Advancing Reproductive Rights with the Feminist Majority Foundation
I had the privilege of spending this past summer interning at the Feminist Majority Foundation, an organization that works to advance women’s rights and empowerment in all sectors of society. As a Public Health and International Relations double major, I am passionate about advancing women’s rights and health, and I jumped at the opportunity to work with such an amazing organization that works at the intersection of all of my passions.
I worked in person at their Los Angeles office, primarily assisting with the National Clinic Access Project. The project works to protect abortion clinics across the U.S. from violence, warning them of planned clinic invasions, and providing support to ensure that clinics are able to remain open. Day-to-day, I compiled reports of the activities of prominent anti-abortion extremist groups, using this information to inform reproductive health clinics of potential invasions or demonstrations.
Additionally, I was given the opportunity to assist with a number of other projects, including the Vote for Equality campaign, which is working to mobilize college student voters. I created reports for colleges across Arizona and Wisconsin, summarizing data on student voter participation and current civic engagement efforts.
After my first month, I was able to co-write two articles for Ms. Magazine, one covering a recent demonstration at a reproductive health clinic, and the other outlining the sentencing of several anti-abortion extremists for a past clinic invasion. Having never written an article before, it was exciting being able to assist with the process from start to finish.
It was a pleasure doing this work in the office, receiving support from fellow interns and supervisors, attending lunch-and-learn events, and engaging in meaningful conversation about reproductive justice. I am eternally grateful for this internship experience, having broadened my understanding of reproductive rights, advocacy, and justice–knowledge that I will undoubtedly take with me through the rest of my studies and into my future career.
