Growing up, we were practically bombarded with messages of female empowerment. There were innumerable girl bands who dressed like sex kittens, but sang girl power anthems. As kids, we didn’t really need these messages as badly as we do now. Our elementary school boyfriend didn’t screw us over as badly as the guy in our 9 AM lecture has..so with a newfound appreciation for man-hating it seems fitting that we revisit these empowering songs from our childhood.

initiating the gallery...

What other songs belong on this list?

Female athletes, especially those involved in collegiate and professional-level sports, have long struggled to be taken seriously and treated as equals to their male counterparts. Many positive advances have been made, but with several universities still finding ways around Title IX – the law that banned sex discrimination in all federally funded education programs – it’s clear that the fight isn’t over.

The “mystery” of menstruation has been an integral part of the argument against women in sports. Many coaches, and even athletes, still believe that women are unable to perform to the best of their abilities at certain points in their cycle due to hormone fluctuations. However, there is disagreement about exactly what time of the month a woman will experience her athletic low, and past scientific studies on the issue have been contradictory and inconclusive. Female athletes are also often told to either begin using birth control pills or stop using them in order to alter their hormone levels.

But now, a European study focusing on female rowers has provided evidence that a woman’s hormone levels do not affect her athletic performance. Some subjects of the study were using the birth control pill, and others were not. Some of the rowers were competitive athletes, and others were recreational athletes. Every participant came into the lab several times throughout the month and performed a fitness test on a computerized rowing machine. Each visit, whether women’s estrogen levels were at their peak or at their lowest point, their measures of strength and endurance never varied.

Another study recently performed at the University of Denmark found that women aren’t the weaker sex – quite the opposite, in fact. The study showed that during physical training, women’s tendons and ligaments did not become as thick and strong as men’s did. However, after women stopped or cut back on their workouts, they did not lose strength as quickly as men did. Why? Scientists think it’s a protection against weakness during periods of inactivity, like pregnancy. Not too shabby, huh?

So what does this mean for you?

Well, it may leave you with one less excuse to skip the gym, but you have to admit this is pretty awesome! This is just more proof that nothing should stop you from getting out, getting fit and having fun. Oh, and giving all those boys a run for their money.

"I wish I had breasts. Waaaahhh"

Last week’s Dude’s List was all about why he likes to be a him rather than a her. However, I not so subtly hinted in that article that every advantage reflects a disadvantage, every strength hides a weakness, and so, this Dude’s List I turn the tables on the boys. This time I go over the top dozen reasons you’ve got it over us. That’s right, I actually went 1 further!

Show Emotion
Let’s get the cliché out of the way. Yes, men are encouraged still to be more emotionally repressed. We are incorrigible due to the idea of having to be stronger, not to allow vulnerability, programmed to withhold because to be taken care of is weak and a sign of failure. I tread the line of the double standard but the standard is still the standard. I only wish this imbalance could get leveled out at long f*cking last.

Live Longer
So this is me sorta, kinda, maybe, backtracking on one of the perks I talked about last time. The fact we’ve got shorter life expectancies is really a blessing AND a curse. Who the heck really wants to die? Immortality’s the vainest but most common dream there is. We want to see the iPad 3! We want to see the AIDS vaccine reach the market! We want to watch “Batman 100: The Dark Knight Never Dies!” Enjoy those extra years, ladies. Enjoy knowing what comes next.

Have Better Sex
Multiple. Orgasms. We fire them off one at a time. Then, in general (there is the occasional Kryptonian) we have to wait at LEAST 18 minutes before we’re ready to go again. But you gals can work yourselves up to being the Energizer Bunny and just keep going and going and going and going… All those thousands of extra nerve endings you possess can take you to places we’re not fit to travel to. I made a woman meow once. Know how many times I’ve meowed? A big, fat, doughnut hole, THAT’S HOW MANY!

Masturbate More Discreetly
Please argue this one the comments section below. Diagrams, visual aids, and philosophical citations are encouraged.

Project Gorgeous
Men’s fashion is a constant modification of an overarching style. Clothes that were popular in the ’20s could still be pulled off today. You know why? Because men’s fashion doesn’t get nearly the attention, imagination, or experimentation that women’s fashion does. We want to be pretty, too, damn it! But a suit is a suit is a suit is a suit. When it comes to looking good, you’ve got an infinite number of paths to explore. We’ve got, maybe, 5.

