Menstrual Hygiene Equity in U.S. Women’s Prisons and Jails

Menstrual equity, or the understanding that to have an equitable society everyone who menstruates should have access to quality hygiene products that are safe and affordable, has been seriously overlooked. In the US, approximately two-thirds of low-income women struggle to afford menstrual products.[1] This issue could be partially addressed through the removal of the sales …

What’s Going on With Child Marriage in the U.S.?

"In certain states, underaged marriage becomes particularly problematic because it’s inescapable—in some states, children cannot file for divorce, get legal advice, or seek help at women’s shelters because of issues insuring minors. This means that in some cases, girls are getting married before they are old enough to be able to petition for divorce or safely leave abusive relationships, leaving them trapped."

At the Intersection of Racism & Sexism: The Murders and Disappearances of Indigenous Women

The months of October and November in Canada and the United States are focused on turkeys, feasts, black Friday, and celebrations with family— months full of gratitude for all that we have. “The First Thanksgiving” in what is now the United States occurred in 1621 with 53 pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians, and it was …

Womanism: The Potential of Feminism Further Explored

Womanism: “Having or expressing a belief in or respect for women and their talents and abilities beyond the boundaries of race and class; exhibiting feminism that is inclusive especially of Black American Culture.”[1]            The term “womanism” was first used in 1983 by a poet who sought to include her fellow women of color in the …

The Internet: Creating a Safe Space

Access to the internet is a basic right that allows women to learn, promote themselves professionally, band together, and obtain help. One law student in Pakistan used the internet to publicize her stab wounds, helping her to win a legal case against her assaulter.[1] However, the internet can also provide an additional space for women …

The Power of Our Stories

I began a new book the other night. It was one of these moments: “I’ll just read a few pages before bed” and four hours later you’re halfway through the book and it’s 3:00 AM. The book –  We Crossed a Bridge and it Trembled: Voices from Syria by Wendy Pearlman – amplifies the voices …

Working as a Woman in National Security

Henry Kissinger. Colin Powell. Brent Scowcroft. These are names closely associated with the U.S. national security field. There are extraordinary women included in this list – such as Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice – that have their contributions to national security sometimes overlooked because they are women. Although women have made incredible strides in the …

Maternal Deaths in North America

Mothers dying in childbirth is a thing of the past in the developed world. Modern science has provided countless new technologies and methods to aid in the childbirth process. An expectant mother has access to exceptional doctors, medicine, and the latest technologies to make her birth go smoothly, or to step in if something goes …

Sharing Child Custody with Your Rapist

The National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that there are around 17,000 to 32,000 rape-related pregnancies in the United States every year (LRW-DATA-1)*. About 32 to50 percent of these victims keep their children, which equates to about 5,000 to 16,000 mothers. [1]. The road ahead cannot be easy for women who make this difficult decision …

The Insidious Reality of Rape Culture

I experienced my first conscious encounter with rape culture as an eleven-year-old. I was leaving class one day when I heard one of my classmates say to a couple of her friends, “Mr. Jones* is such a perv! He totally looks down my shirts!” Her friends agreed, and they continued angrily discussing similar studies as …