Ida B. Wells investigated lynchings in the South and campaigned for justice.
Women's Rights
New Taliban Rule Allows Husbands to Beat Their Wives in Afghanistan
As long as women’s bones aren’t broken, and their wounds aren’t visible or lasting, men in the central Asian nation may hurt them with impunity, according to an alarming new Taliban decree.
Ten Days in the Madhouse: Nellie Bly’s Undercover Mission Inside an Insane Asylum
Nellie Bly reported from the frontlines, went undercover in asylums and factories, and forever changed American journalism.
It’s 2026, And The President is Telling Women to Smile — to Shut Them Up
It’s an age-old sexist refrain, and the Trump administration is using it to quiet women journalists who ask about the Epstein files, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
Invading a Sovereign Nation Won’t Make People Forget About Epstein
Trump attacked Venezuela and deposed its dictatorial leader – as critical disclosure deadlines around the Epstein files lapsed, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
A Man Thought He Could Grope a President. Instead, He’s Being Taken to Court
A drunken man sexually harassed Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. She’s pressing charges, to communicate a “loud and clear ‘no’” to such treatment on behalf of all women.
Conservatives Want More Kids — Yet Offer Only Prayers When Kids Are Gunned Down
In the wake of another school shooting, we’re reminded that Trump and others won’t protect children from gun violence – but they still want women to have more, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Will Cause Big Health Woes. Women Are Here to Help
The passage of Trump’s prized legislation heralds a host of healthcare issues for all – especially women. Yet for every problem, there are women-run solutions.
Shame on Women Who Abandon Fellow Women. We Need Each Other
What anti-abortion legislators and transphobic celebrities don’t get is: Women have a unique responsibility to one another, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
Report: Over 28,000 Women, Girls Killed in Gaza Since October 2023
UN Women says that the death toll averages out to one girl and one woman dying per hour amid ongoing Israeli attacks.
Report: 90% of Women’s Aid Programs Worldwide Are At a ‘Breaking Point’
UN Women says that nearly half of such programs throughout the world could be shut down in as little as six months, without rapid intervention.
She Advocated for Intersectional Feminism — in the 19th Century
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was an abolitionist, suffragist and prolific writer.
The Trump Administration’s Ongoing Effort to Literally Erase Women
Federal government sites are being scrubbed of any and all information, accolades and more that mention women, as part of a broader push against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Remembering the Godmother of Title IX
When Bernice Sandler was told she was “too strong for a woman” she dedicated her life to breaking down barriers.
Champion of Women’s Reproductive Rights, Cecile Richards, Dies Age 67
The former head of Planned Parenthood dedicated her career to defending women’s rights.
Amanda Gorman’s New Children’s Book Celebrates the Power of Girlhood
In “Girls on the Rise,” the poet prodigy empowers young girls to use their voices to inspire positive change.
Former Planned Parenthood President Receives Presidential Award
A private ceremony honored Cecile Richards, a leader for women’s reproductive rights, as well as social and economic justice.
Misogyny Spikes After Trump’s Election — and Women Are Pushing Back
Women have increasingly become the targets of online harassment from angry men claiming authority over their bodies. They simply aren’t having it.
Dear Black Men, Please Do Better
Many Black men could have chosen the side of democracy. But instead, they favored a man giving a fake promise of a future he doesn’t intend for them, Claretta Bellamy writes.
Vote — and Remember That Your Choice Has Consequences
Election Day 2024 is upon us. Candice Helfand-Rogers writes about why getting to the polls is, quite literally, a matter of life and death.
In Her Final Push, Kamala Harris Holds Rally at Jan. 6 Site
The Vice President emphasized the importance of Election Day 2024 while reminding potential voters of Donald Trump’s administration of chaos and division.
Celebrity Women Standing Strong with Kamala Harris
Kerry Washington, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish have shown their support for team #HarrisWalz especially over issues like reproductive rights.
Fellow White Women — Please Do the Right Thing
In 2016 and 2020, broad swaths of white women cast their ballots for former President Donald Trump. We cannot make the same mistake again, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
Kamala Harris Addresses Trump’s Comments on Being a ‘Protector’ of Women
The vice president sat down for an interview on the ‘Call Her Daddy” podcast, reacting to Trump’s comments and condemning his abortion restrictions for women.
