Hey John,

I have a question for you: What will we do when our dreams become reality? It’s a busy week at the Law Center as we gear up for our 2021 virtual gala this week (you’re registered, right?). This time has me thinking about the late activist, Pauli Murray, who once wrote “Hope is a song in a weary throat.” I’ve thought about that quote in light of dreaming, manifesting, and telling my fears to “shut up” as we create a more equal world.

Britney Spears recently expressed her fears about making mistakes in light of her newfound freedom. And I couldn’t help but relate. Whether it’s the newfound freedom of settling into my own apartment this summer or witnessing wins in gender equality from the past year, the responsibility of embracing and nurturing what you could only dream of for so long can be scary, and imposter syndrome is too real.

I keep a quote on my wall from Issa Rae about creating space for Black people to share their narratives, “As long as the people who are in charge aren’t us, things will never change.” I think we can apply this to most of our work. The world many of us are fighting for—a world centered in freedom, equality, inclusion, and justice—is going to be led by us. Are you ready for that? It sounds scary and it may come with mistakes, but what we have right now isn’t working for all of us and is not rooted in freedom. Can you imagine, create, and take ownership of that kind of future? Yeah? Great, let’s go!

I’m Out of Clever Titles—Let’s Close the Wage Gap Already!

Did you know October 21 was Latina Equal Pay Day? I told you last month this was coming. We’re in Q4 and yes, it has taken this long for Latinas to make what white men made last year alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened economic security for Latinas in the past 18 months. Before the pandemic, 15.2% of adult Latinas and 20.9% children lived in poverty. That rate rose to 16.8% of adult Latinas and 23.1% children. As the largest wage gap for women by race, this means a loss of more than $1,100,000 for Latina women over a 40-year career. Read our data about equal pay for Latinas and watch the recap from our IG Live conversation with Isabella Gomez.

October Must-Reads:

This month, Hilary Woodward, Director of Strategic Communications, asked Why Aren’t You Watching Women’s Soccer? and Sharyn Tejani, Director of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund, reflected on four years of #MeToo going viral and how that pivotal moment has since helped advance survivor justice.

We celebrated Latinx Heritage Month with stories from Leila Jade Levi, Senior Counsel for Reproductive Rights and Health, about labels and what it means for her to be Latina, and Stephanie Hernández, Manager of Campaigns, who joined her mother in a conversation about her lineage and preserving family history.

And we are hoping to manifest a future with paid leave and a stronger, more dignified child care industry. Laura Narefsky, Counsel for Education and Workplace Justice, wrote about why we are long overdue for paid family leave. And read What Build Back Better’s Child Care Plan Will Mean for Families and Early Educators by Melissa Boteach, Vice President for Income Security and Child Care/Early Learning.

Feminist Moment of Joy, Okay?!

This month’s feminist moment of joy should be no surprise: Insecure is back on HBO for a final season and I’m officially unavailable every Sunday night. I’ve followed the show since the beginning—and Issa since her YouTube days with The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Our English language doesn’t have the words to describe how inspired I am by Issa, on and off screen.

Whether it’s the relentless truth telling of Pauli Murray, naming your fears and still embracing agency like Britney Spears, or carving your own path and career like Issa Rae, these inspiring acts and more are pushing me to dream of and manifest political, social, and creative freedom—and I hope you’ll join me in that pursuit.

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