Beauty

What Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’s Win Means for Women’s Health

A look back at Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’s efforts to impact women’s health issues in the U.S.—and how this momentum will inform the Biden-Harris administration….

Kamala Harris has made history as the first female, first Black, and first person of Asian descent to become vice president-elect. As the turbulent and trying Trump presidency comes to a close, and Harris prepares to assume her powerful post, this marks a moment of relief and hope for many women; an opportunity to gain back what’s been lost over the past four years, as well as push women’s health care forward for all.

“Time and time again, we’ve seen that women who fight power, who move into leadership positions, who challenge the system, are knocked back down, told to wait, told to be quieter and be nicer—this is especially true for women of color,” says Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “So when I watched Kamala walking onto the stage in Wilmington, Delaware, I felt like I was walking right alongside her. I felt like my daughters were walking with her, and my grandmothers and my aunties and my girlfriends across the country. She refused to back down no matter what adversity she faced, and now she is going to the White House. In claiming her own power, Kamala empowers us all.”

As the country readies for a new chapter, here we take a look back at the efforts Harris has made to impact pressing women’s health issues—from increasing access to abortion to improving maternal health, and fighting against racial disparities—and consider how this momentum is primed to continue during the Biden-Harris administration. As Johnson puts it, “We are finally beginning a new chapter: one where we take full control of our bodies, our rights, our democracy, and our futures.”

Expanding Affordable Health Care

In 2018, Kamala Harris penned a New York Times piece about losing her mother to colon cancer in 2009, and what it revealed about the fractured U.S. health system. She also explained why cosponsoring 2017’s Medicare for All bill with Senator Bernie Sanders was so important to her. “One of the biggest issues on the Biden-Harris ticket was healthcare—providing access to everyone, and ensuring the American population that they didn’t want to get rid of the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare because there’s so many people that rely on it as their form of healthcare,” explains Dallas-based ob-gyn Jessica Shepherd. “So one of their strong pillars was to restore that and make sure that that was not taken away. For a lot of people, that was one of their reasons for voting for that ticket. They were frustrated, powerless, and they felt that they very well could have lost their health care.” Though Biden and Harris have held different views on healthcare reform in the past, their shared goal of expanding health insurance will surely increase the number of insured, and reduce costs for many more American women, especially those from disadvantaged populations. Plus, the pair will be giving the U.S.’s global pandemic response a long overdue overhaul with their newly formed COVID-19 task force, comprised of leading scientists and public health experts.

Supporting Abortion Rights

Since entering politics, Harris has been a steadfast champion for reproductive rights. “As a presidential candidate, she offered an inspiring vision for making abortion more accessible and expanding reproductive health care across the country,” says Johnson. She also notes that in Congress, the vice president-elect was a lead cosponsor of the EACH Woman Act to boldly repeal the Hyde Amendment, a ban on abortion coverage in federal health-insurance programs, most notably Medicaid for people with low incomes, and ensure abortion coverage for all people, no matter how they get their insurance. In addition to consistently opposing judicial nominees who are hostile to reproductive health and rights, Harris also cosponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act, a federal bill that protects the right to abortion care by creating a safeguard against bans and medically unnecessary restrictions, as well as enshrines into law that a person’s constitutional rights should not depend on their ZIP code, highlights Johnson.

Broadening Birth Control Access

Since childhood, Harris has understood the importance of contraception, having spent holidays in India with her progressive grandmother, Rajam Gopalan, who in the 1940s was known for traveling to rural areas of the country to educate impoverished communities on how to get birth control. Throughout her career, Harris has been committed to improving access to birth control. Most recently, in July, when the Supreme Court announced it would allow employers to drop the Affordable Care Act’s no-cost birth control policy if they object to it on religious grounds, Harris released a statement calling on Congress to take action to protect and expand access to contraception.

In choosing Harris as his vice president, president-elect Biden is committed to protecting and expanding access to birth control at a critical time. “The loss of RBG and the new seat that’s been filled in the Supreme Court by Amy Coney Barrett will have a long-term impact on women’s health and reproductive justice, and we have some work to do in order to [undo] steps that we’ve made backwards to make sure that we don’t go back to where we were prior to Roe vs. Wade,” explains Shepherd. “Harris understands the importance of women’s reproductive health and how we need to allow for women to have access, whether that is abortion, contraceptive care, or family planning. All of those really kind of run together when taking the stance that we should support women in their choices, rather than alienating and ostracizing them.”

Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis

In the words of Johnson, vice president-elect Harris’s work on the maternal health crisis and its disproportionate impact on Black women is “nearly unparalleled.” According to the latest data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. “These outcomes are the result of bias of medical providers, structural racism, and economic inequality—leading to limited access to health care and a heightened risk of health complications,” explains Johnson.

