Summer is definitely the time for air conditioned movie theaters, lots of water to stay nourished, and as much rest as your life allows. The Womxn Project team never stops, but we’re slowing down this summer a little bit to protect our physical and mental health, and we hope you do the same.
The Womxn Project recently made headlines in Rewire, a publication dedicated to repro rights journalism. Our executive director, Jocelyn Foye, wrote a piece on Rhode Island’s success in securing abortion rights for the people in its borders. Read it here.
Big news in birth control this month! At long last, over-the-counter birth control is a reality, breaking down barriers to people who don’t have easy access to a medical professional. We applaud this move that has been a long time coming. And it’s coming to your local pharmacy early next year!
Learn more here.
–> But as we celebrate, it’s important not to turn away from the people still suffering under draconian abortion laws that wrest bodily autonomy from US citizens. In Nebraska, a 19-year-old woman was sentenced to prison for violating her state’s abortion laws and illegally hiding the evidence of her medication abortion. Evidence used against the girl and her mother were their private Facebook messages, giving credence to concerns that private communication can be used against pregnant people seeking abortion and those who help them.
–> And Georgia, which is one of 12 states that have a six-week abortion ban, recently passed the one-year mark of its anti-choice policy. The occasion was marked by numerous protests against clinics that have spent the last year turning patients away.
On July 7, The Womxn Project and The Womxn Project Education Fund held a celebration with members of the EACA steering committee at Revival Brewing in Providence. Getting together with our partner organizations and celebrating the years-long effort to improve abortion access for our state was a wonderful way to spend a hot July night. Our work isn’t over as we look to supporting implementation of the new law and education surrounding it.
We’re hearing from medical professionals in our community that Medicaid recipients who now receive abortion coverage through their health plan aren’t necessarily aware of this new benefit. A focus for The Womxn Project Education Fund over the next year is creating projects that educate people on their increased abortion access in Rhode Island.
TWPEF’s long-time director stepped down this summer and Nicole Adams has joined the organization as a temporary administrative lead as it undergoes a restructuring. Nicole works at an area Providence school and comes to Rhode Island from the Bronx, allowing her to bring a new perspective to our organization. She carries an additional sense of thoughtful care to our office and we are thrilled to share space with her. Nicole is available at [email protected].
We’re excited to have two powerful, passionate people lending a hand in our office this summer. Kaitlynn Castillo, our operations director, has put together a wonderful internship program for them that is benefiting us all.
We’re diligently planning a late September party where we’ll announce our 2024 legislative action plans. Save the date for September 30th and keep an eye on your inbox for party details. We hope to see you there!
We’re still celebrating the passage of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA), but you might be looking ahead and wondering what is next for your activism. Perhaps a Political Campaign?
