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:

 

How recent tech layoffs can disproportionately affect women and people of color

Jared Lindzon, Fast Company

The tech industry has laid off tens of thousands of workers over the past couple of months, and research suggests that women and people of color are disproportionally affected. Approximately 45% of those who lost their jobs in the recent wave of layoffs in the tech industry were women, according to Lindzon. Although the layoffs are split evenly across gender lines, women are less than a third of tech industry employees and comprise even less of technical and leadership roles. A study conducted by Paychex found about 75% of female tech workers fear being laid off.

Read the full story here.

 

Jill Biden’s inaugural wear to go on display at Smithsonian

Darlene Superville, AP via Boston Globe

First Lady Jill Biden is donating her inaugural wear to the Smithsonian where it will be put on display. The First Lady’s donations include an ocean blue tweed dress and matching coat, as well as an ivory silk wool dress and cashmere coat. First Lady Jill Biden wore both outfits to her husband President Joe Biden’s Inauguration in 2021. Due to the historic nature of President Biden’s swearing-in (him being sworn in during a pandemic), the First Lady’s matching face masks will be donated to The First Ladies Collection at the National Museum of American History.

Read the full story here.

 

Firefighters’ careers could be impacting their reproductive health

Jessica Kutz, The 19^th*

New research shows “high temperatures, stress and … forever chemicals” that firefighters are exposed to could cause pregnancy and fertility complications. Research on the reproductive health of firefighters who can become pregnant is relatively new, with 85% of research on the health of firefighters taking place within the last decade. Senior scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research at the National Development & Research Institutes Sara Jahnke says that while there has been a huge growth in research, the majority of it is focused on white males, the largest population of people in the fire service.

Read the full story here.

 

Supreme Court’s Student Loan Decision Will Impact Black Women Most

Cecilia Clark, Nerdwallet via The Laconia Daily Sun

President Joe Biden’s Student Loan Cancellation legislation is now in the hands of the Supreme Court, and Black women are one of the groups that would benefit the most if the legislation is passed. Black women have a disproportionate amount of the total federal student loan debt in the country. Compared to white women, Black women have 43% more debt and almost 99% more graduate school debt, according to an April 2022 study by The Education Trust. Research shows that part of the reason Black women have some of the highest rates of undergraduate and graduate student loan debt is because they are less likely to see higher wages as a result of their education.

Read the full story here.