while, you might be able to recognize
warning signs of an attack. For some, that’s not always the case.
Jamie Ankney, who was diagnosed with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
(CVS) in 2008, spoke about how her illness caused her to drop out
of college.
“When I was attending school, my disease was in the form of
migraines, which has been proven to precede CVS,” Ankney said.
“I ended up missing so much school that I had to drop out and
never recovered enough to go back.”
CVS is an uncommon disorder affecting both children and
adults that is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea
and vomiting. This alternating pattern of disease and disease-free
periods distinguishes CVS from other gastrointestinal disorders.
“The biggest consequence for CVS is severe dehydration,”
Ankney said. “I’ve been in the hospital many times with acute
kidney injury because of it.”
The cause of CVS has not been found yet, thus making the
ability to prevent flare-ups very hard. When it comes to living
on your own and being alone for the first time, it’s scary enough
to be complete strangers with a roommate, much less room with
someone and have them take care of you when you have an attack.
“The biggest concern is for someone who suffers CVS but
doesn’t live with anyone to monitor them and make them go to
the hospital when it gets really bad,” she said. With only constant
40
Spring 2020

IN COLLEGE BY JENNAFER BOWMAN
prescription medication and hospital grade drugs to help calm an
attack, it becomes difficult to stick to long-term commitments, like
college.
“I could say yes to showing up somewhere, and really want to
show up, but if I woke up and was sick, all bets were off,” Ankney
said. This could lead to those with chronic illnesses feeling left out
because of their illness. One of the main components of college is
networking and getting to know others, which can feel impossible
for someone who is sick all the time. This can isolate anyone, not
just those with chronic illnesses.
Sometimes the stress of college, or just stress in general, can
cause other health conditions that are equally as vicious as a
chronic illness. Morgan, a freshman at The University of Alabama
who asked that her full name not be used, found herself having
severe stomach pain and no appetite. When she went to the
doctor in late June, they found she had stomach ulcers due to
stress.
“In the beginning, it was hard because it can happen whenever,
but living on my own, I’ve learned to keep my emotions down but
also relax and isolate myself from time to time to avoid random
flare-ups,” she said.
Classes, friendships, and family drama can add to the constant
stress a person feels. The constant stress and demand of college
can not only hurt their physical health but also their emotional
health, due to the extra stress of their illnesses.
“I can be distracted and my flare-ups can randomly occur,”
Morgan said. “I try to keep my composure when things get hard.
I don’t think I do anything differently. I mean everyone needs an
emotional break every once in a while.”
For me, I don’t think about my illness. At the age of 8, I was
diagnosed with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, something that affects
my life every day, but I choose to not let it hold me back. I take
my medicine, I go through my routine, but I don’t limit myself on
activities or workloads thinking about a flare-up. I have my bad
days, which result in hospital visits and IV fluids, but the next day,
if I wake up before noon, I continue on. But most of my days are
good. I’m healthy and happy. I have a support system if I do get
sick, and I know how to take care of myself, which was a major
concern of my parents when they sent me away to college. Living
with a chronic illness isn’t a crushing weight I have over my head,
it’s a part of me.
Having a chronic illness is a challenge in itself but with the
added stress of everything college entails, it can be a nightmare.
Those with chronic illnesses might not look sick and might not tell
you they’re sick. Just because they suffer, doesn’t mean they should
suffer alone. With support from friends and family, their flare-ups
can be easier and their time in college can be less stressful.
Spring 2020 41

THE STRESS
FOR SUCCESS
BY JEFFREY KELLY
42 Spring 2020

I
f you pulled out your laptop right now and looked up “how to
be successful while in college,” you’d get 29 pages of articles
by so-called experts listing strategic plans that, if followed to
a “T,” end in instant success. Sadly, it’s not that easy.
“I think success is kind of something everyone has to define for
themselves, but for me, it’s just that I’m consistently accomplishing
my goals,” said Mallory Maza, a junior double majoring in biology
and political science at The University of Alabama.
“To me, it’s just being able to do something that I am happy to
do,” said Carey Hodovanich, a junior double majoring in math and
dance at UA.
No matter what success may look like to you, it takes time to
achieve, and not every path to it is linear.
Take Tiffany Haddish, for example. Before she was snatching
trophies and making history as the first African-American standup
comedian to host Saturday Night Live, Haddish was homeless
and living in her car. It wasn’t until she got a little help from
comedian Kevin Hart that she started to see success in her career.
Her big break in entertainment didn’t come until she was cast in
the 2017 box office hit Girls Trip. The film made over 100 million
dollars and solidified Haddish as one to watch.
Now at 40, Haddish has become a household name, covering a
plethora of magazines including Times, W, and Glamour, writing
a New York Times bestselling autobiography, and starring in her
own comedy special on Netflix called Black Mitzvah and the TV
series The Last OG alongside Tracy Morgan.
While fundamentally we all know that it takes time to be
successful, in a society dominated by social media, millennials
have been subjected to the influx of “influencers,” like Loran
Gray, Emma Chamberlain, Tana Mongeau and Jake Paul, who
miraculously seem to become viral sensations and garner a level of
wealth and fame so quickly that many are left wondering how and
why it hasn’t happened to them.
College students’ aspirations have become unachievable,
not because the goals themselves are unattainable, but because
the time frame in which they seek to achieve them is simply
unrealistic. They begin to rank their success in correlation with
others, thus creating short-term timelines for accomplishing
lifelong achievements while still in their 20s.
That isn’t to say that amazing achievements can’t be made in
your 20s; Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Zendaya, Andrew Kozlovski
and many more would beg to differ. The only difference is we see
these successes through a social media lens narrowing our views
to the wonderful outcomes and not the months of struggle and
hardship behind said success.
Without taking how arduous and long the journey to success
may be into consideration, millennials have begun to develop
unrealistic and unhealthy expectations for success.
“I believe when we hold kind of those hardline expectations for
ourselves that [it] really sets us up for failure and disappointment,
because rarely does life go the way we expect it to,” said Greg
Vander Wal, executive director of The University of Alabama’s
counseling center. “It can lead to perfectionism. It can lead to
disappointment, which can contribute to more anxiety or feeling
down and having things like depression.”
According to the American Institute of Stress, the U.S. Census
Bureau reported that in 2017, of the 18 million students enrolled
in college in the U.S., nearly three out of four students have
experienced a sense of “overwhelming anxiety” at some point.
Adulthood is already stressful enough. As college students are
somehow expected to juggle full course loads, extracurriculars,
and, for some, part-time or full-time jobs. However, the added
stress of achieving success early on puts a strain on making quick
and substansial progress in their personal or professional lives.
“I think a lot of the times anxiety rises out a situation when we
feel threatened, when we feel like something is in jeopardy, and
oftentimes with anxiety, that’s about future possibilities, things
that we feel like we have to accomplish and aren’t accomplishing
or it’s not going the way we thought it would,” Vander Wal said.
Success is different for everyone, but it is apparent that success
doesn’t equate to much if you’re always overwhelmed and unhappy.
“I think everyone thinks that they need to have a husband, a
baby, and a house by like 24 or 30, and by like 30, if people aren’t
married, they really start stressing out,” Maza said.
Hodovanich said she admires her mother’s contentment in her
career. After receiving her undergraduate degree and a law degree,
her mother decided that she was much happier being a substitute
teacher.
Vander Wal said flexibility and self-compassion in situations
where things go wrong is important.
“I think sometimes we think we have to be in control of things
we ultimately can’t be, and learning to accept that can be helpful,”
Vander Wal said.
Spring 2020 43

TRAVEL
BUDGET TIPS
BY JULIA SERVICE
W
hether you’re hoping to spend fall break in
New Orleans, next spring break in Barcelona
or maybe a semester abroad in Paris, planning
trips like these usally revolve around one thing –
money. How much will gas cost? What about plane tickets?
Is it cheaper to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb? These tips on
saving money when you travel will hopefully help you cut
some corners and save money that can go towards funding
the more important things of life, like your next adventure.
44
Spring 2020

Craft a budget
Without setting a limit for yourself
ahead of time, your spending can
add up quickly between dining
out, that extra drink with dinner,
souvenirs, and tours. A budget
can help you be more conscious
on how much you’re spending
and what exactly you’re spending
your money on. Caitlyn Hughes,
a junior nursing major at The
University of Alabama, always sets
a maximum amount that she can
spend on certain things, like no
more than $40 for a meal or $700
for a plane ticket. Hughes finds
this practice beneficial because
it keeps her from “getting ripped
off” and spending all of her money
all at once.
Pack your own
food
Before Celia O’Bryan, a junior at
Hope College, left for a weekend
trip to Paris during her semester
abroad, she made sure to pack
multiple peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches to limit how much
she’d have to spend on food. With
most Airbnb’s and hostels you’ll
have access to a kitchen, and
some hotels have mini fridges
in the rooms, so you can store
premade food or stock up on some
cheap and easy groceries like
sandwich ingredients to cut down
on expenses. Depending on your
hotel or hostel, they might also
provide free breakfast.
Stay in a hostel
When traveling in Morocco,
University of Alabama junior
Brooke Tuthill, an international
studies major, stayed in hostels
that averaged around $10 a
night, which was much cheaper
than staying at a hotel. Tuthill
said that as long as you do some
research, you should be able
to find “a decently nice hostel
for fairly cheap.” Hostelworld
and Hostelbookers are great
resources for finding hostels, and
both have rating systems that
include an overall score as well
as a breakdown of categories like
cleanliness, safety and location.
There are also reviews that you
can read before booking. If the
idea of sharing a room full of
bunk beds with mixed genders
makes you uneasy, some hostels
do provide female-only rooms and
single rooms. Don’t forget to bring
your own lock (or two) for the
storage lockers.
Websites for
cheap flights
Websites such as Skyscanner,
Student Universe, and even
Google Flights can find the
cheapest flights and compare
them for you. Kennedy Toomey,
a computer science major at The
University of Alabama, used Kiwi
to catch a flight from Barcelona
to Dublin, then from Dublin to
London while she was studying
abroad in Spain. She liked Kiwi
because it checked her into her
flights when it was time and sent
her the e-ticket. If you’re not ready
to make the purchase yet, you can
sign up to receive notifications
if the prices change. If you have
flexibility with the dates you
can travel, then you’ll be able to
find that the flights can get even
cheaper.
Spring 2020 45

Pack light
Depending on how long your trip
is, you might be able to get away
with just a carry on if you plan
on flying, which saves you from
paying money to check your bag.
Packing versatile clothes, like a
few blouses that can be paired
with different pants or skirts and
a jacket to layer over, can help
take up less space than seven
shirts that can only be worn with
certain pairs of jeans. This is the
perfect time to try that capsule
wardrobe that keeps popping up
on your Pinterest dashboard.
Utilize public
transportation
When I took a taxi from the
Dublin Airport to the apartment
eight miles away where I’d be
staying during my semester
abroad, it cost 38 euros. The bus
that runs every 10 minutes from
the airport to the city center
costs 6 euros. If you do research
beforehand, you can determine
what bus routes or tram will get
you where you need to go for
much cheaper than a taxi.
Stray off the
beaten path
It’s no secret that popular travel
destinations are full of tourist
traps that will make you pay
double what an item is actually
worth. Take a moment to step
outside the tourist area, and
you’ll spend less money when
you do. In Vienna, people line up
(or queue, as they say) outside
of Cafe Sacher to try the famous
Sachertorte cake; but at a cafe
two blocks away, you can get
Sachertorte for half of the price
of Cafe Sacher. It’s important to
keep safety in mind so you don’t
end up wandering around in a
neighborhood that you probably
shouldn’t. Looking up some
places beforehand and reading
reviews can help reduce this risk.
Don’t underestimate
a dollar
A sophomore at the University
of Iowa, April Bannister
recommends to pay in cash
instead of with a credit card to
be more conscious of how much
you’re spending. “That’s what my
dad always does,” she said with a
laugh. When you can physically
see the loss of your money from
your wallet, you might think
twice about paying for that latte
when there’s a Keurig back at
your Airbnb.
It can be scary at the end of a trip when you check your bank account and scroll through withdrawal after
withdrawal. Hopefully applying these tips will prevent the dreaded post-trip bank account check from being
quite so cringeworthy.
46
Spring 2020

