In 2022, the Supreme Court undid a constitutional right for the first time by declaring that the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion in the landmark decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In a decision this week called U.S. v. Skrmetti, they’ve taken the next step, extending the logic of Dobbs and destabilizing much of the law on sex discrimination. The majority in Skrmetti was careful to cite case law on sex discrimination and suggest that the law at i...| Ms. Magazine
Weekend Reading for Women's Representation is a compilation of stories about women's representation. This week:—new research on the importance of women’s leadership—how Opal Lee became known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth—No matter who wins the race, Virginia’s next governor will be the first woman to ever hold the office.... and more.| Ms. Magazine
Among the myriad headlines that roiled the nation last week, rising political violence in the United States was a sickening drumbeat—one that culminated and resounded most loudly during a weekend of targeted shootings directed at two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses. Though the shooter’s motivations are still unconfirmed, news reports reveal that notebooks found in his car were “full of plans, lists of names, surveillance efforts and home addresses.” Among those listed are ...| Ms. Magazine
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is seeking to become the city’s first Black woman mayor, entered the race for the Democratic nomination relatively late. But after a surprising assist from a political rival, she qualified for public matching funds late last month, giving her campaign new momentum. The crowded June 24 Democratic primary has garnered national attention—and a silver lining has been the increased visibility of ranked-choice voting (RCV) and how it uniquely f...| Ms. Magazine
Autumn Breon is using performance and mixed media art to both celebrate Black women's achievements and honor their struggles. Her latest performance, Dignity Denied, shines a light on the case of Adriana Smith.'I wanted to show what lack of autonomy, what surveillance looks like, and durational performance felt like the best way to highlight her situation.''You might have a six-week abortion ban. You might have whatever other oppressive policies in place. We have always found ways to aid and ...| Ms. Magazine
As Juneteenth approaches, we are called to remember not just the day when the last enslaved Black Americans learned of their freedom, but the ongoing struggle for true justice and equality in this country.In this context, Donald Trump’s economic and immigration policies—packaged as efforts to “Make America Great Again'—take on a more troubling meaning. They are not just policy proposals; they are part of a deliberate strategy to reinforce racial divides, undermining the very ideals th...| Ms. Magazine
We’re in the midst of an incredible surge in antiabortion extremism and clinic violence, with this weekend’s tragic shooting of pro-abortion Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband providing a grim example of the threats facing abortion advocates. Meanwhile, in the wake of state-level attacks on abortion rights, it’s hard to ignore the mental health implications for abortion patients and providers alike. In January, the Trump administration announced that it no longer plans to enforce the ...| Ms. Magazine
As threats to free speech continue to escalate under the Trump administration, we must do our part to defend First Amendment rights for all.In an illuminating new 10-episode series, Speaking Freely: A First Amendment Podcast, Stephen Rohde, who has litigated and written about freedom of expression for decades, explores some of the most controversial free speech and free press cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court—looking at hot-button issues like hate speech, defamation, incitement, socia...| Ms. Magazine
In a post-Roe America, where reproductive freedom depends not just on where you live but who your prosecutor is, New Orleans District Attorney represents a growing number of local officials refusing to criminalize care. His goal: to protect bodily autonomy and keep women out of prison. As one of the few progressive prosecutors in the Deep South, Williams operates under intense pressure—from conservative lawmakers, a hostile state government and a legal landscape increasingly tilted against ...| Ms. Magazine
