our response to proposal 3’s successful passage

November 8 was a historic day in Michigan with the passage of Proposal 3, the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative.  Abortion and reproductive rights we’ve had for nearly 50 years were protected.  People in Michigan can safely continue to make personal decisions about all aspects of family and reproductive care, including whether and when to have children.  Today, the arc of justice and democracy bends towards empowerment of women, and gender equity for all.

YWCA West Central Michigan is committed to advancing racial and gender equity in our community and across the State of Michigan. Critical to the YWCA’s mission is supporting the freedom of all people to make fundamental decisions about essential healthcare.  And we will continue to advocate for equitable and safe access to the services that contribute to quality of care.

We are pleased to see movement toward constitutional rights to abortion care and reproductive healthcare for all be carried out here in Michigan.  We heard the collective voice of millions of Michigan voters thanks to the work of a powerful coalition of organizations and organizers in the field – most notably Michigan Voices, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and ACLU of Michigan – along with our sister association YWCA of Kalamazoo.  We were proud to join forces with these and other leaders to continue the fight for reproductive rights and gender equity in Michigan.

While we celebrate the support for efforts like Proposal 3, we also must acknowledge that this is the one of many steps in the movement to ensure every individual has access to comprehensive, quality reproductive health care.  We will work with policymakers, community partners, healthcare providers, and others to see that Proposal 3 is effectively and equitably implemented.  And that vulnerable and marginalized communities – including people of color, indigenous people, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and domestic and sexual assault survivors – are equal participants in this new era of reproductive justice and freedom for all.

We have more to do.  And there are things you can do for yourself and others in support of this work.  We encourage you to:

• Get active and explore available resources and activities, like:

• • • Organize and continue engaging your elected officials to guarantee access to comprehensive, equitable, and quality reproductive healthcare.
    • Follow news stories, stay informed about how reproductive rights and access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare are being advanced or challenged in your community.

• Be aware of how you talk about abortion and other forms of reproductive healthcare. Avoid spreading misinformation, disinformation, and other stigmas.

• • • Use gender-inclusive language.
    • Help destigmatize abortion. 
    • Combat disinformation – even online.

• Learn about local, state, or federal organizations dedicated to funding, finding, and providing reproductive healthcare services and supports such as:

• • • National Network of Abortion Funds
    • National Abortion Federation
    • Ineedana.com
    • Midwest Access Coalition
    • Planned Parenthood of Michigan
    • Fountain Street Church – Choice Fund

Public policy and advocacy at the YWCA

Public policy impacts everyone.  Local, state, and federal policy decisions can uphold, maintain, and shape inequities and disparities in health, education, civil rights, and economic stability.  To make lasting change, we must be active in transforming those policies.  Coupled with the YWCA West Central Michigan mission – eliminating racism; empowering women and girls; promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all – public policy and advocacy address the underlying issues affecting members of our community and those we serve and move into action.  

Want to know what we are watching at the state level?  You can find out what we have been monitoring on our LegiScan page!

Interested in our positions?  Click on any one of our policy position statements for more information!

Looking to get involved in policy advocacy?  Check out our Calls to Action page!

For more information about our public policy and advocacy activities, please contact Adrienne Zaya, Public Policy Coordinator at azaya@ywcawcmi.org.

LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL RESOURCES

Grand Rapids City Government
Kent County Board of Commissioners
A Citizen’s Guide to State Government
Michigan State Senate
Michigan House of Representatives
United States Senate
United States House of Representatives