In his acceptance speech last Tuesday evening, President Barack Obama began by thanking every American who participated in his reelection, “whether you voted for the very first time, or waited in line for a very long time.” Then, after a brief pause, he thoughtfully noted, “By the way, we have to fix that.” Yes indeed. […]
Author: Rachel Kassenbrock
Rachel Kassenbrock is a writer who works at the Feminist Majority Foundation and blogs for Ms. Follow her on Twitter at @rkassenbrock.
Ballot Measures: Big Wins for Same-Sex Marriage and Reproductive Rights
Last night was a celebration for feminists on so many levels, nationally and locally. Women’s voices were heard!! Among the most ballot measure victories were the passage of marriage equality-related measures in every state that they were up for a vote, and a solid rejection of anti-abortion Amendment 6 in Florida. Here is a rundown […]
Have You Completed Your Pre-Election Checklist?
Election day is tomorrow! Are you ready to make a difference? Ms. has put together a list of last-minute items to ensure that all citizen’s voices are heard on November 6. Hopefully by this point, you’ve successfully completed the first (and most important) item on the election checklist: Register to vote, which has never been […]
What Does the Frankenstorm Mean for Women?
After two days of enduring Hurricane Sandy’s wrath, Americans in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions are now experiencing the aftermath of the Frankenstorm, one of the worst natural disasters this country has ever faced. Schools, businesses and mass-transit systems were shut down Monday and Tuesday, and many are closed today as well. New York City […]
Know Your November Ballot: Health Care
In the weeks leading up to Election Day, Ms. will be outlining state ballot initiatives and referenda of major significance to women. When President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law on March 23, 2010, a series of health-care reforms were put in place to be carried out over the subsequent four years. […]
Indiana Can’t Withold Medicaid Funding from Planned Parenthood
As of Tuesday, the state of Indiana cannot cut Medicaid funding from the the local Planned Parenthood affiliate. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a June 2011 injunction which blocked a law intended to restrict Planned Parenthood of Indiana from accessing the state’s Medicaid program. The law, initiated by Governor Mitch Daniels, was intended […]
As Soon As They Graduate College, Women Face a Pay Gap
The American Association for University Women (AAUW) has released a report which finds that, one year out of college, millennial women immediately face a wage gap, making just 82 cents compared to their male counterparts’ dollar. “Graduating to a Pay Gap” focuses on men and women who graduated in 2008 and then engaged in full-time […]
We Heart: Inês Almeida, for Defending Healthy Girlhood!
Dressing like a girl does not have to solely entail wearing loud shades of pink and excessive glitter, and toys for girls should not be limited to sexualized dolls with pouty lips, unrealistic proportions and scanty clothing. Unfortunately, due to the messages marketing and media are sending, too many girls do not realize this. Because […]
Want to Live in a Gender-Equitable Country? Move to Scandinavia.
The World Economic Forum released its Global Gender Gap Report [PDF] this week, drawing attention once again to the dire state of gender-based inequalities worldwide. Conducted by Ricardo Hausmann of Harvard University, Laura D. Tyson of the University of California at Berkeley and Saadia Zahidi of the World Economic Forum, the report assesses 135 countries […]
Know Your November Ballot: Jobs, Wages and Economic Policy
In the weeks leading up to Election Day, Ms. will be outlining state ballot initiatives and referenda of major significance to women. There are a variety of initiatives pertaining to economic policy on state ballots this November, ranging from affirmative action to teacher’s rights to union election representation. Oklahoma could join several states in banning […]