WINNING!
It must be nice not to be restrained by logic. You’ve the ability to exercise “creative reasoning.” You’re not always right, but you’re never wrong. Which means we always are. And we’re tired of it. But we can’t do anything about it…KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

Reaching the Promised Land
There’s nowhere for us to go but down. Women still have room to gain ground politically, economically, and socially. We’re the bad guys. We’re the oppressors. We’re the ones that have to pay for our mistakes. Y’all have righteousness on your side. It’s taken a while and will continue to take a while, but you still have hope of ascending, whereas we have the inevitability of decaying into our own depravity. Think the Romans, the dinosaurs, the Corleones! And I hope it happens soon before we blow up the whole damn world. When it comes to the battle of morality, you’ve got the high ground.

Be Pampered Without Having Your Sexuality Questioned
Manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials, exfoliating, going to spas, showering every day…unless you’re really rich or a model, this kind of self-treatment isn’t accepted amongst those of us with penises. The only way we’re permitted to “treat” ourselves is with our dominant hand. And lotion.

Pulled Over? No Problem.
No guy has ever talked his way out of a speeding ticket. Tears get us a SECOND ticket. For being a pussy. And we have no breasts to show off. Our smiles are generally yellower and crooked. I’ve heard of a guy getting off, by offering to get the cop off. Unfortunately, I don’t have the balls to try it. So I pay…

Be Pursued Rather Than Pursue
Argue this all you want but there’s still the expectation that the man must chase the woman. We have to ask you out. We have to make the first move. We have to prove our worthiness. It’s painful. It’s stressful. And it sucks. It’d be really nice to feel wanted, even from unwanted sources. Just, you know, to have a girl come up to us and use a cheesy line. To be bought a drink. To be invited back to your place. The tides have turned a little in these sexual dynamics but the fine print still reads the mandate: men must hunt. “I do bite my thumb, sir.”

Possess Breasts
You’re obsessed with puppies. We’re obsessed with, well, puppies. Why are men always thinking about, staring at, wanting to touch, play with, fondle, worship the mammaries? It’s a debate that’s been held for centuries.  Part of it is a “grass is greener” mentality. We don’t have them. A dark little secret men don’t dare to admit: sometimes we wish we did. I mean, come on, they’re incredibly fun! (We don’t think about downsides like back pain, lactating, or the fact you’ve got 2 sensitive glands for all to bump into and hurt.) We just think: “Fluffy!”

Superpowers
Mindreading. Mind control. Syncing. The ability to reduce towering egos with a look. The keeper of the sex. And you’re even allowed to wear capes on the proper occasion…*pout*

Alright, ladies. This concludes our tour of male insecurities and jealousies. We’ve covered everything from the physical to the moral to the supernatural. Bring on the comments! What do you think you’ve got that we don’t? What did I miss? Where am I way off base? What’s your list in response? Show me where I crossed the line and beat me back. Because, remember, the Dude’s List is here for 1 reason: to say what we’re not supposed to say, but that a lot of us think. No judgments, just observations. Communication is key.

And that concludes the 18-minute waiting period,
The Dude

All the snow has kept me from going out and spending all those hundreds I’ve been accumulating. Joking! School is just around the corner which means you’re in need of some killer outfits to rock to class and out at the bars. Preferably on a low-budget, preferable free. We’ve got you covered, with this guide on turning your plaid boyfriend shirt into a sexy night time ensemble. You’re welcome.

However jaunting off to class won’t be as easy this time around, since we’ve gotten slammed with all that snow. Hey Florida, we officially hate you. This weather is seriously bringing us down. Check out some tips to make the weather a little more bearable. How many more days until spring?

If you’re still feeling those winter blues, at least check out our picks for who’s having the worst week ever. Did we mention there are pictures? Cheer up.

So you’re ready for school boys. You’ve got your outfit, you’ve got your game face, you’re ready to go. I told you this week would be sexy. Consider reevaluating your game plan and ignore what the studies are saying. Or not saying. Or, wait what? We’re confused.

For those of you who’ve already got a cute love interest. Enter: more sexy time. Forget what mom told you about giving the milk away for free, or was it eggs? Wasn’t there a cow involved in that metaphor? Ugh, we’re confused again. Take our girls advice, and then see what a dude has to say. You’d be surprised what they said.

Or, take a break and visit the realm of unbelievable guy behavior, and see what our dude has to say. He said, she said: Orgasm edition.

