Let’s Prepare for Action!

Although it seems far away, I’m already getting excited for Pennsylvania Planned Parenthood Advocates’ Day of Action on April 29^th, at the State Capital! I believe that we should always be fighting for women’s health rights, and this is one way to do that.

In Pennsylvania there are constantly attacks on women’s reproductive health care. There are currently two bills sitting in committees at the state legislature. One is an effort to defund Planned Parenthood. Another one was inspired by a recent legislation passed in Texas that requires abortion providers to have restrictive staffing arrangements at specific hospitals. It’s hard for me to comprehend that bills such as these are even given the time of day, let alone sitting in committees!

On the bright side, there is a package of bills that would actually do what bills should do: PROTECT and PROMOTE women’s health! Thankfully, the Pennsylvania Agenda for Women’s Heath has been introduced to change the conversation around women’s health in the PA legislature.

Obviously now is the time to join fellow supporters from all over PA in the fight against these bills passing! At the Day of Action we will urge the our legislators to oppose these direct violations of women’s rights and encourage them to turn their attention to legislations that will actually help Pennsylvanian women and their families!

Hope to see you there!

- Sena

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-planned-parenthood-day-of-action-tickets-10486333907

Condoms and Chocolate: An Ideal Combination

As a Resident Advisor, I know firsthand the variety of sexual activities that happen on college campuses. This month is especially full of those types of activities- it being Valentines Day and all. One event that my co-RA and I have planned is a safe sex/National condom week event around the 14th. We live in a first year residence hall and because many of our residents are younger, and on their own for the first time in their lives, we thought it was especially pertinent to remind them the importance of safe sex and consent.

Because of my involvement with Planned Parenthood, I am much more in touch with these types of events. Prior to interning at PPPA I wasn't ever aware that a National Condom Week existed. It appropriately falls around Valentines Day so obviously creating an event that coordinates both of these topics was a must-do for an RA. It surprises me how many of my residents are interested in talking about and learning more about safe sex. When I ran this event idea by a few of the residents in my hall they were excited about it. I suppose I was surprised because my general mindset is that people are at times uncomfortable talking about sex and sexuality. However, my residents have happily proven me wrong!

Besides, who isn't interested in coming to an event that talks about sex and simultaneously hands out chocolate?!

- Sena Agawu 

National Condom Week is February 14^th -21^st.

Hi there,
My name is Sena Agawu and I am the Social Media Intern at Planned Parenthood Health Center for the Spring of 2014- as part of my internship I am in charge of up-keeping and organizing this blog. So welcome, to all who are interested in reading some words from current and past Planned Parenthood Advocate interns! I do hope that this is a beneficial and helpful experience.

I am a junior studying Anthropology and Women and Gender studies at Dickinson College. I became aware of this branch of Planned Parenthood when browsing possible internships available to those interested in health rights, advocacy work, politics, and working towards equality in many different spheres. This is only my second week but already I've learned so much. Prior to this internship I had had quite a bit of contact with Planned Parenthood in my personal life, however that contact was limited to the health services part of Planned Parenthood. Although I was aware of the more political, advocative side of the organization, I never really thought much about it.

I've been quickly learning that this part of Planned Parenthood is just as essential as the health services side. Planned Parenthood Advocates of PA are instrumental for the state of Pennsylvania. They are constantly working towards assuring that women have control over their bodies and fighting legislations that negatively impact women's reproductive rights.

I am so glad to have the chance to contribute to the great work that PPPA (Planned Parenthood PA Advocates) is doing. I'm so much more aware of current events happening both in PA, and in the federal legislative system which seems to constantly be vying for control over women's bodies. I definitely encourage anyone who is interested in positively contributing to such important issues to explore the possibility of being an intern for the upcoming 2014 Summer!

