Lessons from Loretta Ross
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All Above All*
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Fight Like a Foremother
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John, the other day, I sat down with Loretta Ross, one of the foremothers of the reproductive justice movement to talk shop. I came away from that conversation galvanized, inspired, and with renewed clarity on the kind of future we're building together and the strategies we're using to do it.
I think we could all use a little hope and direction right now. Loretta gave me that renewed sense of hope. What's more, she reminded me just how deep the roots of our movement go. That's why I want to share some of Loretta's wisdom with you--and call you back into this movement, just as you are.
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In solidarity,
Nourbese Flint
President
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A Reproductive Justice Origin Story
1992
It started at the conference of the Illinois Pro-Choice Alliance. The Clinton admin had just presented their vision for healthcare reform: Deemphasize abortion rights in a move to placate Republicans. Well, that just wasn't going to fly. Mable “Able” Thomas called together the twelve foremothers of the reproductive justice movement, including Loretta, and together they put a full-page signature ad in the Washington Post against the move.
This also marks the birth of the term “reproductive justice (RJ).” In short, it stands for everything having to do with having a child, not having a child, and being able to raise your family--safely and with dignity.
2003
Loretta was working with Sister Song when Planned Parenthood asked them to endorse the March for Freedom of Choice. Here was their opportunity to take reproductive justice mainstream: she told Planned Parenthood no, we won't endorse the march unless you move it beyond pregnancy. Planned Parenthood agreed. They changed the name to March for Women's Lives and the RJ movement grew sturdy legs.
2025
Your gift today launches us into the next chapter of the Reproductive Justice movement.
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Cross-Sector Movement Building
In the 90s and 2000s, the mainstream pro-life and pro-choice movements had something in common: They both started with pregnancy, which didn't take Black women's lived experiences into account. The same Black woman who's worried about not being able to afford an abortion is also housing insecure… and also food insecure. Maybe she's dealing with violence in her life, which is why she couldn't afford an abortion in the first place.
The only way the movement is going to expand is if we also tend to people's everyday concerns. It's all interconnected--and once we face that truth, paths to justice and healing begin to open…
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“If we properly use RJ, it's supposed to do cross-sector movement building--and not just be confined to the reproductive health rights and justice space.” -- Loretta Ross
Your gift today helps build this cross-sectional movement.
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Calling All* In
For most Americans, abortion isn't an everyday issue. What is top of mind are issues like housing, job security, healthcare, food security… all things that influence a person's decision to have a baby.
The problem is when folks in the progressive movement are too snobbish to even see the value of talking to people who don't align with us. So how do we address harm while creating space for growth, forgiveness, and understanding?
Loretta's answer is to call people in. As opposed to canceling or calling out, a “calling in” strategy builds on a person's good impulses rather than the bad or fearful ones. It's a definitive technique we can use to peel back the soft underbelly of the far right. Because the thing is, unlike Trump, we actually do care about people's pain. We care about access to food, healthcare, and housing. Therein lies serious strength.
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Now we're calling on you, JohnWill you join us?
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Want to hear more wisdom from Loretta Ross?
Her latest book, Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel, is out now and available wherever books are sold.
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All* Above All
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www.allaboveall.org
All* Above All
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Washington, DC 20003
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All* Above All is a person-of-color-led abortion justice organization. We rely on private grant funding and donations from advocates like you. Your tax-deductible gift will go to work straight away as we shift narratives, move policy, and build networks to create a future in which abortion care is available for everyone who needs it.
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