Doing social justice work can extend way beyond going to protests and supporting causes that are important to you. If you’re passionate about battling inequality and injustice in the world, you might want to consider pursuing social justice work or human rights as a career!

We spoke to a handful of social justice experts to get an idea of the work they do and the people who do their work, and did research on some places you might be less familiar with to give you an idea of some potential work in social justice you’ve never heard of before! Read on for some ideas of groups you might want to be involved with and what work you might be doing there.

1. Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. HRC does a wide variety of work, from legislation and lobbying to organizing and educating in communities and among its network of supporters and constituents. HRC’s particular scope and orientation distinguishes it from other organizations in the social justice landscape. “As the nation’s largest LGBTQ organization, we have a reach that…allows us to be particularly effective in defending progress, pushing back against hate and moving equality forward,” says Sarah McBride, National Press Secretary at HRC.

HRC also actively engages in collaborative efforts with other institutions and activist groups who share their desire for a more just world. “We are in spaces where we are with meeting routinely with organizational partners, listening and stepping up when necessary and helping them communicate our needs and the challenges we face to those same coalition partners,” McBride says.

In conversation, activism and organizing, HRC recognizes that its efforts cannot be separated from those of other social justice groups. “When anyone, whether it’s Donald Trump or state legislature, attacks one of us, they’re attacking all of us,” says McBride. “That’s central to our work and, in recent times, [has become] more important than it was before.”

Doing social justice work is inherently connected to privilege and identity politics, which can strengthen the work you’re doing or an organization is doing. “The motivation that comes from the recognition of one’s own privilege and the fact that there’s always someone who has a more challenging and a more difficult time,” McBride says. “Knowing that and feeling the responsibility to make sure that the privileges we’ve been afforded are no longer privileges, but are rights for every person.”

2. Everyday Feminism

If you’re studying journalism or interested in writing for and about social justice, Everyday Feminism is for you. “Everyday Feminism is an educational platform for personal and social liberation,” according to their website, and they’ve been around since 2012.

By considering the real world and all that goes on within it, Everyday Feminism’s pieces seek to give readers actionable ways to enact social justice in their everyday lives. “Our unique focus on helping people apply intersectional feminism and compassionate activism to their real everyday lives has deeply resonated with people around world,” according to their website.

Alaina Leary, a second year graduate student at Emerson College who works at Everyday Feminism, feels that her privilege, openness and passion for social justice have all been essential drives for her work. “We all have privilege, even those of us who are marginalized in some way, and a hard lesson to learn is to stay in our lanes sometimes, and that we need to step back and think about how to do meaningful work that doesn't add to the problem,” Leary says.

Having a conscious but active role in the work you’re doing is really important in social justice and human rights work. Especially in today's tough political and social climate, I want the work I'm doing to reflect my beliefs and to help marginalized people, but I also don't want to "swoop in" as a savior—that's a huge reason for social justice movements taking over where charity sometimes fails,” Leary says.

While no writing or editorial positions are available right now and they don’t take freelance work, Everyday Feminism encourages interested writers to check their website periodically for openings. Get started on your drafts now!

RELATED: The Social Justice Activists

3. Transgender Law Center (TLC)

TLC works to establish and protect laws for individuals who are transgender and deal with very particular legal discrimination. TLC “changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression,” according to their website. In addition to legal and policy work, TLC engages in vital community organizing and storytelling in the name of trans activism.

Their programming page states that their efforts include addressing abuses of trans folks who are in prison, youth storytelling and alternative media and archiving practices so that trans folks may be able to “develop their own advocacy strategies in response to inequities, stigma and discrimination.”

Job and internship opportunities at TLC are mostly legal-related, and if you’re on the track for human rights or any kind of social justice-related law you should absolutely check this organization out. Keep in mind that TLC is centered in Oakland, California! There are also opportunities to volunteer and partake in correspondence with prisoners, work with attorneys and help create materials relating to legal reform!

RELATED: Millennials Talk A Lot About Social Justice Issues Without Actually Taking Action, Studies Find

4. Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

SPLC has been doing activist work in the realm of civil rights injustices since 1971. Their mission is "to advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our society," according to Lecia Brooks, Outreach Director at SPLC. "We started out doing solely racial justice work but now have expanded that to immigrant justice, LGBT rights, economic justice and the like." 

In doing work with special considerations for the lived experiences of people of color and people experiencing poverty, SPLC’s work “is evidence of an unwavering resolve to promote and protect our nation’s most cherished ideals by standing up for those who have no other champions,” as is stated by their website.

SPLC does coalition work with other advocacy groups seeking to remedy the same injustices, but are distinct in their breadth and their particular abilities. "What distinguishes us is...the trifecta of legal, public education and hate and extremism [monitoring]," Brooks says. "Anyone needs to understand what a massive undertaking it is to work in the social justice field."

If these admirable efforts and goals sound like they’re in line with your personal ethics, consider checking out SPLC’s job listings. "Second and third-year law students can apply for summer internships that may lead into longer term fellowships," Brooks says. "There are some internships for journalism students...those who are studying education...and those who are interested in history, specifically the modern American Civil Rights Movement."

There are currently postings available if you’re interested in legal work, communications, development, research and media. Brooks suggests getting in contact with someone at SPLC if you're really passionate, because not all open positions are advertised!

5. American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

AAPD is a nonprofit legal advocacy group for differently-abled individuals. "AAPD is a convener, connector and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities" according to an AAPD representative. 

Through policy advocacy as well as education work, AAPD works at multiple levels on the many different issues faced by people with disabilities. "AAPD brings together the diversity of the disability community to build trust and unity through open, honest conversations," the representative says. "By uniting the various groups and organizations that are a part of the disability community we can be a powerful force for change." This is crucial work towards building a world that sees, acknowledges and supports disability, rather than brushes it away.

You can learn more about the issues that are at stake and ways to take action by following AAPD on Facebook, Twitter and via their e-newsletter. "AAPD puts out alerts around the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the potential financial restructuring of Medicaid, implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification bills and much more," the representative says.  

