As the Supreme Court prepares to hear opening arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt next month—the most significant abortion-related case to go before the court in about two decades—a network of 12 black women’s reproductive-justice organizations are speaking out against Texas’ HB2, the omnibus anti-abortion bill at the heart of the case. According to an […]
Month: February 2016
Menstrual Products are Taxed in 40 States. Here’s What You Can Buy Tax-Free
Cosmopolitan dubbed 2015 “The Year The Period Went Public” and NPR called it “The Year of the Period.” Here at the Ms. Blog, I predicted that 2016 would be an even bigger, bolder year for menstrual equity: “The Year Period Policy Prevailed” (which I swiftly reconsidered to “That Time President Obama Talked About Tampons”). Yes, last month the Leader of […]
7 Great Feminist Moments from Past Oscars Speeches
Awards season is in full swing and next on the agenda is the glamorous, controversial and #SoWhite Academy Awards. In honor of the Oscars’ more inclusive moments, we’ve rounded up a few of the most memorable feminist acceptance speeches of our time. “To every woman who gave birth to every taxpayer and citizen of this […]
The Not-So-Secret Life of a Career Tampon Thief
I turn the crank of the tampon machine until its empty sign appears. My brown leather bag is now plump with free tampons. It’s a pretty Fossil bag and you would never guess that it belongs to a compulsive tampon-taker. I look over my shoulder at a stunned undergraduate onlooker and give her a “don’t mess with […]
Stitching for Abortion Rights
On March 2, the Supreme Court will hear the United States’ most important abortion case in more than two decades, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. The case will determine whether Texas’ most extreme abortion restrictions are constitutional, and if the laws are allowed to stand, 5.4 million women could be left with just a handful of abortion clinics to serve […]
After Justice Scalia’s Death, What Happens for Women?
No justice in recent decades has had a worse record on women’s issues than Antonin Scalia, who died this weekend in Texas at age 79 of apparent natural causes. Replacing him offers an opportunity to move the law in a progressive direction that must not be squandered. Most obviously, Justice Scalia repeatedly and emphatically urged […]
10 Valentine’s Day Cards to Send to Your Favorite Feminists
Skip the sappy, cliché or otherwise patriarchal Valentine’s Day messages and send one of these gems instead!
Six Simple Ways White Women Can Be Feminist Allies to Black Communities
Not only is Black History Month the shortest month of the year (seriously!?), but Black women are regularly left out of big conversations and decisions, and their achievements are overlooked. However, white women allies can be co-conspirators to disrupt this trend—allies in ensuring Black women are equally recognized during Black History Month, Women’s History Month and […]
These Are the Feminist Valentines You’ve Been Searching For
Reprinted with permission from the American Association of University Women Along with roses and chocolates, Valentine’s Day comes with a deluge of tired, patriarchal, and heterosexist clichés. But don’t fret! Our feminist valentines are just what your activist heart desires. Help spread the love! Be sure to share your favorites on Facebook or Twitter. For […]
The Overwhelming Whiteness of the Publishing Industry
Reprinted with permission from Bitch A new survey examining the race and gender makeup of the publishing industry reveals what many writers and readers of color long suspected: Much like Hollywood, the publishing industry is overwhelmingly white. The brainchild of Jason Low of Lee & Low publishers, the Diversity Baseline Survey asked publishing houses and […]