Latest news with #Womenof
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Ilhan Omar? and why is she so controversial?
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has long been one of the most polarising figures in American politics. Her sharp rhetoric, unapologetic stance on issues like white nationalism and Gaza, and refusal to back down from personal attacks have made her a target of repeated smear campaigns. The latest controversy flared after conservative activist Laura Loomer resurfaced a 2018 clip of Omar suggesting that white men in America should be profiled to address rising extremism. Vice President JD Vance condemned the remarks as 'genocidal language,' sparking a new wave of backlash. Omar, however, defended her comments, citing data from the Anti-Defamation League showing white supremacists were behind the majority of extremist murders in the US. This incident comes just weeks after Omar drew criticism for telling a reporter to 'f off' when questioned about a deportee allegedly linked to MS-13. She later doubled down on social media, saying: 'You and all you miserable trolls can f off.' Alongside these moments, longstanding conspiracy theories about her personal life, especially the unfounded claim that she married her brother to commit immigration fraud continue to circulate despite years of fact-checks and investigations finding no credible evidence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Omar was also a prominent member of the "progressive squad" and a vocal supporter of then-Vice President Kamala Harris , particularly following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Omar promptly endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee, expressing her commitment to working alongside her to defeat Donald Trump in the 2025 election. Beyond her endorsement, Omar has actively campaigned for the Harris-Walz ticket. At a "Women of Color for Harris" event in Minneapolis, she praised Harris's leadership and shared a personal anecdote about Harris offering valuable advice on staff hiring when Omar was first elected to Congress. Despite her endorsement, Omar has voiced concerns regarding Harris's outreach to Muslim and Arab American communities. In a discussion with journalist Mehdi Hasan, Omar remarked that Harris's efforts were "not enough," emphasizing that effective outreach requires delivering on the specific needs of these communities. Who is Ilhan Omar? Early life: Born in Somalia, Omar fled civil war with her family at age eight, spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp before settling in the US in the 1990s. Education and career: She moved to Minneapolis in 1997 and became a community educator, policy fellow at the Humphrey School, and aide to the Minneapolis City Council before entering politics. Political milestone: Elected to Congress in 2018, she became the first African refugee in the House, the first woman of colour to represent Minnesota, and one of the first two Muslim women in Congress. Legislative focus: Advocates for student debt relief, fair wages, immigration reform, and tackling climate change. Committee roles: Vice-Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee; serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee. Caucus involvement: Deputy Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Vice Chair of the Medicare for All Caucus. Controversial comments: Criticised for her remarks on white nationalism, US foreign policy, and Israel frequently drawing ire from conservatives. Persistent rumours: Has been the subject of a widely debunked rumour alleging she married her brother to aid his immigration claims dismissed by fact-checkers and never substantiated by authorities. Omar's response: Denounces the allegations as racist and Islamophobic attacks, maintaining that the focus on her personal life is politically motivated.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FGM campaigner honoured with Time magazine title
A women's rights activist who campaigns to end female genital mutilation (FGM) has been named one of TIME Magazine's Women of the Year. Fatou Baldeh MBE said it was an honour to be surrounded by other "incredible women breaking glass ceilings", at the West Hollywood gala. The founder and CEO of Women in Liberation and Leadership and University of Wolverhampton graduate used the event to raise awareness of FGM. "I was extremely proud to have had this platform to stress the need for the world to think about the over 230 million girls around the world who are at risk of being mutilated in the name of culture and tradition," she said. Ms Baldeh, who studied psychology and health in Wolverhampton, added: "This recognition is so meaningful. "I believe in the power of role models especially for young girls and women and this honour sends a powerful message to girls, particularly those from [my] background, that it is 'okay to speak up against injustice'." Ms Baldeh was born in Gambia and experienced FGM herself when she was aged seven. She previously told the BBC: "I was blindfolded and some people held my hands. "I remember I was screaming for my mum and grandmother to help me, but no one did." Now, the significance of her work and impact to society has been recognised by former US President Barack Obama who directly acknowledged her leadership via a post on X, saying, "This International Women's Day, I'm celebrating leaders like Ms Baldeh". Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Award for anti-FGM campaigner's decade-long effort Female mutilation: 'I was screaming' 'Orange Wolverhampton' campaign to tackle violence University of Wolverhampton
