Posts Tagged working class women

By Syreeta McFadden • 9 years ago

Hobby Lobby and the war on poor women

Years ago, my doctor prescribed oral contraceptives after I was hospitalized from a ruptured ovarian cyst. I had insurance through my employer at the time and paid a modest monthly copay of $10. When we switched insurance plans during an enrollment period, my coverage lapsed and I had to pay out of pocket for the medication. The snafu was quickly resolved but it was important information, a quick glimpse of the kind of expense I’d incur if I didn’t have a job, or the kind of job that would allow me to contact someone without taking time off work or fearing retribution from my employer to resolve the matter. I worked really long hours then, probably about 80 and ...

Years ago, my doctor prescribed oral contraceptives after I was hospitalized from a ruptured ovarian cyst. I had insurance through my employer at the time and paid a modest monthly copay of $10. When we switched ...
By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

New play explores the experiences of black women in construction work

Portland State University Assistant professor Roberta Hunte’s dissertation is the basis for My Walk Has Never Been Average, a play that reveals the stories of black women in construction. Hunte’s unique research includes the profiles of 15 black, female construction workers. One of them is Donna Hammonds, who shared her challenges working in the male-dominated field:

“She recounts one incident where she believed she was welding at 20 amps, but someone snuck around and amped her tool up to 150. ‘Sparks were flying. Fire everywhere. I thought my hair was on fire,’ says Hammond, who also recalls an electrician who avoided the appearance of working with her by making her “walk 10, maybe five paces behind him.” Men were not ...

Portland State University Assistant professor Roberta Hunte’s dissertation is the basis for My Walk Has Never Been Average, a play that reveals the stories of black women in construction. Hunte’s unique research includes the profiles ...
By Sesali B. • 10 years ago

Welcoming a new digital space: what “hood feminism” means to me

There is so much power in a pen (or a keyboard). Creating language to describe our lived experience is so transcending, turning abstract principles into discourse. I was reminded of this when I first heard about hood feminism. Blogger Jamie defines the parameters of her own existence and the ways in which she felt out of place in feminist spaces. She says:

“While Big Name Feminists are debating The End of Men, women on the margins–women like me–are sleeping at train stations and working double shifts for paltry wages. They are buying school supplies with rent money. They are fighting for citizenship because they aren’t the ‘right kind of immigrants.'”

This is reflective of the concerns that many women of ...

There is so much power in a pen (or a keyboard). Creating language to describe our lived experience is so transcending, turning abstract principles into discourse. I was reminded of this when I first heard about

By Samhita • 11 years ago

Elizabeth Banks doesn’t want to talk about her “heavy flow” to employers

She might play conservative Avery Jessup on 30 Rock, but Elizabeth Banks is no believer in taking away women’s health care. The Obama campaign has released this video of her talking about her history with Planned Parenthood, how important it was for her and for so many women, especially working class women. Best line, “Mitt Romney wants to take away cancer screening? What is he doing?”

Watch the whole thing:

(One note: Her explanation for why she is on birth control, while understandable and I’m sure true, seems hesitant. It’s OK to say we use birth control because we don’t want to get pregnant. Less unwanted pregnancies is less abortions–pretty logical to me!)

Transcript after the jump.

She might play conservative Avery Jessup on 30 Rock, but Elizabeth Banks is no believer in taking away women’s health care. The Obama campaign has released this video of her talking about her history with Planned Parenthood, ...