With the threat of overturning Roe v. Wade this month, the fight for reproductive rights begins anew. Please join us to hear first-hand accounts of women’s experiences accessing and advocating for safe abortion services. Now more than ever we need to come together to ensure autonomy over our bodies.
Leave equipped with actions you can take to carry the torch for women’s reproductive rights.
When & Where:
Wednesday, June 22.
Doors open at 6 pm, the panel begins at 6:30 pm, event will end at 7:30 pm.
Miller Community Center, Capitol Hill, Seattle.
Tickets:
In-person $10 and virtual $5
Moderator & Speakers
Moderator
Regina Malveaux, J.D. | She/Her
Regina was appointed to Governor Jay Inslee’s cabinet as Director of the Washington State Women’s Commission in August 2020. Regina has served as one of our nine inaugural Commissioners for the past two years. Regina has over 20 years of experience as a tenacious advocate for women and children as a non-profit executive, victim’s services provider, community leader and policy advocate.
Previously, Regina served as CEO of YWCA Spokane, Executive Director of YWCA South Hampton Roads, Legal Advocate at YWCA San Diego and founder of the Women’s Legal Center. Through her work with the YWCA, Malveaux has established a national reputation as an aggressive advocate on issues related to gender-based violence and funding supports for families experiencing poverty.
Panelist
Karen S. Cooper | She/Her
Karen grew up in Louisiana and Maryland. She graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in American history and education in 1962. She had two children and taught elementary school in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia while they were growing up. She then earned a Master’s degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. in 1974.
Upon moving to Mercer Island, Washington in 1981, she completely changed her career trajectory. She worked as a political consultant for democratic and progressive issue campaigns for 9 years. In 1994 she accepted the position of executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, a political advocacy organization. She retired in 2009 and enjoys spending her time with her grandchildren, gardening and reading. She is still politically active, and lives in Columbia City, a diverse neighborhood in South Seattle.
Panelist
Sen. Emily Randall | She/Her
Emily was born and raised on the Kitsap Peninsula in a hardworking union family. As a community organizer and advocate for health care and education, she is focused on putting the people of the 26th District first. She was elected to the state Senate in November 2018. Emily is now the chair of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, a member of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee, and a member of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Since graduating from Wellesley College, Emily has dedicated herself to expanding education opportunities and access to affordable health care for women, children and LGBTQ folks around the country. This cause is personal for her: Emily’s sister Olivia was born with severe developmental and physical disabilities, and it was their family’s access to Medicaid that made it possible for Olivia to live a happy life in their family home for 19 years. Emily believes that all families should have access to the health care they need to keep their families together, and no one should be at risk of bankruptcy because of their health care needs. In her first session as a legislator, she sponsored and passed the Reproductive Health Care for All bill and built a pathway to universal health care.
Panelist
Alexa Brenner | She/Her
Alexa is a Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Regional Field Organizer for Western Washington, covering mostly the Olympic Peninsula and the South Sound. She grew up in Tacoma and has returned to plant roots. Before deciding to make a career out of political activism, she went to school for biology fully intending to go to medical school. Her first experience with Planned Parenthood was in 2017 when she had an organizing internship with Votes in Tacoma and knew that working for Planned Parenthood was the dream. She graduated college in 2018 and immediately jumped on the Maryland primaries, followed by a brief stint in Iowa for the general, and some time in Florida for the recount. In March of 2019 she packed up her car and moved back in with her mom to do clinical work at Planned Parenthood before settling in as part of the Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates team.