Hi John,
With one hand typing this newsletter and the other one swirling around a bowl of candy (KitKats and Starburst supremacy!!!!), Iām shocked that Halloween is finally here and that November is tomorrow.
Boo! [[link removed]]
I eagerly awaited and welcomed fall. Sweaters and ciders couldnāt come fast enough. I'm remembering how hard it is to embrace the change as we transition into late sunrises and early sunsets, the way too cold mornings, and how the season begs us to slow down as the world continues to ramp up.
Everyone reading this knows that change, good or bad, is a part of life. Itās not easy or simple, but the only consistent thing in the universe is that things will and must change. Iām reminded of that fact this month, and how important it is to be adaptable, check in with myself, celebrate wins, and take time to process hardships.
Honoring and Remembering Lilly Ledbetter šļøā„ļø
Lilly Ledbetter [[link removed]]
We are grateful to have known and worked with Lilly Ledbetter who never stopped advocating for equal pay and the importance of pay transparency. Lillyās courage in the face of her Supreme Court loss inspired the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act that was signed into law by President Obama in 2009. We will always treasure this quote from a speech Lilly gave in 2012:
āIn the end, I didnāt get a dime of the money I was shortchanged. But this fight became bigger than Lilly Ledbetter. Today, itās about my daughter. Itās about my granddaughter. Itās about women and men. Itās about families. Itās about equality and justice. This cause, which bears my name, is bigger than me. Itās as big as all of you. This fight, which began as my own, is now our fightāa fight for the fundamental American values that make our country great.ā
In honor of Lilly, NWLC will continue the fight to close the gender wage gap until there is equal pay for all. Read the statement from our President and CEO, Fatima Goss Graves, here [[link removed]] , and read Lillyās last interview with NPR here [[link removed]] .
What Does Project 2025 Have to Do With You? ššļø
Beyonce reading a book [[link removed]]
I wish I could ignore Project 2025 like I ignored Dots and Whoppers after trick-or-treating as a kid. But since there is so much at stake, I have been trying to stay educated on how it would threaten my livelihood (even if itās hard to swallow.) If youāre like me and not trying to brush up on Project 2025 by reading all 900 pages, my colleagues created a series of blogs [[link removed]] about how the extreme right-wing agenda plans to dismantle protections and rollback rights for women, Black people, people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ people if implemented.
HEARSAY IS AWARD-WINNING!!!!!! ššļø
Patrick Star from Spongebob happy crying [[link removed]]
Our podcast Hearsay won TWO Signal Awards [[link removed]] in the Activism, Public Service & Social Impact categoryāa Gold award, and thanks to your votes, the Listener's Choice Award!! We are so grateful to be recognized with our first awards as a show, as we have been honored by the opportunity to work on such a meaningful project that shares NWLCās work with listeners around the world. The first two seasons are just a taste of what's to come, but I promise it'll be just as sweet as a bottomless candy bucket.
Must-Dos and Must Readsā
š
* LAST DAY TO SUPPORT NWLCāS WORK! āļø Today is the last day to voteĀ for NWLC as one of CREDO Mobileās October grant recipients!Ā Resources from this grant will be critical to fuel NWLCās work and ensure that NWLC's committed staff of dedicated experts, lawyers, and advocatesĀ can identify and address key issues that affect women and their families including child care, reproductive rights, education, and more. Please support us by casting your vote today!
* Treat Yourself (with more than just candy) š
Check out our collaboration with Transparent Black Girl to get calming advice for election season, including why itās important to stop and take care of ourselves (the eldest daughter slide really spoke to me) and what some of our staff does during their self-care routines.
* Donāt Boo, Vote! š» It isnāt too late to make a plan to vote by November 5! Whether you want to mail in a ballot, vote in person * before Election Day, or abide by tradition and stroll into a voting booth on the first Tuesday in November, make sure you know what is on your ballot and where you can submit it.
* Our State Playbook for Gender Justice is live! šStates offer some of our best and most immediate opportunities to improve the lives of women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people. Unfortunately, they are also where weāve seen some of the ugliest attacks against gender justice and our democracy. Read our State Playbook for Gender Justice to get inspired on whatās possible at the state level!
Person That Lived Rent Free in My Head in October: Megan Thee Stallion šš„
Y'all It's Okay not to be okay -Megan Thee Stallion [[link removed]]
Megan Thee Stallion has been having a moment for all of 2024, but she just released [[link removed]] an extension of her āMEGANā mixtape called āMEGAN IIā with even more collaborations and bangers. One of my favorites is ā BIGGER IN TEXAS [[link removed]] ā where she opens with āIām at the top of my game,ā as it is an affirmation of the importance of recognizing your accomplishments and how far youāve come.
Her art has really stuck with me over the years, but I have especially loved how Meg has been open about her mental health and the challenges that she has faced as a Black woman and a celebrity. Her evolution is a sight to behold, and I am so glad to have a front-row seat.
Feminist Moment of Joy: Taking a Deep Breath! šāļø
Things have been really nutty on a societal and personal level. As someone who has been trying to stay on top of my mental health for years, it has felt harder than ever to make sure that I am doing everything I possibly can to manage my anxiety. In the spirit of self-care, I have been trying to get more fresh air and feel the sunlight on my face.
When things feel too chaotic, I am able to look up and soak in the foliage-lined streets, the earlier but still beautiful sunsets, and even the northern lights as they grace the Eastern Corridor.
There's beauty in the consistent and familiar, as well as beauty in change. Without change, we wouldnāt have any of these things to savor, and I try to remind myself of this as the world is constantly, drastically changing. And if that doesnāt work, thereās always KitKats.
Stay sweet,
Jessica Baskerville
she/her/hers
Media Relations Manager *and* Award-Winning Podcast Host
National Womenās Law Center
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