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In 2019, Nevada got the United States' first majority-woman legislature, and when the session begins Monday, nearly 60% of its 63 members will be women.
For the first time there, or in any statehouse in America, women will have majorities in both chambers. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
For the first time there, or in any statehouse in America, women will have majorities in both chambers. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
While the Nevada legislature stands out in its scope of women's representation, what difference does it make?
Some academics are studying what that representation means. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
Some academics are studying what that representation means. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
For some Nevada lawmakers, they say the presence of so many women as peers has changed the kind of bills that have passed. That includes polices to expand:
— protections for pregnant workers
— paid sick leave
— abortion access https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
— protections for pregnant workers
— paid sick leave
— abortion access https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
Lawmakers in the most recent session also debated bills to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
And in 2017, Nevada lawmakers approved the Equal Rights Amendment as part of the decades-long effort to enshrine gender rights in the Constitution.
And in 2017, Nevada lawmakers approved the Equal Rights Amendment as part of the decades-long effort to enshrine gender rights in the Constitution.
"When I talk with my colleagues from other states, they are just astounded at the type of legislation that we're able to pass," said @Assemblywoman27 Teresa Benitez-Thompson, a Democrat. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
Professor @SondraCosgrove has been working with other academics to understand the totality of this kind of gender parity, including whether women legislators in Nevada are able to get all their priority bills through or if they have enough leadership power. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
Cosgrove hopes it will help shape conversations about what women's representation in statehouses means.
This year, the number of statehouse chambers with women majorities will be greater than all previous instances combined. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
This year, the number of statehouse chambers with women majorities will be greater than all previous instances combined. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
Women are the majority in the Colorado House, the New Mexico House, the Oregon House and the Rhode Island Senate — as well as both chambers in Nevada. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
In 2012, just 25% of Nevada legislators were women. At the time, nationwide the figure was 23.7%; that's up to 30.8% now, according to @CAWP_RU.
That's a record, even as women make up more than half of the American population. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
That's a record, even as women make up more than half of the American population. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
. @SondraCosgrove and her research colleagues, @JennieSweetCush and @msGSXR, hope to publish some of their work by the end of year.
They're considering several variables, including the effects of party control, the coronavirus and how many women are in chamber leadership.
They're considering several variables, including the effects of party control, the coronavirus and how many women are in chamber leadership.
The researchers are also factoring in the notion that women lawmakers advance more "women's bills." This requires nuance, said Cosgrove.
Benitez-Thompson said the most meaningful policy she helped advance last session related to the state's finances. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
Benitez-Thompson said the most meaningful policy she helped advance last session related to the state's finances. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
Women are expected to lead on key financial committees this year, as statehouses grapple with budget shortfalls because of the pandemic. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
When @Daniele4NV entered her first legislative session in 2017, she was one of only a handful of Black women to ever serve.
She said an older White lawmaker early on told her that "he never dreamed that he would see so many women and so many people of color" at the statehouse.
She said an older White lawmaker early on told her that "he never dreamed that he would see so many women and so many people of color" at the statehouse.
Diversity was among the central themes that emerged during researchers' interviews with lawmakers, according to @SondraCosgrove, as many of the women lawmakers said the difference in legislation should also be attributed to the growing diversity of the statehouse.
The Nevada statehouse has slightly increased its representation of Black people, Latinx, Asian Americans and LGBTQ+ lawmakers.
State Sen. Pat Spearman is a queer Black woman; Benitez-Thompson is Latina. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
State Sen. Pat Spearman is a queer Black woman; Benitez-Thompson is Latina. https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
The sentiment from lawmakers, according to Cosgrove: "If it's a bunch of White women, that's not diversity, and you're not actually bringing every voice to the table."
More from @bcrodriguez: https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
More from @bcrodriguez: https://bit.ly/3j1E0mq
We're covering statehouses nationwide and want to know what issues matter to you.
What bills are you keeping track of in your state? How do you plan to stay engaged during your state's legislative session?
Your response could help inform our coverage. https://bit.ly/2L4p8qW
What bills are you keeping track of in your state? How do you plan to stay engaged during your state's legislative session?
Your response could help inform our coverage. https://bit.ly/2L4p8qW
