Women's Issues / Public News Service

Some 40% of mothers new to the 2020 Magnolia Mother's Trust program said they had money saved for emergencies. After receiving $1,000 a month for 12 months, that increased to more than 85%. (Wikimedia Commons)

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Groups Urge Long-Term Solutions After States Cut Federal Unemployment

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. MagazineBroadcast version by Lily Böhlke for Tennessee News Service/Public News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After …

Based on census data, the 2021 wage gap for Black women compared to non-Hispanic, white men is $0.63 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Spotlights Need for Wage Transparency

DENVER -- Today marks the day Black women in the U.S. will finally earn as much as a white, non-Hispanic man was paid in 2020. Ashley Panelli…

Black women carry roughly 20% more student debt than do their white counterparts. (Adobe Stock)

Campaign: Canceling Student Debt Major Boost for Black Women

MINNEAPOLIS -- Black women carry more student loan debt than any other group, and a national petition has been launched to cancel $50,000 in student …

Black women carry roughly 20% more student debt than their white counterparts. (Adobe Stock)

Campaign Aims to Liberate Black Women from Student-Debt Burden

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Black women carry more student loan debt than any other group, and a national petition has been launched to cancel $50,000 in …

According to the U.S. Census, on average, Black women were paid 63% of what non-Hispanic white men were paid in 2019. (Pexels)

A Call to Build Black Women's Futures by Canceling $50K in Student Debt

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- With Black women carrying more student loan debt than any other group, a national petition has been launched to cancel $50,000 …

Raising women's hourly wages to match those of Wyoming men would add $153 million in labor income in a single year, a report says. (Adobe Stock)

Report Cites Economic Power of Wyoming Women

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Women left the workforce during the pandemic at higher rates than men, and a new report suggests full economic recovery won't be …

Women of color are much less likely to enter contests for statewide executive offices than white women, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (8385/Pixabay)

Women Face Money Crunch on Road to Political Office

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Women have voted at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1984, but a new study shows when they run for a …

The Institute for Women's Policy Research ranked New York 8th among states in 2019 for the number of women entering managerial and professional occupations. (Adobe Stock)

Pre-COVID Snapshot Puts NY in Top 5 for Women’s Economic Standing

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Before the pandemic, more women were in the workforce than ever before, and new research ranks New York state fifth in the country …

The Ohio Domestic Violence Network's Fresh Start program is supported by funds from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan. (Anete Lusina/Pexels)

OH Domestic Violence Prevention Focus on Housing Options for Survivors

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- New programs available to domestic violence-prevention groups in Ohio aim to help survivors transition into safe, stable housing…

According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book, the number of Connecticut children ages 3 and 4 not enrolled in preschool has dropped in the last decade, from 38% in 2009-2011 to 34% in 2017-2019. (Adobe Stock)

Report Suggests More CT Families Backslid Financially in Pandemic

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut ranks in the top 10 states for children's education and health, but its families rank lower in terms of economic well-…

A study compared the number of women in municipal office and in the state Legislature in Montana. (mandritoiu/Adobe Stock)

Study: MT Women Better Represented at Local Level Than in Most States

HELENA, Mont. -- A new study found Montana ranks high for the percentage of women office holders. Women are steadily becoming more prominent in …

Dr. Nick Perencevich was among those at the State House this week who were speaking out against the 24-week abortion ban in the state budget. (Granite State Progress)

Groups Urge Sununu to Rethink Budget's 24-Week Abortion Ban

CONCORD, N.H. -- Reproductive-health advocates are calling on Gov. Chris Sununu to meet with them about the ban on abortions after 24 weeks, which is …

Polling by Hart Research Associates shows 85% of voters support federal law ensuring the right to reproductive health care, including abortion, annual screenings and birth control. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Case Prompts Re-introduction of Abortion Access Bill

MADISON, Wis. - Lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced a bill they say would ensure access to safe abortions across the country. The move comes as …

The New Hampshire measure that bans abortion after 24 weeks is among hundreds of state laws restricting access to abortions that has been pushed through Legislatures this year. (vivalapenler/Adobe Stock)

Reproductive-Health Advocates Push Back Against Abortion Ban

CONCORD, N.H. - Lawmakers in Congress are reintroducing the Women's Health Protection Act, which would protect against abortion bans and other …

Polling by the Hart Research Associates shows 85% of voters support federal law ensuring the right to reproductive health care, including abortion, annual screenings and birth control. (Adobe Stock)

Proposal Would Guarantee Access to Abortion Across U.S.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced a bill they say would ensure access to safe abortions across the country, just as …

More than 90% of Democrats, more than 70% of Independents and nearly 45% of Republicans believe the constitutional right to an abortion should be protected, according to recent polling. (Mark Schierbecker/Wikimedia Commons)

