The Her Edit
A curated edit of life, beauty & becoming
A reflective column on the women, moments and quiet headlines worth holding a little longer.
“Some stories do not need to be loud to leave an imprint. Some women remind us what it means to breathe, begin again, and become.”
- Sharmadean Reid MBE: Building Rooms Where Women Can Rise
Sharmadean Reid, a creative visionary from Wolverhampton, has spent over two decades building community-focused businesses, from a hip hop fanzine to WAH Nails and Beautystack. Now, The Stack World empowers women economically. Her journey highlights the importance of community as a powerful force for growth and support among women. - Dame Elizabeth Anionwu: Carrying the Light ForwardDame Elizabeth Anionwu, the UK’s first sickle cell nurse specialist, has dedicated her life to caring for others and honoring historical figures like Mary Seacole. Born in 1947, her early experiences inspired her to advocate for marginalized communities. Elizabeth’s efforts culminated in a statue of Seacole, unveiling their enduring legacy of care and courage.
- Mary Seacole: The Woman Who Went AnywayMary Seacole, born in Jamaica in 1805, defied rejection to care for soldiers during the Crimean War. Turned away from official nursing roles due to her race, she self-funded her journey, providing medical aid and comfort. Her autobiography in 1857 and subsequent recognition highlight her enduring legacy as a pioneering figure in healthcare and empowerment.
- Dr Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire: Ready Before the World Knew It Needed HerDr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, a scientist from North Carolina, exemplifies the years of dedication leading to significant breakthroughs. Her work on coronaviruses laid the foundation for the rapid development of a vaccine in 2020. She bridges science and community by addressing mistrust in medical institutions, emphasizing the importance of preparation and connection.
- Dr Patricia Bath: The Woman Who Gave People Their Sight BackDr. Patricia Bath, a pioneering ophthalmologist from Harlem, transformed eye care by addressing racial disparities in blindness rates. Noticing higher rates of blindness in Black patients, she founded “community ophthalmology” and invented the Laserphaco Probe. Bath’s legacy inspires others to confront societal inequalities. She passed away in 2019, leaving a lasting impact.
- Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock: A Star child Who Never Stopped Looking UpMaggie Aderin-Pocock, born in 1968, overcame childhood challenges and societal doubts to pursue her passion for science and space. From building her own telescope to becoming a prominent educator and co-host of The Sky at Night, she inspires others, especially young girls, to embrace curiosity and chase their dreams.
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas and the Season of Not Running | The Her EditPriyanka Chopra Jonas has done nearly seventy films. Now she’s asking: did it move me? On permission, ambition, and slowing down without stopping.
- Olivia Munn and the Body I Didn’t Recognise | The Her EditOlivia Munn’s son was born, then cancer came 18 months later. On rebuilding trust in a body that fought twice — not getting it “back.”
- Brandi Carlile and the Quiet Discipline of StayingBrandi Carlile chose a quiet boundary long before anything broke. On healthspan, presence, and what long-term self-care actually looks like
- Davina McCall: Breaking the Menopause SilenceDavina McCall changed how a nation talks about menopause. On ageing, honesty, and refusing to let women suffer in silence.
- Tricia Hersey: Rest Is ResistanceNap Ministry founder Tricia Hersey on rest as resistance, the lie of grind culture, and the sacred permission to stop and simply be.
- Le’Nise Brothers: Learning Your Cycle | The Her EditNutritionist Le’Nise Brothers on hormones, the menstrual cycle, and why learning your body’s rhythms is a quiet act of coming home.
- A Gentle Wellness Reset for SummerA soft edit of small rituals for coming home to your body this July — hydration, gentle movement, and calm. Nothing extreme, only kind.
- Dr Joy Harden Bradford on Mental HealthTherapy for Black Girls founder Dr Joy Harden Bradford on why women deserve mental health care, sisterhood, and somewhere to put the weight down.
- Lupita Nyong’o & Fibroids: The Pain We CarryLupita Nyong’o, featured in the Health edition of Women Worth Watching, highlights the often-unspoken pain women endure, particularly regarding fibroids. After experiencing significant health issues related to fibroids, she advocates for awareness, research, and education to combat the normalization of female pain, empowering women to confront their discomfort rather than endure it silently.
- She Chose Other People’s Futures.Dame Deborah James, known as BowelBabe, was a courageous campaigner who transformed cancer discourse. Diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer at 35, she dedicated her last days to raising awareness and £17 million for cancer research. Her legacy of “rebellious hope” continues to inspire others to engage in life fully, despite challenges.
- The Woman Who Didn’t Wait to Start LivingKris Carr, diagnosed with incurable stage four cancer in 2003, redefined survival by choosing to live fully despite her illness. Instead of waiting for a cure, she built a vibrant life, documented her journey, and created a community, inspiring countless women to embrace wellness now, not later. Her story emphasizes proactive living alongside illness.
