Black Women in the News: The case against Fani Willis, heroic Sudan midwives, sports leadership trailblazers
Plus, a tribute to Black women wins Rio Carnival, Beyoncé's country music legacy, and insights from the frontline of reproductive rights.
THIS WEEK IN BLACK WOMEN NEWS
29 stories across global and national news, entertainment, sports, health, politics, legal, finance, and more.
POLITICAL & LEGAL
Why the Case Against Fani Willis Feels Familiar to Black Women
The New York Times, Clyde McGrady and Katie Glueck
“To many, there is something galling about watching Mr. Trump and his allies attack Ms. Willis over a consensual romantic relationship when he has faced accusations of sexual misconduct and assault. […]
Some lamented Ms. Willis’s conduct as a mistake, but not one that should remove her from the case against Mr. Trump. Others, thinking about their own experiences in the workplace, suggested another concern: They feel that Black women are held to a different standard and that Ms. Willis should have known that her identity, along with the enormous political stakes of the case, would create a white-hot spotlight on her personal conduct.”
MORE IN POLITICAL & LEGAL
“Who will replace George Santos? New York could elect the second Black Republican woman to Congress," The 19th News, Darreonna Davis
“Congress reintroduces ‘Protect Black Women and Girls Act’ after push from Black sororities,” The Grio, Ashlee Banks
"Notorious conservative activist’s lawsuit threatens grant program for Black women amid anti-DEI push," Salon, Tatyana Tandanpolie
"City of Cleveland launches Black Women and Girls Commission," News 5 Cleveland, Maya Lockett
“Who Speaks for the President? Depends on Whom You Ask.,” The New York Times, Michael M. Grynbaum
CULTURE & ARTS
Beyoncé Has Always Been Country
TIME, Taylor Crumpton
“The greatest influence in a girl’s life is her mother. Knowles-Carter’s mother, Tina Knowles, was born in Galveston, the birthplace of Juneteenth. By birth, she is connected to the first generation of Black people in Texas who were freed by General Gordon Granger’s orders on June 19, 1865. That is an unique experience that cannot be manufactured by a songwriting camp in Nashville. Or can be replicated by a white country music star born above the Mason-Dixon Line or outside of the United States.
When Knowles-Carter adorns herself in Western gear, it is not a virtue signal to the gatekeepers in Nashville to let her in. It is not a white flag to indicate her surrender, an acknowledgement that in order to be received in the country music industry that she must abject herself to their will. It is her trumpet. A trumpet that must be blown, for the walls of Nashville’s Music Row to fall down, so the rightful heirs of country music may come in.”
MORE IN CULTURE & ARTS
“Zero Black Women Have Won BAFTAs’ Best Actress Category in 76 Years, So When Will They?,” Variety, Clayton Davis
“The Lost Story of New York’s Most Powerful Black Woman,” The New York Times, Brent Staples
“Why the marriage rate is falling faster for some,” Vox, Jonquilyn Hill
“A house divided: These couples rep rival Black colleges, and it’s all love (except on game day),” Andscape, Mia Berry
"How to stay friends for 50 years? Ask the women of Sugar Hill.," The Washington Post, Kelyn Soong and Maya Valentine
"Shining a light on overlooked Black women photographers," CNN, Suyin Haynes
HEALTH & WELLNESS
5 Black women on the frontlines of reproductive rights (and what they say about the next phase of abortion rights)
Reckon, Annabel Rocha
”This movement, birthed by Black individuals, continues to mobilize to counter the attacks on abortion access and equitable sexual and reproductive health for birthing people and families. Reproductive justice intends to ensure the rights to more than what Roe protected – examining these issues from an all-encompassing human rights lens.
‘For Black women, and women of color in particular, that legal protection was, and still is, only one piece. Now, of course, it’s always jolting and devastating to have that taken away,’ said Regina Davis Moss, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice. ‘Roe represented the floor, not the ceiling.’”
MORE IN HEALTH & WELLNESS
“'I was terrified': Black women may prefer Black OB-GYNs due to fear of discrimination, dying during pregnancy,” NBC News, Claretta Bellamy
“New Study Urges Black Women to Avoid Hair Extensions For Fear of Hair Loss,” Essence, Sabrina R. Perkins
"When strength, resilience and #BlackGirlMagic is a burden," Chicago Tribune, Darcel Rockett
“Black Health & Wellness Pioneers: Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, A Progressive Surgeon And Oncologist," Essence, Dominique Fluker
“A 'Spritz Of Armor': How Fragrance Is A Self-Care Tool For Black Women,” HuffPost, Brittney Oliver
SPORTS
The Women’s Playbook
Essence, Shelby Stewart
“Meet the trailblazers who are smashing through barriers and lighting the way for other women to follow. The power players who appear here possess an innate knowledge of how to shape the world by infusing it with their tenacity and brilliance. They have not just redefined the game, but they’ve also become iconic leaders, role models and catalysts for change. From ball courts that pulse with energy to sprawling fields of dreams; from the grand stages of the Olympics to the hallowed halls of sports management, these women are rewriting the rule book and making the realm of sports better each day. For our ESENCE Black Women In Sports Leadership list, we’ve highlighted the MVPs who have reinvented the game in ways that are anything but ordinary.”
MORE SPORTS
“Meet The Basketball Analyst Breaking Barriers And Creating A Path For Women In Sports Media,” Essence, Melissa Noel
“Canadian trailblazers Sarah Nurse, Saroya Tinker reflect on experiences of being Black women in hockey,” CBC Sports, Zack Smart
“At Georgetown, Tasha Butts lives on,” Andscape, Sean Hurd
“How Black Women Elevated Sports Merch Fashion," Essence GU, Kenyatta Victoria
WORLD
As catastrophe grips Sudan, heroic midwives help women deliver babies in a warzone
UNFPA
“For women and girls, including the estimated 219,000 who are currently pregnant in Khartoum alone, not receiving essential health services could prove life threatening: Access to midwives is the single most important factor in stopping preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Some 24,000 women are expected to give birth in the coming weeks, in the throes of chaos and bloodshed, making it extremely hazardous for them to seek essential antenatal care, safe delivery services, or postnatal support.”
MORE WORLD
“Congo-Kinshasa: Women Hold Protest Against Fighting in Eastern Democratic,” AllAfrica, Republic of the Congo Melissa Chemam
“Rise of the ‘mother boss’: how female miners are taking control in DRC," The Guardian, Mélanie Gouby
“Rio Carnival: Tribute to black women crowned winner," BBC
"The Black ‘Banker Ladies’ Bringing Alternative Finance to Toronto," Next City, Likam Kyanzaire
Have you seen these missing Black girls & women?
Please visit Black and Missing Foundation on Instagram to view these and other missing persons posters.
