How can I help?
That was the question in all of the texts I awoke to on the morning after Election Day. And it didn’t stop there. The inquiries kept coming in – to me and to a lot of my colleagues. Since Tuesday’s results were relayed, we’ve collectively received an outpour of phone calls, emails, and messages on social media all asking that one question.
It wasn't easy coming into work that Wednesday morning – in fact, a part of me felt ready to go back to bed and hide underneath my sheets for a good week or two. But the reality is we need to show up now – and in the future – to shut down any attempts to restrict access to care and undermine our rights.
There is uncertainty ahead – but two things remain certain – we will never back down, and we know you, our supporters, won’t either. I know that my own resolve to keep fighting is stronger than ever.
Together, we will not be silenced. We cannot allow the acceptance of institutionalized racism, sexism, and discrimination to become our new normal. We will fight to make sure that people in Massachusetts, and across the country, can access reproductive health care no matter their zip code, income, sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, or country of origin. Together, we will fight to make sure that Planned Parenthood’s doors stay open, no matter what.
Here are a few things you can do to join the fight and get involved locally right here in Massachusetts.
- Donate locally to Planned Parenthood
- Donate to Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) and help ensure PPLM can continue providing high-quality, affordable care to all people across the Commonwealth.
- Join the Young Friends of PPLM, a philanthropic group of people ages 21-35 dedicated to ensuring access to quality reproductive health care and sexual education.
- Donate to the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF), the advocacy and political arm of PPLM, to protect and expand reproductive rights in Massachusetts and help elect local leaders who will champion sexual and reproductive health care.
- Organize your own fundraising event in support of Planned Parenthood. Email [email protected] for more information.
2. Reach out to your local elected officials
Your local State Representative and Senator need to hear directly from you now, more than ever. Email your state legislators and tell them you expect them to defend the rights we’ve all fought so hard for – and to champion state policies that improve reproductive health, rights, and justice in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts is known for leading the way on equal rights and health care and this current political climate demands that our state be a national leader on these issues. We refuse to go back – we must only move forward.
Take action here – and then share the action with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.
Then, save the date for our Sexual Health Lobby Day at the State House in Boston: January 31st, an opportunity to meet with your state legislators in person and advocate for the world you believe in.
- Volunteer
- Sign up to volunteer for Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts here.
- Sign up to volunteer for the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts here.
- If you’re on a college campus in Massachusetts, see if there’s a Planned Parenthood Generation Action group on your campus and join it. If there’s not, email [email protected] to learn how you can bring advocacy campaigns pertaining to reproductive health, rights, and justice to your campus.
- Join the Advocacy Fund’s new Speakers Bureau Program, a group of passionate storytellers, advocates, and change-makers.
4. Get involved with other local progressive organizations
We know the fight for full equality doesn’t end with Planned Parenthood alone.
We encourage you to get involved and connect with other local progressive organizations doing vital work across the state and across movements such as the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, AIDS Project Worcester, the Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Fund, MotherWoman, and The Prison Birth Project, to name a few.
5. Stay connected
Read this Boston Magazine article that interviewed Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, PPLM’s President and CEO, about PPLM’s commitment to never back down. Share the article on Facebook and retweet it on Twitter.
Then, stay abreast of future opportunities to take action and get involved, by following PPLM on Facebook and Twitter – and following the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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