AAPD also offers summer internships and a special fellowship for individuals who self-identify as having disabilities, and there are other ways for interested folks to partake in their efforts as well. "Undergraduates and young people can support [AAPD efforts] by making calls to their Member of Congress," the representative says. "Disability doesn't discriminate...[and] disability rights are civil rights."

6. Independent consulting

There are even more opportunities for work! Tania Bernath, professional consultant and co-author of Becoming an International Humanitarian Aid Worker, has done humanitarian work for over twenty years. Her work ranges from research of post-conflict areas to developing advocacy strategies and she has worked with the United Nations, Médecins Sans Frontières and Amnesty International, to name a few.

Right now, Bernath is working on a project in Somalia for “disarmament, demobilization and reintegration [which] kicks in in a post-conflict situation where the war ends and the peace process starts,” she says. Her day-to-day work involves gathering information about other post-conflict environments, talking to leaders and individuals in local communities to get a realistic grasp of the situation at hand and developing strategies for how to put these places on the path toward success.

In Bernath’s work in particular, dealing with volatile environments and politics requires that one be very dynamic and flexible. “Things aren’t perfect and there are a lot of variables, so things aren’t going to work in a really systematic way,” Bernath says. “To understand that and to have flexibility and adaptability...isn’t something to get stressed out about, it’s just part of the game.”

What has been most important and motivating for Bernath is constantly asking herself how or why she is excited by what she is doing. “So much of this work is being really honest with yourself and really feeling it through,” Bernath says. ““Don’t get stuck on ‘Oh my god I didn’t get that internship!’...There’s a thousand other paths.”

Volunteer work and formal employment in efforts like these are invaluable in the fight for social justice. Hopefully you now have a better idea of where to put your knowledge, ability and privilege to work to help others and do the literal work of bettering the universe. We believe in you!

Every year at Southern Methodist University, a pro-life student group called Mustangs for Life sets up thousands of small crosses on a prominent campus lawn, with each cross representing an abortion.

Not everyone agrees with this display—And this year, instead of sitting back, a group of students decided to take a stand for women's rights. The GoFundMe page they set up to raise money for Planned Parenthood has already gone viral, trending on the website and getting over 1,400 shares in just 24 hours. The students, who are forming a new student group called Mustangs for Unity, quickly surpassed their goal of $2,500 (they're now aiming for $5,000). Their message is simple: No one should feel shamed for their choices and everyone should feel supported on their own campus.

Her Campus talked to Claire Krizman, the founder of the group and one of the brains behind the fundraiser, to learn more about Mustangs for Unity's vision and how they plan to continue making a difference on campus.

Her Campus: How did it feel to be forced to look upon hundreds of miniature crosses on a popular campus lawn?

Claire: It was a really hard thing to see. When I saw them, I felt so much frustration and hurt. I personally have not had to have an abortion, but the idea that somebody could come onto their own campus and see that broke my heart, because I can imagine they would’ve felt so out of place and so unsupported. But also it really inspired me. At the time, I didn’t see any established way to express these emotions in a constructive way on campus. So I realized clearly that so many other people needed a way to respond to this demonstration. So it began with my friend Gabby suggesting we put together a GoFundMe, and suddenly our donations had gone viral, and we’re starting a real movement on campus possibly.

HC: How did you come up with the idea for the Planned Parenthood fundraiser as the method of counter-protesting?

Claire: Gabby suggested we give the money to Planned Parenthood, which seems like the obvious counter to this demonstration. And I wanted to do a small demonstration as well, but the link went viral in the first 24 hours. We received over $2,500 and over 1,000 shares so we kind of realized we can make this a real organization and now we have goals as a full group beyond just the fundraising.

The reason why we chose Planned Parenthood is because the biggest misconception about being pro-choice is that it’s the same as pro-abortion. I don’t know anyone who’s pro-abortion. Agree or disagree on whether it’s necessary, no one wants one. So what Planned Parenthood does is eliminate the need for abortion, through education and access, provisions of contraceptives and healthcare. Eliminating the need is what actually needs to be done to solve the problem—not making it illegal because then back-alley abortions become prominent.

HC:Aside from the visual display you are planning on putting up, are there any other next plans for this new group?

Claire: We actually just titled it today. We are called Mustangs for Unity. We are going to begin the process of becoming an established organization on campus, but our main goal is to unite the campus. Abortion is such a complicated and personal topic. No one should ever feel shamed when they walk onto their own campus, and there should be a community that supports this. Regardless of your own opinions, you should be able to support your fellow Mustangs. We really want to increase the empathy on campus. My hope is that even if someone’s mind isn’t changed into being pro-choice, then maybe they’ll at least think about the emotional issues behind abortions and leave them with some sympathy.

There are so many clubs on our campus, like College Republicans, Mustangs for Life and various religious groups, but there are relatively few groups like ours. And what I found in creating this group is there are so many more like-minded people on this campus than I thought. There just hasn’t been a way for me personally to connect with these people. There are all these people who recognize a woman’s right to do what she wants with her own body. People who want to give a voice to the other stigmatized groups on campus stemming beyond just abortion rights. And people who will tolerate nothing less than the utmost respect for people different from themselves. And that’s a difficult thing to be respectful to people you completely disagree with—it’s something that I’m still working on, we're all still working on, but that’s what we’re going for. We don’t want to see a political movement, we want to see a movement of kindness.

HC: Have there been other demonstrations in the past against the display? 

Claire: There were demonstrations last year. I believe it was a women's interest network that did it last year; I don't recall the details so I'm not going to comment on what they specifically did. But there have been other groups that countered it. The approach that they take, from at least my understanding, is a little different from the approach I want to take. Of course it’s a political issue, but I want to move and see it more in the broader sense of not just being about politics but about people and our campus.

HC: How has Mustangs for Life reacted to your fundraisers? Have they taken down their crosses? 

Claire: The crosses are still up. I haven’t been contacted. I’ve seen Facebook comments on posts that are countering the fundraiser but that’s to be expected. I don’t know if they are Mustang for Life members. They’ve actually had to put increased security up around [the crosses] because it is such a polarizing display. They’ve had to bring in police to secure our campus because of it.

