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H appy almost-4th of July! The team and I debated whether anyone would still be on email by the time this note hits your inboxes, but for those of you who are still logged into your devices, (a.) I’m right there with you and (b.) I thought some counter programming might be nice. This newsletter, therefore, will be light on the “news” and heavier on the “letter,” with recommendations around travel and reading that I hope you can use throughout the summer.

But first, because advertisements for “A250” are seemingly everywhere (including, in New York, on MTA bus LED boards), a word on our nation’s 250th birthday and the role of women. If you’ve been reading the various Forbes 250 lists we’ve been publishing over the last six months—or just reading ForbesWomen—you know that women have had a foundational role in the founding, building and innovating of American politics, business and society. Women may not have always been given the credit in real-time , but we’ve always been, as my colleagues on the 250 list team write, “problem-solvers, mavericks and risk-takers.”

This should be obvious, but amid all the talk of Founding Fathers and a semiquincentennial of “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” it felt worthwhile to reiterate: Women have always made America what it is, and are playing key roles in our quest to become a more perfect union. For those interested in going further down the history rabbithole, our friends at Ms. Magazine have published a deep dive into the founding feminists of our nation that is well worth your time.

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Exclusive Forbes Analysis: Serena Williams Isn’t Returning To Tennis For The Money

“I am not retired,” 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams said in October 2022 , following her 41st birthday and three matches at the U.S. Open that were widely assumed to be the last of her legendary career. “The chances [of a return] are very high. You can come to my house—I have a court.”

This month, the 44-year-old Williams made good on that promise, entering WTA Tour events in London and Berlin to compete in doubles. She continued her comeback at Wimbledon this week, losing in singles competition Tuesday against unseeded Maya Joint, a 20-year-old Australian ranked 53rd in the world. Had she prevailed against Joint, Williams could have been on the path to adding a $4.8 million winner’s check to her $94.8 million in career prize money.

It seems safe to assume, however, that money is not her motivation .

ICYMI: Places To Go And Things To Read This Summer

52 All-American Summer Getaways: As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, here’s a state-by-state travel guide (including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico), to majestic purple mountain retreats, hotels built by American entrepreneurs and other historic venues in the land of the free.

5 Adventurous ‘Coolcations’ In Northern Europe This Summer: If you’ve already hit all the places in the previous roundup, consider this: With much of Europe already suffering from excessive heat this summer, the “coolcation” countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark offer a chance to explore Scandinavia and beat the heat .

Here’s What The Biggest Names On #BookTok Are Reading This Summer. Not on TikTok? It’s okay; neither is your newsletter author. But Forbes senior contributor Toni Fitzgerald has this look at what’s arisen on the corner of the internet devoted to literacy —and there are several intriguing titles among the batch.

Summer 2026 Reading List: Books For Personal Or Professional Growth: If you prefer your reading to be more useful than escapist (Editor’s Note: a choice we support but will not be joining you in), here’s a list of books that can teach you how to stretch yourself personally or professionally , expand your mind or see the world from a fresh angle.

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