Author: Emma Olswing

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10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE YOUR VINAS DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

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If you didn’t already know, March is Women’s History Month! We think it’s super important to celebrate the hard work and achievements women have made throughout history, and and while we personally try to do this year-round, we think this month is the perfect opportunity to go ALL OUT. It’s not all about the women who’ve come before us – it’s also about celebrating the women we are surrounded by in every day life.

Here are 9 ways to be advocates for our fellow women throughout the month… or year… or lifetime (plus one cheeky bonus idea):

JOIN A BIG SIS/LITTLE SIS PROGRAM

You’ve heard the saying that it takes a village. Well not all little girls are lucky enough to have a village of support. By being a big sis to someone, you have the opportunity to mentor, guide, and give support to a gal who may not get those things from anyone else. Plus, she may just teach you a little something, too!

VOLUNTEER AT A RETIREMENT HOME

On the opposite end of that spectrum – volunteer at a retirement home and spend some time with women of an older generation. We have so much to learn from those who’ve come before us. Listen carefully, take notes, and get ready to finish what they started so long ago.

RETAIL THERAPY

Put your money where your mouth is! Shop at local, women-owned businesses to support your fellow entrepreneurial babes. Also, check out these brands we’re obsessed with.

JOIN AN INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM TOWN HALL

Never heard of it? Intersectional feminism town halls are safe spaces for women of all backgrounds to get together, discuss issues, and take action when necessary. It’s a place to learn from others, tell your own stories and struggles, and meet other likeminded women. No town hall in your city? Check out this guide for starting one yourself.

SUPPORT THE WOMEN’S MARCH’S EFFORTS

We’ve all been inspired by the show of support and unity at the Women’s March in January. Don’t let that momentum stop! Check out their 2019 Agenda and if you feel inclined, sign your name to endorse it!

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Bonus idea #10: Rock every single one of your girl power pins at once. (via @emmaolswing)

JAM OUT TO YOUR FAVE GIRL POWER SONGS

Take a minute for yourself and dance like nobody’s watching! Better yet – jam out with your vinas. It’s the ultimate release and will get you feelin’ strong and empowered. Try this playlist for some major girl power inspo.

DONATE TIME/MONEY TO A CAUSE THAT SUPPORTS WOMEN

Need a place to start? Check out this list.

READ, READ, READ

Read your fave feminist news publication. Read the right-wing news, read left-wing news. Read a book by your favorite woman author. Read one of your diary entries from 10 years ago. Just don’t stop reading.

FIND A GIRL GANG

Best way to feel empowered and supported? Build up your community. We’re obviously fans of using Hey! VINA to meet your new girl gang or supplement your existing one with more cool vinas!

These are just a few ideas for kickstarting your women’s empowerment season! Need more ideas? We were super inspired by this list.  

(Feature image via Refinery29)

 

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU’RE SABOTAGING SOMEONE TO GET AHEAD

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With all the rhetoric about leaning in, it can be easy to forget, as women, we’re meant to lean in together. The leaning in expert, Sheryl Sandberg, acknowledges that we can’t do it alone or at the expense of other women. You’ve probably already devoured Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead(and if you haven’t – you should!), but we think the COO of Facebook says it best when she wrote, “The more women help one another, the more we help ourselves. Acting like a coalition truly does produce results.”

We all want to be successful, and more and more we’re being empowered to do so. Which is great! We’re all about collecting personal achievements and #LadyBragging until the sun comes up. But what do we do when we realize we’ve been sabotaging another woman in order to get ahead?

There are many situations in which you may be unknowingly harming a colleague’s potential to be successful. In the fight to break the glass ceiling, it can be easy to develop tunnel vision on the path to your own success. Maybe you’ve been focusing so much on your own professional development that the development of a mentee has fallen to the wayside. Maybe you keep talking over a peer at important meetings. Or maybe, you’ve found yourself in the habit of gossiping about other women in your professional network. Whatever your slip-up, it’s good you’ve recognized the issue and want to make amends.

There are many ways to help other women in your workplace or professional network, but here are just a few:

LEVERAGE YOUR NETWORK

Introducing a colleague or a mentee to someone important in your professional network is a great way to help them. Our CEO and Co-founder Olivia always advocates for the importance of a good network and knowing how to use it. Helping someone make important connections could do wonders for their career in the future.

