Ms. Must-Reads: Nov. 4

The January/February 1992 issue of Ms. proclaimed, in the bold script of feminist artist Barbara Kruger: RAGE + WOMEN = POWER. Over 30 years later, and with a day to go till an incredibly consequential election, I think this declaration is more true than ever.

Women are outraged—and they have every reason to be. As we reported in Ms. last week, we learned of at least two more Texas women who have died after doctors delayed emergency abortion care under the state’s total abortion ban. One of them, Josseli Barnica, died three days after suffering a miscarriage at 17 weeks into her pregnancy. Doctors could have—and should have, per medical standards—performed an abortion in order to avoid the possibility of an infection given that it was clear the pregnancy was doomed. But as her husband told ProPublica, hospital staff said “they had to wait until there was no [fetal] heartbeat.” Barnica died of a massive infection as a result. She leaves behind her husband and a four-year-old daughter.

Eighteen-year-old Nevaeh Crain was also denied emergency care, when suffering a miscarriage six months into her pregnancy. Seeking help during two emergency room visits, she was left untreated, after doctors said her fetus still had a heartbeat and despite being diagnosed with sepsis on her second visit. By the third trip to the hospital ER, she was in organ failure, and died within hours.

Pollsters and pundits continue to underestimate the power of women’s rage when hearing these stories of other women denied life-saving care. We are constantly told abortion is less important to voters than inflation, or the economy, or immigration. But when specifically asked what’s the most important issue driving their voting decisions, the largest response for women is “abortion rights.” And pundits continue to underestimate the power of women’s votes in determining the outcome of this election—not just the presidential contest, but Senate and House races, as well as governors, ballot measures and state Supreme Court races.

Remarks by Trump and his supporters in the closing days of the election have been adding further fuel to the fire that is driving women’s rage. At a Wednesday rally in Wisconsin, the former president proclaimed, "Whether the women like it or not, I'm going to protect them." His arrogance contained echoes of his infamous “grab them by the pussy” comments eight years ago. Many young voters are encountering those words for the first time this election cycle. Last week, the audio clip of the comment has gone viral on TikTok, amassing millions of views and generating a new wave of outrage among young women, many of whom were too young to have heard about the comments when they first broke in 2016—but who are now old enough to vote themselves.

Speaking of outrageous comments from outrageous men, on Fox News Friday, host Jesse Watters said that if he found out his wife voted for Harris, “that’s the same thing as having an affair…. That violates the sanctity of our marriage.” Former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich had similar things to say. But women across the U.S. are having none of it. As we reported earlier this year, an underground campaign is posting notes in women’s public bathrooms, assuring women that their vote is secret. And a new ad narrated by Julia Roberts instructs women that what’s said in the voting booth stays in the voting booth.

So it’s no surprise that polls over the past several months have reported a historic gender gap—with women, and young women in particular, showing overwhelming support for Harris over Trump in poll after poll. We know that historically, more women than men are registered to vote, and they vote at higher rates than men—and this year, it seems likely that we’ll see a historic turnout.

Whether you’ve already voted early, are mailing in your ballot, or plan to vote in person tomorrow, I hope you’ll feel empowered to give a voice to your rage—with your vote.

Onward,

Kathy Spillar

Executive Editor

P.S. — In the lead-up to election day, we’ve also been examining the 2024 election on our podcast On the Issues—from modern day voter suppression, to the ways in which the next president will shape the Supreme Court, and so much more. And take a listen to our latest series, The Z Factor, which delves into the issues impacting the next generation of voters and lawmakers.

This week's Ms. Must-Reads:

• "This Election, It’s Women’s Choice" — Jodi Enda
• "How Care Became a Key Issue This Election" — Marianne Schnall
• "A Texas Woman Died After the Hospital Said It Would Be a ‘Crime’ to Intervene in Her Miscarriage" — Cassandra Jaramillo, ProPublica and Kavitha Surana, ProPublica
• "New Ad Creates ‘Permission Structure’ for Men to Support Harris" — Jackson Katz