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July 1st, 2016 | Deeds Digest No. 6
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Hello fellow #ChangeMakers!
It is with such joy that I write this week's message to you. As you all know, justice has prevailed with Monday's outcome in the Supreme Court's review of Texas' anti-abortion case, Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt. If ever there were a lesson to be learned from the value of fighting against long odds, of fortitude and persistence, this outcome certainly taught it. Our three year journey is a story of what can happen when we refuse to back down against injustice. And it reminds me why it is that I came to love our system of jurisprudence so much. Balanced against our legislative and executive authorities, our courts have often been the last resort for assuring that the will of a powerful minority does not consume and overrule our interests in upholding the values of freedom, equality and liberty that are embedded in the constitution. The outcome of this case is a testament to our collective power when we refuse to bow against the strong headwinds we encounter in state legislatures across the country. And it is a reminder that every single one of us, alone and together, has the power to drive change. Thank you to every one of you who participated in this journey. I hope this outcome has demonstrated to you that you are powerful beyond measure. Because, in fact, you are!
xo,
Wendy
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This week's #ChangeMaker is Stephanie Toti. Stephanie is a Senior Counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights – and this 37 year-old will always be known as the attorney who argued Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt in front of the U.S. Supreme Court and won! This case challenged the Texas TRAP laws that were forcing more than three-quarters of the state's abortion facilities to close. Experienced in both trial and appellate advocacy, Stephanie also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School, where she teaches courses on comparative reproductive rights and legal writing. Stephanie earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Fordham University, where she studied Political Science and Mathematics.
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Rolling Stone’s Lauren Kelley and I had a great conversation about the historic Supreme Court decision in favor of Whole Woman’s Health – which coincided with the three year anniversary of my filibuster in Texas! Rolling Stone
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Millennials are now the largest generation – and the largest voting bloc – in America. Pew Research Center
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Is maternity leave morphing into parental leave? Is this fair? And are employees happy about it? Huffington Post
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Florida lawmakers offered a list of places women could access their healthcare needs, but when a group of activists went to a dental clinic they were informed that dentists don't do vagina care. WLRN
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According to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the US Supreme Court has made a deeply flawed decision that reverses historic protection against using evidence obtained in illegal searches. The Nation
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Looking to run your own business? Inc. has a great story on how women entrepreneurs across the world are taking over. Inc.
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Reporter Juliet Macur recalls how Tennessee Women’s basketball Coach, Pat Summitt, once made time for her as a journalism student. The New York Times
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Try these strategies for breaking down gender barriers at work. Fortune
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Comedian Chelsea Handler is seriously pro-choice as she shares her abortion story. Playboy
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