Hey John,

I’m Selina—Senior Manager of Creative and Digital Strategies here at NWLC. I’m usually that person behind the scenes making sure you’re getting our emails, but now I’m stepping out from behind the curtain to write to you after LySaundra’s incredible run as newsletter writer, uplifter, and playlist maker.

While I won’t be making you all any playlists (your girl refuses to pay for any music streaming services), I will be flooding you with pictures of my roommate’s cat, Mike, whom I love dearly, the occasional so-bad-they’re-good tv recommendations (this week I’m watching The Ultimatum), and all the joy+gender justice information you need right now. Because remember, joy is resistance. Legggooo!

JUSTICE. KETANJI. BROWN. JACKSON.

Okay, technically we have to refer to her as Justice-designate Jackson until she’s sworn in, but whatever, I’m still over here celebrating that the first public defender and Black woman will be the next Supreme Court Justice! In case you missed her confirmation hearings, she was on fire—so much so we had to make a little fan cam for her:

Justice Jackson showed us exactly what it means to persevere. She demonstrated such poise and patience during the bad faith attacks at her hearings. On top of that, her experience as a federal judge, public defender, and proven record of protecting our rights makes us even more excited to see her take a seat on the bench of our highest court.

But really, let’s Tax the Patriarchy.

Imagine if billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk paid their fair share in taxes. We could invest in child care, health care, universal paid family and medical leave, and so much more. Our tax code is not race- or gender-neutral and disadvantages women, people of color, and families with low incomes. Not to mention how our tax code benefits the super wealthy and has left the rich to get richer, while leaving everyone—especially women and people of color—behind.

If you could choose what investments to make if the wealthy paid their fair share taxes, what would you choose? Check out our rad Tax the Rich Calculator to see what we could afford if we Tax the Patriarchy. And if you want to read more about why taxing wealth is a gender and racial justice issue, read our report.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Did you know that SAAM exists because of the foundation created by Black women activists who fought against race-based and gender-based violence? We still have a ways to go but without them, our movement wouldn’t be where it is. Check out our TikTok on SAAM’s history, and learn more about what NWLC does every day to in the fight to end sexual harassment with initiatives like We, As Ourselves, and the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund.

Pandemic Impacts

Airlines may be lifting their mask mandates, but the pandemic isn’t over, and neither are the impacts that have left women still reeling. After two years of the pandemic, we wanted to see how women are actually doing, and it’s sobering. There were over 1.1 million fewer women in the labor force in February 2022 than in February 2020, in part because women have shouldered most caregiving demands brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. Among parents who lost or quit their job during the pandemic, only 41 percent of mothers have gotten a new job. We’re entering yet another year of the pandemic, and while the American Rescue Plan Act and other relief measures the past couple years have helped, we won’t reach a full equitable recovery until there are policies in place to ensure an economy that works for all of us. Read our report.

Happy 50th Title IX!

To mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX, we’ve joined forces with Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and Women’s Sports Foundation to support all the amazing things Title IX has helped students as well as all the efforts to continue to support Title IX protections and enforcement. Check out our new campaign, Demand IX and sign our petition.

Must-Reads:

• At the Center we know that gender justice isn’t just achieved through legal and policy change—it's realized through shifts in the stories we read, and watch, and the culture we live in. So fittingly, our team can connect our issues to just about anything that we’re watching. Read our latest blogs on how gender justice relates to Abbott Elementary, The Dropout, and Everything Everywhere All At Once.
• Read our biweekly update on the State of Abortion. Get the lowdown on what’s going on with abortion and what you can do as constant attacks on abortion access continue and as we anticipate a Supreme Court decision to overturn or gut our right to abortion recognized by Roe v. Wade.
• Check out why there’s a gender and racial wealth gap for women and why Black women in particular are so affected by student loan debt.

Is it my allergies or am I crying because we’re coming to the end of my first newsletter?

Thanks everyone for sticking with me this far for my first ever newsletter! To follow the tradition of ending our newsletters with a bit of joy: I’m so happy to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring and am determined to not let my spring allergies keep me down. I’m excited for warmth, sun, and all the camping and hiking trips.

And another piece of joy? This year the Law Center is turning 50. YEARS. OLD. We’ll be celebrating all year long but for now, you can check out our cute lil’ 50th logo on our website.

To finish off this newsletter, here is Mike, the cat that I don’t own but live with and love. May you all find something you enjoy this week as much as Mike enjoys sitting on backpacks.

Until next time!