Good Afternoon,

In just 16 days, we will know what the future of our country can look like. We will either have more of the same racist, sexist, divisive rhetoric of the past four years or we will have an opportunity to heal our country.
 
On Oct. 6, we honored the birthday of civil and voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. The daughter of Mississippi sharecroppers, she spent her childhood working in the fields. At 45 years old, she attended a protest meeting which sparked her activism and spent the rest of her life helping African Americans register to vote and cast their ballots.

"They talked about how it was our right as human beings to register to vote. I never knew we could vote before. Nobody ever told us." -Fannie Lou Hamer
 
We don’t have the excuse that we were never told about the importance of voting. We’ve been told over and over again to go to the polls. We’ve heard from athletes, celebrities, political figures, organizers, and family and friends. We’ve been encouraged to make a plan to vote, given tips on how to make a plan, and we’ve received details on important voting dates and deadlines. Now, it’s up to us.  
 
Too much is at stake for any eligible voter to skip this election, especially Black women voters. We are one of the largest and most powerful voting blocs in the country. When we make our voices heard, politicians listen, Black women leaders are elected to office, and our families and children are healthier, safer, and economically better off. 
 
Black women have the power to decide this election. Our vote is our voice. Our voice is our collective power to change our neighborhoods, our cities, our states, our country. If you are among the 6.6 million Americans who have already voted, I thank you. If you haven’t made it to the polls yet or have to wait until Nov. 3, I urge you to pack your lunch and show up. 
 
Fannie Lou Hamer said, "We have to build our own power. We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of Black people.”  I urge you to join us - to exercise your vote, your voice, and our power.


Marcela Howell
President & CEO
In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda
We are a small national nonprofit with the goal of lifting up the voices of Black women, girls, and femmes on the issues that impact their lives and, right now, few issues are having a greater impact on the lives of Black women and their families than COVID-19. Although we cannot take on the problems in every city, we will work with our partner organizations in Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans and Philadelphia to provide funds for food, utilities, childcare and, in some cases, rent.

As we raise more funds, we will provide more support. If you would like to donate, click the button below.
Reproductive Week of Action 2020

We are still feeling the excitement from our 2020 Reproductive Justice Week of Action (RJWOA). It was a week dedicated to mobilizing and amplifying our collective voices around policy and culture change issues. Our partner organizations held a number of local events including legislative meetings with elected officials, voter education forums, and virtual parties.

Additionally, we asked Black women across the country to share their voter plan for the November election on their social media platforms. Influencers like Feminista Jones and Yvette Nicole Brown pulled out their devices and went to work. We were also honored to have actress and advocate Tessa Thompson join us and our partner organizations for an engaging Instagram Live where we discussed exactly what’s at stake in this election.
Reproductive Justice and the U.S. Supreme Court: 
Vice President of Government Affairs Michelle Batchelor joined Linda Goler Blunt, President and CEO of Black Women's Health Imperative, on Black and Well TV to discuss the ongoing fight for Reproductive Justice amidst the current Supreme Court Justice appointment process.
Protect Our Voting Rights: Sign the 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 efforts. The petition is still open for signatures.
Reproductive Justice Polling in the South—Louisiana & Kentucky
ICYMI: Our organization, together with our partner organizations SisterReach and Women With A Vision, hosted two webinars, The Voices and Experiences of Black Women in Louisiana and The Voices and Experiences of Black Women in Kentucky. Both webinars discussed Black women in the Deep South's perspectives on Reproductive health, rights, and justice. 
Our Fellows Are Leading the Charge

The Next Generation Leadership Institute (Next Gen) lead the charge on energizing young voters by serving as Swag Ambassadors for our 2020 Reproductive Justice Week of Action. Next Gen fellows got their swag on in #IAMAVOTER gear and took to their digital platforms to amplify the importance of voting this election cycle. Showcasing young people's involvement in the political process is critical for a truly representative and vibrant democracy. 
Jill Scott Speaks To Black Women's Health Imperative's SIS Circle Girls
SPARK Updates
SPARK will host JusticeNOW2020, virtually, Nov. 20-22, 2020. JusticeNOW2020 will provide an intentional and inimitable space for folx to unite for the advancement of Reproductive Justice. The conference is designed to uplift leaders at all levels, with an emphasis on grassroots leaders.
Our Voice, Our Vote: Black Womxn and Voting Rights in PA and OH
A Night of Virtual Celebration

On Oct. 16, SisterLove virtually hosted its 11th Annual 2020 Leading Women’s Society Awards in honor of 11 outstanding women from across the country who have lived with HIV for 20+ years and serve as change agents and advocates in their local communities. 
 
Aside from a celebratory gala, the event served as the signature fundraiser. Consider making a donation to SisterLove today. 
Texas Rise Up: Black Women Vote 2020
Women With A Vision hosted “What’s on the Ballot?” and a voter registration drive!
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.
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