We all know that social distancing is still necessary (since Covid-19 is far from becoming a distant memory), but the importance of connecting with other like-minded women remains, especially if you want to advance professionally and personally. Being able to dynamically interact with others is not only great for your career, but it's also good for your mental health. (Sis, just check out the researched benefits of socializing.)
If you've found yourself in a career rut or missing the opportunity to bond with amazing women in your field, here are 7 organizations and platforms that will help you reconnect and live your best life:
xoNecole
The xoTribe
Kick off your networking upgrade with a boss move that is sure to get you on the right track. Launched by Necole Kane, the phenom behind providing xoNecole.com, an online oasis where women can unapologetically tell their stories and find information useful to every facet of their lives, the xoTribe is great place to get access a community of women from diverse backgrounds, industries, and locales for networking and mentoring. Virtual happy hours, giveaways, job postings, and insider info on events---it's all a great recipe to set your 2021 glow-up plan off in the best way.
ColorComm
If you're a woman of color in any aspect of the communications industry, the ColorComm network is for you. One can't help but be inspired by its founder, Lauren Wesley Wilson, who has worked as a Washington, D.C. communications director, a media booker for Obama's Florida reelection campaign, and a crisis firm professional before launching ColorComm. Something that initially started as a lunch with more than 30 women turned into an organization that now serves more than 40,000 professionals in chapters across the U.S. and produces more than 100 local programs yearly.
Image via Walker's Legacy
Walker's Legacy
As the name denotes, Walker's Legacy was founded on the ideals of Madam C.J. Walker's legacy of being self-made, supporting women's advocacy, and promoting sheer hard work and determination. Founder Natalie Madeira Cofield sought to fill a need she saw in her own life while seeking mentors for her first venture---which she launched at 26---and she built the platform from a quarterly lecture series into a global platform of support for multicultural corporate leaders and entrepreneurs. The organization partners to provide funds for startups, has chapters in major regions, and hosts accelerator programs.
The Muse
The Muse is super-expansive, providing step-by-step guides not only for job seekers, but for professionals at various stages of their careers---from entry-level workers, to freelancers, to management executives. You can also research companies and career options, find employment opportunities and get help via resume reviews, coaching consultations and job search strategy sessions.
Image via Her Agenda
Her Agenda
With a motto like "No one Ever Slows Her Agenda," you know this platform is all about ambition and boss moves. You can find inspiration and advice through stories told by real women who are industry leaders and aren't just offering tips that just sound good. Her Agenda also provides resources including information on conferences, scholarships, internships and job opportunities for millennials interested in a variety of fields. Founded by savvy communicator, networker and millennial boss Rhonesha Byng, this is a digital space you won't want to miss out on. (The newsletter alone provides key information for any go-getter including a monthly grants roundup, a Power Hour online chat with business experts, and exclusive Q&As with industry leaders.)
The Cru
The name almost speaks for itself since we all know the power of having a good crew---whether it's a solid group of friends, a bond of tight siblings, or a professional team. The Cru provides peer coaching services in a unique way that tailors networking and career support via circles of women based on their personality, demographics, values, and life goals. Founder Tiffany Dufu is no stranger to innovating in networking and mentorship, having served as a launch team member to Lean In and a Chief Leadership Officer at Levo, a leading millennial professionals network.
The WIE Suite
Made up of influential women who have either led teams at major corporations or started their own successful businesses, The WIE Suite is a highly curated membership worth exploring. It began as the WIE Symposium, a modern, elite women's conference that expanded into an organization that attracted business and cultural leaders including Arianna Huffington, Mellody Hobson, Diane von Furstenberg, Nancy Pelosi and Naomi Campbell. Founder Dee Poku has held senior marketing roles at companies including Paramount Pictures and Focus Features and has a knack for forging quality connections among power women across industries. She also has a passion for the power of sponsorship, an act that goes well beyond mentoring. As a member, you can access professional development resources, peer coaching opportunities, and curated content.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
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RELATED
But Shellie, I don’t like them. Sex feels better without them. In an unbelievably ideal world where everyone waited until marriage and then remained with their spouse until death, you could be out here raw-ing it. With that not being even close to the case, though, it’s time to stop trying to skirt around using condoms and, instead, it’s time to figure out which ones can give you maximum pleasure.
Believe it or not, I’ve got a few tips, in the rubber shopping department, that just might help you out.
First Up, Most Women Can Tell When a Condom Is On
GiphyMy guy friends and I tend to have the most random conversations, boy. Take the time when two of them were trying to debate me down about whether or not women can tell if a condom is on. Their vote is that we can’t. Mine was that we absolutely can. And I mean, shouldn’t the one with the vagina (me) have a say, fellas? LOL. Hey, they don’t have to take my word for it because science also states that based on the material that the condom is made out of and how well it fits on a woman’s partner (more on that in a sec), they definitely help her to know if a guy is wearing one or not.
Not only that but data also backs up that a condom can also diminish the sensation that women feel during sex to a certain extent — not to mention that, sometimes, rubbers can affect natural vaginal wetness too.
With condoms having a 98 percent success rate at preventing STI/STDs and unwanted pregnancies (when used correctly, that is), by no means am I even coming close to implying that you shouldn’t use them (especially if you’re not in an exclusive or monogamous relationship [check out “Why I Use The Word 'Monogamous' In Marriage And 'Exclusive' In Dating”] and you and your partner don’t get tested annually).
