the digital giraffe

All About Women
Our Woman of the Month Award for September, 2026, goes to Viviana Puello, Founder and CEO ArtTour International, Host of the The Winner's Journey podcast, Founder Create4Peace

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia, has published a study on how female immunity differs from male. The report indicates that over 1,000 genetic switches give women a stronger immune defense system but leaves them more susceptible to autoimmume diseases likke lupus. The report, appearing in The American Journal of Human Genetics, discussed an analysis of more than 1.25 million peripheral blood cells from roughly 1,000 healthy individuals.

The Lancet Journal published a study attempting to understand the relationship between dementia and physical activity. An effort was made to differentiate between leisure-time physical activity and other movements like occupational and household activity and commuting. The result seems to be inconclusive, depending on where and how the activity took place, cumulative rather than individual times, and geography. Further study of broadened external contexts is suggested.

At least 5 U.S. states are asking for legislation to insist on closer scrutiny of domestic violence deaths. The states have found too many cases ruled as accidents or suicides where further investigation was needed to see if domestic violence was a contributing factor. Some of the deaths, termed "hidden homicides", appear to have been staged to look like suicides. Closer investigation could prevent potential evidence from being prematurely disposed of.

A TED talk looks into the prevailing silence imposed upon women, preventing them from talking about menstruation. The subject of a woman's period carries a stigma worldwide. Millions of girls appear to have no access to clean water and soap let alone pads. Boys as well young girls are afraid to ask questions, resulting in the spread of misinformation, poor or no pain relief, and feelings of shame and embarrassment.

Ms. Magazine brings us a list of politicians that have been accused of domestic abuse, along with the much shorter list of those who have had any consequences for their actions. It is noted that many victims resort to appeasement just to survive. Statistics reveal that every year 16 million women encounter some form of partner abuse. Those accused come from almost every state, every political party, and several generations. According to the article, Donald Trump's first wife Ivana, "reported in divorce proceedings in 1990 that he had 'raped' her. (She recanted in 2015.) She died from a fall in her New York City apartment in 2022."

Researcers at MIT have discovered that AI chatbots give women much more conservative financial advice, resulting in a potential loss of $60.000 USD by age 60.

A protest on social media is building against Meta's AI glasses. Women especially report being filmed without their consent and then find the images posted online. Smart glasses like Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley AI glasses look like standard eyeglasses but can include microphones, cameras, speakers, and AI assistants. Indicator lights on the smart glasses are difficult to see and can easily be disabled.

Gender-based violence in South Africa and Zimbabwe continues to increase. Globally as well, violence against women results in a daily death toll of 137 women. Discrimination and inequality appear to be the determining factors in Femicide, which the United Nations defines as "intentional killing with a gender-related motivation".

A Stanford University study reported that women who received estrogen-only hormone therapy showed lower odds of Alzheimer's-related brain pathology. The study involved over 5,000 women.

Be sure to email giraffe@giraffe.com with your suggestions, be they articles, videos, images, cartoons, music, or comments, so that we can share our celebrations and our concerns with each other.

Last updated September 1, 2026 - 32 years of monthly Web publication

Corinne Whitaker - Artist, Editor, Author, Poet, Sculptor, Publisher, Composer, Betaphysician, Chief of the Newanderthal Tribe

Best of Foster City 2016
Best of Palo Alto 2013

Golden Web Award, 2001 and 2000

Artist of the Month, Artisan Bazaar, 2000

Best in Cyberart Award, 1999

winner of BATech's "Catch of the Day"

winner of Fractal Design's "Artist of the Month"and "Image of the Day"

Featured Master Artist, Shadowart Galleries, 1997 and 1998

Guest Artist of the Month, Hampton Click Salon Online
Exhibit below from Virtual Gallery online