My Sister’s Keeper Takes Capitol Hill
posted by Keyona Smith | November 29, 2017 | In Arts and Culture, NewsDuring the last week of October, My Sister’s Keeper, a FSU organization focused on preventing intimate partner violence, unintended pregnancy, and the consequences of risky sexual behavior among which are the leading causes of women dropping out of college, were invited to Washington, D.C. for a National Policy Summit. The Summit was held by Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) and it was very exciting as it was the first-ever National Policy Summit and are the only national organization singularly focused on addressing the challenges of racial and gender health disparities.
The BWHI organized for young black female students to engage in a leadership-building climate while discussing the importance of affordable access to reproductive health services. Students were invited from Fayetteville State University, Tuskegee University, Howard University, Morgan State University, Alabama State University, Southern University and A&M College and Smith College.
Representing for our very own MSK chapter and Fayetteville State University: Advisors Ms. Sharice Zachary and Mrs. Johnson-Arnold, President Serena Mosby, Rajanee Odom, Jessica Bullock, Keyona Smith, Al-Nisa Riley, and Ialiyah Staker.
The Summit started October 23, 2017 led by Dr. Christy Gamble (Director of Health Policy & Legislative Affairs at the BWHI) upon the arrival of all students from invited universities with Registration, Introductions, Advocacy Training I&II and a Hill Staffer Panel Discussion including panelists Essence Motley (Staff Asst., Congressman Bobby Rush), Ashley Moss (Legislative Counsel, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries), Francesca McCrary (Professional Staff, Oversight & Govt. Reform Committee), Aryele Bradford (Deputy of Communications Dir., Oversight & Govt. Reform Committee), and Portia Bamiduro (Democratic Chief Counsel, Homeland Security & Govt. Affairs Committee).
Monday night MSK students were asked to join in a Pillow Talk discussion about stigmas centered around reproductive health experiences, share knowledge from different college perspectives, and then to rest for the rigorous demands of the following Tuesday. Tuesday morning MSK assembled in the hosting hotel to bus travel to Capitol Hill to meet with co-sponsors Congresswoman Beatty and Clarke to share encouraging words over breakfast. Congresswoman Beatty shared motivating words from herself and Eleanor Roosevelt saying, “You never know how strong and bad sistahs are until you put her in hot water, right now, the world is in hot water, and we need you.”
Afterwards students traveled back to the hotel for Digital Advocacy Training led by De’Jonnae Boyd, Hill Visit Team Sessions, Mock Hill Visits and students were released to explore Washington, D.C. Finally, Wednesday October 25, 2017 would start the actual congressional office visits for students to put action to practice for women health advocacy. Each university was split into teams depending on districts and given the opportunity to not only represent for their university but also for their residing state. Fayetteville State University was afforded the opportunity to meet with Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard who is also a FSU Alumnus who has earned her B.A., in Psychology.
The 2017 National Policy Summit was co-sponsored by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), and the Congressional Caucus on black women and girls.
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