Taylor Swift, Planned Parenthood and Others React to a Fiery Debate
Celebrity women, politicians, and leaders of reproductive groups had words of praise for Kamala Harris – and choice words for Donald Trump.
Dear Men: Your Silence is (Also) Frightening
In France, a horrifying case about rapes and the network that kept them secret exemplifies why women don’t — and can’t — yet trust men, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
How Artistry Informs This Arizona State Senate Candidate’s Political Action
A music educator and musician by trade, Stacey Seaman is now developing her voice as a progressive candidate running to represent Arizona’s 16th district.
Why We Must Shout — and Sing — Against Oppressors
The Taliban has now banned Afghan women from singing and using their voices in public. The only ethical response is to drown the tyrants out, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.
Afghan Women Are Taking Their Power Back One Lesson at a Time
As the Taliban continues to restrict Afghan girls and women from seeking an education, international organizations are helping them learn in secret.
Harris Taps Walz As VP Pick. How Would He Be for America — and for Women?
As Minnesota governor, Walz protected abortion access and gender affirming care, while promoting paid family leave and free school lunches.
Behold! The Smallness of Man
A groundswell among conservative men against no-fault divorce displays not their power, but their fear of irrelevance, writes Candice Helfand-Rogers in this op-ed.
Project 2025 — What Women Should Know
A conservative think tank has drafted plans to enact if the GOP wins the White House. None spell good news for women – or anyone, writes Candice Helfand-Rogers.
Melinda French Gates Will Donate $1 Billion to Support Women’s Rights
According to Gates, the world is not doing enough to support women and girls — but she is determined to change that.
Texas Among Worst States for Women to Live in, New Report Finds
Not surprisingly, reproductive restrictions played a big role in the ranking, released by WalletHub.
Missouri Bill Would Let Pregnant People Get Divorced. At Present, They Cannot
A Kansas City lawmaker is trying to pass a new law that would close the “archaic loophole” that prevents pregnant residents from finalizing divorces.
Afghan Refugees — Mostly Women — Forced to Leave Pakistan
They thought they were free from Taliban-run Afghanistan, where women and girls are slowly being erased from public life. Now, they might have to go back.
Staff Picks: 10 Posts (By Us) That Sum Up One Hell of a Year
For women especially, 2023 has been a roller coaster ride. The Story Exchange was there to chronicle the ups and downs.
New York Senator Blasts Women’s Groups for Silence Over Sexual Attacks in Israel-Hamas War
At the United Nations, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand urged the global community to condemn rape as a strategy in warfare.
New York Nixes the Terms “Feminine Hygiene Products” and “Sanitary Napkins”
In an effort to change perception that it is “unclean” to menstruate, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill that will introduce new terminology.
Male Leaders in China Now Trying to Convince Women To Have Children
In response to a population drop, President Xi Jinping urged leaders to guide women “to play their unique role in carrying forward the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation.”
Why Iceland’s Prime Minister Wanted a Women’s Day Off
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir was just one of countless participants in a 24-hour strike, organized by women in Iceland to protest gender inequality.
Jailed Iranian Women’s Rights Activist Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Narges Mohammadi, who has been sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison, speaks out against abuse of incarcerated women.
Joe Jonas, Luis Rubiales and Men’s Sense of Entitlement to Women
Recently, we’ve seen numerous examples of what happens when society allows men unfettered access to whatever they want: They still want more.
History May Be Made: Mexico’s Next President Will Likely Be a Woman
Claudia Sheinbaum will face off against Xóchitl Gálvez, marking an “extraordinary change” for the Latin nation.
The Teacher Who Chose to Stay Behind
When Munireh’s father first received news of the Taliban takeover, he sent all the women in the family to Iran – but she refused to leave Afghanistan.
Afghan Women Protest Ban on Beauty Salons
The Taliban arrived with fire hoses and stun guns to break up demonstrators, and shot weapons in the air.
Taliban Orders Closure of Beauty Salons in Latest Curb on Women’s Rights
A ministry-issued letter states all beauty salons must shut their doors by July 27 and submit a record confirming their closure.
One Year After Dobbs, Biden Calls for Better Access to Contraception
A new executive order expands the accessibility of birth control, ‘an essential component of reproductive health care.’
Report Reveals Overwhelming, ‘Alarming’ Bias Against Women
Nine out of 10 people in the world hold negative perceptions of women, UN researchers say.