Healthy and Free Tennessee in partnership with the 1 in 3 Campaign is excited to announce our first ever statewide youth leadership council. The council is made from eight awesome young people between the ages of 18-24 who will share about and engage in efforts to de-stigmatize abortion and reproductive/sexual life.
In their own words:
Armonte Butler
I am Armonte Butler, an International & Global Studies and Women & Gender Studies double-major originally from Washington, DC though I attend Sewanee: The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. I am most excited to learn more about laws and policies in Tennessee and how they impact reproductive justice and bodily autonomy.
Milo Curd
Hi, My Name Is Milo. I'm 19 From Tennessee. I've Only Recently Became Trans About A Year Ago. I Love Sports And Writing Music.... I'm A Comedian At Heart.... I Love To Make Others Smile Around Me.... I'm A Big Kid At Heart And Love To Give Back To People. I Love Art And The Beauty Of Nature.... I Would Love To Bring So Much Hope To The Community And Show That No One Is Alone.
Delaney Lay
My name is Delaney Lay, I am a sophomore at UTC. I major in Political Science and History. I am a passionate advocate for social justice, and am excited to be a part of Healthy and Free Tennessee Youth Leadership Council.
Zack Looney
My name is Zack Looney. I am 20 years old and currently attending school at Middle Tennessee State University. I am thrilled to be a part of Healthy and Free TN's Youth Leadership Council in order to further educate and fight for sexual health and reproductive rights.
Vix Newman
Vix Newman is a 22 year old Afro-Latinx nonbinary lesbian. She is very excited to be a part of this fellowship to help de-stigmatize abortion and help facilitate comprehensive sexuality education, as she believes everyone should have access to these things -- undeniably and without repercussions. In her spare time, Vix creates illustrations, is apart of a total of 3(!) fellowships including this one, and has a love for organization. Vix looks forward to what the next year will bring her as far as growing in her activism, making connections with new people, and representing her community of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Michelle Ngo
I'm Michelle Ngo, and I'm from Memphis, TN. I am currently a junior at Rhodes College, and I'm looking forward to becoming a more well-informed and politcally-engaged activist with the support and guidance of the Healthy & Free Tennessee Youth Leadership Council!
Shawn Reilly
Shawn Reilly is a student, artist, and organizer based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are really excited to help build a radical and love-centered reproductive justice revolution.
Lisa Watkins
Hi! My name is Lisa Watkins and I am one of the new youth council members of Healthy and Free Tennessee. I am a 21 year old female from Memphis, TN. My hobbies include writing, singing, and working toward making a change in my community first and then maybe the world. I look forward to broadening my knowledge and being an active member of the council. My goal is to be an advocate for the youth and young adults. I feel that's the age group who needs a diligent speaker.
YLC Members will serve a one year term on the council (summer 2016 to summer 2017) and will be a key part of HFTN's ongoing organizing, advocacy and culture change work across the state. Council members will meet at least once monthly and will collaborate to plan and host creative educational stigma busting events and resources in their communities including opportunities for people to speak out and share abortion and repro life stories. Council members will receive trainings throughout the year provided by Advocates for Youth and Healthy and Free TN. If you're interested in working with the council or presenting a training please let us know!
Healthy and Free Tennessee is proud to partner with Advocates for Youth’s 1 in 3 Campaign to counter attacks on health care and bodily autonomy here in our state and across the country. The jointly sponsored Youth Leadership Council will explore and combat stigma and shame and how both create barriers to reproductive freedom in abortion access, sex education, HIV decriminalization, pregnancy and birthing options, LGBT identity, and all related repro freedom issues that youth know and experience. If you have ANY questions or want to help support the youth council in any way please contact Allison Glass at [email protected]
Together we will speak out, build power, and bust stigma!