Groups that want to put a proposal before voters this fall to enshrine abortion into the Ohio constitution took their petition signature gathering efforts for a “trial run" this weekend, knowing they have a short timeline to make the ballot. And they say it was a...
In The Press
Women show their support during drive-through signature event in Chagrin Falls for abortion-rights amendment
They drove Saturday to Heritage Park, filtering in one car after another, to seek change in Ohio’s abortion law. Marla Zwinggi, who was hailed as a “Vaccine Queen” during the pandemic, organized a drive-through signature event for an abortion-rights constitutional...
Abortion-rights activists begin collecting signatures for Ohio ballot initiative
On Monday came the announcement that abortion-rights activists could begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that, if passed, would amend the Ohio Constitution to allow abortion until fetal viability in the state. "In Bainbridge in Geauga County, we will...
Commentary: Banning books is a futile practice serving no deed
Last March, I was invited by Christine Pearl ’11 to facilitate a book club session on my second favorite Toni Morrison novel, “Beloved.” The session was an extension of the efforts of the nonprofit organization Red Wine & Blue, whose mission is to empower and...
It’s Black History Month and NC Republicans Introduced a Bill to Limit Teaching of Black History
Renee Sekel, a Cary mom who works for the NC chapter of Red Wine & Blue, a group that seeks to mobilize suburban moms to get involved in politics, also opposes the bill. “I think most parents—and most kids—want our schools to teach accurate and complete history. ...
Stateside Podcast: The parents on the other side of the phone
On the night of the shooting at Michigan State University, students faced four hours of a shelter-in-place order. During that time many students were in communication with their parents; texting and calling them. On the other end of the phone, parents had to manage...
Reproductive rights advocates tell legislators to reject more abortion restrictions
Janice Robinson recalled a scary time when she was a pregnant 15-year-old in South Carolina, almost 50 years ago. Her mother took her to have an abortion. Her mother took her not to a medical doctor, but someone unlicensed and working in secret. Robinson said she...
After Oxford, gun violence advocates felt helpless. But there’s hope for change in Michigan now.
Kelly Dillaha, the mother of twins who attend MSU and were barricaded in their room just off campus during the mass shooting, said the school could not have done anything differently to prevent Monday’s violence. What would make a difference, she said, is gun reform....
‘We all ran for our lives’: MSU students describe mass shooting as a never-ending nightmare
Michigan State University students are angry. Yes, they are traumatized; yes, they are overwhelmed with grief and sadness. They know they will need mental health support in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. But, right now, in the wake of three students being...
MSU mom, anti-gun violence advocate calls for solutions after campus shooting
A Michigan State University mother and anti-gun violence advocate says Monday’s deadly shooting on campus reinforces her efforts to achieve sensible gun control. Kelly Dillaha’s phone was flooded Monday night with messages from concerned friends asking about her twin...
Recent Posts
Read This: The Climate Crisis Is a Health Crisis
Thank you to our guest author this week, Dr. Alice Chen! Learn more about Dr. Chen below and follow her on Bluesky here. When I was a kid, summers meant riding our bikes around the neighborhood, lazing around outside watching clouds and ladybugs, and generally...
Okay, But Why Is Minimum Wage So Low?
The federal minimum wage has been hotly debated since it began. Right now, in twenty states, even if someone is working full-time on minimum wage, they make just $20 over the poverty line. And in Georgia and Wyoming, the state minimum wage is actually less than that. It’s nearly impossible to make a living on that, let alone climb out of poverty and build any sort of wealth. It’s hard to imagine how this is a good thing, so why is our minimum wage so low?
Do This: Celebrate the Fourth of July with Red Wine & Blue
It’s a long holiday weekend, which means many of us have even less free time than usual. So our Easy A is simple this week — invite your friends and family to join you in the Red Wine & Blue community! As we celebrate America’s 249th birthday, we’re all worried...
Okay, But Why Are Kids Struggling With Their Mental Health?
Kids today have a lot to worry about. We all remember how hard adolescence was for us when we were growing up. We struggled with doing well in school, making friends, fitting in, and figuring out who we are. And today, kids are still struggling with those same things, plus things we never had to deal with, like gun violence, climate change, and making it through a global pandemic. We want to help, but it’s hard to know where to start, so we’re here to explore the root causes of their struggle and what we can do about it.
Okay, But Why Don’t Abortion Law Exceptions Work?
In states with strict abortion bans, the laws attempt to define specific cases where medical professionals can make exceptions. These are typically for situations involving rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at stake. However, too many real cases fall into legal and medical grey areas, leading to trauma, permanent physical harm, and in some cases, even death. What do we do when the law doesn’t reflect the reality of what many women, and even children, are experiencing?