Tag: Michigan

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Health

Miss Michigan Called Out the Flint Water Crisis During the Miss America Pageant


Last night, Nia Franklin of New York was crowned the latest Miss America, but it is Miss Michigan, Emily Sioma, who is making headlines thanks to her short introduction during the broadcast.

Instead of using the moment to highlight her achievements or qualifications—she graduated with a degree in women’s studies and works to support survivors of sexual violence—Sioma instead chose to call attention to the continuing water crisis in Flint, MI. “From the state with 84% of the United States’ fresh water but none for its residents to drink, I am Miss Michigan Emily Sioma,” she said.

The city’s water problems have been ongoing since 2014 when it was found that the water in the city’s pipes was contaminated with high levels of lead and other toxins.

Social media users were quick to praise Sioma for her bold move with one writing this was “clearly not your mother’s Miss America pageant.”

Another said, “Been rolling my eyes all weekend that Miss America is still a thing but MISS MICHIGAN FOR PRESIDENT.”

This is surely the type of positive attention that the Miss America organization is looking for as it continues to rebrand and attempts to focus more on the intellect of its contestants. Back in June, board of trustees chairwoman Gretchen Carlson announced that the pageant would no longer include its famous swimsuit competition. “We are no longer a pageant,” Carlson told Good Morning America at the time. “We are a competition. We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance. That’s huge.”

“Who doesn’t want to be empowered, learn leadership skills, and pay for college and be able to show the world who you are as a person from the inside of your soul,” she continued. “That’s what we’re judging them on now.”

While Sioma didn’t even make the final 15 in the competition, her message was most definitely heard.





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Michigan State University Reaches $500 Million Settlement With Larry Nassar Abuse Victims


Less than three months after disgraced doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to decades in federal prison for the sexual assault of hundreds of young women and girls, Michigan State University has agreed to pay $500 million to the women he abused.

Though the settlement is not yet finalized, the agreement — made by lawyers on behalf of 332 of the victims — was approved Tuesday by the university’s trustees. In January, Nassar was convicted of having used his position as Michigan State doctor and a physician for the United States Olympic gymnastic team to prey upon young women and girls for years, abusing them under the guise of legitimate medical treatment.

“This historic settlement came about through the bravery of more than 300 women and girls who had the courage to stand up and refuse to be silenced,” John Manly, a lawyer representing many of the victims, told The New York Times. “It is the sincere hope of all of the survivors that the legacy of this settlement will be far-reaching institutional reform that will end the threat of sexual assault in sports, schools and throughout our society.”

PHOTO: JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images

Larry Nassar

The trial earlier this year generated international interest, captivating viewers across the nation and the world over the seven day duration. Hundreds of women testified against Nassar in a courtroom presided over by Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who was heralded by some and accused by others of undermining justice during the proceedings.

Michigan State was accused of covering up Nassar’s abuse and ignoring complaints about him for years; in the aftermath, the university’s president resigned and William D. Strampnel — a former dean of Michigan State University’s osteopathic medical school and Nassar’s longtime supervisor — was charged with criminal sexual conduct, misconduct by a public official and two counts of willful neglect of duty.

“Michigan State is pleased that we have been able to agree in principle on a settlement that is fair to the survivors of Nassar’s crimes,” said Robert Young, a lawyer for the university, told the Times. “We appreciate the hard work both sides put into the mediation, and the efforts of the mediator, which achieved a result that is responsible and equitable.”



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Dana Nessel Campaign Ad for Michigan Attorney General Takes On Sexual Harassment


What a week. Doesn’t it already feel like Harry and Meghan announced their engagement 100 years ago?

After starting Monday off on such a happy note, the news cycles that followed have continued to focus on the sexual misconduct reckoning that started with Harvey Weinstein and show no signs of slowing. It’s important, obviously, and I hope it continues. But as a woman, it also weighs heavily on my spirit.

Never did I think the pick-me-up I so desperately needed would come in the form of a campaign ad from Dana Nessel, who is running for Attorney General in Michigan. But in 2017, up is down and anything is possible. I know what you’re thinking because I was thinking it too: “2018 campaign ads already? The midterms are so important but can’t we at least get through the holidays first?!?” But that’s just because you haven’t seen Nessel’s badass ad yet.

She opens by commenting that if recent news has taught us anything, it’s that more women are needed in office before launching into some 2017 real talk: “Who can you trust to not show you their penis in a professional setting? Is it the candidate who doesn’t have a penis? I’d say so.” This is where Dana Nessel became one of my new favorite people. She cemented her slot by going on to argue that there is nothing wrong with what could become an all-female Democratic ticket for major state offices. PS: Go Michigan!

Nessel then lays out what she will not do: Sexually harass her staff, tolerate sexual harassment in your workplace, walk around in a half-open bathrobe, use tax dollars to silence victims, or join right-wing lawsuits that make it harder to get health insurance.

And the kicker? She totally nails that, too. “Yes, I’m a woman. That’s not a liability, that’s an asset.”

Preach, Dana. Preach.

Watch the entire ad here:

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Economic U.S.

Grand Blanc, Michigan Walmart Forced Eviction of Woman Living in the Store

Walmart, eviction, Grand Blanc, Michigan
Walmart, eviction, Grand Blanc, Michigan

A Walmart in Grand Blanc, Michigan had to engage in an eviction when a woman who had been staying in the store around the clock for days refused to leave. I know times may be tight for many people but is Walmart really the place you want to live? For some who spend a lot of time in the store this may seem like a dream, but be warned that it is illegal. The 45 year old female who has not been named apparently moved into the Walmart in Grand Blanc, Michigan on January 6, 2015, and she did not plan on leaving. Prior to her arrival in the store the woman had been staying with her son, but he lost his place because he had a problem with alcohol abuse.

The woman managed to blend in during the days she spent at the Grand Blanc, Michigan Walmart, and it was not until a manager reviewed the surveillance video for the store that eviction was even discussed. According to Grand Blanc Township Police Department Detective Matt Harburn “During the day, she’d just walk around and meander near the store. At night, apparently she’d go into the bathroom and sleep.” When store managers were going through video footage they realized that the female had been in the store for more than 48 hours, so they tried to get her to leave. When the woman refused several requests to leave the store police weer called in. Detective Hartburn told the media “When I first made contact with her she was sitting in a chair, she had her laptop in her lap with headphones in.”