Igniting Latina Power for Health, Dignity and Justice in 2012 and Beyond
As we continue to see unprecedented attacks on women’s rights, the dignity of immigrant families, and the health of our communities, our challenges should not be underestimated. But neither should our power. Even as Latinas face policies that endanger our health and divide our families, we are determined to fight back.
That’s why the National Latina institute for Reproductive Health is launching ¡Soy Poderosa!/ I am Powerful!—a civic engagement campaign created to engage, organize, and lift the voices of the Latina community, regardless of immigration status and ability to vote, as we continue to mobilize a broad constituency in support of reproductive justice and work across movements to create sustainable change.
Go here to join the campaign!
Soy Poderosa and the Affordable Care Act
At the end of March, the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the historic health care reform legislation signed into law in the spring of 2010. Though the law was far from perfect, it included provisions that could completely transform the ways Latinas access health care and increase access to reproductive health services. It is imperative that we defend the existing reforms even as we keep working to improve access to health care for ALL Latinas.
There are three ways to show your support:
1) Become a Poderosa! Print out our Soy Poderosa sign (español), fill it in and take a photo of yourself. Then send it to us for our Soy Poderosa gallery! Email natalie [at] latinainstitute [dot] org with the photo. Note: by emailing your photo, you authorize NLIRH to use it in any online or printed materials.
2) Donate to bring poderosas to DC! A bus full of our energetic and amazing activists want to come to Washington to show their support for health care reform, but they need your help. We need to raise $2,000 to be able to pay for a charter bus - will you sponsor a Latina activist so her voice can be heard? Just $45 will cover the costs for one activist, like Paula or Sonia, to ride the bus D.C. Donate now!
3) Join the campaign! Go here to sign our Soy Poderosa pledge, and show your support for Latinas and reproductive justice.
Week of Action 2012
Mark your calendars for the week of August 6, 2012, when we’ll host the 3rd Annual Latina Week of Action for Reproductive Justice. This year, the Week of Action will focus on civic engagement, bringing the ¡Soy Poderosa! themes of empowerment and visibility to communities across the country, through events, action opportunities, social media, and outreach.
DC Health Care Rally
The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) will stand with poderosa Latina activists & allies at the Supreme Court on March 27th in support of the Affordable Care Act and Latinas’ access to quality, affordable health care. Latinas from New York and Washington, D.C. will share their stories about how the historic health reform law has made a difference, and will continue to benefit, the health of themselves, their families and their communities. Please join us in lifting the voices of Latinas for salud (health), dignidad (dignity) and justicia (justice).
Where: Demonstration Area across the street from the Supreme Court- Corner of First Street and Constitution Ave, N.E., Washington, D.C.
When: Tuesday, March 27th from 8:30am-12:30pm
How to find us: Look for us in blue and yellow NLIRH shirts with ¡Soy Poderosa! signs or call Kimberly Inez McGuire’s cell at (413) 222-0271.
Can’t join us in person? Endorse the campaign and take your ¡Soy Poderosa! picture at www.soypoderosa.org
Stay Connected
Follow us on Twitter @NLIRH, hashtag #soypoderosa and Facebook.
