An update on sexual and reproductive justice advocacy, news, and scholarship from the SRJ Hub at CUNY SPH.
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Spring is a season of renewal—and at the SRJ Hub, we're channeling that energy into fresh ideas, bold collaborations, and continued advocacy for sexual and reproductive justice. This momentum is especially evident in our curriculum development efforts, where we’ve partnered with faculty, practitioners, community leaders, and students—including CUNY SPH’s Repro Club—to shape a proposed master’s degree in Sexual and Reproductive Justice and Health. As we welcome the spring season, we're excited to share updates from our growing community that reflect the momentum of this moment. Let’s keep growing together.
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Developing an innovative curriculum
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As part of the ongoing development of the proposed master's degree concentration in Sexual and Reproductive Justice and Health, the SRJ Hub convened an interdisciplinary group of faculty, practitioners, activists, and community partners for a collaborative workshop to review and refine the curriculum. Participants offered thoughtful feedback and recommendations to help ensure the program is grounded in justice, equity, and real-world relevance.
The Hub also held a separate review session with members of the student-led Repro Club, whose insights and lived experiences further enriched the conversation.
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During Black Maternal Health Week, City & State published an op-ed coauthored by CUNY SPH Associate Dean Lynn Roberts, NY State Senator Lea Webb and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. Drawing on decades of experience in racial, economic, and reproductive justice, they call for solutions to maternal health disparities that center impacted communities and address the deep-rooted systems—racism, healthcare access, housing, and economic inequality—that shape maternal outcomes.
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Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, state Sen. Lea Webb and maternal health advocates hold a press conference in Albany during Black Maternal Health Week in 2024. Photo courtesy of Office of Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
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The United States' decisions to pause USAID funding and withdraw from the World Health Organization have had far-reaching consequences for global humanitarian efforts. Senior Associate Dean Terry McGovern discusses these impacts with CNA, in the segment beginning at 16:44.
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ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
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Application deadline: June 1, 2025
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The Emerging Leaders Network, formerly known as NLNI (New Leadership Networking Initiative), is launching as a year-long program in Fall 2025. The program will provide a space for emerging reproductive justice leaders to sharpen their skills, build coalitions, and ideate the future of the movement together.
The Emerging Leaders Network will:
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- Take part in monthly cohort calls with workshops to develop their leadership skills
- Discuss the current challenges they are facing in movement work
- Identify/create strategies for continuing to build a movement in the current climate
- Participate in political education presentations and discussions
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The Emerging Leaders will also convene in person twice - once in the Fall and once in the Spring for even deeper connection and work together.
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From Clinics to Courtrooms: Reflecting on 40 Years of Advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Justice
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The most recent session of SRJ Voices, a speaker series presented by the SRJ Hub, was a compelling conversation between Dr. Machelle Allen, Chief Medical Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals, and Terry McGovern, senior associate dean at CUNY SPH, as they reflected on four decades of collaboration in sexual and reproductive justice advocacy. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Diana Romero, professor of community health and social sciences at CUNY SPH.
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WHAT'S BUZZING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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Public health policy plays a critical role in Black maternal health.
Medicaid is a lifeline for Black mothers — covering 65% of births to Black mothers. But proposed budget cuts to Medicaid could have devastating effects on maternal health outcomes for Black birthing people.
Expanding Medicaid postpartum coverage to at least 12 months is essential for ensuring continued access to the critical care needed to improve health outcomes. Right now, 11 states limit coverage to just 60 days.
In addition, expanding Medicaid reimbursement for doulas (currently only available in 10 states) would make proven, life-saving support more accessible, leading to better birth outcomes for Black women and birthing people.
Policy change is necessary to ensure better, equitable care.
#BMHW2025 #BlackMaternalHealth #SRJHub #ReproJustice #PolicyChange #MedicaidMatters #BirthEquity
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By supporting CUNY SPH's Byllye Avery Endowed Professorship in Sexual and Reproductive Justice, you will help establish programming, research, scholarship, and advocacy training in sexual and reproductive justice to empower and develop the next generation of public health leaders.
Learn more about this exciting new professorship.
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COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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