As students return to campus this fall, our Planned Parenthood Generation Action organizers are back in the swing of things, working to create lasting change in their communities.
Planned Parenthood Generation Action is a network of young activists across the country that organizes events on their campuses and in their communities to mobilize advocates for reproductive freedom and raise public awareness about reproductive health and rights. Here in Massachusetts, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund has nine Generation Action campus groups across the state.
Get to know a few of our Generation Action organizers, and learn why they do this work and what’s in store for their campus groups this school year.
Meet Zoe Tran, a senior at Boston University and President of Boston University Students for Reproductive Justice
Zoe Tran (middle) and BUSRJ Events Coordinator Rae Buttenwieser (left) and BUSRJ Vice President Phoebe Nelson (right) at the Massachusetts State House for the 2017 Sexual Health Lobby Day
I do this work because I think as college students we have a lot of privilege and resources and it's our responsibility on campus to engage our community and start a conversation about reproductive justice. We should always be working towards expanding access to education, information, and health services.
I'm really excited to see our chapter grow this year. We have a really solid group of people who are passionate about reproductive justice work and we're really looking forward to cultivating that leadership. We're planning to work on expanding the number of gender neutral restrooms on campus, because there are so few accessible right now.
- Zoe Tran
Meet Gabriella Zabbo, a senior at Boston College and Co-President of Students for Sexual Health
Gabriella Zabbo (middle) at the Boston Women’s March
My freshman year, I learned that sexual health educational materials and resources, like condoms, were not available to students on Boston College’s campus. From then on, I became committed to helping provide these essential resources to students to give them the tools necessary to have safe, consensual sexual relationships through Students for Sexual Health (SSH).
My involvement with SSH has made me all the more committed to the fight for reproductive justice and I am privileged to be able to work with such passionate and caring people.
This year, I am excited to team up more with other organizations on campus, like the Public Health Club, for better outreach into the Boston College community, increased visibility, and more opportunities to have open conversations about sex, sexuality, and consent. I am also looking forward to continuing our online condom delivery service, RubberHub, and finding ways to better serve the LGBTQ+ population on campus.
- Gabriella Zabbo
Meet Kyra Gilbreath, junior at Smith College and Planned Parenthood liaison of Smith Students for Reproductive Justice
Kyra Gilbreath and other SSRJ members heading to the Northampton Pride Parade
My role in Smith Students for Reproductive Justice (SSRJ) is one of the most fulfilling parts of my college experience. I am presented with many opportunities to facilitate educational and direct action opportunities for my campus community. My Generation Action chapter allows me to do meaningful reproductive justice oriented work that can have a direct impact on my immediate community as well as my state and national communities.
This year, I’m excited to see my Generation Action chapter work on making reproductive health services and products more accessible to my campus community. We are working towards building a network of local campus chapters that will create easier access to health services at Planned Parenthood and other local reproductive health centers.
I am also excited to see the collaboration between SSRJ and other organizations on our campus. We are looking forward to planning events and direct action in partnership with other campus groups.
- Kyra Gilbreath
Are you heading back to school and interested in partnering with Planned Parenthood or starting a Planned Parenthood Generation Action chapter on your college campus in Massachusetts? Email [email protected] to get connected – and start organizing!
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