As the chill of authoritarianism spreads across our country, we turn to the warmth of our communities and the power of our collective work for justice and healing in New Mexico. We remember our ancestors and the generations of leaders who have been here before: Indigenous communities defending the land, abolitionists dismantling the institutions of slavery and mass incarceration, women of all races fighting for the right to vote, leaders protecting LGBTQIA rights and, more recently, the water defenders at Standing Rock, the freedom fighters with Movement for Black Lives, the courageous trailblazers of #MeToo, the immigrant rights and climate justice activists.  

In the face of all that is cold, heartless, and cruel, we remember not to despair— that we are many. We also remember that action absorbs anxiety.

There are many ways to take meaningful action:

Focus on the local work. Tune into what is happening at the Legislative session. NMW.O is supporting organizing and advocacy efforts that will benefit women, girls, and gender nonconforming folks in New Mexico. See the section below for more details!

Deepen your community relationships. Develop a pod with friends or neighbors. With all that is going on it is helpful to reflect, process, and organize in community. In the coming months, NMW.O will be hosting informal gatherings where we can connect and discuss current topics. Stay tuned for more information about this!

Educate yourself about and invest in local organizing, advocacy, and other groups working to protect the rights of women, girls, and gender nonconforming folks.

The cold front is moving in, and as it does, we offer warmth to each other as we keep the fires of solidarity burning. Despite forces that seek to weaken, demoralize, discourage, and divide, our work continues. We invite you to connect with our efforts and those of our community partners to find hope and strength as we face the cold and strategize for the future.

Despite the challenges our communities now face it is critical to remember that, locally, bold legislation is being pushed to create a more just and equitable New Mexico. Here’s a roundup of some key gender justice focused legislation that our community partners are leading or supporting: 

• Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Bill: Expanding access to age-appropriate, inclusive education. 
• Doula Credentialing and Access Act: Increasing equitable access to community-based-doula care with Medicaid reimbursement, ensuring credentialing is rooted in cultural humility, and expanding systemic support for perinatal health. 
• Paid Family and Medical Leave Act: Aiming to create a program and fund, administered by the State of New Mexico, to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for employees to care for a new child, a family member with a serious health concern, or their own medical condition. 
• Medicaid Forward: Protecting the Healthcare Affordability Fund in HB2 and taking steps toward affordable coverage for all New Mexicans. 
• Various Reproductive Justice bills seeking to safeguard privacy, safety, and access to all reproductive healthcare, including abortion and gender-affirming care. 
• Internet Privacy and Safety Act: Addressing privacy concerns and providing meaningful health data protections for everyone in New Mexico using the Internet. 

• Menstrual Products Access Expansion: Building on last year’s funding success to ensure inclusive access for all individuals, including trans people within carceral settings.
• Parole Board Reform (SB84): Advocating for a fairer justice system. 
• Children’s Health Protection Zones (HB35): Protecting children’s health by establishing pollution-free zones around schools. 
• Sexual Assault Prevention Funding: Advocating for $7 million in allocations for prevention, counseling, and victim support. 
• Public Expression Protection Act: Shielding free speech and First Amendment rights and protecting against public participation in frivolous lawsuits. 
• Green Amendment: Enshrining environmental rights as fundamental constitutional protections. 
• Starting a Baby Bond Program to address generational and racial wealth divides. 
• Increasing the Child Tax Credit for young children and increasing other targeted tax credits and rebates for families earning low and moderate incomes, including the Low Income Comprehensive Tax Rebate. 

How You Can Get Involved! 

Collective action is essential to advancing policy initiatives. Click the links above and get involved with the organizations working on various issues. Additionally, mark your calendars to join the following advocacy days of action:  

Your contributions help sustain vital programs, advocacy efforts, and the movement leaders and organizations working tirelessly to create a safer, healthier, and thriving New Mexico. With your support, we continue to push boundaries, spark change, and reimagine what’s possible for more resilient futures. Your gifts strengthen our commitment to building a just, sustainable future for women, girls, gender nonconforming people, and their communities across New Mexico. 

From all of us at NewMexicoWomen.Org, thank you for linking arms with us and making this work possible. 

With Love & Solidarity,

Sarah Ghiorse

President & CEO