HC: What has the university done about the situation? Do you think the university has a responsibility to do something about Mustangs for Life’s display? 

Claire: The university gave them permission to put this display up. They had to get a permit to post it. I think the university is more believing that they’re a group on campus, they have the right to demonstrate if they’d like. And what we’re hoping to show the university is that it is not about the issue of freedom of speech—We are in no means against their freedom of speech on campus, but at some point freedom of speech becomes a demonstration that, whether or not it’s intentional in shaming women for their choices, it goes beyond civil discourse.

It’s the heavy-handed way in which they put this demonstration out, and it leaves no empathy for women who have had abortions. You should understand it’s a hard and emotional choice for women. I don’t know if the university realizes this—I know there is outcry every year for this. I don’t know what their policies are with regards to what a student group can do on campus, but our goal is to make people see that there are right and wrong ways to go about your civil discourse.

HC: Congrats on your campaign is currently trending on GoFundMe! Did you expect the fundraiser to have such widespread attention?

Claire: Absolutely not. I had no idea what to expect, not even in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I would be interviewing with Her Campus right now. That was two days ago that we had this idea. My friend mentioned to me, "let’s try to raise a dollar for every cross they put out on the lawn," which is 2,500, and we thought, that’s a good starter goal. And we finished that 2,500 well before the 24-hour mark with over a 1,000 shares. I had no idea it’d go like this. I knew we’d get the money, but not like this.

HC: How have your friends and fellow students on campus reacted to the GoFundMe campaign? Has there been a lot of support or backlash?

Claire: From my personal friends, there’s been a lot of support. Even my friends who don’t support Planned Parenthood or are anti-choice, they still respect me as a person, my right to fundraise and desire to make social change. So I haven’t faced any backlash in my personal circle. I know there are people on campus who probably are not my biggest fans right now,  but the people who are matter are totally cool with it and supportive. So far I haven’t seen much [backlash], I’ve been intentionally not reading the comments on people’s Facebook posts if I get any inclination that they will be unpleasant. I’m happy to talk to anybody on campus, but so far no one has expressed any specific anger.

HC: What kind of message do you hope the fundraiser and its success will send to students at SMU and across the nation?

Claire: I want to unite this campus. Abortion is a complicated and personal topic and no one should feel shamed when they walk onto their own campus. There should be a community of support. We should all learn how to see things from every side, and have civil discussion without leaving people feeling ostracized on their own campus.

HC: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Claire: I’m looking forward to the planning stages of our demonstration. I hope we can convey our message in a manner that is tasteful, and not leaving anyone feeling left unwelcome on this campus, including our anti-choice students.

This interview has been lightly condensed and edited.

Whether you got back from spring break to dreary weather, or you're in a sunny corner of the world but have your head buried in books, you're probably wishing for summer right about now. While I can't actually bring summer to you (dude, sorry!), I can suggest a bunch of summery cocktail-inspired products that pretty much smell like sunshine and sandy beaches. No need to thank me, I gotchu girl.

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4. Victoria's Secret Fantasies Strawberry & Champagne Lotion ($9.71 at Amazon)

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11. Caribbean Daiquiri Bath Melts Gift Set ($14.99 at Walmart)

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29. COOLA Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30 - Piña Colada ($36 at Sephora)

30. Color Mascara in Mint Julep ($7 at NYX)

31. Bubbletini Bath Bombs ($8.99 at Target)

On the Season 5 finale of The Mindy Project, Mindy Lahiri finally gets married. Since the beginning of the show, this seems to have been Mindy's overall life goal. She may have been a successful doctor, then a businesswoman and then a single mother, but her obsession with getting married never waned. Until this season.

After the love triangle debacle of Season 4 ended with Mindy choosing to be single, I thought that Mindy was embracing the modern idea that there's more to life than getting married. She no longer despaired every time one of her relationships went south, but looked at her relationship with Ben with more mature eyes: he is an extension of her life, not her whole life. 

As someone who's unsure if she'll ever get married, seeing Mindy admit to Ben that she didn't think she wanted to get married was refreshing. Female-driven shows and movies are too often centered around women focusing their whole lives on finding "the one." While there's certainly nothing wrong with marriage, Mindy's newfound independence and confidence in her lifestyle was something that I've rarely seen on TV since Samantha on Sex and the City. After spending her whole life fantasizing about getting married, Mindy finally found a guy ready to commit—and she didn't want it. 

However, despite Mindy's anti-marriage statements to the recently-engaged Colette and her admission to Ben, the end of Season 5 finds us on a subway to Mindy's wedding. Mindy makes a very Mindy-like proclamation of love to Ben: surprising him in a white lace dress with a sharply-dressed Leo and Lindsay in tow. It's cute, but it doesn't seem genuine. The gesture is very Mindy, but the sentiment isn't there. Mindy seems to be doing it just because it seems like what a family should do; in fact, in the previous scene, Lindsay practically begs Mindy to marry her dad and become her stepmom. Somehow, in the course of 30 minutes (minus commercials!), Mindy completely reversed a decision that was years in the making. 

Mindy seems to share my concerns in the last frame of the season as she stares out of the subway window with a look of anguish. I definitely understand Mindy's torn feelings, as they're ones I often have when thinking about marriage. As women, we're expected to dream of getting married—and some of us do—but for those that don't, the repercussions on relationships can be tormenting. I wish that Mindy had stuck to her decision to stay unmarried, at least until she had more time with Ben to discover if it's what she truly wants. Luckily, The Mindy Project has been renewed for a sixth and final season, so we will be able to find out if Mindy made the right decision for herself. 

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If it’s been a few months are you’re still listening to Adele’s “Hello” and crying into your food, you’re probably still in love with your ex.

In all seriousness, we sympathize with you and love you, and you are not alone in whatever pain you may be experiencing. It causes incredible heartache to still care so much about someone and feel bound to them, while simultaneously being urged by everyone around you to move on.

