Yesterday, Gabby Douglas made gymnastics history becoming the first African American gymnast to win the coveted gold medal as an all-around gymnast and the first gymnast to win gold in both the team and all-around in the same Olympics. She is also only the second African American gymnast to make it on the U.S Women’s […]
The Affordable Care Act: What does It Mean for Women on College Campuses?
Yesterday, the preventive health services portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), or Obamacare, went into effect. The PPACA states that birth control is in fact a preventive health service, therefore requiring insurance companies to cover it without co-pays or deductibles. This means birth control with no co-pays y’all! This is a […]
Standing With Sisters in the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
This week, more than 20,000 people from around the world, including scientists, medical doctors, sex workers, and AIDS activists, have been convening at the Washington, D.C., Convention Center for the XIX International AIDS Conference, the theme of which is “Turning the Tide Together.” The international conference hasn’t been in the U.S. for 22 years, because […]
Victory! North Dakotans say NO to Measure 3!
North Dakotans voted overwhelmingly – 64% to 36% – against Measure 3 the so-called “religious liberties” state Constitutional amendment that could have been a huge blow to women’s rights. The measure would have amended the North Dakotan Constitution to allow a person or institution to carry out any action or practice solely based on his/her […]
Who Do You Know in North Dakota? If You Know Someone, Tell Them to Vote No on Measure 3 Next Tuesday!
In less than a week, North Dakotans will vote on the Measure 3 ballot initiative which would amend the North Dakota state constitution to permit a person or religious institution to practice or carry out any action based on their religious beliefs. The vagueness and ambiguity of the measure could have devastating unintended consequences, especially […]
Catholic Universities Gamble with Students’ Lives on their Campuses
Once again Catholic institutions have decided to take young women’s choices and lives into their own hands. Several Catholic institutions, dioceses and charities across the country have filed lawsuits against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) federal mandate that requires employers to provide birth control coverage in their health plans. Although insurance companies […]
The Violence Against Women Act Must Protect Native American Women
Two weeks ago, the U.S. Senate reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The version of VAWA that the Senate passed included new provisions to protect Native American women. While the reauthorization of VAWA itself is significant, equally important are these new provisions because they extend VAWA’s protections to the Native American women living on […]
How the Violence Against Women Act Impacts College Women
Today, the U.S. Senate is expected to make a motion to proceed with a vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Since its passing in 1994, this critical piece of legislation has protected millions of women across the country, especially women on college campuses. Unfortunately, legislators in the Senate have attempted to foster […]
Defending Roe in Mississippi
When I was asked to come to Mississippi about three weeks ago to organize students against Initiative 26 or the “personhood” Amendment I honestly did not know if we even had a chance of winning. The amendment could have made abortion illegal and banned most forms of birth control including the pill. With Mississippi being […]
We Have Had Enough!
Wednesday at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), about 200 students, faculty, community members, politicians and activists gathered for an electrifying speak out against the Virginia TRAP laws. The Speak Out Against Virginia’s TRAP Laws blog describes the TRAP laws as “a bill that classifies women’s health centers in the state as a category of hospitals, […]