The Most Influential Women

For a special cover, former President Barack Obama reflects on the most influential women in his life and his new memoir, A Promised Land.

Oh, and do you recognize that jacket? (Hint: It’s the same one he sunk a three-pointer in two weeks ago). https://t.co/0mKkR2K7t8 pic.twitter.com/XAECT0KXci

— InStyle (@InStyle) November 19, 2020

What’s the most badass thing about Michelle, Malia, and Sasha? “They all have multiple badass qualities,” Obama say… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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  (@InStyle) November 19, 2020

In an excerpt from the first chapter of his memoir, Obama introduces us to his family and life in Hawaii: “The thou… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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  (@InStyle) November 19, 2020

We celebrate @barackobama’s, ‘A Promised Land,’ with this special cover. We asked Obama to wear the jacket he sank the three pointer in while campaigning with Biden. He was surprised: “I’ve got better jackets.” When reminded, he grinned. “I showed some swag in that one.” @instyle pic.twitter.com/yhhje1JHix

— Laura Brown (@laurabrown99) November 19, 2020

Honor And Protect

“We vote to honor those who came before us and to protect those who will come after us.” Meghan, The Duchess of Su… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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When We All Vote (@WhenWeAllVote) August 21, 2020

Stake Your Place

When I saw Oprah interview Michelle Obama, Oprah asked how Michelle got over feeling intimidated sitting at big tab… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Heidi Stevens (@HeidiStevens13) October 16, 2019

Good Gains

The new faces of Congress. This is not a drill! #DemsTakeTheHouse #ElectionResults2018 https://t.co/lNlWwRAi48

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Brittani Jackson, MD (@DrBrittaniJ) November 07, 2018

290+ State leg seats flipped 29+ House seats flipped 7+ Gov flipped 7 State leg chambers flipped 4 GOP supermajorit… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) November 07, 2018

Democratic gains at the state level are the most important, and most easily overlooked. 333 legislative seats, 7 ne… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) November 07, 2018

Hell Yes

At a town hall meeting in Johannesburg, Obama called on women to take positions of power because men are starting t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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  (@HuffPostWomen) July 18, 2018

Obama calls for women to get more leadership roles: Men are "getting on my nerves" hill.cm/bMcyRuk https://t.co/emMJMKdocQ

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The Hill (@thehill) July 18, 2018

Mighty Michelle

Michelle Obama's visit leads to $1M investment in mental health of women and girls dlvr.it/QWVJQ4 https://t.co/wUnoaJbZB4

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IndyStar (@indystar) June 07, 2018

Chat Away

Obama: We need to elect more women because "men seem to be having problems" hill.cm/ii1N4mL https://t.co/RXV4kmCInH

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The Hill (@thehill) December 04, 2017

Happy #InternationalWomensDay!

So impressed by the extraordinary girls I met at @CardozoEC who represent the beauty and diversity of this country.… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

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Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) March 08, 2017

On International Women’s Day, @MichelleObama and I are inspired by all of you who embrace your power to drive chang… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

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Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 08, 2017

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Michelle Obama

Celebrating the beauty and diversity of our country on this #InternationalWomensDay with some of the many fierce and promising girls here at DC’s Cardozo Education Campus. I loved visiting this school because it tells the American story in so many ways. Three years ago, Cardozo established its International Academy with only 150 students, but today it boasts nearly 400 who are thriving in and out of the classroom. By embracing young immigrants and their diverse cultures and contributions, Cardozo is a model for our entire country. The girls I met with today are ready to take on the world. We’ve just got to make sure that the world is ready for them.

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.@MichelleObama & Chancellor Wilson empower our Cardozo ladies today for #InternationalWomensDay @dcpublicschools https://t.co/n9EktejrgC

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Cardozo EC (@CardozoEC) March 08, 2017

In honor of #InternationalWomensDay, @BarackObama shares a touching letter he and @MichelleObama received:… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…

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The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) March 08, 2017

Your Body, Your Choice. Thanks, President Obama

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Laura Bassett: Obama Moves To Protect Planned Parenthood Funding, Permanently

The Obama administration has proposed a new rule that would prevent states from defunding Planned Parenthood or any other family planning provider for political reasons. The new rule which the Department of Health and Human Services proposed last week, says that states cannot withhold Title X federal family planning money from certain recipients for any reason other than the “provider’s ability to deliver services to program beneficiaries in an effective manner.” That means states can no longer vote to defund Planned Parenthood because some of its clinics offer abortion services.

“This will make a real difference in so many people’s lives,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood. “Thanks to the Obama administration, women will still be able to access the birth control they need to plan their families, and the cancer screenings they need to stay healthy.” The Title X program provides basic preventive health care and family planning services for 4 million low-income Americans. About 85 percent of patients who use Title X have incomes below $23,500. Planned Parenthood serves about a third of those patients, using the $70 million a year it receives in Title X grants to subsidize contraceptives and cancer and sexually transmitted infection screenings for people who can’t afford them.

More here

All Who Want To Serve Are Welcome. Thanks, President Obama

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Helene Cooper: Pentagon Set To Lift Ban On Transgender People Serving In U.S. Military

The Pentagon next month will announce the repeal of a policy banning transgender people from serving openly in the military, Defense Department officials said on Friday, moving to end what has widely been seen as one of the last barriers to service. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter has called the regulation outdated and harmful to the military. A year ago, he directed officials from all the military branches to determine what changes would be needed to lift the ban, in a tacit recognition that thousands of transgender people were already in uniform. Under the Pentagon’s plan, first reported by USA Today, each branch will put in place policies covering recruiting, housing and uniforms for transgender troops.

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Pentagon set to lift ban on transgender people serving in U.S. military nyti.ms/28TKgIm

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The New York Times (@nytimes) June 25, 2016

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Ashley Broadway-Mack, the president of the American Military Partner Association, a support network for partners and spouses of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender troops and veterans, said in a statement that “our transgender service members and their families are breathing a huge sigh of relief.” Estimates of the number of transgender people in the 1.2 million-member military range from 2,000 to more than 15,000. As with the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that applied to gay men, lesbians and bisexuals until it was lifted in 2011, current rules have done little to keep transgender people out of the military. Instead, they have forced many to lie about their status and keep it a secret. Since taking the defense secretary post in February 2015, Mr. Carter has set about dismantling discriminatory rules in the services, including opening all combat positions to women. This week, Eric K. Fanning formally took over as Army secretary, becoming the first openly gay leader of a military service branch.

More here

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