Women In Politics Magazine: Together We Stand

WOMEN IN POLITICS 1st MAGAZINE Issue

Lily Veits Dhanvi Shah June 2020 Katelyn Fawaz Jessica Paul Sophia Laraki Sara Valbuena Anna Pabst Kashish Singh Stella Canez Parker P Stella Kleinman Victoria Lu Raya Deb Katherine Forbes Kaylah Janis Kiah Holmstrom Maya Rajendran Aross Adhikary Suhani Agrawal Lauren Orie Anna Cernich Grace McPadden Lily Sun Sadie Henderson Aamna Nayani Sarah Mammen Isabella Pang Andrea Montenegro-Polanco Manya Kodali Ella Stillion Southard Gabby Scott Julia Patterson Rebecca J Shaili Shouche Katherine Bronov Melina Rafferty Raiyan Shaik Jocelyn Vielma-Garcia Anya Knop Dahlia Gumma Raya Deb Rachel Howard Mary Corey Aryana Mahammadi Madeleine Katz Athena Wel Amber Campbelll Samantha Ford Palak Sha Justine Simons Gurmehar Kaur Aarushi Sara Keegan Rolland Grady Diana Sak LilyVeits Dhanvi Shah Katelyn Fawaz Jessica Pa Sophia Laraki Sara Valb Anna Pabst Kashish Sing Stella Canez Annie Akbar Katherine Forbes Victoria Kaylah Janis Grace McPad Sadie Henderson Anna Andrea Monteneg Gabby Scot

TOGETHER WE STAND

From the Founder of women in politics...

"Here is the first issue of Women In Politics. We hope it changes the status quo of women in politics for the better."

When I was younger I never knew that a woman

could become president until Hilary Clinton ran. I never saw Politics as a career path I could take, and never dabbled in that field until my freshman year of highschool where I joined the Speech and Debate team. Parliamentary Debate was completely foreign to me, yet competing in these Saturday tournaments gave me a voice that I did not know I had. I loved the controlled chaos when the judge would announce our topic and the entirety of the prep room would go silent except for the scribbling of pencils. I loved the nerve wracking feeling of getting on the podium and it becomes just you and your judge. However, it is hard to let your voice be heard when the judges only care about how short your skirt is. It is hard to feel included when there are not many females who make it to finals. Yet, the problem is not purely made by men: we have let society define us as an outsider in politics. There are millions of females, worldwide, who are passionate about Politics. Yet, very few women are given the opportunity to speak their truth. Women In Politics aims to empower and connect young girls through Social Media, our Magazine, and Blog. So girls everywhere understand that their voices are needed and heard.

Rebecca Joseph, 14 Walnut Creek, CA

Here is the first issue of Women In Politics. We hope it changes the status quo of women in politics for the better.

Rebecca Joseph

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4 6 9

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

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MEET THE CREATORS CURRENT NEWS: THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON WOMEN GLOBALLY OPINION: AS AMERICA LOSES TWO DIFFERENT BATTLES, IT’S TIME FOR WOMEN TO STEP UP THE 2020 ECONOMIC CRISIS AND ITS LONG-TERM EFFECTS SHE’S WITH BIDEN INTERVIEW WITH SENATE PROSPECT MAGGIE NURRENBERN

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THE PINK TAX: THE TRUE COST OF BEING

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#METOO: WHO DECIDES THE TRUTH VS.

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A WOMAN IN AMERICA

FICTION? GLOBAL WOMEN IN POLITICS SPOTLIGHT: FEMALE POLITICIANS CHANGING OUR WORLD

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KIDS KORNER

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MINI GUIDE TO GAINING CONFIDENCE AS

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STRONG GIRLS SPOTLIGHT

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QUIZ: WHICH WOMAN IN POLITICS ARE

CONT..

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A YOUNG GIRL!

YOU MOST LIKE? GIRLS IN ACTION: HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR COMMUNITY AND WHY IT MATTERS

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THE FIRST WAVE OF FEMINISM: TIMELINE

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MARI COPENY: YOUNG ACTIVIST

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MARIE ANTOINETTE: HISTORY’S MOST

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GRETA THUNBERG; THE FEMALE TEENAGER

HATED SCAPEGOAT

WHO BECAME A VOICE FOR PLANET EARTH

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MEET THE CREATORS Vice-Director Katherine Bronov

My name is Katherine Bronov and I am an online high school senior from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. I have been interested in politics since the start of high school and I have searched for organizations and clubs that interest me but found nothing until Women In Politics (WIP) caught my eye. WIP is a very special organization and quite interestingly the first of its kind. I am so grateful to be a part of this organization and work alongside girls that are just as passionate about politics as I am, who recognize the shortage of women in this important field.

Please enjoy the first issue!

Philadelphia, PA | 16 years old

Writing Leader

Writers

Ella Stillion Southard

Lily Viets

Katherine Bronov

Grace McPadden

Stella Kleinman

Manya Kodali

Sara Keegan

Sarah Mammen

Gabby Scott Athens, GA | 16 years old

Writing Leader Anna Cernich

Lauren Orrie

Dahlia Gumaa

Mary Corey

Parker Pound Andrea MontenegroPolanco

Writers

Anna Pabst Raya Deb Kansas City, MI | 16 years old

Roland Grady

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MEET THE CREATORS CONTINUED

Editor Leader Lily Sun

Justine Simons

Madeleine Katz

Sophia Laraki

Victoria Lu

Amber Campbell

Editors

Diana Sakander

San Ramon, CA | 16 years old

Editor Leader Annie Akbar

Anya Knop

Gurmehar Kaur

Aryana Mohammadi

Kiah Holmstrom

Julia Patterson

Editors

Melina Rafferty

Aarushi Brute Lancaster, PA | 16 years old

Mag-Design Leader Isabella Pang

Kashish Singh Long Island, NY | 16 years old

Designers

Katherine Bronov

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Current News: The Effect of COVID-19 on Women Globally

by Katherine Bronov

W

e are currently living through unprecedented times, with the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the globe.

