Hello






If you’ve been keeping up with the news, the headlines say it all — Black women in the United States are under attack. Whether we are fighting for our right to vote, abortion justice, or maternal health equity, the assaults just won’t let up. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is leading the fight on many fronts and will continue to do so until Reproductive Justice is a reality for all Black women, femmes, girls, and gender-expansive people. But, we need your help. 
 
This GivingTuesday, Nov. 30, please consider supporting Black women, femmes, girls, and gender expansive people with a donation to In Our Own Voice. Your contribution will make an impact for years to come. Your donation will allow us to continue to advocate for and support Black women and their families. 
  
Your donation will also allow us to continue to promote the policy solutions in the Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda. The Agenda, released this June, is an innovative, proactive policy document created in collaboration with more than 30 Black women’s organizations and Reproductive Justice activists. It presents solutions grounded in a human rights framework and Black feminist theory, which we believe provides a clearer view of the needs of Black communities. The Black RJ Policy Agenda is the most comprehensive policy vision for Black communities to date. 

Your donation in any amount will make a difference and help fight for the health, rights and justice for Black communities. Your donation will lead to equitable solutions that positively impact the lives of Black families: 
 
  • A $250 contribution will enhance our voter education and outreach to Black women voters on Reproductive Justice-related issues. 
  • A $100 contribution will allow us to provide training opportunities for future RJ leaders and help us expand our Next Generation Leadership Institute. 
  • A $50 contribution will allow us to promote our Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda with other justice movement organizations. 

GivingTuesday is November 30. In the weeks to come, be sure to keep an eye out for more information about our Giving Tuesday campaign. Follow us on social media to stay updated. 
  
In solidarity, 
Marcela Howell
President & CEO
In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda
Thank You for Your RJWOA21 Participation!
Thank you again for your participation and support in the Seventh Annual Black Reproductive Justice Week of Action (RJWOA)! The week was filled with events and activities that elevated the voices of Black women, girls, femmes, and gender-expansive people, and helped us to collectively mobilize around the newly released Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda. 

Special thanks to our partner organizations — Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc., SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center, and Women With a Vision, Inc. — for their collaboration. The week would not have been a success without each and every one of you!

If you weren’t able to attend all of our live events, you can watch some of the recordings at the links below. And, although RJWOA has officially ended, you can still take action and continue the fight to advance Reproductive Justice. 
Amicus Brief filed in Allegheny Reproductive Health Center vs. Pennsylvania DHS 
In Our Own Voice and New Voices for Reproductive Justice, represented by If/When/How and co-counsel Krysten Connon of the law firm Lichten & Liss-Riordan, P.C., authored an amicus brief in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in support of the petitioners in Allegheny Reproductive Health Center et al v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services et al. This lawsuit challenges the Pennsylvania statute banning Medicaid coverage of abortion and the RJ brief is cosigned by 22 organizations working in Pennsylvania and the U.S. to ensure Reproductive Justice and the health and well-being of Black women and girls. 
Investments in Black Maternal Health 
On Oct. 4, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 65, the California Momnibus Act into law. Black Women for Wellness Action Project co-sponsored this legislation and worked closely with the bill’s author, Sen. Nancy Skinner, to ensure the Act's passage. The legislation addresses the maternal mortality crisis in California and advances equity in birthing outcomes.

In partnership with the Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective, In Our Own Voice submitted a letter to House and Senate Leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in support of investing in Black maternal health. 
RJ x Maternal Health
Vice President of Government Affairs Jennifer Rose Jacoby was interviewed by Generation Progress on Reproductive Justice and maternal health. 
Meet the HBCU Students Fighting for Reproductive Justice
The Next Generation Leadership Institute is leading the charge on elevating Reproductive Justice at HBCU's around the nation. During the Black RJWOA, fellows hoped on an Instagram Live panel to share how they are courageously fighting for RJ on their campuses. 

The four students who participated in the panel lifted up their experience in a new blog.
Unmuting Fibroids — Getting Loud for Equal Care  

BWHI is partnering with Hologic, Inc. to host a multidisciplinary group of celebrities, media personalities, policy makers, doctors, faith leaders and community stakeholders for a closed roundtable discussion to understand and address the barriers that stand in the way of improved outcomes for Black women living with uterine fibroids today and in the future. 
Black Youth March for Our Lives  

New Voices for Reproductive Justice is participating in the Black Youth March for Our Lives in Philadelphia on October 30 at 11:30 A.M. EST. The march will end with a resource fair for participants.
Free HIV Testing 

SisterLove is providing free and confidential HIV testing, easily scheduled online or over the phone. In-person and mail-in testing are both available. 
Reproductive Justice at the Intersection Award 

Join SisterReach in celebrating ten years of Reproductive Justice advocacy in Tennessee and across the nation! SisterReach will be honoring its 2021 RJ at the Intersection Awards recipients, with special guest keynote speaker founding Reproductive Justice Mother Dr. Toni Bond and musical guest Grammy-nominated singer Eric Roberson.
Crisis Pregnancy Center Reviewathon  

SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, along with Amplify GA and URGE are hosting a reviewathon on October 28 at 6 P.M. EST to learn about Crisis Pregnancy Centers, why they are harmful, and how to apply that knowledge by writing and submitting Google reviews, informing people that these centers do not provide abortion services.
End With Red: Out Loud and On Purpose Gala

The Afiya Center will be hosting its annual End With Red fundraising gala on December 4. This year's theme is an unforgettable masquerade evening, marking The Afiya Center's 10-year anniversary.