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislator Kendra Johnson named one of USA TODAY's Women of the Year
State Rep. Kendra Johnson, who has made it her mission to better the lives of fellow Delawareans, is honored as one of USA TODAY's Women of the Year.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
VT's first LGBTQ Congressional representative Becca Balint is staying true to her calling
U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, 56, of Brattleboro has always known her calling: to serve the public as an elected official. 'I always joke that I was my first-grade class president, my eighth-grade class president, my 12th-grade class president, student body president,' Balint said. 'I always loved thinking about how to solve problems and make life better. Certainly, in a school setting, you're dealing with much smaller issues, but I always knew that politics was what I wanted my path to be.' But as a gay woman who came of age in the mid-1980s – an era where few women wielded political power and before many legal protections for LGBTQ people – Balint initially believed her dream of becoming a politician would be impossible. 'I didn't imagine that would ever happen in my lifetime,' she said about someone like her building a successful political career. At the time, the only gay politician she had ever heard about was San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk – and he had been assassinated less than a year into his first term. 'Representation matters,' Balint said. 'If you can't imagine yourself and you can't see yourself in somebody else who has done it, it's really challenging to make that leap.' Balint finally made that leap after many years teaching government and politics in rural Vermont public schools, motivated by the pervasive poverty many of her students and their families faced. Balint's wife, Elizabeth Wohl, helped her pull the trigger: 'There's never going to be a good time for you to do this. And I don't want you to look back on your life and feel like you didn't do the thing you were called to do.' Despite entering politics 'late' compared to many politicians, Balint went on to serve in the Vermont Senate for almost a decade, eventually becoming the first woman and openly LGBTQ person to serve as president pro tempore. In 2022, she broke the same barriers when she was elected to represent Vermont in the U.S. House of Representatives. More: Vermont business leader among USA Today's Women of the Year for flood recovery efforts While Balint still encounters backlash for her identity – even friends and fervent allies advised against putting Balint's wife in her political ads during her Congressional campaign – she is encouraged by how far society has come. 'I couldn't have imagined that I could legally marry my spouse or that I would have this opportunity' to serve in political office, Balint said. 'And so that is something that gives me hope when we are experiencing a backlash, that we have made so many gains. We have to make sure that we don't lose those gains.' Gov. Madeline Kunin, the only woman to have served as governor of Vermont Gov. Ann Richards, the second woman to serve as governor of Texas Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to serve in Congress as well as seek a major party nomination for president Sen. Barbara Jordan, the first black person to serve in the Texas Senate post-Reconstruction My proudest moment was being elected as the very first woman to represent Vermont in the House of Representatives. As a kid interested in politics, I never imagined I could actually make it to the halls of Congress. It still takes my breath away when I look at the Capitol Dome. My lowest moment is tough to pinpoint. I have struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life, so I go through cycles of lows. But I'd say one of my lowest times was when I knew I wanted to leave teaching but didn't know what was next for me. I felt quite directionless for a few years and really struggled with depression. Courage offers no guarantees except that when you are brave you are being true to yourself. It's about not knowing what will happen and taking action anyway. I have two. One is: 'Change is possible. Just get started.' The other is 'Just like me.' Whenever someone is frustrating me or angering me, I say, 'Just like me, that person is doing the best they can. Just like me that person has someone who loves them. Just like me, they are both gifted and flawed.' Actress and comedian Bette Midler, "for pushing the edge of performance" Artist and musician Laurie Anderson, "who inspired me to take risks" Actress Kristin Chenowith, an example of "people who move people" When I am facing adversity or a rough patch, I remind myself that I have survived other harder things. Whether it's the really hard labor I had when my son was born, or the very rough stretch of depression I had in my teens and 20s, I can reflect on my strength and perseverance. I am also someone who seeks out opportunities for joy, laughter and connection. I do this work in politics because I love people, so making connections always brings me hope and inspiration. I would tell my younger self to let go of my perfectionism. I think as a young gay teen who was afraid of losing the love of my family and friends, I tried to keep those demons at bay by trying to do perfect work in school and being an overachiever. I wish I'd known that striving for excellence is healthy but striving for perfection is toxic. My perfectionism wasn't going to control anyone's reaction to my sexual orientation. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: USA Today's Women of the Year: Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint
