Afghan First Lady Rula Ghani delivered a commencement address in Kabul earlier this month to the first Afghan women graduates from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Women’s Leadership Development program.
White House Announces New Measures to Further Equal Pay
President Obama, on Friday, announced new steps his Administration is taking to help close the gender-race pay gap.
Obama Administration Announces Plan to Expand Lunch Program to Feed Children in Need
In an effort to address child hunger and food insecurity in the United States, the Obama Administration announced the launch of a pilot program that certifies students eligible for free or reduced-price in-school lunches automatically if their families’ collect Medicaid benefits.
Taiwan Elects First Woman President
In a landslide victory, the leader of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Tsai Ing-wen won the country’s presidential election, becoming the first woman in Taiwan’s history to hold the position.
Study Exposes ‘Gender Gap’ in Media Coverage of Reproductive Issues
A new study by the Women’s Media Center has revealed more than half of news stories focusing on reproductive issues are written by men.
Anti-Abortion Extremists Behind Planned Parenthood Attack Videos Indicted
Two anti-abortion extremists responsible for last year’s misleading videos attacking Planned Parenthood have been indicted on criminal charges by a grand jury in Houston, Texas.
Holtzclaw Sentenced to 263 Years for Rape and Sexual Assault of Black Women
Former Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw has been sentenced to 263 years in prison today for the rape and sexual assault of 13 Black women in 2013 and 2014.
Obama Declares State of Emergency in Flint Water Crisis
President Obama has declared a state of emergency in Flint, Michigan after a water contamination crisis produced a spike in lead poisoning and other health issues, including possibly Legionnaire’s disease, in the city
Missouri Politicians Introduce “All Lives Matter” Personhood Bill
In a startling misappropriation of the Black Lives Matter movement, anti-reproductive rights politicians in Missouri started off the new year by introducing the so-called “All Lives Matter Act” – a bill designed to strengthen Missouri’s already existing personhood law.
NC Abortion Providers Must Now Submit Ultrasounds to State Officials
A North Carolina law requiring abortion providers to submit an ultrasound to state officials for every abortion and induced miscarriage performed after the 16th week of pregnancy took effect on January 1.
China Arrests Prominent Human Rights Lawyer for State Subversion
A prominent human rights lawyer in China was formally arrested and charged with state subversion on Wednesday. Wang Yu’s arrest comes as Chinese state officials continue to crackdown on activists and lawyers engaging in rights defense work.
VA Governor Proposes Plan for Free, Long-Lasting Birth Control
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam announced a $9 million program proposal on Friday that would make free long-lasting birth control available to women who have little or no health insurance.
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The Women of NASA’s First Gender-Balanced Astronaut Class Considered for Mars Mission
The women who comprised 50 percent of NASA’s astronaut class of 2013 might be headed to Mars!
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Public Unions Case
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Monday in a case that threatens to upend nearly forty years of precedent and deal a major blow to public unions across the country.
Judge Rejects Order to Block Catholic Hospitals Denying Women Tubal Ligations
A San Francisco Superior Court judge declined to issue an emergency order that would prevent Mercy Medical Center, a Catholic hospital, from refusing a women’s request for a tubal ligation.
President Obama Vetoes Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood & Repealing Affordable Care Act
President Obama vetoed a measure today that would defund Planned Parenthood for one year and repeal key provisions in the Affordable Care Act.
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ICE Raids on Central American Families Spark Nationwide Protest
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has begun a series of raids this month aimed at deporting Central American families, sparking protest by activists throughout the country.
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First Woman Commandant of Cadets Sworn In at West Point
Brigadier General Diana Holland made history on Tuesday when she became the first woman commandant of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA).
House Approves Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood, Repeal Affordable Care Act
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted 240-181 in favor of a measure to defund Planned Parenthood for one year and repeal key provisions in the Affordable Care Act. The bill will most certainly meet a presidential veto.
Unprecedented Number of Groups & Experts Call on SCOTUS to Overturn Texas TRAP Law
45 amicus briefs were filed yesterday urging the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn a Texas law that threatens to close more than 75% of abortion clinics in the state and deny millions of women access to safe, legal abortion.