The day after Roe was overturned, I applied for a clinician role at Planned Parenthood. I worked there for three years until burnout hit, and I left for a role (still reproductive health) at a slower-paced clinic. But my time there shaped me more than anything that came before it, and I will carry that experience forward for the rest of my life.
I started protesting as well as volunteering at Planned parenthood on weekend mornings. It’s not much but I feel like I’m finally part of something bigger than me.
Personal growth, and seeing so many middle-aged women around me grow too. In 2022 I was so sad and scared and angry. I had personal stuff-a PhD and infertility, and the pandemic and Trump years and Dobbs came one right after the other. In the years since, via therapy and honesty and work, I feel like I've broken free of so many things, and come out able to engage, and fight productively, and feel joy and rest. I've seen breakthroughs in so many of the women around me and can also see it in the big and small political fights. It's also clear to me that our opponents did...not spend the past decade learning and growing, so that makes me hopeful for the future :).
We see a lot of live music and go to some festivals (Cruel World; Darker Waves; Oceans Calling.) We are superfans of the band Cracker (part of the Cracker Crumbs), going to their festivals (Camp In in Athens, GA and Camp Out in Pioneertown, CA), and seeing them in multiple East Coast locations (we're in the DC area and have seen them in Falls Church, DC, and Annapolis, plus Philly, the Philly suburbs, New York, Boston, and Fall River, MA). We have a few local/regional bands that we follow to dive bars, the VFW and American Legion, and a local Irish pub. I also tracked with my therapist that if I listen to music at least three hours a day, I have a much better day. I try to have my SiriusXM, Amazon Music, or my CD player going when I am at my desk working. I also have DJs I follow on Twitch, and if I don't have other plans, I listen to three different shows there (DJ Synthia; Jake Rudh, or DJ Bueller--all 80s music.)
Runner up is the Olympics: Simone Biles and Alysa Liu in particular.
A friend just dropped off his pup for the next three weeks and I'm meeting with my awesome peer coaching circle later this morning - love as Patrice said.
Taking a leadership role in our local Indivisible group. I'm from Tucson AZ and our group is called Indivisible Tucson Action Alliance. I listen to Ezra and Leah just about every Thursday for their What's the Plan call, and I get so much inspiration from them.
Seeing my sons, in their teens and early twenties, being good people in the world. Caring for their friends, of many gender identities and orientations, listening to their girlfriends, being kind, hugging a lot, open to the messiness of being human, trying to act respectfully and responsibly, and well, struggling but just not giving up in the face of so much anticipatory grief about our future on this beautiful earth. I have to be here, and be healthy and have hope, for them and all of life, and for the justice and freedom all life deserves.
I know a woman who unexpectedly got pregnant in the late 80s. She agonized about what to do about the situation, and decided to keep the baby, who turned out to be a girl. This friend is probably one of the most pro-choice people I know. "My pregnancy, my decision. The government has no goddamn say in the situation."
The only saving graces for me are that I have sons instead of daughters and I am in menopause myself. I continue to lobby and donate to the cause of our rights, but feel fortunate to be in a position where I’m unlikely to be directly affected.
Fist, thank you for all of your dedication and hard work on this important issue. I rely on the information you provide and am very grateful to you. I have been trying to contact you directly about a book I am editing on abortion and restrictions to reproductive rights. Is there a way to contact you directly? Thank you. You can reach me at DrShelleyNathans@gmail.com
I joined a feminist choir after Roe fell and I don't know how I would have gotten through the past four years without that community and that physical outlet for the intense emotions of the past 4 (but really 10) years. And tbh, this work of yours, Jessica (and now Kylie too!), and the community you've built has been a huge beacon and relief. The only thing that makes me *more* enraged than womes' rights being stolen is the fact that it's not the lead story of the news Every. Single. Day. So much bad reporting, if there's any at all. And people just keep living lives as if nothing is happening. I'm constantly astounded... and then I log in to Substack and there's AE, telling the truth, reflecting reality, giving this subject the gravity, urgency, and ANGER it deserves. Forever grateful. 🙏✨🙏
The s**tshow of our country has mirrored some really trying times in my personal life and the one thing I keep coming back to is community. Who are the people who look you in the eye when you are feeling your worst and says "I got you." They don't shy away from the hard truths but stand with you while you deal with it. They offer encouragement when you start to doubt yourself and remind you to do better when you drop the ball. My bestie Julie has been that person for me in my personal life and Jessica, I'd say you and your community has been that way for me in my civic life. (The fact that your names both start with J is not missed by me!) I'm forever grateful for you both and the community we have here.
All the people who share the work and those who support us. In particular the people on a committee formed in response to Dobbs working to address issues of health equity for women, and my husband who supports the many hours spent on this work. Also, your work and this community on One Good Thing.
We passed Amendment 3 in Missouri.
The day after Roe was overturned, I applied for a clinician role at Planned Parenthood. I worked there for three years until burnout hit, and I left for a role (still reproductive health) at a slower-paced clinic. But my time there shaped me more than anything that came before it, and I will carry that experience forward for the rest of my life.
