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:

 

Ketanji Brown Jackson to be sworn in as first Black woman on the Supreme Court

Ximena Bustillo, NPR

At noon yesterday Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn into the Supreme Court, making her the first Black woman on the highest bench in the country. Justice Jackson will be filling the seat left by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, who she once clerked for after graduating from Harvard Law School in 1996. Earlier in her career, Justice Jackson served as federal trial court judge and last June was confirmed for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Justice Jackson will be the first Supreme Court justice since Thurgood Marshall with experience representing criminal defendants as a public defender.

Read the full story here.

World swimming bans transgender athletes from women’s events

Associated Press

On Sunday, the world swimming’s governing body banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s events. FINA members voted 71.5% in favor of a new “gender inclusion policy” that would only permit swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women’s events. FINA’s new policy also includes a proposal for a new “open competition” category and is currently setting up a working group that will spend six months preparing the category. NBC News reports that other sports have also been examining their rules regarding transgender athletes.

Read the full story here.

Women in Congress more likely to be interrupted during hearings, says new research

Elaine Justice. Emory University News

According to recent data from Emory University, women members of Congress are significantly more likely to be interrupted than men during committee hearings. The research also shows that during congressional hearings focused on women’s issues, including reproductive rights, abortion, and child care, women are more than twice as likely as men to be interrupted.

Visiting professor at Emory University Joe Sutherland, says, “Women in Congress can encounter greater difficulty in getting their ideas across, because they’re being interrupted — especially in policy areas including women’s issues, where they can advocate powerfully on behalf of their constituents.”

Read the full story here.

 

Biden Picks First Woman, Person of Color as Science Adviser

Associated Press

President Joe Biden has nominated engineer and physicist Arati Prabhakar to be his science advisor, and if confirmed, she will be the first woman, person of color, and immigrant to hold this Cabinet-level position. During the Obama administration, Prabhakar directed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which includes running the White House Office of Science and Technology. Prabhakar assisted in kick-starting the work in DARPA which eventually led to the RNA vaccine used to develop shots for COVID-19. Prior to her work with DARPA, at the age of 34, Prabhakar was the first woman and youngest person to run the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Read the full story here.

What Does the End of Roe Mean? Key Questions and Answers

Claire Cain Miller and Margot Sanger-Katz, New York Times

Last Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 decision. With Roe overturned, the legality of abortions will be left up to states to decide. The Supreme Court decision has caused a ripple effect across the country with both the public and state lawmakers. Many are questioning what the end of Roe means.

Read the full story here.