OFFER ADVICE

Even if no one asks you explicitly, your experience and knowledge are valuable information to spread. Don’t be stingy with the advice! We all have so much to learn from each other and we should not only be open to listening, but also to sharing. One of my favorite things that we do at VINA is sharing important reading materials that we come across on a day-to-day basis. If we read something informative about marketing, app development, or social media, we share it with the whole team! Spreading the wealth of knowledge is one of the greatest assets we have as a coalition of women.

STOP THE GOSSIP

One of the things most detrimental to women in the workplace is unnecessary gossip. According to Sandberg, successful women are disliked by both men and other women. Do what you can to change that! Step in when you hear people spreading negative stories about a female colleague and don’t perpetuate any rumors or bad thoughts you hear. In fact, try making it a rule to say one nice thing about a colleague every day! You don’t just have to #LadyBrag for yourself, you can celebrate your peers’ successes, too.

(Feature image via careergirldaily.com)

Want to expand your network? Meet other radical babes by downloading the Hey! VINA app. 

PACKING ADVICE: 9 MUST-HAVES FOR TRAVELING VINAS

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Everyone gets bit by the wanderlust bug at least once in their lives. Whether you’re studying abroad, going on a family trip, or doing the whole Eat Pray Love thing, there are some things that we think are absolutely necessary, especially if traveling alone.

PORTABLE CHARGER

You know, just to make sure you don’t get yourself lost in a foreign country with a dead cell phone.

PASSPORT HOLDER

Safety first! Your passport is one thing you won’t want to lose, so having something to carry it in will help make sure you know where it is at all times.

BAG WITH ZIPPER CLOSURE

Don’t let those pesky pick-pockets get you! Carry a zippered bag or purse that’s harder to sneak a hand into.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

We LOVE these reusable water bottles from S’well! They come in so many cute colors and patterns and they’ll keep your drink of choice hot or cold all day. Plus, when you buy a S’well water bottle, you help support the end to plastic water bottles AND their mission to help provide clean water to communities all around the world.

DRY SHAMPOO

When you’re on the go, sometimes you just don’t have time to wash your hair! Make it your dirty little secret (literally) by hiding those greasy roots with some travel-sized dry shampoo like the mini Batiste spray.

FACE-REFRESHING SPRAY

Ditto for face-washing. Refresh your skin with an on-the-go face spray for when you don’t have time to freshen up for real! Try the Mario Badescu Facial Spray for a yummy rose and aloe-scented spritz.

SUNGLASSES

Not only will they protect your eyes, but a cool pair of sunglasses will seriously up your tourist-selfie game.

CASH

Almost everywhere accepts cards these days, but to be on the safe side remember to always have enough cash in the country’s currency to get yourself back to your lodging in a cab.  Just in case!

HEY! VINA

One of the greatest uses for Hey! VINA is to find travel companions! Visiting a new city? Connect with a local. It’s really the best way to get to know a new place. And who doesn’t want vinas all across the globe? We know we do!

HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF (AND YOUR VINAS) ENTERTAINED ALL SUMMER LONG

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Ah, summertime: longer days, sweet sunshine, warm breezes, frozen drinks, and plenty of time to lounge with your gal pals. Even the work week seems to be a bit shorter (Summer Fridays, anyone?), which we certainly aren’t complaining about.

But with extra daylight and more leisurely schedules, sometimes we aren’t sure what to do with all that extra time! To help make the most of your summer, there’s this awesome thing called Tribalist to conveniently bring the web’s best lists to your fingertips. Whether it’s a list of summery drinks you can concoct with friends, new books to breeze through on the beach, or the best shows to binge watch with a vina, Tribalist has a list for you.

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PLAN A TRIP WITH THE GIRL GANG

Summer: the season of “out of office” email auto-replies. It’s true—most employees tend to maximize their vacation days between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Maybe you’ve been saving up to plan something special, or maybe you just need a quick weekend getaway with the ladies. And what is arguably the best part of traveling? FOOD, obviously! (We would also accept “expanding your knowledge of other cultures”, as long as that incorporates local cuisine). Check out this list immediately for some of the best foodie locales in the country and around the world.

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BINGE READ ON THE BEACH

There’s something about summertime that makes us love reading a little bit extra, possibly because the warm weather allows us to take our books with us pretty much anywhere! Whether you’re posted up in the park, lounging in your hammock, or basking in the sun at the beach, books are perhaps the best form of self-entertainment around (once you finally have the discipline to close Instagram and put your phone down). Check out this list for some of the best literary female empowerment of this decade.

