Women's Issues / Public News Service

Congress passed Savanna's Act in 2020 to improve data collection on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Sonyachny/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 21, 2021

NV Summit Highlights Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Today, a virtual summit hosted by the Las Vegas Mayor's Faith Initiative looks at the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous …

In 2017, 99% of Kentucky counties lacked a clinic that would perform an abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on KY Abortion Law

FRANKFORT, Ky. - U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case involving a 2018 Kentucky abortion law that bans a medical …

North Carolina small business owner Jainaba Jeng says a community credit union helped her grow her specialty food business. (Jainaba Jeng)<br /> — North Carolina small business owner Jainaba Jeng says a community credit union helped her grow her specialty food business. (Jainaba Jeng)

‘Kitchens of Africa’ Founder: More Women Small-Business Owners Need Access to Loans

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Women small-business owners in North Carolina say access to financing is a key component of helping women reach economic success…

A beaded medallion from Shoshone Bannock artist Brodie Sanchez raises awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women. (Brodie Sanchez)

Indigenous Peoples Day Marks Challenges, Celebration of Culture

BOISE, Idaho -- Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day, a celebration of the people native to North America. Tai Simpson, organizer for the Indigenous …

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Dec. 1 in a Mississippi case that could overturn the decades-old abortion protections established under Roe v. Wade. (guttmacher.org)<br /> — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Dec. 1 in a Mississippi case that could overturn the decades-old abortion protections established under Roe v. Wade. (guttmacher.org)

Texas Health-Care Providers Face Abortion-Law Whiplash

HOUSTON - Two court rulings in one week over the controversial Texas abortion law have providers questioning how to proceed. Last Tuesday, a federal …

Abortion providers in Ohio could face criminal charges for not reporting a child who lives after a failed abortion attempt. (AdobeStock)

Botched-Abortion Bill Gets Third Hearing in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With the national debate over reproductive rights approaching a boiling point, an abortion-related bill had its third hearing in …

The statute of limitations in cases of rape in Ohio is currently 25 years. (Adobe Stock)

OH Advocates Urge Eliminating Statute of Limitations; Spousal Exemption

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Ohio advocates are hoping to see legislation passed that removes barriers to …

The third full week in October ushers in National Business Women's Week each year. (Pixabay)

National Business Women’s Week Highlights Need for Credit Equity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After discovering the healing powers of eating natural, healthy foods, one Jacksonville woman sought to show her community what …

One of roughly 600 rallies for abortion access took place last weekend in St. Louis. (Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region)

Report: Millions to Lose Abortion Access If Roe v. Wade Overturned

ST. LOUIS -- As the new U.S. Supreme Court session gears up, a new report found more than 36 million women in 26 states, including Missouri, could …

The Women's Building in San Francisco, which runs a food pantry, also offers financial literacy classes in conjunction with Self Help Federal Credit Union. (SHFCU)

Community Credit Unions Help “Underbanked” Women

SAN FRANCISCO -- Worldwide, only 65% of women have a bank account, compared with 72% for men, so as we celebrate National Businesswoman's Week later …

In Maine, protests against the Texas abortion ban occurred in Portland, Waterville, Belgrade and more. (vivalapenler/Adobe Stock)

Protesters Support Roe v. Wade in Portland, Central Maine

PORTLAND, Maine -- Reproductive-rights advocates took to the streets across Maine and the U.S. over the weekend to protest the Texas ban on abortions …

Illinois codified the right to abortion in June 2019. (gistavofrazao/Adobe Stock)

IL Reproductive-Rights Groups Protest Abortion Bans Before SCOTUS Session

CHICAGO -- Reproductive-rights advocates took to the streets across Illinois and the U.S. over the weekend to protest the new Texas law banning …

Putting forward laws that limit reproductive health access puts business environments at unnecessary risk and limits women's economic potential, a new report finds. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Putting forward laws that limit reproductive health access puts business environments at unnecessary risk and limits women's economic potential, a new report finds. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Limiting Abortion Access Costs Nation Billions

RICHMOND, Va. -- Curbing access to reproductive health-care services, including abortion, can have disastrous effects on economic well-being…

According to The Pew Research Center, liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans are more likely to have heard about "cancel culture" than their more moderate peers. (Adobe Stock)

MA College Course Explores Holding People Accountable with Respect

By Sonali Kolhatkar for Yes! Media. Broadcast version by Lily Bohlke for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

A new report spotlights the economic impacts of limiting a woman's right to safe and legal abortion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Restricting Abortion Access Brings Big Financial Trouble

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Limiting women's access to abortion and other reproductive health care can have a devastating impact on state economies. According …

Financial assistance is available for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington's new at-home medication abortion services. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Financial assistance is available for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington's new at-home medication abortion services. (Adobe Stock)

Eyeing Trend, MD Provider Offers Abortion Drugs by Mail

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- As the Biden administration challenges a Texas law restricting abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, Planned Parenthood for …

Texas has enacted 26 abortion restrictions in the past decade, including the recent six-week abortion ban and a ban on all abortions that would go into effect if Roe v. Wade was overturned. (MarkThomas/Pixabay)<br /><br /> — Texas has enacted 26 abortion restrictions in the past decade, including the recent six-week abortion ban and a ban on all abortions that would go into effect if Roe v. Wade was overturned. (MarkThomas/Pixabay)

Supreme Court Bows Out, White House Wades into TX Abortion Battle

AUSTIN, Texas -- President Joe Biden stepped into the abortion battle in Texas Thursday, tasking federal agencies to see what steps can be taken to…

An analysis from McKinsey suggests the learning gap from COVID may result in students earning $49,000 to $61,000 less income over their lifetime. (Andy Dean/Adobe Stock)

Without Mask, Vaccine Mandates, Moms Choose Between Jobs, Kids’ Health

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine. Broadcast version by Lily Bohlke for California News Service. Reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

The number of moms with health coverage participating in the Magnolia Mother's Trust, a guaranteed-income program, went up by a quarter during the program. (Sarah Stripp/Springboard to Opportunities)

A Push for Permanent Policies to Support Lower-Income Families

MS. MAGAZINE COLLABORATION By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine Broadcast version by Lily Böhlke for North Carolina News Service/Public News …

Turnover for direct-care professional positions, many of which pay minimum wage with no benefits, has been as high as 60%. (Adobe Stock)

Disabled Community Urges Congress to Boost Home-Care Infrastructure

DENVER -- As infrastructure legislation makes its way through Congress, advocates for people with disabilities are urging lawmakers to boost …

According to CWEALF, Connecticut's family and medical leave program is the strongest and most comprehensive in the country, from broadening the definition of "family" to a progressive wage replacement rate. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Privatization of Paid-Leave Claim Services Raises Red Flag

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family Leave has been raising concerns about outsourcing of the state paid leave program's …

Advertising curtains, such as this one inside Kearney Community Hall, are common in community halls as stage backdrops, and were used to raise funds through local businesses paying to have ads. (Andrea Graham/Alliance for Historic Wyoming)

Historic Community Halls Open Doors for Tour, Potlucks, Pie Auctions

BUFFALO, Wyo. -- The doors of five historic community halls across Johnson and Sheridan counties were opened this past weekend for 15 people curious …

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)

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)

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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-…

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% …

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