Bill Would Curb Medically Unnecessary Restrictions on Abortion

ST. LOUIS - Lawmakers in Congress are reintroducing the Women's Health Protection Act, which would ensure a pregnant person's right to access - and a …

Black student-parents borrow an average of $18,100 for college, compared with an average of $13,500 among all students, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Parents in College Face Mental-Health Stressors

RICHMOND, Va. - Many of the more than 4 million student-parents in the United States struggle with mental-health issues in college, and a new report …

WIC provides breastfeeding support, nutritious food, information on healthy eating and referrals to health care for pregnant women and those with young children. (Nappy Studio)

Report: COVID Changes to Nutrition Program Benefit NC Moms, Kids

RALEIGH, NC -- Barriers to accessing a federal nutrition program for moms and babies persist in North Carolina, but new research shows loosening the …

Between 2011 and 2019, states across the nation enacted 483 new abortion restrictions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (Adobe Stock)

State Restrictions Increasing Demand for Abortion Medication

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas enacted twenty restrictions on abortion during this year's legislative session, more than any other state, and a recent …

In April, the Florida House passed a bill to ban abortions based on disability, but the measure didn't move past committee. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Lifting Abortion Restrictions Would Benefit Women, Economy

TAMPA, Fla. - Ending reproductive-health restrictions is beneficial for women and the economy, according to an online tool from the Institute for …

In addition to voter-suppression laws and anti-LGBTQ measures, laws to restrict women's reproductive health have being introduced in unprecedented numbers in 2021. (womenshealth.gov)

Study: Reproductive Restrictions Damage Working Women, State Economies

AUSTIN, Texas - Access to birth control has been responsible for one third of women's wage gains since the 1960s, and restrictions on reproductive …

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to a Mississippi law banning abortions after only 15 weeks. (David/Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights Economic Impact of Reproductive Rights

NEW YORK -- An online tool from the Institute for Women's Policy Research makes the case that ending reproductive health restrictions is good for wome…

Hospitals saw sharp increases in mental health-related emergency room visits by children from April to October last year. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Helping NY Kids Cope with Lingering Trauma of COVID

NEW YORK -- As the pandemic wanes, experts advised it's important to recognize the impact of the fear, loss and isolation it caused on children's …

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that 140,000 jobs were lost in December, and all those jobs were held by women. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Could Worsen Educational Inequity for Indiana Women

INDIANAPOLIS - The pandemic may have long-term consequences on women's ability to earn degrees and make inroads in the workforce, and higher-…

In the 2020 presidential election, women cast nearly 10 million more votes than men. However, more men hold public office than women, according to Rutgers University's Center for American Women and Politics. (Adobe Stock)

Despite High Voter Turnout, Women Hold Only 30% of Political Offices

ST. LOUIS - Women account for a majority of the U.S. population, but a new report shows they make up less than one third of high level government …

Women earn more than 57% of undergraduate degrees and 59% of all master's degrees, according to the Center for American Progress. (nawbo.org)

Study: Women Officeholders Stuck at 30%, Locally and Nationally

AUSTIN, Texas -- At 51%, women constitute a majority of the U.S. population, but when it comes to holding political office, they account for only 30% …

Tens of millions of households in the United States spend more than a third of their income on rent, and the pandemic has impacted many Missourians' abilities to keep up. (steheap/Adobe Stock)

Legal-Aid Groups: Know Your Rights When Facing Eviction

ST. LOUIS -- With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eviction moratorium on shaky legal ground and set to expire at the end of June…

According to the nonprofit Florida TaxWatch, "Broward UP" students stand to earn an average of $204,000 more income in their lifetimes. (Adobe Stock)

One FL College Strives for Better Workforce Recovery

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- As the nation recovers from the recession, a community college in Broward County is taking a different approach to make …

Advocates say increasing access to high-quality child care can help more women provide for their families and prepare kids for the future. (AdobeStock)

Coalition Urges Ohio Senate to Invest in Child Wellbeing

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the Ohio Senate continues hearings on the biennial state budget, there are calls for lawmakers to move the needle on investments …

Domestic-violence hotlines are a lifeline for victims seeking safety and support. <br />(AdobeStock) — Domestic-violence hotlines are a lifeline for victims seeking safety and support.
(AdobeStock)

Domestic-Violence Support: Not All Calls for Help Getting Answered

Clarification: Added additional information on the General Assembly budget process. 5/12/2021 5:26pm Central COLUMBUS, Ohio -- During a single 24-…

Seven in 10 women don't know drinking alcohol increases breast cancer risk, according to a new survey by MDVIP/Ipsos. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Women Need More Health Info, Support from Doctors

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's National Women's Health Week, and a new survey finds many women feel they're in the dark about basic health-risk factors…

