History Lessons
Henrietta Lacks: A Moral Wrong That May Never Be Righted
Her name may not be a household name, but ‘HeLa cells’ from Henrietta Lacks's cervix changed the world.
Josie Cox
Ideas
Coming to a Theatre Near You
Is Hollywood finally catching up with the real world? Maybe, sort of, yes.
The Grammys
One Victorious Beyoncé Does Not Equality Make
It’s a great story, but women aren’t really ruling the Grammys. When they’re nominated just one-third of the time, how could they?
Healthcare
More Women Are Entering Medicine — And It's Good for Everyone
Improved social support, more role models, and reduced bias in medical schools have fueled the change. When it comes to patient outcomes, it makes a difference.
Q&As
In a Deeply Divided World, Can Anything Unite Us? Perhaps a Comma Or Two.
Ellen Jovin is a grammarian whose conversations about language can help us connect in a world that feels broken.
DEI
DEI Is Something We All Rely On—Whether We Admit It or Not.
When companies are more inclusive, everyone profits. So when DEI gets shut down, it’s up to everyone to step up.
Power
As Always With Davos, A Question of Who Gets to Be in the Room
This year, over 50 heads of state are in attendance, as well as about 1,600 business leaders.
Mental Health
A Handful of Reasons to Be Hopeful. (Yes, We Found Some!)
Wars, wildfires and felonious world leaders are dominating the news cycle. But also: Diseases are being treated, solar power is booming and some animals are back from the brink of extinction.
Persisting Through Politics
Deciding Which Way to Look
Two men will be honored on Monday. They couldn't be more different.
Los Angeles Fires
Yes, Los Angeles Is Burning. No, DEI Is Not to Blame.
Within a day of the California wildfires igniting, right-wing influencers and conservative media outlets had decided what was to blame for the deadly blazes: DEI. That’s utterly ridiculous.
History Lessons
Why Can’t We Just Pass the ERA? It’s Complicated.
The Equal Rights Amendment is a simple 24-word piece of legislation. But it’s also a historic movement, more than a century in the making, that began with women’s suffrage and continues to this day.
Violence against women and girls
Bright Light. Big Smile. Her Name Was Debrina Kawam.
The story of the woman set alight on the New York subway is a reminder that everyone, even when they’re anonymous, is a somebody.
Books
Our Year In Books: Escape? Engage? Do Both?
The Persistent's editors round up their favorite reads of the year.
Legislation
How Can Equality Between Genders Still Be Up For Debate?
The Equal Rights Amendment is one of the most embattled pieces of legislation in the U.S. Supporters say it's just a question of publishing the damn thing.
Culture
What Taylor Swift Taught Me About Aging
No age is the right age to be a woman. Unless, of course, you're Taylor Swift.
Online Violence
Do Australia's Efforts to Protect Kids Online Go Far Enough?
Is passing an imperfect law really worse than not doing anything at all?