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:

For the first time, women will hold these four key congressional jobs

Michele L. Swers, Washington Post

For the first time, the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will all be women. With Republicans taking control of the House, Kay Granger (R-Texas) and Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Connecticut) will become Chair and Ranking Member, respectively. In the Democrat-controlled Senate, Committee Chair Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vermont) and Ranking Member Senator Richard C. Shelby (R-Alabama) are both retiring. The current Senate Chair and Ranking Member will be replaced by Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), marking the first time a woman will be president pro tempore. The four committee leadership positions, also known as the “four corners” are the “… gatekeepers for funding and policy rider fights that shape the details of legislation — and therefore they will play key roles in determining the future of President Biden’s spending priorities and longer-term fights over deficits and entitlement spending such as Medicare and Social Security.”

Read the full story here.

 

The 19th Explains: Why baby formula is still hard to find months after the shortage

Mariel Padilla, The 19^th*

About 10 months ago, Abbott Nutrition recalled its Similac Powder and two other lines of specialized formula. As a result, Abbott Nutrition shut down one of its plants due to bacterial contamination. Combined with the pandemic, which had already exacerbated U.S. supply chain issues, the contamination created a national formula supply crisis. The formula shortage crisis impacted parents across the nation, especially those from rural and low-income parts of the country. Although there were efforts passed by Congress and President Joe Biden to help with the shortage, the 19^th*’s research finds that lack of formula is still an issue throughout the country.

Read the full story here.

 

Ketanji Brown Jackson again takes her place in history by posing in front of portrait of female justices

Chandelis Duster, CNN

Earlier this year, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made history when she became the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court. Justice Brown showcased the significance of her appointment this week when she took a picture in front of “The Four Justices” painting during a visit to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. According to the National Portrait Gallery, “The Four Justices” was painted by artist Nelson Shanks to “’recognize the accomplishments’ of the justices.” The portrait features the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and current Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

Read the full story here.

 

Combatting the Wage Gap on Native Women’s Equal Pay Day

Equal Rights Advocates, Ms Magazine

November 30^th marks Native Women’s Equal Pay Day. Native American women earn approximately 51 cents per dollar paid to the average white man, creating one of the largest wage gaps in the country. Over a 40-year career compared with non-Latino white men, due to the wage gap, Native American women could experience losses of over $1.1 million. It would take Native American women almost a full additional year to catch up on earnings.

Read the full story here.

 

How Organizations Can Support Women In The Workplace Right Now

Dr. Patti Fletcher, Forbes

According to Deloitte’s Women at Work 2022 report, the American workforce is in a “Great Breakup” meaning that women are leaving the workforce in droves. Between high childcare costs, caregiving responsibilities, and trying to balance all of those with work, women are experiencing high levels of burn out. Researchers at Forbes suggest several ways in which companies can improve work life for women: put well-being first, find community in the workplace, and be a supportive leader.

Read the full story here.