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MOVIE MARATHON

Summertime is all about enjoying the great weather, right? Except sometimes we’re faced with a mid-afternoon thunderstorm, or temperatures so unbearably hot all we can do it sit inside with the AC on full blast. And what better way to spend a day inside than a movie marathon? Get the rosé and popcorn ready, and check out this list to remind yourself just how vital to our happiness our female friendships are!

So there you have it, you can use Tribalist to basically help you plan any summer activity from beach-side reads to weekend getaways. Don’t forget to find a friend to enjoy the sun with and let us know in the comments below what your fave list is!

(Feature image via @passporttofriday)

HEY! VINA HACKS: 4 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR PROFILE STAND OUT

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With the plethora of social media bios we have to write for ourselves, sometimes it’s hard to come up with something personal and original on the spot. Plus, it completely depends on the type of platform you’re writing for! Your LinkedIn summary is going to be totally different than your Instagram bio.

On Hey! VINA, the most important thing is firstly just saying SOMETHING. But more importantly, highlighting your unique personality, interests, and activities you like to do! But even if you’re the most self-aware person in the world, summing yourself up in 500 characters can be hard. So, we got you, girl.

Here are 4 examples of ah-mazing Hey! VINA profiles and why we like them:

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Our girl Ashley’s bio is awesome because she’s going through something SO many of us have to deal with – moving to a new place and not knowing anyone! She tells us who she wants to meet and why. And throws in a few topics that she likes talking about and something easy to meet up and do — drink gin. Nice one, Ashley. Also, noting some likes and dislikes gives some good flair!

 

Vanessa

Vanessa here has done an amazing job at inserting some much-needed flair to her bio. She’s clear about when she’s available to hangout, which makes meeting up a lot easier. She also shares interests that tell us about her personality and things that we could meet up to do… like eat chocolate and drink bubble tea. We can tell immediately that she’s a pink-loving, magical, bubbly gal, just from the use of a few emojis. Be creative, and you’ll attract other creative geniuses like you!

Fahreen

We love how authentic Fahreen is in her bio. It’s so easy to feel pressure to seem perfect, but you’re going to find a lot better connections if you’re true to yourself. She shares the places she’s lived, her relationship status, her sign, pets, and the topics she loves to geek out about. It makes it so easy to immediately jump into conversation and find even more things we could have in common. Also you can quickly tell if Fahreen is your kind of vina or not. We’d swipe right! 🙂

Summer

 

Summer’s bio is great because she really focuses on her lifestyle commonalities that are essential for friendship. She gives good ideas for what she’d like to meet up to do, and what she’s totally not game for. She knows that living the sober life might be something that potential friends might need to know. It’ll help her find other Sober Sisters in her area who would also prefer a coffee to a beer.

At the end of the day, crafting the perfect bio is just about expressing yourself. If you’re really having writers block, here’s a formula to get ya started:

  1. One sentence about a few of your favorite things to eat/do/watch/listen to. Ex: “I’m a dog-loving, ice cream eating, shopaholic. A shameless blaster of 90s pop on my car stereo, and I can’t get enough of GOT.”
  2. One sentence about where you live and how long you’ve been there. If you’ve recently moved, or have a previous town that is meaningful for you, throw that in here. Ex. “I’ve lived in SOMA for 2 years, and previously from LA, with stints in North Carolina (Go Tar Heels!) and Sydney.”
  3. One sentence about what you’d like to meet up to do and when. Ex. “Let’s meet up and try a new wine bar, take a hike, talk hockey, or see a comedy show on the weekend.”

We know that writing about yourself can feel agonizing, but you are interesting and amazing and fun to be around! We know it, now tell the world!

We hope these examples give you some guidance in crafting your own Hey! VINA bio. Still scratching your head? Tweet us a screenshot and we’ll try to help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 REASONS YOUR POTENTIAL BESTIE TURNED INTO A FRIENDSHIP ONE-NIGHT-STAND

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It’s just a fact of life, that not every person you meet is gonna be one of your people. You know, one of those people who truly gets you, with whom conversation flows easily, and laughs come often.

