Crystal Lewis, Author at Women's eNews

New York Teens Often Isolated in Adult Prisons

By Crystal Lewis & Anjali Rao-Herel ● Crime & Law ● September 21, 2015

With different wants and needs from older women in jail and prison, “there are no benefits to putting kids in adult prisons,” says one advocate of the two states in the country that prosecute 16- and 17-year-olds in the justice system as adults.

Risks Are High for Teen Daughters with Jailed Moms

By Crystal Lewis ● Crime & Law ● July 8, 2015

Women with children are being incarcerated at a rising rate, with ominous implications for girls in particular. “Children typically model their behaviors based on the parent that is the same sex, so missing that female figure is critical,” says one advocate. Story reported with Annie Geng.

Girls Fare Better in Open-Door Justice Programs

By Crystal Lewis, Angeli R. Rasbury & Annie Geng ● Crime & Law ● April 13, 2015

Programs that keep troubled girls from entering juvenile detention residences are lowering recidivism rates as well as costs. An advocate points to increased homelessness and poverty, saying they result in more runaways. The first in a three-part series.

Lacking Supports, Motherhood Exacts High Price

By Crystal Lewis ● Arts & Culture ● October 8, 2014

Without a paid-leave buffer, women with children rack up big losses in income of between $49,000 and $230,000. On top of that, child care costs often consume half of paychecks. Part of the Bias Price series.

Pregnancy Requests Put Women in the Firing Line

By Crystal Lewis ● Crime & Law ● August 12, 2014

Women of color and those earning low wages are least likely to be accommodated during their pregnancies. It’s also acute for women in traditionally male-dominated industries. “I wanted to work,” says a music conductor who asked for a stool while she worked under hot lights.

New Twitter Storm Is About Public Breastfeeding

By Crystal Lewis ● Health & Science ● June 11, 2014

When a mother posted a photo of herself nursing at her college graduation on a breastfeeding Facebook page, a flurry of disapproval quickly ignited all over social media. Questions are being raised about how public breastfeeding should be.

Birthing of Health Care Plan Put Midwives in Limbo

By Crystal Lewis ● Health & Science ● May 29, 2014

About half of all U.S. births are covered by Medicaid, which means decisions about delivery practices under this part of the Affordable Care Act could ripple far and wide. The American College of Nurse Midwives is assessing all 277 marketplace plans.

Detroit Moms of Color Gather to Boost Breastfeeding

By Crystal Lewis ● Health & Science ● May 1, 2014

A breastfeeding association has released a new video, joining several efforts over the past few years to raise the volume on the hindrances to breastfeeding in the black community nationwide.

Pushed Out of School, Black Girls Lose Huge Ground

By Crystal Lewis ● Teen Voices ● March 22, 2014

Once black girls wind up in juvenile justice schools it’s hard to find the path to financial stability. Research has found that black girls are more likely to be punished for being “un-ladylike” and seen by teachers as “loud, defiant, and precocious.” The first in the series the Bias Price.

In the Bronx, a Maternity Ward Waits to Reopen

By Crystal Lewis ● Uncategorized ● February 1, 2014

Administrators of North Central Bronx Hospital have a deadline of April 30 to reopen a maternity ward or lose it altogether. At a negative time for public hospitals, community activists are worried about what could be decided without their input.

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