Nobody was adequately prepared for such an event; the virus took the world by storm. The spread of COVID-19 was officially called a pandemic in mid-March, and as of right now globally, there are more than 7.8 million confirmed cases and 430,000 deaths. The country with the highest number of cases in the world is the United States, with more than 2.1 million total cases and more than 117,000 deaths. While in second and third are Brazil and Russia with 831 thousand and 520 thousand cases respectively. The world was certainly not perfect before the virus hit but the pandemic is slowly but surely uncovering and deepening pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities in social, political, and economic systems. At the same time, these issues are unfortunately intensifying this already catastrophic event even more. While the impact of the pandemic has been felt by everyone across the globe, women’s struggles have especially been heightened, and females have overall felt the impact of the virus more than their male counterparts

Although data shows that women and men have equally suffered due to the pandemic, many would consider women lucky based on statistics demonstrating that women have a lower percentage of deaths from COVID-19. While it may seem that the virus is more deadly for men, that does not shelter women from the virus. It has actually been proven that women are more at risk of exposure because women make up the majority of front line workers. Scientists call this the sex-segregation phenomenon and it is especially predominant in the health industry. Women make up 70% of the health workforce around the globe according to U.N. Women. Frontline workers are more likely to be in constant contact with the virus, such as nurses, and health facility service staff like cleaners and caterers. Women working these jobs are essential to dealing with the crisis but are unfortunately in very high-risk positions due to constant exposure to infected patients and the insufficient amount of personal protective equipment (PPE). Not only are PPE supplies running out quickly, but the issue has been raised that the equipment is usually sized for men and has been found to incorrectly fit women and leave them more susceptible to exposure. Statistics show that in highly infected countries such as Spain and Italy around 70% of infected health workers are female compared to the average 30% of males. This indicates that while fewer women die from the virus, more women work in the medical field and are, therefore, more at risk of infection..

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Besides the virus, there are other health concerns for women and girls who have unique health needs.

The pandemic has made it more difficult for them to receive crucial health services and treatment, especially relating to maternal and reproductive health. As attention and resources are almost solely placed on fighting the virus and away from important women’s health services, experts predict there will be an increase in rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, adolescent pregnancies, HIV, and sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, it is estimated that a large number of women have lost regular access to modern contraceptives, which are already difficult for some women to obtain. In the US, several states have banned or blocked the availability of abortion services by deeming the service nonessential. The states are justifying the orders by arguing for the conservation of personal protective equipment. Nonetheless, this decision has sparked outrage. Some women consider this an infringement of their rights and experts fear that delaying abortions may increase the rate of complications or potentially make the service completely inaccessible. Many leading medical organizations issued statements defining abortion as an “essential component of comprehensive health care” as well as the World Health Organization that also classified abortion “essential” to women’s rights and health.

Since the spread of COVID-19, the way humanity functions has been completely transformed and modified for these extreme circumstances. Stay at home orders have been put in place and social distancing enforced in most parts of the world, changing the way we live our day to day lives. Overall, socialization has decreased and many are isolated from in-person contact. While this is crucial for containing the spread of the virus and eventually ending the pandemic, lockdowns and increased isolations have caused other problems. Due to these efforts to stop the virus, domestic violence, and abuse, especially against women have increased globally. This is mostly due to the fact that many women are confined with their abusers. While there aren’t any comprehensive statistics at the moment regarding violence against women during the pandemic, some countries have reported more than a 25% increase in cases, and some have even seen cases double. It is also estimated that the reported numbers are merely the worst cases and that, in reality, the numbers are much higher because women are unable or are afraid to contact help. Additionally, the virus has complicated the situation for women experiencing violence: exposure to COVID-19 is being used as a threat, abusers are exploiting the inability of women to call for aid or escape, and women risk being thrown out on the street with nowhere to go. Fortunately, some women do contact help but, with the increase in cases, this has led to judicial, police, and health services being overwhelmed. Some services have shifted their priorities and are busy with the virus while others are overwhelmed by the influx of cases and lack the capabilities to assist everyone. Unfortunately, it seems that as long as the pandemic persists, violence and abuse will continue to rise. Relief services remain overloaded, which can potentially lead to a huge mental and social imprint on women.

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One of the biggest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on the world economy. The global recession has affected everyone around the world and isn’t expected to end any time soon. The pandemic has resulted in markets and supply chains being disrupted, businesses closing their doors or scaling back, and millions of people around the world losing their jobs and livelihoods.

Globally, on average, women make up around 40% of the labor force, and this recession has by far hit them the worst. According to the New York Times, some women are even calling the recession a “Shecession”. In the US, women accounted for 55% of the 20.5 million jobs lost in April overall and raised the unemployment rate for women to about 15% overall, 16.4% for black women, and 20.2% for Hispanic women. This is the first time since the end of WW2 that the female unemployment rate has reached the double digits, according to an analysis by the National Women’s Law Center.

For many in the US, this is extremely disappointing as in December women held more payroll jobs than men for the first time in about a decade. Female unemployment is currently higher than men’s and this is very unusual considering that during every recession since 1981, men’s unemployment has been higher than women’s. The reason that more job losses fell on women is that the industries hit the hardest by the pandemic, such as leisure, hospitality, and education are female-dominated, while past recessions have hit more male-dominated industries such as manufacturing and construction. It is especially hard for women to swallow the current economic situation due to the past expansion of women’s job markets and the increase of women’s wages.

On top of the job losses women have suffered, there are many other factors such as unpaid labor.

Women generally take care of children, the elderly, sick family members, and domestic work, and under current conditions demands for these services have increased exponentially. Schools are closed and children are stuck at home, creating more responsibility for women and requiring them to step into yet another role as at-home teachers. Additionally, women are not able to access outside help to take care of the children such as grandparents or babysitters because of social distancing measures. It is also commonly reported by women that other adults in the household such as a spouse or partner, hardly help with errands or chores, leaving the burden of the entire household on the woman. This situation for many women has resulted in forced unemployment, or if women are lucky enough to be able to work from home it has caused very demanding home lives.

In normal routine life, caring for an entire family and household is already difficult but with these new circumstances women are overwhelmed, stressed, and overworked more than usual. In the long run, this also puts women at high risk of developing depression and other psychological issues.