When it comes to Hey! VINA, we usually say that if it’s good on paper – erhm, on the app – it’ll be good IRL. But the truth is, it’s hard to gauge chemistry before you meet up. And sometimes that first meet-up is going to be fun, but it’s also going to be the only meet-up. That is totally okay, but it can be a little bit of an awkward situation to navigate.

Here are 3 possible reasons your potential bestie turned out to just be a friendship one-night-stand:

THE ONE-WAY STREET

Sometimes, only one person will feel the budding friendship connection after your first vina-date. Whether you’re the one feeling it or not, it’s nothing to stress about. The best part about making new friends is finding people who you have a connection with – and if that’s not happening on your part, or their’s, it’s better for both of you to move on to the next! Keep that in mind if you have to decline a second meet-up, or if you’re the one getting declined – either way, being gracious for the opportunity to meet someone amazing is the best you can do!

THE CALENDAR SNAFFU

This one is tough – because no one means to be flaky, but sometimes we all get busy AF. After the first successful meet-up and then a few subsequent texts like, “Ugh, I’m the worst! I’m so busy. Next week??” It might be time to move on and find someone with a more compatible schedule. If you’ve never read the “Let’s Get Drinks” article from The New Yorker, now is the time. 😂

THE GHOST

This one is the worst. Ghosting is never the best option IMO. It might be easier for the ghost-er, but it certainly causes the most confusion and potential hurt feelings for the friend who gets ghosted. If you simply never hear back from a vina after the first meet-up, try not to take it personally. There are so many reasons someone may have ghosted you – none of which have anything to do with how amazing you are!

Whatever the reason is, don’t sweat it! There are literally thousands of other potential besties waiting to meet you on Hey! VINA, all you gotta do is swipe right! 

(Featured image via @brunapetrillo)

NO IDEA WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR VINA MATCH? WE’RE HERE TO HELP.

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I’m the type of person who messages back embarrassingly fast or doesn’t respond for 3 days. There is no in-between. I tend to err on the side of not responding because I just have no idea what to message back at the moment. Then one day of not responding becomes a week, and eventually, I feel like it’s too late.

For all you vinas like me, who need a little help in the messaging department, I asked around and got some tips from the Hey! VINA pros at VINA HQ.

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SUGGEST HANGING OUT

The cool thing about friend-dating is that if you’re friends on paper (or based on your profiles), you’ll probably be friends IRL. The easiest way to find out is by meeting up and proving it! This is “first message” gold: suggest to meet in person and ask them what they’d enjoy doing. Simple as that.

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ASK QUESTIONS

If you’re still in chat mode with your new potential vina and the conversation lulls, another good tactic is to ask a question. Questions are what keep conversations going. Look at their profile, and use that information to ask about their job, their neighborhood, or even their emojis 😉!

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SEND A GIF

Did you know you can send photos and gifs in messages on the app? That’s right! If you’re not sure how to respond to a message, send a fun gif instead! It takes the pressure of you and will at least prompt an “LOL” from the other end. All you have to do is click the photo icon when you’re in the message screen and choose a gif from your camera roll.

EMBRACING FALL IN LA: 6 VINA DATE IDEAS

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OK, so who doesn’t need an adorable BFF photo in a freaking pumpkin patch right now. Put on those fall fashions. Pick up a pumpkin. And update your Instagram story ASAP. Buy a pumpkin that you have no intention of carving, and then treat yourselves to a PSL. It’s October, YOLO!

More info: http://www.mrbonespumpkinpatch.com

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I don’t know about you vinas, but I’m hungry AF like basically all the time. So, any vina date that involves walking between stands of delicious food and losing track of how much I’ve eaten sounds amazing, amirite? Look at this girl with her ice creams. She could be your vina. Those ice creams could be for you and your other vinas. Go to the food festival even if you live in Venice. Trust us, it will be totally worth it.

More info: http://eastsidefoodfest.com/

 

unnamed-4.pngLet’s go pretend to be German and drink beers with a million other people. Bonding over a cold one while surrounded by people in lederhosen is always a good idea, and do you really need another reason? There’s beer. Oh! And don’t forget about the guarantee of some super authentic and quality accordion music. Change it up, vinas. Beer is good for you, it’s liquid bread. Or whatever.

More info: https://oktoberfestdtla.com/unnamed-5.pngI’m all about getting creepy AF in the month of October, and this sounds like a super ideal place to do that. So, while this is not technically ON Dia De Los Muertos, but what better place to celebrate than the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Let’s paint our faces, take gratuitous Instagram photos, and hangout? Count us in, vina. Count us in.