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Spring 2020 47

BY EMILY BENITO
I
f you’re in one, you know long-distance
relationships can be difficult. It doesn’t
matter if it is a high school sweetheart or a
long-term relationship across state lines.
How do we keep them from going up in flames?
Good communication.
When someone says communication isn’t the
most important thing in a relationship, they are
lying to you. Communication can become harder the
farther away you are from your significant other. All
relationships, both platonic and romantic, require
good communication.
“Communication in general is such a huge thing,”
said Molly Zariello, a freshman at The University
of Alabama. “Being able to openly communicate
definitely makes a really big difference in a
relationship.”
Lauren Chestnut, a finance and economics major
and sophomore at The University of Alabama,
points out that when you are in the same place as
someone it is easier to see them, which is why you
need to ensure you make time for your significant
other despite the miles between you.
“You have to make sure that you’re putting in
the same amount of time and effort as you would for
a non-long distance relationship,” Chestnut said.
We live in a era where technology can help us
stay in contact with those we care about, and, as
Chestnut pointed out, it is all about the effort. The
best plan of action? Set up a time every week to
find a few moments to have face-to-face interaction
with your significant other, through mediums
48 Spring 2020

such as Facetime or Google Duo. This creates a
sense of stability even from far away and a sense
of importance. Setting time aside for someone can
help them feel like they matter. If you’re dating
someone, they should matter. Zarriello says that
phone calls while you are going about your day lets
your significant other know that you’re thinking of
them.
When you feel that your life is getting busy, and
you can’t make time for your partner, be honest
and tell them. Sometimes you might feel like the
relationship is too much to handle. Balancing
a relationship, school, work, and friendships is
difficult. Remind your partner if you’re going to
be busy. If your mood changes and affects them,
they will know why. Communication is the key
to maintaining a healthy long-term relationship.
“Even if you guys have an off week, it’s not an off
life, it’s just an off week,” said Madaline Adams, a
freshman at UA.
Long distance is hard, but that doesn’t mean it has
to be impossible. Making someone feel important
sometimes only takes a few texts or a short phone
call. The amount of time and energy you put into a
relationship makes a major difference. It may not
be the same as cuddling together watching a movie,
but effort is effort, and it’ll pay off in the end. If you
do have an off week or day, just remember that it
doesn’t mean that your relationship is crashing
and burning. It may simply be a sign you need to
communicate more effectively with your partner.
Communication is key.
Spring 2020 49

By Emie Garrett
50
Spring 2020

I
t was the day after the eighth-grade spring fling. The night I
spent awkwardly dancing and running away from pubescent
boys trying to grind on me and and witnessed teenagers
drinking alcohol for the first time. I tied on my best PacSun
swimsuit, extra tight to avoid any embarrassing wardrobe
malfunctions and headed out for a day in the sun with my best
friend. I was 13 and almost a whole head taller than all of the boys
my age, standing at a lanky 5-foot-10. Of course, there were things
I was insecure about, but overall, I thought I looked great and I
felt even better when my crush pulled up to the pool in a golf cart
with all of his friends. My best friend and I waved the boys over to
come sit with us. My confidence was sky-high. He was cute with a
sweet smile and had a goofy personality, and he was the only boy I
knew that was taller than me. He sat down in the chair beside me,
smiled. Then he ran his eyes quickly down my body, landing on the
thick four-inch long scar sitting right below my belly button.
“Ew. What happened to your stomach?” he said, with a grimace.
I felt my confidence instantly deflate, and the heat of
embarrassment rushed into my face as I covered the scar with my
arms. Stuttering, I tried to explain the story behind the, apparently
disgusting, mark.
A moment that likely faded from his memory long ago, would
be replayed in my mind over and over throughout the years. That
“ew” would echo in my ears long after that day at the pool when I
was 13. Every time I looked in the mirror wearing a crop top or
bikini I would hear it. I would even hear it as I excitedly tried on
prom dresses, that excitement draining from my body when I saw
the indentation of my scar through the dress. People told me that
I should be proud of the scar left from the emergency surgery that
saved my life after my appendix ruptured when I was a toddler. It
was a badge of honor, and I was a warrior, but I didn’t feel like one.
I didn’t feel proud. I felt disgusting and ashamed.
In high school, I would watch my friends, eyes green with
envy, as they pranced around in their bikinis during the summer.
Stomachs smooth and scar-less. No one was staring, or asking
them, for what felt like the hundreth time, to recite the story of
what happened. They didn’t need to wear Spanx with their prom
dresses, and they didn’t have to worry about their shirts riding up
a little. I always felt that their lives must be so much better, that my
life would be so much better without this disfigurement. Standing
in front of the mirror, I would pull at the skin on my stomach, tears
streaming down my cheeks, trying to imagine myself with smooth,
unmarked skin. I hated my body and was horribly blind to all of
my blessings. I was healthy and had a body that allowed me to
walk, and run and do anything else that I pleased.
Over the years, I have battled a love-hate relationship with
my body but especially with my scar. My feelings toward my scar
change like the weather. Some days it’s sunny and I am genuinely
okay with it. On my best days, I’m even a little proud of it. However,
some days, it pours, and the thought of anyone seeing my stomach
makes me want to burst into tears. I’ve learned that self-love and
confidence don’t come all at once. It can’t be neatly tied up with a
bow. Sometimes it’s one step forward and three steps back, and
that’s okay. As for my goofy middle school crush, those feelings
fizzled long ago, and eventually, that resounding “ew” grew quieter
and quieter until it finally fell silent. Other people haven’t paid any
mind to my scar, or maybe I just stopped paying mind to those who
can’t find the beauty in someone because of a thing so arbitrary.
I wish I could tell you the secret to being confident and loving
yourself. I wish I could take away the searing pain of the words
that people say and the stares that make you want to crawl out
of your skin. Our loved ones try to comfort us. “Just don’t listen
to them,” they say, or “Don’t pay attention to ignorant people.”
They mean well, but simply telling us not to listen does not make
the words unheard, and telling us not to pay attention does not
make us unaware of the staring eyes. These sentiments come from
a place of love, but it often feels like no one understands. For when
you are feeling low, like no one understands, like you’re ugly or
alone, I will teach you a simple trick that my mother taught me.
Growing up, whenever I’d come to my mom with a trembling chin
and eyes brimming with tears, she would sit me down and make
me name three things I liked about myself. It could be anything!
The way my hair looked that day or that I helped someone out
in class, and before I knew it I was naming way more than three
things. I would have a whole list of things that make me beautiful,
on the inside and on the outside, and it would remind me that I
am truly pretty great. Even now, when I’m feeling insecure, I try to
find three good things about myself, and as I start naming them,
the insecurities slowly begin melting away. I challenge you to try
this trick next time you are feeling insecure. I’m willing to bet that
you will find more than three things that make you amazing.
I have come to realize that we are all scarred. Some scars are
physical. Some scars are deeply emotional, but none of them are
something we should be ashamed of. My life wouldn’t be better
with a smooth tummy, and yours wouldn’t be better if you didn’t
have the things that mark you. Your scars tell a story. They tell your
story. They show that you are strong, that you have overcome great
obstacles, and that you prevailed. Your marks show that you are
a warrior, and you should be proud of that. And in case someone
hasn’t told you, you are beautiful, not in spite of your marks and
scars, but because of them.
Spring 2020 51

52
Spring 2020

FEATURES
54
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62
68
74
EVEN THE “MOM FRIEND” NEEDS A MOM FRIEND
CHATTANOOGA
STAND BESIDE HER
100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SUFFRAGE
WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR OWN OPINIONS
Spring 2020 53

54 Spring 2020
BY SAVANNAH BULLARD

I
pride myself on being the mom friend. I carry hand sanitizer
and Kleenex at all times, I’m almost always the one to start
a group chat to organize events, my planner is color-coded
to precision, and I am constantly worried about whether you
(yes, even you) have eaten. My Enneagram type 2, ENFJ, type A
personality is one I hold dear to my heart, but that does not come
without consequence.
The late nights, extra errands, consistent concern and
everything in between can really take a toll on the mom friends
of the world, and we have to remember that we all have a finite
amount of mental and emotional energy. With classes, jobs,
internships, and extracurriculars already commanding most of
our time, it’s easy to allow the rest of that energy to go toward
those who need us the most.
The biggest issue I grapple with is being able to say “no.”
I mean, I get how it feels to need help from someone who can’t
deliver. It sucks. With that in mind, my mission in college has been
to be available for my friends and coworkers whenever I can, and
while that has been a fulfilling experience, it took me too long to
realize how drained that practice can make me. As a senior, I’ve
realized that my time left before moving away and becoming a
“real adult” is more valuable than ever – and severely limited. This
has led me to refigure all the ways I prioritize time, projects, and
people. This is not to say that we should all only think of ourselves,
but when mental health is at stake, there is nothing wrong with
being a little selfish.
The most difficult of all, though, is confronting someone
who is vulnerable enough to approach me for help and deliver
disappointing news that affects them directly. It kills me every
time, but the worst of all is when I tell someone “no” simply
because I want to stay in my room and get some rest.
“Why am I being so lazy?”
“What’s one more thing on my plate?”
“I’m going to make someone so upset by this.”
“I feel like a failure of a friend.”
It’s time to put an end to these toxic thoughts and remind
ourselves that our first priority should always be our own mental
health. Consider it as a favor you’re doing for yourself. If you do not
take care of your mind, body and spirit, how can you be expected
to be there for others?
Keeping this in mind, when I’m feeling particularly down, I
have a short list of things I can do for my own mental well-being
that help get me back on track:
Treat myself to brunch
Call a trusted mentor
Read a few chapters of a book
Take a walk outdoors
Check small, minor tasks off my to-do list
Cry
Granted, everyone’s “well-being list” may look much
different, but no matter what it takes, budgeting time to take care
of yourself is imperative for your mental health. And for those
who find themselves constantly relying on the mom friends of
their respective groups, consider reaching out to those friends and
asking them how they are. Remember that mom friends, much
like our actual moms, are not superhuman. Mom friends need time
alone and the chance to have off-days too. They can get grumpy,
lay in bed all day, eat unhealthily, and put off responsibilities just
like the rest of the world.
Not everyone can lead a perfect, put-together life. I know
I sure don’t. But, in those periods of weakness, it’s important to
remember that we all need grace. So for all the gals out there who
may be going through it right now: Don’t panic. Make a list, drink
some coffee, tighten your scrunchie, and take a breath. We’re
going to be okay.
Spring 2020 55

