Angelica, 28 (Minneapolis, MN)
Why do you stand with Planned Parenthood?
“Because I started as a patient, when I was 17. When I was 22 and needed to receive abortion services, I came to Planned Parenthood and they took really good care of me. I want everyone to have the same access to the same options that I was able to have when I needed them.”
How did you first become involved as a volunteer?
“After the election in 2016, I knew I wanted to do something. Because Planned Parenthood took care of me, when I was deciding what activism I wanted to do, I wanted to help take care of Planned Parenthood. I had the personal experience, and so women’s reproductive rights and health services are what I felt most connected to. I did the volunteer application online then eventually signed up for a training – and that’s how I picked where I could go and I ended up with the action fund, because that’s what seemed to fit my interests and the commitment I wanted to make.”
How was your experience at Power of Pink?
“It’s great to connect with all the other volunteers on a more personal level and re-energize. It was also good to hear about other causes like the global gag rule and realize that even though we’re so focused on what we do at home it’s still important to remember to think globally and make time for issues that women across the world are facing. It made me realize that we can’t take what we have for granted and it’s so much more important to work that much harder to protect the policies and laws that we already have at home.”
What did you learn that will help you make the world a better place?
“Learning about relational organizing and how important it is to also remember to talk to friends and family about issues. I have friends and family who I know are on board - and as an advocate for Planned Parenthood, I can reach out and make sure that they are still engaged and fighting back. Going forward, I’m committed to making sure everyone I know is connected in on the issues.”
Join the army of Planned Parenthood volunteers like Angelica that attended the Power of Pink conference and are working hard every day to make change in their own communities by signing up to volunteer with the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Tags: Power of Pink Minnesota