Episode 154: Reproductive Justice…Again
L. Joy continues to bring many esteemed guests to the front of the class to sound the alarm and get us #CivicallyEngaged around the importance of reproductive justice. Now Texas just enacted, and the US Supreme Court upheld, the most restrictive abortion law in the country SB8. On this episode, we revisit our episode with Lizz Winstead, who outlined the myriad of legislative efforts to restrict access to a safe, legal abortion. Then L. Joy brings Amanda R. Matos to the front of the class to break down what we need to know and do right now around reproductive justice.
Our Guests
Lizz Winstead: In 2012, Lizz, co-creator and former head writer of The Daily Show and Air America co-founder, wanted to do more to leverage her experience in the worlds of comedy and broadcasting to help destigmatize abortion, call out misogynistic politicians, and rally voters to fight back against anti choice legislation on a federal, state and local level. She founded Abortion Access Force (formerly Lady Parts Justice), the first not safe for work, rapid response reproductive rights messaging hub that uses comedy, culture and digital media to sound an alarm about the terrifying erosion of access to reproductive rights. AAF is now a comedy war room that produces hilarious strategic and educational content on issues around reproductive care and abortion. Their work is served up across diverse media, from videos and apps to podcasts, and live shows. Pulling no punches, AAF gives voice and action to folks who care about access to abortion, but aren’t sure how to fight back. The goal? To create a fun and active social community who work together to expose and remove politicians who are reproductive health hazards.
Amanda R. Matos: Brings over a decade of experience in public affairs and social movements to the current movement for reproductive freedom. As Senior Director of Constituency Campaigns at Planned Parenthood Votes, Amanda manages three national advocacy programs centering Black & Latinx communities and young people in state-based organizing and elections. Amanda’s commitment to social change stems from her childhood growing up in the Bronx, New York and later co-founding and directing the WomanHOOD Project, which is a youth-led non-profit mentorship program for girls of color. Throughout her career, she has worked with New York City Council, Girls for Gender Equity, Sadie Nash Leadership Project, Futuro Media, and the Hispanic Federation’s UNIDOS Fund on policy, digital media, and research initiatives. Amanda received a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnicity & Race Studies from Columbia University and a Master in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School as a Sheila C. Johnson Fellow, and is a proud of fellowship alum of Young People For, New Leaders Council, Peace First, and the Open Society Internship on Rights and Governance. She is a 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Law & Policy awardee.
Homework
Listen to the full #SundayCivics episode “Legislative Efforts to Control Lady Parts” https://www.sundaycivics.org/episodes/episode28
Find out more about Abortion Access Force https://www.aaforce.org/
Text ABORTION to 22422 to join Planned Parenthood’s efforts on Reductive Justice
If you or someone you know are in need of services, https://www.abortionfinder.org/
