The Daily Skimm

The Story

Our society is not set up to protect mothers.

What do you mean?

Women and men do not make the same amount of money for the same work. At the current rate, it will take close to 100 years for women to get paid as much as men. That's in large part because society still pressures women to take on the vast majority of unpaid work in households, including child care. Enter: 2020.

Tell me.

Women used to make up the majority in the workforce. But in the past year, mothers accounted for nearly half of the more than 2.3 million women who left the workforce. It comes as tens of thousands of schools have gone virtual and moms are increasingly unable to Hermione their way out of doing childcare and their actual jobs 24/7. Study after study has found that working moms are suffering from disproportionate levels of burnout and stress. It comes as Black mothers are reportedly leaving the workforce at more than twice the rate of white mothers. And it's not the only area where racial divides are growing.

Go on.

Black mothers also face disproportionate health inequities. Black women are more than three times as likely as white women to die of pregnancy-related causes. And may be twice as likely to experience infertility. People of color are less likely to have access to things like fertility or prenatal care. Systemic racism in health care is also apparent in clinical trials – where people of color are underrepresented. It comes as Black Americans are dying of COVID-19 at twice the rate of white Americans.

What's being done?

Black lawmakers have introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 to address these health inequities nationwide. It would fund community-based orgs that are working to promote equity and improve health care for moms. And would invest in things like childcare services, nutrition, and training programs against racial bias and discrimination. As for women leaving the workforce, the Biden admin's called it a "national emergency." And reportedly proposed a child tax credit (up to $3,600 per child) to help parents. It's hoping to hand out additional $1,400 stimulus checks. But there are more ways we can all help mothers brave this pandemic.

theSkimm

The pandemic has exacerbated flaws in the US system that's let down women and mothers. And it's continued to highlight racial inequities. Now, some lawmakers are taking initiative to address the problems lingering for decades.

PS: Want to learn more about how women are faring in this economy? We're going deep on all things "shecession" in the Skimm Money newsletter on Friday. Sign up to get it in your inbox.

Take Two

Today, former President Trump's second impeachment trial kicks off. Here's what you need to know:

Tuning in: The trial is slated to start at 1pm ET on all the major news networks and C-SPAN. The focus will be on whether it's constitutional to even hold a trial, considering Trump's out of office. The debate could last up to four hours, and then there's a vote. Over the next two days, each side will get up to 16 hours to make their case.

What to expect: Nine House impeachment managers (kind of like prosecutors) will rely on Trump's January 6th speech to argue that he incited the Capitol attack that left five people dead. Trump's new legal team has called the whole trial "political theater." And is expected to argue the House is ignoring info like when he told supporters to "peacefully" make their "voices heard." If Trump is convicted (an uphill battle), the Senate could bar him from holding elected office in the future.

And Also...This

What's got people crunching the numbers...

A $15 minimum wage proposal. Yesterday, the Congressional Budget Office – a nonpartisan group – published the cost-benefit analysis of paying workers $15/hour. Since 2009, the minimum wage has remained at $7.25 despite rising inflation. Last month, President Biden proposed more than doubling it as part of his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Now, the CBO's looking into the future, finding that such a move could lift 900,000 families out of poverty by 2025. And could potentially raise the income of about 27 million people. But the agency also found that the plan would cut 1.4 million jobs over four years – reigniting a longtime debate about the pros and cons of a min wage increase.

Waging bets: Supporters are liking the sound of low poverty. And criticized the CBO's finding of increased unemployment, saying the agency used outdated frameworks. Critics – bipartisan lawmakers and business owners – are saying 'I told you so,' pointing to the number of potential jobs lost.

What's got health officials alarmed…

COVID-19 variants. Yesterday, the World Health Organization questioned the effectiveness of current vaccines against contagious variants. And reportedly said it was "concerning" that the vaccines on the market could be less effective against the South Africa variant (B1351). Since last fall, the world's been monitoring the spread of B117, B1351, and P1. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have said there's evidence their vaccines are effective at combating the variants – though at a lower level. Now, the WHO's apparently saying booster shots are a must – something Moderna and Pfizer have been working on.

PS: We asked Dr. Geeta Swamy, OB-GYN, questions about pregnancy and the COVID-19 vaccine. Check out what she said here.

