IN A WORLD WHERE THERE IS HATE, THERE IS ALSO LOVE. SO LOVE. LOVE MORE.

Image by: Abimael Linares

Here's to living in a world where women support one another.
Let us leave envy and jealousy behind!
It does not serve anyone, but rather
​detaches us from goodness and a world of positivity and possibility. 
Let us love more! 

Mix it up a bit and do something else this weekend than hitting the usual bar; here is a handful of fun ideas to give you energy for the week ahead.

by Iconic Chica Contributors

At a time where superheroes are finding a balance in the Fe-Male scale, we can't help but look back. Specifically, at a woman who was part of 1966's Batman. Described by her friend as immaculate and glamorous. Just by appreciating her photo, we know it to be a fact.  Smart, funny, beautiful, and talented are some of the characteristics that describe the late Francine York. A woman, who didn't allow pain or sickness to get in the way of her funny and extraordinary self.  Image Source

Image Source If you don't have a good sense of self-esteem and self-image, and you don't know who you really are, and you don't trust yourself and don't like yourself ... It can be a serious problem. -FRANCINE YORK

A FRIEND OF YORK SHARES INSIGHT...

Photo by ASH GUPTA

Erin Gavin (image, left) who was a friend of Francine tells us the beautiful soul that was York. While the two didn't get a chance to work on a film together, Gavin tells us "she mentored me."  Undoubtedly the two have more than friendship in common, they are both bold, strong females whose talent transcends via the screen. The two brought Marilyn Monroe back to life in their films Marilyn Alive and Behind Bars (1992, Francine York) and most recently, Marylin: The Last Investigation (2016, Erin Gavin). York "was able to help me with the voice and some of her mannerisms off screen." ​ Erin answered some of our questions about the unforgettable, glamourous and ICONIC CHICA that was Francine York.

Q&A:

Photo by Justin Kahn

A Hollywood star who left us her mark. Francine York worked with many talents, including Elvis Presley (Tickle Me, 1965), Marlon Brando (Bedtime Story, 1964), and Nicholas Cage (The Family Man, 2000), just to name a few. Talk about being a woman in a "man’s" world! ​ Film wasn't her only success. As we mentioned earlier, she played Lydia Limpet in TV’s Batman of 1966. She also worked in Bewitched (1964), Mission: Impossible (1966), and The King of Queens (1998). She didn't stop there! She also took her culinary skills and nutrition expertise to health magazines. Rumor has it, she was one of Hollywood’s leading hostesses, cooking for celebrities like Clint Eastwood and Glenn Ford. Francine York closed the curtains on January of 2017. Her films and glamour will live forever.

​OVER 7,000 PEOPLE IN MISSOURI COULD LOSE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS

Missouri is facing a “defunding” of Planned Parenthood. What does this mean? Low-income patients, both old and new, who rely on Medicaid could lose access to hundreds of providers across the state.  Image Source: PlannedParenthooAction.org (click image to be directed)

According to PlannedParenthoodAction.Org,  “Planned Parenthood in Missouri provides high-quality, affordable health care and education to 50,000 women, men, and young people each year.” ​ Those who receive any preventive care, such as  birth control, cancer screenings, annual exams, and STI testing and treatments, will be left with nowhere to go if this measure becomes law.

How Can I Help Protect Access to Family Planning and Women's Health Care in the Budget?

How do I find my senator?  1.Follow the link >https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/.  2.Choose your state from the drop down menu.  3.Click on contact link, below senator’s name and info.  Here you'll be directed to an email form or contact form. You can write a letter. Here is how to address it:      The Honorable (Name of Senator) United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 This information is directly from the United States Senate site.  You can call directly to the U.S. Capitol and will be directed to your senator(s) office.  U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.  *All of this information has been verified.

You can also go directly to IStandWithPP.org/call and be connected directly. Provided in their site is a script (see image below), which you can use as a guide or inspiration to submit your letter and/or email.

Let us celebrate another release with strong female characters! 
Beatriz At Dinner, starring Salma Hayek, will be available nationwide! ​

Roadside Attractions had its strongest opening of the year with Miguel Arteta's and Mike White's satirical comedy Beatriz at Dinner.   On five NY and LA screens the film grossed an estimated $150,160 for an estimated PSA of $30,032, and notably placed #1 at The Landmark in LA.     Beatriz garnered fantastic reviews since its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, including  career-best accolades for star Salma Hayek in the title role. The film is drawing a mix of audiences, both younger and older, and both Latino and non-Latino.  Roadside expects a very strong Sunday box office in line with the performance of films appealing to a significant Latino audience.

Target is committed to empowering women to feel confident in what they wear by offering a variety of style choices. We loved working with these women because they embody confidence and inspire [others\ to embrace and be proud of who they are, regardless of their size or shape... It was important to us to use photography that represented their true beauty, without filters

Photo Source: Target

Photo Source: Target

Take a day once in a while to explore a new place. By yourself. And I'm not talking about going out of state or the country (but by all means if you can, go for it).
-Go to a new coffee shop. Order something. Sit and have that by yourself.
-Go for a walk.
-Explore your city. 
-Explore your neighborhood. ​

THE FIGHT 

Every path chosen inevitably comes with its own challenges, including the university life. 

Going into college as a freshmen, I did not expect much from people or classes, I just figured it would be a new, more difficult environment. I usually had in mind that students were going to be mean, and there would really be no point in asking for anyone’s advice, and boy was I wrong. There were moments in my time of crisis where I needed urgent help or assistance, and thankfully, good people still exist. As pessimistic as I was, I decided to let good people know they were very much appreciative. Anyway, the point is to let others know when they are doing a good job, and be as optimistic as you can.

Giancarlo: Well since I was little, I have always thought to myself that I was eventually going to be a college student; I was basically told that this was the correct path to follow. The transition from high school to college was indeed a big change, but it was one that I already expected and so, I didn't really get all emotional about it. As I progressed on my first courses, I felt like I was doing well, I had a positive mind and it worked out for me. What I lacked, was a good study habit, mine wasn't that good, since I never really had to study while in high school. Therefore, I started planning my study sessions each day and organizing my schedule. I did study a lot, but I found out studying in sessions worked best for me. Every 1 or 2 hours I would stop and play some video games and then I would continue. It is true, that it doesn't matter how much you study, work always stack up and that is one of the main issues students face. I still deal with that problem, but I've progressed, by organizing and planning everything ahead. I learned that reading about the material of the current lecture before class is the best way to understand the subject.​​

Stephanie: College is where you truly discover who you are meant to be. It's a difficult road, with many bumps in the way, but at the end it's all worth it. Every experience you have counts; including failing exams, pulling all-nighters, gaining 10 pounds per semester or getting an A on the class that sucked the living out of you. You laugh, but you also cry, you make new friends as you lose old friends and, maybe, you even find the love of your life. Everyone always says that high school years are the best, but they are wrong; college years are the ones that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

​by Shekina M. Gonzalez www.shekinamarie.com