Women have faced plenty of challenges before the pandemic struck, but the crisis has since revealed and amplified every shortcoming of society towards women. Sex inequality has existed since the beginning of time but we have slowly but surely been closing the gap. Unfortunately, the pandemic has brought the fight for women’s equality a few steps backward and has displayed that we still have a long way to go. On the other hand, it does seem that the crisis has opened the eyes of many to how valuable and underappreciated women are. Hopefully, when this crisis comes to a close, people will be more aware and responsive to the issues this crisis has uncovered and be grateful for everything women have done on the front lines, at home, or anywhere else in our communities during the pandemic.

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OPINION: AS AMERICA LOSES TWO DIFFERENT BATTLES, IT’S TIME FOR WOMEN TO STEP UP ANNA CERNICH

As I scrolled through my phone several weeks ago, I found my feeds being taken over by friends and classmates sharing a conspiracy video called “Plandemic” on three different social media platforms. The video primarily targeted the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, whose fortitude and guidance throughout the COVID-19 crisis cannot be denied. Plandemic” suggests that the global pandemic, which has now stolen the lives of over 100,000 Americans , is being used for financial gain by Dr. Fauci, philanthropist Bill Gates, and various pharmaceutical companies. In a matter of a few days, the video had reached over 7.1 million views on Youtube and an additional 1.8 million on Facebook before being taken down for violation of community guidelines..

I was simultaneously frustrated and astonished as I scrolled through the list of people I knew that had shared the video. I considered them all to be rational people, and certainly none of them could be conspiracy theorists, right? Although the misinformation of the video itself is a mere inconvenience against the current backdrop of death and disease, it is an indicator of the unhealthy state of our nation and the mismanaged priorities of the American people.

Adherence to policy and regulation is being replaced by an addiction to entertainment, and this addiction is what enables conspiracy videos such as “Plandemic” to manifest in the minds of rational people who have now compromised their intellect and reason for a 25-minute clip that distracted them from the real world. .

Now, more than ever before, is the time for strong, direct leadership. Female leaders could hold the key.

This isn’t just a blanket statement of hope, it has been proven that female leadership has been essential in lessening the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. German Chancellor Angela Merkel helped Germany become one of the first nations in Europe to streamline testing availability, and the country now performs over 120,000 tests a day.In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Arden was among the first world leaders to close borders and implement a lockdown after the first case; New Zealand has since reported a total of twenty-one deaths.

The same phenomenon is being observed in Taiwan, Denmark, and Finland, all three of which have women in charge. This is not to say these are the only countries with efficient management during the crisis: Vietnam, Greece, and Australia (which have male leaders) have also been praised for their low death rates and management during the crisis. However, the six countries with the highest death counts are all led by men, while almost every femaleled nation is reporting outstandingly low numbers. One country is a fluke; dozens of countries is a pattern.

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What is it about women in power that has produced these results? I propose it is the difference in style. Research from Harvard Business Review measured a variety of leadership qualities in both men and women in an attempt to discover any general differences in management style. The study found that “women were rated as excelling in taking initiative, acting with resilience, practicing selfdevelopment, driving for results, and displaying high integrity and honesty.” These traits, which I believe are often overlooked and underappreciated in today’s society, must be taken into account when observing the causation behind the entertainment crisis and when finding ways to solve it.

The primary trait that stands out to me is the ability to act with resilience. In today’s political climate, strength and toughness are essential to success, and the first step in addressing the entertainment crisis would be to simply acknowledge the problem. But this doesn’t happen. In fact, the same principles of the “Plandemic” video are being promoted by leaders at the federal level, with retweets of the hashtag “#FireFauci” and direct discreditation of top medical experts. As shown by the nationwide protests against stay-at-home orders, medical advice and crucial information is being swept under the rug in order to put on a good show.

Women’s ability to act with resilience would enable a female leader to condemn this ignorance and shed light on the issue at hand, actions that Dr. Deborah Birx has already mastered as White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator. Her no-nonsense tone and loyalty to facts are already proving helpful in directing the attention of the American people back to reality instead of hoaxes and distractions.

Regarding Dr. Birx’s attitude surrounding President Trump’s antics (which are often misleading or volatile), one senior administrator at the White House noted that “she has found a way to shut down his bad ideas without making him feel diminished” and “it is clear that she has his ear." This ability to address conflict with both compassion and resilience is a gift and a blessing in today’s political atmosphere, in which I believe assertiveness is essential to negotiating solutions.

Up until the last century or so, women have been barred from political leadership even in developed countries, resulting in little evidence of female heroism during crises similar to the one we now face. History books aren’t full of stories about women during Europe’s Bubonic Plague or even the more recent 1918 Influenza Pandemic. As the formerly structured world now watches unprecedented event after event unfold, we must acknowledge the effects of policies and programs being developed and carried out by women. Aside from the obvious crisis that COVID-19 has caused, there is an underlying issue of misinformation and an addiction to entertainment over facts in America. The qualities that enable women to succeed professionally, such as assertiveness and initiative, are the same traits that must be taken into account when dealing with this crisis.

Based on the current trends, female leadership could very well be the spark needed to prompt systematic change. As the world waits anxiously for solutions and guidance in these turbulent times, the value of that spark cannot, should not, and will not be underestimated.

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The 2020 Economic Crisis and its Long-term Effects

By Anna Pabst

As countries all around the globe entered an unprecedented epoch to combat COVID-19, an age of stay-home orders and business closures, the economy collapsed. World trade is expected to decrease in the range of 13% to 32%. According to the World Trade Organization, “Nearly all regions will suffer double-digit declines in trade volumes in 2020, with exports from North America and Asia hit hardest” (World Trade Organization).

Anticipated to be the “worst economic fallout since the Great Depression” (Kristalina Georgieva), both corporate entities and individuals are feeling its effects.

In the US alone, 38.6 million people have filed for unemployment benefits since the beginning of the stay-home orders (figures as of April 20th), a 31.4 million increase since prior to the shelter in place orders. From the US Bureau of Labor Statistic’s findings in April, 2020, using a data pool comprised of 23.1 million unemployed people (15.9 million due to the recent crisis), the rate of increase among the major working groups was found to be “13.0 percent for adult men,15.5 percent for adult women, 31.9 percent for teenagers, 14.2 percent for Whites, 16.7 percent for Blacks, 14.5 percent for Asians, and 18.9 percent for Hispanics” (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Some groups have faced disproportionate amounts of unemployment during this crisis.

