U.S. patriarchal authoritarianism is on the rise, and democracy is on the decline. But day after day, we stay vigilant in our goals to dismantle patriarchy at every turn. The fight is far from over. We are watching, and we refuse to go back. This is the War on Women Report.
Since our last report…
+ Nevada voters will weigh in on a ballot initiative in November that would ensure the state Constitution includes the right to abortion, after Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom collected more than 125,000 verified signatures in support of the proposed constitutional amendment. In total, reproductive rights activists are pushing for abortion-related ballot measures in 11 states this fall:
- Six states have certified ballot measures for the November elections: Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New York and South Dakota.
- In another five states—Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri, Montana and Nebraska—advocates have collected enough signatures to get abortion-rights measures on the ballot.
+ The implementation of the Biden administration’s new Title IX rules that include transgender protections—set to take effect Aug. 1—will be blocked in the following states: Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and West Virginia. The Department of Justice has filed appeals to the Supreme Court to allow the partial enforcement of the new Title IX rules, instead of imposing a complete ban.
+ Due to a decrease in donations, the National Abortion Federation (NAF), a hotline that provides patients with information and financial support, is making major budget cuts. The NAF is halving its monthly budget from $6 million to $3 million and capping support for procedural costs at 30 percent. The reductions come at a particularly dangerous time of increased need following Dobbs restrictions.
+ Donald Trump told supporters they would not have to vote in another election after this November at a rally in West Palm Beach, Fla. “You know what? It’ll be fixed! It’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians,” Trump said. Later in the speech, he emphasized that in four years the crowd won’t have to vote, alluding to the threat of authoritarian rule many Americans fear. The rally was hosted by the far-right Christian advocacy group, Turning Point Action.
Let’s not forget what else was sent our way in July.
Tuesday, July 2: Robert Francis Kennedy Jr.’s Historic Mistreatment of Women
Vanity Fair published a scathing feature revealing the dark history and dirty laundry of Robert Francis Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK) life. Amongst different anecdotes revealed—such as his brain worm or the time he ate a dog in Korea—were stories of the mistreatment and disrespect of women. Eliza Cooney, RFK’s children’s babysitter and part-time worker at his environmental law clinic at Pace University, recalled instances of forced discomfort, fear and sexual assault at the hands of RFK in the fall of 1998. In her list of “things to leave behind in 1999,” “bad men” were at the top.
RFK is also accused of psychological torture of his ex-wife, Mary Richardson, by her family. After finding out about his affairs, Richardson experienced spells of alcoholism and depression as Kennedy forced her out of his house, his life, and away from their kids. She took her own life in 2012.
After her death, a sex diary from 2001 belonging to RFK containing two dozen names of women and their sexual engagements leaked to the New York Post. Kennedy claimed to be plagued by “lust demons” and accused many of the women he was involved with of “mugging” him and responding to his sexual advances. Kennedy told the Washington Post that he had no such diary.
Friday, July 5: Kansas Supreme Court Reaffirms Right to Abortion in Two Rulings
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled against two abortion laws that limited access to abortion because the state Constitution protects a woman’s right to bodily autonomy. Kansas was the first state to protect the right to choose after the Dobbs v. Jackson decision was released in June 2022, after state voters overwhelmingly said “no” to an amendment that would have asserted that individuals do not have any right to abortions. This upheld the 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision which enshrined the right to choose in the state Constitution.
Judges voted 5-1 in both decisions, one striking down a common second-trimester procedure, dilation and evacuation (D&E), and other preventing excessive restrictions on abortion providers compared to other health care providers.
“The state devoted much of its brief to inviting us to reverse our earlier ruling in this case that the Kansas Constitution protects a right to abortion. We decline the invitation,” Justice Eric Rosen said. “We stand by our conclusion that section 1 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights protects a fundamental right to personal autonomy, which includes a pregnant person’s right to terminate a pregnancy.”
Justice Caleb Stegall, the lone dissenting judge, argued that Kansas is engaged in “a legal regime of unrestricted access to abortion.”
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Drs. Hodes and Nauser by the Center for Reproductive Rights. The doctors have offered and provided abortion care to patients in Kansas for decades.
Monday, July 8: Senate Committee Adds Anti-Transgender Amendments to Fiscal Report
The U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services released the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 report, outlining funds appropriated to the military. Twelve Republican senators and Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) included and passed two anti-transgender amendments restricting gender-affirming care.
