Women

3 Comments Posted on by srm5803 Appearance, Gender, Stereotypes, Women

I Spent Two Years Trying to Fix the Gender Imbalance in My Stories

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/i-spent-two-years-trying-to-fix-the-gender-imbalance-in-my-stories/552404/]

Yong is a reporter who, when reviewing her articles, found she interviews and covers men as sources for stories significantly more than women. The issue is not a lack of credibility or knowledge by women, but gender bias. This is an example of how women are overlooked for the same work as male counterparts. Specifically, in science, women face a barrier men do not have to simply because of their gender. Yong went forward intentionally balancing men and women the same as sources after the run-in she opened with. She held herself accountable with a spreadsheet, which I think is an amazing, simple idea. She found she needed to quote more women to get a better balance. She suspects the reason is that women assume they are not the right fit.

As a woman, this story interested me from the getgo. Too often, men are perceived as more knowledgable or credible in all fields.  What I took away is how it only takes a little bit more effort to create this balance, literally. Yong said she found herself only doing 15 minutes more worth of sourcing per piece. That was encouraging in the sense that it proves this is not impossible to do. I think it would be interesting to conduct the same study on myself.

Leave a comment Posted on by Lauren Saylor Democrats, Republicans, Women

‘Overwhelmed and Frustrated’: What It’s Like Trying to Get an Abortion in Texas

For many women in texas during COVID-19 lockdowns, they are resorting to traveling long and difficult trips to obtain an abortion. Texas has made it clear that many of these facilities need not be open because they are inessential and they could put many others at risk for the disease. But women who need this procedure all know that this is not something that can wait a month or possibly more.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/abortion-texas.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

I find it interesting to see where Texas stands in terms of deeming things as essential or inessential. They find liquor stores essential but abortion practices, even if they are to be conducted in a hospital, to be inessential. This is leading to women dangerous traveling between states, when the federal government strongly discourages it, to obtain this procedure to be able to move on with their lives.  

I personally am not in favor of abortions, as it is my religious right to believe so. But part of me still believes that women should still have access to these procedures if they turn out to be life-saving for the mother. I do understand that not all abortions are optional, and saying that all abortion practices are put on hold slightly irritates me because some women are put at risk due to their failing pregnancies. These women are emotionally unstable as it is because they are locked in their houses until this virus passes, and now they’re plagued with the uncertainty of when they can terminate an unwanted/dangerous pregnancy. As much as I disagree with the practice of abortions, I do find it disheartening to see the government use this as an excuse to push political agenda. Since Texas offered abortions before the pandemic, it can be difficult for women to cope with this choice to be ripped from their hands in the blink of an eye.

1 Comment Posted on by srm5803 Gender, War and Conflict, Women

Some Pregnant Women in New York City Will Have to Deliver Babies Alone

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/parenting/coronavirus-labor-birth.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR0TIXxgjBRsfEFzX1ZGVEO_aAt6VAXS6mqdv61egJOBUd_lGVrg5FFStd8

Some Pregnant Women in New York City Will Have to Deliver Babies Alone

As COVID-19 spreads, pregnant women in labor are being told they must deliver their babies alone as a safety and health precaution. The action began in New York hospitals, which is what this article focuses on. It is meant to protect mothers and children during the coronavirus outbreak. hospital spokesmen are aware of the severity of their decision nonetheless as it impacts the emotional and mental health of patients as a result. Each patient is allowed one visitor who must be screened prior to entering the hospital and have their temperature taken before entering the labor and delivery floor. Women expecting say that as they are on edge already given the global circumstances, this has heightened anxieties immensely. Doctors are offering to have patients support tune in virtually in some cases.

This outbreak is affecting many people in many different ways. The circumstance which expecting mothers are under is a unique and tragic one amidst the countless. Though this does not fall into the category of a sexist issue, I️ find it to be an issue specifically impacting females given their ability to birth children. Altogether, it is a sad ripple of the effects COVID-19 is having that shows no one is guarded at this time.