Women, for instance, are experiencing higher unemployment rates than men. There is also a socioeconomic imbalance, with 39% of people making under $40,000 a year reporting the loss of work, compared with only 13% of people making over $100,000 reporting to have lost work. Black people and Hispanic people are also at a greater risk for job loss, considering that 24% of Black and Hispanic people are employed in service industries, which have been directly impacted by social distancing measures.

One particularly vulnerable group is that of immigrants. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that six million immigrants are currently employed as essential workers (ranging from doctors to grocery store clerks), while six million more immigrants work in industries that have been greatly impacted by the pandemic (both figures do not account for documentation status). Undocumented immigrants are estimated to be ⅓ of immigrants in the workforce. These individuals are unable to apply for unemployment benefits or receive a stimulus check. In California, however, $75 million dollars in aid will be used to provide undocumented immigrants with one time paymnts of $500 to individuals and $1,000 to household. This fund will aid approximately 150,000 people in California. Immigrants also own approximately 18% of small businesses in the US, and in the face of COVID-19, many small businesses will close their doors for good.

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Small businesses are a cornerstone of the US economy. In 2015, small businesses were responsible for 33% of US exports, and employed 48% of the workforce. According to a study performed by the National Bureau of Economic Research, with a pool of 5,800 small businesses from which data was gathered, 42% of small businesses are experiencing temporary closure, almost all due to COVID-19. Their findings also concluded that small businesses had reduced their workforce by 40% on average (compared with January’s employee count). Of these 5,800 businesses, only 47% believed they would be able to stay financially afloat and stay open through the closure of 2020 if the crisis lasts for four months (compared to 72% of businesses who believed that they could maintain themselves after a one month crisis).

Approximatly 2% of the businesses sampled have closed their doors for good amidst the pandemic. This means a projected 100,000 or more businesses have closed permanently nationwide.

The United States is fighting this economic recession by passing a $2 trillion dollar economic relief plan called the CARES act. An estimated $560 billion will go to individuals in the form of stimulus checks as well as raising unemployment benefits by $600. A temporary unemployment assistance program has been set up to aid self-employed people who have lost work due to COVID-19. These people would not normally qualify for government assistance. In addition, small businesses are qualified for emergency grants and loans (of which any amount spent on payroll, rent, or pre-existing mortgages may be forgiven), as well as relief of existing loans. Approximately $500 billion dollars went to big corporations, such as airlines. As for checks and balances, the CARES act includes that any corporation receiving a loan is barred from buying back stock amidst the stock market crash.

While governments are seeking to aid individuals and companies financially, movement restrictions and social distancing have limited the ability to supply labor and transport goods. Compared to the 2008 crisis, a large difference lies in how social distancing measures are affecting supply chains. The outlook on future trade will be largely influenced by the extent of COVID-19 restrictions. The longer the restrictions last, the less money people will spend in less essential markets. The coronavirus has also directly impacted value chains. Trade is expected to fall more drastically in sectors with more complex chains, such as that of electronics. The World Trade Organization reports that the future of the economy is dependent on the progression of COVID-19 worldwide, and that there is not yet enough data to accurately predict how we will rebound. Yet, we do know that our economy will forever be changed.

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She’s With Biden!

by Dahlia Gumaa

Everything you need to know some of the potential women Joe Biden will choose as his running mate With the 2020 elections slowly approaching, it is clear many people are indecisive with Joe Biden’s policies. However, one plan he’s sure of is having a female running mate.“There are a lot of women with the experience and background to do that, including women of color. Our government should reflect, I think, our nation, and choosing a woman for vice president is just the start,” Biden stated to the Los Angeles Times. Although he has not officially declared anyone as his running mate yet, he has frequently mentioned multiple female politicians who have sparked an interest as the role of Vice President.

Stacey Abrams

Gretchen Whitmer

Abrams, an Atlanta-based lawyer, served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 10 years. Abrams herself also feels she is more than fit for the role as VP. “Democrats must do more to persuade Americans of color to vote,” Abrams tells New York Times. Abrams being picked as Vice President could mean more than a few things, aside from her being the first African American woman as Vice President in U.S. history. This could also mean we could be seeing a stronger liberal America in the future.“The focus on persuasion has often been trying to persuade someone to shift from their conservative ideology to a more moderate or liberal ideology,” Abrams said in an interview. “But for voters of color, it isn’t about shifting ideology — it’s persuading them that voting actually will have an effect.”

As the Governor, Whitmer is a household name in Michigan. She also won all 83 counties in the state in the Democratic primary, as well as being unanimously chosen as Senate Democratic Leader. As a rising name in the Democratic party, Whitmer gained much attention after settling the Wolverine State’s COVID-19 outbreak. “I am making a little bit of time to stay connected to the campaign, but the most important thing that I have to do right now is be the governor of my home state,” she stated to the New York Post. “That’s all that matters to me at this moment.”Many of Whitmer’s policies resonate with Joe Biden’s as well. This includes improving education and skills training, as well as fighting urban poverty and the opioid crisis.

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Tammy Duckworth

As senator of Illinois, Duckworth has got quite an impressive background.

The former U.S. lieutenant colonel has served as the junior United States Senator for Illinois since 2017. According to The Washington Post, Duckworth is Biden’s “safest and smartest pick as Vice President.” Duckworth also has more congressional experience than Donald Trump and Barack Obama. Her time in the military would underscore Biden’s emphasis on service and sacrifice. "I want Joe Biden in the White House, and I trust that he's got a process for putting together the right team to help him do that from the Vice President on down to the cabinet members," Duckworth told MSNBC.

Susan Rice

With much experience being in the White House, it is clear that folks have their eye out for Susan Rice. Serving as the U.S. Ambassador for the UN for 4 years and serving as the 24th U.S. National Security Advisor to Barack Obama, it is already clear that Joe Biden is very familiar with this D.C. native. “I know Joe Biden well. I’ve worked with him very closely. I know he’ll be a great president of the United States,” Rice told PBS. “I’m humbled and honored to be among the extremely accomplished women who are reportedly being considered in that regard.”It’s very obvious that Rice would definitely take up the offer of becoming VP. However, after recently being under fire for her criticism of Trump’s response to the coronavirus, causing her to be the center of much controversy.