The thing that it’s time to realize is that you do need to move on–by doing whatever that means for you. Some women need to confront their ex and find closure, while others simply need more time. Of course, moving on is easier said than done, but HC is here to help you along.

1. Find community to rebuild the love you had

If you’re looking for someone to heal your wounds, finding a few new friends to surround yourself with might be a huge help. They won’t necessarily replace the love in your heart for that person, but they will provide a reciprocating relationship of mutual friendly affection, and help to ween you off of your ex.

It’s okay to feel lost after your relationship, but a huge step to moving on from your ex is to rediscover your own identity. College is such a beautiful time of change and personal growth, and any leftover feelings for your ex are going to slow down your transformation into the person you’re meant to become.

“It had been nearly a year since my breakup, and even then I found myself in my room way too often, usually crying and binge-stalking him on Instagram,” says sophomore Hana Petschl, a student and peer counselor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.“I was really lucky that my roommates I got assigned to tried to bring me out of my painful little cocoon. They made me hang out with them all the time and encouraged me to get involved in a bunch of stuff on campus. Now I’m in a sorority and a peer counselor, and I help people all the time that had my same situation of not being able to get over their ex.”

It is entirely possible to find people that fulfill you in a way that your ex never could. Having besties to watch movies with, fellow Star Wars lovers to share your geek passions and a new community to love you in the way you truly need can completely distract you from your last relationship. It’s time to move on and blossom with a loving community right behind you every step of the way.

Related: 4 Reasons Your Breakup May Have Been a Mistake

2. Give it time

It’s common wisdom that it takes half the time that the relationship lasted to move on from it emotionally. This equation for recovery is pretty much a load of hooey. Everyone has different speeds of healing, and unfortunately yours might take a bit longer than most if you’re still in love with your ex.

This is one of the most painful and irritating processes of healing and moving on–because let’s be honest, human beings just hate being patient. We want everything RIGHT NOW, but the heart doesn’t work like that. The longer you distance yourself from your ex and actively work to move on (this means you can’t cave to sending late night text messages that say “I miss you”), the more those feelings of longing for your ex will fade to a dull ache.

3. Either confront them and work it out, or completely remove them from your life

There is no in-between. It may be time for you to end it–for real this time. If you’re still in love with your ex, you may be in a place where you seem to be in an on-again/off-again relationship with him since you guys can’t seem to let go.

“Just take my word for it, and dump his a**,” advises Sarah Arroyo, a senior at Boston University. “You’d be surprised how many girls do this, and I’ve seen it way too often with my best friends. They’ll go through a breakup but won’t actually let their ex go for MONTHS! It’s emotionally exhausting for them, and after dangling each other out on a limb for so long, they can’t even be friends because it’s gotten too messy. Just decide to be together, or don’t be together at all!”

Confront them about your feelings, and really communicate about where the two of you are at. It’s best for him to know that you still have feelings, and he may have advice on how to heal, or he may even be feeling the same way. Every situation is unique and there’s no way we can tell you what decision to make, but sometimes it’s just better for things to end. Your life existed before him, and it can certainly exist without him.

4. Consider that you’re not as in love with them as you thought

Love is such a complex emotion, and it’s never straightforward. Experts recommend some serious introspection to determine if you’re actually still in love with your ex at all, or if it’s just some leftover emotions that are making you confused.

“Oftentimes I’ll have my patients practice mindfulness exercises when they feel an anxiety attack, or painful memories coming on,” says Kimberli Andridge, a licensed psychologist for gender and sexual inclusivity. “These can be really helpful for calming yourself down and getting to the root of where these feelings are coming from. After practicing the exercises and acknowledgement of the feelings, patients tend to realize that their attachment is not because they are still longing for their previous partner, but rather they’re dealing with some alternative issue or are facing another type of unhappiness in their life that keeps them holding on to something psychologically.”

College can be such a whirlwind of craziness, and transitioning your life through a break up is the last thing a collegiette needs. To finally move on, you may need to sort out what you’ve been feeling and see that you’re not in love with them anymore. The way you feel could stem from a place of jealousy, resentment or even a lingering desire to receive their affirmation. The next time you’re stalking him on Facebook and helplessly trying to devise a plan to win him back, just take a moment to breathe and let go.

"After rough breakups, people are kind of all over the place, and for a long time I thought I was still in love with my ex," says Amber Charter, a junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who is studying to become a relationship psychologist. "I wish that I’d been smart enough to realize I really wasn’t. I just wanted his relationship with his new girlfriend to fail, and I hadn’t found another person to like, which is why I stayed so attached to him." No matter the way in which you choose to heal from still being in love with your ex, above all else remember to work on loving yourself. Realize that you did the best you could, and that actively choosing to move on each day will empty you of yucky, lingering emotional baggage.

Related: An Open Letter to the Guy Who Helped Me Realize I Deserve Better

5. Try to have a relationship with them again

From a personal standpoint, exes are exes for a reason–but for some women, a time of separation leads them to want to have a relationship again, and that’s okay. Maybe your heart is trying to tell you something by not letting you move on.

“After about three months of being separated, my ex and I got back together,” says Lisa Oakley, a junior at Northeastern University. “Pretty much all of my friends and family were against it, and it was hard. I don’t think a lot of people make that choice, and the whole time I was skeptical of my decision, but I couldn’t let him go. We’ve been together for another year-and-a-half since that happened, though, and in the time we spent apart we both really grew up a lot, and now we are at an even better place than before. So, I don’t regret my decision at all.”

When you share your life with someone, that love you once had never truly goes away. Sit down and seriously think about your feelings. Make a list in your head of every screw-up, fight, unanswered text and smelly fart that he dealt your way, and if you still want to get back with him after going through all of the cons, then you should go for it. We wouldn’t recommend this if your ex is a total scumbag and did really awful things to you, because there are obviously certain deal breakers like if he was unfaithful or abusive in any way. If he’s a decent guy that deserves a second chance and is also willing to give you one and forgive your mistakes, then why not?