1 Comment Posted on by Lauren Saylor Gender, Women

Julia Miles, 90, Dies; Pushed for Gender Parity in the Theater

Women’s rights activist, Julia Miles passed away 2 weeks ago on March 25th, 2020. She assisted New York theaters to include more females roles, not only as actors but also playwrights and behind the scenes workers as well. She was the founder of Women’s Project in 1978, which was a gender disparity platform for people (particularly women and those in favor of women’s rights) to voice opinions through the method of acting and theater. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/theater/julia-miles-dies.html?searchResultPosition=4

While Julia Miles was not a politician or directly involve din politics on the front lines, she was revolutionary by providing a safe space for people to voice their opinions and allowed women to rise up in the world of theater. This is inherently political in the means of it being women’s rights and freedom and equality. This is not always manifested by striking in Washington D.C. or going before the Supreme Court. She saw the issue of sexism at her own doorstep every day as she went to work in New York City theaters. She had also given the space for over 600 plays to be written about various topics ranging from love to the Vietnam War. I find it very remarkable that this woman started her own project receiving donations from all over the country to assist young women in their dreams of making it on the big screen. It was beautiful to see that the project is still thriving today and had expanded greatly to include people of all walks of life, and is also inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. 

It’s a beautiful message that she sent out while starting up the nonprofit; to me it sounds like she saw the need to allow women to not feel restricted to being the “pretty face” on the screen, but rather allow them to be inspired and be the “big brain” behind all the magic. That really is amazing, because just like in STEM fields, women are rising to become more equal to men in regards to job qualifications, and it shouldn’t be any different when it comes to theater or the arts.

Leave a comment Posted on by pnm5084 Women

Puerto Rico Orders Coronavirus Lockdown. Violators Could Be Fined.

The following article explains why the governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vazquez, ordered most businesses on the island to shut down, and a 9 p.m. overnight curfew through March 30. Also, the article mentions that whoever violates the lockdown order could face a fine of $5,000 or six months in jail. The author concludes the article by sharing that the island’s health system has been struggling since Hurricane Maria and that the aftermath of earthquakes have left people worried about what could happen next.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/us/coronavirus-puerto-rico.html?searchResultPosition=1

Articles like this touch my heart. Why do they do? We are currently living and breathing what they are sharing. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and yes, I am quarantined in here too. What you may be asking yourself is, “what do you think about the lockdown?”, and here is my answer. The lockdown is a brilliant idea, and thankfully, it is working. The lockdown has obligated citizens to take preventive measures, and be disciplined to avoid contagion. However, I believe this is going to immensely affect the island’s economy; which is the last thing we need, but for Puerto Ricans, health is more important. I do not know until when this is going to last, but for now, I can say that Puerto Ricans are trying their best to stop the virus from spreading.

1 Comment Posted on by srm5803 African-Americans, Gender, Race, Stereotypes, Women

In a Field Dominated by Men, She’s in Charge

  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/business/women-electricians.html?searchResultPosition=1

This New York Times article by Kerry Hannon profiles a woman by the name of Tonya Hicks. Hicks is an electrician and runs her own growing business. She always loved working on cars as a kid and began learning about mechanics from early on. Her mom was against her future career plans when she was a little girl. Following her mother’s pushback came obstacles including discrimination, sexual harassment and being a black woman in an industry of males. Hicks explains later in the article how dropped out of college to pursue an apprenticeship program in journeyman electrician. She continued to work at car plants and steel mills for up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week. She face a lot of adversity from co-workers who undermined her because of her gender. A co-worker urged her to start her own business. She used her personal savings to pursue the endeavor.

Her business is now international and empowers other women in the field to come alongside her.

She now uses her platform to troubleshoot other women from experiencing the same hardships she did such as sexual assault. The article ends with an inspiring quote that reads ‘ “Being a boss is giving other people an opportunity to make money and to help them grow,” she said. “Not until you are building up another person are you a true leader.” ‘

1 Comment Posted on by nzg5195 Women

Joe Biden Commits to Selecting a Woman as Vice President

This article was posted to the New York Times on March 15th, 2020. It was written by Matt Stevens. This article discusses how Joe Biden has committed to selecting a woman vice president and discusses how he sees that there are a number of women that are qualified to be presidents tomorrow.

This is a very important event to look at, and relates a lot to our class. We have always discussed women in power and how they still have not broken the iron ceiling and what it would take in order to do so. Not only does Biden commit to a female vice president but he also discusses on how he wants to appoint the first Black Female to the courts because he feels as though it is about time that they got the representation. While all these decisions are very promising, I personally am conflicted about the decision. Are these decisions merely to gain the female support, or is it because he truly believes that women are qualified. It brings me back to our discussions about how and why women do not feel qualified and the reason for that is due to the fact that no one asks them to run or take positions of power.

Leave a comment Posted on by srm5803 Gender, Women

As Gymnasts Who Were Abused Seek Answers, They Are Offered Only Money

With Tokyo Olympics quickly approaching, the United States gymnastics governing body is proposing a $217 million dollar legal settlement for current gymnasts. The money was intended to close a dark chapter in which hundreds of gymnasts were sexually assaulted by a former team doctor. The doctor, Lawrence G. Nassar, molest hundreds of girls and women under the watch of the U.S.A. Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and coaches with the responsibility of keeping them safe. The offer made does not require officials to disclose any happening within the case. Olympic medalists Simone Biles and Aly Raisman among other gymnasts are not okay with it. Investigation on Nassar has occurred outside of the Olympic realm by a congressional subcommittee, the law firm Ropes & Gray and the Justice Department. The gymnasts are fighting for as much information as possible to be released. Their goal is for public pressure on the Olympics to make changes for the future. Altogether, female gymnasts refuse to remain quiet in an attempt not only to reconcile what they’ve endured, but ensure change moving forward. Their battle is no longer being fought for them, but for the many who will come after them. It is admirable to recognize how they are caring for the future more than the past. They have taken what horrific events life has handed to them, and made legitimate change from it.

Leave a comment Posted on by aet5217 Women

Elizabeth Warren: A Populist for the Professional Class

This article talks about Elizabeth Warren’s campaign strategy and how it only reaches a certain kind of demography. It compares the demographics of her voters to Sen. Sander’s voters and the other Democratic candidates. It talks about how she had a grip on a large part of the Democratic voters and may have been the unquestionable Democratic candidate at one pint but is now slowly losing her voter base.

From the beginning of her campaign, Elizabeth Warren has always told the story of how her mother raised her and her siblings all by herself, showing that not only she but also her mother was a working woman. She has come a long way from her childhood and though it may have been unusual for her mother to be a working woman at the time, she had to make a living to support her family. However, the “up from the bootstraps” story only seems to be reaching a particular type of audience. “Even at her peak, her strongest support came from what political operatives call the “wine track” of Democratic politics: white, affluent and college-educated voters, especially women.” This goes to show that though her story seems to be one of success from hard work and reflects the stories of many working women who may be the sole breadwinners of the family, it seems to only be reaching the already ’empowered’ woman. This could be because Warren fails to reach women who may be concerned with other issues and ties into our discussion of how the concept of “women’s issues” can differ based on various identities. However, it is not only failing to reach women who identify themselves to be a part of a different section of society, but also men. Her identity as a well educated and articulate women is coming off as a sort of ‘elitist’ view and trying to portray her as a woman who is separate and different from all the other women, making it difficult for blue-collar workers and voters who may not be ‘college educated’ to identify with her and relate to her struggles.

1 Comment Posted on by clr5670 African-Americans, Gender, Race, Voting, Women

What do black women voters want?

In a primary race with so many candidates, it is important to keep an eye on who is supported by which groups. An important group that many keep their eye on is who Black women are supporting. Black women are an extremely powerful group within the democratic party. The author of this article, Jonathan Capehart, points out the impact Black women have in elections. He pointed to the elections of Sen. Doug Jones (D) in Alabama and Gov. Ralph Northam (D) in Virginia in 2017. Jones got  96% of the overall black vote. 98% of the Black women in the state voted for him. Northam got 87% of the overall black vote and got 91% of the Black women vote. In both these elections, they would have lost without the strong support of black women.

Capehart also cited results from an Essences survey showing that back in mid-2019 Black women’s top four candidates were Biden with 25% of women, Kamila Harris with 15%, Elizabeth Warren with 12%, and Bernie with 10%.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/09/10/what-do-black-women-voters-want/

As a privileged white woman, I try to be the best ally to POC I can be so I feel it important to keep an eye on how Black women are voting. I’m interested to see all the detailed demographics of the South Carolina primary with Biden’s win this Saturday. The information in this article from the Essence Survey is really informative and is the shining star of this article.