Busting Abortion Myths and Advocating for Equitable Reproductive Health at the Nancy Davis Foundation
This fall, I had the pleasure of interning with the Nancy Davis Foundation, alongside Nancy Davis herself, who lives to promote accessibility to reproductive and equitable healthcare in Louisiana. I was able to assist in Nancy’s mission by helping run her Instagram and TikTok accounts, and by attending events with her.
In my internship, I had the opportunity to explore my own topics of interest surrounding reproductive health and rights. I created a TikTok account (@nancydavisfoundation) in which I shared valuable content regarding reproductive health with the purpose of reaching an audience that is typically underserved. Anyone could watch my videos, but the views of young people who can become pregnant, typically living in areas with an education gap, mattered the most. I called my series of videos the “Abortion Myth-Busting Series,” in which I did exactly that: bust common abortion myths. In total, I published 16 videos, busted 9 myths, and reached almost 2,000 likes. I discussed topics like different kinds of abortions and birth controls, the actual outcome of Roe v Wade, and even debunked types abortion bans and political myths (“post-birth abortions,” for example).
Through the comments on my videos, I interacted with ordinary people, who either thanked me for the information, or provided even more in-depth information for other viewers. These interactions became very special to me, and I cannot express the gratitude I felt when I saw how many people interacted with my videos. Even though I didn’t “blow up” on TikTok, I felt lucky that this information could change even one person’s view on abortion.
Besides my satisfaction regarding the TikTok page, I am also very proud of the content I shared on Nancy’s official instagram account (@nancydavisfoundation). I shared similar content to that of the TikTok, but also created graphics surrounding “repro news” and calls to action. I greatly appreciate how Nancy allowed me to use her platforms to promote reproductive health advocacy in my own way.
Finally, my absolute favorite part of my internship was attending the Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast 40th Year Anniversary Celebration. There, I was able to hear Nacy share her story, along with many other inspirational and well-known speakers, in which each one of them called upon the young generation. Being there made me feel like reproductive justice is possible in Louisiana, and that we need to uplift young voices and the voices of black women, who have been carrying the reproductive rights movement on their backs for countless years.
Overall, this internship was an extremely valuable and eye-opening experience. As someone who has interned with a reproductive rights PAC in Illinois, a very pro-choice state, working in Louisiana, a very anti choice state, was a change of pace, but an important one nonetheless. I learned a lot about myself and my own passions about reproductive health through this experience, and I can promise that I will apply what I learned from the Nancy Davis Foundation for the rest of my life.
I would like to sincerely thank Nancy Davis and The Newcomb Institute for allowing me to further explore an issue I am so passionate about. Thank you from the bottom of my heart; this was truly an unforgettable opportunity.