So take that sexy thing, and feel the girl power from College Candy with our list of top 10 inspiring women. They’re already your favorites anyways, but see why they made our list. You’re just as awesome

Now for the not-so sexy: teenage pregnancies exploited on television. Has America’s obsession with MTV reality shows gone too far? Teen Moms are in trouble: is MTV hurting them?

Wrap up your quick-trip through outrageous news with this month’s analysis of Cosmo. Here’s some things you shouldn’t try, and a few great laughs. Catch up. Promise us you won’t try any of those tips with your guy, which we think is pretty sexy.

Here at CollegeCandy, we are all about girl power. We love a good power suit, an intelligent woman with strong convictions and all of the college girls with passions and dreams.

But with all the homework, internships, jobs and stress, it can be hard to stay positive and motivated.

This morning, as we waited for the espresso to surge through our bloodstream, we came across an elderly woman in the news who really inspired us. It got us thinking about all the old women who continue to accomplish great things and make an impact on our world.

Sure, they may look frail, fragile and on the verge of breaking into a million little pieces and, yeah,  we may mutter an expletive or two if we get stuck behind one of them on the highway, but we all have to admit, these old ladies freakin’ rock!

Fighter
Isadel Gooden, 98, fought off robbers who broke into her house by hitting them over the head with a stick. For real. If someone broke into my house I’m pretty sure I’d start screaming like a little girl and dial 911 ASAP. Then possibly wet my pants. But not Isadel; at nearly 100 years old she took matters into her own hands and beat the crap out of someone! And now that guy needs to spend the rest of his life knowing he was beat up by a girl. An old girl.

Record Breaker
Ruth Frith, 100, won a gold medal in shot-put at the World Masters Games, setting new world record. This woman trains five days a week and lifts 77 pound weights….which makes me double think skipping the elliptical tonight…and slightly embarrassed by my baby 5lb weights I usually use. This woman is a true testament to the fact that you truly can accomplish anything you put your mind to. And that old ladies are fierce.

Aiding a Cause
Lan Yin Tsai, 85, biked 150 miles to benefit multiple sclerosis research…in heels. Yes, heels. She claims she rides her bike to church every weekend in heels, so why would she wear anything different for the race? This is my kind of woman. Except the whole biking part. And the heels. I can barely walk around my room in those things without crying.

Bachelorette
Wang Guiying, 107, is currently seeking a husband to get married for the first time. She has survived as a farmer for all these years living on her own, but now that she is too old to work she is finally ready to put a ring on it. (Perhaps her ripe old age suggests something about a life free of a lazy husband demanding food and sex? We’re just sayin’). It’s awesome that despite her age she is putting herself out there to find love, and that she has lived an amazing long life as an independent woman! You go, girl.

College Grad
Nola Ochs, 95, is currently the oldest college graduate, obtaining a degree in history from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. It took her over 30 years to graduate but she finally did it, and we think that’s awesome. She even lived in an on-campus apartment, writing term papers from her room and pulling all-night study sessions just like the rest of us college students! What are her plans now? She is seeking employment on a cruise ship…this may be the coolest old lady on the planet.

So far, I’ve broken all but one. So, I created this mix so with the intention that listening to it with my girls before I hit the bars this weekend will prevent me from going home with any random loser I might meet (or any douchebag-y ex-boyfriends I might run into).

So I invite all of you to celebrate being single/hating whatever loser lasted screwed you over with this classic Single Ladies/Girl Power pregame playlist.

Below is my list of the top five ways to dump someone. If any of these have happened to you, I feel for you sister; I really do.

1. Instant Message. A friend of mine was recently dumped via AIM. By her boyfriend of six months. Six freaking months and he didn’t have the decency to do this in person. The last time I was broken up with on instant messenger was in 8th grade, and even then it was barely acceptable. Any self respecting male over the age of 15 should muster up enough cojones to do their dirty work in person. Douchebags.

2. Text (Rusty Cartwright style). This method is highly unrealistic, at least in my experience. For me there would be no confirmation; the jerk would just disappear off the face of the earth until I ran into him at 1 am in sweatpants at the library. Still, the guy who employs this tactic is a little bitch, in my own humble opinion. If you are ever or ever have been dumped in this manner (or the aforementioned AIM breakup) then you probably don’t need me to tell you that honey, you are waaaay better off without that prick.

