An important part of our work at Black Women for Reproductive Justice is to let policymakers know the impact of various policies upon the lives of women, especially Black women.  On December 12, 2008, I was a part of a group of activists who met with the President-Elect’s Transition Team to discuss recommendations reproductive justice activists made to advance reproductive health and rights.  I was asked to speak about the devastating effect of abortion funding restrictions on poor women who are disproportionately women of color.  We are in a pivotal point in history.  This is a time when we must identify the issues that concern us and carry our voices to policymakers about the changes we want to see.

This is the work for each of us who believe in women being able to be self-determining about their lives, their bodies, the communities that we call home.  It is truly the time to “color our world” with fairness, justice, and equality.  Take some time to reflect on what fairness, justice, and equality mean to you.  What do you think needs to happen, especially, around the issue of reproductive justice?

Take a look at the full document that reproductive health and rights activists have created:
Advancing Reproductive Health and Rights in a New Administration
on President-Elect Obama’s change.gov website.

Click here to read the complete text of my comments to the president’s transition team.