‘I Can’t Feed My Children’Click to expand Image People congregate outside a World Food Programme food distribution center in Yakawlang, Bamyan province, Afghanistan, January 1, 2026. © 2026 Sayed Hassib/Reuters A man in westerHuman Rights Watch · Jul 17, 2026
This Week in Women’s Representation: Hegseth Rolls Back Progress for Military Women; Darline Graham Nordone, Sister of Lindsey Graham, Heads to the SenateWeekend Reading on Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment, in judicial offices and in the private sector inMs. Magazine · Jul 17, 2026
Maine ICE agent linked to fatal shooting has history of domestic violence accusationsThe man identified as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot a Colombian immigrant in Maine on Monday had a documented history of domestic violence against two previousThe 19th · Jul 17, 2026
Antiabortion Extremists Can’t Target Abortion Pill Prescribers If They Don’t Know Their NamesFour years after the fall of Roe , telemedicine is not just a convenience. For thousands of women, it is the best or only option. Telemedicine’s success means that antiabortion threats have grown moreMs. Magazine · Jul 17, 2026
Saving Seneca Falls: The U.S. Birthplace of ‘All Men and Women Are Created Equal’ Needs SavingA caved-in roof. A crumbling porch. A memorial water wall in need of restoration. These are just a few areas of the $10 million of deferred maintenance needed at the Women’s Rights National HistoricalMs. Magazine · Jul 17, 2026
Labelle’s ‘Chameleon’ At 50 — The Radical Swan Song Of A Black Female Supergroup2026 marks 50 years since pioneering glam rock trio Labelle released their sixth studio album Chameleon , bringing to a close one of the most radical reinventions in music history. Six years earlier, Essence · Jul 17, 2026
Todd Blanche Suggests He Is Open to Using the DOJ to Restrict Mailing the Abortion PillAntiabortion Republican senators scored a major win from embattled acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during his contentious confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Justice. Texas Sens. John Ms. Magazine · Jul 17, 2026
7 Essential Tips To Protect Your Teenager’s Mental Health This SummerRaising a tween, teen, or young adult in today’s world? You’ve got questions. And during the summer when they have more free time? How much independence is too much? When do you hold firm and when do Essence · Jul 17, 2026
A Look At Diahann Carroll’s Beauty Moments Through The YearsWhen you hear the name Diahann Carroll you think of a mellifluous voice contrasted with a bunch of no-nonsense badass characters that you wanted to be like. She was someone who embodied the word diva Essence · Jul 17, 2026
The Funniest Posts From Women This Week (July 11-17)“terrible time to have a history degree & pattern recognition skill”HuffPost Women · Jul 17, 2026
Can’t Orgasm? How Couples Can Have Mutually Gratifying SexDoes sex seem more satisfying for your partner than it does for you? Do you give pleasure, but not receive it? You may be a victim of the orgasm gap—snappy branding for a shabby situation. The dispariRewire News Group · Jul 17, 2026
One year later, 988 still doesn’t have a hotline for LGBTQ+ youthDuring Pride month last year, almost 70,000 LGBTQ+ young people sought specialized help from 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline. That was the last time they were able to do so. As of today, The 19th · Jul 17, 2026
Darline Graham’s career centered disability. Now she could help shape national policy.Unlike her late brother Lindsey, whose political career spanned 33 years, Darline Graham has never run for or held elected office — until she was appointed to serve the remainder of the U.S. senator’sThe 19th · Jul 17, 2026
Libya: ICC Greenlights First Case to Move to TrialClick 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 CoHuman Rights Watch · Jul 16, 2026
Aasna SijapatiAasna Sijapati sramashwar July 16, 2026 Senior Research AssistantGuttmacher Institute · Jul 16, 2026
This Black-Owned Wellness Retreat Reminds Us To Honor Our Bodies At Every AgeImagine yourself at 90 years old. You can do the splits, dance, and maintain a high quality of life. Seems impossible, right? It’s not. Founder of Ageless Mobility Aliya M Brooks’ grandmother, Millie Essence · Jul 16, 2026
Guttmacher Releases New Data on Travel for Abortion Care in 2025Guttmacher Releases New Data on Travel for Abortion Care in 2025 July 22, 2026 sramashwar July 16, 2026 News Release Homepage featured title Patterns of Travel for Abortion Care Continued to Shift in Guttmacher Institute · Jul 16, 2026
What would it take to end child marriage? There’s a new federal push to limit it.Genevieve Meyer describes her childhood in the 1980s as being filled with “a lot of violence, a lot of volatility and a lot of instability.” She was raised in Southern California by a single mom who sThe 19th · Jul 16, 2026
