Today…
in 1917, Rep. Jeannette Rankin of Montana was sworn in, becoming the first woman elected to Congress.
in 1931, Jackie Mitchell – a minor league pitcher, 17 years old and a girl –famously struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition game against the Yankees. And I don’t care, I do not care how many articles suggest it was a publicity stunt.
is National PB&J Day and National Burrito Day. Keeping it quiet at home, though, as we’ve been out of flour tortillas for weeks.
Look at her face, that youthful earnestness. She would want you to share. Do it for Jackie.
Abortion
Self-Managed Abortion Is Medically Very Safe. But Is It Legally Safe?
Carrie Baker | Ms. Magazine
As many states increasingly restrict medical professionals’ ability to offer abortion, women are once again finding ways to access safe abortion on their own.
What It's Like Fighting For Abortion Access In America In The Age Of Coronavirus
Lauren Rankin | Refinery29
The pandemic has threatened more than just the safety of abortion clinic staff, escorts, and patients. It’s also provided anti-choice lawmakers in several states with a prime excuse and unique opportunity to do what they’ve been trying to do for years: end legal abortion in their state. They are facing robust court fights.
What it takes to get an abortion during the coronavirus pandemic
Anna North | Vox
State bans, virus risks, and the ongoing economic crisis are making it harder than ever to terminate a pregnancy in America.
As more states look to ban abortion during pandemic, legal battles erupt nationwide
Arelis R. Hernandez & Robert Barnes | Washington Post
A growing number of states are seeking to ban abortion during the current coronavirus-related public health emergency by classifying it as an unnecessary medical procedure, sparking legal battles nationwide.
Is abortion an ‘essential’ procedure?
Matt Cortina | Boulder Weekly
Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center Communications Director Lisa Radelet says, given what she’s heard from Gov. Jared Polis and state health agencies, abortion access is unlikely to be limited in Colorado.
Planned Parenthood is Reducing Other Services to Ensure Women Can Safely Access Abortions
Marisa M. Kashino | The Washingtonian
Laura Meyers, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, says her three local health centers are, for now, only allowing patients with time-sensitive needs to make in-person appointments: “Things like treating IUDs that are problematic, symptomatic visits [such as treating sexually transmitted infections], and abortion care.”
ACLU: Indiana virus directive should not restrict abortions
Rick Callahan | Associated Press
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s directive calling for all Indiana health care facilities to cancel or postpone non-urgent surgical procedures amid the coronavirus pandemic should not restrict the ability of women to obtain abortions, an attorney for the ACLU of Indiana said Wednesday.
'Essential' abortions can continue in Iowa despite coronavirus outbreak
Brianne Pfannenstiel | Des Moines Register
Iowa women will be able to obtain "essential" surgical abortions, even as the state moves to limit elective surgical procedures amid the coronavirus outbreak, the state and advocates have agreed.
Wichita officials seek to restrict abortion amid outbreak
Roxana Hegeman & Heather Hollingsworth | Associated Press
Officials in the Wichita area took what is likely to be an unsuccessful step toward halting abortions amid the coronavirus outbreak. Sedgwick County commissioners voted Wednesday to approve a recommendation to restrict abortion clinics to only essential medical procedures during the coronavirus pandemic, a move designed to stop abortions at the Trust Women Wichita Clinic.
Ohio appeals federal judge’s order blocking attempt to use coronavirus health restrictions to limit abortions
Eric Heisig | Cleveland.com
The state of Ohio on Wednesday asked an appeals court to review a federal judge’s decision to ban officials from using the state’s order regarding restrictions on nonessential surgeries because of the coronavirus to prevent providers from performing abortions.
Here's What's Happening With Texas' War on Abortion
Vivian Kane | The Mary Sue
Yesterday, we briefly touched on what’s been going on with Texas’ attempts to ban abortion but the whole situation is such a chaotic mess, we really need to do a deeper dive to sort it all out. So here’s where we’re at.