- Sena Agawu

Hello all! My name is Alyssa Ortega; I am a recent graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Anthropology with a minor in Latin American Studies. I am an intern at the Planned Parenthood Harrisburg location within the Health Center Advocacy Program. Prior to this internship, I didn’t really know what to expect. Health Center Advocacy? What does that even mean? Doesn’t everyone want everyone to be healthy? I have quickly understood that this is not the immediate case. I have found there are “loop-holes” in an individual's thinking. It’s interesting to me that there are a lot of “but …” statements after someone states their opinion. “Well I think that abortion is someone’s choice, but …” “Birth control is an effective way to prevent pregnancy, but …”. And I can say, I was one of those people, I always thought there were exceptions to every situation. And I have heard all sides of the argument, but what it boils down to, what’s the most important thing?

 The most important thing is that we have access to safe, affordable, and attainable health facilities. That is what this internship is all about - we do Healthy Neighborhood Canvasses every weekend and have been tabling at different health fairs around the area, in an attempt to promote the services of Planned Parenthood and let the community know that we are out here for them. This internship has tested my opinions, beliefs and personal demeanor in a positive way, and I have found out that there is much more to Planned Parenthood than meets the eye.  I have sharpened my  skills and education to know what is going on in our political system, but I have also been introduced to  the tools that are necessary to defend my rights as a female needing these services, Also, I am now more comfortable helping others with their rights as healthy teens, men, and women, aside from knowing about the different ways that Planned Parenthood has positively affected the lives around the communities in which their offices are located.

Going into the health center, seeing all of the different people, of all ages, sex, gender and sex orientation, as well as race, it has definitely expanded my need to want to fight for a safer and healthier environment where anyone and everyone can handle their health as they please. That is the whole point of this internship. I was able to see how our health facilities are greatly impacting everyone who steps through those doors and it is inspiring. We are here to promote this organization that offers different services that can preserve the reproductive rights and choices of women and men around Pennsylvania and around the country. What this internship has taught me so far is to be a more independent woman, and to be more aware of the political climate that is around me. Although, I feel like reproductive rights are a social issue and should stay out of the political debates, it will be a part of the political arguments for a while, and I should be prepared with the facts and figures. Because of my choice to become a part of this organization and dedicate time to this important fight, it is my duty to be an advocate, a friend, and more importantly a voice to the individuals who feel like they are not being heard. I am more than proud to say that I Stand With Planned Parenthood.  

Last week, I spent four days in the nation’s capital with a few hundred young people in pink for PPFA’s 2013 Youth Organizing and Policy Conference. Most of the college-aged attendees were active leaders in their VOX chapters, campus health centers, and similar campus organizations. Also in attendance were young volunteers or interns, like ourselves, with their local Planned Parenthood or the D.C. office.

A lot happened and many influential people spoke, so I’ll try to stick to the highlights.

Wednesday evening kicked off with a few speakers and ended with a performance by Sonya Renee—slam poet and activist—who performed several empowering original works.

            

That night, I met my roommate, Katie from Alabama, who taught me what it’s like to be a liberal, progressive mind in an overwhelmingly conservative state and campus environment.     Thursday opened with a speech from Cecile Richards, the president of PPFA. It was Lobby Day, and a group of seven Pennsylvanian’s took over two representatives’ offices. The other state groups met with two or more congressmen and congresswomen to talk about the Affordable Care Act, Title X funding, and other state-specific issues. The PA group had a successful, albeit brief, meeting with Democrat Rep. Cartwright.  Next, we met with Republican Rep. Dent for about half-an-hour.  Rep. Dent has been a strong supporter, even crossing party lines to support Planned Parenthood’s mission.  Both meetings were positive and informative, while establishing good relations between our organization and their legislative office. Thursday also included a talk by California Rep. Linda Sanchez on being an unassuming female legislator.

