Happy Friday! Welcome to our Media Round Up. Each week we’re collecting and sharing our favorite gender + politics stories. Here’s what caught our eye this week:

State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, veteran progressive lawmaker, launches bid for Massachusetts governor

Emma Platoff, Boston Globe

On Wednesday, State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz launched her official campaign for governor of Massachusetts. If elected, she would be the first Latina to hold that position. In a speech to a crowd of supporters she said, “I am tired of waiting for government to live up to our hopes and our families’ needs. And that is why I am running.” Chang-Díaz was previously a teacher, and has now been serving as a state senator for seven terms. As the first Latina elected to the state Senate in Boston, she has spent her tenure focusing on criminal justice reform and education.

You can read the full article here.

More Women Will Run U.S. Cities Coming Out of the Pandemic

Shelly Banjo, Bloomberg

Currently, there are thirty-two women mayors in the largest 100 cities around the country. With women candidates leading the charge in mayoral elections in Buffalo and New York City, this number is expected to grow. According to data by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, women account for 27% of U.S. Congress and 30.6% of statewide elected offices. Although the state of New York has been widely recognized for having one of the most diverse and progressive communities in the country, it has been significantly lagging behind when it comes to the political representation of women, ranking 31 out of 50 in municipal representation and with 71.4% of city offices held by men.

You can read the full article here.

Why do so few Black women serve in high-level federal posts?

Taneisha N. Means, The Washington Post

Just this past month, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kristen Clarke to lead the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to lead the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, making them the first Black women in history to lead their respective departments. And last week, Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the Senate to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Despite it being a historic time for Black women in politics, it is important to point out that the confirmation process for all three of these women was difficult, full of delays and none received a unanimous vote despite their formidable records; this seems to be a trend amongst Black women nominees.

You can read the full article here.

Kamala Harris to step into global spotlight with UN Generation Equality Forum speech

Errin Haines, The 19th

Next week Vice President Kamala Harris will be delivering a live speech to the United Nation’s women’s forum on gender equity in Paris. This speech would give Harris her biggest platform so far to talk about women’s issues as she addresses world leaders, international organizations and media. Harris is expected to talk about gender inequality around the world, as well as gender-based violence and economic justice. “She will argue that to achieve gender equality will require a global effort — and the involvement of governments, civil society, and the private sector working together,” administration officials said.

You can read the full article here.

How a socialist captured Buffalo, a moderate Democratic stronghold

Bill Mahoney, Politico

The city of Buffalo has had a long history of electing moderate and conservative Democrats, but the Democratic primary on Tuesday night created a significant shift in that trend. Nurse and socialist activist India Walton won the mayoral Democratic primary, defeating Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown who was on his fourth term. In the historically blue city, Walton is expected to become the first woman mayor. “This is not about making India Walton mayor of Buffalo. This is about building the infrastructure to challenge every damn seat,” said Walton in her victory speech.

You can read the full article here.