On Tuesday, Mississippi senators passed, by vote 34-15, a 6-week abortion ban bill, which bans most abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. If a physician performs an abortion before checking if there is a fetal heartbeat, or performs an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, the physician could have their medical license […]
FDA Approves First Drug for Postpartum Depression, but Could Cost Up to $34,000
The Food and Drug Administration approved brexanolone, an intravenous medication specifically designed to treat postpartum depression that is expected to be sold under the brand name Zulresso in June, for a hefty price tag of about $34,000. The drug works quickly, with effects taking place within 48 hours. However, the medication itself is delivered by […]
New Zealand Terrorist Attack Leads to Calls for Stricter Gun Regulation
Last Friday 50 people were killed and dozens injured at two mosques in a New Zealand terrorist attack. The shooting, which targetted Christchurch’s small Muslim community, was the deadliest shooting in New Zealand’s history and has led to increased calls for stricter gun laws in New Zealand. In response to this, multiple online and storefront […]
Karen Uhlenbeck: First Woman to Win Abel Prize in Mathematics
On Tuesday, Karen Uhlenbeck, a professor at the University of Texas, became the first woman in the world to win the Abel Prize, an internationally lauded award in mathematics, from The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. On May 21, Uhlenbeck will be presented the award by King Harald V of Norway at a ceremony. […]
Congress Introduces the EACH Woman Act to Repeal Hyde Amendment
The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Woman Act, which would repeal the Hyde Amendment and require federal health insurance to cover abortion costs, was introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee and Sen. Tammy Duckworth in both houses of Congress last Tuesday. The Hyde Amendment bans federal funding for abortion with exceptions for […]
UN General Assembly Presidents States Regression in Women’s Political Power
U.N. President of the General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa addressed the Commission on Tuesday stating there has been a “serious regression” in women’s political power, pointing at the lack of progress for women in leaderships positions globally. In response to these obstacles Gabriela Cuevas Barron, The head of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, proposed increased affirmative action […]
President of the Philippines under Fire for Sexist Comments
*********trigger warning: sexual assault and violence************** On Monday, the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte spoke at an event for the country’s National Women’s Month, that was meant to honor outstanding women in law enforcement and national security, but in his speech, Duterte referred to the women as “crazy” and “bitches” that deprive him of the “freedom” […]
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Dr. Leana Wen: First Asian-American Physician to Head Planned Parenthood
Dr. Leana Wen is the first Asian American as well as the first physician in 50 years to become the president of Planned Parenthood in 2018 after Cecile Richards announced her resignation. As an emergency room doctor and former health commissioner, Wen leads one of America’s most trusted reproductive health care providers. Born in Shanghai, […]
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Happy International Women’s Day!
Today is International Women’s Day, but while we celebrate the achievement of women throughout the world, we must also be aware of the injustices that still exist in the United States that prevent gender equality. The U.S. is currently one of six U.N. member states, Pacific island nations of Tonga and Palua, Iran, Somalia, South […]
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The Woman Behind the Impression: Kate Mckinnon
She’s donned a jabot and hurled “Ginsburns” and yelled at Matt Damon’s Brett Kavanaugh while wearing a prosthetic turkey neck as Lindsey Graham: Kate McKinnon, the longest-serving female cast member of Saturday Night Live, made history in 2012 when she signed onto the show as the first openly lesbian cast member. McKinnon is best known […]
Alabama Court Allows Man to Sue Abortion Clinic, Recognizing Fetal Personhood
An Alabama man, Ryan Magers, is suing a reproductive health center as well as the manufacturer of the pill his ex-girlfriend used to end her six-week pregnancy, after a probate court judge granted his petition and recognized the full legal rights of a fetus. Magers’ lawyer claims his lawsuit may be the first U.S. court […]
Senator McSally Speaks out Against Sexual Assault in the Military
On Wednesday in a Senate Armed Services subcommittee, Senator Martha McSally, a veteran of the Air Force and the first woman to fly in combat after the ban on women was lifted, revealed that she is a rape survivor and that the rape occurred while actively serving in the military. In an emotional speech, she […]
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California Attorney General and Twenty States File Injunctions to Stop ‘Domestic Gag’
This week, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed suit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco seeking an injunction to stop the abortion gag rule in Title X Family Planning Program funding from taking effect, which would affect more than 4 million low income women across the United States, and a coalition of at least […]
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Patsy Mink: “Ahead of the Majority” and First Woman of Color in Congress
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ll be highlighting the stories of women in the United States who paved the way and inspired girls everywhere to follow their dreams. As a Japanese-American from Hawaii, Patsy Mink became the first woman of color in Congress and the first Asian American woman to serve in Congress in […]
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Federal Judge Ordered Reinstatement of Gendered Pay Data Collection
A federal judge ordered that the Trump administration must reinstate an Obama-era rule requiring companies report pay data by race and gender. U.S. district judge for the District of Columbia, Tanya S. Chutkan, said that by rolling back the Obama-era rule the Trump administration violated the law and that the Trump administration failed to demonstrate […]
Google and Apple Permit Saudi Arabian Women Surveillance App
Google and Apple are still offering an app on their platforms and in their stores that allows Saudi Arabian men to track and monitor women, despite previous backlash and investigations into violations of human rights and privacy. Absher, which translates to “yes sir,” is an app that lets Saudi Arabian men track and limit where […]
Prominent Human Rights Lawyer Faces 34 Years in Jail in Iran
After two trials, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human and women rights lawyer in Iran, faces 34 years in prison as well as 148 lashes after defending women who protested wearing hijabs in public. Multiple organizations, including Amnesty International, are now calling on the Head of the Judiciary, Ebrahim Raisi, and the Mission of Iran to the UN […]
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Trump Rule will Eliminate SNAP Benefits for over 750,000 Individuals
The Trump administration is now receiving comments on a proposed rule that will eliminate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for over 750,000 unemployed and underemployed individuals and cut $15 billion dollars from the program over 10 years. Trump originally wanted this to be included into a farm bill he signed into law; however since […]
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Dr. Patricia Bath: The ‘Woman who Changed the World’ through Eye Care
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ll be highlighting the stories of women in the United States who paved the way and inspired girls everywhere to follow their dreams. Dr. Patricia Bath, an ophthalmologist and laser scientist, was not only the first female African-American doctor to patent a medical device, but also the first person […]
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Long Live the Queen: The Impact of Aretha Franklin
Music and civil rights activism were big influences in Aretha Franklin’s life since a young age: her father, C.L. Franklin, a minister known as “the Man with the Million Dollar Voice,” toured the nation giving sermons and was a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Aretha herself started singing in her Detroit church’s choir and recorded her first album when she was only 14 before signing to RCA Records and Columbia Records. When she was 16, Aretha was touring with Dr. King.