#FemNews Weekly Roundup Vol. 34

For all those badasses trying to catch up on the headlines, here are a few highlights from the past week. Sign up for our newsletter to receive #FemNews and other videos, articles, and updates from The Fem Word every Tuesday.

1. This week, the FDA approved the market’s first ever drug to help treat postpartum depression. Hailed as a “breakthrough” for its swift effectiveness (patients may see results within 24 hours), the drug represents much-needed progress in combating the stigma behind PPD, which affects one out of every nine mothers. But hold your applause: hurdles in affordability and accessibility still need to be conquered. A single IV drip treatment takes 60 hours and sets moms back $25,000. Still, *snaps* for progress.

2. Karen Uhlenbeck, a 76-year-old University of Texas at Austin professor, became the FIRST woman to win the Abel Prize! The honor pays homage to Norwegian mathematics genius Niels Henrik Abel (you can thank him for Abelian functions) and has been awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Sciences since 2003. Her work has produced “some of the most dramatic advances in mathematics in the last 40 years.” #mathlete pride!

3. With exemplary grace, empathy, and solidarity, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced an immediate ban on all military-style assault rifles just six days after the mass shooting at two Christchurch mosques. The proposed legislation, which is expected to become law by April 11th, will buy back an estimated 1.2 million weapons across the nation. Now, the entire world is watching and hopefully learning from the leadership of the world’s youngest female head of state.

4. Girls just wanna have crowd-FUN-ding! Alison Rose, Deputy CEO of the U.K bank NatWest, launched the first female-only crowdfunding program called Back Her Business this week. Established in response to a recent study which found that just nine per cent of funding for UK startups goes to women-run businesses, the program, in partnership with Crowdfunder, expands upon NatWest’s mission to reduce the gender gap when it comes to entrepreneurship. What’s more, the initiative is committed to creating an additional 65,000 new female-led businesses by 2025.

5. Ariana Grande fans are singing a different tune: #thankyounextgen. For the duration of her newly kicked off Sweetener tour, the pop star has partnered with HeadCount to help concertgoers can register to vote while attending one of her shows (THAT’S how you multitask like a boss). Not 18? Not a problem. Fans can text ARIANA to 40649 to volunteer, contact legislators, and get a text reminder to register on their 18th birthday.

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