Who people are mourning…

Mary Wilson. Yesterday, the legendary singer and founding member of The Supremes died at the age of 76. Wilson had worked alongside Diana Ross and Florence Ballard in the 1960s. The Supremes – which would later have new members – became one of Motown's most successful groups with 12 No. 1 hits. They include "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," and "Stop! In the name of Love." Motown founder Berry Gordy remembered Wilson as a "trailblazer." RIP.

Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX). Earlier this week, he passed away after contracting COVID-19. He was 67. Wright, who had also been battling cancer, is the first sitting member of Congress to die after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Education and Labor Committee. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said Wright "emulated the very best of America." RIP.

Who's getting the world's attention...

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Last week, she received the Biden admin's "strong support" to become Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Now, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala – who was Nigeria's finance minister and worked at the World Bank for 25 years – is on track to become the first woman and first African to lead the org that has helped open up trade around the globe.

Who went from royalty to poetry...

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

The Search Is On

One more time for the people in the back: You should tailor your resume for every job you apply to. Yes, it's more work. No, it won't guarantee you get the job. But it can improve your chances. That's why we partnered with Indeed to share some tips to help.

If you just opened the doc and already hit a wall, check out some templates and examples for inspiration. Remember: you wanna be specific, straightforward, and concise. Make it easy for 'whomever it may concern' to find the experience, achievements, education, and skills that are relevant to the position. As in, the stuff mentioned in the job description. Use the same words wherever it makes sense. And read it over a few (hundred) times before you hit send. Indeed's professional resume reviewers will help you with alllll of this for just $19. Learn more.

This Black History Month, we're taking stock of the areas in our society where systemic racism still persists. And the people and orgs making history to change that.

Today, we're focusing on the educators. Think: LaGarrett King, Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), and Rachel Cargle to name a few. They're working to change school curriculums and make our education system more inclusive. Because Black history is American history.

Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today…

1. 11 new and buzzy books to put on your wish list. If reading + chill is your kind of love language, here are the books you'll want on your nightstand. Fingers crossed Cupid comes through.

2. A little something to help you celebrate V-Day. Dame's Kip vibrator is about the size of a stick of butter. It's easy to hold from lots of angles, and gets riiight where you need it. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 15% off.*

3. 8 nerdy but brilliant cleaning tips from scientists. You know how they say baking is just like science? Well so is cleaning. Here's how to channel your inner Bill Nye.

PS: If you've liked what you've seen here, you're going to want to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Because ICYMI: this section will be leaving the Daily Skimm soon. Sign up so you don't miss out on all our gift guides, streaming recs, life hacks, and more.

For when you keep hearing about this mindfulness thing…

Get the deets. Our Skimm Special podcast sponsored by WW (formerly Weight Watchers) breaks down what it is, where it came from, and how it can help you cope in stressful situations (see: all of 2020 and 2021). We dig into the science and get some expert tips to try it out. Listen here.*

For when you want to join Emily in Paris...

Don't we all? This flight club can help you save up to 90% on your next adventure. Think: roundtrip flights to Hawaii from $99 or Paris from $247 on airlines with flexible change policies. Skimm'rs can try it for just $1 by signing up in the next 24 hours. Don't wait.*

For when you wanna practice a little self-love this Valentine's Day…

Focus on you. This list has a hands-free vibrator, a plush robe, and a bathtub caddy. Because you deserve a little TLC, too.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm’rs

It's Black History Month so to celebrate we're recognizing Black leaders and Black-owned businesses & organizations for doing great things in their community. Want to nominate yourself or someone you know? Tell us here.

Get crafty...Diane I (MA). She's the founder of Lady Dye Yarns, an indie-dye yarn company that's been helping get folks registered to vote and collaborating with other small business makers of color. Learn more.

Piece by piece…Ericka C (TX). She and her brother started a jigsaw puzzle company that features art done exclusively by people of color. Join the fun here.

(Some) Birthdays...Michelle Moser (NY), Ellen Richman (CT), Elisabeth Robineau (CA), Caryn Riley (MN), Cheyanne Beck (MI), Jessica Hall (TX), Melanie Wyman (TX), Rachel Hughes (IN), Komal Harjani (UK), Agraj Rathi (CAN), Clare Carr (MO), Tyler Pao (CA), Aliza Selter (NY), Jessica Brown (TX), Alexandra O'Brien (VA), Elise Kim (NY), Thom Moore (OK)

Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain