Supporting All Women Doesn't End With Women's History Month
Today, we wanted to take time to honor and celebrate the visibility of trans and non-binary people. In 2020, more than 44 trans people were killed and there have been at least nine reported deaths this year, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Most of the trans people that were targeted were Black and Latinx women.
Transgender women are women. In honor of Women’s History Month, GLAAD created a petition to support transgender women and girls. For resources on how you can support the transgender community, click here.
Trans rights = human rights.
Hey amigxs!
It’s Wednesday! This week marks the end of Women’s History Month (even though women should be celebrated 365 days of the year). We have rounded up all of the women-owned small businesses that were highlighted this month and listed four new businesses to check out. There’s also a new book rec that we know you’re gonna love.
¡Pa’lante!
20 Women-Owned Businesses to Support Now and Always 💼
By Maria Elena Perez and Nikki Rojas
For Women’s History Month, we decided to highlight four unique women-owned small businesses a week that we hoped our readers would check out and support. Showing support for women-owned businesses is vital to making sure they succeed and that their communities succeed as well.
Check out the full list of recommended businesses here.
Women In The News 📰
Women Demand Action When Men Use Holi As License to Harass, Assault: Women in India are becoming increasingly more vocal about the harassment and sexual assault they’ve experienced at the hands of men during Holi celebrations. Jasmeen Patheja, the founder of Blank Noise, told The Lily about her organization’s efforts to remind everyone that Holi “is not an excuse for sexual harassment.” Blank Noise is just one of many orgs pushing back against sexual harassment and assault during the Hindu celebration.
Read about what India’s women are doing to end harassment during Holi here.
Black Women Elected Officials Say Arrests Being Used to Silence Them: As Black women continue to grow their political power, they’re seeing increasing resistance against them. Georgia Rep. Park Cannon was recently arrested while protesting the state’s new racist voting law. In the fall, Kentucky Rep. Attica Scott was also arrested during a Black Lives Matter protest. Scott told The 19th the arrests send a very clear message: “We can come for the very people that you put in office to speak for you and to be your voice.”
Read more about the Black women elected officials who have been arrested in their bids to save democracy here.
Despite Obstacles, Women Keep Making Gains in Politics: Last week marked a huge win for women in politics. On Wednesday, Dr. Rachel Levine made history as the first openly trans woman in federal office. Dr. Levine was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 52-48 to serve as assistant health secretary. Meanwhile, Kim Janey also made history when she became Boston’s first Black mayor and first female mayor. Janey was sworn in as acting mayor after Marty Walsh was confirmed as Labor secretary in the Biden administration.
Learn more about these historic appointments here and here.
You Should Read This 📚
Find Susan Elia MacNeal on Goodreads | Pick up “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” from Talking Leaves…Books
Remembering Maxie 🐶
Hey everyone. Today we remember Maxie, my family dog, who crossed over the rainbow bridge earlier this week. For 16 years, Maxie brought the sass, snuggles and laughs to the Perez family and to all of their friends. She was a one-of-a-kind pup who brought so much joy to everyone she met and she will be forever missed. Sleep in peace, sweet Maxie 🌈.
- Maria Elena
Thank you so much for reading! If you’d like to send us questions, suggestions or just say hello, you can email us at peromakeitnewsy@gmail.com.
- Maria Elena and Nikki
P.S. Don’t forget to share Pero Make It Newsy with all your amigxs, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!