11 news sites we love for insanely good coverage for and about women

From time to time, an industry or subject inspires us to create a best-of list. These are sites that produce out-of-this-world coverage in a crowded arena. In case you’ve missed some of these, you can find them here. This roundup is dedicated to women’s news sites you need to know about. If you think your site should be considered, give us a holler and tell us why.

Women’s news sites are blazing some pretty cool trails in the digital media world.

More traditional news sites are expanding their coverage for women, too.

If this is your target audience, you know it’s a group that’s huge, passionate, and hungry — and on topics that range far beyond any old-school definition of women’s interest.

With Women’s History Month just about to wrap, here are some of our favorite news sites that inform on women and keep women informed.

1. Broadly: For women’s news you thought would exist by now.

Broadly is Vice’s channel focused on gender and identity. It features original reporting and documentary videos on pretty much everything from a female perspective. Launched August 2015, the venture marked a serious effort to expand its audience — and at a time when hate for women on the internet boiled hot. If you’re looking to move the needle with real, provocative stories, Broadly is one to watch. Vice and Broadly are “committed to raising the bar for media coverage of women’s and LGBTQ issues and treating them as what they are: some of the most critical social and political issues of our time.”

Story to read right now: A Year of #MeToo Exhausted Women—And Renewed Our Collective Hope

2. theSkimm: For the top news of the day, every day.

theSkimm might be one of the best things a reader can do for their inbox. Its concept is super simple, and it works. In an easy-to-read, daily newsletter, theSkimm uses journalistic comprehensives (and jokes) to give its audience all the need-to-know news of the day. “Reading the news is time consuming; Wanting to read the news is a hobby; lastly, not everyone has the time or interest. theSkimm solves all that and makes it easier to be smarter,” the site says.

Stories to read right now: theSkimm on Mom Guilt — And Everything Else You’re Feeling Right Now; and 17 Women-Owned Brands to Discover Now (and Then Shop Forever).

After a six-year legal battle, the US women’s soccer team is finally getting equal pay. Here's your Skimm on how we got here, and how this could impact women on and off the field. https://t.co/pGwUFuNxP8

— theSkimm (@theskimm) February 22, 2022

3. The Cut: For a provocative take on issues that matter.

The Cut, by New York magazine, was historically known for its coverage of fashion and street style. Now, deep dives on a range of topics can be found on its homepage. In the same visual space, readers can migrate from celebrity lookbooks to learning about the latest in abortion legislation. According to the site, “it’s a dynamic, engaging resource that offers readers commentaries on the hottest trends, shrewd dissections of breaking national and local news, runway reviews of cutting-edge fashion, the scoop on what’s cooking with the latest top chefs, guides for New York shopping, dining, nightlife, and events, and more.”

Stories to read right now: The Costs of Oversharing With Your Boss; and Capturing the Joy of Black Girlhood.

"Paris has a reliable way of disrupting your notions and at the same time broadening the conversation" @cathyhoryn https://t.co/zisGsVsrmf

— The Cut (@TheCut) March 2, 2022

4. Teen Vogue: For razor-sharp coverage, with teens in mind.

Teen Vogue caught a lot of attention back in 2016 after an op-ed by Lauren Duca titled “Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America” went viral. Many were caught off guard by the incisive coverage by the teen-oriented mag. But, with younger generations showing a growing interest in politics, Teen Vogue’s shift toward social issues and activism shouldn’t be so baffling. It’s giving its audience exactly what it wants: well-rounded coverage that hits on the diverse interests of teens (from makeup to misogyny).

Story to read right now: How Selkie, the Brand Behind TikTok’s Famous Puff Dress, Is Helping Make Fashion More Inclusive; and Texas Has Started Investigating Families of Transgender Youth for Potential Child Abuse, Lawsuit Says.

several young long-haulers say their lives have been turned upside down. ⤵️ https://t.co/OZcQzoskjg

— Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) March 2, 2022

5. Bustle: For busy readers with insatiable news appetites.

Bustle launched in summer 2013 with the goal of speaking to millennial women on everything they’re curious about — from fashion and celebrity culture to women’s reproductive rights and hard news. “We’ve really accomplished that mission,” Julie Alvin, executive editor of Bustle, told us in 2017. “We reach 50 million readers each month, more than any other independent women’s site on the planet.”

