From January 10, 2017:
Today was an absolutely mind-changing experience for me. I’ve spent the better part of my life identifying as a feminist, or someone who seeks social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. Within this identity, I find that there are many different injustices I am constantly fighting against at one time. Understandably, I feel more connected to some fights than others. An area I am really passionate about is ending rape culture and victim blaming, especially on college campuses. As we’ve seen from the recent case with Brock Turner, the legal system and society at large has a long way to go in this battle.
Something I was less familiar with or connected to was the idea of reproductive justice, and today’s theme at camp was reproductive justice! My group, which was comprised of most of the Rollins students, got to go to Choices Women’s Medical Center in Queens. Upon arriving, we were taken to a back room, had lunch, and got to meet Merle Hoffman, the creator of Choices.
Talking to Merle was absolutely incredible. We got to share a little bit about ourselves with her and then here her story and her inspiration for Choices as a medical facility. She shared with us that Choices was a for-profit organization, which surprised me. As a Bonner Leader, I have done work with non-profits only, so it was important for me to understand that there are organizations that you can make important change in the world both through for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
We then got to tour the facility. They have an incredible call center that speaks several languages, a surgical center (mainly for abortion procedures), a lab for bloodwork, a regular gynecology center, and a pre-natal program. The center was so comprehensive and gave women real choices about what to do with their bodies instead of forcing them into just abortion, just adoption, or just raising their baby on their own. They care so deeply about their patients and support them through counseling sessions and other means. One of the Rollins students I went with described the experience as “going to church,” and I agree completely with that. This organization changed my entire view on reproductive justice, and I left there awe-struck and beyond inspired.
Above: Merle gave us cute canvas bags and they had her new book inside! (I took this panorama so I am not in the picture)
Above: The group at Choices.
To my left: Esther, who was the director of counseling and also led the tour. She was so inspirational in how much she cared for each and every patient. To my right: Merle Hoffman, founder of Choices and pioneer in women’s health medical centers.