In this time of global crisis, we need one another more than ever. In an effort to deepen our connection in these tough times, The Womxn Project has launched the Sustaining Community video series, to share information, resources and support to make sure that even if we cannot be in physical spaces together that we can still build community.
We are thrilled to collaborate with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), SisterSong: National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), and a robust set of partners, activists, and health professionals across the country.
It is a deeply troubling time, but it is also an opportunity to make it clear that we will keep showing up for the people we work with and for – no matter what. Our intention with this joint initiative is to remind you that you are dear to us, that you are vital to this work of justice, and that there are people and organizations who are watching out for you and advocating for health, rights and justice for our communities!
See full video series here. | See individual speakers and their videos below.
We share actions folks can take while physically distancing from others, ways people are caring for themselves and keeping their families safe, and how we can support our communities. We encourage you to follow each of the convening organizations on social media to continue to view new videos and stay engaged. We hope you will also consider sharing your own insights.
Together, we will take this one day at a time. Together, we will continue to build and to sustain ourselves, our families and our communities.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, Director of Spiritual Care and Activism
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Praying for Clarity”
Jocelyn Foye, Director
(The Womxn Project)
“Getting Creative to Stay Engaged”
Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“Paid Family Leave”
Sensei Kaela Oleson, Owner and Sensei and 4th degree black belt
(Ichiban Karate & Fitness)
“Healthy Mind and Body”
Hannah Selwyn, Communications Manager
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“Supporting LGBTQ Young People”
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Finding What is Beautiful in This Moment“
Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“Halting Ice Raids”
Rev. DL Helfer, Pastor
“We Got This”
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Breathing Deep“
Denise Arnold, Founder & Educator
(Simply English)
“Tips for Teaching and Learning Together”
Anastasia Williams, House Representative, Rhode Island
“Shared Responsibility to Care for One Other“
Emily Boucher, Board Member, Artivist, High School Teacher
(The Womxn Project Education Fund)
“What We Can and Can’t Control“
Aimee Thorne-Thomsen, Board Member & Acting Executive Director
(SisterSong: National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective)
“Abortion is Essential Care“
Liana Cassar, House Representative, Rhode Island
“Social Distancing as Self Care for Our Community”
Ashley Wheeland, Director of Public Policy
(Hunger Free Colorado)
“Call to Action on SNAP Benefits“
Jessica Gonzáles-Rojas, Advocate and Candidate for Assembly Rep for Queens, NY
“Human Rights Crisis in Jails and Detention Centers“
Charlotte Apricot, Fellow and Activist
(The Womxn Project Education Fund)
“Maintaining Emotional Intelligence”
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“A Prayer to Calm Our Minds
Eme Crawford
(SiX, State Innovation Exchange)
“State Advocacy and Social Distancing”
Magnolia Perez, Actress and Activist
“Poder de las historias (Stories)”
Maria Anthony, Intern
(The Womxn Project)
“Checking In and Cultivating Community“
Aimee Thorne-Thomsen, Board Member & Acting Executive Director
(SisterSong: National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective)
“Funding to Support Women and Girls of Color“
Jessie Ulibarri, Co-Executive
(SiX, State Innovation Exchange)
“Inspire and Conspire Together“
Jordan Hevenor, Co-Creator
(The Womxn Project)
“Checking In and Cultivating Community“
Rev. DL Helfer, Pastor
“Finding Joy in the Midst of Tragedy“
Jason Carbino, Activist
“Lift the Ban on Blood Donation by Gay and Bisexual Men“
Margaret Chapman Pomponio, Executive Director
(West Virginia Free)
“Don’t Politicize a Pandemic to Ban Abortion“
Val, Megan, Beth, Hannah, Renee, Jordyn, Story Telling Team
(Center for Reproductive Rights & We Testify)
“All Love Someone Who Had an Abortion“
Nick, Maleeha, Danielle, Daniela, HK and Kenya, Story Telling Team
(Center for Reproductive Rights & We Testify)
“You Are Not Alone“
Jessy, Aimee, Victoria, Brittany, Jeana, Becca Rae & Jack, Story Telling Team
(Center for Reproductive Rights & We Testify)
“You Are Resilient”
Briana Perry, Co-Executive Director
(Healthy and Free Tennessee)
“#CollectiveJournaling”
Michelle Erenberg, Executive Director
(Lift Louisiana)
“Supporting Women on Frontlines of Covid19“
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Grieving Loss of Religious Community”
Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, Director of Spiritual Care and Activism
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Let’s Talk About Hope“
Dr. Kelly Joy Valignota, Doctor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Retired Dancer
“Movement As Medicine“
Maria Anthony, Intern
(The Womxn Project)
“Staying Engaged to Make a Difference”
Melissa Moore, Manager
(Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network’s [WREN])
“We Can’t Survive Without Supporting Each Other”
Liz Homsy, Attorney and civil rights activist
“Stay Safe, Stay Engaged“
Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Activist
(Steadfast Strategies)
“Thankful for the Helpers“
Aimee Thorne-Thomsen, Board Member & Acting Executive Director
(SisterSong: National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective)
“Incarcerated People Should be Counted in Communities“
Alana DiMario, Licensed Mental Health Therapist, Activist
(RI NOW)
“Supporting Our Kids Through Conversation and Play“
Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“Protecting Those Who Nourish Our Nation”
Yojaida Heredia, Intern
(The Womxn Project)
“Support Small Businesses”
Kate Handley, Activist & Author
“Writing as Therapy“
Beth Bell, Artivist
(The Womxn Project Education Fund)
“Power of Art in these Tough Times”
Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“We Won’t Be Sacrificed for Profits & Politics“
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Love is a Force that Surrounds Us Always“
Janie Segui Rodriguez, Co-creator
(PLEE, Parents Leading for Educational Equity)
“Educating Our Kids, Supporting Each Other“
Julian Trilling, Artivist and Performer
“Make Art to Make Connections–with Your Feelings & with Others“
Cori Garland, Lawyer & Activist
(The Womxn Project)
“Make Abortion Pills Available in the Mail to Close Gaps“
Jocelyn Foye, Director
(The Womxn Project)
“Free the Pill for Affordable Access to OTC Birth Control”
Jennifer Rourke, Co-Director
(The Womxn Project)
“Centering Women of Color’s Maternal Health in Relief Efforts“
Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, Director of Spiritual Care and Activism
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“What We Focus on is What We Fill Our Lives With“
Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“Showing Up for & Supporting Pregnant People“
Liz Homsy, Attorney and civil rights activist
“Staying Connected through Mutual Aid“
Rabbi Josh Fixler
(Congregation Emanue El in Houston, TX)
“Abortion Providers are Doing Holy Work“
Kat Kerwin, Community Organizer, City Council Woman
(Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence)
“Keeping Communities Safe Includes Gun Violence“
Tammy Brown, Board Member, Artivist, Actor, Director
(The Womxn Project Education Fund)
“Women are on the Frontlines – We Demand More“
Melissa Moore, Manager
(Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network’s [WREN])
“LGBT People Need to Be There for Our Community”
April Ruedaflores, Mother, Activist
“Investing in Childcare is Essential to Economic Recovery“
Melinda Lopez, Candidate, RI Latina Leadership Member, and Educational Strategies Specialist
(Highlander Institute)
“Reopening Requires Adequate Childcare“
Maya Hart, Activist and Organizer
(SisterSong: National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective)
“Supporting Black Mamas in the Time of Covid“
Erin Matson, Activist and Organizer
(ReproAction)
“WHO Protocol to Self Manage Your Abortion at Home“
Jordan Hevenor, Co-Director
(The Womxn Project)
“Ensuring the Health of Our Communities & 2020 Census”
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Recalibrating to Care for Ourselves–and Our Loved Ones“
Michelle Erenberg, Executive Director
(Lift Louisiana)
“SCOTUS, Abortion and What’s At Stake“
Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“HEROES Act Helps Advance Immigrant Justice“
Faith Williams, Associate Director of Government Relations and Advocacy
(National Council of Jewish Women)
“#VoteSafe: Protect the Vote to Protect Our Rights“
Jennifer Rourke, Co-Director
(The Womxn Project)
“Protect Our Care, Defend the ACA“
Max Mapes, Lead-Organizer
(New Era Colorado/Brazen Project)
“Art, Activism and Self-Care“
Hannah Selwyn, Communications Manager
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“HEAL Act: Don’t Leave Immigrants Behind“
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Love the World: A Poetry Reading“
Tammy Brown, Board Member, Artivist, Actor, Director
(The Womxn Project Education Fund)
“People Are Going Hungry While Big Business Gets Bailed Out“
Jocelyn Foye, Director
(The Womxn Project)
“Either We’re Actively Anti-Racist or We’re Part of the Problem“
Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Activist
(Steadfast Strategies)
“Raising Our Children to Challenge Racism“
Cori Garland, Lawyer & Activist
(The Womxn Project)
“White People Do Something: A Call for Help, A Call to Action“
Rev. DL Helfer, Pastor
“White People: Commit to Ending Racism“
Karla Gonzales Garcia, Policy Director
(Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights)
“Need to Be Real About Anti-Black Racism Among Latinx”
Rev. Katey Zeh, Interim CEO
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“Dismantling White Supremacy in our Churches & Ourselves“
Tammy Brown, Board Member, Artivist, Actor, Director
(The Womxn Project Education Fund)
“For White People Who Would Call Themselves Allies“
Tammy Brown, Board Member, Artivist, Actor, Director
(The Womxn Project Education Fund)
“White People Need to Commit to Long-Term Work for Racial Justice“
Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, Director of Spiritual Care and Activism
(Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice)
“May We Health Together and Harvest the Blessing of Justice“