Navigating the path of still being in love with your ex is messy and hard, but above all else, consider your own feelings and heart. You are strong, beautiful and totally in control of your life, so choose to surround yourself with people who will love you the way you deserve. Have patience with yourself while you heal and move on, and the rest will come with time.

There's no bad blood here. Exes Chris Evans and Jenny Slate have nothing but good things to say about each other. As the press tour for their upcoming film Gifted begins, the pair's kind words about each other are sure to make their reunion less awkward.

Just last week Slate opened up to New York magazine about falling in and out of love with Evans. In the feature, she had this to say about meeting her former boyfriend: "I remember him saying to me, ‘You’re going to be one of my closest friends.’ I was just like, ‘Man, I fucking hope this isn’t a lie, because I’m going to be devastated if this guy isn’t my friend.’”   

She continued, “I don’t mind talking about him at all. He’s a lovely person… Chris is truly one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, to the point where sometimes I would look at him and it would kind of break my heart. He’s really vulnerable, and he’s really straightforward. He’s like primary colors. He has beautiful, big, strong emotions, and he’s really sure of them. It’s just wonderful to be around. His heart is probably golden-colored, if you could paint it." 

So where do they stand? Slate explained, “We’re not on bad terms, but we haven’t really seen each other, spoken a lot. I think it’s probably best. I’d love to be his friend one day, but we threw down pretty hard. No regrets, though. Ever.”

Now Evans is reciprocating the sweetness, telling People that Slate is his "favorite human."

“She’s the best. I’ve never ever ever met someone in my life who has a mastery of the English language the way she does. She’ll give you one sentence and there’s no fat to it. You’re like, ‘You just chose such an unbelievable collection of words that beautifully articulate what you say,'" Chris explains. "It’s like an art form talking with her, because the visuals associated with her expression are just so colorful."

But that's not all. He continues to rave about her. "She’s so vulnerable, so honest, so interested in other people more than herself, she’s incredibly compassionate, there’s just nothing to not love about her.”

A failed relationship turned beautiful friendship? You can't complain about that.

We all love Dove's Real Beauty campaigns, in which the brand attempts to shatter our society's rigid ideals of beauty by featuring real women of all shapes and sizes. As for Shonda Rhimes, the woman is goals, goals, goals. Not only do her award-winning TV shows leave us shook with every new episode, but Rhimes is also adamant about increasing representation, through color-blind casting, for instance. So naturally, the news that Dove and Shonda are collaborating on the brand's latest project is making us very, very happy.

Dove launched Real Beauty Productions Thursday in an effort to "give women and girls a platform to share personal stories that expand the definition of beauty." RBP is a collaborative studio that will produce several films based on the experiences of real women—like you! You are encouraged to share your unique definition of beauty at DoveRealBeauty.com. If your story is selected, you will get to work directly with Shonda Rhimes herself to make it into a video. The ultimate goal of this collab is to make women of all backgrounds, ethnicities, sizes, etc. feel represented in the media, which somehow still feature overwhelmingly white and thin women who are expected to stay quiet. This is an amazing opportunity to have your voice heard—all while working with one of TV's most amazing leading ladies!

Two weeks ago, Douglas Chin, Hawaii’s Attorney General, blocked President Donald Trump’s second ban on Muslims entering the United States. Since then, the issue hasn’t made such huge headlines, but efforts are still being made on both sides to push the block forward or prevent it from being enacted, The Washington Post reports.

Yesterday, Chin submitted a revised request to Hawaii’s District Court to lengthen the period of time his block of the ban would remain in place. Derrick Watson, Hawaii’s District Judge (who oversees the District Court), has supported blocks against the ban in his rulings.

According to Politico, the request has been approved and the block has been extended by Watson. “‘Based upon the preliminary record available, however, one cannot conclude that the actions taken during the interval between [the] revoked Executive Order .. and the new Executive Order represent 'genuine changes in constitutionally significant conditions,’” said Watson.

In response to defenders of the ban who attempted to stop Watson from including Trump’s own comments about the ban in his ruling, the District Judge was resolute. “‘The court will not crawl into a corner, pull the shutters closed, and pretend it has not seen what it has,’” Watson wrote. Empty and failed promises aside, what Trump says is (oh so unfortunately) significant for politics, international relations and the state of our country.

Trump’s initial ban, issued shortly after he was inaugurated, was widely criticized for being blatantly discriminatory against all Muslim people. The second ban was revised to remove Iraq from the list of banned countries, and clarified the groups, such as greencard holders, that were exempt from its ruling.

In addition to the Hawaii block, a Maryland judge issued a block as well. According to the Post, “The president is asking the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put the ruling by the judge in Maryland on hold while it considers the case.” Arguments for and against the block are supposed to be heard in early May.

Donald Trump himself, meanwhile, has tweeted the same New York Post article twice in the past two days (here and here) about “the failing [New York Times]” and its attempts to besmirch him. So, thankfully, our president is paying attention to exactly the right issues.

Last night, government officials in North Carolina announced that they have arrived at a compromise regarding House Bill 2, according to The New York Times. HB2 is a notorious law  passed early last year that requires people to use the bathroom of the gender assigned to them at birth, and prevents local governments from passign anti-discrimination legislation for a number of years. What the repeal actually means, though, is unclear, and discrimination will likely still be state-sanctioned.

The compromise isn’t quite what it seems. According to Vox, the proposed repeal “continues prohibiting local governments from passing nondiscrimination laws until December 1, 2020...And the deal permanently prevents all government agencies in North Carolina...from setting up trans-friendly bathroom or locker room policies.” So, basically, the "compromise" is still horrible for LGBTQ+ people. While the state government won't be able to stop trans people from using the bathroom of their choice, business owners will.

In September of 2016, former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory withdrew his case against the Justice Department for attempting to block the bill amid widespread condemnation of its policies. A few months later, however, state officials were unable to get rid of HB 2 in full. Wednesday’s decision marks the first major change since then.

