To understand where trends in promoting democracy are headed, it’s important to put into perspective the myriad ways in which businesses and industry leaders contributed to unprecedented turnout in 2020.
Tag: Politics
State Policy Trends 2020: Reproductive Health and Rights in a Year Like No Other
This year, 24 abortion restrictions were enacted, as were 16 provisions that protect and expand access to abortion services (including two identical sets of provisions in Virginia), and another 74 provisions that expand access to reproductive health services and education.
Keeping Score: Congressional Republicans Deny Election Results; Dr. Biden Defends Herself
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!
Getting it Right: Why It’s Important To Pronounce Kamala Harris’s and My Name Correctly
The name “Kamala” tops this year’s list of most mispronounced words—yet, as a society, we still haven’t fully recognized name mispronunciation as a form of microaggression. Kamala Harris’s story provides us with an opportunity to “get it right.”
“There is erasure when names are mispronounced—like the severing of a long rope that links us to our past. Beyond that, there is also anger, confusion and pain.”
What Would It Take to Double the Representation of Women in Congress By 2050?
As the U.S. celebrates the fairly meager victories for women candidates in the 2020 election and compare our progress to our democratic allies around the world, there is much to learn from New Zealand’s successful transition to a mixed-member proportional system.
In order for the United States to make serious and sustained progress toward parity by 2050, we must invest our energy and our resources in systemic reforms that address the structural barriers women face as candidates and elected officials.
Rights Advocates Rejoice as the New Biden Team Is Assembled
Biden’s White House staff is falling into place, and Cabinet members are being announced: Antony Blinken will be Biden’s secretary of state; Linda Thomas-Greenfield will become the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; Michèle Flournoy will be secretary of defense; John Kerry will focus on climate change; Alejandro Mayorkas has been nominated secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Avril Haines has been nominated for director of national intelligence; and Jake Sullivan will be the national security adviser.
Future Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Faces COVID-Induced Economic Crisis
The selection of Janet Yellen as the first woman to serve at the helm of Treasury and oversee the biggest economy in the world is noteworthy. But Yellen’s appointment is in keeping with research that shows women are especially likely to be selected for leadership in the middle of crises. Is she being set up to fail?
Rep. Katherine Clark Elected Assistant Speaker of the House, the Second-Highest-Ranking Woman in Party Leadership
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) was announced the next assistant speaker of the House on Wednesday—making her the second highest-ranking woman in House leadership. She holds the fourth most power among Democrats, who again nominated Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as speaker of the House.
How to Move Forward on Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy Decisions in 2021
Sexual and reproductive health advocates need to hold the Biden-Harris administration and congressional lawmakers accountable to undo the harms of the last four years, push for progressive and equitable policies, and make 2021 a turning point for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice.
Here’s how.
The Ms. Q&A: Lucinda Williams talks Politics, Protest Songs and Overcoming Abuse
Lucinda Williams’s “Good Souls and Better Angels,” was released early into the pandemic this April. I interviewed the Grammy-winner this summer, while she was quarantined with her husband in their home in Nashville.