Texas 5th Circuit abortion ruling reveals how GOP using coronavirus to oppress women
Danielle Campoamor | NBC News
Instead of focusing on the personal protection equipment and ventilation shortages devastating our nation’s health care workers, or expanding states’ COVID-19 testing abilities, some in the “pro-life” party of “family values” are using the crisis to limit access to abortion. Because what better time is there to force pregnant people to give birth than during an unprecedented public health emergency.
She says she needs an abortion. Texas is citing coronavirus to stop her.
Alana Rocha | Texas Tribune
Heather Artrip is one of hundreds of Texans whose plans regarding reproductive health have been cast into uncertainty in the wake of an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott barring any procedures that are not “immediately medically necessary.”
Underlining – she goes on to say she has “grade two prolapse. My uterus could fall out.” It could fall. out. It could fall. TF. out.
Texas' Legal Arguments for Banning Abortion During COVID-19 Are Hot Garbage
Imani Gandy | Rewire.News
Texas' arguments about abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic leading to overtaxed health-care systems, depleted resources, and further spreading of the virus are patently ridiculous.
West Virginia AG says order halting elective medical procedures applies to abortion facilities
Brad McElhinny | West Virginia MetroNews
When Gov. Jim Justice announced an executive order this week forbidding elective medical procedures, he did not mention abortion. At the very end of another news conference today, AG Patrick Morrisey offered his interpretation. “This declaration is broad-based and applies to all facilities,” Morrisey said. “We’ve had some questions: Yes, it also applies to abortion facilities as well.”
LGBTQ
Franklin Graham's Central Park COVID-19 Field Hospital Delays Opening as Controversy Rages and Quality of Care Concerns Grow
David Badash | The New Civil Rights Movement
Franklin Graham’s 68-bed COVID-19 field hospital is now mired in controversy as concerns grow about exactly how his Samaritan’s Purse Christian fundamentalist ministry came to set up shop in Manhattan’s historic Central Park, what their actual mission is, and if they will not discriminate. The 14-tent project was due to take in patients after a tour by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday, but both events have been delayed.
GO: An Anti-LGBTQ+ Group Is In Charge Of Central Park's COVID-19 Field Hospital
Refinery29: Is This Central Park Field Hospital Being Run By An Anti-Gay Hate Group?
Queer people lost their jobs 'overnight': How coronavirus is affecting NJ's LGBTQ community
Alex Biese | Asbury Park Press
The coronavirus pandemic has changed life for all of us, with no one certain of what the next day, or even the next hour, may bring. In New Jersey, our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community has found itself particularly hard-hit by the the economic, mental and emotional impact of COVID-19.
Anti-LGBTQ Hate Groups Spike As Trump Embraces Their Leaders
David Badash | The New Civil Rights Movement
Anti-LGBTQ hate groups are rapidly growing across America, a result, the Southern Poverty Law Center says, of President Donald Trump’s leadership, including his embrace of those groups. The White House in response has issued a thin statement denying any responsibility or blame – while not even offering to make any changes or to help with the growing danger.
Pregnancy & Parenting
With Hospitals Reaching Breaking Point, Pregnant People Face Additional Uncertainty During Pandemic
Amy Goodman | Democracy Now!
How are pregnant people coping with new hospital guidelines and uncertain conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic?
'Adding insult to injury': Couples struggle with IVF cancellations amid coronavirus pandemic
Olivia Solon | NBC News
In vitro fertilization treatments have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, following guidance that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine issued March 17. The measures are designed to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to patients and staff during procedures the organization described as "elective" or "non-urgent."
Jezebel: 'Non-Urgent' Fertility Treatments Were Shut Down in Response to Covid-19—Now Patients Are Protesting
A Chaotic Week for Pregnant Women in New York City
Emily Bobrow | The New Yorker
As the state’s coronavirus cases double every four days, health officials are working to limit the spread of infection and reduce other demands on hospital beds. But childbirth is not easily postponed, and the delivery of maternal health care amid this crisis differs considerably from hospital to hospital, and sometimes from hour to hour.
