Good Morning,

2020 was a year filled with twists and turns and challenges we could have never anticipated. A global pandemic threatened our lives, an economic downturn that threatened our livelihood, and an election cycle threatened the right to have our votes counted. 

But throughout the year, the leadership of Black Reproductive Justice organizations stood strong. We provided food and other resources to families hit hard by COVID-19. We engaged with members of Congress in our advocacy work for Black women, femmes, and girls. We engaged voters in key battleground states, raising our voices to demand that all votes be counted. We continued our leadership development work on HBCUs.

2021 offers some glimmers of hope. A COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed, we will have new leadership in the White House, and Black women leaders will pave the way for a more equitable and just society. 

As a Reproductive Justice organization, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda approaches all our work from a human rights perspective, incorporating the intersections of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity with the situational impacts of economics, politics, and culture that make up the lived experiences of Black women in America. 

We are grateful for the support you have given us over the years and we ask you to give what you can to help us continue our work in 2021. 

In Our Own Voice works at the intersections of health, economics, culture, and politics to Through our partners, we have been able to meet Black women and their families' needs as the virus continues to cause immeasurable loss. We are so proud of the work that our partner organizations are doing in their communities. Please help us continue this work and the fight for Reproductive Justice for all by donating to our End of Year campaign. 

Marcela Howell
CEO & President
In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda
In Our Own Voice's Year In Review
During oral arguments for June Medical Services LLC v. Russo, Women With A Vision, our partner organization in Louisiana, led the effort to understand the attacks on abortion rights within a Reproductive Justice frame. Additionally, we collaborated with our partner organization New Voices for Reproductive Justice, and others on an amicus brief in support of the petitioners in Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
After the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Jacob Blake, our partner organization New Voices for Reproductive Justice took to the streets to join thousands in peaceful protests in Philadelphia. 
Our Issues
Climate Change: In June, we lifted up Reproductive Justice perspectives and priorities in Tennessee and Mississippi, highlighting legislative interventions that address the timely connection between climate change, environmental racism and adverse maternal health outcomes facing Black women.
Clean Water: We joined forces with National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Partnership for Women and Families, and the Sierra Club to release a report and host a webinar to raise awareness about the reproductive health and justice issues that arise when clean water is inaccessible.

Abortion Access: In Our Own Voice along with our partner Black Women’s Health Imperative and others participated in #AbortionAccess4All Digital Lobby Day to educate Congress about the Each Woman Act and Women’s Health Protection Act.
In Our Own Voice participated in the Creating Change Conference in Dallas, TX, hosted by the National LGBTQ Task Force. At the conference, we promoted our I AM A VOTER campaign. 
Our Next Generation Fellows and several other supporters, including award-winning actress Tessa Thompson, helped motivate thousands of Black women to the polls!
Deep South Webinars: Along with our partner organizations SisterReach, The Afiya Center, and Women with a Vision, we hosted a series of webinars about the experience of Black women in the Deep South and their perspectives on reproductive health, rights, and justice.
Voting Rights Petition: A petition was launched in support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The bill is critical to protecting voting rights, especially for communities that continue to be disenfranchised and targeted by voter suppression.

In Our Own Voice’s Next Generation Leadership Institute trains upcoming leaders of the Reproductive Justice movement. This year, we have 12 fellows from five HBCUs across the country. 
After months of inaction from our elected officials, we launched our Emergency COVID Relief Fund, which provided grants to our partner organizations allowing them to meet the tangible needs of Black women and their families who have been severely impacted by COVID-19.
For the New Administration: In partnership with Planned Parenthood, we released First Priorities, a detailed punch list of executive and agency actions for the incoming administration’s opening days.
The HEROES Act: Along with our partner organization, Black Women for Wellness Action Project and 14 other Black RJ organizations, we submitted an official letter into U.S. Senate record that was addressed to Congressional leadership in support of the HEROES Act.
Thank you for supporting Black women and In Our Own Voice's mission and work—we couldn't do it without you. Until next year (2021), be safe and stay healthy!
All updated partner logos
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our state partners are working hard to ensure community access to crucial information and services during this difficult time. Here are some of the ways they continue to provide support their local communities.