Each February when Black History Month is observed, many feminists would agree that more attention should be paid to the intrepid black women who have made important contributions — not only for the benefit of their communities, but the nation as a whole. Foremost on our minds at the moment is abolitionist, Civil War spy, nurse, suffragist, humanitarian and Underground Railroad operator Harriet Ross Tubman (1822 – 1913).
Thanks to widespread public outrage — including organized efforts by the Women of Color Policy Network and the Trust Black Women Partnership — an inflammatory billboard lasted just two days in New York City.
It appears that almost everyone has something to say about CBS news correspondent Lara Logan’s recent sexual assault. The incident occurred in Tahrir Square, Egypt, where a mob, reportedly of more than 200 men, attacked Logan and her news team, who were covering the political developments in the field.
Even the “good” ads feature far more men than women, and the genders are often split into stereotyped roles. But that’s nothing compared to the bad ads, and there were a bunch of them this year.
On Feb. 15, 17 veteran and active-duty servicemembers filed a lawsuit against former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The action, headed by D.C. attorney Susan Burke, seeks monetary damages to compensate the plaintiffs for being raped, sexually assaulted and harassed while serving in the United States military.
