In Our Own Voice Mourns Dianne Feinstein, Longest Serving Women in U.S. Senate, and Congratulates Laphonza Butler on Historic Appointment

In response to Dianne Feinstein’s death and Laphonza Butler’s swearing in as her successor, Regina Davis Moss, President and CEO of In Our Own Voice, released the following statement:

“As we mourn the loss of Senator Dianne Feinstein, a force who fought for so many core issues within Reproductive Justice– abortion access, creating communities free from gun violence, and LGBTQ+ rights—we applaud her legacy carrying on as Laphonza Butler is sworn in to fill the late senator’s seat. Sen. Feinstein shaped numerous policy decisions to help move our nation forward. From leading the Reauthorizing Violence Against Women Act to spearheading an effective federal Assault Weapons Ban, and taking action on the AIDS epidemic, Senator Feinstein drove lasting and meaningful change for both California and our nation. 

From one trailblazer to the next, we are overjoyed that Senator Laphonza Butler, a champion of reproductive rights and working people, will be carrying on the work. The first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the Senate, Laphonza has already broken barriers. She did it as the first Black woman to lead Emily’s List, a political action committee dedicated to electing women leaders who support abortion rights, and as a leader of California’s largest labor union. With so many of the rights we hold dear under attack, Senator Butler’s experience and background more than meet the moment. Senator Butler stands behind the values and rights we’re fighting for and her appointment is a win for Black women across the country. We deserve to have leaders who represent us and champion our needs in the most important chambers of power, and Senator Butler will prioritize policy that centers positive health outcomes for Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people. Senator Laphonza Butler is a voice we need in our Senate, and In Our Own Voice is looking forward to working with her to advance our Reproductive Justice goals.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national-state partnership focused on lifting up the voices of Black women leaders at the national and regional levels in our fight to secure Reproductive Justice for all women, femmes, and girls. Our eight strategic partners are 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.