A Government for Big Tobacco and Bigger Families
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made multiple headlines this week—starting with the on-again-off-again tenure of Dr. Marty Makary in his role as FDA commissioner. The FDA has drawn t
Her Choice
News
The fact of the matter
A Second Opinion is a recurring series by Haley Proctor on the Second Amendment and constitutional litigation. On the ground floor of the Supreme Court building, a statue of the Supreme Court’s most i
Medication Abortion Is Back Before the Supreme Court, and the Stakes Are National
The mifepristone case that has landed on the Supreme Court’s shadow docket is the new face of conservative efforts to impose a nationwide ban on abortion. It’s possible that the Court is close and nee
Isan Elba’s New Beauty Forward Partnership Is Serving Black Maternal Health
Before CARE, “care packages” didn’t even exist. A term coined by the humanitarian organization in 1946, the first-ever care packages (15,000, to be exact) were sent to starving civilians in […] The po
Telemedicine Abortion Is Not Going Away: Julie Kay Reads the Tea Leaves on Mifepristone, Shield Laws and the Supreme Court’s Latest Deadline
Thursday, May 14, at 5 p.m. ET, the Supreme Court’s temporary stay in the mifepristone case is set to expire, once again leaving abortion providers, patients and advocates waiting to see whether the C
2026 Voices of Courage Honored Providers and Raised Critical Funds to Support Our Network
On May 4, 2026, the PRH community came together to honor two courageous abortion providers, Dr. Sarah Prager and Dr. Caitlin Bernard. The post 2026 Voices of Courage Honored Providers and Raised Criti
Keeping Score: Supreme Court Blow to Voting Rights Will ‘Silence Our Voices’; Conservative Judges Try to Restrict Mifepristone; Moms Worry About Putting Food on the Table
In every issue of Ms. , we track research on our progress in the fight for equality, catalogue can’t-miss quotes from feminist voices and keep tabs on the feminist movement’s many milestones. We’re Ke
A doctor was accused of fertility fraud. In Hawaiʻi, no law prevents it.
This story was produced by Honolulu Civil Beat, a nonprofit news organization covering Hawaiʻi that specializes in accountability and in-depth enterprise coverage. For more stories like this, subscrib
The ongoing fallout from the court’s redistricting rulings
Plus, the court is expected to announce at least one opinion this morning. Don’t miss our live blog.
Blair Imani on What Actually Changes Institutions (Podcast)
Millions of people learned the language of power online. So why do our institutions still feel untouched by it? The post Blair Imani on What Actually Changes Institutions (Podcast) appeared first on R
Kimberlé Crenshaw: Fighting Trump-Era Misogynoir Requires ‘Backtalking’
For decades, pioneering legal scholar and activist Kimberlé Crenshaw has shaped the language we use to understand systemic injustice—from coining the term “intersectionality” to helping launch the #Sa
A Unique Oregon Law Allows It to Block Healthcare Deals. In Five Years, the State Hasn’t Done So Once.
The post A Unique Oregon Law Allows It to Block Healthcare Deals. In Five Years, the State Hasn’t Done So Once. appeared first on ProPublica .
DR Congo: M23 Rebels Commit Atrocities in Eastern City
Click to expand Image The M23 armed group patrols Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo, December 13, 2025. © 2025 Jospin Mwisha / AFP via Getty Images The M23 armed group and Rwandan military forces ca
What Is Period Poverty? 5 Ways To Promote Menstrual Equity
Navigating life when Aunt Flo is visiting can be a pain in the you know what. It causes a shift in our day-to-day life, from pain management to the burden […] The post What Is Period Poverty? 5 Ways T
Indonesia Inches Towards Protections for Domestic Workers
Click to expand Image Activists demand the Indonesian parliament pass a bill to protect domestic workers outside the parliament building in Jakarta, August 14, 2023. © 2023 Tatan Syuflana/AP Photo Two
No Crew, No Problem: 5 Tips For Rocking ESSENCE Festival Solo
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is a love letter to Black women, and more of us are replying to that love letter solo. Every July, thousands travel to the ‘Big […] The post No Crew, No Problem: 5 Tips
Immigrants Detained in Chicago Military-Style Raid Seek Millions in Damages
The post Immigrants Detained in Chicago Military-Style Raid Seek Millions in Damages appeared first on ProPublica .
Shop These Chic Bikinis Ahead Of Your Summer Vacation
With the unofficial start of summer just weeks away, consider this your sign to refresh your swimwear lineup with chic bikinis that’ll carry you from Memorial to Labor Day. Whether […] The post Shop T
Why is RFK Jr. so worried about sperm count?