In addition to an Associated Press report that estimated North Carolina would suffer a $3.7 billion loss in business profits over the course of the next decade, lawmakers were experiencing new pressure from the NCAA, which announced this week that it wouldn’t host any tournaments in the state for the next several years if HB 2 were in existence.

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge how incredibly saddening it is that this—the prospect of losing boatloads of money—is what it took for legislators to realize they were making a huge mistake. And they’re still not even remedying the situation entirely.

Despite this seeming victory, citizens and the media should keep in mind that in North Carolina, the right to discriminate remains protected. “I support the House Bill 2 repeal compromise that will be introduced tomorrow. It’s not a perfect deal, but it repeals House Bill 2 and begins to repair our reputation,” said Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper of the proposed new legislation. I’m not so sure that’s likely.

This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from Macarons & Mascara, an InfluenceHer Collective member. Read the full post here.

Every time I write a new cover letter, I find myself saying, “Damn, I wish I had known this before I sent my previous cover letter.” I hate saying that. Cover letters can be really tricky to write, especially if it’s your first time writing one, and I hate seeing other people make the same mistakes that I have made, which is why I decided to write this post (and basically start this blog). In my internship search experience (last year and this year), I have written three types of cover letters:

• One that got me an interview, and eventually, the position
• One that got me just an interview
• One that got me nothing

I am NOT a hiring team expert; I’m just a college kid like you looking for my bit of summer experience before I venture out into the real world. In other words, I, like you, still do not have the *perfect* cover letter writing formula that will get you an interview every time. But in the meantime, I do have some mistakes to share that I sure as hell will never make again—and mistakes that you’d want to hear about before it’s too late.

1. Don’t try to be overly funny

I know you have a wonderful personality full of sarcasm, puns, and a love for cat sweaters (aka all of my favorite things) but don’t try too hard to be funny. If you’re pursuing an internship at a fun, vibrant company, you’ll feel like you need to express a bit of your personality there. I get this struggle, but I personally feel like it’s much better (and safer) to convey your passion for the company and its mission than to convey how good (you think) you are at cracking jokes while sounding professional. Being funny works if your joke is actually funny. There are some things that sound way better when you say it rather than write it. Show off your personality some other way. Remember that a hiring team will spend about 30 seconds looking at your cover letter; you don’t want those 30 seconds to be spent trying to figure out your joke.

2. Don’t basically re-write your résumé

I was warned against this many times. If you’re going to restate everything in your résumé in your cover letter then what even is the point of a résumé? Your cover letter should hit on points that your résumé doesn’t. Are you currently undertaking a huge multimedia project as video production assistant for your school’s athletics department? Did you hit huge goals during your time as contributing editor for your school magazine? Good, say that. If you did something that relates perfectly to the job you’re applying to, use your cover letter to briefly talk about it. This brings me to my next point…

3. Don’t be vague—show, don’t tell

Don’t tell a hiring manager that you are good at time management. SHOW them. Were you able to balance seven classes, a part-time job, and your positions as student body president and writing center tutor? Awesome. These are details that show an employer that you’re an asset by providing specific examples. I didn’t back up lots of my claims in past cover letters, but I know to do that now thanks to advice from one of my professors.

Read the full post here.

Mike Pence has enjoyed a strange space in American politics since the announcement that he would be Trump's pick for vice president. He isn't public enemy number one—Trump takes most of the heat himself. But Pence isn't quite safe from critique, and many people just don't like him. Now, however, he's under scrutiny after a Washington Post profile of his wife revealed he refuses to dine alone with women without her. The profile shows that Mike and Karen Pence enjoy a very, uh, 'present' relationship with one another. Besides the whole "eating alone with women" thing, the vice president also won't go to an event with alcohol unless Karen is there, too.

This admission might just seem like a strange-but-harmless way for two Christians to conduct their marriage, but many people see it as a sign of misogyny, especially given lack of women in Trump's administration. Has Pence's rule about eating with women stopped him from hiring women for top positions throughout his career? Elite Daily went as far as to say Pence could be doing something illegal if he refuses to meet alone with women at all, even in the course of work.

Pence and Karen have been nearly inseparable for 32 years, both socially and politically. She accompanied him on his bike rides during his campaigns for Congress. The Post profile also describes how Karen gave Pence a red phone at one point, to which only she had the number. Even now, she remains close, traveling with during his international diplomacy trips. The VP even calls Karen "mother."

Obviously, many couples are intensely close, and if the Pences are fine with their relationship, that's their business. And truthfully, if they weren't bigots hellbent on destroying reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, this might almost be cute. But they're powerful public figures now, and Pence does have a responsibility to make sure he treats women equally in the White House. The Pences can do whatever they want at home—but when Vice President Pence is on the job, we'll be watching.

Sure, wearing your hair naturally is a great look, but be honest: don’t you get bored of it? Whether it’s straight or curly, sometimes you just want a look to switch things up a bit. Of course, there’s always the issue of being, shall we say, ungifted when it comes to styling—if braids are not your forte, we feel you.  But, everyone should have an arsenal of hairstyles up their sleeve, so we put together a list of some amazing hairstyles (all braid-free) that will make you look fabulous without the frustration.

1. Rolled bun

The great thing about this style is its versatility. You can wear it casually to class or even when you go out at night. To achieve this effortless look, start with a little bit of teasing and some hairspray to give your hair some body. Separate your hair into two sections, then twist each one towards the base of your neck and secure each one with a bobby pin. Next, take the ends of both sections and roll them towards your head. Secure the bun with a bobby pin. Voila! It looks like you spent hours creating this chic bun even though it only takes minutes.

2. Pull-thru pony

This might be one of the simplest looks you can pull off. All you need to do is pull your hair back into a low ponytail then take the pony and pull it through the area above the elastic. This creates a classic twisted pony that will have everyone fooled.

3. Faux-braid pony

The coolest part of this hairstyle is that it actually looks like you braided your hair. No fear though, there is absolutely zero braiding involved in this look. To start, put your hair in a side pony, then take a piece and wrap it around the elastic to hide it. Next, use another elastic around the middle of the ponytail; it should look very similar to a bubbly pony. Split the area in between both elastics and thread the end of the pony through it. Take a small piece of hair and wrap it around that elastic. Repeat those steps twice more (depending on how long your hair is) and secure with a final elastic. Not only does this hairstyle looks super intricate, the fact that you look like a master braider doesn’t hurt either.

