Updates below include:

• Louisiana v Callias and the Voting Rights Act
• Family Care Act needs your help
• Vote16PA went to Harrisburg
• Medicaid and abortion access update
• The Fairness Act

Our Women's Rights Breakfast is next week!

May 29th from 8:30-10:30am at the Chester County History Center we will be honoring the 250th anniversary of the country with a program that dives into diverse gender and racial perspectives through conversations, performances, and presenters. On a personal note - albeit very biased note - you won't want to miss one of the speakers - a student I am working with from Project Dignity. Having read her draft speech I promise this is one you won't want to miss.

Buy your tickets HERE

What are we watching?

Alerts on current issues...

The Supreme Court guts Section II of the Voting Rights Act

At the end of April, the Court ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that race could not be considered when drawing electoral maps. In the wake of that decision, many states are now moving to redraw district lines in ways that could weaken Black voters’ ability to have meaningful representation—an outcome that represents a significant setback for racial equity and underscores how much work remains to ensure fair and inclusive representation for all communities.

To learn more about the case, click HERE.

Now that the House has passed the Family Care Act we need the Senate to do the same! Contacting legislators is one of the best ways to get involved and it is easier than you think. Click HERE for a step by step guide on how you can help get the Family Care Act across the finish line!

Our Vote16PA students took their work to Harrisburg! On May 6th, students met with legislators and staff, did lit drops, and were recognized on the House floor by Speaker McClinton! It was an incredible day with a packed schedule. Students are continuing to push for lowering the voting age to 16 in school board elections because those who are most impacted should have a say.

Do you know a female+ student age 15-22 who might be interested in joining Vote16PA? Let them know applications are open until June 30th and they can go to our website for more information and to apply!

Just two days ago, while not unexpected, Pennsylvania's Attorney General Sunday has appealed the Commonwealth Court's decision to allow patients to use Medicaid to access reproductive healthcare. This case will now move to the PA Supreme Court. Due to the appeal, the ruling has not taken affect - meaning, abortion access is still not available to Medicaid patients.

This is a friendly reminder that elections have consequences. In PA, the attoney general is an elected position that has a 4 year term and is elected on presidential years. Positions like this are some of the "lower profile" positions - meaning they aren't talked about as much as others - but they have significant impact across the commonwealth.

You can find a refresher on this case HERE and dig deeper on the Women's Law Project site.

The Fairness Act seeks to expand protections based on gender identity beyond established employment protections. This bill would prohibit someone from being denied basic rights like housing, education, or access to public accommodations based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

While the House passed the bill, it now awaits consideration in the Senate. It will, with the current Senate, unfortunately not get a vote. That said, it is important to celebrate the wins - the House passing the bill is important. We will continue to monitor this bill next session and will advocate for a different outcome in the Senate.

Read our news article here!

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