if Roe goes away...

The Newsletter of the Deeds Not Words Community

August 20, 2018 | Deeds Digest No. 113

Hello #Changemakers!

Last week, I had the privilege of joining the Rise Up For Roe Tour sponsored by Demand Justice, Planned Parenthood and Naral, Pro-Choice. Hosts Brittany Packnett, Lauren Duca and Rebecca Pilar led a much needed conversation with PPFA Executive VP, Dawn Laguens, and Naral President, Ilyse Hogue about what's at stake with the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Make no mistake about it, if Brett Kavanaugh is appointed, Roe v. Wade and the right to safe, legal abortion care in this country are going away. The human consequences of that are dire. And it is incumbent upon all of us to Rise Up to assure that it doesn't happen.

When I think about just what's at risk if Roe goes away, I can't help but think about my two grand-daughters and the world that they might grow up in. It is extremely upsetting to know that they may not have the same rights to make decisions about their reproductive healthcare that have been available to my generation and my daughters' generations.

That's where you come in, #Changemakers. We owe it to the women who fought to make sure that this right was available to us and we owe it to the generations that will come after us to fight with everything we've got to protect the future of abortion rights in this country. I don't want to look in my grand-daughters eyes one day and have them ask me, "Bubbie, where were you when that right was taken away; what did you do to stop it?"

On August 26, a Rise Up For Roe Day of Action will be hosted in cities across the country. Please find out where one will be held close to you. Show up. Speak up. Rise up to protect Roe. Your future daughters and grand-daughters will thank you.

Much love,
-wendy

What are common misconceptions you've heard about young people? That we're lazy, apathetic, or that we don't vote? At Deeds Not Words, we choose to fight this misguided rhetoric by investing in young people, in the power our stories, and in the power of our voices and actions. Last session, we PASSED 7 pieces of legislation to prevent sexual assault, protect survivors and end human trafficking. In the primary elections we designed, named, and ran our very own voter education program, collectively turning out many of our peers to the polls. And we're just getting started. This Fall, we'll be launching our High School Deeds Chapter program, with 5 high schools in Texas already onboard! And we'll be tackling some important issues during the upcoming legislative session, including menstrual equity, maternal mortality and fighting for our reproductive rights.

We are committed to galvanizing the power of young women to disrupt the status quo through organizing, policy-making, and voting. And we need you to be a part of that!

Are you in #Changemaker?

Youth Power,
Claudia Yoli Ferla, Director of Student Outreach and Organizing

November 8, 2016.

You likely have a story about where you were when the election was called that night. If you're reading this digest, you were probably not celebrating.

However, even in the face of discouragement and despair, women across the country are rising to the occasion. Take a look at just ten women who are defining what it means to persist in the age of the Trump Administration.

Here's more of what's inspiring us...

In 1994, the Violence Against Women Act was officially signed into law. It delivered a national response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment by providing resources to survivors and improved training for law enforcement.

The law was subsequently reauthorized in 2000, 2005 and 2013 with bipartisan support. However, as its September 4th expiration draws near, the future for VAWA is looking bleak if Congress doesn't act fast.

Make your voice heard on the renewal of VAWA by contacting your congressperson before it's too late!

Here's more of what has us fired up ...

This week, Wendy and the whole Deeds team joined We Demand Justice, Planned Parenthood and Naral Pro-Choice for the Rise Up for Roe tour when it stopped in Austin.

It was an inspiring and motivating night hearing from activists who are leading the fight to defend access on both the local and national level. However, with Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearings only weeks away, we don't have time to rest.

That's why on August 26th, we hope you'll join with your fellow Repro-Mobsters for a national day of action to protect Roe v. Wade ahead of the upcoming SCOTUS hearings in the U.S. Senate.
Text "UNITE" to 21333 and learn what you
can do to get involved 👊

This Week's #Changemaker:
Mariana Taylor

Mariana Taylor, a student at Catonsville Middle School, has been making national news this month for taking a knee during the Pledge of Allegiance in her fifth-grade classroom. At only 11 years old, Mariana explained that she protested standing for the pledge because of, "...sexism and racism and a lot of wrong things going on in the country."

While she was immediately reprimanded by her teacher and pushed to the brink of tears, Mariana continued to hold her ground and even defended her position to the Baltimore County Board of Education.

Citing Tinker vs. Des Moines and her own Public School code, Mariana explained to the board, "I have the right to kneel if I don't feel comfortable standing."

It takes a lot of guts to stand your ground and speak truth to power -- but it takes a particular kind of courage to do it as an 11-year-old. You go, Mariana! We are beyond inspired by you! 👊

In 2017, our Deeds Not Words' trained student activists PASSED 7 pieces of legislation in the Texas Capitol to prevent sexual assault, protect survivors and end human trafficking. In 2018 our goal is to empower and reach even more students to enact real change in their communities, but we need your support!

Donate >>

Forward

This Week's #Changemaker: Mariana Taylor

This Week's #Changemaker:
Mariana Taylor