Author: Ayanna Lovelady

Ayanna Lovelady is an editorial intern at Ms. and is completing her undergraduate degree in Digital Media & Marketing and Public Relations at Tulane University. She is passionate about feminist journalism, with a focus on intersectional reproductive healthcare and public policy. They have roots in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you have an upcoming event to feature, email me at alovelady@msmagazine.com.

‘Forced to Return to the Butcher’s Lair’: The Reality of Abortion Before Roe and the Fear of What’s to Come

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Abortions are sought by a wide range of people for many different reasons. There is no single story. Telling stories of then and now shows how critical abortion has been and continues to be for women and girls. (Share your abortion story by emailing myabortionstory@msmagazine.com.)

“Instead of protecting our right to freedom of choice, they would have women go through what I went through and perhaps die in the process.”

“The night before the procedure, the nurse gave me a sleeping pill and as I became sleepy, I shed a few tears. But, I knew that it was the only decision for me as the baby was unplanned. I was too young and my spirit had to be eternally free to create and experience my own type of utopia.”

‘Now I Can Share My Story With Pride’: Thai Feminist Organization Collects Abortion Stories After Procedure Is Legalized

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Abortions are sought by a wide range of people for many different reasons. There is no single story. Telling stories of then and now shows how critical abortion has been and continues to be for women and girls. (Share your abortion story by emailing myabortionstory@msmagazine.com.)

In this edition of Our Abortion Stories, Thai women share their own abortion stories along with their advocacy work with the queer feminist organization, Tamtang.

Become a (Paid) Poll Worker in Your Community—Because Democracy Needs Helpers

Power the Polls is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that’s recruiting the next generation of poll workers. National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, observed this year on Aug. 1, is somewhat of the organization’s Super Bowl. The annual nationwide day of action provides a unique opportunity for all generations to step up and play a crucial role in shaping the democratic process.

Marta Hanson, Power the Polls’ national program manager, was instrumental in building the nonprofit’s partnership coalitions in 2022 and continues the work ahead of the upcoming elections. Amidst her many responsibilities, Hanson spoke with Ms. two days before National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.