For all those badasses trying to catch up on the headlines, here are a few highlights from the past week. As always, join in the conversation using #TheFemWord and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. #FemNews
1. January 22nd marks the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States and gave women the right to choose what is best for their bodies and their lives. We stand with those who have fought and continue to fight for a woman’s right to choose.
2. No Shave November? Thanks, but we’ll take #Januhairy instead. Throughout the month, women have embraced their natural body hair and taken to social media using #Januhairy to share their stories of empowerment. Female body hair is often stigmatized, leading many women to feel ashamed of their bodies and beholden to their razors. So… let it grow!
3. This past Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to allow the Trump administration’s partial ban on transgender people serving in the military to stand while cases challenging the policy make their way through the lower courts. The ban, which Trump announced in a July 2017 tweet saying the government “will not accept or allow transgender individuals to service in any capacity in the U.S. military,” reverses an Obama-era decision to allow openly transgender individuals to serve.
The decision is a blow to the LGBTQIA+ community, activists, and those who bravely choose to serve their country in the military. #TransRightsMatter
“It’s an enormous miscarriage of justice… it’s terribly damaging to those who are serving in our country’s armed forces.” -- Charlotte Clymer via ABC News
4. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, California Senator Kamala Harris announced her candidacy in the 2020 presidential race. Expected to be a progressive frontrunner, Harris previously served as Attorney General of California, and joins Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the fourth woman to enter the 2020 Democratic race.
5. Apparently we’ve been lied to about birth control (again). According to the United Kingdom’s Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, which sets the standards for National Health Service, it’s totally safe for women on birth control pills to skip the week-long break we’ve been told is necessary for our bodies to “reset” (read: get our periods). So take those packets back-to-back or don’t. It’s your choice and it’s your body.
“We are all different: there isn't any one method of contraception that is the 'best' method for every woman, so it's really important that women have choice.” - Dr. Sarah Hardman (FSRH)
6. Despite the body positive movement, sizeism is still alive and well. Grammy-nominated singer Bebe Rexha uploaded a passionate video about designers refusing to dress her for the star-studded event because she is “too big.” Rexha has found support from her fans and fellow badasses, including Laverne Cox and Demi Lovato, who commented on the “I’m a Mess” singer’s Instagram video with “Love this and you for speaking your mind and using your voice!!!” Many designers also have come forward with offers to dress the singer. You go, Bebe!
7. Step aside because the badass women of Congress keep lighting it up. This week, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) were announced as among the newest appointments to the House Oversight Committee, Congress’ main investigative body that is responsible for ensuring accountability and transparency. Also, Rep. Ayanna Pressley had THE BEST tweet in response...
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