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News

Content Creator Appeals to Nigerian Police Over Alleged Harassment and Blackmail by Former Partner, Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale

A Nigerian content creator has appealed to the relevant Nigerian authorities for intervention following allegations of persistent harassment, unwanted communication and blackmail by her former partner, Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale, whom she says is from Benin City.

Reported individual: Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale

According to the complainant, she and Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale were in a relationship for approximately four years before she decided to end the relationship following what she described as painful and distressing experiences during the relationship.

She alleges that since ending the relationship, Abgonghale has continued attempting to contact her despite her efforts to cut off communication. According to her account, even after blocking him, he allegedly continued reaching out through her family members and friends.

The content creator further alleges that Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale has repeatedly called her and addressed her using inappropriate and insulting names. She also told the Honk Magazine team that he allegedly contacted her mother and insulted her over matters concerning her daughter.

During a meeting with the Honk Magazine team, the complainant became emotional and cried while recounting her experience. She said the continued situation has affected her peace of mind and that she has struggled emotionally since the relationship ended.

Honk Magazine Calls for Official Investigation

Honk Magazine is bringing the matter to public attention because the complainant says she wants the appropriate authorities to intervene.

We are therefore calling on the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations involving Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale, examine the evidence available, and determine whether any criminal offence has occurred.

The complainant has provided identifying information concerning the individual, including his reported date of birth, which can be supplied directly to law enforcement for investigative purposes.

Honk Magazine emphasizes that the allegations in this report have not been established as fact by a court or law-enforcement agency. The purpose of this report is to bring the complainant’s concerns to the attention of the appropriate authorities and encourage a proper investigation.

We also urge members of the public not to threaten, harass, confront or take the law into their own hands against Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale. Any relevant information or evidence should be submitted directly to law enforcement.

If you are an authority reviewing this report, Honk Magazine is appealing for this complaint to be properly documented and investigated.

Reported individual: Wisdom Ehidiamen Abgonghale
Reported location: Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Reported Individual uses these phone numbers: 07063041088, 08117042690, 08119078335
Nature of complaint: Alleged harassment, persistent unwanted contact, intimidation/blackmail, and cyber-related harassment following the end of a relationship.

If you are just coming across this post. please share and report this to the police in Nigeria so they can investigate him.

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Artist Spotlight

How Rare Beauty Propelled Selena Gomez to Billionaire Status

Selena Gomez is a talented entertainer known for her work as a singer, actress, and producer, and she has recently reached an impressive milestone by becoming a billionaire. Much of her financial success comes from her cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, which has quickly become popular since it launched in September 2020. The brand stands out for its dedication to inclusivity, mental health support, and clever marketing strategies.

1. The Idea Behind Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty was created to challenge traditional beauty standards and celebrate individuality. Selena wanted to build a brand that offered quality makeup while encouraging self-love and acceptance. The name “Rare” is inspired by her third studio album.

A key part of Rare Beauty’s mission is to be inclusive. When it launched, the brand offered an impressive variety of 48 shades of foundation and concealer, catering to many skin tones. The packaging also considers accessibility, making it easier for people with disabilities to use the products.

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2. Smart Marketing and Social Media Success

Selena took full advantage of her large social media presence to promote Rare Beauty. With over 400 million followers on Instagram, she shares her personal stories and shows how to use the products, which helps build a strong connection with her fans. This engagement has created a loyal customer base.

Rare Beauty also effectively utilizes social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, gaining significant attention and making it a popular choice among beauty lovers. One of their hit products, a liquid blush, sold over 3.1 million units in just a year, highlighting the success of their online marketing.

3. Strong Financial Growth

The brand’s financial success has been impressive, generating about $350 million in revenue in 2023, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. By May 2024, Rare Beauty’s value had grown to over $2 billion, showing its strong place in the market.

This financial success has also boosted Selena’s personal wealth. In September 2024, she became a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, primarily thanks to her ownership of Rare Beauty. At 32 years old, she is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires in the U.S.

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4. Media Attention and Public Interest

The rise of Rare Beauty and Selena’s billionaire status has been widely reported in the media. A notable article from Bloomberg discussed the brand’s strategies and how they’ve resonated with consumers. The piece received extensive coverage, reaching over 250 media outlets and generating more than 1.8 billion impressions, highlighting the significant impact of her success.

5. A Commitment to Mental Health

In addition to its commercial achievements, Rare Beauty focuses on mental health. The brand has created the Rare Impact Fund, promising to donate 1% of sales to mental health initiatives, aiming to raise $100 million over the next ten years. This effort aligns with Selena’s commitment to mental health awareness, which many consumers appreciate in a brand.

Selena Gomez’s journey from entertainer to entrepreneur illustrates how she combines her values and understanding of the market with a genuine connection to her audience. Rare Beauty’s rapid growth shows a strong demand for inclusive and socially responsible beauty products. Selena’s story highlights the new wave of celebrity entrepreneurs, where authenticity and advocacy are just as important as the products they sell.

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