[[link removed]] Weekly Digest
Weekly Digest
Letter from an Editor | September 28, 2024
Dear John,
“You will no longer be abandoned, lonely or scared. You will no longer be in danger. ... You will be protected, and I will be your protector. … You will no longer be thinking about abortion.”
What is he talking about!?
Former president Trump’s remarks in Pennsylvania on Monday represented a new addition to his usual talking points—perhaps indicating that he’s taken notice of the sizable (and growing) gender gap ahead of November’s elections. A new Harvard Youth Poll released this week shows that young women in particular overwhelmingly support Harris over Trump—women under 30 support the Vice President by a 3:1 margin. Polls conducted for Ms. magazine and our publisher the Feminist Majority Foundation have found abortion to consistently be a top priority for voters in the lead-up to this fall’s election—particularly when it comes to young women voters.
So why is it that pundit after pundit has argued that the economy will be the dominant issue this election? In doing so, they are ignoring the fact that abortion is an economic issue for women and their families. How many times do we have to remind them about the impact of having a child on parents’ earning abilities, and the economic harm to women who do not have paid pregnancy/family or medical leave? Not to mention the cost of raising a child—which can go well over a quarter of a million dollars, between food, medical expenses, clothing, and education.
As philosopher Susan Bordo pointed out in a recent newsletter, the construction of polls means that they don’t just relay data—they influence how we think about the issues at hand. Polls that position “the economy” and “abortion” as parallel issues not only disregard abortion as an economic issue, but pit the umbrella issue of “economy,” which actually encompasses a broad range of issues, against “abortion,” which is framed as a “single issue” problem—thus inherently framing “the economy” as the more important issue.
And, all philosophizing aside, pundits who buy into the importance of the economy over abortion are forgetting the important role abortion and reproductive healthcare played in the election outcomes of 2022 and 2023. Abortion wins elections—this has been shown time and time again. Kamala Harris has certainly noticed—just this week, she announced that if elected, she would support eliminating the filibuster in order to codify abortion rights. When will the pundits pick up on it, too?
And in the Senate this week, Republicans blocked a resolution expressing that medical patients have “the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care.” As Sen. Patty Murray, who introduced the resolution, said, “Republicans sometimes talk about protecting the life of the mother, but frankly they have yet to lift a finger to ensure doctors can always do that."
Finally, today marks 24 years since the FDA first approved the abortion medication Mifepristone, a drug that is used in over half of all abortions performed in the U.S. today. As Republican attacks on abortion medication and birth control continue to amp up, I’d encourage you to check out some of our reporting on the issue included below. In the face of the misinformation that comes with these attacks, it’s more important than ever that Ms. readers know the facts.
Onward,
[[link removed]]
Kathy Spillar
Executive Editor
P.S. — Our friends at All Above All and Project 68 have created this powerful ad [[link removed]] , in honor of all of the families that have suffered horrific losses as a result of abortion bans—I urge you to share it with your networks.
This Week's Must-Reads from Ms.
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Will Young Women Be Her Superpower? Harris Energizes Young Voters, Who Support National Abortion Rights [[link removed]] Young People of *All* Political Parties Favor Abortion and Contraception Access, Says America in One Room Data [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
What Does the ‘Pro-Life’ Movement Care About? [[link removed]] A Conservative Blueprint Calls for More Abortion Surveillance [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
With Birth Control Under Attack, Enshrining It in Law Is Essential [[link removed]] Abortion Opponents Use Deaths of Two Georgia Women to Push Dangerous Lies About Abortion Pills [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] Tune in for a new episode of Ms. magazine's podcast, On the Issues with Michele Goodwin on
Apple Podcasts [[link removed]] + Spotify [[link removed]] .
In this episode, we’re joined by two co-hosts of the Webby Award-winning #SistersInLaw podcast to discuss where our nation stands as we approach the 2024 elections—from the ongoing trials faced by former president Donald Trump, to Nikki Haley, to the Supreme Court’s recent opinions and so much more.
We hope you'll listen, subscribe, rate and review today!
U.S. democracy is at a dangerous inflection point—from the demise of abortion rights, to a lack of pay equity and parental leave, to skyrocketing maternal mortality, and attacks on trans health. Left unchecked, these crises will lead to wider gaps in political participation and representation. For 50 years, Ms . has been forging feminist journalism—reporting, rebelling and truth-telling from the front-lines, championing the Equal Rights Amendment, and centering the stories of those most impacted. With all that’s at stake for equality, we are redoubling our commitment for the next 50 years. In turn, we need your help, Support Ms. today with a donation—any amount that is meaningful to you [[link removed]] . We are grateful for your loyalty and ferocity .
READ THE REST [[link removed]] | GET THE MAGAZINE [[link removed]] | SUPPORT MS. [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Enjoy this newsletter? Forward to a friend!
Was this email forwarded to you by a friend? Subscribe [[link removed]] .

Ms. Magazine
1600 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 801
Arlington, VA 22209
United States
Manage your email subscriptions here [[link removed]]
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please
unsubscribe: [link removed] .