‘The Wrong Kind of Girl’: Feminists Warn of the Fallout From Supreme Court’s Trans Sports DecisionThe Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Tuesday, June 30, that states may prohibit transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity, holding that the Equal ProtectMs. Magazine · Jul 16, 2026
The Dangerous Unraveling Of The United States’ Family Planning Safety NetThe Dangerous Unraveling Of The United States’ Family Planning Safety Net Policy Analysis jloewenberg July 16, 2026 July 14, 2026 Exclude from search No Automatic Redirect OffGuttmacher Institute · Jul 16, 2026
Keeping Score: Feminists Denounce Supreme Trump Anti-Trans Ruling; Trump Tries to Hijack America 250; Camp Mystic Will Not Reopen; Birthright Citizenship Safe for NowIn 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 Ms. Magazine · Jul 16, 2026
The public’s view of the Supreme CourtOne of the more controversial topics concerning the Supreme Court is how attuned justices should be to public opinion. An even more fundamental question, however, is how closely public opinion matchesSCOTUSblog · Jul 16, 2026
A Mom Said Infant Formula Killed Her Baby. The Manufacturer Closed the File.In September 2016, a distraught mother sent infant formula maker Mead Johnson a message: “REMOVE ME FROM YOUR LIST!!!! DO NOT EMAIL OR MAIL ME ANY MORE! “It is because of your animal based pre-term arRewire News Group · Jul 16, 2026
US Communities Face Broken Promises on Air Pollution MonitoringClick to expand Image Robert Taylor in Reserve, Saint John the Baptist Parish, in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley. October 17, 2023. © 2023 Eli Reed for Human Rights Watch On July 13, the Trump administratioHuman Rights Watch · Jul 16, 2026
Ukraine: Russian-Run Schools Violate Children’s RightsClick to expand Image A mother hugs her children after their return from the occupied territory of Ukraine via the Ukraine-Belarus border, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Volyn region, Ukraine, onHuman Rights Watch · Jul 16, 2026
Medicaid Postpartum Coverage Extension TrackerThis page tracks recent state actions to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage, including approved and pending 1115 waivers, legislation that will require the state to seek federal approval through a SPKFF Women's Health Policy · Jul 15, 2026
Pakistani Strikes in Afghanistan Raise Civilian Casualty ConcernsClick to expand Image Residents walk through the rubble from Pakistani airstrikes that killed civilians in the village of Mandokhail, Chamkani district, Afghanistan, June 29, 2026. © 2026 Saifullah ZaHuman Rights Watch · Jul 15, 2026
For Black women hit by anti-DEI backlash, this election is personalATLANTA — Kecia Ellick doesn’t see herself as having much in common with Keisha Lance Bottoms, beyond them both being Black women in their 50s who are mothers and neighbors — and having names that souThe 19th · Jul 15, 2026
You’ll Be Able To Buy Non-Toxic Braiding Hair At Sephora SoonWhether you’re a diehard boho braids lover or a queen of crochet, the innovation in braiding hair has been little to nonexistent. But Ruka, a Black-owned brand , is completely flipping the industry upEssence · Jul 15, 2026
How The National Coalition Of 100 Black Women Is Building Opportunity Through Sisterhood And ServiceCourtesy of Coca-Cola® At the ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola®, Dr. Virginia W. Harris, National President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women , reflected on how the organiEssence · Jul 15, 2026
Ciara And Her 2-Year-Old Are Already Sharing Beauty RitualsWhen women think of their earliest beauty memories, their mothers often come to mind. From watching them put on their lipstick (then sneaking some when they’re not looking) to stealing their favorite Essence · Jul 15, 2026
Senator Cory Booker Reflects On Love And Hope As America Celebrates Its 250th YearWhile United States Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey joined the Global Black Economic Forum’s (GBEF) Business Summit and Public Convention during the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, helping shape cEssence · Jul 15, 2026
Domestic violence groups fear survivor services could disappear without warningDomestic violence organizations are raising the alarm over a proposed federal rule change that policy analysts say politicizes the federal grantmaking process and clears the way for officials to canceThe 19th · Jul 15, 2026
Patterns of Travel for Abortion Care Continued to Shift in 2025Patterns of Travel for Abortion Care Continued to Shift in 2025 Report sramashwar July 15, 2026 Exclude from search No Facebook Image MAPS July 2026 preview social@4x.png Twitter Image MAPS July 2026 Guttmacher Institute · Jul 15, 2026
The court’s criminal law term: overview and observationsApproximately two weeks after the final opinion of the 57 argued cases decided by the Supreme Court in the October 2025-26 Term was filed, this column presents an overview of the “pure” criminal law dSCOTUSblog · Jul 15, 2026
