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

The Patriarchs’ War on Women 

Zoe Marks and Erica Chenoweth, Ms. Magazine 

In late 2021, the United States was officially declared a backsliding democracy – and that was six months before the fall of Roe v. Wade. Feminists in the U.S. have been sounding alarms about the repeated assaults on gender equality. Currently in the U.S., legislatures are, “… rolling back reproductive rights, legislating against trans youth and their families, and censoring school curricula about racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ issues and even what to expect at the gynecologist’s office.” Experts suggest that these trends in the U.S. reflect a pattern seen worldwide of the rise of patriarchal authoritarianism. 

Read the full story here.  

Cherelle Parker is poised to make history as Philly’s first female mayor 

Anna Orso, The Philadelphia Inquirer 

Cherelle Parker of Philadelphia is poised to become the city’s first female mayor. On Tuesday, Parker for mayor became the odds-on favorite to win the general election later this year. Philadelphia is the only other major city besides New York on the list of big cities in the U.S. that have never had a female chief executive. In an interview in February regarding the probability of Parker becoming the first female mayor, she said that representation is important, but emphasized that identity comes second to her qualifications.  

Read the full story here.  

LA’s political world mourns Gloria Molina, who blazed trails for Latinas in SoCal politics 

Rob Hayes, ABC 7 

Gloria Molina, a trailblazing political leader from Los Angeles, passed away over the weekend at the age of 74. Molina began her political career at a time when women and Latinos were less involved in the political landscape. Molina was the first Latina elected in many of the positions she held, including seats in the state Assembly, Los Angeles City Council, and county Board of Supervisors.  

Current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the following in response to Molina’s death, “She shaped Los Angles in a lasting way while paving the way for future generations of leaders. As the first woman Mayor of Los Angeles, I know I stand on Supervisor Molina’s shoulders.” 

Read the full story here.  

‘Real change starts at home:’ How the new Moms Demand Action leader is working to keep gun safety top of mind for Americans 

Jennifer Gerson, The 19th* 

Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens in America, surpassing car accidents in 2020. Groups like Moms Demand Action exist to advocate for gun reform. With the 2024 presidential election cycle at play, Moms Demand Action is set to activate a critical voting block: parents who want stricter gun legislation on the ballot box to ensure their children’s safety. As Angela Ferrell-Zabala assumes leadership of Moms Demand Action, she tells The 19th* about her focus going into her new position and the future of advocating for gun safety in America.  

Read the full story here.