On Tuesday, November 11th, @chickenbiscuit48 & @ther1ot led our newsroom roundup class discussion which consisted of three main stories from a local source, a national source, and a global source. We delved into the BET on Yourself retreat, women’s empowerment, self-development, and mental health retreat as our local source. Then, we looked at “Abortion rights win big in election 2023” for our national coverage and finally, “Women across Iceland, including the prime minister, go on strike for equal pay and no more violence” As our global source. After learning about these topics we presented them to the class through a feminist lens.
Now let’s look a little closer at each topic:
Local: BET On Yourself Retreat: Women’s Empowerment, Self-Development, and Mental Health Retreat
This is a local event that is held at Massanutten and is described as a transformative in-person event dedicated to empowering women and fostering self-development. They aim to give women an environment that provides valuable tools, strategies, and insights that will enhance the personal and professional lives of those who participate.
What to expect
· Engage in workshops and interactive sessions
· Participate in discussions led by thought leaders
· Look to nurture your self-development
Topics include
· Building confidence
· Setting boundaries
· Practicing self-care
· Stress management
National: Abortion rights win big in the 2023 elections.
Source: NPR.org
This past Tuesday the general elections were held, (which I all hope you exercised your right and voted) This election put abortion right front and center as a political issue since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 . States like Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia were concerned with the attitudes of pro-life/pro-choice voters attitudes this past election.
After the election, Ohio “Paved the way” to other red states as they were able to pass abortion right laws this Tuesday. Even with having abortion rights directly stated on the actual ballot (which was voted on back in August). Virginia currently does not ban abortion and with general election results ended with flipping the House of Representatives back to blue, Ultimately protecting current abortion rights in VA, even though our republican governor Glenn Youngkin is still opposed to unrestricted access to abortion.
In other states like Kentucky we see democratic governor reelections resulting in the push for change for abortion rights. In Kentucky, we see a win for democratic governor, Andy Beshear who was reelected over the Republican candidate and state attorney general, Daniel Cameron who openly opposed changing Kentucky’s strict abortion laws. Andy Beshears main PSA was fighting for abortion rights in cases for the extreme, having an strong and emotional PSA about sexual assault and molestation. As we can see abortion rights was a main topic in this election in many states.
To put a feminist lens on this, the availability and right to have access to abortion and health care like planned parenthood is monumental for women’s rights and equality. After the overturn of Roe v. Wade I know safe access to abortions and health care was a concern for many in red states.
Global: Women across Iceland, including the prime minister, go on strike for equal pay and no more violence
Source: AP News
In late October, in Husavik Iceland, women and non binary individuals gathered in support of the women’s strike that focused on ending gender based violence and closing the pay gap. Local schools, shops and bakeries were closed Tuesday, October 24th, as a result of the massive strike. Estimated almost 90% of women were on strike that day.
Hospitals, transportation and other women dominated jobs were highly understaffed as the strike started, calling for immediate closures across Iceland. The trade union called upon women and non-binary people to refuse the paid and unpaid work. 90% of Icelanders belong to and work for the union. The prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsdóttir, also took part in the strike as well as her female cabinet members.
This strike was the biggest strike to happen since the women’s Iceland strike in 1976, which also 90% of women went on strike as well. This resulted in the 1976 law, that passed to ensure equality regardless of gender. Clearly we can see that this law is not upheld to the true standard of equality, leading to other partial strikes until this the one that happened this past October.
This was a very inspiring global event for women across the globe. Constantly reminding us that women are able to stand up against inequality. The support of the Prime Minister also shows the need for reformation in Iceland.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 