Politics - The Persistent

An artists's rendering of a woman, against a backdrop of painted flowers.

Motherhood

It’s So Easy to Blame the Mom

America is funding research to identify the root causes of autism, but it's looking in all the wrong places.

Politics

When The Government Shutdown Came For SNAP, Women Stepped Up to Help

On Saturday, 42 million Americans are set to lose crucial food support. A grassroots mutual aid movement fueled by moms is springing into action.

Former first ladies Barbara Bush, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan stand in a row.

Persisting Through Politics

Demolishing the East Wing to Make Room for a Ballroom Wipes Away the Work of First Ladies

President Trump's demolition of the White House's East Wing ignores that this "small building" has long been the symbolic heart of the nation.

A soft-focus image of a baby lying down. Only its feet are in focus.

Reproductive Rights

Americans Don't Want Politicians to Encourage People to Have Children

Americans think a declining birthrate is a bad thing, new research shows. But they'd rather politicians weren't involved in fixing it.

The words "child care wins" in a black serif font on a grey background. A question mark is spraypainted at the end

Persisting Through Politics

I Wish Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Was the Solution to America’s Child Care Crisis. It’s Not.

Beware the 'momwashing' provisions.

A photo illustration shows a scattered collection of packets of the pill, depicted in bright colors.

Birth Control

The Popularity of the Pill Is Plummeting—at the Exact Moment It Shouldn’t Be

Birth control gave women control over their bodies, their careers and their futures. A cultural campaign against the pill risks rolling all this back.

Read view of a packed White House room as Antony Blinken stands at a podium, flanked by women

Politics

Distracting From the Task of ‘War-Fighting?’ Good Grief.

Canceling the Women, Peace and Security Act might seem like no big deal. But it’s a very big deal. And such a waste.

An artist's rendering of Angela Merkel. She is shown against a blue patterned background and wears a blue blazer.

History Lessons

My Reluctant Feminist Hero

In a world in which wealth and opulence seem to beget political power, I long for a leader with un-showy discipline. I can’t help thinking of Angela Merkel.

A painting of a woman in a red dress walking away from the viewer, down a path in a park.

Mental Health

A Handful of Reasons to Be Hopeful. (Yes, We Found Some!)

Wars, wildfires and felonious world leaders are dominating the news cycle. But also: Diseases are being treated, solar power is booming and some animals are back from the brink of extinction.

A collage showing a cut up picture of a woman speaking into a megaphone overlaid with pink wool.

Persisting Through Politics

How Will Women Protest In a Second Trump Term?

Pussy hats and memes might provide some emotional relief, but the real work will take place behind the scenes.

U.S. Election 2024

On Tuesday, Signs of Progress, Too

While all eyes were on Donald Trump's win, sure signs of progress emerged on Tuesday, too.

Illustration of female artists creating a mural of Kamala Harris, who wears a bright blue jacket

Persisting Through Politics

What Went Wrong for Kamala Harris?

In the end, it wasn't even a close-won race. Did the Harris campaign get it wrong—or did the Trump side spot something the Democrats didn't?

Persisting Through Politics

The Day After the Big Day

This isn’t the note I was hoping to write. Harris lost. Trump won.

History Lessons

As America Votes Harris vs. Trump, One Woman’s Legacy Looms Especially Large

How Shirley Chisholm, who ran for president against all odds, forever altered the landscape for women in U.S. politics.

U.S. Election 2024

‘Blame Women’—How the Trump Campaign Is Courting Voters...and Donors

With hours to go before voting begins, the Trump campaign is trying new tactics to establish a MAGA future—and many of those attack women.

People sit on bleachers. Above them, giant letters spell out the words VOTE EARLY.

U.S. Election 2024

What’s Really Fueling U.S. Voters?

In the end, the election may boil down to different ideas about female and male roles; to gender equality and gender traditionalism.