In her first appearance on the campaign trail since her electric speech at the Democratic National Convention, former First Lady Michelle Obama pleaded directly with men to take women’s lives seriously this election.
At a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Oct. 26, Obama’s speech put women’s reproductive and health rights front and center. She acknowledged that girls and women have been socialized to feel shame and hide how our bodies work, then took the opportunity to speak openly—first about painful monthly periods in young girls, then about the confounding and often lonely process of menopause (to resounding applause). So much gets lost in the conversation about women’s reproductive rights, she said, because the issue is bigger than protecting a woman’s choice to give birth.
“Let me take a minute to help folks, especially the men in our lives to get a better sense of what could happen if we keep dismantling parts of our reproductive care system piece by piece as Trump intends to do. I want folks to understand the chilling effect not just on abortion care but the entirety of women’s health.”
The 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care by Commonwealth Funds shows that “states with abortion restrictions have fewer maternity care providers and higher maternal mortality rates.”
Doctors are worried about being arrested for saving the life of their patient when it results in the death of her fetus. And in that climate, why would medical students pursue a career in women’s health? If there aren’t enough doctors available, how will women’s health clinics stay open? If women don’t have access to basic gynecological care—and “this is real,” as Obama pointed out—they will be at greater risk for undiagnosed medical issues.
“Do you think Donald Trump is thinking about the consequences for the millions of women who will be living in medical deserts? Does anyone think he has the emotional maturity and foresight to come up with a plan to protect us?”
Men: The rights of your daughter, wife, mother, niece, aunt, girlfriend and grandmother are being threatened and questioned. In the wealthiest country in the world, women are being denied basic healthcare. What does that say about the way our country values women? What does it say that in 2024, that we are forced to ask these questions? Is this the America you want to live in?
“To think that the men that we love could be either unaware or indifferent to our plight is simply heartbreaking… It is both a setback in our quest for equity and a huge blow to our country’s standing as a world leader on issues of women’s health and gender equality. So fellas, before you cast your votes ask yourself what side of history do you want to be on?”
Men, if you’re reading this, please believe us. Vote like our lives depend on it. Because they do.
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