By now you’ve seen the coverage and felt the shared outrage surrounding the leaked Supreme Court draft ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. While many of us knew it was possible, it doesn't lessen the disappointment or the fear. (Nor does it change any laws today.) 

Yesterday, I made my way to the steps of the Supreme Court to be in community and to remember that – even in times of peril – we have the power, as women, to create the country we deserve. I teared up and I shouted. It felt good to use my voice. 

Despite Roe v. Wade codifying access to abortions at the federal level, state legislatures have always held the power over reproductive rights and it is where Vote Run Lead is setting our sights. America’s statehouses must be run by women who are proudly feminist in their leadership, actively anti-racist, and warriors for democracy. Our goal must be the majority: 51% women’s representation in all 50 state legislatures. Nothing less.

I don't have to tell you about “trigger laws” or the 26 states ready to ban abortion once a final ruling is made by SCOTUS this summer. You know the reality. I do want to remind you, though, that the erosion of voting rights, the strategic anti-LGBTQ laws, the devaluing of Black lives, the mis- and disinformation campaigns, and the dismantling of reproductive freedoms are all connected. Creating a class of sub-citizens of our republic, fully taxed but not full beneficiaries of its rights and freedoms, is exactly the agenda. Our collective causes are intertwined. Our strategies must be, too. We stand with the leaders of the reproductive justice movements and commit to continue to seed the political leaders we can count on to fully realize our rights, liberties and happiness.  

• Today, donate to these abortion providers (scroll down for your state), and make sure you are up-to-date with your voter registration status (and check with your friends, too.)
• Learn more about state strategies like the Michigan ballot initiative to protect reproductive freedoms, this reproductive justice hub where you can get tools to advocate, or dig into the history with the book Controlling Women.
• Gear up to run for one of the 7,383 state legislative seats in America. Here’s how to do it in 10 weeks or attend one of these three free in-person trainings. It’s the most consequential office of our time. 47 states have state legislative elections this year. And 2024 is just around the corner. 

In solidarity,
Erin