We would be thrilled to have you as a PRJ organizer, and we can't wait to have all hands on deck with our exciting projects. This form isn't intended to be a heavy lift — we just want to get to know you and hear about your interests in reproductive justice.
Our committees are the following:
1) Community Engagement- As a community-focused organization, PRJ partners with groups at Penn and the greater Philly region to provide access to reproductive healthcare. It is critical that PRJ is attuned to meeting the needs of communities beyond the Penn community. Our current projects are listed below. If interested in this committee, please suggest a project idea that you have when responding to the first open-ended question, as we want to incorporate them!
- Implementing a vending machine on campus in partnership with SHS that would offer emergency contraceptive pills, condoms, menstrual products, reproductive care products, along with other health items such as over-the-counter medications. One aspect of this project would include creating informational materials regarding emergency contraception, correct condom use, pregnancy tests, etc.
- Organizing fundraising events. In the past, we organized a bake sale fundraiser at Smoke's for the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA. For these fundraising projects, we are looking for committee members with good organizational skills and a creative mindset capable of organizing unique and engaging events to raise money for larger repro justice organizations and/or the Philly community.
2) Education - People's access to accurate sex ed and menstrual health education varies widely so at PRJ, we want to ensure that everyone knows how their body works and can talk about it without stigma.
More detailed project descriptions can be viewed
here. Note that
any Education Committee member can facilitate workshops for our HS/middle school programs!
Philly Education:
- Improving and adding to our Menstrual Health Education Program at West Philly & Sayre High Schools.
- Organizing the All About Puberty & Periods Program at Lea and Hamilton Schools.
- Creating one-pagers about repro health to distribute to the community (schools, shelters, PRJ events).
Campus Education:
- Organizing and facilitating our Safe Sex Series, which includes a panel highlighting student perspectives on contraception and an at-home HIV testing kit packing party with UNAIDS at Penn.
- Running a Menstrual Equity Awareness Campaign in partnership with the Penn Menstrual Products Coalition to get students talking about the need for free period products in campus bathrooms.
- Creating social media infographics about repro justice topics with Claire, our Communications Lead. Previous infographics are pinned
here.
3) Political Affairs - When Roe v Wade was overturned, it left the decision to regulate abortion up to the states. As PA is a swing state, political advocacy for reproductive justice is more important than ever. We partnered with Penn Medical Students for Choice to host a Rally for Abortion Rights on Oct 22nd, 2022, featuring Democrat candidate for governor Josh Shapiro, but the work is not over. This committee is split into two subcommittees:
Legislative Advocacy:
- Partnering with community sexual education advocates and local litigation groups like If/When/How to organize legal advocacy around abortion access and sexual health education in Pennsylvania.
Community Advocacy:
- Organizing a campus-wide art exhibit that showcases lived experiences and artwork around reproductive justice.
- Organizing restorative justice circles focused on topics related to reproductive justice and lived experiences around reproductive health and menstruation.
The application is due on Sunday Sept 17th at 11:59 PM. Applicants will be notified if asked to interview.
Please reach out to upennreproductivejustice@gmail.com if you have any questions!
