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*taps mic* Is this thing on? Hey, John, I’m LySaundra—writer and editor at NWLC, and the person tasked with following Hannah’s incredible run as newsletter writer extraordinaire.
I don’t have witty puns, but I will overwhelm you in the best way with Issa Rae GIFs, music references, inspirational quotes, and songs to add to your motivational playlist (you do have a motivational playlist, right? If not, I’ve got you covered! [[link removed]] ).

I want to keep you informed and try to keep your blood pressure low, because joy is resistance . So let’s get to it.
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“We are family…” I got all my attorneys with me!

We’ll sing the celebratory version once the Supreme Court does the right thing in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia . We joined with several organizations to file an amicus brief [[link removed]] encouraging the court to not turn back 30 years of settled law—religion is not a license to use taxpayer money to violate antidiscrimination laws.

As a condition of doing business with the City of Philadelphia, contractors must agree that they will not discriminate based on race, religion, sex and sexual orientation, disability, and other protected identities. However, Catholic Social Services, who provides foster care services as a contractor, wants to turn away LGBTQ+ prospective foster parents due to religious beliefs. But here’s the kicker, they want to keep their contract with the city and turn away people with taxpayer dollars.

Giving religious organizations the ability to discriminate under government contracts would harm so many people as a lot of social services—food pantries, emergency shelters, and child care centers, among others—are run by religious organizations. And more people need those services considering the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about our brief. [[link removed]]
“I’m a survivor, I’m not gon’ give up!”

We’ve joined forces with powerhouse organizations like ’me too’ International, Justice for Migrant Women, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, among others, to launch the Survivor’s Agenda at the Survivors’ Summit. [[link removed]] This three-day virtual convening of survivors, movement-makers, healers, and activists from September 24-26, 2020, will imagine what a world free of sexual violence looks like and how we want to use our collective voices, strength, and power to make it possible. But first, we want to hear from you! We’re crowdsourcing the issues, policies, and support survivors want as a united front at the first Survivors’ Agenda Town Hall on Wednesday, August 26— register now! [[link removed]]

“I got 99 problems…” can a dress code NOT be one?

I’ll be honest. When the pandemic started and schools went virtual, I thought it’d be a small win for education justice, particularly Black girls and the discipline they face because of racist, sexist dress codes. But some schools are more concerned about how students show up for a Zoom call instead of what they are learning and how to best create a supportive, virtual learning experience. We teamed up with the Education Trust and recently released, “…and they cared: How to Create Better, Safer Learning Environment for Girls of Color.” [[link removed]]
The report includes steps school districts have taken to decrease suspension for Black girls, stories of girls who have experienced those changes firsthand, and a checklist for school leaders to create a positive learning environment for in-person and online education.

“Yes, I’d do anything, anything for you.” Great, Oliver, here are a couple of must dos:

There are many things I’ll have to tell my grand- and great grandchildren about 2020; hopefully explaining what USPS was isn’t one of those things. Here’s what you can do to stop the dismantling of our postal service.

Shiwali Patel, Director of Justice for Student Survivors, penned a compelling and personal blog post this week highlighting the importance of the BE HEARD Act.

You’re probably making lots of bread, doing workouts—yes, a crossword puzzle is a workout—and binging new shows, but we’re still experiencing a pandemic that’s having a devastating impact on millions of families. Press pause and tell your senators to pass COVID-19 relief legislation. Do it now; the bread won’t burn.
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I want to grow your "To Read” and “To Watch” Lists:

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day was last Friday, August 14. Our research was quoted in several articles from USA Today to The Root to Refinery29, and Fatima hopped on Forbes’ Instagram Live.

Shana Bartley, Director of Community Partnerships and Program Development, was featured in NBC’s Coronavirus in the Classroom, and discussed parents balancing caregiving and working during the pandemic. And our research about the impact of COVID-19 on child care was also featured on NPR.

Have you ever had someone try to help a situation, but ended up making it worse? Well, that’s the Trump administration’s Executive Orders for COVID-19. It’s gonna be a “no” for us—read why.
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Ok, let’s wrap up this introduction email with the fun stuff!
Two things that bring me joy are laughing and music. Bria Janay is a comedian and actress who reenacts different moments in pop culture history in the best way. If you need a laugh, check out her latest video [[link removed]] based on Ciara’s early 2000s debut single, “Goodies.”
I know Hannah left with an adorable picture of her and Willa. I don’t have a pet baby, or a human baby, but I do have plants. Here’s my very temperamental basil plant, Queen B. She’s an excellent addition to lemonade and marinara sauce, and has successfully been in my care (urr, hasn’t died… completely) for a month.
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The perseverance and patience it takes to keep a basil plant alive is the same perseverance and patience needed to fight for gender justice. It’s hard work, but it’s possible.
For justice (and joy) for her and all,
LySaundra Campbell
she/her/hers
Writer and Editor
National Women’s Law Center
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National Women's Law Center
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