Join the Alice team as we explore some
of Chattanooga’s most photogenic
hotspots, including the Walnut Street
Bridge, Tennessee Riverwalk and the
Chattanooga Choo Choo.
56 Spring 2020

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Photos courtesy of Jade Hewitt,
USA Softball
62
Spring 2020

STAND
BESIDE
BY MEG MCGUIRE
“STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER
THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE”
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics draw near, these century-old words
have been adopted by a team of 18 women. With cleated feet ready
to step onto foreign soil, these Olympians have one question for
the nation whose name they wear proudly on their chests:
“WILL YOU STAND BESIDE HER?”
I
n preparation to quite literally take on the world, the “Stand
Beside Her” Tour offered the USA Softball Women’s National
Team (WNT) the opportunity to train and compete across
the country. While the tour sought to rally the nation behind
Team USA, the mission hit a bit closer to home plate. According to
a statement released by USA Softball, the tour “evokes a powerful
message of unity aimed to inspire communities to stand beside her
- the members of the WNT, America and the future generation of
female athletes.”
Because softball is making its first Olympic appearance since
2008, and not returning for the 2024 Paris Games, those on the
USA Softball Olympic roster are not guaranteed another shot to
play at this level. As coronavirus (COVID-19) began to sink its
teeth into the sports world, canceling monumental events like
NCAA March Madness, the stakes got that much higher.
With tour stops beginning this past February in Tampa, Florida,
the team began making its way from sea to shining sea, competing
against college teams, training in specialized facilities, and hosting
clinics for local youth softball programs in efforts to empower
female athletes. As the U.S. begins to take further precautionary
measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, each tour stop is
now plagued with question marks.
For Haylie McCleney, an outfielder, there was one particular
canceled tour stop that was to represent a homecoming of Olympic
proportions.
McCleney graduated from The University of Alabama in 2016.
While there, she played in the outfield for Alabama Softball,
achieving an impressive portfolio of athletic and academic honors,
finishing as “one of the most decorated student-athletes in
program history.” She ended her collegiate career as the program’s
all-time leader in batting average (.447), a four-time All-American,
Spring 2020 63

64 Spring 2020

and only the third player to be recognized as a two-time Academic
All-American Team Member of the Year award winner since its
inception, just to name a few. Yet, the foundation for this arsenal
of accomplishments was laid long before her nights in Rhoads
Stadium.
McCleney is a native of Morris, Alabama, a town with a
population of just 2,000, meaning that her alma mater’s home
stadium has more seats than her hometown has people. As a selfproclaimed
“old soul,” she enjoys retro tunes and slow mornings.
She said her mom claims that raising her was like raising a
35-year-old woman. Growing up with two younger brothers meant
that she spent her childhood afternoons romping around the
neighborhood with their friends. The competitive spirit and grit
that she attributes to much of her success was acquired through
wiffle ball tournaments and backyard basketball. She quickly
learned how to hold her own as the posse’s leading lady.
“I refuse to be denied,” McCleney said.
As a “traditional ballpark family,” McCleney jokingly explained
that there was no such thing as a civil game night in her household.
The desire to win was in her blood. With her father being a former
baseball player at Samford University and her brothers playing
sports as well, any organized form of competition was quite simply
a recipe for disaster.
Walker McCleney, the oldest of her brothers, is a senior at The
University of Alabama and plays in the outfield for the baseball
team. He believes this level of rivalry defined the close relationship
the McCleney siblings have. Despite their competitive nature, they
are each other’s biggest fans. Reflecting on their younger years, he
said:
“Even though ‘she was a girl,’ I never took it easy on her, and
she definitely didn’t take it easy on me,” he said. “She pushes me
to be better, and I believe I push her to be better; but in all that
competition against each other, we still want to see each other
succeed, and I’m beyond proud of what Haylie has done.”
Her youngest brother, Garrison, agreed.
“The way that she carries herself on and off the field is amazing,”
he said. “I truly look up to her and how she handles herself when
things don’t go her way.”
As a collegiate athlete, McCleney spent her fall and spring
semesters devoted to The University of Alabama. Yet summertime
introduced the opportunity to play in the international league.
From her sophomore year onward, McCleney represented the U.S.
on the WNT. She said this transition required her to redefine what
it meant to perform to a standard of excellence. She equated it to
moving from the minor leagues to the major leagues in professional
baseball.
“I quickly realized that even though international [soft]ball
wasn’t as heavily covered by the media, it was an entirely different
level,” McCleney said, comparing her international and collegiate
experiences.
“I went from playing against 18 to 22 year-olds to playing
against 28 to 35 year-olds at the drop of a hat,” she said.
While the physical aspects between the two divisions were
comparable, it was the mental shift that proved to be the greatest
challenge. McCleney said she became more in-tune to the
“intricacies” of softball, forcing her to engage in a higher level of
thinking about the game.
The process, though grueling, proved to be worthwhile. The
national team won world championships in 2016 and then again
in Japan in 2018.
With softball’s Olympic presence being historically limited,
McCleney had assumed that playing in college and making the
national team would be the pinnacle of her softball experience;
but on the morning of October 6, 2019, she found herself posted
up in front of her laptop waiting on the official USA Softball
Olympic Roster to drop into her inbox. Jittery with anticipation
and excessive coffee consumption, she facetimed her now fiancée
and reluctantly opened the email.
It was official. McCleney would be returning to Japan, this time
as an Olympian.
After a call to her parents, who had to sneak out of their Sunday
school class to hear the news, McCleney attended her first team
meeting and embarked on the training regimen that would pave
the road to the six games the team would play in Tokyo 2020.
Being recruited to the Olympic team required yet another
mentality shift. Softball was not just a past-time or a passion
anymore. It was her job. McCleney said the key differentiator
between an athlete and an Olympian was his or her priorities. Her
decisions now mattered on a global scale. An ocean away, there
were athletes working just as diligently as she was. This means that
she often has to sacrifice leisure for the sake of self-improvement.
Saying “yes” to a night out with friends is, in-turn, saying “no” to
getting more time in the batting cages.
“My priority right now is Tokyo,” McCleney said. “You kind
of have to sacrifice some of those things if you really want to be
the best, because I’m not the only one doing it. My teammates
aren’t the only ones doing it. Canada’s doing it. Japan’s doing it.
Australia’s doing it. Mexico’s doing it. Italy’s doing it …”
“You’ve got to find that edge and really have to look in the
mirror every single day and [ask yourself], ‘Did I do something to
help get that gold medal around my neck?’ And if I didn’t, that’s a
problem.”
As July approaches, the uncertainty of softball’s Olympic future
spurs her onward. However, it is her faith, the “gentle guidance and
gentle correction” from the people in her corner and intentional
moments of silence and solitude that keep her centered.
Apart from the members of her family, McCleney said that
University of Alabama Head Softball Coach Patrick Murphy has
been the most influential person in her life. She said the entire
program staff were instrumental in coaching her into being not
only a better athlete, but a better woman.
“They go above and beyond for the person that you are, not the
player that you are,” McCleney said.
She said that the greatest lesson she learned during her time
Spring 2020 65

at the university was that no one role on a team is any more
significant than any other role. Every ring, medal, and trophy is
the same size. It’s about coming together as a unit for a common
goal. She said this mantra has manifested itself across all facets of
her life, beyond the realms of softball.
When asked to share the highlight from her collegiate career,
McCleney is quick to reminisce on a 2015 game-winning grand
slam made by infielder Marisa Runyon that earned Alabama a spot
in the Women’s College World Series. When this play was made,
McCleney was in the dugout.
Coach Patrick Murphy recalls the post-game interview in which
McCleney deemed her teammate’s success the peak of her time in
the program. He said he still gets chills thinking about it. It was a
testament to who she was both as a leader and a team player.
“At the end of my career I want to say, ‘I was your best teammate
and your hardest worker,’” McCleney said. “If I can say those two
things, and be a combination of those two things, I’m going to be
fine with that being my legacy.”
The coaching staff for USA Softball were quick to notice that
McCleney practiced what she preached.
“Haylie wakes up in the morning and the day takes a step back,
because she brings so much zest and vigor that all around her get
sucked up by her energy,” said Women’s National Team Head
Coach Ken Eriksen. “She brings that to the ball field also. She is our
‘spark.’ The game has its best ambassador in Haylie McCleney.”
This principle is just one of many that had secured McCleney’s
opportunity to return to Rhoads Stadium as the first Alabamaborn
Olympian softball player.
Fueled by the momentous opportunity to watch McCleney
compete for Team USA against the very women following in her
footsteps, in addition to the renown loyalty of the Alabama Softball
fanbase, $52,000 in tickets were sold within the first three hours
of availability. However, on March 13, the heartbreaking decision
was made to cancel the tour stop due to the university’s COVID-
19-induced decision to cease all athletic programming for the rest
of the semester.
While the entire Tuscaloosa community had buzzed with
the excitement stimulated by yet another softball season, the
same could not be said for the sport at-large, particularly on a
professional level.
The female athlete narrative is one plagued by stigma and
struggle, regardless of global pandemics.
“All you have to do is look at Major League Baseball, and then
look at us,” McCleney said.
While the MLB’s presenting sponsorship of the “Stand Beside
Her” Tour and recent emphasis on female leadership at the
executive level are encouraging, McCleney says that she hopes to
see more intentional efforts being made to promote professional
softball.
According to USA TODAY Sports’ 2019 MLB salary survey,
MLB Salaries range from $550,000 to $35 million. After earning
her master’s degree in exercise physiology, McCleney has spent
the past two years working a full-time job as a strength and
conditioning coach at Florida A&M University on top of preparing
for her chance to make the Olympic roster.
Despite this sobering reality, McCleney believes that the “Stand
Beside Her” Tour was instrumental in showing the next generation
of female athletes that they don’t have to shy away from their
dreams. She wants these young athletes to know that “you can
keep going after college.”
“You don’t have to stop when you get your degree and
immediately go into the ‘real world,’” McCleney said. “You don’t
have to be a coach if you want to stay around the game. You can
play this game into your thirties, into your forties. Our entire
Olympic team is trying to get our sport to this point.”
McCleney hopes the tour, despite the cancellations, will help
fans see this, too, and that they will continue to support the game
of softball.
“It’s about the fan experience,” McCleney said. “[It’s] for us to
be able to see who’s standing beside us, who is standing beside the
female athlete, who is with us, who is pushing our sport forward,
who is pushing female sports as a whole forward.”
To the softball fanbase, she poses this challenge:
“Do you want to stand with us? Do you actually want to support
us? If so, get in line. Let’s all stand together, and let’s do this
together.”
As a coach, Murphy takes a personal stake in the tour’s mission,
as well, despite the university’s call to cancel.
“It’s a one-time thing,” Murphy said. “We need to play our
cards right in terms of promotions and marketing, really getting
the stars out there, like a Haylie, so people can see what a great
person she is and what a great athlete she is. Just how fun this
sport is. It’s grown and grown and grown, but this is going to be a
big boost for the entire sport.”
McCleney’s narrative boasts a cast of characters who have
answered the question “Will you stand beside her?” with a
resounding “yes.” In her story lies a microcosmic vision for female
athletes across the globe — a vision of a world in which women’s
sports are welcomed with open arms and celebrated with the pomp
and circumstance of equal wages and international recognition.
But, change takes time, and uncertainty lingers as COVID-19
continues to take its toll. Tokyo 2020’s future hangs in the balance,
but for now, USA Softball has one thing left on the agenda: winning
the gold. As sold-out stadiums now sit empty and uncertainty
threatens a life-long dream, these women can be sure of this:
“We’re standing beside each other throughout this whole
process,” McCleney said. “We’re with each other. It’s all 18 of us
against the world.”
66 Spring 2020

