2-0-2 GO.
From polls to power: checking in on women rising through the ranks, gut checking the idea that ill-informed men get to vote on women’s bodies, and some legendary women keeping democracy on track….
As US election season heats up it's a perfect time to check in on some commanding strides women have made in shaping democracies worldwide, then a content cleanse with a much needed laugh, and a bit of inspiration to round out the update. pSoiler alert - Dolores F&cking Huerta. For real tho - what a badass…..
2 Steps forward:
As early voting is gets underway, its worth reflecting on some exciting progress in U.S. politics. 2023 set a new record with the highest number of women serving as governors across the country—12 in total. I know, I know. That number is crap. But it is progress. The good news is that progress was seen in both parties. Still a lot of work to be done. 12 is not 25. It is not zero. But it is not 25. We are going to keep this in the good news category anyway. Got our eye on the prize this week…
Globally, a record 29 women are serving as heads of state, reflecting a historic shift towards in global leadership. This group includes notable figures like Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia; Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh; and Zuzana Čaputová, President of Slovakia. In 2024, Mexico celebrated a milestone with the election of its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, signaling a transformative moment for the country. Still a lot of work to be done. 29 is not 96. It is not zero. But it is not 96. We are also going to keep this in the good news category.
0 noooo he didn’t:
In today’s "Oh No He Didn't!" section, we are calling out…… soooooo many guys. Like. Most of them. Tiffany Springle is doing a helluva job pointing out the jaw-dropping absurdity that clueless male voters get a say on women’s bodies. Incredibly clever, Roe v. Bros is a viral series that puts men on the spot with basic questions about women's reproductive health, exposing their serious gap in knowledge as they prepare to vote. Check in on Tiffany Springle or check out the Roe vs Bros insta account here .
all men opining, via a vote, in a manner that might effect women’s reproductive health without basic prerequisite knowledge? yellow card.
2 kick ass people driving change:
Meet LaTosha Brown: LaTosha is the co-founder of Black Voters Matter an organization dedicated to increasing voter engagement and amplifying Black voices in the political process, particularly across the Southern U.S. Co-founded. This nonprofit is laser-focused on boosting voter engagement and building political power in marginalized Black communities, especially across the South. She is completely badass.
Meet Dolores Huerta, the unstoppable force behind some of the biggest victories for women and Latinx communities in the U.S. for decades…. Dolores is co-founder of the United Farm Workers. She has been shaking up the status quo for nearly 100 years. ONE HUNDRED FUCKING YEARS! This civil rights legend has been a lifelong champion for social justice, and she's still in the fight—now with her Dolores Huerta Foundation, focusing on getting women to the polls and making their voices heard. As Dolores famously says "Sí, se puede!" (Yes, we can!)
GO: