Mississippi Legislature Passes 15-Week Abortion Ban
This Thursday, Mississippi lawmakers voted to implement the most restrictive abortion ban in the US, and the governor is expected to sign the law early next week. This no good, very bad bill would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks, even in cases of rape or incest, and would only provide exemptions when the life of the mother or the fetus is at risk. Similar 20-week bans have been shot down in other states, and Mississippi’s only abortion clinic plans to sue. Read more at The Associated Press.
Amelia Earhart’s Bones May Have Been Found In The 1940s — But Scientists Thought They Were “Too Manly”
Amelia Earhart’s disappearance has been a cultural mystery for decades. But as it turns out, we’ve likely had the answer since 1941 — we’ve just been too sexist to see it. In a new paper in Forensic Anthropology, Professor Richard Jantz argues that a set of bones on Nikumaroro Island match the measurements of a pair of Earhart’s trousers, and likely belonged to the pilot. Other scientists had spent years denying that the bones were Earhart’s, because they were “too manly.” Because obviously, all women are the exact same size and body type. Ugh. Read more at ABC.
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy proposes new protections for female prisoners
Unbelievably, pregnant women can still be shackled in prison — and most female prisoners still have to pay for feminine hygiene products. But Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy is fighting back by proposing a new law that would forbid both of these practices. “It is our moral obligation to ensure that women in the criminal justice system are treated fairly and humanely,” Malloy told WNPR. Learn more at WNPR.
Canada Features Civil Rights Activist Viola Desmond On The $10 Bill
Adding to the list of things in Canada that are better than the US, our northern neighbors recently debuted a $10 bill honoring Viola Desmond. In 1946, Desmond was dragged from a New Glasgow theater for sitting in the “whites only” section — 9 years before Rosa Parks’ led her infamous bus protest. Desmond is the first black person and the first non-royal woman to be featured on a Canadian note, and a true activist hero. Read more at CBC News.
Jessica Milagros Designed A Plus-size Swimwear Capsule Collection For JCPenney — Because Plus-size Women Want To Buy Bathing Suits In Stores, Too
As we all know, every body is a beach body — and every woman should be able to shop for swimsuits in stores. Most retailers haven’t caught up with that yet, but plus-size model Jessica Milagros is leading the charge with a line of swimwear at JCPenney. Check out the collection at InStyle.
Stop Everything, The Obamas Might Be Making A Netflix Show
In a time of Russia panic, North Korea panic, and plain old America panic, we miss our favorite POTUS and FLOTUS more than ever. Now, Netflix might have the answer: According to Jezebel, the Obamas are in “advanced negotiations” to provide yet-undecided exclusive content on the platform. The Obamas have hinted that the shows might highlight inspirational stories or feature debates on current affairs — but honestly, it doesn’t matter. We just want our POTUS back. Read more at Jezebel.
The Handmaid’s Tale Just Dropped A Season Two Trailer
Our favorite dystopia-that-might-actually-be-real (looking at you, Mississippi) is back for season two — and June, the main character, is pissed. In the dramatic new trailer, June lists the oppressive rules of Gilead before concluding with the five words we’re all thinking: “Seriously? What the actual f—?” Learn more at Vulture, and watch the trailer here:
Published March 9, 2018.
Top photo: Mississippi Capitol Building photographed by Chuck Kelly via Wikimedia Commons
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