Spring 2020 67

YEARS OF WOMEN’S
SUFFRAGE
BY SARAH KIMBALL STEPHENSON
68 Spring 2020

The 24th Amendment is ratified by twothirds
of the states, formally abolishing
poll taxes and literacy tests which were
heavily used against African American
and poor white women and men.
Roe v. Wade SCOTUS
decision protects women’s
access to abortion.
19th Amendment is ratified,
giving women the right to
vote.
Equal Rights
Ammendment
Mississippi becomes
last state to ratify the
19th Amendment.
1920
1964
1972
1973
1984
I
t’s 2020. One hundred years ago, women had
just secured the right to vote. Since then, we
have accomplished so much in the fight for
equality, from the #MeToo movement, to the
record number of elections of women into public office.
Despite the progress we’ve made, this election year
could be a pivotal moment in the history of women’s
rights. Regardless of how far we have come over the
last 100 years, there is still work to be done. Carol
Prickett of the greater Tuscaloosa League of Women
Voters (LWV) acknowledges that.
“This anniversary happens to occur during a
very active political year, “ Prickett said, “and it can
be a catalyst to remind all citizens that, even when
things aren’t going the way you want them to, it is a
responsibility to vote and speak out.”
Anna Singer of LWV says that young women today
“need to know the history in America of voting for
women and understand that their rights have been
hard-won by the work of women.” The fight for voting
rights has been a long, tumultuous journey fraught
with tension and disagreements, but we can’t take
their sacrifices for granted.
At the Seneca Falls Convention in New York in
1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott
organized women and abolitionists around the issue of
women’s suffrage. Strides for racial equality were being
made as slavery was abolished after the Civil War, and
suffragists saw the 15th Amendment, which grants
black men the right to vote, as a gateway to liberation.
However, as the Reconstruction Era dawned
on the shattered South, tensions arose amongst
suffragists. Many white women abandoned women
of color, fearing that their rights would not be
ratified by Southern states because of remaining
racial animosity. But as Abraham Lincoln said, “A
house divided cannot stand.” This pandering to
states by denying black women their right to vote
was ineffective. Radical activists such as Alice Paul
and Ida. B Wells emerged and led demonstrations,
marches and hunger strikes. Simultaneously,
Western states such as Utah and Idaho began
granting women the right to vote.
When World War I broke out, women entered
the workforce to replace all the men who had gone
to battle, prompting President Woodrow Wilson
to acknowledge their contribution and support
women’s right to vote. With his support, the 19th
Amendment passed in Congress and was sent to be
ratified by two thirds of the states. Tennessee was
the last state to ratify the bill, and it became law on
August 20th, 1920. The last state to ratify the 19th
amendment as a law was Mississippi in 1984.
Although this was an important victory, change
did not come easily. As soon as the law passed, states
implemented Jim Crow laws such as poll taxes and
literacy tests to make it harder for women and black
citizens to cast their ballot. These policies barred
many otherwise eligible voters from the polls until
the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed.
Spring 2020 69

Shelby County v. Holder SCOTUS
decision enables states to pass
restrictive, often discriminatory
voting laws.
Dozens of states pass restrictive
abortion laws in an attempt to bring
a case to the newly conservativeleaning
Supreme Court.
Young women of color
are elected to public
office in record numbers,
including Alexandra
Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna
Pressley, Rashida Tlaib,
Ilhan Omar, and Sharice
Davids.
Women celebrate the
100-year anniversary
of winning the right to
vote.
2013 2018 2019 2020
Unfortunately, the fight is not over 55 years
later. Under the Voting Rights Act, states with
a history of discriminatory voting policy were
required to get federal approval before changing
any voting laws. In 2013, a substantial portion of
the law was gutted in the court case Shelby County
v. Holder. Immediately following that decision,
states, including Alabama, passed voter ID laws and
closed DMVs in majority black counties to prevent
citizens from attaining the identification needed
to vote. These policies continue to disenfranchise
people of color across the country.
“I have a copy of a mysterious note written by
a woman to my great-grandmother...indicating
that [she] was involved in the suffrage struggle in
Pennsylvania,” said Catherine Davies of LWV. “On
this 100th anniversary, I’m trying to carry forward
the unfinished business that my great-grandmother
helped to launch.”
Their fight should empower our generation to
keep fighting and protect voting rights for everyone.
Susan Fleming, also of LWV, sees that women of
today are persistent.
“They’re standing up in ways we haven’t seen
for decades,” Fleming said. “They are white, brown,
black, straight, gay, etc. But most of all, they’re
vocal, and they’re informed ... I encourage them to
continue and also to help empower their friends.
Don’t think you can’t make a difference — you can!”
There are numerous ways to make a difference
by fighting for policies that expand access to the
vote. Automatic voter registration is available in
many states and early voting periods allow citizens
to vote at their convenience, rather than limiting
people to a 12-hour window on one day of the
workweek.
Progressive states such as Washington have
moved their voting platforms to the digital realm.
Once registered, residents need to look no further
than the Google search bar to cast a ballot. By
advocating for these policies, we can guarantee
that women have uninhibited access to make their
voices heard.
Davies of LWV also encourages women to “elect
a diverse group of women to more leadership
positions in government so that we have a Congress
that is truly representative of our population and
their concerns.” The best way for our voices to be
heard is to use our votes to elect women to represent
the voices of the millions of women in this country
who are still unable to speak for themselves,
and who will ensure that future generations can
continue to celebrate the strides made by the
women who came before them.
70 Spring 2020

Q:What does this anniversary mean to you, personally?
CATHERINE EVANS DAVIES
ANNA SINGER
The 19th Amendment was passed when my grandmother was
a young wife and mother. My own mother was four in 1920.
Both of them were proud voters throughout their adult lives.
I have a copy of a mysterious note written by a woman to
my great-grandmother, Margaretta Evelina Ransom Smith
Yeager, indicating that Margaretta was involved in the
suffrage struggle in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
JILL STOKELY
For me the 100-year anniversary means the independence
of women and the ability to have their own lives as we all
have seen happen. I had classes in OLLI (Osher Lifelong
Learning Instute) that I taught about various women who
pushed for the right to vote, and I found them very brave,
dedicated and forward looking.
CAROL PRICKETT
This anniversary happens to occur during a very active
political year and it can be a catalyst to remind ALL citizens
that, even when things aren’t going the way you want them
to, it is a responsibility to vote and speak out.
SUSAN FLEMING
This anniversary is a celebration of women with powerful
energy. They fought long and hard for a right that should
have been a given from the beginning.
Spring 2020 71

Relating to women and the political process,
what is one thing you would tell younger women?
ANNA SINGER
They need to know the history in America of voting for
women and men, and understand that their rights have
been hard-won by the work of women, especially in the
20th century. Younger women’s rights and privileges can
still be taken away.
CATHERINE EVANS DAVIES
As someone old enough to remember what it was like before
the Griswold decision on access to birth control, and before
Roe v. Wade, I want to say to younger women that you
must never take for granted the hard-fought achievements
related to women’s rights. The arc of the moral universe
may bend toward justice, but only with constant vigilance
and effort by American women concerning their rights and
those of their fellow citizens.
JILL STOKELY
I would tell younger women that it is necessary to be
involved in the political process because very powerful
people are always wanting to take our rights away from
us and control us. An example is the abortion and birth
control conflicts. As an RN I feel it is necessary to have
control over my body. It shouldn’t be up to my husband or
the federal government to regulate what I can do or how
many children I could have. Each woman knows how many
children she can care for on the income she has.
CAROL PRICKETT
Whether or not people may wish to distance themselves
from “politics,” for whatever reasons, EVERYTHING
about daily life for them and for those they love is, in some
way, related to decisions made by elected people. Medical
services? Textbooks for school children? How fast you
can drive? Sometime, somewhere, an elected body made
decisions that set those policies or rules in place. Voting
matters!
SUSAN FLEMING
I would tell women that they must be involved! They can
choose how active they want to be, but at a minimum, they
must exercise their right to vote! It matters. A lot. And as
we’ve seen in the recent climate, young people are making
a difference. They’re standing up in ways we haven’t seen
for decades. They are white, brown, black, straight, gay, etc.
But most of all, they’re vocal, and they’re informed. They’re
speaking up for women, for climate issues, for gun control.
I encourage them to continue, and also to help empower
their friends. Don’t think you can’t make a difference — you
can!
72 Spring 2020

Where do we go from here/what is left to be done?
Women must continue to exercise their rights to vote,
run for office, and fight for the causes that mean the
most to them, whether political, social, or personal.
I think that the most important thing is to elect a diverse
group of women to more leadership positions in government
so that we have a Congress that is truly representative of
our population and their concerns.
It is simply the nature of things that the world and our
lives are never static. Each year, and every generation, we
have to update and recreate what it means for people to
be able to live their best lives. You never get to retire from
citizenship!
Because we have lived through equal rights for women and
equal pay, we have given younger women the right to have
college educations and opportunities to become CEOs of
large corporations that we didn’t see when I was young. It
seems at times that we have to continue to refight battles to
continue to move forward as equal partners.
In matters that are important to women, we have to look at
people and legislation and think about what is in our best
interest.
Spring 2020 73

BY SARAH KIMBALL STEPHENSON
Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing
it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.
— Maya Angelou
74 Spring 2020

C
ollege is intimidating. You’re away from home–a little
fish in the big ocean trying to make all new friends. But
being part of a group does not have to mean sacrificing
who you are to be liked.
A’Neshia Turner, Alice’s creative director, recalls, “I used to
be in a place where I wasn’t confident enough to have opposing
opinions from my friends, let alone like different things than
them because I always wanted to fit in.”
You don’t have to start by forming strong opinions on serious
topics. The first step can be as simple as suggesting a restaurant
for you and your friends to go to. If you feel like you’ve lost
yourself in the crowd, take time to explore hobbies and interests
of your own. Define your music taste, your favorite activity, or
your career goals. Once you feel confident in your identity, let it
shine through.
If you find yourself making concessions about your values
and beliefs just to impress people, consider that you might want
to look for more like-minded and accepting people.
Lillian Roth, a former SGA President at The University of
Alabama, acknowledges the influence of social status on young
women’s opinions.
“You may want to do what your boyfriend is doing,” Roth said,
“or what the guy you want to go to a date party with is doing, but
their choices may not be in the best interest of women.”
But really, anyone worth your time or energy will respect
that you have your own strong convictions that you are willing
to speak up about. 22-year-old Cecilia Barnard says that having
opinions lends legitimacy to who you are as a person. In fact,
being your own person and having opinions will make people
respect you more.
Let’s face it, we’re still living in a man’s world. There are only
33 female CEOs in the world that run Fortune 500 companies.
467 men and only 33 women. Women only make up 23.6
percent of the 535 members of U.S. Congress. You are going to
have conversations about controversial issues such as abortion
and gender roles and “a woman’s place.” Tuscaloosa attorney,
Sue Thompson says that women “must take the power that we
have and start using it in our own best interest.”
We must be loud and strong in our opinions so that we cannot
help but be heard.
Sharing your thoughts about the English class reading is
different than standing your ground when confronted with
someone who disagrees with you, but it starts small. You build
confidence in your beliefs when you first start to channel your
voice. These tips will hopefully help you solidify your opinions
and empower you to speak your truth in the face of a challenge.
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH:
Your parents, friends, teachers and significant
others all have opinions, but you should think
for yourself. Don’t subscribe dogmatically to one
identity just because it is familiar. Part of the college
experience is leaving the bubble you grew up in and
encountering people with diverse perspectives and
backgrounds. Read the news, watch a documentary,
and listen to people who have dealt with the issues
that matter to you.
ENGAGE ON YOUR OWN TERMS:
Once you know where you stand, start conversations
with like-minded people in order to learn why
they share your beliefs. This will deepen your
understanding of topics you are interested in and
prepare you for discussions with people who do not
see it your way.
LEARN TO DEFEND YOUR OPINION:
Read up on opinions that differ from yours. Notice
the arguments they make, and work through why
you disagree so that you won’t be caught off guard
when someone offers a convincing compromise. If
you know how they will try to weaken your position,
you will be prepared to counter their argument.
USE YOUR SIMILARITIES:
Find common ground with the opposition and
frame your case to appeal to their interests. This
demonstrates that you understand their perspective
without having to compromise your own. Humans
love to relate to each other, so this is often the most
effective way to get someone to see your side of the
story.
Spring 2020 75

