Almost 40 years since Roe v. Wade, American women and their families continue to face a wide range of reproductive challenges. These challenges are intensified in communities of color, where economic inequalities, health disparities, and racial prejudice all play a role in compounding the pressures facing women seeking to maintain their health and the health of their families. Using a multi-issue “Reproductive Justice” approach, many organizations are working with a broader group of allies to win reproductive rights battles that previously were unwinnable.
In 2013 The Overbrook Foundation awarded grants to the following organizations in recognition of their important work to expand Reproductive Justice.
Center for Reproductive RightsU.S. Program and Latin America and the Caribbean Program – $70,000 (first payment of a two-year grant)The Center for Reproductive Rights uses the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill. For 20 years, the Center has been fighting to build a robust body of law that will hold governments accountable for safeguarding every woman’s freedom to make her own choices about her reproductive health and future, free from intrusion, coercion, or discrimination. The Center’s U.S. and Latin America and the Caribbean Programs are designed to advance reproductive rights and access to reproductive healthcare for all women, particularly young women, low-income women and women who belong to marginalized communities that are most at risk from reproductive rights violations and restrictions. |
Civil Liberties and Public Policy ProgramGeneral Operating Support – $30,000Civil Liberties and Public Policy is a national organization that educates, mentors and inspires new generations of activists and leaders through campus-based education, real-world advocacy practice, and skills development to build a stronger, more diverse movement for reproductive freedom and social change. Civil Liberties and Public Policy uses reproductive justice as the lens to examine a broad range of social justice issues. Consequently, it is an expanding political agenda, one that enables reproductive justice activists to connect with new allies, incorporate compelling new issues, and effectively work towards a vision in which reproductive rights and justice are recognized as universally accepted human rights. Through inter-related leadership development projects, Civil Liberties and Public Policy will provide trainings for new activists, explore new campaigns, strategies and analysis at its annual conference, provide critical summer support to organizations through its internship program, and create a network of young leaders who can collaborate and support one another. |
Forward TogetherGeneral Operating Support – $30,000Forward Together is a multi-racial organization that works with community leaders and organizations to transform culture and policy to catalyze social change. Its mission is to ensure that women, youth and families have the power and resources they need to reach their full potential. By developing strong leaders, building networks across communities, and implementing innovative campaigns, Forward Together is making its mission a reality. In 2010, Forward Together launched Strong Families, a national initiative to secure respect, resources and recognition for all families, especially those with the least resources. These include families of color, low-income families, single parent families, LGBTQ families, immigrant families, and young families. In an effort to strengthen and continue building the Strong Families initiative, Forward Together will use four core strategies to achieve its mission: 1) changing policy to benefit the majority of families 2) building strong cross-sector alliances that work collaboratively; 3) activating a culture shift; and 4) mobilizing individuals and communities. |
Freedom Network USATraining, Technical Assistance and Mentoring: A Road to
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Human Rights Project for GirlsGeneral Operating Support – $20,000The Human Rights Project for Girls works to make U.S. young women and girls a human rights priority. Based in Washington D.C., the Human Rights Project for Girls will transform survivors into advocates, policymakers into champions, and journalists into watchdogs – so that every girl may possess the right to be safe and live a life free of violence and exploitation. Its human rights work will focus on the following goals: 1) advance public policy that protects young women and girls; 2) increase public awareness on issues affecting vulnerable young women and girls through social media campaigns; 3) continue to foster partnerships with international human rights and women’s rights organizations; 4) dismantle the sexual violence to prison pipeline; 5) end domestic child sex trafficking; and 6) empower girl survivors to foster a new generation of leaders. |