What Women Know About COVID-19

I refuse to accept that the economic, emotional, and healthcare pressures women are facing today is the “new normal.”  We will not accept new restrictions on our rights, nor will we lower our sights to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment in the U.S. Constitution or our demands for safe, affordable, and accessible abortions and racial justice because of the coronavirus. 

We need to stay focused, stay engaged and stay strong—and as hard as it can be some days, we need to stay positive.  NOW has always been able to overcome tremendous odds and enormous obstacles through the force of our activism, commitment and energy. 

One way we’re focusing those qualities while we stay at home is by sharing ideas and commenting on what we’re seeing, reading and hearing in the media.  Are you watching Mrs. America on Hulu?  Some of our talented NOW staff and interns have been blogging about this series and I think you’ll enjoy their perspective and insights. 

I’ve also been enjoyed the Netflix series Unorthodox, about a Hasidic Jewish woman in Brooklyn who flees an arranged marriage and finds a new, safe and supportive community in Berlin.  The acting and writing on this series is powerful, inspiring and unforgettable. 

We’re also inspired by the countless women who are finding ways to maintain their careers while staying at home and caring for their families.  This article focuses on some of those challenges, and cites a proposal from Rep. Katie Porter (a single mother to three school-aged children) to expand the amount employees can put in tax-free dependent care accounts. 

I want to call your attention to this video interview NOW Vice President Christian Nunes did for the series “Surviving COVID-19 with Dr. Anica,” on the ways marginalized communities are feeling the crushing weight of the pandemic. 

And if you haven’t already done so, I invite you to join NOW’s new Feminist Book Club on Facebook.  

Finally, here’s my music video of the week—Larkin Poe’s cover of the Son House classic, “Preachin’ Blues.”  

I hope you enjoy it, and that you’ll continue to stay safe, stay focused, and stay connected to our vibrant, strong NOW community.