76
Spring 2020

FASHION
78
82
84
86
90
GEAR UP
EAST COAST VS. WEST COAST
THAT ‘70S STYLE: VINTAGE LOOKS FOR SPRING
GNARLY ‘80S STYLES WE JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF
BANGIN’ ‘90S: FASHION FADS
Spring 2020 77

GEAR
By Rachel Stern
78
Spring 2020

F
or anyone who lives in the Southeast of the U.S., you
understand the struggles of dressing in unpredictable and
strange weather. The ‘springtime rainstorm’ can be the
most frustrating weather event for a fashionista. But no
matter the weather, be it wet or dreary, style does not need to be
sacrificed.
“I never feel pulled together on a wet and rainy day. I would
say my biggest struggle when dressing in the rain is what coat to
wear, because I hate those dull, boring raincoats,” sophomore
Amelia Marcavage said. “I’m always looking for alternatives that
don’t shout LL Bean—especially for going out!”
With this in mind, here are a few tips to hopefully help you
stay fresh and on-trend when dressing in the rain.
One of the most important pieces to have is, of course, the
raincoat. There are many styles to choose from, so it’s important
to consider your personality, along with functionality. If you are
outgoing and extroverted you might want to go for bright colors and
bold patterns. These are great options because these eye-catching
jackets make a fashion statement and speak for themselves. Pair
a bold, colorful raincoat with jeans or leggings and a plain tee —
you’re set to weather the storm. Another bold option is a clear
raincoat. The clear coat lets you show off your adorable outfit
underneath, so you never have to hide your stylish look.
For the more introverted, serious, or traditional types, the
trench coat is a great option. This is definitely a worthy investment
piece because it transcends time and can be worn over any outfit.
Flaunt a trench coat with a pair of jeans and a simple top, or play it
cool with a sweatshirt and matching joggers to be really on-trend.
If you want to stay practical and don’t have a raincoat,
leather jackets are a fashionable cheat, but be sure to grab your
umbrella.
Rainy day footwear is just as important as the rain jacket
(if not more so). Nobody likes getting their feet wet, so proper
shoes are critical for comfort. There are lots of options here so you
might want to have more than one of these in your closet. Boots
are classic for a reason, as they come in short ankle and knee-high
styles from brands like Wellies and Hunter. Knee-high styles are
extremely practical if you’re prone to splashing in puddles, as they
keep most of your leg dry. These boots come in an array of colors
from shiny black to primary colors to bold patterns. Another go-to
look is the Sperry-style lace-up boot, for a sporty look. If you want
to keep with the sneaker look, OCA makes waterproof sneakers
that won’t sacrifice your athletic style. For those who want to be
edgy and on-trend, Dr. Martens are a great investment and will
complete any outfit.
While a good raincoat will keep you dry in the rain, what
you wear underneath is instrumental in ensuring comfort and
practicality once you get out of the rain. Focus on lightweight
fabrics that dry quickly — such as athletic leggings and joggers.
Rainy weather begs for simplicity, so think black leggings and
simple tops. If leggings aren’t your thing, grab a pair of dark denim
jeans or black trousers.
Spring 2020 79

80
Spring 2020

Bags and shoes can easily make or break your outfit,
especially if you opt for more basic essentials. The perfect
bag for the rainy weather is made of waterproof materials. If
you’ve attended any SEC football game, you are sure to have
a clear bag already. These are perfect because they repel the
rain and are a fun way to accessorize. However, on windy,
intensely rainy days, handling a bag and a temperamental
umbrella can be cumbersome. The fanny pack is an excellent
option to keep your hands free so you can really hold onto
that umbrella. Belt bags are also established accessories in
the fashion industry and can be worn underneath your jacket
to shield your phone, wallet, and keys from the weather.
Spring 2020 81

.
BY SARAH PARKER MERRIMAN
82 Spring 2020

like to think fashion is open to interpretation. If you like
it, you should wear it and not care what others think.
That being said, there is a notable difference in the style
of clothing people choose to wear on the east and west
coasts. There is a casual and relaxed vibe on the west coast —
which ultimately embodies the carefree beachgoers who live
there, while style on the east coast tends to be more refined,
sleek, and put together. People living on the east coast are
inclined to wear more traditional and crisp garments that give
off a preppier attitude.
The term “laid back” came to mind easily for California
natives, Maggie Higgins and Taylor Tomko when describing
style on the west coast.
“Growing up it was always like a staple pair of high waisted
jeans and a nice white t-shirt and fun accessories and cool
sneakers,” Higgins said. “Elements of the quintessential west
coast fashion girl are ‘effortlessly cool, very casual, boho/beach
chic, and definitely in denim.’”
Tomko recognized that she dresses differently in Alabama
than she does when she goes home to Pasadena.
“I don’t bring half my closet to school because here people
wear more dressed-up and nicer clothes. At school, I wear big
t-shirts during the day sometimes, but at home I would never
do that,” Tomko said.
Taking a different approach to defining east coast style,
Caroline Crafton, an Alabama girl through and through, sees
style developing from the wearer’s current stage of life.
“I would say there is not one style but more of a generational
evolution that the east coast follows,” Crafton said.
She has observed that once one person decides something is
going to be a new trend, people will follow.
“You have to choose to go with the current or go against it.
It’s solely based on your personality and the value you place in
your appearance,” Crafton said.
Is there a noticable divide in the style on each coast? Yes.
My favorite thing about fashion is that it is always evolving—
and that style is always personal. Society compartmentalizes
by nature, but that does not mean that living in Virginia is
stopping you from looking effortless in denim and a t-shirt and
vice versa to a girl in Arizona wearing a nautical striped shirt.
Nonetheless, it is also important to remember that it should
not confine your individuality.
I
Spring 2020 83

THAT
84 Spring 2020
STYLE:
Vintage Looks for Spring
By Gabrielle Gervais and Marina Naranjo

S
ometimes we get the feeling we were born in the wrong generation, and lately,
we’ve been especially obsessed with the go-with-the-flow style from the ‘70s. Lucky
for us, there’s no time travel required to pull from this iconic decade of fashion.
From the wild and free hippie lifestyle to eclectic disco, it’s easy to see why trends
from this decade are making a comeback. As the weather warms up, these trends are just
what you need to lighten up your closet. We put together a list of authentic ‘70s looks to
help you get in the groove.
Western influences:
Bell-bottoms:
Fashion queens of the ‘70s loved adding
western inspired pieces to their closet.
Fringe jackets are a super easy way to add
a groovy spin to any outfit. We especially
love the suede jackets that were all the rage
in this decade. Pair with a simple white tee
and denim shorts for a look that’s straight
from the heart of the wild, wild west.
From the runway to the sidewalks, bellbottoms
are a closet staple that have stood
the test of time. They’re easy to dress up
with flowy blouses and boots, or you can
keep it casual with a graphic tee. Want to
really get into the hippie spirit? Add some
patches to your denim to add a unique
personal touch.
Patchwork:
Textures of the ‘70s include the famous
patchwork that emerged. Not your average
grandma’s handiwork, this style was
originally made popular by designers who
did not want to waste material and instead
started sewing pieces together! Boho
brands seem to fuel this trend and always
find a way to incorporate patchwork into
their modern designs.
Mules:
Mules so chunky you’ll want to boogie on
the dancefloor all night long! These mules
were essential shoes that transitioned from
skinny heels in the ‘70s. This era created
a sandal, sans strappy backs, allowing
the ankle to appear elongated. The block
heel was worn by both men and women
during this time, although males mostly
wore them on boots. Mules are the perfect
statement pop of color in the spring or
summer, so go grab yourself a pair.
Band tees:
What’s one thing more iconic than ‘70s
fashion? The music! There’s no better way
to rock a casual ‘70s look than to throw on
a tee from your favorite far out band. If
you’re lucky, you can find some authentic
ones from vintage shops, but if not, Urban
Outfitters has a rad selection of tees to
choose from.
Scarves:
Channel your inner Jackie Kennedy with
technicolor scarves that add some serious
‘70s vibes to your wardrobe. Whether you
wear them on your head or around your
neck, they are the perfect accessory to
bring your outfit alive. A lot of women also
incorporated their scarves in their hair
styles, letting it fall on their shoulders.
Like the mules, this accessory was seen on
everyone, not just the far-out ladies. The
scarves during this time pretty much sum
up the entire decade: electric but soft.
Spring 2020 85

GNARLY
STYLES
We Just Can’t Get Enough Of
86 Spring 2020

C
ue Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just
Want to Have Fun,” because baby
the ‘80s are back — and providing
us with looks we just can’t afford
to lose. With the new decade bringing in
new staple trends, it’s only appropriate to
take a look at the styles that have survived
the clean-out.
BUCKET HAT & SCRUNCHIES
The ‘80s were about unapologetically
being yourself, and doing it as loud as you
wanted. That means vibrantly colored hair
accessories, hats, and curls. Hats can save
you from a horrible case of bedhead, or an
impromptu grease attack, but lately they
have also been the final touch for looks
that simply needed something more.
LAYERED RELIGIOUS CHAINS,
STATEMENT EARRINGS, &
GEOMETRIC SHAPES
Madonna was the queen of layering up
the necklaces. Adorned in gold chain
crucifixes, she made the layered look
shift from dainty, to dynamic. Adding to
the theme of adventurous styles are large
earrings. Hoops came in every color, as
long as that color was neon, and shapes
were varied to grab your attention.
Fearlessness encompassed this decade—
so why would their accessories be anything
less?
Spring 2020 87

