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:

 

The U.S. has never had a lesbian governor. These two women could change that.

Matt Lavietes, MSNBC

If gubernatorial candidates Maura Healey and Tina Kotek win their respective races in November, they would shatter glass ceilings simultaneously by becoming the first ever out lesbian elected governors in the United States. Both candidates have made history before. Maura Healey, who is currently the Attorney General of Massachusetts, led the country’s first successful challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act in 2009. Healey is also the country’s first out lesbian state attorney general, first elected in 2014. In 2013, Tina Kotek became the nation’s first out lesbian speaker of a state’s House of Representatives. If either Healey or Kotek succeeds in their races, they will follow two other out LGBTQ politicians who have been elected to lead their states: Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Colorado Governor Jared Polis of Colorado.

Read the full story here.

 

Black Women Concerned About Finances Ahead Of Midterms

Craig T. Lee, BET

According to a new national poll conducted by NBC News, nearly two-thirds (67%) of Black women voters are highly motivated to cast their ballots. Some of the key issues for Black women during this midterm election include the cost of living increasing, protection of reproductive rights, and crime and gun violence. The survey also asked Black women to describe their group’s representation in politics prior to the midterm elections, with the greater number saying that they feel “under-represented” or that “more representation” is needed. Currently, there are no Black women in the Senate, the last being Vice President Kamala Harris who represented California.

Read the full story here.

 

Missing Moms: Only 5% of US State Lawmakers Are Mothers With Young Kids

Kelsey Butler, Bloomberg

According to new research, there are more than 7,000 state lawmakers across the country and only 5% of them are mothers with young children at home. Vote Mama Foundation, a nonprofit group that researches political participation of mothers, reported that political representation continues to decline for groups that are typically underrepresented in government. Vote Mama founder Liuba Grechen Shirley says that low pay, lack of paid family leave and childcare to make up for late hours, and an unpredictable schedule are some of the barriers keeping women out of office.

Read the full story here.

 

Anna May Wong Will Be the First Asian American on U.S. Currency

Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times

Next Monday, the U.S. Mint will begin creating more than 300 million quarters featuring actress Anna May Wong, making her the first Asian American to appear on U.S. currency. The new quarter will honor Wong’s trailblazing career and the difficulties she faced in securing roles in Hollywood as an Asian American actress during the “yellowface” era. Other women who have been featured on U.S. currency as a part of the government’s efforts to honor women and their contributions to society include writer Maya Angelou and astronaut Sally Ride.

Read the full story here.

 

Biden administration invests $53 million in WIC nutrition program for women and children

Tami Luhby, CNN

The Biden Administration is awarding $53 million in grants to bolster outreach efforts, improve technology, and better the shopping experience for families receiving Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children also known as WIC. The funding is a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, aiming to help state agencies, community groups, and other nonprofits test new ways of outreach to current and potential WIC participants.

Read the full story here.