Tia Williams’ ‘The Missed Connection’: Inside The Author’s Hot New Romance NovelThe summer months are a perfect time to lose yourself in the pages of a juicy page turner . Even if your bank account or PTO balances are coming up short, the right book allows you to easily escape wiEssence · Jul 15, 2026
‘I Don’t Want To Die’: Texas Patients Are Afraid to Get PregnantThe fear of losing their lives is precisely what many pregnant Texas residents say they’ve experienced after four young women died in the state when they were unable to access medically necessary aborMs. Magazine · Jul 15, 2026
You Will Hear These 10 False Narratives About Abortion. Here’s All You’ll Need to Fight BackMisinformation about abortion care is rampant and being weaponized at state and federal levels to justify wide-ranging restrictions across the United States. Ensuring awareness of these narratives, anMs. Magazine · Jul 15, 2026
This AI Chatbot Pushes Conversion Therapy on Trans UsersEditor’s note: This story contains sensitive content, including depictions of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and transphobic extremism, conversion practices, and discussions of suicide. If you or a loved one Rewire News Group · Jul 15, 2026
FCC Officials Took Pricey Gifts From Paramount as the Company Needed Approval for Billion-Dollar DealsPresident Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for the 2025 Kennedy Center honors gala. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images The rich and famous who filed into the Kennedy Center’s opera hoProPublica · Jul 15, 2026
Justices Kagan and Barrett testify before CongressIn the first appearances by members of the Supreme Court before Congress in seven years, Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified on Tuesday in both the House of Representatives and the SeSCOTUSblog · Jul 14, 2026
Effortlessly Chic: The Ultimate Guide To Shopping Luxury Flip-Flops This SummerHavaianas may have laid the groundwork, but they’re no longer the only flip-flops defining the category. Once reserved for beach vacations and poolside afternoons, the simple sandal has evolved into oEssence · Jul 14, 2026
At a health clinic built ‘for women,’ patients say their pregnancies went undetectedThis story was reported in partnership with LA Public Press , an independent nonprofit newsroom advocating for a better Los Angeles. When Areli Ramos arrived for her appointment at the women’s health The 19th · Jul 14, 2026
Why everyone will bring Ken Paxton’s abortion record up in his Senate raceTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton is so staunchly anti-abortion that his office observes June 24, the anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade, as a holiday. The Republican’s actions to block abortiThe 19th · Jul 14, 2026
My Sister, My Mother, and Me: How ESSENCE Festival Helped Us Find Joy While Caring for Our Mom With Alzheimer’sI’m cold. Freezing in fact. I’m on a flight from Los Angeles to New Orleans and Delta insists on keeping the cabin temp at a balmy 58°. But my teeth-chattering, frigid plane flight will be soon worth Essence · Jul 14, 2026
Guttmacher Institute Opposes Proposed Federal Funding Rules That Threaten Reproductive Health Programs and ResearchGuttmacher Institute Opposes Proposed Federal Funding Rules That Threaten Reproductive Health Programs and Research July 14, 2026 jloewenberg July 14, 2026 News Release Homepage featured title GuttmacGuttmacher Institute · Jul 14, 2026
The nation’s largest school system is expanding special education for its youngest learnersPreschoolers with disabilities in New York City will gain access to an unprecedented set of programs and services thanks to a major expansion in special education announced Tuesday by Mayor Zohran MamThe 19th · Jul 14, 2026
U.S. Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche and the Antiabortion Machine’s Pressure CampaignJudges, lawyers and sexual abuse survivors have raised very strong reasons why it would be reckless and unconscionable for the Senate to confirm Todd Blanche to the post of Attorney General of the UniMs. Magazine · Jul 14, 2026
Two cheers – but not three – for Roberts and BarrettChief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett deserve high praise for the pivotal role they played at the end of the just-concluded term in two key cases. One is Trump v. Barbara , the monuSCOTUSblog · Jul 14, 2026
“My Sex Life Came To A Screeching Halt”: Halle Berry Gets Unfiltered About Menopause“I got plummeted into Hell and realized I was in perimenopause,” Halle Berry tells ESSENCE exclusively. Without warning, the rest of her body felt the changes, too. “I had vaginal dryness and it felt Essence · Jul 14, 2026
The biggest Supreme Court surprises this termAt the end of a recent talk on the Supreme Court’s latest term I was asked what surprised me most about the term. I was not surprised by the results in the most high-profile cases of the term, such asSCOTUSblog · Jul 14, 2026
Executive Power and its LimitsWatch on YouTube Please note that this transcript has been edited for clarity. Zachary Shemtob: [00:00:00] So first of all, thank you so much to Amy. I’m really excited to have this conversation. TherSCOTUSblog · Jul 14, 2026
