You cannot talk about Juneteenth without celebrating Ms. Opal Lee. She was our second #ThatGirlFriday feature and we called her the "Joyful Warrior," in honor of Kamala Harris's historic presidential campaign's motto. What is Juneteenth and why are so few Americans aware of this critical point in U.S. history?

Like their neighbors in Thailand, the people of Myanmar (which is also called Burma) adopted the Hunger Games three-finger salute as a symbol of resistance. Since early February, they have used that symbol during peaceful protests against a military coup d'état. Speaking out against the military can be dangerous. At least 2,667 people have been detained, often in late-night clandestine raids. With the military severely limiting media access and communications, how can we help Myanmar?

On April 1, 2020, to slow the spread of COVID-19 the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced its first nationwide lockdown in almost 25 years and some state prison systems followed the federal government's lead by enacting complete or partial lockdowns. Solitary confinement, also called restrictive housing, became the first line of defense against the virus. But advocates and researchers believe that detention centers need safe alternatives to solitary confinement because of the long-term, harmful effects of isolation. How can we help them fight for our incarcerated neighbors?

Throughout National Gun Violence Survivors Week (February 1-7, 2021), Americans have shared their stories about loss, injury, and trauma due to gun violence. This is a necessary conversation, given the sheer volume of Americans who are witnesses or victims of random or targeted shootings. Everytown for Gun Safety's 2019 report called the U.S "A Nation of Survivors," because 58% of American adults, or someone they care for, have experienced gun violence. What can we do to change our culture and public policies?

While watching the 2020 U.S. presidential election results trickle in by state, Team Girl Friday wondered about the people who worked tirelessly, often over decades with little national recognition, to secure those victories. In the lead up to Inauguration Day, we will share some of those stories here and on Instagram.