Author George Sand (aka Amandine Aurore Lucile Dupin, Baronne Dudevant) was born on this day in 1804. She wore men’s clothing and smoked in public, pushing the early 19th century social boundaries. Novelist Ivan Turgenev said of her, "What a brave man she was, and what a good woman."

Psychoanalyst Marie Bonaparte was born today in 1882. The great-grand-niece of Napoleon I of France, Marie was a Princess by title. Her interest in (and financial backing of) psychoanalysis was a great instigator in its popularity. Her wealth enabled Sigmund Freud to escape Nazi Germany and it was to her that Freud said, “The great question that has never been answered and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is ‘What does a woman want?’” Bonaparte also conducted extensive research on female orgasms.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, best known as the writer of “The Yellow Wallpaper,” was born on this day in 1860. The short story illustrated the cultural views on women’s mental and physical health in the 19th century. Gilman experienced what is now believed to be severe post-partum depression after the birth of her only child, which inspired the tale. The great-niece of influential humanists Harriet Beecher Stowe, Catharine Beecher and Isabella Beecher Hooker, Gilman believed that economic independence was the only thing that could really bring freedom to women, making them equal to men.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Happy Independence Day.

Soak up some hometown pride and taste-test the funnel cake at Atlanta's smaller Fourth of July celebrations:
The City of Marietta's hosts a parade at 10 am. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. mariettaga.gov.
Roswell's celebration at Roswell High School features local bands like Banks and Shane. Fireworks at dusk. 770.641.3705.
Decatur’s Pied Piper Parade starts at 6pm outside the First Baptist Church of Decatur. Fireworks at dusk. decaturga.com

Veronica Guerin was born on this day in 1958—watch Cate Blanchett portray the Irish journalist in the heartbreaking namesake film, Veronica Guerin. Her life and death inspired fellow Dubliners to crack down on the growing drug trade and clean up the city for good.

“I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.” Artist Frida Kahlo was born on this day in 1907.

Throw caution and calories to the wind. Today is the National Confectioners Association of America’s national Chocolate Day. Go on, buy yourself a box.

Today is the 415th birthday of Artemisia Gentileschi, an Early Italian Baroque painter, who is now considered to be one of the most talented painters (besides Caravaggio) of the era. She was the first female painter to become a member of the Academy of Art and Design in Florence, and one of the first females to paint religious and historical themes in a time when these things were considered beyond a woman’s reach.

Author Ann Radcliffe was born today in 1764. Considered the pioneer of the gothic novel, her stories of heroic young girls exploring mysterious and dangerous locales became very popular and influenced the work of writers like Jane Austen and Sir Walter Scott. Read Austen’s Northanger Abbey for examples of imitation and parody of her work.

Aphra Behn was born on this day in 1640. She was one of the first women to earn a living as a writer. Behn’s work was revolutionary, discussing race and female sexuality—something not touched upon by the predatory Libertine male writers of her time. Virginia Woolfe said of her, “All women together, ought to let flowers fall upon the grave of Aphra Behn...for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.”

The American Boot Camp Company is offering free sessions at Central Park in Atlantic Station. This Saturday morning, grab your morning coffee (you'll need it), lace up your running shoes and do something for yourself. 7.30 am. thebootcampcompany.com.

Simone Veil, France’s former Minister of Health, was born on this day in 1927. Veil was a Holocaust survivor (she, her mother and sister were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau) who went on to build a good life and political career, despite losing her father, brother and mother during the Holocaust. She pushed the notable laws of making access to contraceptives easier (1974) and legalizing abortion (1975) and went on to become President of the European Parliament (1979-1982) and still continues to be socially and politically active.

Encourage a young female writer to find her literary voice at Charis Books’ Young Women Writers group. Open to girls ages 14 - 19, they meet the second and fourth Monday of every month. 5-6:15pm. 1189 Euclid Avenue. charis.booksense.com.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Maggie L. Walker, the first female founder/president of a bank in the US, was born on this day in 1887 to a former slave and an abolitionist. She worked her entire life trying to make life better for African Americans and women—the founding of her bank was due to her idea that people should pool their money together to help each other. Her bank, St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, still exists today as the Consolidated Bank and Trust Company in Richmond, VA.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

On this day in 1862 Ida B. Wells was born. Wells fought for equality of women and African Americans—especially the equality of African American women in the suffragist movement. 71 years before Rosa Parks, Wells refused to give up her seat on a train, and when they made her move, she sued the railway company. She won her case in the local court but lost when the railroad took it to the Tennessee Supreme Court.  Her refusal to stand in the back of suffragist parades garnered her more media attention for her causes.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Billie Letts, author of the popular book turned movie Where the Heart Is, will be at the Margaret Mitchell House to discuss her latest novel, Made in the U.S.A. gwtw.org. 

 

skirt!’s July issue is not only about “The F Word” – Feminism & Fashion, but it is also about Weddings!  Check out skirt!’s special section Tying the knot – as we partnered with theknot.com to bring you great tips about planning a wedding.

We are also celebrating “Mamma Mia”-style and hope that you are joining us at the screening tonight...grab your girlfriends, mom or grandma and put on your ABBA singing shoes!  

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Join Atlanta-born, seven- time Grammy award winner Gladys Knight at the National Black Art Festival’s “Legends Celebration: An Evening with Gladys Knight.” 8pm. The Atlanta Civic Center. Tickets starting at $20. atlantaciviccenter.com

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

The Women’s Imaginative Guild of Storytellers (WIGS) presents Divas, Dames and Damsels, The 6th annual Day of Discovery for Women. Laugh and celebrate through a day of rich storytelling about modern womanhood. 10am -1pm. $15. 404.982.0523, callanwolde.org.

