The 2018-2019 Youth Leadership Council hosted a youth summit on reproductive health, rights, and justice for young people ages 15-25 in Nashville on June 8, 2019. The goal of the summit was to share information on an array of topics affecting young people including birth control options, combatting rape culture, and healthy relationships. Registration was free and breakfast and lunch were provided. 

Schedule

Breakfast: 9:15-9:45 AM

Welcome/Opening Remarks: 9:45-10:00 AM

Workshop 1: 10:00-10:45 AM
Sexual Education 
Dae Iddings 
Youth Leadership Council 

Workshop 2: 10:45-11:30 AM
Rape Culture on College Campuses/What is Rape Culture
Sarah Jordan Welch, Prevention Educator and Victim Resource Specialist
Project Safe Center, Vanderbilt University

Break: 11:30-11:45 AM

Workshop 3: 11:45 AM-12:30 PM
Reproductive Injustices that Black Girls & Women Face 
Alexis Gordon 
Youth Leadership Council 

Lunch & Discussion with Robin Marty: 12:30-2:00 PM

Break: 2:00-2:15 PM

Workshop 4: 2:15-3:00 PM
Navigating the Healthcare System as a Trans Person 
Jaden Donovan 
Youth Leadership Council 

Workshop 5: 3:00-3:45 PM
Southerners on New Ground (SONG) in Tennessee 
Angela Henderson 
SONG Nashville 

Closing: 3:45-4:15 PM

2018-2019 Youth Leadership Council Cohort Members

Sami Heller is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is currently a senior at Vanderbilt University, working towards majors in Women's & Gender Studies and Neuroscience and a minor in Medicine, Health, and Society. In addition to being a member of the Youth Leadership Council, Sami is a peer sex educator, Resident Advisor, and mental health advocate at her university. She is passionate about accessible healthcare, comprehensive sexual education, LGBTQI+ reproductive justice work, plants, and podcasts. She is excited to join Healthy and Free Tennessee's Youth Leadership Council and be a positive force for change!  

Victoria Minor is originally from Nashville, TN but moved to Chattanooga, TN for college. She fell in love with reproductive health, rights, and justice work in high school when she became a trained peer sex educator with the PG-13 Players. She often says that sex education was her first love. She now is a part of Advocates for Youth's Young Women of Color for Reproductive Justice Leadership Council and Healthy and Free Tennessee's Youth Leadership Council. 

Alexis Gordon is a 20-year-old St. Louis Native who has always been interested in social justice. Alexis is currently a Junior at Vanderbilt University pursuing a BA in History. After completing her undergraduate degree, Alexis hopes to go to law school and pursue a career in Civil Rights Law. As a member of the Youth Leadership Council, Alexis hopes to educate people on how race and reproductive justice are intertwined. 

Dae Iddings is currently a Sophomore at Austin Peay. She is majoring in Political Science with a minor is Sociology. Dae is the activist chair of the Austin Peay Gender and Sexuality Alliance where she organizes young queer people to take political action. She is passionate about  comprehensive sex ed, reproductive rights, and queer rights.   

Emilia Romero, a Social Work major, was born and raised in Knoxville. She loves sweet tea and believes most problems can be solved with a new pantsuit. Her calling is advocating for social justice, and her true passion is bringing accessible resources to low income urban and rural communities. Emilia is thrilled to be a part of Healthy and Free Tennessee's Youth Leadership Council and making her young voice heard!

Kenzie Wilson recently graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in English and a minor in Women’s Studies. Her ultimate goal is to own a publishing company! She enjoys hiking and anything that can involve her husky, Luna. She is excited to see where the position in the Youth Leadership Council takes her in life! 

Jaden Donovan is a sophomore at Austin Peay State University where he is the Vice President of the Gender-Sexuality Alliance. He fights for a more trans-inclusive campus. He also volunteers with Planned Parenthood and started a condom distribution program at his university.