All I’m saying is if you want to get the most out of your condom use experiences, you shouldn’t just assume that whatever condom the guy has on tap is what will work well for you — and figuring out what will bring you the most (pun intended) pleasure means that you should consider the following points.
Make Sure the Condom Fits Your Partner Well
GiphyWith the average size of a man’s penis being a little over 5” when it’s erect (relax, vaginas are around 4” unless stretched), it really is time to let all of the Magnum dreams go. And what I mean, specifically, by that is, guys bringing those just to fit into some stereotype of “packing” is doing no one any good because if it’s too big for him, it will result in slippage and if it’s too big for you, it could make sex a bit uncomfortable.
And what if it’s too small? Well, that could be semi-painful for him which could cause his performance to struggle. Bottom line here: condoms should have a snug fit and cover the entire penis.
And if you want to purchase some for your own collection — well, if y’all are close enough for him to be inside of you, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable talking to him about which kind/brand of condoms you should have on tow at your house. By the way, for tips on how to choose the right condoms, check out verywellhealth’s “Condom Size Chart: Finding the Brand and Style That Fits Best.”
Opt for Condoms That Are Free of the Following Things
GiphyWhile reading an article on what many doctors consider to be the best condoms, what stood out most to me was a female doctor who said that women must keep in mind that whatever goes into their vagina, also gets absorbed. This includes ingredients that condoms may be made out of including parabens, fragrances, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), synthetic dyes and flavors, and glycerin (for starters).
And gee, when you’ve got that stuff, not only inside of you, but moving around at a semi-rapid pace (at least some of the time), there’s a pretty good chance that your vagina isn’t gonna be very happy about it.
The remedy? Consider investing in some organic/vegan condoms — ones that are free of all-a-dat. Loveability makes some (here). Smile Makers make some (here). HANX makes some (here). And that’s just a few options to choose from. This point is a very valid one to keep in mind because, sometimes, it’s not the condom that’s pissing us off — it’s what it’s made out of that’s the actual issue.
Pre-Lubricated Condoms Can Improve Your Partner’s Stroke
GiphyIf you’ve never tried pre-lubricated condoms before, you definitely should because they can have your back, on the sexual pleasure tip, on a few different levels. For one thing, these types of condoms can definitely decrease the chances of a rubber breaking which can give you the peace of mind that you seek during the act. Also, condoms that have lube in them can make it easier for your partner to put it on, can make it more comfortable when it’s time for his penis to go inside of you and can reduce the amount of friction that you feel (especially if you’re not naturally wet enough) while you’re having sex.
While we’re on this topic — I don’t know why (so many) people think that they can’t get an STI/STD from oral sex because they absolutely can. So, if you are going to use a condom during fellatio (or a dental dam during cunnilingus), adding some flavored lube to an already flavored condom (like perhaps this brand here or this brand here) can make the experience much more…satisfying.
Polyisoprene or Polyurethane Condoms MAY Reduce Yeast Infections
GiphyOkay, this point is a bit tricky because, technically, condoms can’t give you a yeast infection; in fact, since they prevent sperm and semen from entering into your vagina which can potentially throw off your pH balance, rubbers usually play a role in preventing them.
Still, I wanted to include this due to what I said earlier about all of the “extras” that can sometimes go into making a condom — because those things? They might irritate your vagina which could ultimately lead to a yeast infection. Plus, if on the off chance, you’ve got a latex allergy, condoms that are made from that material could give you a yeast infection too.
The solution to both? Consider going with alternatives like polyisoprene or polyurethane. Although polyisoprene is more expensive than latex condoms, they are super comfortable and latex-free (although you can use them the same way that you would a latex condom, including when it comes to oral and anal sex).
Meanwhile, polyurethane deserves a shout-out because it’s actually stronger than latex and it can even handle oil-based lubricants (which is something that latex is not able to do). Polyurethane is also thinner than latex and polyisoprene which means that sex can end up feeling more intense for you with those.
Textured Condoms Are Bomb If Orgasms Are Your Goal
GiphyUh-huh. I keep trying to tell y’all that if you want your partner to be sensitive about and thoughtful towards how your vulva appears (check out “Did You Know That There Are 10 Different Kinds Of Vaginas? Yep.”), the jokes about uncircumcised men really need to cease; especially since word on the street is the extra skin can actually make sex more intense for them while giving women more orgasms in the process.
And that actually helps to make sense of why textured condoms can cause women to cum more often and consistently as well. Thanks to the tiny ribs and dots on textured rubbers,they have the ability to stimulate the nerves that are inside of your vagina far more and easier than “regular” condoms do. Oh, and if you add someCBD lube to them? LOOK. OUT.
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I’ll be real with y’all — when it comes to condoms, I think it’s always important that their purpose is protection over pleasure as far as how they are made. Still, with all of the advances in them out here — and now that you have this info as far as what your vagina would prefer — rubbers don’t have to feel like a downer. The right one can have you and your vagina climbing walls — plus, you can have the peace of mind that your health and family planning preferences aren’t being compromised in the process.
Music to your vagina’s ears. 90s R&B, to be exact…I bet. LOL.
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