This is petty, but I can’t stand Ken Paxton and appreciated The Lincoln Project pointing out that’s not his wife. https://x.com/ProjectLincoln/status/2071345410166128729?s=20
I started protesting as well as volunteering at Planned parenthood on weekend mornings. It’s not much but I feel like I’m finally part of something bigger than me.
Personal growth, and seeing so many middle-aged women around me grow too. In 2022 I was so sad and scared and angry. I had personal stuff-a PhD and infertility, and the pandemic and Trump years and Dobbs came one right after the other. In the years since, via therapy and honesty and work, I feel like I've broken free of so many things, and come out able to engage, and fight productively, and feel joy and rest. I've seen breakthroughs in so many of the women around me and can also see it in the big and small political fights. It's also clear to me that our opponents did...not spend the past decade learning and growing, so that makes me hopeful for the future :).
Music.
We see a lot of live music and go to some festivals (Cruel World; Darker Waves; Oceans Calling.) We are superfans of the band Cracker (part of the Cracker Crumbs), going to their festivals (Camp In in Athens, GA and Camp Out in Pioneertown, CA), and seeing them in multiple East Coast locations (we're in the DC area and have seen them in Falls Church, DC, and Annapolis, plus Philly, the Philly suburbs, New York, Boston, and Fall River, MA). We have a few local/regional bands that we follow to dive bars, the VFW and American Legion, and a local Irish pub. I also tracked with my therapist that if I listen to music at least three hours a day, I have a much better day. I try to have my SiriusXM, Amazon Music, or my CD player going when I am at my desk working. I also have DJs I follow on Twitch, and if I don't have other plans, I listen to three different shows there (DJ Synthia; Jake Rudh, or DJ Bueller--all 80s music.)
Runner up is the Olympics: Simone Biles and Alysa Liu in particular.
A friend just dropped off his pup for the next three weeks and I'm meeting with my awesome peer coaching circle later this morning - love as Patrice said.
Taking a leadership role in our local Indivisible group. I'm from Tucson AZ and our group is called Indivisible Tucson Action Alliance. I listen to Ezra and Leah just about every Thursday for their What's the Plan call, and I get so much inspiration from them.
Seeing my sons, in their teens and early twenties, being good people in the world. Caring for their friends, of many gender identities and orientations, listening to their girlfriends, being kind, hugging a lot, open to the messiness of being human, trying to act respectfully and responsibly, and well, struggling but just not giving up in the face of so much anticipatory grief about our future on this beautiful earth. I have to be here, and be healthy and have hope, for them and all of life, and for the justice and freedom all life deserves.
So, the short answer is Love, of course.
Jessica, thank you for opening this up to we who can't give monthly. You are such a gift to women, and therefore, to everyone. p
I know a woman who unexpectedly got pregnant in the late 80s. She agonized about what to do about the situation, and decided to keep the baby, who turned out to be a girl. This friend is probably one of the most pro-choice people I know. "My pregnancy, my decision. The government has no goddamn say in the situation."
The only saving graces for me are that I have sons instead of daughters and I am in menopause myself. I continue to lobby and donate to the cause of our rights, but feel fortunate to be in a position where I’m unlikely to be directly affected.
Hi Jessica,
Fist, thank you for all of your dedication and hard work on this important issue. I rely on the information you provide and am very grateful to you. I have been trying to contact you directly about a book I am editing on abortion and restrictions to reproductive rights. Is there a way to contact you directly? Thank you. You can reach me at DrShelleyNathans@gmail.com
1. My daughters who strengthen my resolve to demand a fair and just world for all.
2. The infectious courage of women
I joined a feminist choir after Roe fell and I don't know how I would have gotten through the past four years without that community and that physical outlet for the intense emotions of the past 4 (but really 10) years. And tbh, this work of yours, Jessica (and now Kylie too!), and the community you've built has been a huge beacon and relief. The only thing that makes me *more* enraged than womes' rights being stolen is the fact that it's not the lead story of the news Every. Single. Day. So much bad reporting, if there's any at all. And people just keep living lives as if nothing is happening. I'm constantly astounded... and then I log in to Substack and there's AE, telling the truth, reflecting reality, giving this subject the gravity, urgency, and ANGER it deserves. Forever grateful. 🙏✨🙏
The s**tshow of our country has mirrored some really trying times in my personal life and the one thing I keep coming back to is community. Who are the people who look you in the eye when you are feeling your worst and says "I got you." They don't shy away from the hard truths but stand with you while you deal with it. They offer encouragement when you start to doubt yourself and remind you to do better when you drop the ball. My bestie Julie has been that person for me in my personal life and Jessica, I'd say you and your community has been that way for me in my civic life. (The fact that your names both start with J is not missed by me!) I'm forever grateful for you both and the community we have here.
All the people who share the work and those who support us. In particular the people on a committee formed in response to Dobbs working to address issues of health equity for women, and my husband who supports the many hours spent on this work. Also, your work and this community on One Good Thing.