Un programa federal de nutrición para madres y bebés de bajos ingresos incluye ahora conservas de pescado y frijoles, cereales integrales como quinoa y harina de maíz, y más dinero para frutas y verduras.

Theda Simpson, residente en el condado de Metcalfe, dice que recurrió al Programa Especial de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria para Mujeres, Bebés y Niños o WIC para obtener ayuda extra para pagar la fórmula de sus hijos, que tuvieron alergias a la leche cuando eran bebés. Se enteró del programa a través del departamento de salud local, y dice que fue una salvación para evitar que sus hijos pasaran hambre.

"Espero que todas las madres se enteren y conozcan el programa, para acceder y obtener la ayuda que necesitan para poder alimentar a sus hijos," dice Simpson.

Con los nuevos cambios, los niños de 1 a 4 años recibirán $24 dólares al mes, las mujeres embarazadas y posparto recibirán $43 y las mujeres lactantes $47, según los recientes cambios de la USDA.

Las investigaciones demuestran que el programa WIC ayuda a mejorar los resultados del embarazo, incluida la menor incidencia de partos prematuros, mortalidad infantil y bebés con bajo peso al nacer.

Karena Cash, de Kentucky Youth Advocates, dice que el programa WIC no llega a todas las madres o futuras madres del estado, aunque los defensores han estado trabajando para alcanzar más hogares, especialmente en comunidades latinas y entre cuidadores familiares. Los datos muestran que dos de cada cinco familias elegibles no participan en el programa.

"Alrededor del 96% de los lactantes de Kentucky están inscritos, mientras que solo el 60% de las mujeres y el 51% de los niños de entre uno y cinco años cumplen con los requisitos. Así que vemos discrepancias bastante grandes," informa Cash.

Tanya Torp, de Step By Step, Inc, un programa de Lexington que atiende a madres solteras jóvenes y a sus bebés, dice que uno de los principales obstáculos es la falta de comprensión en las tiendas de comestibles acerca de cómo funciona WIC y qué productos están cubiertos por el programa.

"Para nosotros, será muy importante poder trabajar con algunas de las tiendas y capacitar a los empleados para que puedan ayudar cuando alguien venga y haga preguntas sobre WIC," agrega Torp.

Los grupos de defensa han desarrollado un conjunto de herramientas en línea para las comunidades, líderes locales, y profesionales que atienden a niños pequeños para ayudar a correr la voz sobre el programa WIC. En todo el país, más de seis millones de mujeres y niños dependen de este programa cada mes.


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Women in California and across the country earn an average of 82% of what men make in the first 10 years after graduating from college, according to a new study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Researchers found that a significant portion of this disparity is attributed to where people work - three-quarters of men are employed in the private sector, compared to only half of women.

Mary Gatta is the director of research and public policy at NACE.

"The top industries where men were employed were manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, the fire industries, architecture, and engineering," said Gatta. "Women are in education, health care, social assistance, and professional and technical services. So women dominate more in lower-paid industries."

Advocates say school districts should introduce boys and girls to all types of occupations, and in particular, encourage girls to take classes in science, technology, engineering, and math.

California has tried to shrink the pay gap through public policy. Companies in the Golden State are prohibited from inquiring about a candidate's previous salary range during the hiring process.

They are also required to disclose salary ranges in job postings or upon request.

Gatta said colleges should offer robust career counseling to prepare students as they enter the workforce.

"We also need to think about salary negotiation," said Gatta, "and helping remove any concerns that recent college grads might have about negotiating, helping prepare students for salary negotiation."

She added that establishing a higher salary from the get-go pays dividends for many years.

Conversely, the pay gap persists as women progress in their careers, so they contribute less to Social Security and receive lower payments in retirement.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.




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Texas lawmakers passed the Life of the Mother Act during the legislative session. It was billed as legislation to clarify when doctors in the state can legally perform an abortion.

Texas adopted one of the most restrictive abortion bans in 2021. The ban allows the procedure only if the life of the mother is in danger or there is a risk of impairment of a primary bodily function.

Houston-based OB/GYN Dr. Damla Karsan said, despite the "clarification," medical professionals are still hesitant to provide care in most cases.

"It's been frustrating, because I feel restricted in my ability to offer them the full scope of options for their care," said Karsan. "I know it's really had a chilling effect on all my colleagues, and myself as well."

Karsan was involved in two legal challenges to the abortion ban, including the case of Kate Cox.

The Houston mother of two received national attention after traveling to another state to have an abortion after it was determined her third child would not survive.

Backers of the new legislation say it ensures women who have medical emergencies can get an abortion.

It defines "life-threatening" as a condition that's capable of causing death or serious injury. A survey of OB/GYNs in the state shows 60% of those who responded fear legal repercussions.

Karsan said if women need abortion care, there are organizations available to help.

"I direct a lot of people to the National Network of Abortion Funds," said Karsan. "Their website can connect you if you want to donate, if you want to volunteer, but also if you're looking for care. As usual it's the poor, the disenfranchised that are going to suffer the most."

According to the survey, many doctors are leaving the state or going into early retirement because of the abortion ban.




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Fighting for a wide range of people with a skill for compromise, is how Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, is being remembered for following her assassination Saturday.

A civic engagement group said she was a shining example of a woman in politics. Hortman's murder is seen by political observers as a stunning and tragic example of the increasingly violent tone surrounding public office in America. Hortman served as Minnesota House Speaker from 2019 until earlier this year, leading Democrats during power-sharing negotiations with Republicans in an evenly-divided chamber.

Michelle Witte, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, said Hortman stayed true to the mission of an elected official.

"Obviously, (a) rise to power but also just being in the community working at all levels, at the local level to engage people in issues that are important to them," Witte recounted.

Witte noted Hortman's willingness to make tough decisions was on display this spring when finalizing a new budget, as she received pushback from her own party during the negotiations. Witte pointed out Minnesota still has gaps in electing women legislators, despite having more female politicians than over half the states in the U.S.

She added Hortman was among the most notable women in politics statewide, with others including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.

In 2023, Hortman was credited for spearheading several major policies including paid medical leave, abortion protections, and a universal school meal program. While this year's power-sharing agreement with Republicans did have moments of friction, Witte said Hortman's arrangement with GOP House Speaker Lisa Demuth was symbolic of women succeeding in the world of politics.

"The League of Women Voters, we actually made a card out of the great handshake between Melissa Hortman and Lisa Demuth when they reach their power-sharing agreement," Witte recalled. "I was so proud of that because that is what we really work for at the League, is seeing that working together."

Witte hopes voters pay more attention to those examples of bipartisanship and appreciate elected leaders who go above and beyond to serve the public. She acknowledged the attacks on Minnesota lawmakers may make people feel anxious about taking part in democracy, adding the country needs to promote voter safety and prevent future candidates from being silenced.


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