            

Friday was full of a variety of presentations to choose from. The one I led with Corbin Knight-Dixon (Lead Outreach and Education Coordinator from PP Illinois), entitled “Sex Education and Advocacy in the Internet Age,” went splendidly. I feel lucky to have worked on and presented a workshop with him.        And Friday night closed with a dance party at DC9, where progressive hip-hop artist and beat box master Christylez Bacon performed for an hour, awing us with his talents of improvisation and spoon-playing.

            

Saturday morning included a tai-chi energizer led by Rosie Abriam and a brunch talk by Dawn Laguens, the Exec. Vice President of PPFA.

            

Overall, it was an incredible refreshing experience filled with strong, determined people that provided positive advice and encouragement from the reproductive justice community.

- AJ F., Harrisburg Health Center Advocacy Intern

HCAP at Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania

My experience as a Health Center Advocacy intern has been excellent

so far. I am so grateful to have learned so much and it's only been five weeks!

As a recent graduate from the Public Health department of Temple

University, I have always had a passion for helping communities

improve their health outcome. I've always thought to achieve this

through health initiatives and educational classes. However, it's

important to let communities know about existing programs they can

use to achieve better health. This is why the Health Center Advocacy

Program is so great.

Along with fellow interns and volunteers, we are going out into the

community and letting individuals know about the variety of health

services they can access at their local Planned Parenthood health

centers.

My experience at the Upper Darby neighborhood canvass on Saturday,

June 15th was a perfect example of this. My fellow HCAP interns,

volunteers and I went out into the community to talk about the new

health center on 7200 Chestnut Street and handout coupons for health

services. While canvassing, there were many individuals, usually the

elderly, who were quick to make comments like "Planned Parenthood? Oh

I am way too old for that, honey" or "Thank you but I'm done making

kids".

However, I quickly assured these individuals that Planned Parenthood

offered more than reproductive services. I also mentioned that they

could pass the information to friends or family members who may need

it!

Who can say no to a coupon?! Once I made that point, the kind folks in

Upper Darby were eager and willing to pass information on to friends

and family members! I hope that the new health center sees an influx of

new patients and that the Upper Darby community are closer to achieving a

better health outcome.

I am excited to see how the rest of the Health Center Advocacy

Program turns out!

Tahirah C., Philadelphia Health Center Advocacy Intern

Hello All! My name is Nicole and I’m an intern for Planned Parenthood’s Health Center Advocacy Program, acting out of Allentown. Before starting this internship, I most looked forward to reaching out to patients inside the Health Center. I learned during Action Camp that before Planned Parenthood began community outreach through the health centers, the majority of Planned Parenthood supporters were older white women. This program was created so that this organization’s advocacy arm more reflected the diversity of its patient population. I found this very admirable and it ignited my excitement to reach out to patients.

I have to admit, at first, it was awkward. In-center tabling is vastly different from canvassing or even tabling in another arena. People are not (for the most part) coming up to you. And you don’t have that easy ice-breaker of knocking on someone’s door. Most likely they were not expecting to do anything related anything to do with Planned Parenthood’s advocacy that day. At first, I couldn't get over this feeling that I would be an unwanted presence in the Health Center.

My intern partner, Elizabeth, and I thought being direct would be the best approach and I cannot believe how well it worked out. The last time I was in the health center was especially exceptional. I split my time between helping the staff with some filing and tabling in the health center. Elizabeth had printed a bunch of new patient story sheets and I was excited to let patients know they could share their story. After getting over some initial apprehension, I started informing patients directly that they could share their experience with Planned Parenthood. The response was overwhelming.

In the short amount of time I spent tabling that day, I got five new patient stories submitted. Patient stories show how integral the services this organization provides are to their community. Whenever there’s an attempt to defund or limit funding for Planned Parenthood, it’s important to see how people’s lives are dependent on these services.

My excitement continued when I typed the patient stories. After reading people’s enthusiastic appreciation for Planned Parenthood and how safe and well-taken care of this organization makes them feel, I definitely no longer feel out of place in the health center. 

- Nicole M., Allentown HCAP Intern