Center Leaders and Clients Meet with First Lady and Gender Policy Head About Dobbs’ Impact on Women’s Health
On June 20, 2023, Center leaders and women denied abortion care joined First Lady Jill Biden for a conversation at the White House with Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, Jennifer Klein, about the impact of the Dobbs decision on women’s health and lives. The event highlighted the stories of four women from across the country—including Elizabeth Weller and Dr. Austin Dennard, two of the Center’s clients in the Zurawski v. State of Texas case—as well as the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to protecting access to reproductive health care.
“I know that it isn’t easy to relive what you’ve been through,” the First Lady told the women. “But stories like yours are how we shed light on the cruel and devastating consequences of these bans. So, I want to thank you all for your candor and your courage.”
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U.S. Federal Administrative Advocacy
The Center for Reproductive Rights works to hold federal agencies accountable in upholding and advancing reproductive rights and health.
After participants delivered brief remarks with the press present, the women had an emotional closed-door conversation that focused on their personal experiences being denied needed medical care despite facing serious and dangerous pregnancy complications. The women also explained how people were surprised when they spoke out about their experiences, and why they felt it was so important to openly tell their stories.
The Center’s team worked with the White House to secure attendance and accompanied Weller and Dr. Dennard. Molly Duane, Senior Staff Attorney, and Katherine Gillespie, Acting Director of the Federal Policy and Advocacy Team, also had the opportunity to speak with the First Lady one-on-one after the event.
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