Reproductive Justice is Our Movement!

By Shamya Hutchinson

I am so grateful to have been able to experience the amazing spirit, love, and power of the Reproductive Justice movement Sept 19-Sept 24 in Washington DC.

I was honored to be a part of such a historic moment! The energy in the room was electrifying and powerful beyond belief. When likeminded activist come together young and seasoned a beautiful thing is created. We created a beautiful thing Sept 19-Sept 24 in Washington DC as we all come together in the name of love and activism.

“People want to talk about our deficits and not our joy”- Anonymous.

This quote pushed me through my journey in Washington D.C. Our joy is important and deserves to be displayed and discussed. As displayed in the photo above we are all overjoyed to be in each other’s presence as we fight side by side. Reproductive Justice is our movement, we get to come together as one and fight while feeling completely heard and protected with each other. Movements historically discredit us and our struggles, but Reproductive Justice is OURS to keep and protect!

Sept 19-Sept 24 in Washington DC. was a time to remember! I especially enjoyed and loved how In Our Own Voice: Black Women’s National Reproductive Justice Agenda, The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s all came together under the umbrella of “Intersections of Our Lives” to fight for Reproductive Justice for women of color. There is power in numbers and unity and that was displayed right there as we lobbied and worked together in Washington D.C. to combat injustice that is too often done to our bodies.

I am grateful for my experience and the opportunity to voice my opinion on issues that affect my community as well as others. In Our Own Voice has truly emboldened me with a fierce force of determination that I will continue to use to voice my opinions and change the world! I cannot be more thankful for all those I met in Washington D.C. from Sept. 19-24th. I have connected with people who are truly amazing. I simply cannot wait to see what the future holds for Reproductive Justice!

Shamya Hutchinson is a junior psychology major at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and one of In Our Own Voice’s Next Generation Leadership Institute fellows. To learn more about the Next Generation Leadership Institute contact Giovanteey Bishop (giovanteey@blackrj) or Sherill Dingle (sherill@blackrj.org).