Melissa Prax

Melissa Prax

Melissa Prax

Culture Reporter

Melissa Prax is Newsy’s resident women’s issues reporter. Melissa is especially interested in why gender-based violence continues to persist and possible solutions. That’s led to a wide array of interviews, including with Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund co-founder Tina Tchen. Since joining Newsy in 2015, she’s gotten good at time zone conversions in order to secure interviews with sources around the globe. Before Newsy, Melissa was a production assistant at the Columbus, Ohio, public media station. She has a bachelor's degree in public affairs journalism from the Ohio State University.

Recent Work
Thanksgiving traditional meals.

Different table, different story: Let's talk Thanksgiving traditions

Two college students in a dorm

Legislation Aims To Increase Abortion Access On College Campuses

Pro-Planned Parenthood rally in St. Louis

What A Federal Judge In Missouri Got Right And Wrong On Abortion

Indian and Pakistani soldiers

Amid Kashmir Dispute, Bollywood's Messages Carry More Weight

A pregnant woman

How A Blood Test Could Detect PTSD In Pregnant Women

Adoptive parents

What It's Like For A Mother With A Disability To Adopt A Child

Ultrasound photos

One Mom-To-Be's Journey Through Pregnancy With A Disability

Disability rights activist at an event

This Group Is Taking On Sexual Violence In The Disability Community

Sex, Love And Dating With A Disability

Medical community in Sudan protesting

Doctors In Sudan Are Key To The Current Protests

Film poster for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga"

Bollywood Gets A Film That Accurately Portrays LGBTQ Love

A mother and her baby

How Working Mothers Are Impacted By Breastfeeding Discrimination

Protesters in Sudan gather

The Internet Can Be Used To Empower — Or Silence — Mass Protests

Someone eating a salad

'Diet Culture' Can Set Back People Recovering From Eating Disorders

A couple exchanging vows at a wedding

Ohio Just Toughened Its Laws On Child Marriage

Crowd in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's Upcoming Election Has Some Young Voters Worried

Anthony Bourdain and chef José Andrés

Chef José Andrés Recalls Taking Anthony Bourdain To His Hometown

Chef José Andrés handing out meals

Local Ingredients Are Key To Chef José Andrés' Disaster Relief Meals

Digital mashup of women human rights defenders

This Tribute Remembers Women Human Rights Defenders

record with music notes

Sexist or Feminist? 'Baby It's Cold Outside' Bans Polarize Listeners

Bus tour promoting Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia

Campaign Eyes Virginia As Next State To Ratify Equal Rights Amendment

People in an office

What Happens When Toxic Masculinity Goes Unchecked In The Workplace

Ethiopia's first female president

Ethiopia's New Prominent Female Political Leaders Could Signal Shift

Chicago police line

A Look At Intersection Of Police Brutality And Disability In The US

A woman explains a graph

This Study Explored What Happens When A Workplace Has Only One Woman

People walk in Central American migrant caravan

This Is The Organization Backing The Central American Migrant Caravan

A photo mashup of Colin Kaepernick and Rihanna

As A Nod To Kaepernick, Rihanna Reportedly Won't Perform At Super Bowl

A Chicago police dash cam from Aug. 13, 2017

Video Shows Off-Duty Officer Shooting Black Teen Who Has Disability

A girl in India who was recently married

How The American Wedding Industry Is Taking On Child Marriage

A group of people at the Forced From Home exhibit

This Interactive Exhibit Is Teaching Americans About Displacement