More info: http://www.ladayofthedead.com/
Best web url ever, right?

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So actual Halloween is on a lame-o Wednesday this year. We’re bound to be exhausted come weekend Halloween parties, but I say you drag your butts out to the streets of West Hollywood and rage with the best of them. You know it’s gonna be good, so your plans to watch Hocus Pocus for the 11th time this month can wait, ok? They’re shutting down the streets for this shin dig. See ya out there!

More info: http://www.visitwesthollywood.com/halloween-carnaval/

 

YOUR SEPTEMBER FRIENDSHIP HOROSCOPE

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aries

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

This month is all about your career for you, Aries gals. You have big things coming – but don’t let your friendships fall to the wayside! Try to remember, your friends aren’t perfect, and neither are you. Forgiveness is going to be super important this month, don’t expect too much from yourself or from your besties.

taurus

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

You’re looking at a peaceful month, Taurus babes. Since your health and financial prosperity are looking good, you’ll have tons of time to focus on your friendships. You may even find a certain family member becoming more of a friend than a distant relative. Embrace the new!

gemini

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Ah Geminis, you’re in for a transformative month. You may have recently made some new friends. So now you’ll have to decide – do you want to have fun with a bunch of different vinas, or focus on deepening your friendships with a select few?

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Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Sit back and allow change to wash over you Cancers, September is going to be a good one. A friend might connect you to someone that will be instrumental in career growth – so network, network, network! Saturn will help you make good decisions when it comes to money and career. Drinks on you?💸💸💸

leo

Leo (July 23 – Aug 22)

As usual, you Leo babes are feeling independent AF. While you may feel like you don’t need anyone else in your life, it might do you some good to be open to some new friends who will be trying to get your attention. You never know who you may meet!

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Virgo (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

This month is all about maturing your friendships, Virgos. Feeling like all your friendships are staying surface-level? Try being more vulnerable with your vinas, that’s the only way to truly connect!

libra

Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

The planets are on your side this month Libras, as they help you connect more deeply to your friends – new and old. Embrace vulnerability and forge those deeper connections! An old friend may even surprise you!

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Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Believe it or not, Scorpios, this month is going to be spiritual and lovely for you. Embrace your spirituality and let it guide you to better, deeper friendships this month! Platonic love is on the horizon for you, if you let it in.

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Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Networking should be your priority this month, as your friends may lead you to exciting new financial and career opportunities, Sag! This month might finally be the month you turn that side hustle into a real job!

capricorn

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Usually you’re the ones inspiring your friends to be their best selves, Capricorns. But this month, let your friends inspire YOU. You make a new business connection or find your next side project through one of your awesome friends!

aquarius

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You’re up for a challenging, but exciting, month, Aquarius gals. Pluto and Mars will fuel your career energy, and your friends are going to be instrumental in helping you out as well. Nurturing your friendships will yield positive outcomes in all aspects of your life!

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Pisces (Feb 19 – March 20)

Your friendships are never superficial, Pisces. This month, focus on deepening these friendships even further. You never know where a good friend can lead you! We see success in your future.

We hope your September is full of new friendships and exciting opportunities, vinas! 

MEET OUR INTERNS: SUMMER ’17

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This summer, we had the absolute pleasure of working with some amazing gals. Our Marketing and Editorial interns were passionate, fun, and truly embodied the VINA mission of empowering, celebrating, and connecting women around the world. We asked them some get-to-know-you questions, read their answers below!

hannah HANNAH, LEWIS AND CLARK

What is your favorite thing about yourself? 

My favorite thing about myself is my ability to see the positive side to every situation!

What is your guilty pleasure?

Dried Mangoes. They are actually pretty healthy. But they are my guilty pleasure because when I start snacking on them I cannot stop!

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

Emma Watson. Forever and always.

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

My favorite thing has most definitely the sweet atmosphere of the office. Not only is it decorated perfectly, but everyone is always so sweet and smiley when I come in. I always leave in a slightly better mood than when I came in.

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

I have been playing around with henna and henna designs since middle school. But this summer I got to work as a professional henna artist at my first fair! I met all sorts of people and it was a ton of fun. I definitely plan on doing more fairs and festivals in the future. (insta: @hannah.henna if you want to check it out)

 

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CHARLOTTE, UCSD

What do you like most about yourself?