Today is the 160th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention—the first women’s rights convention in the United States.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Take in a free jazz concert al fresco at Villa Christina’s Jazz at the Villa summer concert series. Doors open at 4pm. 5:30 pm. villachristina.com.

Mélange@ Seasons is hosting a community-wide yard sale to help fight MS. In Georgia alone, MS affects approximately 8,500 people. Shop or donate to the festive event on Sunday, July 20.  2077 Northlake Parkway, Tucker, 10am-7pm.  Call 1-800-FIGHT-MS to find out how to get involved. 

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Mélange@ Seasons is hosting a community-wide yard sale to help fight MS. In Georgia alone, MS affects approximately 8,500 people. Shop or donate to the festive event on Sunday, July 20.  2077 Northlake Parkway, Tucker, 10am-7pm.  Call 1-800-FIGHT-MS to find out how to get involved. 

Post-tornado, the city is back and better than ever for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. Try a three-course, $25 meal at some of Atlanta's finest restaurants including Maxim Prime, STATS, E Street Grille and Peasant Bistro. atlantadowntown.com. 

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Post-tornado, the city is back and better than ever for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. Try a three-course, $25 meal at some of Atlanta's finest restaurants including Maxim Prime, STATS, E Street Grille and Peasant Bistro. atlantadowntown.com. 

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Post-tornado, the city is back and better than ever for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. Try a three-course, $25 meal at some of Atlanta's finest restaurants including Maxim Prime, STATS, E Street Grille and Peasant Bistro. atlantadowntown.com. 

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Hone your leadership skills at the 2008 Business and Professional Women Conference at Hilton Atlanta. Attend workshops like “Mastering Work/ Life,” “Discovering the Leader in You” and “Uniting Our Voices.” Mayor Shirley Franklin will be speaking. http://members.bpwusa.org/nationalconference/.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Post-tornado, the city is back and better than ever for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. Try a three-course, $25 meal at some of Atlanta's finest restaurants including Maxim Prime, STATS, E Street Grille and Peasant Bistro. atlantadowntown.com. 

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Hone your leadership skills at the 2008 Business and Professional Women Conference at Hilton Atlanta. Attend workshops like “Mastering Work/ Life,” “Discovering the Leader in You” and “Uniting Our Voices.” Mayor Shirley Franklin will be speaking. http://members.bpwusa.org/nationalconference/.

Amelia Earhart Day honors the birthday of the woman who took aviation and feminism to new heights.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Post-tornado, the city is back and better than ever for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. Try a three-course, $25 meal at some of Atlanta's finest restaurants including Maxim Prime, STATS, E Street Grille and Peasant Bistro. atlantadowntown.com. 

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Hone your leadership skills at the 2008 Business and Professional Women Conference at Hilton Atlanta. Attend workshops like “Mastering Work/ Life,” “Discovering the Leader in You” and “Uniting Our Voices.” Mayor Shirley Franklin will be speaking. http://members.bpwusa.org/nationalconference/.

Watch Lucinda Williams bring the green house down as she performs at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. $35. 8pm. atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

Peruse Atlanta’s historic Castleberry Hill when the neighborhood opens gallery doors for the Fourth Friday ArtStroll. 7- 10pm. castleberryhill.org.

Keep your kid looking sharp. The Children’s Boutique Clearance Sale features some of Atlanta’s finest boutiques for tykes with fashions at a fraction of the price. Proceeds go to Soulfood, an organization dedicated to helping grandmothers raise their grandchildren. $5. 10am. Horizon Home. attheworks.net.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Post-tornado, the city is back and better than ever for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. Try a three-course, $25 meal at some of Atlanta's finest restaurants including Maxim Prime, STATS, E Street Grille and Peasant Bistro. atlantadowntown.com. 

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Hone your leadership skills at the 2008 Business and Professional Women Conference at Hilton Atlanta. Attend workshops like “Mastering Work/ Life,” “Discovering the Leader in You” and “Uniting Our Voices.” Mayor Shirley Franklin will be speaking. http://members.bpwusa.org/nationalconference/.

Keep your kid looking sharp. The Children’s Boutique Clearance Sale features some of Atlanta’s finest boutiques for tykes with fashions at a fraction of the price. Proceeds go to Soulfood, an organization dedicated to helping grandmothers raise their grandchildren. $5. 10am. Horizon Home. attheworks.net.

Be astonished by nature’s color palette as The Chattahoochee Nature Center releases butterflies every Saturday this month. 11am. 770.992.2055.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Post-tornado, the city is back and better than ever for Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week. Try a three-course, $25 meal at some of Atlanta's finest restaurants including Maxim Prime, STATS, E Street Grille and Peasant Bistro. atlantadowntown.com. 

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Aiko in Buckhead is throwing an international event called “Accent!” The evening will reunited Atlanta’s expat communities in the UK, Australia and South Africa. DJ StanZeff will spin. 128 East Andrews Drive. Buckhead. aikoatlanta.com.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Aiko in Buckhead is throwing an international event called “Accent!” The evening will reunited Atlanta’s expat communities in the UK, Australia and South Africa. DJ StanZeff will spin. 128 East Andrews Drive. Buckhead. aikoatlanta.com.

Brides to be can see the latest wedding fashions strut the runway at the Georgia Bridal Show. One lucky couple will win an all expenses paid honeymoon. $10 cash only. 12:30-5:30pm. Cobb Galleria Center, Atlanta. eliteevents.com.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.

Come Join us for fun prizes and special Sugarland drinks!

Thursday, July 24th, 7-9pm. Feast- 314 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA. 404.377.2000

 

Enjoy the sultry sounds of Jill Scott at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 8pm. classicchastain.com.

Don’t miss the Tony Award winning classic, and strong-women spectacle The Color Purple, as it makes its first stop on the North American Tour at The Fox. 404.817.8700.