Saniyah Pullen, Contributing Writer
The National Organization for Women at VCU kicked off a series of canvassing events to talk to students about the reproductive rights amendment on the ballot this November.
Planned Parenthood, Repro-Rising, and Virginians for Reproductive Freedom collaborated with NOW at VCU for these events, the first occurring Sunday, September 20th, according to an Instagram post.
Virginia Question One includes the protection of access to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management and fertility care, as well as ensuring all doctors, nurses, and patients will not be punished for these decisions, according to Ballotpedia.
“This election is so important because it prevents Virginia politicians in the future from taking away that freedom to make decisions that affect our health, wellbeing and our future.”
Jasmine Hernandez-Reyes, a student fellow at ReproRising, said this election is important because it can prevent Virginia politicians from taking away women’s freedom to make decisions on their health in the future.
Cheri West, Communications Manager for ReproRising Virginia, wants Virginians to understand the future protected by the amendment.
“These laws are going to impact them throughout their lifetime, and they should have a say on the decisions governing their bodies,” West said. “There’s no person more qualified to make decisions about your body than yourself and your healthcare provider, and politicians shouldn’t be in the room making those decisions.”
Rebecca Weil, founder and president of NOW at VCU, believes student involvement extends beyond reproductive rights.
“We want to send the message that women’s rights is not an isolated issue,” Weil stated. “We’re really interested in bringing people together to fight for something bigger, and this bigger serves us all.”
At the first of the four events, Weil spoke to VCU students about the amendment and supported them in registering to vote for the upcoming election.
“Young people especially have so many ideas that we want to get into the world,” Weil said. “Tabling and canvassing and talking to people is the best way to do it.”
Elaina Shepard and Denisha Chisholm, members of NOW at VCU who introduced the idea for the Dorm Storm event, felt the event would greatly benefit VCU students.
“Not only would it help the organization’s recognition on campus, but it would let students know their rights are being talked about in this election, and they need to know about it,” Chisholm said.
Santoria Williams, a second-year student at the event, said the event helped students understand how political decisions affect them.
“It’s definitely made me more proactive, seeing how a lot of people don’t understand what’s
going on in the government and politics,” Williams said.
The Dorm Storm events will continue to visit student housing and educate students on the amendment on Oct. 4, 18 and Nov. 1 before Election Day on Nov. 3.