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On May 7, 2024 the American Cancer Society (ACS) announced the launch of the VOICES of Black Women study, the largest behavioral and environmental focused population study of cancer risk and outcomes in Black women in the United States. In their press release, ACS explains “the VOICES of Black Women study will partner with communities of Black women…
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This Memorial Day, we honor and mourn the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives while serving their country. Our thoughts are with those whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice. We recognize that Memorial Day has particular meaning in communities of color, where many have given their lives for this country despite facing…
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Hair Relaxer Litigation Plaintiffs across the country in the federal court multidistrict litigation or “MDL” continue to seek justice for women who allege they suffered gynecological cancers as a result of chemical hair relaxers. The Court is managing the pre-trial investigation and evidence collection process (discovery), and holding the parties to strict deadlines. On May…
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This month is the tenth anniversary of the Flint, Michigan water crisis where residents uncovered that they were being exposed to lead, a highly toxic metal that is especially dangerous to children, through their public water supply. Ten years later, our clients in Jackson, Mississippi and Benton Harbor, Michigan are still fighting for access to…
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By Amalee Beattie, Equal Justice Society, Berkeley Law Public Interest Fellow Under the laws of the federal and most state governments, discrimination on the basis of a protected characteristic – such as race, sexuality, gender, age, disability, etc., – is prohibited. However, protections under this framework have historically been interpreted in a very limited way,…
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Hair Relaxer Litigation Plaintiffs across the country in the single federal court litigation (“multidistrict litigation” or “MDL”) continue to work to hold hair relaxer companies responsible for gynecologic cancers caused by their products. Over eight thousand women, represented by over 100 different law firms, have filed cases that are now pending before one federal judge,…
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Spring Greetings: To all those who celebrate: Ramadan Mubarak, Happy Easter, Chag Purim Sameach, Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak, and Happy Holi! In recognition of Women’s History Month, we are turning back to the topic of our inaugural newsletter, maternal health in the United States and more broadly reproductive justice. Below we share recent advances and setbacks…
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This is a guest article by Shiara L. Robinson of Brooklyn Law School. “When there is no name for a problem, you can’t see the problem, and when you can’t see it, you can’t solve it.” Kimberlé Crenshaw[i] The United States ranks 55th globally in its maternal mortality rate.[ii] Amongst high-income countries, the United States…
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Hair Relaxer Litigation Last month was the one year anniversary of the consolidation of cases across the country into a single federal court litigation (“multidistrict litigation” or “MDL”) seeking to hold hair relaxer companies responsible for gynecologic cancers caused by their products. Over eight thousand women, represented by over 100 different law firms, have filed…
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By Lisa Holder, President, Equal Justice Society We commemorate Black History Month in 2024 just a few years shy of its 50th anniversary, having first been observed in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. In his brief presidential message, Ford alluded to the observance of Black History Month being a “message of courage and perseverance” that…
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