It’s no surprise finding Kamala Harris on this list. As California senator and former presidential candidate, Harris is very aware of Biden’s policies, which contradict her own. Although she stated that she would be “honored” to serve with Biden, Harris has kept an awfully low profile and has shown very little enthusiasm upon being his running mate as compared to the other women on this list. According to New York Times, allies of Harris have stated that she’d prefer to keep her appearance down low rather than to deliberately audition.

Kamala Harris

Amy Klobuchar

Klobuchar, a Minnesota senator and former prosecutor is anything but shy when it comes to speaking out against republicans. Although this Minnesota Democrat has the governing experience, many Black and Latino voters have fought against her being picked for VP, many claiming they prefer Biden to pick a woman of color for this position. However, many Democrats also feel she is a strong help for Biden in the Midwest.“The theory is she would help him in the Midwest and in swing states, because Klobuchar doesn’t scare off moderates like Warren does,” an influencer from Biden’s team stated. Despite the controversy surrounding some of these women, they still have much skill and have shown much experience working for the Democratic party and being a favorite of Biden. Even though it is not clear who he will pick to be his running mate, it is important to keep an eye out for these women as they continue to be a

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An Interview With Maggie Nurrenbern

by Lauren Orie “Who runs for office? Moms do” I had an incredible opportunity to interview Maggie Nurrenbern, a front runner for Missouri Senate in the upcoming 2020 election. Maggie Nurrenbern is from Northland, Missouri. .She is a mom, a teacher, and a union member.

Nurrenbern is extremely well educated, she holds a bachelors and a masters degree, and is a graduate from UMKC from a graduate from Trueman state university and has her bachlors in education. Maggie also is a sponsor for the Young Democrats, a cross country coach, and serves as the building representative for the NEA (National Education Association). Ontop of all of this Maggie has three beautiful young boys, and is a proud adoptive mother. Maggie's amazing spirit extends not just in her home, but to others in her community. Nurrenbern has deep understandings of the importance of legislation, and the deficit we have for legislators who will advocate for our hardworking families. Maggie was able to get over 500 seniors registered to vote, which is an extremely impressive feat. Maggie is an inspiration to all women proving that no barrier is too big, and the only person stopping you is you.

What sparked your interest in politics?

“I’ve been involved in local campaigns since high school. I had also served as an intern during college in the Missouri Senate and understand the importance of compromise and working across the aisle to get things done for your constituents.”

What political issues are you most passionate about?

“Education and healthcare are certainly my top two, but there are so many.

Climate change. Affordable child care and universal Pre-K. Paid parental leave.

Economic Bill of Rights. Common sense gun reform.”

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Do you feel that you have faced any prejudice being a woman in politics?

I’ve been questioned a lot about being a mom with young kids and if I will be able tobalance everything. People often focus on how young I look rather than what I'm saying. I always respond that I am old enough to run for president.(35 turning 36 in June).

Are there any advantages or disadvantages that you’ve experienced as a woman in politics?

When I made the decision to run for state representative last year, my sons were 5, 3 and 3 months old. I’ve had to answer countless times how I’m going to balance everything. In the beginning I’d often joke I can do it all with my two best friends: My breast pump and my husband. The truth is being a mom has prepared me for all of this. We are expert multitaskers, negotiators, empathizers, peacemakers and problem solvers.I’m running for office because of my kids. Is it easy? No? Will it ever be? Probably not.

They push me and challenge me from the moment they wake up to their final pleading moments to get out of bed for one more drink. They also fill my day with joy, awe and the most wonderful belly laughs.Most of all they fill me with hope and purpose. They drive me to run for office to fight for bright futures for all of our kids...Who runs for office? Moms do.”

When asking Maggie Nurrenbern about one piece of information she wish she knew about politics before she got involved in politics:Fundraising is one of the largest components of running a campaign. It is not glamorous and requires hours and hours of being on the phone asking for campaign contributions.

When working on your campaign what was one of the most difficult issues you have run into?

Running for campaign during a global pandemic. Incredibly tough, but at the same time I think now more than ever we recognize just how important it is that we have local officials we can trust with our livelihoods.

When coming up with your slogan was there any inspiration or story that helped you create your slogan?

Maggie for MO. It was simple and it hit me in the shower.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned on the campaign trail?

Stay grounded and true to myself What would you say are your top three priorities in life, and how have these proved useful in your political career?

I think all of my priorities are based in creating the best opportunities for those who surround me and those who are most vulnerable in our community.

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What is the key to having the best of both worlds?

Having a family & having a professional life Find a supportive partner! Balance is obviously huge and I can’t stress the importance of self care enough. What advice would you give to young women and girls interested in politics? Find politicians you admire and follow them on social media. Get your news from lots of different sources. Follow what’s happening at different levels of government: local, state, federal, Supreme Court, etc. So you can getinvolved with local campaigns.

What is the best way girls can get involved without being able to run for office?

Get involved with local campaigns.

Volunteers are always welcome!

Do you have any political role models?

Here locally Sen. Lauren Arthur has been a huge inspiration for me. Seeing her run for office, win and then seeing her be such an effective state representative and senator certainly motivated me to run. Claire McCaskill, Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren have also inspired me a great deal.

Are there any other certain female role models that have inspired you?

So many! Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Oprah, Malala Yousafzai, Ellen DeGeneres, Michelle Obama. (I can’t recommend “Becoming” enough!)

What is one thing you are passionate about doing outside of politics?

I love connecting with high school students and pushing them to see the world from a different point of view.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your life?

To always keep pushing to be the best version of myself.

When asked about the most jarring political issue... her stance on pants suits Maggie had two simple words: They rock!

If you would like to know any more information about Maggie Nurrenbern and her campaign you can find her information on her website: MaggieforMo.com and find her on all of her social media platforms at Maggieformo.

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The Pink Tax: The True Cost of Being a Woman in America By: Mary Corey

It has been well known for some time now that women all across the world consistently are paid less than their male counterparts. This has led to a high poverty rate among women, especially women of color, and the issue has been taken up by everyone from activists to politicians as they fight to close this divide. As the wage gap has been steadily making its way to headlines across the world, another issue affecting women and their economic equality has been brewing in the background: the pink tax. Named for the color of many of the affected products, this phenomenon consists of women repeatedly paying more for gendered products than men. The scope of this issue is huge as it affects anyone who buys products traditionally marketed towards women, costing on average an extra $1,300 every year. This extra cost affects all areas of life, from personal care items like razor and body wash to the cost of services such as dry cleaning.But why is this happening?

Well, one major reason is that at this point it is seen as the norm. Many companies change things like the packaging and scent of their products in order to fulfill the supposed wants and needs of the female gender, driving up the prices. Where a men’s product might be sold in a plain plastic bottle, the same product being marketed to women might be packaged in a fancy looking glass bottle and infused with a traditionally “girly” aroma. This is called price differentiation and is a common marketing strategy that has expensive consequences. But the manufacturers are not the only ones to blame. On average, imports of products marketed specifically for women are taxed about 3% higher than similar products marketed towards men. These practices have led to women having to face descrimination in yet another area of their lives.

But it hasn’t always been this way. Until the post World War 2 era, pink wasn’t considered a feminine color. During the war, Rosie the Riveter became a powerful symbol for the many previously non working women who flocked to jobs in factories and many other previously “male” occupations in order to help with the war effort. As soldiers began to come home, women were encouraged to return to their pre-war roles as homemakers and pink began to be seen as a soft and innocent color, the opposite of the blue worn by Rosie the Riveter. This gendering of various products made things that were previously seen as normal, like passing down clothes to children of different genders, all but impossible, prompting the creation of department stores meant to fulfil the perceived needs of women and creating an environment for the pink tax to flourish.

If you find this information as infuriating as I do, you may be wondering what you can do about it.

One simple way for women to save money is to buy products that are gender neutral or marketed towards men. Although this can do lots to save you money, it doesn’t tackle the deeper issues at play. Call out brands you see using sexist marketing ploys to get women to pay more money and vote with your dollar by not patronizing these companies. Also, contact your local representatives to encourage them to support legislation to end the pink tax. It is time for women to stand up, find their voices, and stop letting companies take advantage of them.

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#METOO: WHO DESIDES FACT VS. FICTION

BY RAYA DEB Women all around the word have gained greater political and social standing throughout the course of history. Currently, one feminist movement has garnered attention in media, hollywood, and politics. The #MeToo movement speaks out against sexual harassment and assault of women. Since its founding in 2006, millions of women have spoken out against their harassers. While some view this as an empowering movement, others feel as though it is a source of sabotage that they can twist to serve their personal--often political--vendetta.

Over time, #MeToo has begun losing meaning due to the abuse of the term, particularly those claims that are amplified by the media.

At the forefront of political news media is United States President Donald Trump who has a multitude of sexual misconduct accusations against him. The majority of these accusations were illuminated during his controversial presidential campaign, and since then, the #MeToo movement hasbeen abused by politicians to sabotage their opponent’s platform. An example of this can be seen in the current presidential campaign with Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

One member of his Senate staff from the early 1990's was Tara Reade, who has accused Biden of sexual assault as well. The previous Vice President’s democratic comrades have since spoken out; Nancy Pelosi has reacted to the scenario stating that though she had “complete respect for the whole #MeToo movement...there is also due process and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden.” She continued to advocate for Biden’s values and source of integrity, but illustrated considerable doubt in Reade’s allegation. To further Pelosi’s viewpoint, Reade’s story is littered with inconsistencies that augment skepticism.

This situation, however, amounts to mere significance when compared to the allegations against current United States President Trump.

According to Business Insider, since the 1970’s, at least 25 women have united in the #MeToo Movement and accused Trump of sexual misconduct. Beyond solely allegations, the President incriminated himself as well. In October of 2016, during the 2016 presidential election, The Washington Post released footage from an episode of NBC’s Access Hollywood depicting a lewd conversation between Trump and Billy Bush regarding women.

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From this video, numerous headlines were conceived. Libby Nelson, a writer for Vox, headlined her article “‘Grab ’em by the pu**y’: how Trump talked about women in private is horrifying.” Trump’s personal statement is what augments the belief in the 25 women who have accused him.While the common excuse of women wanting fame for publicizing these allegations is used, it is difficult to recall the names of just one woman accusing Trump. This myth proves to be false, and the people who use it to invalidate victims of sexual assault are simply spreading hate.

Female empowerment is a strong force to be reckoned with, however, its involvement in political schemes draws negativity and distrust to its entire purpose. The MeToo movement has developed a slogan “Believe women,” frequently modified as “Believe all women.”

This slogan presents a substantial issue in belief by suggesting that women, even when lying, should be trusted. It would be extremely naïve to state that women lacked the capability to lie. Therefore, to prevent the #MeToo movement to become a movement tainted with distrust toward women, women should rather be encouraged to speak up. Similar to any other political or social claim, all sexual allegations should be taken with a grain of salt. While sexual assault accusations very rarely prove to be false, these situations do occur. Therefore it is important to thoroughly examine the evidence and facts in a case before conclusively trusting every woman.

The most important thing is to hear from survivors, listen to their story, and help them get the justice they deserve. Because 1 in 5 women are raped in their lifetime (National Sexual Violence Resource Center), it is necessary to speak up against sexual assault. If you are a victim of sexual violence, speak up now. We will listen.

"If you are a victim of sexual violence, speak up now. We will listen."

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Global Women in Politics Spotlight: Female Politicians Changing our WorldBy Andrea Montenegro Around the globe, female politicians are working to bridge the gender gap in a largely male-dominated profession. Extraordinary women have proven to be strong leaders in the face of economic hardship, civil unrest, and inequality. Inspiring the next generation of powerful leaders and shifting the political landscape, female politicians like Angela Dorothea, Dalia Grybauskaite, and Bidya Devi Bhandari are changing the world.

In 2005, Angela Dorothea made history by becoming the first female Chancellor of Germany. In taking office, she also became the youngest chancellor in German history with a monumental lead in the polls for her political party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Dorothea went on to win another three elections, totaling 16 consecutive years in office, which she is carrying out until 2021. By taking a look back on her career, the unwavering support of the public and even politicians outside of the CDU is validated by a long string of professional successes. Dorothea was tried in the early years of her career by the euro-zone debt crisis, in which some countries in the European Union (EU) failed to pay their Thus, countries with more stable economies, like large debts.

Germany, had to prevent a global economic depression by supporting their European neighbors. Though this became a very serious issue because of Dorothea’s new economic policies, Germany remained unscathed. Later, Dorothea would have to tackle the refugee crisis in Syria and Iraq. She was able to admit over a million refugees into Germany, though her public support began to waver at this point. In 2011, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which honors those who have made significant contributions to preserve peace in America, the world, or any cultural changes of significance. Her remaining years in office were calmer, with German politics remaining largely stable.

Dorothea announced that she wouldn’t be running for office a fifth time after public support for the CDU was translated to new political parties.Despite this, Dorothea remains an amazing example of a strong, humble, and driven female leader in the world of politics.

Dalia Grybauskaite, the first female president of Lithuania, has also made a massive impact on the global political scene. Grybauskaite, who previously held the position of EU budget commissioner decided to run for office in response to the economic struggles, which pushed the Lithuaniun populous to violently protest during the euro-zone debt crisis. With a reputation for being straightforward and assertive, Grybauskaite was a strong contender for the president, and won with the largest lead in the polls in the entirety of Lithuanian history. From there, she implemented a variety of economic policies to aid in stabilizing the economy. By lowering tax rates, working to gain acceptance into the EU, and maximizing exports, the Lithuaninan president brought prosperity to her country.Grubauskaite would later approach relations with Russia using the same ferocity and purpose with which she cured Lithuania of economic hardship in two years. When Russia annexed Crimea illegally, Grybauskaite was the first to call for economic sanctions against Vladimir Putin.This willingness to engage with Russia was echoed by the population, and she won her second election. With two consecutive terms and 10 years in office, Grybauskaite was unable to continue in her position as president; nevertheless, she brought prosperity to her country by standing her ground and materializing her goals as president.

Nepal earned its first female president in 2015, when Bidya Devi Bhandari took office. Though the position is second to that of the prime minister, Bhandari has shown great influence over her political counterparts. From the beginning of her career, the President of Nepal had to deal with serious issues, such as the Nepal earthquake in April of 2015. Bhandari has also led efforts to include women in the Nepali government, making it so that ⅓ of the Parliament be female. Before her presidency, she served as the President of the All Nepal Women Association (ANWA) in 1998, working to end inequality for Nepalese women. She continues with these efforts in the present day, and is known to be kind, hard-working, and driven.

These women are few amongst many which are changing the way the world views a largely male-populated profession. Though change is slow, the strong female leaders of today will only inspire a new generation of girlbosses. One can only hope that this new generation will display the drive of Dorothea, the assertiveness of Grybauskaite, and the vision of Bhandari.

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KIDS

KORNER

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MINI GUIDE TO GAINING

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STRONG GIRLS SPOTLIGHT

TABLE OF

26 32 35 41

CONFIDENCE AS A YOUNG GIRL!

QUIZ: WHICH WOMAN IN POLITICS ARE YOU? GIRLS IN ACTION: HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR COMMUNITY AND WHY IT MATTERS

THE FIRST WAVE OF FEMINISM: TIMELINE MARI COPENY: YOUNG ACTIVIST

Contents

Marie Antoinette: The Most Hated Scapegoat

by Rolland Grady

Marie Antoinette is remembered as a cruel, reckless queen who spent the nation’s money on frivolous trinkets. While she was guilty of living a life of excessive luxury, she is not the only one to blame for that.

In 1784, Cardinal Rohan fell out of favor with Marie Antoinette and was willing to do anything to regain favor with the Queen. Countess La Motte, a descendent of Henry II of Valois, pretended to be one of Marie Antoinette’s friends and claimed that she could help Rohen get in the Queen’s good graces At the same time, the Crown jewelers were struggling to find someone to buy a necklace composed of 650 diamonds. The necklace was originally made for a woman whom the previous King of France was infatuated with.

Unfortunately, he died before the necklace was completed. The jewelers hoped that Marie Antoinette would buy the necklace, but when Louis XVI offered it to her she refused saying that the French navy could use new boats..

Countess La Motte convinced Cardinal Rohen to buy the necklace as a gift for the Queen on February 1, 1785. The necklace was presented to Countess La Motte who was supposed to give the necklace to Marie Antoinette, but La Motte took the necklace and fled. The jewelers contacted the Queen in July who was confused.

On August 15, Cardinal Rohen was arrested and brought before the Parliament de Paris in May 1786 where he was declared innocent. Countess La Motte was arrested and branded with a “V” for voleuse (thief). While Marie Antoinette was completely innocent, her reputation was forever tarnished and this is what some historians mark as her downfall.

After this scandal, the hatred for Marie Antoinette was too great to ignore and the King and Queen ceased all public appearances.

Many pamphlets and books were produced after this scandal which ignited public fury and led to the French Revolution. The French public’s hatred for Marie Antoinette was too great, and she could never recover from this scandal and was defenseless against the many scandals.

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Grubauskaite would later approach relations with Russia using the same ferocity and purpose with which she cured Lithuania of economic hardship in two years. When Russia annexed Crimea illegally, Grybauskaite was the first to call for economic sanctions against Vladimir Putin.This willingness to engage with Russia was echoed by the population, and she won her second election. With two consecutive terms and 10 years in office, Grybauskaite was unable to continue in her position as president; nevertheless, she brought prosperity to her country by standing her ground and materializing her goals as president.

These women are few amongst many which are changing the way the world views a largely male-populated profession. Though change is slow, the strong female leaders of today will only inspire a new generation of girl-bosses.

One can only hope that this new generation will display the drive of Dorothea, the assertiveness of Grybauskaite, and the vision of Bhandari.

"Bhandari has also led efforts to include women in the Nepali government, making it so that â…“ of the Parliament be female."

