Media Round Up: Week of August 9th

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:

Ambition Has Always Been ‘Ladylike’

Jessica Bennett, The New York Times

Biden’s potential VP candidates have endured an influx of criticisms over the last few weeks. Immodest, ambitious, unlikeable – there are endless attacks on women in politics. This sexism is amplified for the Black women in the running, like Kamala Harris, who also face racist stereotypes. Professor Keneshia Grant stated, “If you are a Black woman, and you show up in a space with new ideas, asking people to be different than they have before, then you are subject to this criticism about not knowing your place, being too ambitious, wanting too much.”

You can read the full article here.

How sexism is going to make Kamala Harris’s life harder

Amber Phillips, The Washington Post

California Senator Kamala Harris has been announced as Biden’s VP pick, making history as the first woman of color on a major party presidential ticket. In the upcoming months, she is sure to face continued sexism and racism on the campaign trail. Harris faces the double bind of showing that she’s ready to be commander in chief without appearing too tough, and jeopardizing her likeability. She’ll also have to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that she’s qualified for executive office. Click to read more about the challenges facing Harris.

You can read the full article here.

100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment: Unpacking the Legacy

Teen Vogue Staff, Teen Vogue

To commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, Teen Vogue is launching The Uncounted, a series to highlight the stories of women of color who have been left out of history. Writer and activist Raquel Willis, actor Yara Shahidi, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and more weighed in on voter suppression, and importance of on-the-ground organizing, and the meaning of this anniversary.

You can read the full article here.

At least 11 women have vied for U.S. vice president. Here’s what happened to them

Rachel Hartigan, National Geographic

Kamala Harris isn’t the first Black woman to run for vice president. At least 11 other women have vied for the position, mostly running long-shot campaigns on third party tickets. In 1924, suffrage leader Lena Springs was the first woman to received delegate nominations for VP (although she did not secure enough). In 1952, Charlotta Bass became the first Black woman candidate for VP on the progressive party ticket. Click to read the stories of these trailblazing women.

You can read the full article here.

The story of Black women in politics: How we got to Kamala Harris’ ascent

Janell Ross, NBC News

Powerful women like Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm, and Barbara Jordan broke down barriers from Black women in politics and helped pave the way for Kamala Harris’ historic nomination. Take it from the nominee herself, who says, “Chisholm opened the door and created what some would call the politics of possibility, just the image of a Black woman on the Hill. And as the country has changed, Black women have fought for and won a place that is more than public helpmate, private strategist and diligent worker, whether people like that or not.”

You can read the full article here.

 

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