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