88 Spring 2020

PUFFY SHOULDERS, BLAZERS,
& BODYSUITS
This decade had everybody showing off
their body type, and with all the jazzercise
everyone was doing—why shouldn’t they?
Bodysuits have made a reappearance, and
besides the struggle that comes with going
to the bathroom while wearing one, ladies
are here for it. A bodysuit is the perfect
top to combine with the ‘80s high-waisted
jeans, allowing for a cool and classy going
out look. Big shoulders have also made
their way into the hearts of many – no
longer with pads, but simply with poof.
The puffy shoulders have almost been
revitalized to scream innocence, and
add dimension. Blazers have also made
a comeback as women have become an
unstoppable force in the business world.
OVERALLS, HIGH-WAISTED
JEANS, BIKER SHORTS, &
SPANDEX
A personal favorite trend revamped from
the ‘80s are high-waisted jeans. A weird
feeling of comfort comes with zipping
pants up past your belly button. Biker
shorts are a revived trend I have yet to get
comfortable with, but the look is currently
turning heads. Overalls have also been
reintroduced, as long pants, shorts and
skirts.
ADIDAS SUPERSTAR,
CONVERSE ALL STARS, &
VANS
Closing out our ‘80s look, we finally make
our way to the final piece — shoes. Would
it shock anyone to hear that just like today,
Adidas and Nike were running the game?
The two brands are still on top. High-top
Converse have also made a reappearance,
and it looks like they aren’t going anywhere
anytime soon.
Spring 2020 89

BANGIN’
FASHION FADS
90 Spring 2020

I
n a time when it appears that
Generation Z is taking over, the
roar of the rebelling ‘90s calls
everyone to attention. It smells like
teen spirit and looks like a sea of denim
in every form. ‘90s fashion is making a
statement once again.
CUFFED MOM JEANS
A style of jean that reigns and can make just
about every kind of body feel comfortable
are mom jeans. What characterizes mom
jeans is that they are loose, comfortable,
and can accentuate curves. A pro styling
tip to add flare to your pair of jeans is to
cuff them at the end, as this exposes a pop
of whatever shoe you’re sporting.
Spring 2020 91

SLIP DRESS
The sexy sleek slip dress can be worn to
a casual event or a night club depending
on where the night goes. Slip dresses
were worn by ‘90s icons such as Drew
Berrymore and modern icons such as Kylie
Jenner. Add a t-shirt under a slip dress for
a casual look.
COMBAT BOOTS
Combat Boots have been the styling piece
for grunge, rock, and alternative aesthetics
for decades. A trusty pair of combat boots
doesn’t have to be expensive. To save a
pretty penny, check out your local thrift
stores. Combat boots can turn a cute outfit
into a renegade look.
92
Spring 2020

JEAN JACKETS
This spring you can find jean jackets being
sported on every corner, each one unique.
Denim jackets can be found with patches,
plaid lining, tears, and pockets in a varying
number of colors. Anyone can DIY these
little customizations to showcase the
wearer’s personality with their fashionable
jean jacket.
OVERALLS
The ‘90s were a time when women
began sporting a traditionally masculine
appearing clothing item: the overalls.
Overalls became popular because of their
effortless practicality and versatility.
CROP TOPS
Crop tops are best fitted with a highwaisted
pant or skirt to achieve a ‘90s
fashion look. Crop tops can be paired with
both baggy bottoms for a relaxed day outfit
or something tight like a mini skirt for a
lively night out.
Spring 2020 93

94
Spring 2020

FOOD AND HEALTH
96
98
104
106
108
BON APPETIT: A EUROPEAN FOOD AFFAIR
KNOW YOUR FLOW
ALABAMA’S FIGHT TO END FOOD INSECURITY
TRASH IS NOT TRENDY
TAG YOUR YOURSELF
Spring 2020 95

By Aran McDermott
and Bailey Williams
Meal times have always provided a space for people to
come together; to sit around a table, side-by-side, and
enjoy good food and good conversation. However, the
types of foods and the rituals we partake in vary all over
the world. European culture especially has so much to teach us
regarding the way we view food. Sitting down at three different
tables in destination European countries, we experienced how
these cultures approach meal time to find what we can learn
from them.
96 Spring 2020

There is an old Italian proverb, “a tavola non si invecchia,” or
“at the table, no one grows old,” that perfectly encapsulates the
beauty of the enduring culture of food in Italy. In Italy, eating isn’t
simply a means of nourishing one’s body, it’s an opportunity to
enrich one’s life. This can be accomplished through the enjoyment
of good food and the company of cheerful family and close friends
to share it with. An experience as special as this should never be
rushed. Meals are meant to be taken at a slower pace, because
every bite and each conversation should be thoroughly enjoyed.
The time spent indulging in this tradition is never wasted, and
though time may be passing and we may be growing older every
second, it’s worth it.
Dinner in Italy typically starts later and lasts much longer
than in the United States. But don’t worry, there will always be
enough food and chatter to fill the time. Italians often have four
courses: antipasti, primo, secondo, and dolce either accompanied
or followed with coffee or a digestivo (an after-dinner liqueur).
Dinner tables disappear under a multitude of plates showcasing
the colors and flavors of Italy. One typically begins with a simpleyet-classic
plate of Italian cheeses that can either be paired with
local cold cuts or drizzled with honey. This can be accompanied by
any other antipasti that catch your eye. Most of them will. Wine is
poured and cheerfully passed across the table. Dinner has begun.
The antipasti is followed by the primo, a lighter dish such as pasta
or soup. Pasta of all shapes and sizes happily bathing in varying
sauces begin to cloud your vision as bowls are placed encouragingly
in front of you. Once you have finished your first course, it’s time
to indulge in your second, or secondo. This is where meat, chicken
or fish enter the picture. Where you are in Italy will influence your
menu options.
It is important to take into consideration what region you are
dining in as there are often dishes those regions are famous for.
If you ever find yourself in Florence, the capital city of Tuscany,
it would be a sin not to experience steak alla fiorentina. Eataly
describes this dish as “steak that is typically from Chianina cattle
— an ancient Tuscan breed known for its prized and tasty meat —
seasoned with local spices, and grilled over red-hot coals. It’s
traditionally served rare.” Keep in mind that if you try to order
your steak anything other than rare, you may be severely judged.
Once you have finished all of these courses, you still have
one more waiting for you. Italy is not only famous for pasta and
pizza, it is also famous for its decadent desserts. Dessert, coffee,
and a digestivo is not only the best way to finish your meal but
the correct way. The most famous and most looked forward to
of Italian desserts is gelato. Walks of Italy lists three reasons
gelato is different (and definitely better) than ice cream. One is
that gelato contains less butterfat, which leads to a creamier, less
frozen consistency. However, since gelato has less air whipped into
it than ice cream, the dessert has a higher density—which means
more product per scoop. Another quality distinct to gelato is that
it is frozen quickly and in small batches. This garners fresh, high
quality cream.
If all of these courses leave you feeling sluggish, Italians
encourage an after-dinner digestivo. Italians believe that drinking
a digestivo after dinner will help with digestion. While it is unclear
whether or not this is true, who would say no to a quick glass of
liqueur? A popular one is limoncello, a sweet yet tangy liqueur that
is often offered as a conclusion to a wonderful meal and time spent
“not getting older.”
This meal-time ritual is frequently experienced over the course
of several hours. In Italy, food allows us an opportunity to take a
break from the rush of life and truly press pause on a movement in
time. We’re all getting older, we might as well do it with a stomach
full of good food and a mouth full of laughter.
Spring 2020 97

Classic movies like Julie & Julia, Ratatouille, and Midnight
in Paris, fill our heads with swimming visions of French culture
and its classic cuisine. Daydreams of walking through markets
in Montmartre, sipping sweet coffee along the Seine River and
toting baguettes fresh from the local boulangerie sustain us with
Parisian pleasure. Only then do we realize we’ve fallen head over
heels for the rich cultural cuisine that drips from the city like
warm chocolate out of a freshly baked pain au chocolat. The aroma
of a divine ratatouille or dip of a buttery croissant into a cup of
cafe dupo is enough to make any tourist swoon. Order a toasted
Croque Monsieur, or Croque Madame if you’re feeling fancy, at the
bustling street corner cafe. Indulge in a quiche or gratin for lunch
because you haven’t any other plans besides watching the streets
of Paris bustle with lovers and reading a new book of poetry over
the cafe’s complementary crepe.
Rushing from meal to meeting is not a concept in a Parisian’s
mind, only to sit and enjoy each meal as the pleasurable moment
it’s designed to be. The seven course dinners are enjoyed with
friends and family. The morning coffee at a cafe by one’s self and
a book are sacred moments for stillness. Even the daily commutes
to work are accompanied by a stroll through the neighborhood
market. The French do not rush what is not meant to be rushed.
Nor do they fret. The boulangeries bake with unenriched flours,
cheese is made from the milk of grass-fed cows and wine sipped
from vineyards just towns away. French cuisine is decadent,
simple, satisfying, and enjoyed until the very last bite is savored to
say “l’addition s’il vous plait.”
“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.
I think the French enjoy the complication of the art form and the
cooking for cooking’s sake.” — Julia Child
98 Spring 2020

Strolling along the streets of Spain and choosing a nightly dine
is no difficult game. Restaurant waiters, bar tenders, and talkative
locals practically stand outside the doors of their restorantes
inviting tourists, expats and locals alike in for a bite. Textbooks,
travel blogs, and study abroad students will all tell about the
tapas experience in Spain. A Tuesday night looks the same as a
Saturday night in the neighborhoods of Barcelona or Seville. Tapas
bars pour out music and liveliness as the people stream in for an
hour or so of conversation, a cocktail and a complementary crepe
before a friendly waiter suggests the cafe next door. There is little
room for restaurant competition in the tapas culture. In a dining
dynamic rooted in jumping from bar to bar to snack on light plates
and share tiny treats with bottles of house wine, it’s normal to hit
two to five bars a night for what many of us Americans would claim
“dinner.” Experiencing this for the first time was magic. After
enjoying a satisfying lunch, strolling the streets or taking a swim
in the Mediterranean, then resting for Spain’s beloved siesta, the
dinner portion of the evening rarely begins until after the sun has
gone down and ends when it’s almost back up again.
From its farm to table style, fish caught from the sea, and olive
oil poured from the nearest vineyard, Spain’s flavor profile exceeds
expectations because of its genuine quality and the heritage
of its surrounding land. Similar to France and Italy, Spanish
culture lacks foods that are heavily processed or store-bought
and packaged. As common as it is to catch a mademoiselle with
a fresh baguette in hand on her way home from the boulangerie,
it is equally so to find Spanish locals shopping at the markets and
picking up seasonal vegetables, exotic fruits and daily seafood
catches at the mercado de la boqueria. There is rarely a time to
substitute store-bought for seasonal, skip siesta for striving or
replace a sequence of tapas bars and conversation with friends for
silence. Spanish culture is rich in its communal sharing of food
around the table and sharing this table with others. A waiter never
brings a check until the table notions with a la cuenta por favor,
with the communal belief that once a table is full of talking people,
it’s theirs for the evening until ready to leave. Meals are slow and
enjoyable while food and pleasure are in abundance. Tapas to all!
Spring 2020 99

By Bailey Williams
100
Spring 2020

We’ve been talking about periods since elementary school
when our health class enlightened us to the world of
feminine care. A woman can have around 500 periods from
puberty to menopause, but half of them are spent without
understanding what’s really happening in the body. Not
only is it enlightening to understand the science of what
happens to us during each period phase, but gaining insight
on our body’s natural reproductive system is an opportunity
to partner with ourselves to create healthier versions of us.
Say goodbye to cramps, PMS, mood swings, and hello to
understanding what’s really going on down there.
Spring 2020 101

