We did it! We survived 4 years of *resident *rump and his regressive party. Once Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take office, time to push hard for progressive change. Not just to undo the damage of the last 4 years, but to create a new normal that’s built for all of us, not just a few elites.
We need to keep pushing, and not just at the national level. We need to show up for local and state elections, field good candidates and get the work done. Weirdly, after an exhausting 4 years, I’m feeling really energized for this.
As always, WOW is a team effort. Thanks to ramara, mettle fatigue, elenacarlena, officebss, mettle fatigue, SandraLLAP, and the WOW crew for links and discussion.
Reproductive Rights and Health:
Ireland has ripped back the veil on a dark historical chapter that condemned tens of thousands of unmarried mothers and their babies to callousness and cruelty in institutions run by both the state and the Catholic church. A judicial commission of investigation published a long-awaited 2,865-page report into a network of “mother and baby homes” that inflicted abuse and shame – with the complicity of wider society – for much of the 20th century. More here.
Haunted by forced sterilizations, Peruvian women pin hopes on Court hearing.
From Meteor Blades: Supreme Court goes 6-3 in favor of forced birthers and unneeded rule on abortion by pill.
Abortion Access Front is busily compiling a list of anti-abortion extremists who participated in the siege at the Capitol on January 6th (and reporting them to the FBI).
January 12, 2021 was Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett Day in North Carolina, in honor of NC native Dr. Corbett, one of the developers of the Moderna Covid vaccine.
Violence:
Black Woman Security Guard Placed On Leave After Defending Herself Against MAGA Mob Raises Thousands Via GoFundMe.
The number of women involved in the January 6th riot was depressing. Anna North explores white women’s role in white supremacist movements.
Before he stormed the Capitol, ex-lawmaker Derrick Evans from WV harassed women at abortions clinics. I’ll try to look surprised.
Workplace issues:
New Colorado law helps women learn if they’re being fairly paid.
Media:
Mighty Girl books about life under authoritarianism:
While the lives of the girls featured in these stories offer an often harrowing look at authoritarian oppression, they also speak to the power of the human spirit — the courage and determination of people daring to find their own ways to resist. Ultimately, their stories will give young readers important insight into the struggles of those who have suffered under authoritarianism, a sadly common experience in human history. And, most importantly, these powerful and poignant stories will give them a new appreciation of the rights and freedoms afforded to them within a democracy — and a deeper understanding of why it is so essential to protect democracy by becoming an informed and engaged citizen.
Religion:
The Catholic Church takes another baby step forward, as Pope Francis announces formal support for women to serve the church as lay persons.
This has been Religious Freedom Week here at DKos and January 16 (Saturday this year) is Religious Freedom Day. Frederick Clarkson argues that we can’t have religious freedom without reproductive freedom.