Six good news stories for women from July
💪 A roundup celebrating the achievements of women and positive changes impacting women's health and histories!
The headlines in July have felt like they’ve been a bit dominated by men, whether it be the footballers in the World Cup, AI CEOs making more concerning decisions, ANOTHER new UK Prime Minister, or the Tate brothers being rightfully arrested. It has felt a bit like ‘and what about the women?’. Well, we’ve got you covered with some of the brilliant things women have been doing in July.
Across science, sport, politics, health, and culture, women have been driving progress, and we’ve pulled together some of our favourites for you here.
Consider this your monthly good news reminder.
Kenyan women are using drones to tackle poaching
Women across Africa are helping change the landscape of conservation. Team Owl is a group of six Kenyan female rangers trained as drone pilots in Wildlife Works Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project. This is a vital elephant corridor linking Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks. Until now, rangers have had to mostly rely on doing patrols on foot and in vehicles, but by using the drones, teams are able to support rescues, see illegal activity, and respond faster. The women say that they’re proud of their work; not only are they able to contribute to conservation efforts in a part of the world that desperately needs it, but Florence Mwakio, one of the drone pilots, said it “made us realise that there’s truly no job a woman cannot do”.
‘Spirit of the Kerry Women’ sculpture unveiled in Ireland
A new statue has been unveiled in Tralee, Ireland, commemorating the role played by women in Kerry during the revolutionary period in Ireland. The sculpture, which depicts a woman in uniform raising the Irish flag, is the first of its kind in the country and was created by female award-winning sculptor Elizabeth O’Kane.
Cllr Angie Baily Mayor of Tralee was quoted as saying, “Sadly, for too long, the story of these women during this period was sidelined and ignored and I believe that this sculpture will encourage new engagement with the remarkable role of the women of Kerry during this formative and turbulent time.”
Ultra-runner Sophie Woods set to become “fastest person on earth”
Ultra-runner and New Zealand native Sophie Woods is currently on track to break the record for the fastest known time ever through the treacherous Alpine pass of Via Alpina. The course spans 2,000 kilometres (roughly 1,250 miles), along with 120,000 meters (393,700 feet) of ascent.
The current record is held by runner Jack Catterall in August of 2024; Tessa Caspers set the fastest women’s time for the route at 38 days and 2 hours.
Sophie is looking likely to beat both records. No woman has ever held the outright record. You can follow her journey HERE.
Broadcasters asked to change how they film female athletes
A new 23-page document has been released encouraging broadcasters to rethink the way women are filmed during competitions after years of athletes speaking out about coverage that leaves them feeling exposed, objectified, and distracted.
The guidance asks camera crews to avoid lingering close-ups on specific body parts, low-angle shots from behind or below, and unnecessary slow-motion replays that don’t add anything to viewers’ understanding of the sport.
Too often, coverage has treated women athletes as bodies first and competitors second. The movement is about making sure the focus is where it should be: on their talent, dedication, and achievements.
Breakthrough Endometriosis tests - cutting wait time from years to weeks
For many people with endometriosis, getting a diagnosis can take more than nine years. However, two NEW non-invasive tests are set to be introduced on the NHS, which will help doctors identify the condition much sooner.
One test uses a saliva sample, and the other measures electrical signals in the gut using sensors placed on the abdomen, with results available in around 45 minutes.
NICE have said that this development could help cut diagnosis times from years to just weeks!
History was made with the First-Ever Pro softball broadcast
This month, the AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League) made softball history with the first-ever professional softball game to be televised on broadcast TV by ESPN. The game itself became the most-watched professional game of softball ever. The championship game between the Utah Talons and Chicago Bandits averaged 732,000 viewers. Jon Patricof, CEO and co-founder of Athletes Unlimited, said there were 25 sold-out games, while league-wide attendance steadily increased into the second half of the season; AUSL merchandise sales were up 110% in 2026; and the league’s social accounts gained nearly 450,000 followers amid large-scale growth in overall impressions. All this proves is that there IS and always will be a demand for women’s sports.
This is your reminder that women are driving SO much of the progress happening around us, and sometimes, even when the news might not seem like it, things can change for the better. Share this with friends, family, or anyone who could use a good news reminder.
And if you’ve got stories of your own - from your community, your industry, or anywhere in the world - send them our way. We might include them in next month’s round-up. The news headlines tend to amplify the worst, but we’re just as committed to documenting the better.