Story to read right now: How This Brand Founder Is Tackling The Beauty Industry’s Waste Problem; and A Day In The Life Of A Gaming Influencer.

'The Nanny' costume designer @bcbrendacooper spoke to @ms_creilly about dressing Fran Drescher at 65, the concept of an “inner closet,” and more. https://t.co/LapLs1WtrO

— Bustle (@bustle) February 27, 2022

6. New York Times: For a more traditional take on issues affecting women and girls.

The New York Times doesn’t have a designated site for women, but it does house all of its “Women and Girls” content on one subject-focused page. Pulled from various sections of the site, the hard-hitting stories featured here tackle topics from across the world — from dating safely and women in sports to gender equality in politics and stopping child marriages.

Stories to read right now: You Can’t Stop Spirit; and Maggie Gyllenhaal Wants to Tell the Transgressive Stories of Motherhood.

7. Refinery29: For unfiltered, uncensored news. Oh, and non-stop inspiration.

Refinery29 was launched in 2005 by four friends — they published one story a week out of a 750-square-foot apartment. Fourteen years later, in 2019, Refinery29 was acquired by Vice in a $400 million deal. Whether talking news, fashion, or entertainment, Refinery29’s unique voice doesn’t hold back. According to the site, it strives to be “the number-one destination for stylish, intelligent women who crave thought-provoking conversation around limitless ideas.”

Story to read right now: Designers Are Holding Fashion Shows In The Metaverse. Will It Take Off?

8. SheKnows: Because she knows best.

SheKnows is on the mission to inspire women. The platform is forging a new kind of publishing model, where users, editors and content creators are integrated onto a single platform. The design aims to empower all women to discover, share and create. “Whether it’s parenting or pop culture, fashion or food, DIY or decor, our award-winning editorial team, experts, bloggers and social media influencers produce authentic and on-trend content every day,” says the site.

Story to read right now: As a Stay-At-Home Mom, I Struggle With My Value.

These black moms changed history and here's what you should know about their stories. https://t.co/xPjC7WfFFI

— SheKnows (@SheKnows) February 27, 2022

9. The Lily: For those who want something new.

The Lily, an initiative from The Washington Post that’s now part of the paper’s gender and identity coverage, is named after the first newspaper for and run by women which was established in 1849. The Lily examines women’s issues ranging from economic policy to health to pivotal moments in culture, using unconventional voices and perspectives on social platforms.

Story to read right now: What do women want at work? It’s not just better pay, study finds.

The below sites were recognized when this list was originally published. Though they are no longer active, their articles have been archived and are still worth a read.

10. Lenny Letter: For a healthy dose of TMI.

Now archived, Lenny Letter was a newsletter aimed at young women, created by Girls creator Lena Dunham and her co-producer Jenni Konner. Their twice-weekly email was meaty and regularly tackled topics like politics, abortion, and race. They also liked to feature lengthy interviews with change-making women, like California state senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, filmmaker Anna Biller, and planetary scientist Sara Seager. The site’s art was absolutely refreshing, too. No standard-issue stock photos here.

Archived story that you should still read: Birthing Justice

11. The Establishment: For intersectional content funded & run by women.

The Establishment was a multimedia site run and funded by women. It wanted to turn the media landscape on its head. According to the site, it was “committed to bolstering diverse voices, surfacing the stories of those most often erased, and stemming the tides of virulent misinformation with thoughtful, substantive, fact-based media.” Clickbait and fluffy listicles were just not its thing. Here, readers could expect to get schooled on everything from land privatization to the dangers of romanticizing poverty.

Story to read right now: Inside Saudi Arabia’s First Feminist Literary Magazine

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Anna Jasinski is the former manager of audience relations at PR Newswire and a former magazine journalist. Follow her on Twitter at @annamjasinski. You can also catch her sharing the latest news in journalism and blogging on @BeyondBylines.