Company Culture
Under Armour ( 2.9 stars on InHerSight ) has faced complaints about an uncomfortable culture from employees citing company-sponsored strip club visits and inappropriate behavior from executives. And an alleged romance between CEO Kevin Plank and MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle, whom he often consults for business advice, isn’t helping prove the company’s professionalism to employees. Wall Street Journal
- Johnson & Johnson ( 4.0 stars on InHerSight ) is under investigation after reports of alleged asbestos contamination in the talc used in its baby powder and other products has led to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. The company has denied the allegations, but The New York Times and Reuters uncovered internal documents discussing the risks of talc in Johnson & Johnson products and how to keep negative findings from getting out to the public. Johnson & Johnson has since suffered stock losses of up to 12 percent. NY Times
In the News
When it comes to benefits, paid family leave is one of our most-loved. Here’s a quick guide to where the 2020 presidential candidates stand on the issue. Refinery29
Alright ladies, time to suit up! A federal judge in Houston has ruled that excluding women from the national draft is unconstitutional since women have proven they can serve in combat roles. The case was brought forward by the National Coalition of Men, a men’s rights group. For now, the ruling does not require any government action, but perhaps a requirement for women’s draft registration may be on the horizon. If registering in the draft is what it takes to shut meninists up (or leads them to more productive men’s issues, like male sexual assault) sign me right up! NY Times
In the latest Hollywood Diversity Report, UCLA researchers have some encouraging news: Diversity has improved on both the big and the small screens! A few highlights: 8 out of 10 top TV shows had a cast comprised of at least 21 percent minority actors; the number of minority-created TV shows has more than doubled in the last five years; and the percentage of people of color acting in lead roles in hit movies has risen about 6 percent in the last year. The reception to this increased diversity has been undoubtedly positive, particularly within film, where movies with higher percentages of minority actors saw greater profits. Fortune
Last week, Coast Guard lieutenant Christopher Paul Hasson was charged with amassing a cache of weapons and drugs. Even more worrying, however, is that he was allegedly hoarding these items as he planned a domestic terror attack that targeted well-known Democratic politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Cory Booker, among others. It’s interesting (and by interesting, I mean terrifying!) how many women end up on hit lists of white nationalists. Refinery29
More unsettling news, unfortunately. A scandal was ignited last week when Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged with two counts of solicitation of prostitution. But Kraft’s case is only the tip of the iceberg — the massage parlor where police surveilled Kraft’s solicitation is at the center of a multi-million dollar human trafficking sex ring in Florida. NY Times
Black History Month is ending soon, so we’re taking just another last minute to highlight some of the awesome things black women are doing!
(Don’t worry, though. We promise to continue delivering the same diverse, intersectional content we always have.)
Ruth Carter and Hannah Beachler made history at the Oscars, both becoming the first black people to ever win an award in their respective categories—Carter won best design for her work in “Black Panther” and Beachler won hers for best production design, also for “Black Panther.” Black women altogether won three Oscars, with Regina King’s win of best supporting actress for her role in “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Elle
Singer R. Kelly is finally behind bars for allegations of 10 counts of criminal sex abuse going back decades, and we have black women to thank for that. Although these allegations were no secret in the music industry, they were ignored for years, but black women activists refused to let his crimes against young black girls go unpunished. CNN
A study conducted by the Silent Spring Institute found that products commonly marketed to black women, particularly hair products, were found to have high levels of toxins. That’s why these three women set off to start Sabreen Cosmetics, their own non-toxic vegan beauty line for black women. Black Enterprise
Around the World
Saudi Arabia : Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has appointed Princess Reema bint Bandar as the country’s first female ambassador. Reema, who has served as vice president of women’s affairs at the General Sports authority, has been known as an advocate for the inclusion of women in sports and the workforce, and as a supporter of the prince’s reforms. Bloomberg
China : In an effort to reduce workplace discrimination, the Chinese government has barred employers from asking women applicants about their marital status and intentions of starting a family. NY Times
Australia : After losing an initial ballot to two men, Julie Bishop, a foreign minister of the Liberal Party with high approval ratings, has announced she will not seek reelection. Her departure from office signals a disturbing shift of women leaving Australia’s conservative parties (the Liberal Party is considered center-right) and echoes Angela Merkel’s decision to step away from politics after seeing declining support within her party. NY Times
By Mitra Norowzi