- She Built the stage then stood on itKanya King CBE, founder of the MOBO Awards, passed away on June 3, 2026, after battling stage four colon cancer. She transformed British music by creating a platform for Black artists, despite facing numerous challenges. Recognized for her contributions, King’s legacy continues to inspire future generations in the industry.
- She Was Never The Fallen OneSarah Jakes Roberts, daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes, transformed her narrative from a teenage pregnancy and public shame into empowerment. By founding the global movement Woman Evolve and becoming co-senior pastor of The Potter’s House, she emphasizes healing through authenticity. Her story embodies resilience and defies conventional redemption arcs.
- The Glamour and The GriefBevy Smith, at 59, candidly discusses navigating grief and ambition. Despite her career successes, she feels incomplete after losing her parents. Through her YouTube show “In Bed with Bevy,” she explores the complexities of being in the middle of life, emphasizing that growth often exists alongside unresolved feelings and personal loss.
- The Woman They Decided Was Powerful and AfraidWomen Worth Watching · No. 02 The Woman They DecidedWas Powerful and Afraid. On Kris Jenner, ovarian tumours, hysterectomies, and what it means to be afraid in public — and… Read more: The Woman They Decided Was Powerful and Afraid
- What Nobody Tells You About Life After CancerThe article discusses the often-ignored realities of life after cancer, highlighting various chronic conditions that may arise, such as myasthenia gravis, pure red cell aplasia, oral leukoplakia, and autoimmune hepatitis. It emphasizes the emotional and physical challenges cancer survivors face, including managing endless appointments and medications, alongside feelings of isolation and grief for their former selves.
- The Woman Who built TwiceJo Malone CBE’s journey epitomizes resilience and reinvention. After overcoming breast cancer and losing her sense of smell, she faced a non-compete clause that prevented her from creating fragrances for five years. In 2011, she launched Jo Loves, showcasing her evolved creativity and determination to keep building despite life’s challenges.
- The Woman Beneath The GOATThe piece reflects on Simone Biles’ journey, emphasising her decision to prioritise mental health over performance. It highlights her autonomy in choosing not to compete when necessary and explores the pressure women face to perpetually demonstrate strength. Ultimately, Biles embodies a narrative of self-discovery beyond athletic identity, affirming the importance of inner well-being.
- The First ExhaleJessie J recently shared her emotional journey after being declared cancer-free, revealing the profound relief of finally exhaling after a year of anxiety and struggle. The piece reflects on the importance of recognizing moments of release, allowing oneself to grieve and heal before rushing back into productivity, inviting others to honor their own exhalations.
Women Worth Watching · The Her Edit · Quote Cards
“She kept her husband’s illness private out of loyalty, carried three children through the worst year of their lives, and then walked back onto live television and found the grace in all of it.”
“She lost most of the vision in her right eye after a toy accident with her son. She returned to the anchor desk. She kept showing up. She kept being present.”
“She wrote 80 poems about the illness that took root in her because of her silence. She named it. She published it. She stopped carrying secrets that were never hers to carry.”
“She spent 40 years undiagnosed. When she finally had a name for what she’d been living with, she didn’t hide it — she walked the Oscars red carpet with a custom cane and refused to disappear.”
“She lost David Bowie — her husband of 24 years — and grieved so privately, so completely, that when she emerged she seemed to have become something even more herself.”
“She stood in a hallway in Tokyo and said: not today. And then she came back to Paris and was extraordinary. Of course she was.”
“She had breast cancer at 42, became a mother for the first time at 52, and spent two decades on live television being the warmest person in any room she entered.”
“She became US Figure Skating champion at 13. She retired at 17. She came back at 18. She is still deciding who she wants to be on the ice — and off it.”
“She has spoken openly about anxiety and the particular loneliness of being visibly successful while privately struggling — and in doing so, gave language to something many women carry alone.”
“She was nominated for an Oscar at 14, built a music career alongside an acting one, and has moved through the industry with a groundedness that is quietly remarkable for someone who grew up entirely inside it.”
“The internet named its hatred of her. She outlasted it. Not loudly, not defensively — she simply kept working, kept being herself, and the world eventually caught up.”
“She has been radically honest about the pressure placed on women’s bodies in the modelling industry — and built a wellness brand rooted in the opposite of everything she was once told to be.”
“She changed what the word ‘body’ means in the modelling industry. Not by fighting the standard — by simply, consistently, joyfully refusing to disappear from rooms that weren’t built for her.”
“She lost her husband during the pandemic and wrote her grief into a novel — Let Us Descend — that was called one of the most powerful books of the decade. She turned the unbearable into art.”
“Not every woman worth watching has a headline. Some are building quietly — in the margins of their lives, in the in-between, in the seasons that no one else can see yet.”
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