Dear John,

In the fight for a more just future, there’s one thing I tell myself over and over: just because something hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it won’t.

In my role as Director of Litigation for Reproductive Rights and Health, I lead a team of passionate and creative litigators working in the courts to fight for the ability of all people to access the health care they need, including abortion and other reproductive health care.

It was my dream to use my legal degree to make change. At NWLC, I am so honored to have the opportunity to fight to dismantle unjust laws and policies and to improve the lives of individuals across the country. As just one example, this year my team’s dedication and advocacy helped to achieve the first federal enforcement action following Dobbs against a hospital for denying emergency abortion care, sending a clear message to hospitals nationwide that they must provide the emergency care patients need, regardless of state abortion laws. Our work on behalf of our client–a woman who was denied the care she desperately needed after her water broke at 18 weeks and who bravely fought to make sure others don’t suffer like she did–has been among the most meaningful experiences of my career. As we write this, anti-abortion advocates and politicians are asking the Supreme Court to undermine this federal protection for pregnant people experiencing medical emergencies, and we will not back down from the fight.

Our team’s work spans a range of issues impacting the health of women and others with the capacity for pregnancy—from a state court challenge to Missouri's abortion ban for violating separation of church and state, to lawsuits against a major insurance company to protect fertility benefits for LGBTQIA+ families, to launching the Abortion Access Legal Defense Fund, which helps pay legal expenses for abortion patients and supporters who are facing legal action related to abortion care.

You can help support this critical work and all NWLC does to fight for gender justice with your first $5 year-end gift now. Until December 31, every gift will be matched, up to $150,000, so your gift will go even further!

At NWLC, we fundamentally believe in justice and equality for ALL—in access to reproductive freedom, in the right to an education and workplace safe from harassment and discrimination, in equal pay for equal work, and so much more. These are the fights we commit ourselves to each and every day, and we can’t do any of this without you.

Join us with your first $5 gift–until midnight on December 31, every dollar will go twice as far.

I’m so grateful every day for the work I get to do here at the National Women’s Law Center. Thank you for helping us make a real impact for gender justice.

Sincerely,

Michelle Banker
she/her/hers
Director of Litigation for Reproductive Rights and Health
National Women's Law Center

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