Published on: June 17, 2010

Written by: WDNStaff

Where do young women fit into the struggle for reproductive rights?

How has the dialogue around reproductive rights evolved over the past 40 years?

WDN’s Reproductive Rights Circle presents:

Youth Organizing and Reproductive Rights

 Teleconference

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

10:00am PDT/ 11:00am MDT/ 12:00pm CDT/ 1:00pm EDT

(call will last 1 hour)

Speakers:

Kierra Johnson, Executive Director, Choice USA

Adriann Barboa, Director, Young Women United in New Mexico

During Sarah Weddington’s presentation at our annual conference last year, we discussed the role of young women in the struggle for reproductive rights. A number of questions were raised, and we are excited to bring you this important call to explore the ways in which young women are engaged in activism in this field.

How do different generations approach the Reproductive Justice movement, and how we can partner most effectively to promote necessary change? Please join us as we explore the movement from another angle and address ways to increase our effectiveness and promote young women’s leadership in the fight for reproductive justice.

On this call we will explore the connection between local organizing and national advocacy and training, the kinds of cutting-edge organizing happening amongst young women, and the connections being forged between the reproductive justice movement and other social justice causes.

More about our speakers:

Adriann Barboa is the Director of Young Women United in New Mexico.  She is a thirty-three year old Native New Mexican. Adriann has three years of experience as a case manager for the Juvenile Community Corrections at Youth Development Inc. She also worked as a program coordinator for ORALE, a youth mentoring program developed by students at the University of New Mexico.  Adriann has a B.A. in Sociology from UNM.  She was a key member of the Circle of Fire for two years and has now been working as Community Organizer and Development Coordinator for Young Women United for five years to date.

Kierra Johnson is the Executive Director of Choice USA, an organization that mobilizes and provides ongoing support to the diverse, upcoming generation of leaders who promote and protect reproductive choice both now and in the future. With a solid background organizing around reproductive health, racial justice, and access to education, Kierra is a prominent and dynamic leader in the national reproductive justice and progressive movements. She has trained organizers on campuses across the nation and spoken on issues including minor’s rights to confidential and quality reproductive health care, reproductive technologies and sex education. Kierra has been featured on RH Reality check, Feministing.com, In These Times as well as the Washington Informer, the Washington City Paper and the New York Times. She was the 2002 recipient of the Young Women of Achievement Award from the Women's Information Network (WIN) and served as a member of the Board of Medical Students for Choice from 2003 to 2006. Kierra is currently on the Advisory Committee of WIN, Washington’s premier professional, political, and social network dedicated to empowering young, Democratic, pro-choice women and a member of the Women’s Health Leadership Network with the Center for American Progress. She also served as a Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and in 2009 was recognized in Washington Life Magazine as one of the Most Influential Washingtonians Under 40.

For more information or to RSVP please contact Kathleen Andreson.

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