reproductive justice Archives - Page 5 of 7

4 Aug, 2014

Sound Off: Is This The Next Hobby Lobby?

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:17:22-04:00August 4th, 2014|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: reproductive justice|0 Comments

A July 2014 article on MSNBC, “This Is The Next Hobby Lobby” details the stories of Notre Dame graduate students Laura Grieneisen and Liz Miller and their ability to access birth control.

While both Grieneisen and Miller are biology students studying the effects of bacteria on baboons in Kenya, that’s where the similarities end.

Both are in need of contraception access, and both are interested in getting an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted. Grieneisen, age 26, is able to stay on her parents health insurance plan and get her IUD paid for under the Affordable Care Act. Miller, on the other hand, is 29, has health insurance covered through Norte Dame, and due to the university’s adherence to Catholic teaching against contraception, is not able to get her IUD costs covered.

While this sounds like a setback, the Affordable Care Act has a plan in place to allow women like Miller to have more expensive forms of contraception covered, while also allowing religious institutions like Norte Dame to opt-out. However, over 100 academic institutions, along with Norte Dame, are suing The Obama Administration, claiming that this opting out allows religiously-affiliated nonprofits to certify their objection to covering expensive forms of birth control still violates their religious liberty.

Why? Because despite their objections, contraception will still be dispensed.

What are some Norte Dame students saying?

Kalya O’Conner, a rising junior says:

“I understand that Notre Dame is a Catholic institution and that birth control is not part of their Catholic beliefs, but not all the people who work for them are Catholic, and they don’t share the same beliefs…There’s this mentality that Notre Dame students aren’t having sex, and that’s not true. It’s a total lie. I think because there isn’t easy access to contraceptives, they aren’t having safe sex.”

Graduate Lindsey Marugg, who was on birth control pills after she ruptured two ovarian cysts, wrote to the campus newspaper in 2012:

“Even though I had chosen to wait until marriage to have sex, my birth control prescription earned me judgment from friends and nurses on campus.

(more…)

1 Jan, 2014

How Will You Raise Your Voice for Reproductive Justice in 2014?

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:25:37-04:00January 1st, 2014|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: reproductive justice|0 Comments

(Image: Activist Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene)

Each year, health disparities run rampant in communities of color, policies are created to tell women and girls that the choices we make for our reproductive health and lives (from childbirth to abortion and even adoption) are best left up to policymakers and not between us and our healthcare provider, and young people are given inaccurate information about sexual and reproductive health and places them at a disadvantage in being able to take care of themselves.

We’ve been doing a lot of amazing activism around sexual and reproductive freedom. Let’s amplify that work in 2014 and get even more done for sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice for women and girls, and our families.

Activism isn’t regulated to just attending rallies and interrupting politicians. Activism occurs in many ways. Teachers, social workers, healthcare providers, nonprofit program directors, students, and parents and more advocate daily for the people they care about. Also, activism doesn’t always occur in the forefront. There are many of us who advocate for others behind the scenes. From blogging, to working one on one with a client in an agency setting, to structuring a program that speaks to the community your nonprofit works for, there are many ways to raise your voice.

How will you raise your voice for reproductive justice, in 2014? Here are a few ideas to get started: (more…)

10 Jul, 2013

How Can “Red” States & “Blue” States Work Together for Reproductive Justice?

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:12:28-04:00July 10th, 2013|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: activism, reproductive justice|0 Comments

Recently, The Texas State House of Representatives voted to pass Senate Bill 537, a law to ban abortions after 20 weeks. This law would have closed 37 of the state’s 42 abortion clinics. Given that Texas is a conservative (aka “red” state), it was nearly certain that the law would pass.

That’s when Wendy Davis, backed by an army of pro-choice activists and lawmakers, launched the most epic filibuster, standing from 11am until midnight to express how this bill would impact Texas women, ending a 30-day special session called by Governor Rick Perry. All over social media, supporter of Texas’ abortion clinics, and pro-choice advocates nationwide sent their support, many donating money to buy food and other items for the activists that stood outside while Wendy spoke. However, as of yesterday, the Texas House has begun debating on House Bill 2, essentially doing what Senate Bill 537 hoped to do. The House must approve the bill again on before it will be sent to the Senate.

