More Than A Magazine, A Movement
The Biden administration recognized decades of failure to include half the population in medical research when it established a White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research and dedicated tens of millions of dollars to study diseases affecting primarily women and to include more women in studies of diseases that affect everyone.
It would likely stop dead if former President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
In the many tributes written since Rosalynn Carter’s death on Nov. 19, one word often is used to describe her: trailblazer. Indeed, Rosalynn Carter was like no other first lady. She testified before Congress on mental health issues; made policy proposals on caregiving and established the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in 1987; worked to advance women’s rights; and helped in the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Carter’s own words are the most powerful about her belief and commitment to equality. “Although there has been progress, women still struggle to take their full, rightful places in politics, the media, business and athletics. … I would like for people to think that I took advantage of the opportunities I had and did the best I could.”
Like Dr. Jill Biden, I hold an advanced degree in education and have encountered misogynistic ideas about its value along the way. Higher learning institutions have failed to prepare women for the realities of what they’ll face after they’re conferred with doctoral degrees.
“I’m a teacher. That’s who I am,” Dr. Jill Biden declared on the campaign trail, giving Americans a glimpse into what life in the White House would look like come January.
So what else can we expect from a working first lady, one who has already made feminist history before even taking office?
Despite the political, economic and public health challenges this year—or perhaps because of them—feminists mobilized, fought for our rights, and made progress on many of the issues we care deeply about.
From voter mobilization to reproductive justice, politicians to pop stars, here are our top feminists of 2020.
In every issue of Ms., we track research on our progress in the fight for equality, catalogue can’t-miss quotes from feminist voices and keep tabs on the feminist movement’s many milestones. We’re Keeping Score online, too—in in this biweekly round-up.
This week: Just 27 of 249 congressional Republicans acknowledge Joe Biden as president-elect; Laverne Cox opens up about transphobia; Barbara Kavovit is leading the tear-down of Harvey Weinstein’s former office; Dr. Jill Biden defends her hard work; Elliot Page comes out as trans; ParityBOT supports women candidates online; 15-year-old Gitanjali Rao is first TIME Kid of the Year; House Democrats vote to legalize marijuana; BuzzFeed subpoenaed by ICE; Greta Thunberg is editor for a day; and more!
For women in academia, the Wall Street Journal op-ed about the future first lady’s title struck a nerve.
“From an early age, girls are socialized to downplay their accomplishments,” said Dr. Zyer Beaty.
Pat Nixon was the first first lady to wear pants in public. Hillary Clinton was the first first lady to be elected to a public office. And now, Jill Biden is projected to become the first first lady to keep her full-time job outside of the White House.
“Dr. Biden … will be leading a life that is much more like that of everyday American women: balancing their role in a family with a professional life,” Jellison said.