Addressing social, economic, health, and education issues from the perspective of Democratic women.
closing the gap on health care research for women
Unprecedented White House Initiative on Women's Health Research to be led by First Lady Jill Biden
Nov 13, 2023 Excerpts
The White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research intends to bring in members of executive departments across the federal government to work holistically on this issue; deliver concrete recommendations on how to advance women’s health research within its first 45 days; set priority areas where additional investments could have the biggest impact; and facilitate collaboration between the scientific private sector, philanthropic groups and the government to create new research initiatives.
Photo - Anna Rose Layden, Getty Images
Jailed Iranian activist wins the Nobel Peace Prize
Narges Mohammadi wins the Nobel Peace Prize
Oct 6, 2023 Excerpts
For nearly all of Mohammadi’s life, Iran has been governed by a Shiite theocracy headed by the country’s supreme leader. While women hold jobs, academic positions and even government appointments, their lives are tightly controlled. Women are required by law to wear a headscarf, or hijab, to cover their hair. Iran and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only countries to mandate that.
The chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, began Friday’s announcement with the words “Woman, Life, Freedom” in Farsi — the slogan of the demonstrations in Iran. “This prize is first and foremost a recognition of the very important work of a whole movement in Iran with its undisputed leader, Narges Mohammadi,” Reiss-Andersen said. She also urged Iran to release Mohammadi in time for the prize ceremony on Dec. 10.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Friday’s selection “a tribute to all those women who are fighting for their rights at the risk of their freedom, their health and even their lives.”
Photo - AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
Juneteenth is Now a U.S. Holiday
She's known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth
At the age of 89, Opal Lee decided her new life mission was much like that of Granger: "I knew I just had to spread the word about Juneteenth to everybody." The best way to do that, she figured, was to help get Juneteenth accepted as a national holiday.
She decided to start with a walking campaign in cities along a route from her home in Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. It wasn't a straight line. Over several weeks, Lee arrived in cities where she'd been invited to speak and walked 2½ miles to symbolize the 2½ years that it took for enslaved people in Texas to learn they were free.
Photo - Protesters chant last year as they march after a Juneteenth rally at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City.
John Minchillo/AP
CELEBRATING AAPI WOMEN FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY IN THE US
From the ERA Coalition
May 10, 2023
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women in the United States have been fighting for equality and justice for generations. From advocating for immigrant rights to combating anti-Asian hate crimes, AAPI women continue to make their voices heard and drive positive change in the United States. We are highlighting a few of the AAPI women who are fighting today for a more equal nation in honor of AAPI Heritage Month!