On Wednesday, Mila, Gabriella, and I met with Beth Sousa, the Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor at PlannedParenthood’s international office in New York. Sousa told us about the actions PlannedParenthood is taking to make sure reproductive healthcare is accessible and available in New York and around the US. Sousa also explained how legislation plays a huge part in how PlannedParenthood challenges abortion bans.

PlannedParenthood is an organization that works to expand access to reproductive and gender affirming healthcare across America and internationally. The organization consists of international offices, where Sousa works, and affiliate programs that provide resources in individual communities. The affiliate programs run health centers to provide care around America. The international offices work to challenge legislation, as well as support affiliates in any way they can. The organization has been preparing for the overturning of Roe v. Wade since 2017. PlannedParenthood always knew that abortion laws were very fragile and that Roe would one day be overturned. In an effort to ease the damage of abortion bans they tried to predict which states would most likely ban abortion. PlannedParenthood got ready for the abortion bans and restrictions that might one day appear in those states by creating patient navigation services. Patient navigation services help people find the closest reproductive healthcare center outside of their state, and help them with travel expenses.

In our interview Sousa, who studied law, told us about the huge part democracy plays in achieving reproductive justice. We learned that ballot measures are a great way to change state abortion laws. Ballot measures are questions at the end of a state ballot where you can vote on important issues. Ballot measures can be submitted by citizens, so PlannedParenthood tries to take advantage of ballot measures to take down abortion bans. Ballot measures make it possible to change state amendments, and are one of the many ways people can fight for reproductive rights. Sousa told us that some of the other ways people can be part of the fight for abortion rights include joining affiliate programs, political work, and just being aware of the issue.

Some of the most important stories are the ones that are not being brought to light. PlannedParenthood is giving voices to those who do not have a voice. Our interview with Beth Sousa was extremely informative. It was very interesting to learn about Planned Parenthood’s trailblazing work.

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On Thursday, Mila, Gabriella, and I sat down with the president and CEO of the New York Women’s Foundation, Ana Oliveira. Oliveira talked to us about what her organization works to do and how that weaves in to abortion access in our country. Oliveira also explained the importance of legal abortion and reproductive rights as a whole, while touching on the stories she has experienced during her work.

The New York Women’s Foundation creates grants and funds women’s rights organizations in communities that need it the most. The organization gets in contact with community leaders and those that help provide resources for women in lower income communities. NYWF allocates its funds to the most prominent issues that are currently affected by women in New York. The foundation works as a network to bring together women and those who can help them.

Through her work, Oliveira has heard countless stories about negative effects of abortion bans across America. Many women who seek abortion care have been subjected to sexual violence and abuse. A majority of pregnancies in states that ban abortion are caused by rape. Oliveira tells us that she particularly sees high maternal death rates in minorities and lower income communities. Reproductive health is reliant on the quality of resources given to women, which make women in lower income communities particularly vulnerable. Oliveira feels that if we do not have choice over our bodies our lives are determined for us. Oliveira captures this idea by telling us, “Our body is our terrain. Our ability to control what we do in life is fundamental.” She deduces that abortion bans are extremely damaging.

Our interview with Ana Oliveira was informative and gave me a better understanding of what the overturning of Roe v. Wade means for many women around the country. I am truly inspired by Oliveira’s passion and the wonderful work New York Women’s Foundation does. Speaking to her was a pleasure. After the interview, I feel I grasp a better understanding of the unfortunate realities caused by lack of access to reproductive care.

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