PHASE I
PHASE II
I’m not crying, you’re crying. Oh no wait, I’m on my
period; I’M CRYING.
Yesterday I was crying, today I AM glowing.
Aunt Flow has arrived, ladies, and she’s bringing her full
personality. The first day of bleeding is the first official day
of your menstrual phase, typically days 1-5. Ever experienced
cramps? Yep, thought so. Though cramps may make it seem
as though our bodies are taking all of their anger out on us,
these aches and pains are the body’s way of shedding the
uterine lining when no bun is in the oven (you’re not pregnant).
Cramping is natural and, while extremely uncomfortable, our
body’s way of getting us ready for the next phase. Pass the
heating pad, please.
When the Midol stops working
Because the body is working extra hard at the start of our
period to shed the uterine lining and recreate a healthy place
for a baby to grow, a wholesome diet filled with nutrient-rich
foods will be your best friend during Phase I. Before relying
on your pain reliever of choice as a quick fix, begin working
nutrient dense foods into your diet to naturally help the body
do its job.
Is it Shark Week? No, but the body is releasing an average
of 6-8 teaspoons of blood over the 5-7 days of menstruation.
Iron deficiencies may lead to low energy levels and fatigue, so
iron should be a top priority for meals during this phase. Think
spinach and dark leafy greens, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised
chicken and eggs, nuts and seeds, tofu and lentils. Focusing
on natural sources of vitamin-C, B12, omega-3, and zinc will
help rescue you from the depths of energy deficits as well.
Adding extra antioxidant rich berries to your oatmeal, zesting
lemon onto your sauteed bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes,
and sprinkling some calcium-filled cheese or nutritional yeast
into your spinach scrambled eggs will do the trick. On the go
or not feeling very Martha Stewart? Don’t forget about the
simple meals too. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fresh
strawberry jam and omega-3-filled peanut butter on multigrain
bread will capture many of these nutrients while keeping you
full.
Monday morning and finding yourself in the Starbucks line?
Try enjoying your one cup of coffee, then switching to an
herbal tea to help lessen caffeine intake and combat bloating.
Caffeine makes us happy, but it also increases estrogen at a
time when this hormone needs to be low in the body.
Welcome to the glow up phase, better known as Phase II, the
follicular phase.
Remember a little hormone from biology class called FSH?
The follicle-stimulating hormone is a key player in this phase.
As the body stops bleeding from shedding the uterine lining, it
begins to prepare itself for ovulation, when the ovaries work to
produce an egg. Think of the follicular phase as the hormonal
beauty team prepping the ovaries for their big debut in about
4 days. The follicular phase typically lasts from days 6-11 of the
menstrual cycle and is all about raising estrogen levels to reline
the uterus with nutrients and blood for ovulation. Estrogen is
kind of like an energy hormone, and as it increases in the body,
energy and mood increase with it.
Spin class anyone?
Okay, but I’m packing two pairs of panties. Yep, hate to say
it, but this is when you’ll notice more discharge as a result. Have
no fear, it’s totally normal.
What’s on my plate these days?
Keep the nutrients and kick up the color. Think berries,
apples, grains, carrots, citrus, sweet potatoes, peppers, probiotic
yogurt, bananas, broccoli, fermented foods, and avocados. The
body is craving fiber, fermentation, healthy fats, and anything to
keep the gut-friendly bacteria happy and keep hormones stable.
Who wants Thai food?
Hot spices found in peppers and chili powders will help
reduce inflammation (the body’s natural ability to bloat) and
decrease unneeded hormonal stress. Still feeling low energy?
Go for the extra avocado and olive oil to help the body feel
nourished and energized enough to prep for the ovulation
ahead. While you may have been hungry for seconds, thirds,
or fifths during menstruation, appetite may decrease closer to
ovulation. However, this is not a time to lessen your food intake.
Boost your consumption of nutrient-dense foods to stay fuller
longer and keep the body fueled with long-lasting energy.
Okay, change my venti vanilla latte to a raspberry leaf tea,
please.
102
Spring 2020

PHASE III
PHASE IV
I know I just did spin class, but can I hit the gym all
day?
This is a rollercoaster. ARE WE THERE YET?
It’s the ovulation phase, and energy and “love hormones” are
at their peak. Ovulation lasts days 12-14 and marks the halfway
point of the cycle. This is what we all know to be the babymaking
stage, so be prepared to be in your love feels as FSH
decreases and estrogen, testosterone and LH take their place
on top. The major spike in LH and other hormones stimulates
the egg release into the fallopian tube where it can be fertilized.
Though there may only be two true days of ovulation, hormones
are active a few days surrounding ovulation and can prepare to
have a baby if not protected.
Because of the estrogen increase, appetite may be suppressed
as the love feelings and energy levels rise. If hormones are in
a gymnastics meet, this is when they are flipping across the
balance beam. To maintain perfect hormone balance and ensure
a healthy gut microbiome, it’s important to make sure meals are
packed with fiber, magnesium, and protein. Think extra berries
on top of morning whole grain oats or yogurt bowls, serve some
quinoa with tofu and lean chicken or salmon, and sprinkle some
pumpkin seeds, almonds, and figs into a trail mix to go. Get the
nutrients in and keep the confidence high.
About 13 days left before the merry-go round of menstruation
starts over! A woman’s cycle length is dependent on multiple
factors, but an average cycle lasts for 28 days, scheduling the
luteal phase for days 15-28. Definitely highlight this one in your
calendar, because no matter how irregular your period, the
luteal phase is always consistent. Progesterone and estrogen
kick it up a notch as the body thickens and rebuilds the uterine
lining while preparing for another period (or baby if you’re
trying).
Okay, I know I’m not pregnant, but why am I bloating like I
am?
Totally natural, sister. The rise in progesterone and estrogen
hold onto the water in food and interrupt the natural routine of
fluid and sodium regulation. Basically, bloating is your body’s
way of trying to protect you by holding onto water sources. The
solution? Ironically, water. It’s time to carry the extra large
Hydro Flask around today because increased water will help
calm a bloating stomach and help with the onset of cramps.
Would you care for carbs or carbs for dinner?
Both. Choose healthy carbohydrates to keep the body
moving the way it needs to. Think: sweet potatoes, ancient
grains, fruits, legumes, root vegetables or whole wheat pasta.
Sweet tooth coming in? Go for the dark chocolate. As the body
naturally craves carbohydrates for energy expenditure, natural
sweeteners are your friend here, too, to help with any brain
fog, PMS symptoms or low energy. Fruits, smoothies, dark
chocolate, honey and agave are tasty treats to top off a nutrientdense
snack. Craving a couch day? Listen to your body’s desire
and lay on the couch with a good book or journal and enjoy
a sweet potato with Greek yogurt, peanut butter and honey.
Sprinkle some cinnamon on top for a natural inflammationfighting
remedy and sip some ginger tea on the side. Cramps
who? It’s okay to not feel like running over to SoulCycle these
days. There’s a time and place for Orange Theory and CrossFit,
but right now, your body may be asking for yoga and a walk with
your closest friends. Honor it!
Tracking your cycle can be a helpful record to review with
a healthcare professional. Even though menstruation has
some common elements among all women, we know our own
bodies best. Being mindful during that time of the month in
regards to how you’re reacting to certain foods (through energy
level, digestion, skin breakouts, or other) can help you best
understand your personal line of defense when it’s that time of
the month. More importantly, if you notice that your period is
MIA or inconsistent, consult your healthcare provider.
Spring 2020 103

Photo courtesy of Austin Bigoney,
The Crimson White
104
Spring 2020

F
or most Alabamians, access to food is as quick and easy
as the drive to a nearby grocery store or restaurant. For
others, however, it is far more of a struggle. According
to the US Department of Agriculture, over 1.2 million
individuals use food banks and emergency kitchens. In 2018
the United States had over 37.2 million individuals living in
households with low or very low food security. This means
that there are people everywhere struggling to fulfill one of the
basic requirements to live.
Jean Rykaczewski is the executive director of West Alabama
Food Bank, and she highlighted the necessity of food banks for
residents.
“Food banks are important because we help pick up
the pieces when people find themselves food insecure,”
Rykaczewski said. “We help them keep food in their system
when unexpected bills pop up. Any single thing can force
people to become food insecure.”
While food insecurity can hit anyone at any time, there are
specific groups that are more at-risk. Rykaczewski noted that
seniors and the working lower class are especially sensitive
to food insecurity because of the “high medical cost” and the
tendency for working lower class individuals to work more
than one job to pay bills.
Many of these patrons must also combat the stigmas
associated with seeking help from food banks.
“Often times they are in tears, and they are very embarrassed
to be here,” Rykaczewski said. “They don’t know how to ask
for help.”
It takes a substantial amount of resources to sustain
distribution from food banks. Rykaczewski said that the West
Alabama Food Bank distributes over 5 million pounds of food,
including 2000 backpack meals every week for food insecure
children and 1200 senior boxes every month.
“Food hubs are extremely resource extensive and the model
in and of itself requires about $2 million in revenue to sustain
it without outside revenue,” said Taylor Jacobson, director of
recruitment and growth at Rev Birmingham.
This along with fundraising challenges eventually led to Rev
Bimringham’s The Urban Food Project’s end, but the people
benefiting from this program were met with the efforts of The
Common Market. Jacobson is now the chair of the board of
directors at The Common Market and has helped their efforts
in Birmingham.
“It’s not so much about whether you live in a food desert,
but more so about whether you have transportation,” Jacobson
said.
“Because if you live in a food desert, and you can get in
your car, [it] is not a big deal to drive 1.5 miles. However if
you live in a food desert, and you don’t have a car, then that’s
when it’s an issue. I would encourage everyone to use the
USDA Food Access Research Atlas. What you will find is that
in Birmingham there are approximately 90,000 residents that
live in food deserts.”
The City of Birmingham has worked to alleviate some of the
strain that food deserts present to residents. In May of 2019,
Mayor Woodfin launched The Healthy Foods Fund — as part
of the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund — which granted
$500,000 to “offset the costs of opening grocery stores in
areas of the city that have been designated by the USDA as food
deserts,” according to a press release from the Birmingham
City Council. On November 5, 2019, Village Market in East
Lake was the first approved grocer as part of the program.
“While many of our residents frequent dollar stores, which
serve a purpose to the community, a concentrated number of
dollar stores in targeted areas can often drive away grocery
stores which offer fresh and healthier food options,” said a
Birmingham City Council press release.
In 2015, Alabama had 654 Dollar General stores and one
distribution center, meaning there were just under 14 stores
per every 100,000 residents according to AL.com. More
recently in 2019, the Birmingham area has 51 stores within a
20-mile radius. This all comes together to make Alabama the
fifth highest concentration per capita of dollar stores in the
country.
“Healthy foods are the cornerstone of a healthy community.
What we are trying to do is show our community that healthy
residents make healthy workers, which will lead to a healthier
economy,’’ Josh Carpenter, director of the Department of
Innovation and Economic Opportunity in Birmingham said.
“Making sure that people have access to healthier foods is
fundamental to our work in not only recruiting grocery stores
but other businesses.’’
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama started a
program, Corner Market Mobile Grocery Store, that provides
fresh produce and other services such as health screenings,
farmers’ market vouchers, and cooking demonstrations. This
program brings the convenience of discount stores and carries
the fresh produce that aren’t found in dollar stores.
Elizabeth Wix, director of partnerships and interim
executive manager of Community Food Bank of Central
Alabama, said, “Our aim at CFB is to make healthy choices
accessible to everyone. This is why our Corner Market Mobile
Grocery Store goes to food desert areas that do not have fresh
produce and serves populations who otherwise cannot get to a
full-service grocery.”
Furthering Alabama’s efforts to combat food deserts,
Governor Kay Ivey awarded $300,000 in grants to promote
healthy food choices for low-income communities in 2018.
These grants were given through the Alabama Healthy Food
Financing Act. The seven grants included the Africatown
Community Development Corp in Mobile, Children of the
Village Network Inc. in Sumter County, City of Birmingham,
Jones Valley Teaching Farm in Birmingham, Peoples Piggly
Wiggly in Cherokee, West Alabama Food Bank Inc. in
Northport, and Wright’s Markets Inc in Opelika.
In recent years, Alabama has made strides to promote
grocers into the area as well as promote food banks and
pantries for those in need. While these efforts show progress,
they also highlight the harsh reality that many Alabamians
still face.
Spring 2020 105