Nepal earned its first female president in 2015, when Bidya Devi Bhandari took office. Though the position is second to that of the prime minister, Bhandari has shown great influence over her political counterparts. From the beginning of her career, the President of Nepal had to deal with serious issues, such as the Nepal earthquake in April of 2015. Bhandari has also led efforts to include women in the Nepali government, making it so that â…“ of the Parliament be female. Before her presidency, she served as the President of the All Nepal Women Association (ANWA) in 1998, working to end inequality for Nepalese women. She continues with these efforts in the present day, and is known to be kind, hard-working, and driven.

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Greta Thunberg; The Female Teenager who Became a Voice for Planet Earth

by Sara Keegan

Born on January 3, 2003, Greta Thunberg was destined to be a name globally spoken about, becoming an activist for the environment and climate at the young age of eight. Living in Stockholm, Sweden, with her mother Malena Ernman, an opera singer, and her father, Svante Thunberg, an actor, Thunberg was constantly surrounded by the arts. This constant environment of creativity and divergence led to Thunberg becoming extremely interested in current events and the entirety of the world around her, and not only researching into it, but making extreme changes to her own life.

When Thunberg learned about the climate crisis at hand around the world, she drastically changed her lifestyle, and influenced her family to do so as well. She reduced her carbon footprint by not flying and becoming vegan. However, this was just the beginning for Thunberg. While in school as an eleven-year-old child, one of Thunberg’s teachers presented the class with a video that would heavily impact her outlook on the environment surrounding her. Thunberg’s primary school teacher showed the class a video of the effects of climate change, showcasing issues such as starving polar bears, melting of ice in cold climates, and extreme weather. Climate change was the cause of a long list of horrific things occurring on planet Earth.

Greta could not stop thinking about how carelessly the human population treated the environment around them and could not eat, sleep, or drink. Thunberg’s parents believe she fell into a deep depression, her father remarking a period of “endless sadness.” Her parents knew this deepened feeling of pain and suffering was because of the young teen’s realization of the fate of the Earth. Greta knew if nothing was done, the environment would be in a dire situation. Her parents began to enforce new behaviors and actions around the house, lessening their carbon footprint, installing solar panels, and growing their own produce. By doing this and providing Thunberg with proper mental healthcare, she began to come out of this long term depression, and slowly started to eat and speak once again.

Things completely changed for Greta Thunberg in May 2018. Inspired by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School protests fighting for gun control in the U.S, Thunberg determined that the next big step was for her to take part in her own protest. Thunberg decided that she would go on a school-strike, to pressure the Swedish government to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aided in preventing climate change. Thunberg refused to go to school until the issue was resolved, and began to bravely speak against the major political figures in Sweden. On August 20, 2018, she arrived at the Swedish parliament, carrying a large homemade sign that stated, “School Strike for Climate.” She sat right in front of the building, refusing to move. Thunberg protested peacefully and was determined to show her rebellion against the Swedish government’s decisions regarding climate change. As days went on, more and more protesters began to join her, and suddenly, thousands of participants surrounded Greta Thunberg. She quickly became one of the most influential and inspiring teenagers in the world, raising awareness for how dire the situation of climate change is to our health and the environment. As days of this rebellion continued, Thunberg created a global movement.

Millions around the world began to voice their opinions, fighting for better climate awareness and the attempt from governments to slow down the rapidly increasing temperature of our Earth. From the United States, to Uganda, to the United Kingdom, protests were beginning and a movement was just getting started.

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The power of social media and press heavily aided Thunberg in her climate awareness movement, resulting in the widespread protests that occurred across hemispheres. When she began her sit-in protest in front of the Swedish parliament, she became noticed by passing photographers and media employers, interested in why a young teenage girl was continuing to protest day after day. As more protesters began to join her, the press became involved. Newspapers and websites began posting articles about Thunberg and her message, bringing awareness worldwide to readers of what movement was beginning in Sweden by just a young teenager. Not only did the press begin Thunberg’s exposure, but social media had a large contribution into the climate awareness movement as well. Platforms like Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram began showing younger generations what Thunberg was doing, and why she was doing it. Every single generation was able to learn more about Thunberg. Millions became aware of her movement, and felt inspired to join as well.

Greta Thunberg became a national headline in newspapers worldwide, grasping the attention of political figures such as presidents and prime ministers. This was not just one small movement that would fizzle out; this was an outcry full of rage and tiredness. Young people were angry at the politicians leading our country, confused as to why they would want to leave their children and grandchildren with such a disastrous planet, that consists of waste-filled oceans and starving animals. Thunberg began to get invited to influential conferences and meetings, such as the U.N Climate Change Conference and the U.N. General Assembly. As more awareness grew about the state of the climate, things began to slowly change, and more governments pledged their help in reducing the country's carbon footprint. Many companies began to reduce their carbon footprint as well, attempting to avoid an unnecessary amount of waste and gases.

Thunberg’s efforts did not go unnoticed by lawmakers and other influential people around the world. She was recognized for her courageous efforts by numerous awards. Most notably of all, she was nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in the world, the Nobel Peace Prize, both in 2019 and 2020. To be a young female in this world, already beginning to become nominated for globally recognized awards is astounding, and shows females around the world how capable they are of succeeding in every aspect. In addition, Thunberg was also named Time's Person of the Year in 2019. The Times Person of the Year is awarded to someone who has greatly influenced the events that have occured from the past 12 months, and Thunberg was shown to have created worldwide awareness of how quickly our climate is changing. Greta Thunberg won this title and was able to show even more people around the world what her movement was truly about through multiple pages in the incredibly famous Times Magazine. Life for Thunberg had made a complete turn, and it seemed as though a young teenager had entirely changed the way people looked at the environment around them.

Greta Thunberg is an inspiration for all of us, but especially for young girls all over the world. In the world of politics and power where female voices are few and far, the attention and following that Thunberg garnered is unprecedented. The scrutiny and sexism female politicians and activists face in this mostly male world make their efforts twice as hard. For Greta Thunberg to not only be female, but also just a teen, is uplifting, and inspiring to girls around the world. Thunberg proves that everyone can make a difference. Every voice counts if it is backed up by conviction, integrity, and courage to speak up. Thunberg faced a lot of criticism and was discounted by many. Even the President of the United States has disrespected and attempted to undermine her, yet she remains unyielding. She continues with her mission, unfazed by the many obstacles she faces, and inspires aspiring female (and male) politicians to stay motivated and fight for what they believe in.

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