It brought me back to something that I often don’t think much about: I’m a southerner, born and raised in Georgia (another red state) for over 25 years, before moving to New York in 2008. In a progressive state like New York where access to abortion, birth control, and other reproductive services are accessible for the most part, it’s often easy to remain in a bubble, neglecting to pay attention to what’s happening elsewhere. I may not think about my southern roots often, but one thing I do ponder is where my activism is most needed: in progressive states, or in what’s considered “red” or “flyover” states, where some of the worst policies against women’s reproductive rights are being introduced to state legislatures. At times I do wonder if I would I be considered an outsider, coming in to help “save the day?”, despite my southern upbringing.

How can “red” states and “blue” states work collectively for reproductive justice? Here are some important things to consider: (more…)

20 Mar, 2013

Ask Nicole: “Is a Career as a Reproductive Justice Social Worker Possible?”

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:06:04-04:00March 20th, 2013|Categories: Public Health & Social Work|Tags: Ask Nicole, reproductive justice, Social Work|0 Comments

Do you have a question that other Raise Your Voice community members can benefit from? Contact me and I’ll answer it!

I recently received the following question from a young woman who is currently studying social work at an undergraduate university:

Hello! I just found your website, and I am blown away; you’re living my dream life! I’m currently one year away from graduating with my [Bachelors degree in Social Work], and am looking at different options for where to go next. Thinking about the future is scary!

Before flipping through your site, I had never heard the term “reproductive justice field”, but that’s what I want to work in, in a nutshell. But, “reproductive justice” isn’t on the list of social problems that we generally acknowledge in class, and sometimes I feel like I can’t pursue this topic that excites me so much with my social work degree.

So my question is, where do I go from here? I’ve been looking at different grad school programs, and there are so many different options! Do you think that a concentration in public policy would be more helpful than a general practice degree? Do you have any tips for actually finding employment in the “reproductive justice field”? I’ve interned with [pro choice organizations] and am looking into starting a pro choice group on my campus next year; but I’m looking for a sign that any of this can work beyond college.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! Oh, and thanks for being awesome!

Since March is National Social Work Month, I was really excited to receive this question. A degree in social work is one of the most diverse degrees one can obtain. There are many people in various social justice movements and in many career fields that are social workers. As a social worker, you use your skills of engagement to analyze, discover, and develop strategies to work with individuals, agencies, and communities in ways that are holistic and empowering.

Generally, most people are surprised to find out that I’m a social worker. When I’m asked, “What do you do?”, it’s the first thing that I mention. They’re even more surprised at the career I’ve developed and the experiences I’ve had throughout the years. Though I’ve been in the reproductive justice (RJ) field much longer compared to social work, the skills and theories I learned as a social worker student serve to enhance my work in RJ.

I’ve broken down the question above into four separate questions to tackle: (more…)

12 Mar, 2013

Sign On to Support the “No Stigma! No Shame!” Campaign

By Nicole Clark, LMSW|2021-08-19T18:05:05-04:00March 12th, 2013|Categories: Equity & Justice|Tags: reproductive justice, Youth|0 Comments

Last week, I shared my thoughts on a teen pregnancy prevention campaign launched by the Department of Social Services of the New York City Human Resources Administration called “Think Being a Teen Parent Won’t Cost You?” . A few days later, I met with some amazing women here in New York City, as members of the New York Coalition for Reproductive Justice . We spent overly 2 hours venting our frustrations, brainstorming ideas, and coming up with demands and solutions that will help (and not harm) teen mothers living and parenting in New York City.

As I mentioned last week, there is nothing wrong with getting teens to think about what they could potentially face if they were to become a young parent, but it should not be at the cost of shaming, blaming and stigmatizing their peers who have chosen to parent.

Based on that amazing evening of frustration, strategy, and insight, we have decided to launch the No Stigma! No Shame! campaign. Read our letter and sign on to show your support for our campaign. (The sign on information is included after the letter!) (more…)

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