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has, historically, been very public about his concerns about what is plaguing the nation’s well-being. His long, complicated history with v
A brief guide to each chief justice of the United States
As of last Friday , SCOTUStoday (our weekday newsletter — subscribe here !) finished providing brief biographies of each chief justice of the United States, starting with John Jay and ending with John
Hip-Hop Has Always Addressed Mental Health, And These Songs Prove It
“See, to live, is to suffer—but to survive, is to find meaning in the suffering.” I first heard DMX speak those words in November of 1998. “Slippin’” was the lead […] The post Hip-Hop Has Always Addre
Polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS, has a new name
Polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS, has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. PMOS impacts an estimated 170 million people worldwide and is one of the most common
Can the state force religious preschools to promote other religions?
Please note that SCOTUS Outside Opinions constitute the views of outside contributors and do not reflect the official opinions of SCOTUSblog. On Thursday, the court may decide, in Foothills Christian
Solange’s Hair Stylist Jacob Aaron Shares Top Tips
“In The Chair” spotlights the incredible hairstylists and makeup artists in our community who are giving us major inspiration. Each week, they discuss their personal beauty and career journeys, what [
The latest on Trump's tariffs
Plus, what, exactly, is a true threat?
White Men Are Finally Catching a Break: Opinion
Hi, journalist John Q. Whiteman here, and I wrote this op-ed about diversity hires. (Yes, this story is satire, but it's based in reality—and Imani Gandy thinks there’s nothing funny about pretending
Feeling invisible, many disabled caregivers also need support
Helina Josephson retired from a career in university administration in 2017 due to autoimmune disease and chronic pain. She has ice pick headaches, which are exactly what they sound like — sudden, sta
ICC: Landmark First Hearing in Libya Atrocity Case
Click to expand Image Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri appeared before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, December 3, 2025. © 2025 International Criminal Co
Kevin Hart’s Company Fired Two Black Podcast Producers, Shelved All Their Work, Then Sued Them for Leaving
No matter your feelings towards Kevin Hart, his list of accomplishments is to be admired and respected. From taking home the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy […] The post Kevin Hart
There Is Danger in Silence: How to Mobilize Your Friends and Neighbors Into an ‘I Will Not Be Quiet’ Chapter
In 2016, just after President Donald Trump was elected to his first term, a small group of women crowded together in an apartment in Brooklyn. While balancing mugs and sitting crisscross on the floor,
On The ‘Real Housewives,’ Wealth Is Never Enough
The Real Housewives franchise has always been about the performance of wealth—aspirational, excessive, and just believable enough to keep us watching. When The Real Housewives of Orange County debuted
Why We Need Gender and Women’s Studies Conferences and Coalition Work Now More Than Ever
There’s a palpable buzz in the air when you walk into a gender and women’s studies conference: a mixture of excitement, apprehension, and the relief of finally feeling able to breathe again after tryi
Afghan Women’s Refugee Football Team Officially Recognized by FIFA in Landmark Victory
For the first time since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 that forced Afghan women athletes into exile, Afghanistan’s women’s refugee football team has officially been granted recognition to comp
The Best Black-Owned Vacation Dresses To Shop This Summer
All products featured on Essence are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. When I’m planning
The government’s fight against gender-affirming care just escalated
The federal government is escalating efforts to seek private medical data for children undergoing gender-affirming care, as at least one hospital faces the first known criminal probe of its kind. Las
The exit of this Trump administration official could threaten abortion access nationwide
Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary’s planned resignation creates a new opening for anti-abortion activists to push for national restrictions on the procedure — and in particular, limit the availa
A Century After the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Fight for Greenwood Continues
ThinkGreenwood is my gift to every Black town, neighborhood and community in this country where people seek to repair past harms and give themselves and their children a fair chance at a better life.
Michelle Obama To Bring ‘IMO: The Look’ Live Conversation To 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture
For decades, Michelle Obama and ESSENCE have existed in conversation with one another—through magazine covers, keynote interviews, and cultural moments that stretched far beyond politics and into the
Fighting back after the gutting of the Voting Rights Act
Cases and Controversies is a recurring series by Carolyn Shapiro, primarily focusing on the effects of the Supreme Court’s rulings, opinions, and procedures on the law, on other institutions, and on o
Everything A Trip To St. Lucia Taught Me About My Skin
I have always had a mundane relationship with my skin. Our relationship was pretty standard: it asked for things, and I delivered. During the brutal winter, it was parched with […] The post Everything
Court addresses one redistricting battle, faces another
Plus, Justice Samuel Alito extended his order restoring mail access to an abortion pill.
