The book-banning movement is efficiently eradicating an already narrow space to learn about sexual violence in public schools.
Rape cannot be censored away in the real world. It shouldn’t be censored in our libraries either.
Harnessing Women’s Power for a Stronger Democracy: Solutions Summit to Take Place March 5-7
I urge everyone who cares about the future of our country to attend the Democracy Solutions Summit from 3 to 5 p.m. EST, March 5-7. This three-day virtual event is free for all to attend. Register here!
It’s more than an event; it’s an opportunity to be part of the solution. By supporting women experts and advocating for the reforms that will make a difference, we can build a democracy that truly represents us all. It is time for women to lead the conversation on American democracy. Women possess a wealth of expertise and a unique understanding of the challenges we face in the political arena. Our perspectives on solutions warrant serious consideration as we strive to build a more representative democracy.
Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Will Hit Shelves Soon
In July 2023, the FDA approved the progestin-only birth control pill, Opill, for over-the-counter access. Getting a birth control pill over the counter means that anyone (no matter their age or gender) can buy it without needing to talk to a healthcare provider or getting a prescription.
While the pharmaceutical company Perrigo announced shipment to local retailers on Monday, it may take a few weeks until you see Opill on store shelves near you.
Saie Relaunches ‘The Every Body Campaign’ in Support of SisterSong
Saie, a clean beauty brand, recently relaunched The Every Body Campaign. The campaign joins together over 60 brands to raise awareness and funds for reproductive justice. As the largest beauty industry-backed reproductive justice initiative in history, the campaign is projected to raise over $300,000 to support services for birthing people, mothers and funding for abortion care in Georgia, North Carolina and Kentucky.
Our Abortion Stories: ‘Forced to Give Birth, Forced to Relinquish, Ordered to Forget’
Author Tracy Mayo reflects on her pregnancy at 14 and the denial of her reproductive rights, as well as what Dobbs means for stories like hers.
“I had done the worst possible thing for an officer’s daughter: disobeyed orders and shown no discipline. So I was given a new order: Give up my baby at birth and never speak of him again.”
March 2024 Reads for the Rest of Us
Each month, we provide Ms. readers with a list of new books being published by writers from historically excluded groups.
You can choose from an epic graphic memoir, a darling of a biography, collections of poignant essays and stories of 1950s India, Chinese-Canadian coming of age, star-crossed lovers in Cameroon or Korean stray cats.
Before the Stopping Starts
As I got older, I began to understand that things will get weirder and weirder before your period stops—something every woman should know before the stopping starts.
Then something else will happen. You will begin to notice a large chunk of the world, nearly invisible until now: an army of cool, older women, the ones who have emerged on the other side and flourished. In their eyes you will catch a glimpse of the person you want to become. You will do away with pretense then, giving up whatever is keeping you from beginning to live the rest of your life. And this is where the flamenco dancing might come in.
Alabama IVF Ruling Imperils Contraception
Anti-abortion forces have fought increased access to contraception for over a decade. Most recently, the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) are children lays the groundwork for banning most forms of contraception.
Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation: Republican Women Urge Haley to Stay in the Race; Georgia Trailblazer Sen. Gloria Butler Will Not Seek Reelection
Weekend Reading for Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation.
This week: RepresentWomen’s Democracy Solutions Summit, March 5-7, is the only summit to feature all women experts; Republican women are urging Haley to stay in the race; Georgia state Senator Gloria Butler will not seek reelection; and more.
From The Vault: We Have Had Abortions (Spring 1972)
In what The Washington Post says “changed the course of the abortion rights movement,” Ms. published “We Have Had Abortions” in its first issue, featuring the signatures of 53 prominent American women. Women who have had abortions have spoken out many times during the past 50 years, and millions of women and men have marched in countless rallies and demonstrations for abortion rights.
For more ground-breaking stories like this, order
50 YEARS OF Ms.: THE BEST OF THE PATHFINDING MAGAZINE THAT IGNITED A REVOLUTION (Alfred A. Knopf)—a collection of the most audacious, norm-breaking coverage Ms. has published.