4. Faux-French braid

This is look is everything you love about a braid without the braiding. To begin, pull your hair to one side, then separate the first section and secure it with a super thin elastic. Take the second section and secure that with an elastic as well. Then, split the ponytail from the first section in half, and pull the second pony through and secure it with a clip to hold it in place.

Next, take the remaining sections, create a new section of hair, and secure them with an elastic. Release the clipped hair, separate it into two sections, and pull the other section through it, securing it to your head with a clip for the time being. Keep on repeating the same steps until you’ve secured all your hair, and only have a ponytail left. Then separate the pony into two sections and secure an elastic to create a bubble in one ponytail. Split the ‘bubble’ in half and thread the other pony through the opening, pulling it all the way through. Repeat this step until you run out of hair, and secure with an elastic.

Okay, so this sounds super confusing, but watch the video and you’ll be surprised at just how easy this style is. No one will ever know that it isn’t a real braid!

5. Loose, sideways French twist

This elegant look can be achieved with only a few simple steps…and a few bobby pins as well. First, separate the top section of your hair, and secure it with bobby pins to create a pulled back look. For extra volume, tease underneath and add some hairspray. Then take one side of the remaining hair and roll it towards the back of your head where your hair is secured. Secure this section with bobby pins. Repeat this step twice more, continuing from the same side you started. Leave some hair out on the opposite side. Take that remaining hair and pull it over the top of the bun you’ve created, then hook it down and underneath and secure it with bobby pins. Finish off with some hairspray for a tight hold. What you’re left with is a classic, chic updo that works for any occasion.

It might feel like the only worthy hairstyles require braiding skills, but that’s oh so wrong. With these cute styles at your disposal, you’ll look fabulous without all the braiding hassle.

Yes, I listened to "California Gurls" while writing this. Here are 15 things you need to know about dating a California girl.

1. She's not necessarily from Southern California. 

Though a lot of us wish we were.

2. She's pretty into the beach. 

But she doesn't live on it.

3. LA is our NY. 

The West Coast's Big Apple.

4. If she says she's from the Bay, that doesn't always mean San Francisco. 

Honorable mentions to Walnut Creek, Berkeley and Oakland.

5. Her ideal date is probably going to In-N-Out. 

It doesn't need to be fancy.

6. She's there to remind you that there's California north of San Francisco. 

There are five more hours until the Oregon border.

7. There's a good chance she's really into yoga. 

Bonus points if it's on the beach!

8. "California Gurls" is her personal anthem. 

Katy made it just for the Cali gurls.

9. She'll complain about weather under 70 degrees.

Because high 70s is just perfect.

10. Going to Disneyland is a big deal. 

A date at Disneyland means things are getting serious.

11. She's probably spent large portions of summer in Lake Tahoe. 

And probably part of winter, too.

12. She's been to Coachella…

…or really wants to go.

13. Summer is her favorite season. 

That's a given.

14. She's planning her next birthday in Vegas. 

Or maybe she spent her 21st there.

15. And most importantly, you can take the girl out of California…

…but you can't take California out of the girl.

True friends have got your back in real life and online, and John Legend is no exception.

In a promo for the next episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian talks about the possibility of having a third child with husband Kanye West. Although this decision involves him in no way, political consultant Stuart Stevens took to Twitter to shade Kardashian.

His tweet alludes to China’s One Child policy, which restricted families from having more than one child in order to control the country’s population. In 2015, the policy was replaced with legislation permitting two children per married couple. Kardashian and West currently have two children, North and Saint.

Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, are couple-friends with Kardashian and West, so naturally John was quick to call Stevens out.

Although Kim (like her sisters) is perfectly capable of her own clapback, it was nice for Legend to defend his friend and call out a rude internet troll. 

Keeping it classy, defending friends, married to the hilarious Chrissy Teigen… Just add this to the long list of reasons why John is winning at life.

Mischa Barton, the former star of The O.C., recently opened up about her leaked sex tape. According to Refinery29, Barton’s sex tape has been distributed for purchase to porn sites. The tape in question was filmed by her former partner without her knowledge or her consent.

Barton revealed during an interview on The Dr. Phil Show that she will be taking legal action against her ex. “It is a serious crime to tape people without their knowledge like that and I had made the mistake of putting myself in the situation with the person so I just removed myself as quickly as I could, and then it just continued to be complete emotional abuse after that for the last several, several months.”

While the crime itself is a total violation, Barton’s privacy has also been completely dismantled as a result of the "revenge pornography." In a statement, the actress’s lawyer Lisa Bloom said, “There’s a name for this disgusting conduct: revenge pornography. Revenge pornography is a form of sexual assault, and it is also a crime and a civil wrong in California. And we will not stand for it.”

According to Variety, Barton wants to “protect” other women from the “pain and humiliation” that she has had to endure over the last several months. Unfortunately, revenge pornography is illegal in only 35 states, as well as Washington D.C.. However, more severe ramifications should be put in place for this heinous act, especially since revenge porn can be used as leverage to extort someone into staying in an abusive relationship.

Unfortunately, there is limited data on how many men and women are affected by non-consensual pornography, University of Miami School of Law professor Mary Anne Franks told Wired. Regardless of the statistics, Barton is not the first woman to become a victim of revenge porn, and regrettably she won’t be the last. Sex is an intimate time in anyone’s relationship, and it’s sickening to realize that someone could use this to extort their partner’s vulnerability.

