Feminist Update: June 24, 2015

Feminist Update
Your weekly update on all things feminism. Keep up to date on the election, the news, and what is going on in the world of women.
 
WGF Updates:
Alexis Payne Advocates for Paid Sick Time: Alexis Payne, WGF Intern Extraordinaire and our Featured Feminist for this week, represented WGF at the Pittsburgh UNITED Coalition press conference advocating for paid sick time for workers. She gave a speech highlighting some of the benefits of having paid sick time. Often, workers without sick time are forced to decide between going to work while sick or calling off and getting no pay on top of the potential of being fired from their job.
GirlGov Trip a Success: The Women and Girls Foundation’s annual GirlGov trip to Harrisburg was again another success. Over 100 girls got together with WGF staff to learn about feminism, allocated grant money in a mock congress, played games, and shadowed state legislators at the state capitol in Harrisburg. All in all, it was our most successful year yet. Girls can stay involved with GirlGov year round, and we can’t wait to see them all at our future events.
 
In the News:
Tyra Banks Goes Make-up Free on Instagram: In a move to promote body positivity and self-image, supermodel Tyra Banks took to Instagram to post a no-makeup selfie. The post was captioned with a moving message about self-acceptance, using the hashtag #rawandreal. The photo was met with positive responses from both the media and women alike. READ MORE>>
Woman to be Featured on the $10 Bill: As the $10 bill, which currently featured Former Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Hamilton, grows due for a redesign, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew announced his intent to put an image of a woman on the bill. The choice is being discussed on social media, via the hashtag #thenew10. The announcement has been met with backlash, however; the movement Women on 20s advocates for a redesign of the $20 bill, which currently features controversial president Andrew Jackson. READ MORE>>
Loretta Lynch Sworn in as Attorney General: Loretta Lynch was sworn in as the US Attorney General last week, after a five-month nomination process. Her nomination was opposed by the Republican members of Congress mostly due to her support of President Barack Obama’s stance on immigration. She is the first African-American woman to hold the position. READ MORE>>
 
Election Updates:
Bobby Jindal Expected to Announce Bid: This afternoon, Bobby Jindal is expected to announce his bid to run on the Republican ballot. He will be the first Indian American to run for president. Currently the governor of Louisiana, he is a former Rhodes Scholar, and was the nation’s first elected Indian-American governor. READ MORE>>