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU SHOP AT TARGET.
BY BAILEY WILLIAMS
You get a 5-cent discount, you get a 5-cent discount, you all
get a 5-cent discount! Yep, you read that right. Target gives a
5-cent discount if you bring your own bags. Might not sound
like a lot, but for the amount of stuff we buy at Target, every
cent helps, right?
Ever heard of reusable straws, zero-waste living, and saving
the environment? If you live on this planet, then yes, probably.
But what if you don’t have the GR$$N to GO Green? Here are
some budget friendly changes to help you be kind to the earth
and your bank account. Resourcefulness to the rescue!
I LOVE WHOLE FOODS WITH MY WHOLE HEART.
Even more so now that I know how sustainability focused they
are. For every bag that you bring to the store, Whole Foods will
give you 10 cents off your purchase. Do you buy anything in
jars? Do you buy containers of milk? Bring back your rinsed
out containers once you’re done with them, and Whole Foods
will give you money back.
PAPER OR PLASTIC? MMMM, NEITHER.
Put on your green Superwoman cape and assume your
favorite power stance. A simple, easy way to help save the
planet is by bringing your own bags to grocery stores. Picking
paper over plastic helps too, but if the next best step to
reducing waste is to amplify your grocery-shopping prowess
with a trendy canvas tote, you can bet we’re diving in head
first. Say goodbye to flimsy, clear brown bags that rip when
you put your almond milk carton in them but still manage to
compile uncontrollably under your sink.
You can even put your bags to work for clothes shopping
trips. Stores such as Lululemon, Trader Joe’s and Aldi sell
products in reusable bags or sell reusable bags for under a few
bucks to aid in your transition from consumer convenience
to deliberate conservation. If you’re still not buying it, what
if we tell you that you can actually save money by grabbing
your reusable carry-alls? According to an Earth Day article
by Refinery29, most of our go-to-grocery stores offer you just
that. We’ve got some of your favorites listed.
“GO GREEN GO,” SAYS TRADER JOE’S
With specially designed bags for each location, Trader Joe’s
offers you a smile, a bag of goodies, and even an incentive —
customized by location — if you bring your own bags to hold
your plantain chips and cookie dough butter. I’ve heard rumors
of a percentage off discount or even a gift card giveaway. I’ll
pile in some Joe-Joe’s cookies for that.
106 Spring 2020

SAVE MONEY, LIVE BETTER. MORE LIKE SAVE THE
PLANET, LIVE BETTER.
Although Walmart doesn’t offer a direct discount when
customers bring their own bags, they do sell reusable bags at
checkout for 98 cents and offer free one-time-use plastic bags.
WHAT THE FORK?
BYOB
BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE!
Carrying a reusable water bottle on the daily has become a
habit for most people — and it’s not hard when they come in fun
colors adorned with inspirational words, time-ticks reminding
you when to chug and offer a blank surface to house your
best stickers. But what about those other drink containers?
Kombucha jars? Cold brew glasses? Wine bottles? There is
more that we can do. Pull the label off, give it a wash, and use
that kombucha bottle for a flower jar or incense holder. Other
bottles with a wider mouth are perfect for holding shower gel,
shampoo or conditioner. Bonus: it’s a stylish way to keep your
shower products organized in a way that doesn’t scream, “Hi,
I’m store-bought.”
It may sound silly, but think about how much plastic is
dumped back into our ecosystem just in the plasticware
sphere alone. Though we may not be able to end this crisis
suddenly, resisting the plastic use in your own meal routine
alone can make a difference in your community. Amazon,
Target, and Earthhero.com are great resources for buying
packs of reusable, dishwasher-safe utensil sets for under $5.
“I’LL TAKE A TALL COLD BREW, EXTRA COCONUT
MILK, LIGHT ICE, HOLD THE STRAW.”
2020 feels a bit like the year of saying no to plastic straws.
Even location-specific Starbucks are offering metal straws
or discounts for bringing your own. Starbucks CEO Kevin
Johnson even acknowledges the company’s “aspiration to
become resource positive and give more than we take from the
planet.”
NAPKINS? NO WAY.
Extra wash cloths or towels lying around the house? Throw
them in the laundry and cut them into smaller sizes. Make
a DIY oven towel, napkin shapes for to-go lunches or bigger
rectangles to use in place of paper towels. Paper products may
be handy, but aren’t cost and conservation-friendly.
Making changes to become more conservation conscious can
be scary, but you don’t have to turn your life upside down.
This plastic problem won’t be solved overnight — try one of
these things this week. Next week, add another. See how
easily it becomes a part of your system and how much more
connected you feel to the environment around you. We’re not
asking you to start composting in your dorm room anytime
soon. But if you do … let us know and send pics!
Spring 2020 107

108 Spring 2020

The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that
exercise training increases the size of the hippocampus and can
improve memory, which can only be good news for that exam
you’re worried about or that interview you’ve been preparing
for. But students, like most overworked, under-rested adults,
know that actually carving out time in your schedule to get to
the gym can be the real test. Luckily, it’s one your friends can
help you hack. With your perfect gym buddy by your side, your
courses — the track kind AND the physics kind — can be a breeze.
The Reliable Friend
The Follower Friend
Working out is time-consuming enough, but planning your
workout ... now that’s just too much. Enter: The Reliable Friend.
This is the one who will get your butt in gear and let you follow
them around while you complete their carefully strategized
routine. Marina Sturm, a freshman at The University of Alabama,
says she is that person.
“I’m the one who plans all the exercises, and then the person I
work out with follows,” Sturm says.
Sturm looks to Pinterest for workout inspiration. With pages
and pages boasting ambitious titles like “Booty Burn in only 30
minutes” and “Extreme Cardio Blast,” Pinterest offers something
for every cardio bunny and lifting chick there is. Sturm picks a
page that she likes — it can be anything from a 30 day challenge
to a circuit — and gets to work. She doesn’t choose favorites with
specific exercises, she says, but she prefers lower body days to
bicep burns.
“I prefer to work my legs out,” Sturm says. “I also use the bike.
I do some form of cardio and some form of weights.”
Sturm says that the gym improves her mental health. She just
doesn’t feel as good about things when she doesn’t go. When
she has mountains to climb in her personal life, she hits the stair
stepper to prepare. Skipping the sweat can lead Sturm to feeling
more stressed than otherwise.
“I think it makes me a more enjoyable person to be around,
because I’m not cranky and stressed,” Sturm admitted.
For every gym leader (bless their souls), you need a gym
follower. Neah Patkunas, a sophomore at The University of
Alabama, fills those shoes.
“I’m usually the one who is following the other people around,”
Patkunas said. “I don’t like when I go to the weight room and
there’s a ton of guys. I usually stay to the group exercise classes.”
Patkunas particularly likes the cycling classes. The group-class
environment provides a structured, but fun, exercise experience.
“It’s nice to have a pre-planned thing out for you especially if
you’re on a time crunch,” she said.
If Patkunas isn’t in a gym class, she likes to run and lift weights.
Besides the physical benefits, Patkunas, like Sturm, notices a
difference in her mental clarity.
“Going to the gym does make me feel like I’ve done something.
I think it helps me concentrate better, too, in class,” said Patkunas.
The benefits are so strong that Patkunas sometimes has to
extend her trips. If she’s having a bad day, Patkunas says, she’ll
hit the gym twice.
Spring 2020 109

My Own-Cheerleader Friend
The Accountability Friend
Some people thrive with a gym buddy who encourages them
by setting a pace on the treadmill or giving you the side eye when
you load the squat rack with an easy-for-you weight, but others get
their pom-poms out and appoint themselves as their own biggest
cheerleader. Elizabeth Gainey, a sophomore at The University of
Alabama, is one to ditch the pack and do her own thing.
Whether she shows up to the gym with or without her friends
in tow, Gainey said she often uses her gym-time to run by herself.
As a former cross country runner, she understands that sometimes
working out has to be a solo sport. After all, the adrenaline rush
from a “runner’s high” isn’t something you can share.
Gainey says this high gives her the energy she needs throughout
the day. It keeps her feeling good about herself — mind and body.
But with a busy schedule, Gainey says it’s crucial to keep her sweat
sessions under 90 minutes.
“I like to do my workouts quick and short,” Gainey said. “I
usually do about thirty-forty minutes on the track and then start off
a slow jog and then about ten minutes of ab workouts afterwards.”
Although she likes to workout by herself, Gainey is also the
gym-going accountability friend. Those who express an interest
in working out can be sure they will if they’re friends with Gainey.
Despite being a self-described “loner” at the gym, she makes sure
her friends reach their goals alongside her.
“Last spring me and two other friends tried to continuously
go to the gym, and I think we had about twenty days in a row
where two of us kept each other accountable the whole month of
January,” Gainey said.
For those accountability friends who prefer to work together,
there is a plethora of partner exercises available to choose from
on Youtube, Instagram and Pinterest. Some Alice favorites include
Whitney Simmons (Youtube and Instagram), Blogilates (Youtube
and Instagram) and fitgurlmel (Instagram).
No matter your gym persona, it’s important to remember that
working out is ultimately about you. So, go when it’s best for you,
do what exercises work best for you, and bring whatever friends
workout best with you. Followers, accountability partners, and
gym-loners alike can run side by side on the track.
Pull this page out.
110 Spring 2020

19th Amendment is ratified,
giving women the right to
vote.
1920
1964
The 24th Amendment is ratified
by two-thirds of the states,
formally abolishing poll taxes
and literacy tests which were
heavily used against African
American and poor white women
and men.
Equal Rights
Ammendment 1972
1973
Roe v. Wade SCOTUS
decision protects women’s
access to abortion.
Mississippi
becomes last state
to ratify the 19th
Amendment.
1984
Young women of color
are elected to public
office in record numbers,
including Alexandra
Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna
Pressley, Rashida Tlaib,
Ilhan Omar, and Sharice
Davids.
2018
2013
2019
Shelby County v. Holder
SCOTUS decision enables
states to pass restrictive,
often discriminatory voting
laws.
Dozens of states pass
restrictive abortion laws in
an attempt to bring a case
to the newly conservativeleaning
Supreme Court.
Women celebrate the
100-year anniversary
of winning the right to
vote.
2020
Spring 2020 111

American suffrage leader who helped secure passage of the 19th Amendment.
Spring 2020 112

INSIDE BACK COVER & BACK COVER
PHOTOGRAPHER
MODEL
Sam MacDonald
Ella Smyth
Spring 2020 113

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Spring 2020 114