The Job Market Is Already Brutal. Now AI-Powered Job Scams Are Making It Even More Dangerous For Black Women
The job hunt has always been a stress-inducing process. It’s a never-ending cycle of apply, get rejected, apply again, complete a task, get an interview, then get ghosted. Rinse and […] The post The J
Women Have Sacrificed Too Much for the Careers of Powerful Men: Analysis
Cesar Chavez, Eric Swalwell, Justin Fairfax, and the gender politics of keeping their dirty secrets. The post Women Have Sacrificed Too Much for the Careers of Powerful Men: Analysis appeared first on
He Was Fired for Sexually Harassing Students. California Allowed Him to Keep Teaching Anyway.
The post He Was Fired for Sexually Harassing Students. California Allowed Him to Keep Teaching Anyway. appeared first on ProPublica .
Victoria Monét Releases “Let Me” Live Rendition Video Ahead Of Summer Tour With Bruno Mars
Victoria Monét is continuing the rollout of her latest era with the release of the live rendition video for “Let Me.” Directed by Kanya Iwana, the performance-focused visual places Monét […] The post
Court extends temporary order allowing access to abortion pill by mail
Mifepristone, one of the two drugs used in medication abortions, which are the most common form of abortions in the United States, will remain widely available throughout the United States, at least f
Angola: Flood Survivors Living in Precarious Conditions
(Johannesburg) – Angolan authorities should carry out an independent and credible investigation into the Cavaco River dike collapse and ensure that internally displaced communities receive immediate,
Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Leaders from the Feminist Movement
This blog is part of our series for AANHPI Heritage Month. You can check out the next blog in the series here. Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women and leaders have mad
SCOTUS Extends Block on Lower-Court Ruling, Keeping Abortion Pill Widely Accessible—For Now
The Court’s stay of a Fifth Circuit ruling that temporarily restricted mifepristone nationwide now expires on May 14, 2026. The post SCOTUS Extends Block on Lower-Court Ruling, Keeping Abortion Pill W
Stop Shaming Black Girls: The Toxic Policing of Black Prom Culture Has Gone Too Far
She better have a college fund. How did they afford all of that? I bet they live in the projects. Her dress, makeup, hair and nails are tacky! These are […] The post Stop Shaming Black Girls: The Toxi
Civil Rights Groups Launch Southern Voting Rights Mobilization Following Supreme Court’s Callais Decision
Civil and voting rights organizations across the South are launching a wave of rallies, trainings and grassroots mobilizations in response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callai
UN Official Would Reject US Funds with Discriminatory Conditions
Click to expand Image Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, during a press conference in Geneva, August 22, 2025. © 2025 Salvatore Di Nolf
How to Get Abortion Pills, Regardless of What the Courts Say
As legal battles over abortion pills continue to play out in the courts, many people across the United States are asking the same urgent question: If the Supreme Court or lower courts restrict access
Unboxed: How Fiber Artist Chelsea Billingsley Weaves Black Stories Into Fine Art
Some people pivot onto new paths later in life. Others just know that an unconventional life is what they’re meant for. Chelsea Billingsley, 29, has always been drawn to art. […] The post Unboxed: How
The Guttmacher Institute and Its Scientists Join Two Amicus Briefs Calling on the Supreme Court to Protect Access to Mifepristone via Telehealth
The Guttmacher Institute and Its Scientists Join Two Amicus Briefs Calling on the Supreme Court to Protect Access to Mifepristone via Telehealth May 11, 2026 mcherins <time datetime="2026-05-11T08:59:
Justice Samuel Alito opens up about oral arguments, judicial security, and his writing process
“It would be consistent with my public image if I told you that I spent the summer catching flies so we could pull the wings off the flies,” Justice Samuel Alito told an audience at the 5th Circuit Ju
The ripple effects of the Voting Rights Act ruling
Alabama has asked the court to address its own redistricting effort.
The Governor’s Races to Watch in 2026
Multiple women candidates are running in this year’s many open governor races leading up to the 2026 midterm elections in November. The post The Governor’s Races to Watch in 2026 appeared first on Rew
Why schools are opening parking lots for homeless students and families
SAN DIEGO — As an 8-year-old boy steered his bicycle in figure eights, his mother piled three plates with pizza and pineapple slices from an outdoor kitchen shared with more than a dozen other familie
Black Women Were Told Braiding Pain Was Normal. This Mother-Daughter Duo Built A Brand To Change That
For years, many of us had heard, or even experienced the same trauma: the dreaded itchy scalp that came from wearing our hair in protective styles. While we couldn’t eliminate […] The post Black Wome