News and Issues

Jo Freeman Writes: "The women’s liberation movement (wlm) flowered in the late 1960s. Seattle was one of the seeds, as one of five cities in North America where small groups formed independently, without an outsider bringing the news from someplace else. It pollinated much of the northwest. As was true elsewhere, wlm groups divided and multiplied. Within two years there were three independent women’s liberation organizations. As was not true elsewhere, the founders, and most of their followers, thought of themselves as revolutionaries before they became feminists."       more »

"My Administration is committed to realizing the promise of the suffragists, who knew that equality begins at the ballot box and requires women to have a seat at the table. That is why we will keep fighting to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to ensure fair Congressional maps give all Americans an equal chance to be heard. It is also why I have delivered on my promise to build an Administration that looks like America — with courageous leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris and the record number of women who serve in our Nation’s first gender-equal Cabinet leading the way." more »

In recent months, news organizations have covered crosswalk construction or changes to existing crosswalks, including new, decorative pavers in Slidell, Louisiana, proposed infrastructure changes aimed at improving pedestrian safety in Phoenix, and decorative, themed crosswalks, such as rainbow crosswalks painted in towns across the country for Pride month. Such stories call attention to the dangers of pedestrians and vehicles sharing roadways -- and the rising rate of pedestrian deaths nationwide. The Governors Highway Safety Association estimates at least 7,508 pedestrians were killed as a result of crashes on U.S. roadways in 2022. more »

A person's health is influenced throughout their lifespan by many factors. Some of the most important factors include sex, gender, racial ethnicity, culture, environment, and socioeconomic status. Researchers are discovering the critical roles that sex (being male or female) and gender identity (including social and cultural factors) play in health, wellness, and disease progression. The discoveries being made through the study of women's health and sex differences are key to advancements in personalized medicine for both sexes. more »