It’s a “She-cession”

Mother’s Day had a different tone this year—like everything else.  I read with interest this article by gender equity scholar Naomi Cahn, “Mother’s Day and COVID-19’s Impact on Women of Color.”  And I was moved by this story about how a migrant aid group in Arizona honored mothers waiting to claim U.S. asylum at the border. 

I was also disheartened, but not necessarily surprised to learn that “women accounted for 55 percent of the 20.5 million jobs lost in April,” as reported the New York Times.  The article quoted C. Nicole Mason, president and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, (IWPR) who said, “I think we should go ahead and call this a “shecession.” 

We all know that women are paying a heavy price in this pandemic.  The new IWPR report, “Holding Up Half the Sky:  Mothers as Workers, Primary Caregivers & Breadwinners During COVID-19,” documents the disproportionate of job loss on women. 

Our great network of NOW activists has also been highlighting interesting reading and viewing material online.  Southeast Kansas NOW sent out this link to an NPR podcast with essayist Rebecca Solnit, who wrote a groundbreaking essay in 2008 called “Men Explain Things To Me” about the phenomenon we now refer to as “mansplaining.”  And South Dakota NOW posted this link of indigenous films to watch—for free! 

I hope you’ve also been enjoying the blog posts our staff and interns have been posting about the Hulu series Mrs. America.  Here’s the latest installment. 

And finally, two music videos I enjoyed and wanted to share with you.  First, Holly Near’s “Singing for Our Lives,” and BETTY’s “Make a Difference,” which they recorded in support of the ERA Coalition while sheltering in place in different locations around New York State. 

Until next week – stay engaged, stay healthy, and stay safe!