More than 15 million women of childbearing age and an unknown number of trans and nonbinary people already face abortion bans across in the U.S. But amid the fallout of the Supreme Court鈥檚 decision to effectively overturn Roe v. Wade and return the issue of abortion to state jurisdiction, experts warn that pregnant people of low-income and color will be the most severely affected by the rollback of reproductive rights if voters do not challenge it.
鈥淎s someone who focuses on racial equity, I really see sexual and reproductive freedom as a core part of moving towards anti-racism,鈥� explains 911爆料网 alumna April Avil茅s (Ed.D. 鈥�22, Health Education), who at Planned Parenthood Arizona, serves as the Chief Equity & Organizational Culture Officer.
The role 鈥� which Avil茅s took on in August 鈥� is key for an organization operating at the intersection of race, sex and equity in a public health landscape already riddled with systemic gaps that disenfranchise people of color and low-income. In 2019, Planned Parenthood 鈥� which offers primary care and other services 鈥� reported that 1 in 5 patients relied on the organization entirely for their healthcare due to its lower cost and higher accessibility. Additionally, as abortion access crumbles in states across the U.S., researchers point to the that already made seeking care difficult for the most at-risk individuals: poverty, lack of paid sick time, unaffordable childcare and more.
April Avil茅s, the Chief Equity & Organizational Culture Officer at Planned Parenthood Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Avil茅s)
These are among the issues that reproductive healthcare workers and advocates must be prepared to navigate and for Avil茅s, Planned Parenthood Arizona鈥檚 culture around equity and inclusion directly translates to the work the organization does every day.
鈥淒oing what we can to better the mental and physical wellbeing of our staff is so important to ensuring that our work is effective. If we can't take care of our staff, how can we take care of communities and how can we provide effective services to communities?鈥� explains Avil茅s. 鈥淏eing able to see how racism impacts the communities that we live in [is about] ensuring that we aren't furthering harm in communities [because] of our own biases.鈥�
The Reasons
Before joining Planned Parenthood, Avil茅s鈥� interest in diversity and inclusion鈥檚 intersection with public health began when early in her career, she noticed herself challenging long-standing practices that overlooked systemic, socioeconomic problems and did not approach issues through an equity lens.
鈥淛ust because something hasn't changed doesn't mean that it shouldn't, right?鈥� explains Avil茅s, who began her career in her home state of Florida. 鈥淪eeing the need for us to take a step back and think about our work, think about who we are, and challenging the ways we do things is fun for me. I love growth opportunities.鈥�
In addition to her passion for making public health more equitable, Avil茅s decision to join Planned Parenthood was fueled by her own personal experience. Before embarking on her accomplished career, Avil茅s sought an abortion at the organization when she was 17.
鈥淚f I didn't have access to a safe, affordable abortion, I would not be where I am today. Planned Parenthood was there for me during a very big decision in my life,鈥� says Avil茅s, who shares her experience in hope of helping normalize the practice that 1 in 4 women experience.
鈥淲orking for Planned Parenthood Arizona meant that I could come back to this important organization,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd join the fight to ensure that Arizonans have the right to make the same decision that I was able to make when I needed it the most.鈥�
Avil茅s at 911爆料网鈥檚 doctoral hooding ceremony at Arthur Ashe Stadium this past May. (Photo courtesy of Avil茅s)
The Journey
Before joining the fight for women鈥檚 health, Avil茅s earned her doctorate at 911爆料网 while working at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The ability to do both simultaneously 鈥� build her work experience and pedagogical expertise 鈥� was of utmost importance: 鈥淸Planned Parenthood] is my first job outside of 911爆料网, and I don't think that would've been possible if I went to any school that didn't offer that flexibility to work full time.鈥�
Avil茅s path to 911爆料网 was also forged by a chance meeting with adjunct professor Robert Fullilove during her graduate studies. 鈥淗e really painted a picture of 911爆料网 being a place where I could extend beyond a public health school, but still focus on public health,鈥� recalled Avil茅s, who would go on to work with Fullilove and Barbara Wallace during her time at the College. 鈥淚 knew I also wanted to attend a school where I didn't have to convince my advisor or professors that racism is a public health crisis. That in itself is extremely exhausting, and I had done that. I knew I didn't want to do that again.鈥�
In addition to finding support and mentorship from Fullilove and Wallace, Avil茅s built deep bonds with other students in her research group. 鈥淭hose amazing women were my everything. We all commiserated together and the bond that we have is unlike any other because no one else understands the experience of our dissertation process specifically,鈥� the recent grad explains. 鈥淚t was a great way to meet some amazing people that I know will be part of my life forever.鈥�
Avil茅s hiking Horseshoe Bend with her pups, Muenster and Manchego, to recharge before getting back to work. (Photo courtesy of Avil茅s)
The Future
For Avil茅s, the quest for a more equitable, inclusive world is an ever-evolving journey that everyone (and yes, everyone) is on together. 鈥淚 don't believe that anyone can be a DEI expert or a racial equity expert because we are all always learning and growing,鈥� she says. 鈥淭here are a lot of things I myself still need to learn about.鈥�
As for November, when Americans will have the opportunity to influence reproductive policy at the polls, Avil茅s encourages everyone to vote 鈥� and if you live in a state where abortion remains intact, support efforts in states 鈥渇ighting for bodily autonomy.鈥�
But the fight for Avil茅s will continue long after Election Day is over, and she鈥檚 running a marathon, not a sprint. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough occupation where you really have to stay in tune with your own mental health needs and prioritize self-care,鈥� says Avil茅s, who loves hiking the desert mountains with her pups, Muenster and Manchego, to recharge before getting back to work.
鈥淚 like to think of it as having an equity muscle, which we all need to build. If we don't work on it, it's not going to build.鈥