Dispatches From The War On Women: Valuing Women's Work

Welcome to Dispatches, your round-up of the latest news from the frontlines of the War on Women. Have a story from your state or an idea on how to push back? Share them here and fight back against the War on Women.

This weekend we celebrate Labor Day, and with that in mind, here’s why we need the Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act. While we’re at it, we should have a Farmworkers Fairness Act also. Both stories underscore that there is no labor in this country that is more undervalued and under-appreciated than women’s work. In case that point wasn’t any clear, take a look at Republican economic policies. They say it all.

The close of the Labor Day holiday also marks the official end of summer and the official start of the school year for many of us. But not all starts to the school year are the same and this time of year can bring its own challenges, especially if your child has special needs.

Back-to-school is also a good time to remember all the benefits Title IX confers, like legal protections for pregnant and parenting students.

So, ladies. Is a tight vagina empowering?

The Democratic National Convention starts this week, and Erin Kotecki Vest is dragging her two kids and ailing body across the country to attend. Here’s why.

Republican leaders like Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan like to position themselves as intellectuals, but Kristina Chew explains why these GOP intellectuals are really know-nothings.

Ilyse Hogue has this very smart take on the Republican convention and their “love” of women.

Despite the fact that the evidence squarely shows that ex-gay therapy is abusive and destructive, the practice is still ongoing and accepted. That has to change.

Instead of supporting struggling schools more taxpayer dollars are going toward a creationist museum.

Kids really can take care of business. These Los Angeles middle school kids won a district-wide ban on styrofoam.

Finally, EA Sports will, for the first time, include international female hockey stars in NHL 12, the latest version of its National Hockey League game. About time!

Thanks for checking back and don’t forget to send in your stories, suggestions and comments. We’ll be back each weekday with the latest in the best and the worst from the War on Women. So long as the battle rages, we’ll cover the latest, so please check back!

Photo from timefornurses via flickr.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Winn A.

6:11PM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

Thanks!

September 5
send a green star

Joe R.

4:30PM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

Thanks Jessica!

Nils Anders L.

2:07PM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

Thanks

Danuta W.

3:08AM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Phillipa W.

2:51AM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

Barbara S, your story is shocking. I wish it wasn't common. It has always amazed me that men get higher pay than women on the basis that "they have dependents", or even get jobs in the first place. Last time I checked, it was women who gave birth, not men. And yeah, a sexist bastard hiring COPS to kill his wife - well that about says it all, really.

Barbara S.

1:13AM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

I began working in 1965. I began as a lowly secretary, and worked my way up - in less than a year - to a Jr. Claims Adjuster. For the next 10 years I spent my days settling (fairly) my own claims, and showing MEN who just graduated from college HOW to do theirs. Imagine my surprise when I learned I was making $376/month, and THEY were coming in at $750/month! I was told it was because men were obligated to pay for their wives and their children. Are you kidding me?! Most of them weren't even married yet (children? How would I know?). But there I was... training men making MORE before they started working, and being trained by ME, more than twice as much as I'd made in the two years I'd worked hard to get where I already was... It was totally insulting. And then, when my mother's car was struck at a stop light by someone we insured who was going 50 m.p.h. and she was severely injured, my boss threatened to fire me from my job, if my mom didn't "settle" for the amount to repair her car, which was hit so hard, her engine was knocked loose! I didn't know about this - until her claim from the Long Beach Office was sent to our Office to be filed. I sat down and read the file... and then I walked into his office, told him what a bastard he was, raked all the file folders off his desk, and yelled, "I quit" when I walked out. Later, he was sentenced to Life in Prison for having his wife killed by two off-duty cops, because she was suing him for half of his pension, in their divorce.

Dolly Navina L.

1:09AM PDT on Sep 5, 2012

Nice!

James M.

10:20PM PDT on Sep 4, 2012

The only serial rapists I have documented are
members of a right wing theocratic bordering
on talibanic party, sir.....(you know who you are)

September 4
send a green star

Dan B.

9:10PM PDT on Sep 4, 2012

Listen to Lilly Ledbetter!

Rmoney + Lyin' Ryan = of, by, and for the rich white men.

The regressive Republican Party of No is obstructionist, mean-spirited, thuggish, religiously fanatical, scientifically ignorant, corrupt, hypocritical, untrustworthy, xenophobic, racist, sexist, homophobic, evolution and global warming denying, oily, anti-environment, anti-health, anti-consumer, anti-choice, anti-birth control, anti-education, anti-equal pay, anti-99%, pro-banks, pro-big corporations, union busting, Medicare mashing and Social Security slashing, fiscally irresponsible, misleading, authoritarian, selfish, greedy, out-of-touch, dishonest, lacking compassion, warmongering, and otherwise dangerous.

Don't make a Mittstake. NEVER vote for Republicans!

David F.

7:42PM PDT on Sep 4, 2012

Funny, The Dems war cry Repubs “war on women” over and over. Then their convention keynote speaker is a serial rapist. “LOL”
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/pearl/www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6315/strange.html