As the United States navigates life in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade’s overturning, what some have called “The Age of Dobbs,” understanding the current landscape of reproductive rights has become more crucial than ever. Last Thursday, October 10, the “Fieldston for Reproductive Rights Club,” led by Natalia Posen (Form VI), Alexa Nanes (VI) and Margot Pliska (Form V), held a panel discussion in the Student Faculty Lounge. The discussion featured two experts, Louisa Thanhauser (Senior Manager) and Israel Cook (State Legislative Council Member), from the Center for Reproductive Rights: a legal advocacy organization seeking to advance reproductive rights.
One of the club’s primary goals is to spread awareness and education on reproductive rights, which refer to the legal rights and freedoms that enable people to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, including access to contraception and safe abortion services. Posen shared, “It was super cool how people are fighting for reproductive rights case by case and how the real battle is fought in the courts.” This passion led her to organize the panel discussion.
A connection through another club leader, Alexa Nanes, helped bring the event to life. Nanes already knew one of the speakers, so she and Posen reached out. “She [Louisa Thanhauser] was excited to come and even offered to bring her friend,” Posen explained.
The club leaders hope that after attending the discussion, students take away that Roe v. Wade wasn’t the end of the reproductive rights battle but rather “a gateway for a lot more damage to be made” said Posen. While many people were outraged when the case was overturned, few truly understood its long-lasting consequences. These include the individual state policies or lives affected.
“I also think a lot of people also believe that the abortion bans in other states don’t affect them, but reproductive rights is more than just abortion,” Pliska added. “It includes topics like IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and contraception, which are both in jeopardy right now with the upcoming election.”
Ultimately, especially with the upcoming election, Pliska hopes this event inspires students and teachers to take action. “As young people especially, what is going on in current events will impact all of our futures and rights.”
During the discussion, Thanhauser and Cook shared that reproductive justice is about individuals with reproductive systems’ ability to decide when and where they can have a child and their ability to raise the child in a safe, nurturing environment. This broader perspective on reproductive rights ties into various social issues. Posen cited domestic abuse as an example, as abuse “can heavily affect a child’s safety, and thus, a family’s reproductive abilities.”
Posen also pointed out how the overturning of Roe v. Wade disproportionately affects people based on race and income, exacerbating larger societal inequities.
“There are so many pressing issues regarding reproductive rights,” Pliska noted. At the event, Thanhauser and Cook shared a heartbreaking story about two women in Georgia who tragically died after being denied care. These women, who were experiencing complications during their pregnancies, sought medical assistance but were turned away due to the state’s restrictive abortion laws. Despite the urgency of their conditions, medical providers feared legal repercussions for performing procedures that could be classified as terminating a pregnancy. This left the women in critical situations without the necessary care, ultimately leading to their deaths.
“There are also many other stories of women who have been put in dangerous, life-or-death situations because of the bans,” Pliska said.
Overall, the event was “super successful, and people seemed really interested in it, so we are going to find more ways to spread awareness about this topic around school,” Pliska shared enthusiastically. The club is already planning a bake sale to raise critical funds for the New York Abortion Access Fund, which helps support both people in New York and those traveling to the state for abortion care.
Last year’s bake sales raised significant funds, and the team is eager to continue the momentum. Posen added, “We have a lot of ideas and goals, so sign up for the club!”
The Fieldston for Reproductive Rights club can be found on Instagram @fieldston4reproductiverights and at the club fair this upcoming Thursday!
Source: Margot Pliska
