Happy Friday! Welcome to our Media Round Up. Each week we’re collecting and sharing our favorite gender + politics stories. Here’s what caught our eye this week:

In the face of coronavirus, female world leaders stood out. These women are spurring change on a local level.

Sarah Stankorb, The Lily

Amid protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, women politicians are stepping up to respond to new challenges. Mayors and city council members have a new ability to impact the lives of their constituents, and are using that influence to serve. Read more about four women leading in their local communities.

You can read the full article here.

The Reckoning Will Be Incomplete Without Black Women and Girls

Tamara Winfrey-Harris, The Atlantic

While Black Lives Matter protests often focus on men, Black women and girls also interact with the criminal-justice system. Author Tamara Winfrey-Harris emphasizes the importance of recognizing these women and their experiences. She writes, “By minimizing the trials of black women and girls, the country will miss the full picture of devastation that the American police state imposes on African Americans.”

You can read the full article here.

Transgender Elected Officials From Andrea Jenkins to Gerri Cannon Share Their Stories

Elly Belle, Teen Vogue

Despite barriers that exist for many LGBTQ+ people, there are a growing number of trans legislators across the country. Teen Vogue spoke with seven different transgender politicians from across the country. Click to read more about their experiences, from launching campaigns to serving their communities.

You can read the full article here.

How White Women Can Be Better Black Lives Matter Allies

Jennifer Palmieri, Vanity Fair

White women have failed to be good allies to Black Americans, refusing to confront the troubling dynamic between the anti-racist movement and the women’s suffrage movement. Now, white women need to step up and use their voices to fight for others. Jennifer Palmieri writes, “Being let into the white man’s world without changing any of the underlying rules of how it operates will result in the same thing: power systems that default to white male leadership and keep systemic racism and sexism in place.”

You can read the full article here.

Female public health officials say they are ‘shocked’ by the harassment they face over coronavirus response

Soo Youn, The Lily

Women health officials have stepped up and provided strong leadership to their states during the health pandemic. Newly cast into high-profile, polarizing positions, many of these women are now facing personal attacks, criticism, and sexist remarks. The negative response is disheartening women, and pushing many out of their positions of power.

You can read the full article here.

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