Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Phara Souffrant Forrest, New York State Assembly District 57

In June of this year, Claire Valdez, a Democratic Socialist, won the nomination for US Representative from Brooklyn. The neighborhood of Fort Greene helped her triumph in her primary. This progressive neighborhood also falls in the State Assembly district of Phara Souffrant Forrest (she/her), another democratic socialist in the New York State House. This millennial won her seat in the fall of 2020, after she joined the Crown Heights Tenants Union because her landlord was going to convert her rent-stabilized apartment into luxury condos. A maternal health nurse, Phara is currently 9 months pregnant with her second child, and she is running on a campaign of single-payer healthcare, with her highest priority being black maternal health. Phara sums up her campaign, “I fight for tenants, immigrants, workers, and everyone who is left out of our capitalist system.”

Cindy Lawson: Empowerment & Community

Musician Cindy Lawson is not afraid to say what she’s feeling. After taking a break from music, her new single, The Reckoning”, has pulled her back into the craft at full force. It’s powerful and unforgiving nature screams in delight at the karmic wheel of life. Beyond the music, Lawson is dedicated to community. Supporting efforts like Minnesota Music Resistance Group, International Institute of Minnesota, and Abortion Access Front, she highlights the importance of making a difference. To learn more about Cindy Lawson and her music, read on.

Birth Control: An Individualized Experience For All Women

Since its release in the 1960s, birth control has not just been a way to prevent pregnancy, but also a way for women to become empowered with the ability to make their own choices about their bodies and futures. Choosing to take birth control is not just a purely physical decision, it is also a psychological, emotional, and political decision.

SCAD Heart Disease: The Hidden Heart Threat You Should Know About

When we think about heart disease, we often picture blocked arteries caused by years of plaque buildup, a condition primarily linked to lifestyle and age. But there’s a lesser-known, often misunderstood heart condition that doesn’t follow those rules: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). SCAD strikes suddenly, often in healthy individuals, and it doesn’t always come with warning signs. It predominantly affects women, particularly those under 50, and can occur even in people without any prior heart issues. For many, the first sign is a heart attack. That’s why understanding SCAD is not just important, it could be lifesaving.

Articles, zIssue 57.3Angelina DeSalvoAugust 4, 2025health, Awareness, heart, womens health, pregnant, educationComment