Children in states that expanded their Medicaid programs are almost twice as likely to have health coverage than children in the 12 non-expansion states, including Wyoming. (Depositphotos)

WY Medicaid Expansion Could Advance in Joint Revenue Committee

RIVERTON, Wyo. -- Wyoming lawmakers are giving Medicaid expansion a second look at today's Joint Revenue Committee meeting in Riverton, after …

According to data from the National Partnership for Women and Families, both parents work in 64% of all West Virginia households. (Adobe Stock)

Paid Leave Could Mean Fewer WV Women Exiting Workforce

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Nearly 60% of West Virginia workers lack access to any form of time off, either paid or unpaid. Kelly Allen, executive director …

A car caravan to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA is supporting moms separated from their children. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

OR Groups Support Immigrant Moms Detained in NW

SALEM, Ore. -- A Northwest car caravan is heading to an immigration detention center this weekend to support mothers who've been detained there…

A majority of women are breadwinners in their families. (Pixabay)

Survey: Moms Want More Than Breakfast in Bed This Mother’s Day

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- As Mother's Day draws near, a new survey conducted by the Institute for Women's Policy Research offers a clearer picture of what …

Studies say increased access to midwifery can improve maternal and infant health outcomes. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

IL Groups Back Licensing for Certified Professional Midwives

CHICAGO - Illinois is one of 16 states that doesn't offer a pathway to licensure for certified professional midwives. On this International Midwives' …

Economists say consolidations and cuts at Pennsylvania state universities would have a disproportionate impact on women. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Economists: Restructuring Plan "Disastrous" for PA Universities

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A new report says the proposed consolidation of Pennsylvania's 14 public universities would mean significant job losses and …

House Bill 1232 would increase health coverage for care before and after a child's birth, which could reduce racial disparities in infant mortality rates. (PxHere)

Colorado Health-Insurance Option Advances in House

DENVER -- The Colorado Health Insurance Option plan cleared the House Health and Insurance Committee this week, but the measure looks considerably …

Survivors of sexual violence are often reluctant to seek help. (Adobe Stock)

Rape-Crisis Agencies, Already Burdened by Cuts, Brace for More

Correction: MacMath directs COMPASS (Sexual Assault Education, Prevention & Support), an affiliate of Goodwill Industries. An earlier version of this …

Washington state expects to clear its backlog of sexual assault kits by mid-2022. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

WA Continues Improving Response to Sexual Assault

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington state lawmakers are continuing their work from past sessions supporting survivors of sexual assault. House Bill 1109…

Iowa consistently ranks low among all states for its gender pay gap, and almost 34% of female-headed households in the state live in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Crisis Amplifies Concerns About Retirement Gap for Women

DES MOINES, Iowa - The pandemic has disrupted plans for a secure financial retirement for many Americans, and financial experts say women face a more …

An Urban Indian Health Institute study found only 116 of more than 5,000 cases of murdered or missing Native women were logged into the U.S. Department of Justice's nationwide database. (Adobe Stock)

Unsolved: Hundreds of Cases of Missing, Murdered Indigenous NC Women

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina families and advocacy groups are rallying virtually to highlight how poor data collection, lack of prosecution and …

Arkansas has the nation's highest teen pregnancy rate, and one of the country's highest unintended pregnancy rates among women of all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Admin to Reverse Birth-Control Access Restrictions

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Biden administration has taken the first steps in the regulatory process to eliminate the domestic gag rule, which forced …

One in five Black women in the U.S. is a survivor of rape, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. (Michele Paccione/Adobe Stock)

Spotlight on Black Women's Contributions to End Sexual Violence

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, groups are raising awareness about Black women's contributions in the quest to end sexual …

Ohio offers free implicit bias training for healthcare workers to address racial disparities in maternal health. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Ohio offers free implicit bias training for healthcare workers to address racial disparities in maternal health. (Adobe Stock)

Improving Health Outcomes for Ohio's Black Moms, Babies

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Some Ohio healthcare advocates say policies are needed to improve health outcomes for Black mothers and their babies. According to …

Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than are white women, according to the CDC. (Adobe stock)

Pregnancy-Related Deaths Higher Among Black KY Women

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Racial gaps persist in pregnancy- and childbirth-related deaths across the state, and advocates say solutions to the problem lie …

The American Rescue Plan ensures West Virginians have the option to buy health care for less than 8.5% of their income. (Adobe stock)

WV Bill, American Rescue Plan Bolster Medicaid for Mountaineers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and West Virginia health-care groups are hailing how the American Rescue Plan and a new state …

According to Polaris, about 14,600 survivors of sex trafficking contacted the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2019. That number is likely higher in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Human Trafficking Also a Focus in CT

HARTFORD, Conn. - A Connecticut group that aids victims of human trafficking is speaking out about the role that sexual violence plays in this crime…

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Women's