Press Release – Page 14 – In Our Own Voice

Voting Rights Coalition Letter: Protect Voting Rights and Public Safety in Response to COVID-19

Dear Members of Congress, Governors, and State Election Officials:

The co-chairs of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ Voting Rights Task Force, and undersigned organizations, write to urge Congress and all state elections officials to adopt and fund a number of key policies to ensure both the public’s safety and the orderly conduct of the 2020 primary and general elections in light of the current threat posed by COVID-19.

Black women leaders denounce Trump’s latest attack on health care access

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda Founder and President Marcela Howell

WASHINGTON — Today, the Trump administration announced an overhaul of the Medicaid program that could deny or limit benefits and may result in reducing enrollment in the program, particularly in states hostile to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that want to limit expenses. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda Founder and President Marcela Howell issued the following statement in support of access to affordable, quality health care:

Black women leaders denounce SCOTUS decision targeting low-income immigrants

January 28, 2020
Marcela Howell
Human Rights, Press Release, Reproductive Justice

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda Founder and President Marcela Howell

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow the Trump administration to deny residence or entry to the country for immigrants who need public assistance. This decision follows last week’s Trump administration announcement of a new visa restriction targeting travelers who are or appear to be pregnant. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda Founder and President Marcela Howell issued the following statement in support of immigrants’ rights:

Black women leaders denounce HHS attack on Californian’s access to abortion care

January 24, 2020
Marcela Howell
Abortion Rights, Press Release, Reproductive Justice

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda and Black Women for Wellness

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services threatened to withhold federal funding from California if the state does not remove its requirement that private health insurance plans include abortion coverage. Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and Jan Robinson Flint, executive director of Black Women for Wellness, issued the following statement:

Black women leaders call for Reproductive Justice to commemorate Roe V. Wade

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda Founder and President Marcela Howell

Today is the 47th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion. Marcela Howell issued the following statement about reproductive health and rights:

“Almost as soon as the historic Roe decision was handed down, opponents of reproductive rights began to attack access to abortion. Just a few years after the high court decreed that access to abortion is a women’s right, Congress enacted the Hyde Amendment, separating abortion care from other health care by prohibiting federal funding for those who got their health insurance through the government. Ever since, we have witnessed the continued erosion of our civil right to sovereignty over our own bodies.

Black women denounce court’s decision to gut the Affordable Care Act

Statement from In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

WASHINGTON — Yesterday evening, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit struck down the mandatory coverage requirement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), leaving a lower court to decide if the rest of the landmark legislation can remain without the requirement. Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement in response:

Black women denounce high court’s decision to let Kentucky abortion restriction stand

Statement from In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to a Kentucky law that forces doctors to describe ultrasound images and play fetal heartbeat sounds to patients seeking abortion. Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement in response:

Black women applaud passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR 4)

December 6, 2019
In Our Own Voice
Press Release

Statement from In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 (HR 4). Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement in response:
“We applaud the House of Representatives for passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019. The wholesale disenfranchisement of voters threatens our democracy. Conservative lawmakers across the country are pulling out all the stops to prevent people of color — especially Black people — from exercising our right to vote.

Black women call on Supreme Court to uphold Reproductive Justice

Amicus brief outlines devastating consequences for women of color, lesbian and transgender Louisianans

On December 2, 2019, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda joined partner organization Women With a Vision and other reproductive justice advocates from across the nation in filing an amicus brief in June Medical Services, LLC v. Gee, which challenges Louisiana’s law requiring abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges. If allowed to take effect, Louisiana’s Act 620 would leave only one doctor to provide abortion care in the entire state. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda founder and President, Marcela Howell, issued the following statement:

We will carry on Rep. Elijah Cummings work — even as we mourn

October 17, 2019
Marcela Howell
Press Release

Statement from Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

“Today, we all mourn the passing of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, a lifelong champion of human and civil rights. The son of sharecroppers, Rep. Cummings embodied the promise of the American Dream while fighting the scourge of American racism. He worked his way out of poverty and into the halls of power, where he challenged the United States to live up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.