Hi John—

Hey y’all! I’m interrupting typical announcements and updates to tell you about a much-needed election survival guide. Considering the year we’ve had so far, including the recent confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, we could all use some distraction and self-care.

It’s been a hectic voting season, and it will likely continue for some time. As always, whether you need justice or joy, we’ve got you covered. Our guide includes coloring pages, a motivation playlist, a crossword puzzle, journal prompts, and more! Download it here.

Pay Me What You Owe Me!

What women of color make compared to non-Hispanic white men just confirms a double burden of racism and sexism in economic justice. Latina Equal Pay Day was yesterday, October 29, which marked the 22 months Latinas must work to make what non-Hispanic white men made the previous year alone. Latinas are paid just 55 cents for every dollar non-Hispanic white men are paid—just a three cent difference since 1989! This egregious pay gap typically amounts to a loss of $2,425 every month, $29,098 every year, and $1,163,920 over a 40-year career. Learn more about Latina Equal Pay Day and the race and gender wage gaps.

Must reads:

• Too angry, too joyful. Apparently, some critics don’t want Black women to do too much of either. Fatima Goss Graves was quoted in the Los Angeles Times, “You can’t be too angry or too passionate because then you are an angry Black woman, but apparently you can’t laugh or dance or show joy because then you aren’t serious.” 
• Child care policies impact everyone, not just parents. Nearly 900,000 women dropped out of the labor force between August and September, compared to 216,000 men. Our data was cited in Latino Rebels to mobilize a movement to create bold child care policies that center racial and gender justice.

Feminist Moment of Joy

“Making my way downtown, walking fast…” Ehem, excuse me for putting that throwback in your head, but we’re so excited to announce the reveal of a mural, Birth Control Way, by D.C.-based artist Rose Jaffe. We know birth control is directly tied to a person’s ability to control their body and life. Reproductive coercion has been used as a violent method for generations against enslaved Africans and their descendants, Latinx communities, people living with disabilities, and low-income communities.

If you’re in the D.C. area, you can literally make your way downtown (okay, I’ll stop) to visit Birth Control Way at 909 U Street NW, take pictures, post your images to social media, and share how birth control has impacted your community, health care, well-being, and future using the hashtag #ILoveMyBC.

Whether you’ve voted already or you’re refreshing your news feed for updates, give yourself permission to check out and do something that brings you joy.

For justice (and joy) for her and all,
LySaundra Campbell
she/her/hers
Writer and Editor
National Women’s Law Center