Best of 2018: Most Read Blogs As Voted By You

Blog • 20th December, 2018

Looking back on our most read pieces of 2018, some things are clear. People want to read about women kicking goals in literal male dominated fields, like AFL. Diversity is not a just buzzword for our readers; they want less all male, white-bread event panels and they want it now.

And judging by this list, it’s clear that our readers care about survivors of abuse. Three of our top 10 articles explore topics relating to sexual abuse and assault, #MeToo, and of course, the way we choose to tell our story. We are very lucky to have such empathetic and compassionate readers, who are actively looking for ways to meaningfully connect with these issues.

So – without further ado, here are our most read Trust Women Journal stories of 2018, as voted by you:

#10. More Than Silverware

Nicole Hayes

Footy tragic and author Nicole Hayes writes about her on-again, off-again relationship with Aussie Rules: “just when I think it’s all over between footy and me, just when I’m ready to file for divorce or a trial separation, something happens so filled with joy, so powerful in what it represents, that I end up falling in love all over again.”

#9. Feminist Resolutions That Will Last

Clem Bastow

Australian writer, broadcaster and music critic, Clem Bastow has decided to scrap New Year’s resolutions in favour of something far more lasting: feminist resolutions.

#8. The Mother Load

Mary Crooks AO

Mary Crooks AO, VWT Executive Director, demands to know: is the question of economic security for women – waged and unwaged – simply too vexed for our nation to handle?

#7. What We Are Listening To: Silent Waves

Maria Chetcuti

VWT Project Manager, Maria Chetcuti, reviews one of the best local podcasts of 2018, Silent Waves. Throughout the series, podcast producer Georgina Savage, deftly weaves a complex family history into the bigger picture of institutional abuse. If you’re looking for a new feminist hero, this podcast well and truly delivers.

#6. Surprise, Surprise

Rosemary Geer

Through a chance find, Rosemary is given the rare opportunity to revisit her wedding day in 1971. In this previously unseen video footage, Rosemary is greeted with the image of herself as a young woman, full of potential. Along with it, comes a rush of memories, both good and troubling.

#5. Let's Put an End to Manels

Esther Davies-Brown

Esther is a feminist with a to-do list and Project Officer at the Victorian Women’s Trust. At the top of her agenda is putting an end to all-male panels (‘manels’, if you will) ensuring events, festival line-ups, and more, actually reflects the diversity of our community.

#4. Tax Time Looms: 10 Ways to Boost Your Refund

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

While it might not exactly be tax time, any time is good for thinking about your money and getting yourself organised for the future. To that end, finance expert Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon’s top tips for tax time are relevant year-round. Trust us.

#3. Teaching Girls About Money is a Super Idea

Jan Fran

If you’re a woman in your 20s and 30s, Jan Fran reckons you should be thinking about your money — it’ll pay off down the track.

#2. What Makes Me a Woman

Madison Griffiths

‘I dare you to understand what makes me a woman.’ Writer, poet and activist, Madison Griffiths, considers what makes a woman, teasing out the lyrics of Angel Olsen and the ways in which we can meaningfully celebrate International Women’s Day.

#1. Our Obligation to Anger: On Hannah Gadsby's Nanette and Feminist Rage

Em Meller

Deservingly, our most read piece of 2018 was Em Meller’s exploration of Hannah Gadsby’s searing work, Nanette. She acknowledges the complex relationship between feminism and anger, asking, can it ever be constructive?

Note: this list was restricted to 2018, but had we decided to broaden it out, the number one spot would’ve been given to a man! That’s right, Richard Denniss’ address at Breakthrough 2016 is still a hot favourite amongst feminists out there. What does that say about us? Hmm. I’ll leave that with you to ponder.