2023 UCRJ Week
The inaugural Urbana-Champaign Reproductive Justice Week took place between April 24-30. Individuals representing over 30 local, state, and national organizations participated to make the week a resounding success. The raffle and fundraiser held at the week-ending Party for Reproductive Justice raised approximately $4000 for Midwest Access Coalition and Elevated Access. Thank you to everyone who got involved!
2023 Schedule of Events
Monday, April 24 (online events)
"Susie, You're Pregnant": A Storytelling Teach-In with Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights (GRR!)
Heart-to-Heart Abortion Conversation facilitated by Unitarian Universalist churches and GRR!
Tuesday, April 25
Anti-Abortion Teach-In and Information Fair at Channing-Murray Foundation with Julie Laut
Reproductive Justice Teach-In at U-C Independent Media Center with Julie Laut and Samantha Auerbach
Abortion Aftercare Packaging Volunteer Event with Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Wednesday, April 26
Book event with Kate Clancy, author of Period: The Real History of Menstruation at The Literary
Pleasurable Sex and Joyful Communication with Matthew Rivas-Koehl and McKinley Sexual Health Peers
Thursday, April 27
Legal Issues in Reproductive Justice: Illinois and Beyond panel at Spurlock Museum
Moderator: Lexley Wexler, John D. Colombo Professor of Law, Illinois College of Law
Jenice Fountain, Executive Director, Yellowhammer Fund
Rianne Hawkins, Director, Advocacy and Campaigns, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action | Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Ameri Klafeta, Director, Women's and Reproductive Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois
Tavish McMillin, Chief Policy Advisor, Institute for Racial & Cultural Healing
Film and Q&A: "Aftershock" at Spurlock Museum with Jenice Fountain, and Isis Rose from BIPOC for Better Birth
Friday, April 28
Lunch + Learn: 2SLGBTQIA+ Reproductive Justice led by Len Meyer and co-sponsored by the University YMCA and Uniting Pride
Saturday, April 29
Zine-Making and Reproductive Justice hosted by the IMC Zine Library
BIPOC for Better Birth: Doulas for Birth Justice at the IMC
Rally for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy! at the Champaign County Courthouse organized by Queer Youth Assemble and Uniting Pride
Book Group: Just Get on the Pill at The Literary, led by Rev. Sally Fritsche
Sunday, April 30
Party for Reproductive Justice! at the Rose Bowl Tavern featuring New Souls, the Emily Anne Band, Emily the Band, and Modern Drugs
In addition to the individuals, organizations, and institutions listed above, the following helped make UCRJ Week 2023 a success: Common Ground Food Co-op, GEO Solidarity Committee, UIUC School of Social Work, Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign (UUCUC), UUCUC Social Action Committee, UIUC Human Development & Family Studies, YWCA of Champaign, ACLU of Champaign, ACLU of Illinois, RACES, Defy Gravity, University of Illinois Press, The Literary Bookbar, University of California Press, Tom Brewer Gallery, Princeton University Press, Central Illinois Aviation, Key Light Consulting, LLC., Elevated Access, Ingrid Melief Ceramics, The Art Coop, Carol Spindel, and Queer Youth Assemble. Thank you as well to the many volunteers who helped at various events!
Inaugural Steering Committee:
Karen Tabb Dina, Associate Professor, UIUC School of Social Work
Rev. Sally Fritsche, Associate Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign
Nicole Frydman, Director of Operations, Uniting Pride
Tuyet Mai Hoang, Assistant Professor, UIUC School of Social Work
Stacey McKeever, Regional Director of Operations, Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Leslie Reagan, Professor, UIUC Department of History
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