It’s that time of year again — time to reflect on the stories that you, gentle reader, indicated you liked the best. And we are delighted to share that in 2025, perhaps due to shifting political winds at the beginning of the year, you were actually more in a defiant mood than gentle.
Stories about powerful women wielding political clout, or combatting climate disasters, or using their voices to stand up for others topped the list of “most popular.”
Below, we present our most popular stories, starting with our most-read story at No. 1.
Start placing your pre-orders. There are new books coming from Amanda Knox, Brooke Shields, Han Kang and more female authors in the new year. (Credit: Courtesy of Photo by Eman Ali on Unsplash)
10 Books By Women Authors We Can’t Wait to Read in 2025
We rounded up a list of the new year’s hotly anticipated releases from women authors, including Amanda Knox, Brooke Shields and Han Kang.
Rep. Anita Somani, seen here, is one of several state-level legislators hoping to inspire refreshed discourse around anti-abortion laws – in a roundabout way. (Credit: Ohio House of Representatives)
A New Resistance Tactic: Proposals to Legislate Men’s Bodies
Two new state-level bills are designed to spark conversation — and force anti-abortion politicians to confront the reality of who they seek to control, the lawmakers behind them say.
Terms like “women” are being increasingly erased from government forms like these, as well as websites and more – all for our protection, of course. (Credit: Jasleen Kaur, Flickr)
The Trump Administration’s Ongoing Effort to Literally Erase Women
Federal government sites are being scrubbed of any and all information, accolades and more that mention women, as part of a broader push against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Gov. Janet Mills is one of several women in power who are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s attempts to control, well, everything. (Credit: Gov. Janet Mills’ official Facebook page)
Women in Power Are Gumming Up the Trump Machine
As President Donald Trump and his team seek to secure yet more power by eroding American structures and norms, these women government officials have been fighting back.
(Credit: Department Of Government Efficiency X account)
‘DEI’ is Not to Blame for What Ails Us — Dumb, Arrogant Men Are
Women and minorities didn’t start the fires that burn around us. Those were lit by the men in charge, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
Print. Zitkala-Sa, Sioux Indian, by Gertrude Kasebier. PG*69.236.104. Image modified by curatorial staff.
She Fought for Her People’s Rights — And to Safeguard Native American Culture
Zitkála-Šá was a prolific writer and activist who co-founded the National Council of American Indians. And she penned the first ever Native opera.
View of a fire, from a rooftop in West Hollywood, on Jan. 8. (Credit: Wikimedia)
How Did the Los Angeles Wildfires Happen?
We asked wildfire expert Heather Hansen to tell us exactly how the fires started and explain how our changing climate got us into this deadly predicament.
Pete Hegseth speaking in 2018. (Credit: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons)
Here’s How Military Women Reacted to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Speech
The decorated members of the U.S. military — who also happen to be women — said there is no “male” or “female” standard when it comes to serving their country.
(Credit: Valerisa Gaddy)
Her ‘Indigenous Knowledge’ Almost Cost Her a PhD. Now, She’s Using It to Help Desert Communities
Valerisa Gaddy heads up Cool Tucson, and is helping the Pascua Yaqui Nation develop rain gardens.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of several influential women in politics we’re keeping an eye on. (Credit: nrkbeta, Flickr)
The Bold & The Autocratic: 12 Women in Politics to Watch in 2025
We’ve rounded up a list of women, from seasoned elected officials to up-and-comers, to keep an eye on this year — be they progressive role models, or regressive change agents.