The Womxn Project

Creatively Educating Through Artistic Action

Writing

Testimony for House Bill 5609/Senate Bill 0678: Doula Services Covered by Insurance & Medicaid

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To the members of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, We are submitting testimony on behalf of The Womxn Project. The Womxn Project is a non-profit organization in Rhode Island focused on building a strong, feminist, community-based movement to further human rights of Rhode Islanders by using art and activism to advance education and social change. We have a … [Read more...] about Testimony for House Bill 5609/Senate Bill 0678: Doula Services Covered by Insurance & Medicaid

Written Testimony for H 5127, The Reproductive Health Care Act

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Date: January 28, 2019   Dear Chairman Craven, and Members of the Judiciary Committee:   My name is ((resident of)). I live in South Kingstown. My State Representative is Teresa Tanzi.  I writing in support of House Bill 5127 -- The Reproductive Health Care Act (RHCA), and in opposition of bills 5125, 5114, 5198, and 5199.   I support The Reproductive Health Care Act … [Read more...] about Written Testimony for H 5127, The Reproductive Health Care Act

Stories of Survivors: Darlene Correia

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Hello, My name is Darlene Correia. I am a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, niece, friend, social worker, and wife. However, more importantly, I am survivor of multiple childhood and adult sexual abuse and domestic violence assaults. My healing journey from considering myself a victim to knowing I am a survivor has been a long, painful and at times extremely difficult … [Read more...] about Stories of Survivors: Darlene Correia

Groundhog Day: Anita Hill 2.0

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[ OPINION ] by Ria Moni “On Monday, the Senate's Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing at which A LOT is at stake. Obviously, a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court is at stake, and with it, the future of a woman's right to choose, gay marriage, affirmative action, and so on. Moreover, this is a pivotal test to see if we, as a society, have progressed AT ALL since … [Read more...] about Groundhog Day: Anita Hill 2.0

The Independent Woman

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By Darleen Allen In 1895, long before women’s suffrage, the architects and designers of the Rhode Island Statehouse had a vision for the top of the dome. They created the Independent Woman. She represented hope and justice. The statehouse commission rejected the vision and eventually the Independent Man was erected. Many of us think it is time to share her image and … [Read more...] about The Independent Woman

Letter to the Editor; A Country Without A Conscience

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The world is mourning at what we, as a country, have become. A country without a conscience, devoid of kindness. A country whose crimes, for they can’t simply be called policies, a country who takes the most vulnerable, those trying, on foot, to seek sanctuary here. Those with the clothes on their backs, trying desperately to find safety. And instead ICE is taking children … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor; A Country Without A Conscience

Fortune 500 Company CEO who once lived on the streets

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Due to life circumstances when I was 19, I was living on the streets of Cambridge Mass. I had no money, no winter clothes, no job skills and no family or friends who could help me. Slowly I put a life together, cleaning houses for cash, living in a squat. Finally, after a few years I lucked into a free ride at a good college. I remember how overwhelming it was to be given a … [Read more...] about Fortune 500 Company CEO who once lived on the streets

Written Testimony in favor of Sexual Harassment Bill Package

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Written Testimony in Favor of the Commission on Sexual Harassment Bill Package The Woman Project has been working since early 2017 to pass the Reproductive Health Care Act, legislation that would protect Roe v. Wade in Rhode Island no matter what happens at the federal level. Through our travels around the state we have had thousands of conversations in nearly every … [Read more...] about Written Testimony in favor of Sexual Harassment Bill Package

As a transgender and gender queer individual, this conversation affects me too.

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As a male-identified being, I often feel – largely appropriately so – ancillary to the conversation about reproductive rights. But as a transgender and gender queer individual, as a queer person, this conversation affects me too. Many of you know I’m a local Unitarian Universalist minister. But that’s not the capacity I’m writing in here. I’m writing as a member of the … [Read more...] about As a transgender and gender queer individual, this conversation affects me too.

Knowledge is Dangerous?!

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The RI Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing last week on the Reproductive Healthcare Act (RHCA). Despite impassioned testimony, less than an hour after the last of the testimony was given, the Committee shelved the bill. Another year that RI will not consider the impact of their reproductive policy on the citizens of this state. This couldn’t be further from democracy … [Read more...] about Knowledge is Dangerous?!

Presented Testimony for RHCA | The Catholic Church’s stance on abortion hurts women

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One week ago, tomorrow, Ireland, one of the most historically Catholic countries had a vote to make abortion legal. It passed by an overwhelming majority. It would seem that the citizens of Ireland know three things; 1. That women will only achieve equality when they have control over their reproduction and 2. That women deserve access to safe and legal medical health care … [Read more...] about Presented Testimony for RHCA | The Catholic Church’s stance on abortion hurts women

Ensure that the women of Rhode Island retain sovereign and constitutional rights to govern themselves

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I am a 64-year-old resident of Narragansett, Rhode Island and I would like this testimony to be included  regarding Bill #S2163 in your committee hearing to be held today, May 31, 2018.   I have been an outspoken supporter of the rights of American women for over 40 years. I believe that women have the intelligence, compassion and fortitude to determine their own … [Read more...] about Ensure that the women of Rhode Island retain sovereign and constitutional rights to govern themselves

Testimony in support of abortion as a physician…

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Dear Senator, As a physician and Rhode Island Citizen, I am writing in support of Senate Bill 2163.   The decision to have a baby or not is very personal, and needs to be protected.  While I think we should be doing everything possible to make for a better and safer world for parents and children, women who need an abortion for whatever reason need that process to be … [Read more...] about Testimony in support of abortion as a physician…

My Illegal Abortion

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In December 1968, when I was a nineteen-year old sophomore at the University of Texas, I found out that I was six weeks pregnant.  My boyfriend and I were in love.  It was the first sexual relationship for either of us.  We had been faithfully using the only birth-control available to us, condoms. But this time we came up short.  Maintaining the pregnancy was not an option: we … [Read more...] about My Illegal Abortion