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

Sheila Oliver, New Jersey’s Trailblazing Lieutenant Governor, Has Died

Tracey Tully, New York Times

Sheila Y. Oliver, the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey when she became lieutenant governor in 2018, has passed away at the age of 71. Ms. Oliver was elected lieutenant governor in 2017 after serving for more than 15 years in the Legislature. She became the first Black woman to lead the predominately male State Assembly in 2010. Ms. Oliver was a member in the New Jersey chapter of Emerge America, a national organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office. Before her untimely death, Ms. Oliver had been seen as a potential successor to current New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Read the full story here.

 

The future of abortion in Florida could hinge on Hispanic voters

Mel Leonor Barclay, The 19^th*

Abortion rights advocates in Florida are facing a tough path to success in their campaign efforts. For them to build a winning coalition, they have to rally support one of the state’s most crucial voting blocs – Hispanic voters. A proposed ballot measure, which is backed by a coalition of reproductive rights groups, would guarantee the right to an abortion until fetal viability. The next steps for the activists are to get a million Florida voters to sign a petition saying they want it on the ballot, then rallying 60% of the vote in the November 2024 elections.

Read the full story here.

 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Barbie moment cut short

Shia Kapos, Politico

Last week, Senator Tammy Duckworth issued a statement during the 33^rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act expressing that, “It’s past time we make sure accessibility is the default in America –  not an afterthought.” When Senator Duckworth went to see the Barbie movie with her daughters last week, although the theater was wheelchair accessible, the theater’s elevator was broken. Senator Duckworth had no way to get to the show.

“I missed out on an experience with my girls… I’m pretty tough about these things. But this one really was a little bit of a stab to my soul,” said Senator Duckworth.

Read the full story here.

 

N.C. female pastors reflect on SBC decision to ban women, talk about experiences as church leaders

Tim Boyum, Spectrum Local News

Tim Boyum, host of Front Porch Politics spoke with three women pastors about the Southern Baptist Convention’s decision to ban women from the role of pastor. The news has a ripple effect not only within the SBC community, but also within other denominations. Tune in with the link below to hear reactions to this decision from the three women pastors Tim Boyum interviewed.

Read the full story here.

 

Advocates push for more representation of Black women in politics

Melissa Rose Cooper, New Jersey Spotlight News

Advocates across the country are pushing for more representation of Black women in politics. A recent report from the Highter Heights Leadership Fund and the Center for American Women and Politics found that less than 6% of Black women hold offices in Congress, statewide elective executive offices, and state legislatures even though they make up nearly 8% of the population. The data shows that more Black women have been running for elected positions recently, but advocates say that more needs to be done to allow them in political spaces.

Read the full story here.