What It’s Like To Be Pregnant In The Coronavirus Pandemic
Molly Longman | Refinery29
The pandemic has strained healthcare resources across the country and world, and as a result even the best-laid birthing plans are being upended. Faced with the possibility of giving birth in a hospital overrun by ill patients, some soon-to-be parents are desperately seeking out new healthcare providers, are considering home births, and are even inducing labor early to escape a situation that seems increasingly desperate.
“I’m Terrified”: Pregnant Health Care Workers at Risk for Coronavirus Are Being Forced to Keep Working
Nina Martin & Bernice Yeung | ProPublica
Pregnant nurses and doctors say they are being forced to go to work with no formal accommodations or extra protections to keep them safe from the coronavirus, even though they are immunocompromised and data is still emerging about the risks of fetal transmission.
Reproductive Health & Justice
Why knowing about health insurance discrimination is important during the COVID-19 pandemic
Danielle Campoamor | Hello Giggles
Just like laws forbidding discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or place of origin haven’t eradicated systemic racism, homophobia, and sexism from the healthcare system—rising maternal mortality rate disproportionally impacts Black moms, healthcare workers can deny care to LGBTQ patients under the guise of religious freedom, and women seeking care in emergency rooms are still less likely to be taken seriously than men—laws that require people to be provided emergency health care regardless of their health insurance status do not protect people from health insurance discrimination.
HHS Office for Civil Rights Bulletin on Civil Rights Issues During the COVID-19 Crisis
Helaine I. Fingold | National Law Review
OCR – which enforces the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557 of the ACA – issued a bulletin on March 28, 2020 to remind entities covered by federal civil rights statutes of their continued obligation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, and religion in HHS-funded programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.
Taking Choice to the Next Level
Amy Littlefield | The Progressive
Reproductive justice means helping poor families who want to have kids.
How We Can Take Down the Tampon Tax and End Period Poverty
Janice Miyoshi Days | Rewire.News
As of April 1, Ohio is the latest state to stop charging a "tampon tax"—but the state of period poverty across the United States remains dire. The tampon tax isn't a tax specifically added to menstrual products. Rather, it's the regular sales tax applied to menstrual products when the state fails to exempt them by categorizing the products as necessities, or non-luxury goods.
One in four women is not free to say no to sex
Ellen Wulfhorst | Thomson Reuters Foundation
Only about half the world's women can make their own decisions on sexual consent and health care, the UN said on Wednesday, warning such limited rights stand in the way of gender equality. One in four women were not free to say no to sex, and a higher proportion were unable to make their own decisions about health care, according to a study by the U.N. Population Fund that found women's rights declining in some countries.
States are abusing the COVID-19 pandemic to restrict reproductive justice
LaKia Williams | Tulane Hullabaloo
Sexual and reproductive health care has long been a contentious topic throughout the United States. Placing much of the world on pause, the recent global COVID-19 outbreak has unfortunately allowed for assaults on reproductive rights and health to accelerate.
Workplace Equality
13 Times Women In Sports Fought for Equality
Jenny McCoy | Glamour
It’s been a momentous couple of years for women in sports. Between the USWNT’s and WNBA’s high-profile fights for better pay and working conditions, to pro runners challenging the industry status quo on maternity compensation, we’ve entered an era where female athletes across sports are standing up, speaking out, and demanding their fair share. But today’s impassioned athletes aren’t the first women to fight for a better future in sports—and they won’t be the last.
As a Teen Immigrant, the Coronavirus Has Shown Me the U.S. Needs Do Better for Working Women
Kanyin Shonibare | Teen Vogue
This pandemic has laid bare the stark vulnerabilities of women who are bearing the brunt of this crisis. And it reveals that women’s work is routinely underpaid and undervalued here. This brutal reality is shocking because I didn’t expect to see such blatant inequality in the United States. But I’ve learned the truth: Even in the good times, many of these women barely lived paycheck to paycheck. Now, their incredibly slim margins are disappearing.
P.S. If you were curious about the subject line…