3. Burning gasoline on your front lawn spelling out “IT’S OVER. I’M LEAVING YOU FOR YOUR LAST EX-BOYFRIEND”. That’s probably just an irrational fear but Christ, wouldn’t that one suck?

4. Facebook Notification. This one has happened to me. It hits like a wave of confusion and denial. For some odd reason, the crazy folks at Facebook have incorrectly notified you (and the entire universe, thanks to Newsfeed) that you are suddenly single. Uh, what? You immediately call to tell your significant other of this insanity, but they don’t answer. Ever again.

5. Face-to-Face. AKA: The Old Fashioned Way. Because breakups always always suck. At least he was man enough to have a conversation with you, explain his twisted logic as to why he would leave you (because you, dear reader, are the best that he will ever get!) and give you the opportunity to say your piece about how you feel. But it’s still a break up, therefore it still hurts–but that’s what your girlfriends, Ben & Jerry and mindless E! programming are for. Besides, you were too good for him anyways.

So have any of you ever been broken up with in any of these ways? What creative/cowardly/douchey ways to dump someone did I leave out?

As soon as a friend of mine asked if I wanted to see the Spice Girls Reunion Tour, I squealed as though I was twelve again. I might even have started zig-a-zig, ahh-ing. I can’t really remember the exact way it went down, but next thing I knew I agreed to an evening of girl-powerful nostalgia at far too high a price.

Whatever. It’s the Spice Girls. The Visa statement can wait, alright? The show was this past weekend in Jersey, and ladies, let me tell you. It was awesome. And I am not ashamed.

This concert rekindled my love for pop music from my middle school days, and confirmed my girl-crush on Victoria Beckham, who really is that fabulous. If ever you doubted for a moment, rest assured. The Spice Girls have still got it. There were no openers, there was no encore, it was just a solid hour and a half with the girls.

I was definitely surprised by the attendance of so many prepubescent girls that were likely conceived to hits such as “Two Become One.” And the vast amount of sequins in the audience, as though it were New Years all over again.

There were men dancing better than I ever will, lots of skankariffic high-school girls wearing things that even I didn’t dare to attempt during freshman year of college, and of course, there were parents. Lots of fathers who were there for questionable reasons; some sighing, some more excited than they should be. It was a crazy mix of people, and it made for a hell of an evening.

The best part of the audience, however, was Carson from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. That’s right, even HE trekked to Newark for this shizz. The ladies sent a shout-out his way during an interlude, and the rest of us cheered for him as though he had jumped on-stage for a solo himself. Somehow, my friend had landed us floor seats, and the runway-like stage offered us views of the girls decked out in Cavalli from head to toe that made me really really really wanna reconsider the college degree and go be a pop star.

Except even Cavalli couldn’t work his magic on Mel C, who’s actually quite pretty. For some reason she got stuck in pantsuits while the other girls were more fun and (pun intended) posh. She just can’t seem to break out of that sporty, frumpy role she was given, even for the reunion tour.

Other highlights of the evening included:

–An all-male dancer cast, since the girls’ moves are kind of limited by either wardrobe or talent. (Props to Mel B, if you missed her on Dancing With The Stars)

–Lots of strutting done by Mrs. Becks

–Remember “I Wanna Make You Holler“? That track from the original album? Yeah, I didn’t either until the concert. AWESOME.

…And so much more that I don’t want to ruin it if you’re going. Just get psyched to spice up your life.

As the tour comes to a close I can’t help but get a little teary-eyed and miss the days of the middle school playground, pretending to be my spice of choice (probably even then Posh, due to lack of coordination), and I want to send a thank you to the friend who offered me my ticket. That spicy nostalgia-packed evening is one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

First, the Spice Girls made their comeback and now another fight for GIRL POWAAA!

Sheryl Crow and Avril Lavigne have come together to organize “GirlFrenzy”, (estrogen overload, anyone?) an all-girl concert scheduled to happen this October.

Performers include Av & Sher, along with Fiona Apple, and “rising stars” like Sara Bareilles, Antigone Rising, and Colbie Caillat (who now?).

Should be interesting to see how many GUYS actually show up to this event. I guess it’s fitting that the concert’s taking place October 27th, Halloween appropriate, seeing as it will haunt the souls of poor boyfriends dragged in tow left and right.

Sorry fellas.

I’m always in for a little celebration over girls ruling and boys drooling but “Hey Hey, Av, Av”…I thought you didn’t like a girlfriend?