Nude shoes and lingerie are a staple in every fashionista's closet, but finding the perfect nude to match your skin tone has been a struggle for ages. The only brand that is well known for making a variety of nude tones is Christian Louboutin, but we don't all have $500 for a pair of shoes, thanks a lot. Target has decided to save us all by debuting lingerie in four shades of nude. The colors are dubbed "caramel,""cocoa,""mochaccino" and "honey beige." That's not all: Target plans to add more shades in the future! This is good news, because skin tones definitely come in more than four variations. Plus, bras start at $10 and underwear at $5. #blessed

Target senior vice-president of apparel and accessories, Michelle Wlazlo, said, "At Target, we know that women come in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities and our assortment needs to reflect their outfitting needs,” she added, "As part of our continued commitment to inclusivity, our team did extensive research to expand our intimate offerings so guests can find the perfect shade of nude to match their skin tone.”

Apparently, Target intends to do the same with nude footwear. I cannot wait! There has been no word on when the shoes will be coming out yet, but HC will keep an eye out for you. Yay Target for acknowledging diversity!

Out in theaters across the country on March 31, The Zookeeper's Wife is a heartwrenching World War II story about two zoo owners, Antonina Zabinski and her husband Dr. Jan Zabinski, who managed to save over 300 Jews during the Holocaust by hiding them within animal cages. Based on a true story, the film, directed by Niki Caro, captures the most intense moments of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1939. Because the topic is incredibly dark and intense, here are a few things you need to know before you see this film.

1. The film is based on a true story

The film, staring Jessica Chastain, is based on the best-selling novel The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman. By using extensive research and interviews with people who knew Antonina, Ackerman wrote a true account of the Warsaw Zoo and how exactly the female heroine stood up to the Nazis. Along with having this strong protagonist, the film is also the fourth woman-directed movie of 2017.

2. History of the Warsaw Ghetto 

During the Holocaust, the Warsaw Ghetto was the largest of all the Jewish ghettos in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. It's where many people went in Poland before being shipped to death camps. On October 12, 1940, the Germans established the ghetto, forcing all the Jews to wear yellow Star of David badges and move out of their homes. At the time, Warsaw had one of the largest Jewish populations in the world; it's estimated that over 400,000 Jews lived within the ghetto, with an average of 7.2 people per room. In the ghetto, disease spread very quickly and there was not enough food for everyone, so the mortality rate was extremely high. 

3. Righteous of the Nations

According to Yad Vashem, a Holocaust museum in Israel, Jan and Antonina Zabinski were recognized on September 21, 1965, as Righteous Among the Nations. This is an honor used by the State of Israel to recognize non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from the Nazis. 

4. Intense/graphic content

As the film largely takes place at the Warsaw Zoo, which was bombed by the SS during the war, it's important to note that there are extremely graphic scenes involving animal deaths. 

The Zookeeper's Wife tells a story of strength and courage during a time when those traits were hard to come by. If you're looking for a film that will both inspire you and make you cry, this is the right choice. 

Follow Isabel on Twitter. 

It isn’t news that President Trump and his team have been in hot water over the campaign's alleged ties with Russia. It's gotten to the point where the House and Senate Intelligence Committees are investigating how much Russia may have influenced the election. And in case you were wondering what Trump thinks about that, the President of the United States has branded a congressional investigation a mere "witch hunt."

The witch hunt comment came after news outlets reported that Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was offering to testify in the investigation in exchange for immunity from prosecution (an offer that has, for the time being, been rejected). A senior White House source told CBS News that Flynn was forced to resign last month. Flynn has previously admitted to providing “incomplete information regarding [his] phone calls with the Russian Ambassador.” Since his resignation, Flynn’s attorney, Robert Kelner, claims that Flynn wants to testify in the U.S. intelligence investigation because “he has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit.”

Trump took to Twitter to share his presidential opinion with the world. Naturally.

So what is a witch hunt? Obviously, Trump can’t be talking about the infamous Salem witch hunts (and the witch trials that followed). The definition of a political witch hunt is an investigation directed toward a person, a party or an administration solely based on their unpopular views. The witch hunt generally originates from public fears.

Instead of respecting the House and Senate officials’ duty to investigate a potential issue of national security, Trump has defamed the investigation by labeling it a “witch hunt.” It’s alarming that any president would try to slander a national investigation. Not only has Trump smeared the credibility of the investigation, he's also claimed that the examination is essentially a conspiracy curated by journalists and Democrats. Though let's be real, he's probably only referring to liberal media sources, not the media in general.

However, this isn’t the first time Trump has dubbed a national investigation as a “witch hunt.” During an interview with The New York Times earlier this year, he claimed the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s initial investigation on Russia’s impact in the presidential election was a "political witch hunt.”

The whole situation just seems suspicious. On one hand, we have the president who claims the entire investigation is a “witch hunt,” which would imply that nothing negative will be found during the House and Senate’s investigation. On the other hand, we have a recently abdicated employee who is seeking immunity from the inspection. Something just doesn’t seem to add up.

Either nothing will be revealed from the investigation, or the campaign did have ties with Russia. Otherwise, each party’s story could have merit. Maybe there wasn’t a connection to Russia during the election, but maybe Flynn did something questionable and he’s afraid it could be uncovered during the investigation. Who knows? Regardless, something  dubious is afoot.

Like many Americans, Cal Poly SLO junior Katie Sones was unhappy with Trump's election. She didn't want to stay idle, so she took action in an ingenious way. Sones decided to do more than donate money to organizations: she started her own cosmetics brand in order to raise money for women's charities. Her brand's name? Lipslut. YESSS.

Sones explained to Mustang News, the Cal Poly paper, why she created a cosmetics line, since it doesn't immediately seem related to politics. "People are going to buy lipstick either way, so if you could do that and have the money go somewhere that you support, that would be perfect,” Katie said.

Lipslut's first poduct is a liquid lipstick in a pink-ish nude shade named "F*ck Trump," and it actually looks really pretty. These lipsticks cost $19.95 each, and 50 percent of the profits will benefit a charity selected by popular vote.

I'm obsessed with the brand's mission statement: "50% towards charity, 100% against tyranny, and of course, 100% cruelty free. Finally, a lipstick as bold as you."

The team is still working on the final product but meanwhile, follow @hello.lipslut on Instagram to stay updated. Vote, vote, vote for your charity of choice!