What is in your cosmetics bag? If you use makeup that shimmers, there is a strong chance those products contain mica, a group of silicate minerals that can be ground into a sparkling powder. The Jharkhand state in eastern India, which is home to one of the largest deposits of mica in the world, and southern Madagascar have been identified as places with widespread child labor in dangerous mica mines. How can we advocate for those children and make certain the beauty industry only uses ethically-sourced mica?

Netflix's Tiger King documentary captivated audiences with dramatic characters and a bizarre murder-for-hire plot at one of the most infamous roadside zoos in the United States. The truth about big cat ownership in the U.S. is much darker than what Netflix portrayed. Right now, there are more tigers living in American backyards than in the wild. This is harmful for big cats and potentially dangerous for unsuspecting neighbors. What is the U.S. government doing to solve this? Enter: the Big Cat Public Safety Act.

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?

According to UNESCO, fewer than 30% of researchers around the world are women. In higher education, around 30% of female students pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. While low, these percentages actually show that women have steadily increased participation in STEM since 2000. As of 2019, the majority of veterinarians and pharmacists are women. But, steep gender pay and participation gaps persist in other STEM careers. February 11, 2021 will be the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the perfect time to encourage girls who want to pursue STEM-related fields.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe has been advocating to protect the sacred Oak Flat area from copper mining, but the land may soon be owned by a foreign mining company. Copper mining has been a key industry in Arizona since the 19th century, but it can negatively impact the environment. On January 15, 2021, with the publication of the final environmental impact statement, the U.S. government started the 60-day period in which the land can transfer to Resolution Copper. There's limited time left to protect Oak Flat. How did this happen?

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.