Lauren Kokum

Lauren Kokum researches the intersection of religion and ethics with public policy at a think tank in Washington, D.C. She favors museums, slam poetry, and musings on race, gender, and human rights. | All opinions expressed here are her own.

Posts Written by Lauren

Three olympian women compete in hurdles
By Lauren Kokum • 7 years ago

#Rio2016: Competing While Female

Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson is the fastest woman in the world after winning the gold medal in the women’s 100-meter dash. Jemima Sumgong, of Kenya, dominated the women’s Olympic marathon when she earned the country its first gold in the race. U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky broke her personal record and won first place in the women’s 400-meter freestyle. And in the 100-meter freestyle, Simone Manuel became the first African-American female swimmer to take home a gold medal in an individual race.

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By Lauren Kokum • 8 years ago

Missouri Bill Would Make Guns As Difficult to Access As Abortions

Ed. note: This post was originally published on the Community site.

One Missouri lawmaker has a novel approach to bring attention to the increasing number of abortion restrictions in her state: to make purchasing a gun just as difficult as obtaining a safe and legal abortion.

Ed. note: This post was originally published on the Community site.

One Missouri lawmaker has a novel approach to bring attention to the increasing number of abortion restrictions in her state: to make purchasing a gun just as ...

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By Lauren Kokum • 8 years ago

Granting Equal Access to Emergency Contraception

 

The Indian Health Service, or IHS, has released a long overdue policy to make over-the-counter birth control more easily accessible at its clinics. The updated policy aims to equalize access for all women by mandating that IHS-run pharmacies, emergency departments, and health clinics have contraception available according to federal guidelines.

 

The Indian Health Service, or IHS, has released a long overdue policy to make over-the-counter birth control more easily accessible at its clinics. The updated policy aims to equalize access for all women by mandating that ...

Credit: Charlotte Cooper
By Lauren Kokum • 8 years ago

We Must Start Moving Beyond the Politics of Abortion

I know I’m not alone in bemoaning the lack of productive dialogue present in the GOP’s first presidential debate. There was not much beyond inaccuracies spewed by the conservative candidates about women’s healthcare.

I know I’m not alone in bemoaning the lack of productive dialogue present in the GOP’s first presidential debate. There was not much beyond inaccuracies spewed by the conservative candidates about women’s healthcare.