Event speakers discuss post-Roe reproductive rights landscape

Jacob Downey

He/Him

Editor-in-Chief

3/20/24

Public affairs organizer at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Fiona Geary, and Director of Complex Family Planning for the Society of Family Planning, Jen Moore Conrow, visited campus March 19 to discuss the state of reproductive rights as part of the IDEA Center and PSU Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Council’s Women’s History Month programming.

Conrow detailed a brief history of contraception and abortion in the United States. She also lamented that “you need to almost be a legal scholar to figure out where you can get care… nothing about abortion is treated as healthcare in this country. It is barrier after barrier, even in states that are considered ‘progressive’”

Geary followed by sharing more about her work with Planned Parenthood and the services they provide. She emphasized the importance of telehealth services as a means to access contraceptives including abortion pills, birth control, and HIV prevention medication as well as various forms of gender-affirming care. 

In the aftermath of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, state legislatures across the country have restricted access to reproductive care. In New Hampshire, HB 1248 would have banned abortions after 15 days, before most women know they are pregnant. HB 1541 would have required in-clinic abortions be limited to hospitals with a premature birth intensive care unit and a second physician present. Both bills were defeated with narrow margins.

Geary shared several avenues to help combat this backslide, all of which depend on legislative action. In the 49 years of Roe v. Wade, Democrats did not codify protections for reproductive care. President Joe Biden did not attempt executive action to enshrine the right to reproductive care into the Constitution. Frequently, young people are told that the solution to the problems we are facing is to “go and vote” with little to show for it. Geary hears this frustration and urges young people to start their advocacy locally. “In New Hampshire, specifically, the legislators are all volunteers,” she said. “They’re literally your neighbors… They should want to hear from you” 

She also pointed out volunteer opportunities at Equality Health Center in Concord, Lovering Health Center in Greenland, and the NH Reproductive Freedom Fund. 

On-campus, Plymouth State Student Senate Off-Campus Representative Hannah Lowell ‘26 and recent transfer Leigh Rohe ‘26 have been working to establish an official PSU Reproductive Rights Action Club. Lowell shared that the fledgling organization had begun tabling to solicit signatures right before Spring Break. There are currently 54 signatories, including students, at least three professors, and presidents of several student clubs.

According to Rohe, the reception has been largely positive aside from the occasional side-eye. “I think that there’s a strong community here at Plymouth and they’ll be here for us,” they said.

Lowell and Rohe plan to have the club officially recognized before the end of the semester and to begin programming as soon as possible. They hope to hold screenings of films including “Moxie” (2021) and “Plan B” (2021), invite speakers from related fields to campus, and hold a “sugar, spice, and reproductive rights” cookie decorating night, inspired by one of their favorite tabling stickers. They are also prepared to attend protests and speak out on issues relating to reproductive rights “should something monumental happen,” according to Lowell.

Rohe hopes that having their club be equal parts fun activities and frontline activism will help build a strong community of like-minded students. “Even though these are serious topics and serious issues, you can still shed some light and happiness onto them so it’s not dark and gloomy all the time,” Lowell added.

While Lowell and Rohe build momentum, students passionate about reproductive rights can pick up the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor. It requires one foundational course, “The F Word: Feminism in the United States,” and 12 credits from classes across various disciplines including criminal justice, public health, and history. Stelmock recommended this minor for students interested in activism, specifically those in political science, social work, and nursing.