Every year, our most-read stories tell us a lot about what’s been on women’s minds – what made us stop scrolling, send a link to a friend, or quietly think, oh wow, it’s not just me. Some stories rise to the top because they felt comforting. Others because they sparked debate, hit a nerve, or put words to something we hadn’t quite figured out how to say yet.
This year, you showed up for stories about ambition and burnout, motherhood and money, grief and joy, power and vulnerability – the full spectrum of women’s lives. You read them, shared them, talked about them, and kept coming back for more.
So here they are: the 10 stories you couldn’t get enough of this year.
Canadian women-owned brands you need to know about
With tariffs and trade tensions making headlines, one trend became clear: more women than ever were looking for locally made, Canadian-owned products.
That’s why we celebrated the incredible female-owned brands thriving right here at home. From fashion to wellness, food to home goods, these businesses weren’t just creating amazing products – they were shaping industries and boosting the Canadian economy.
Making history at 35,000 feet: Meet Zoey Williams, Air Canada’s first Black female pilot
We spoke with Zoey Williams, Air Canada’s first Black female pilot, about her journey from airline kid to cockpit. From early flights with her dad to breaking barriers in aviation, she filled us in on how she is helping inspire the next generation of women to soar.
I’m almost 30. Why is my body still a mystery to me?
As she approached 30, our editor Lisa realized her own body still felt like a mystery – and she wasn’t alone. With most women downplaying symptoms and navigating conflicting advice, she explored the gaps in women’s health knowledge and shared what it means to trust your body, ask questions, and take control of your health.
The myth of the working parent: Why we need to stop pretending it’s working
She thought she could “have it all” – until the public service made it clear she couldn’t. In this piece, Kelly Campbell reflected on the invisible tax of working parenthood, the barriers women still face, and how the pandemic opened the door to rethinking work-life balance.
Have prenups become part of the modern love story?
When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got engaged, prenups were suddenly in the spotlight. We spoke with financial expert Jag Gandhi about why marriage contracts aren’t just for celebrities – and how they help couples start important conversations about money, assets, and expectations before saying “I do.”
The book that taught me to make the world more beautiful
She grew up surrounded by books and bedtime stories, but one children’s book left a lasting mark: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. Revisiting its quiet lesson about adding beauty to the world, Jen reflects on how small acts of care, kindness, and intention can leave a lasting legacy – even in everyday life.
Changing the ‘nude’ norm in lingerie
Tired of “nude” lingerie never matching women of colour, Chantal Carter launched Love & Nudes, creating bras and underwear in diverse skin tones. Since then, she’s expanded the brand to empower women, educate on health, and celebrate identity – proving lingerie can be about more than just style.
When love isn’t enough: Love, loss, and the shadow of addiction
She loved him fiercely, but addiction slowly stole the man she married. Over years of fear, chaos, and grief, Jennifer Vriend navigated a marriage and motherhood under impossible strain – and finally, after her husband’s death, began to process the complex mix of love, loss, and healing.
My ‘geriatric’ pregnancy at 43 is exhausting, empowering, and totally worth talking about
At 43, Courtney Spiak thought her days of diapers and late-night feeds were behind her – until two unexpected pink lines changed everything. What followed was a whirlwind of fear, doubt, and disbelief, but also a journey of self-trust, empowerment, and rewriting the rules of pregnancy later in life.
Honest truths about living with a cancer most have never heard of
Turning 42 brought more than midlife reflection – it brought a rare cancer diagnosis, gruelling treatments, and the unexpected challenge of early menopause. Through it all, Jessica Slack found resilience, hope, and a new appreciation for life, proving that even the hardest chapters can be met with strength, gratitude, and a little optimism.