As Transgender Troops Leave the Military, California Seeks to Help Them Start New LivesThis story was originally published by CalMatters . Sign up for their newsletters. U.S. Navy sailor Chase Humes is moving back to his dad’s house in Texas. Last month, the 25-year-old was notified thaRewire News Group · Jul 14, 2026
What Trump’s AG pick has said about LGBTQ+ rights, abortion and the Epstein filesActing Attorney General Todd Blanche will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for a confirmation hearing to consider his official nomination to a post he has held since April. PrThe 19th · Jul 14, 2026
What We Uncovered About the Sexual Assault of Alice Sebold and a City’s Buried Rape CrisisIllustration by Vanessa Saba for ProPublica. Source images: The Washington Post/Getty Images, Leonardo Cendamo/Getty Images, Onondaga District Attorney, County of Onondaga, State of New York, CourtesyProPublica · Jul 14, 2026
Beyoncé and Rihanna Confirm Capris Are Back—Here’s How To Wear Them IRLIf you spent any time scrolling through your feeds this past weekend, you already know that Beyoncé and Rihanna completely dominated the internet during JAŸ-Z’s historic concert. While their presence Essence · Jul 13, 2026
The Biggest Threat to Women’s Sports Isn’t Trans Athletes. It’s the Trump Administration’s Failure to Uphold Title IX’s Promise of Equal Opportunity.The politicians who have spent years claiming to "protect women's sports" have been remarkably absent when it comes to enforcing the law that actually guarantees women equal athletic opportunities. W Ms. Magazine · Jul 13, 2026
Samara Cyn Teams Up With DJ Premier To Reimagine “Can I Kick It?” For MLS“Precocious” is probably the word I would use to describe Samara Cyn . At just 27 years old, the rapper is a sponge of everything Hip-Hop. With co-signs from Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Denzel WashiEssence · Jul 13, 2026
Idaho voters will weigh in on one of the strictest abortion bans in the countryIdaho voters will weigh in on their state’s abortion laws this November. The secretary of state’s office certified a ballot measure that could, if passed, overturn one of the strictest bans in the couThe 19th · Jul 13, 2026
If This Sounds Like You, You Might Have ‘True Crime Brain’True crime brain is easy to slide into, experts say, especially for women.HuffPost Women · Jul 13, 2026
Is Martha’s Vineyard Only For The Wealthy? Resident India Rose Debunks This And Other Common MythsIn Black America during the summer, there are some guarantees we can (almost) universally agree on: We’re getting invited to at least one al…EssenceAug 10resilience
AOC is freezing her eggs — and sharing the process onlineU.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is taking social media followers behind the scenes as she freezes her eggs. The New York Democrat announc…The 19thAug 10politics
The real-life, offline campaign of Francesca HongMILWAUKEE — State Rep. Francesca Hong, Democratic candidate for governor of Wisconsin, looked out at a crowd of 1,300 supporters. Her earlie…The 19thAug 10politics
‘Even the nuns are mad’: Catholic sisters are standing for Haitians outside ICE officesBLUE ASH, OHIO — The first Haitian immigrant reported to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office at 7:42 a.m. on Sunday. …The 19thAug 10immigration
US Activates Long Unused Deportation CourtClick to expand Image An image of US President Donald Trump hangs from the Department of Justice Building in Washington, DC, May 18, 2026. ©…Human Rights WatchAug 10immigration
Massachusetts expands abortion access to any point during pregnancyMassachusetts eliminated its cutoff for when someone can get an abortion, making it the tenth state — along with Washington, D.C. — to allow…The 19thAug 10choice
The Ritual Report: The Healing Powers Of A Generational Girls TripESSENCE Senior Beauty & Style Editor Akili King believes ‘glow’ is more than skin deep. In The Ritual Report , she shares personal healing p…EssenceAug 10resilience
Todd Blanche Confirmed as Attorney General After Anti-Abortion CommentsPlus: Voters in Kansas and Missouri reject ballot initiatives that may have further curbed abortion access. Each week, Rewire News Group edi…Rewire News GroupAug 10politics
4 Essence Editors On Their Favorite Summer-To-Fall Nail ColorsThere are officially 43 days left of summer (yes, I’m counting and dreading it!). But there’s one thing that makes the gradual transition to…EssenceAug 10equality
Justice Alito isn’t going anywhereThirty-three years ago today, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn-in . At the Court On July 27, the Trump administration asked the Supreme…SCOTUSblogAug 10politics
Trump Accounts could benefit kids. But can they access them?Trinity Coleman of Boones Mill, Virginia, gave birth to twins in May 2025. Under a new program created by 2025’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act…The 19thAug 10breakthroughs