Any day now the Senate will decide whether to raise the retirement age to 69. Proponents argue that raising the retirement age is necessary to save Social Security. Opponents argue that raising the retirement age will disproportionately hurt low-income and minority workers. But this is all irrelevant to many because recent actions by the Senate […]
Year: 2010
Remembering Miriam Wosk, First Ms. Cover Artist
We were sad here at Ms. to learn that Miriam Wosk–who created the iconic first cover of the magazine–has died at age 63. Wosk’s cover depicted a modern version of the Hindu goddess Kali, tears streaming down her face while she uses eight arms to juggle an overabundance of work and household tasks. Meanwhile, a […]
We Heart: The UConn Women Huskies
While I was attending UCLA, the men’s basketball team was in the midst of an 88-game winning streak, which started in 1971 and ended in 1974. That record, the longest ever in college basketball, seemed unbeatable. But it’s going to end today. At halftime, the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team–behind such stars as Maya […]
Empowered and Sexy
Erotic Revolutionaries: Black Women, Sexuality and Popular Culture by Tulane University professor Shayne Lee (Hamilton Books, 2010) revolutionizes the politics of black female respectability. Instead of writing about how hypersexualized representations hurt black women, Lee celebrates black female pop culture icons who purposefully hype uninhibited sexual agency. He defends Karinne Steffans, Tyra Banks, Alexyss Tylor […]
White Christmas, White Santas, White Privilege
I am dreaming of a white Christmas, and I’m not too thrilled about it.
Swedish Feminists Debate Rape and Assange
In the wake of doubt and skepticism directed toward the women who pressed charges against Julian Assange, Swedish feminists have started a discussion about consent that may redefine the conversation about rape and sexual assault as we know it. Women and men are now joining in sharing their stories from the gray areas of sexual […]
Abortion and “Public Morals” in Ireland
Three women traveled to England for abortions in 2005. They did so because they couldn’t get legal abortions in their home country of Ireland. Each woman experienced complications and had to seek medical attention when she returned home. The first woman was a single, poor and unemployed former alcoholic. She already had four children who […]
Sady Doyle Takes On Michael Moore
The first step of the #MooreandMe campaign was to call out Michael Moore and point out that to mock accusations of sexual assault is to participate in rape culture. Survivors pointed out the fear about making an accusation of sexual assault, particularly against someone popular. Olbermann and Moore just reinforced those fears.
This Just In: How Women Are Faring in the Workplace
Women may have fared a bit better than men in job retention during the height of last year’s so-called “mancession,” but a new report reveals that women remain underpaid and underrecognized in the workplace—despite playing an increasingly crucial role in the U.S. economy. The report from the U.S. Congress’ Joint Economic Committee has the usual […]
Terrorism Against Sex Workers: It’s Time to Take a Stand
For the past 7 years, December 17th has been recognized by sex workers and their allies as a day to recognize that violence against sex workers is endemic to many societies. It is also a day to commit energy toward making the cultural and working conditions of sex work safer. This is very different from […]