- A provision that would prohibit the performance by the Department of Defense of sex change surgeries.
- A provision that would prohibit the coverage under the TRICARE program of certain medical procedures for children that could result in sterilization.
“This is a dangerous affront to the rights and freedom of transgender servicemembers with no financial, legal, political, or medical justification,” said Ian Thompson, senior legislative advocate for the ACLU. “These treatments serve as the foundation of the lives transgender people lead, lives that trans servicemembers have offered in service to the United States armed forces.”
Monday, July 15: Trump-Vance Ticket Emerges at RNC
The Republican Party formally nominated Donald Trump for president on the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). The RNC, which spanned from July 15 to 18, spotlighted speeches from Republican politicians, celebrities and Trump’s family members.
The Heritage Foundation, the think tank responsible for the extremist conservative blueprint Project 2025, co-sponsored the convention—despite Trump’s claims he knows nothing about the plan.
Trump chose Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate, a man who once described Trump as an “idiot” and “cultural heroin.” Vance has expressed a consistent commitment to antiabortion extremism: He advocated for a national abortion ban, the enforcement of the Comstock Act and voted against IVF safeguards. The latest in Vance’s tear against women includes insulting Democratic leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris as a ‘childless cat lady.’ His comments sparked bipartisan outrage.
Sunday, July 21: President Biden Passes the Torch; VP Harris Raises $81 Million in 24 Hours
After pressure from top Democrats and voters, President Joe Biden announced that he was ending his campaign for president through social media posts across different platforms on July 21. After 20 minutes of buzz, President Biden followed up on his news with another, more expected message: an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the front-runner for the Democratic ticket.
Within 24 hours of the announcement, Vice President Harris raised $81 million for her campaign—the largest 24-hour sum of either campaign for the 2024 presidential election.
“The historic outpouring of support for Vice President Harris represents exactly the kind of grassroots energy and enthusiasm that wins elections,” campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said.
In the days following, Harris received endorsements from many Democratic leaders, such as Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Vice President Harris’ potential candidacy ignited a new energy within the Democratic Party.
Monday, July 22: Body Camera Footage of Sonya Massey Being Shot Is Released
Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was shot and killed in her Springfield, Ill., home by sheriff deputy Sean Grayson on July 6, after Massey called 911 to report a possible intruder. Five minutes after officers entered her home, she was fatally shot in the head three times. Massey was unarmed.
Tragic body camera footage depicting her murder was released on July 22. In it, Grayson discourages his partner from retrieving a medical kit for Massey. Grayson only activated his camera after shooting her. Massey’s father, James Wilburn, called the shooting “the most horrible, heart-wrenching thing that we’ve ever seen in our lives.”
Grayson had worked at six different law enforcement agencies over a period of four years and was charged with driving under the influence twice. In the weeks following the shooting, Grayson was fired by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and indicted on three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of official misconduct.
“Where is the humanity? Where is the training?” asked Benjamin Crump, the civil rights attorney representing Massey’s family. “Until we get justice for Sonya Massey, we rebuke this discriminatory criminal justice system in the name of Jesus.”
Monday, July 29: Iowa’s Six-Week Abortion Ban Goes Into Effect
Iowa’s state abortion ban, which prohibits most abortions after early fetal or embryonic cardiac activity is detected—usually six weeks into the pregnancy, went into effect. Iowa adds itself to the list of 17 other Republican-led states that hold extreme near-total or six-week abortion bans. The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the ban on June 28, despite the fact that 61 percent of Iowa adults agree abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll.
“This extreme six-week ban is a slap in the face to women and families whose health care will be compromised,” said Sam Paisley, national press secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
Up next:
U.S. democracy is at a dangerous inflection point—from the demise of abortion rights, to a lack of pay equity and parental leave, to skyrocketing maternal mortality, and attacks on trans health. Left unchecked, these crises will lead to wider gaps in political participation and representation. For 50 years, Ms. has been forging feminist journalism—reporting, rebelling and truth-telling from the front-lines, championing the Equal Rights Amendment, and centering the stories of those most impacted. With all that’s at stake for equality, we are redoubling our commitment for the next 50 years. In turn, we need your help, Support Ms. today with a donation—any amount that is meaningful to you. For as little as $5 each month, you’ll receive the print magazine along with our e-newsletters, action alerts, and invitations to Ms. Studios events and podcasts. We are grateful for your loyalty and ferocity.
