Catalyst Fund

Support reproductive justice with a
matching grant from the Catalyst Fund

On January 20, the nation ushered in new leadership and began
a new era of possibility. President Obama has said, “A woman’s
ability to decide how many children to have and when, without
interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental
rights we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality
and opportunity for all women.”

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On its website, the Obama Administration commits to "work to promote safe motherhood, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and increase educational and economic opportunities for women and girls." In these words President Obama points to the cornerstone of reproductive justice.

Given the possibility of this new leadership, what can each of us do to ensure that every woman has the fundamental rights of which President Obama speaks? How can we make certain a woman’s right to comprehensive reproductive health includes her safety, economic prosperity and protection from toxins that affect her reproductive health?

The Women’s Foundation of California is working to ensure just this.

We were recently selected to be one of only eight local public foundations in the nation to receive a renewal matching grant from the Catalyst Fund at the Tides Foundation, a national program to build a stronger and more unified movement for reproductive justice. Through this matching grant program, every donation the Women’s Foundation receives for reproductive justice will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

We invite you to join this partnership. Your contribution will enable the Foundation to provide over $500,000 in grants to women of color-led reproductive justice organizations throughout California. These resources will be invested in organizations led by women most impacted by reproductive health disparities who have the expertise to create solutions and policies that best address the needs of their communities. Programs include efforts by Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice (ACRJ) to protect the health of nail salon workers and advocacy by California Latinas for Reproductive Justice to educate policymakers about Latinas' reproductive health and justice priorities. As a result of the solutions born from this work, women throughout California and the nation will know greater security around their reproductive health and rights.

What is reproductive justice and how is it different
from reproductive rights or reproductive health?

In an article titled "How Pro-choice Activists Can Work to Build a Comprehensive Movement," created by the Center for American Progress and published by Mother Jones, advocate Eveline Shen, Executive Director of ACRJ, makes an important distinction between reproductive justice, health and rights stating, "the Reproductive Health framework emphasizes the necessary reproductive health services that women need. The Reproductive Rights framework is based on universal legal protections for women, such as Roe v. Wade. And the Reproductive Justice Framework stipulates that reproductive oppression is the result of the intersections of multiple oppressions..."

Similarly, reproductive justice advocate Loretta Ross, national coordinator of SisterSong, explains the intersection of reproductive justice through the experience some women have when learning they are pregnant:

“She is thinking about whether or not she is going to be fired from her job if she requires maternity leave. Is she going to be beaten when she tells her partner she is pregnant? Does she have healthcare? Does she have a bedroom to put that child in? Is there a school she can send that child to? All of these are human rights issues—well beyond should I keep this baby—if you don’t have healthcare or earn a living wage, that is an economic human rights issue. If you are worried about safety, then that is a civil rights issue.”

All of these issues—fair treatment, access, equity—are tied to women’s reproductive justice.

Make a gift today through the Catalyst Campaign and your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar to provide support to women of color-led reproductive justice organizations from across California.

Read our brochure here.