What I like most about myself is that I make an effort to be kind to everyone, and that I give every opportunity given to me 110%

What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is eating Nutella and watching baseball and figure skating religiously.

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

Definitely Malala Yousafzai, Emma Watson, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Austen, and Mindy Kaling!

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

I’ve loved getting the chance to explore many different aspects of the concepts of sisterhood and feminism. There’s a lot of inner beauty in women that is often overshadowed by outer beauty, and I’ve loved helping identify that!

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

I’m proud of my dedication to my music. I’ve spent many tedious hours and energy practicing my violin, but it’s worth it to be able to perform something so beautiful!

lindsey

LINDSEY, UC DAVIS

What do you like most about yourself?

Favorite thing about myself is being adventurous. I am always up for anything and love to explore and be outdoors.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is reading really crappy romance novels and eating Ben and Jerrys Half Baked ice cream.

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

I would totally swipe right on Emma Watson, Michelle Obama and Ellen Degeneres!

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

My favorite thing about working for VINA is getting to experience working in an environment with people who are so passionate about what they do. I immediately felt welcomed into the team atmosphere and I love being surrounded by such unique and cool individuals.

brittany

BRITTANY, SONOMA STATE

What do you like most about yourself?

My favorite thing about myself would be my sociable personality!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is olive oil popcorn from Trader Joe’s. YUM!

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

I wanna be besties with Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens!

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

My favorite thing about working for VINA has been getting to know the VINA team and learning how strongly they feel about women empowerment and building connections for woman around the world ! They’re all awesome!

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

I am most proud of the scholarships I have received during my college career!

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UJU, HOWARD UNIVERSITY

What do you like most about yourself?

My favorite thing about myself has to be the gap in my smile and my confidence!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is definitely ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ and Disney Channel. They’re polar opposites, but somehow it makes sense to me!

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

Sheesh, I have definitely had some lady crushes in my day. Bad Gal RiRi, Mindy Kaling, Aubrey Plaza, Tina Fey, Raven Symone… I like my besties with a sense of humor as large as their intellect!

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

My favorite thing has been the community of women. No matter how near, far, or how often you speak, they’re always there for you, no matter your role on the team.

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

I’m proud of something new every day! As soon as I reach my goals, I set new ones! Any day that I can push myself further than the last – I’m proud!

brooklyn

BROOKLYN, MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY

What do you like most about yourself?

I am unintentionally witty and a really good listener.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasures are reading historical fiction and 2000s R&B.

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

Issa Rae, Gloria Steinem, Angela Davis, Gertrude Stein, Ava DuVerney, and Artimesia Gentileschi!

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

I have loved sharing my anecdotes and experiences with our readers and (hopefully) angling my pieces in a way that truly helps them grow as they read.

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

I am proud of myself for moving across the country to pursue my dreams.

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LAURIE, UC RIVERSIDE

What do you like most about yourself?

I like that I’m generally really chill and relaxed.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Going to ALL concerts.

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

Gillian Jacobs and Aubrey Plaza hands down.

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

The friendships I made with the other editorial interns!

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

My resilience and music making skills.

katie

KATIE, SEATTLE UNIVERSITY

What do you like most about yourself?

My favorite thing about myself is probably the fact that I am the go-to person for my friends when they need cheering up!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

HGTV. Point blank.

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

I’d swipe right on Ruth Bader Ginsburg, BeyoncĂŠ, Kate Mckinnon, and Michelle Obama!

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

My favorite thing about working for VINA has been working with and for a whole bunch of smart and strong women, and feeling empowered every time I walk in to the office.

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

I’m pretty proud of my work as an event planner at my college. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, and it turns out I’m really good at event planning!

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EMMA, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

What do you like most about yourself?

I’m an excellent problem-solver! I love figuring things out.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

The Sol Food bistec sandwich. If you’re ever in Marin County, CA you HAVE to get it.

Which famous gals – from history or pop culture –  would you swipe right on?

I’d swipe right on Bad gal RiRi, Queen Elizabeth II, Amy Poehler!

What has been your favorite thing about working for VINA?

Writing articles that I want to write and getting positive responses from vinas. And coming up with creative new marketing tactics (growth hacking)!

Ladybrag! What’s something you’re proud of?

I just wrote a research report with a well-known Epidemiology professor which will be published in a legit scientific journal. Ahh!

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