Sha'Tisha Young

Our purpose remains clear. And our determination to rise to meet the road ahead remains unwavering. Knowing that we have challenges ahead, we must press forward because the stakes are too high to stand still. The future is too precious to surrender.

We asked our staff, program participants, and volunteers to reflect on the reasons they remain committed to advocating for abortion access. Every single story reflects a commitment to what matters most: family, community, bodily autonomy, and an unwavering pursuit of justice. These reasons anchor us when exhaustion sets in, and disappointment threatens to erode our resolve. They remind us why this fight is not just necessary but non-negotiable.

Please read their stories and feel free to reflect on the reasons you care so deeply about freedom and justice.

When the path ahead feels impossibly steep, what fuels your resolve? Is it your love for your family, your commitment to your community, or your determination to stand with those who will feel the impact of losing the right to decide their own futures? Whatever your “why,” hold it close. Let it guide you, strengthen you, and propel you forward. We’d love to hear from you! If you want to share what keeps you motivated, you can do that here.

Together, we can boldly rise to meet the challenges of this moment and fight for the future we all deserve.

Across the country, the movement to codify reproductive rights as law is gaining momentum. Here are 10 states with initiatives up for a vote this November:

Arizona

The proposed legislation would ensure abortion access until viability and in instances necessary to protect the life, physical, or mental health of the patient.

Colorado

Abortion is already legal at all stages in Colorado, and the legislation coming up for a vote would enshrine the right in the state constitution as well as requiring Medicaid and private health insurance to cover abortions.

Florida

The proposal would protect access until viability and when needed to protect a patient’s health. Parental notification would remain a requirement.

Maryland

A broad reproductive freedom amendment has been offered that is inclusive of the right to abortion.

Missouri

The ballot measure on offer would give the right to abortion until a fetus could survive outside the uterus without extraordinary measures. It would also allow late abortions if needed to protect the life, physical, or mental health of the patient.

Montana

A constitutional amendment has been proposed to protect access to abortions until viability.

Nebraska

2 initiatives on the ballot. One would enshrine access until viability (or later to protect health) in the state constitution. The other would write the current 12-week ban into the constitution with exceptions for rape, incest, and life-saving measures.

Nevada

A potential constitutional amendment would ensure access for the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. It would also allow for later abortions to protect the health of the patient. It needs to be approved by voters twice, once in 2024, and again in 2026.

New York

A proposed measure would bar the state government from denying legal rights based on “pregnancy outcomes” and “reproductive healthcare”. This document does NOT include the word abortion anywhere in it.

South Dakota

The proposed legislation would disallow abortion bans during the first trimester, only allow regulation of abortions in the second trimester in relation to the health of the mother, and only allow bans in the third trimester if exceptions are given for life-threatening situations.

Ohio has recently passed a law that directly impacts organizations like Abortion Forward, Abortion Forward Alliance, and Abortion Forward PAC, making it more challenging to carry out our mission of advocating for abortion access for all. This new law, passed by the manufactured anti-abortion majority in the Ohio House and Senate and signed by Governor DeWine, specifically targets groups engaged in political and ballot work, and it imposes strict regulations on the sources of our donations. It also grants exclusive power to the Attorney General to conduct investigations that will amount to fishing expeditions into how organizations are complying with this politically motivated law.

This new Ohio law directly attacks progressive political activity, including our endorsement process, candidate support, ballot initiative work, and PAC donations and expenditures. It places unnecessary burdens on political organizations, limits the participation of immigrants who are not citizens or legal permanent residents, and empowers the state to scrutinize our every move. However, with your support and vigilance, we can navigate these challenges and continue to fight for the rights and freedoms that all Ohioans deserve.

What You Can Do

As a supporter, your understanding and action are crucial. Here’s how you can help:

1. Certify Your Contributions: When making a donation, please be sure to check the new box on our website donation forms to certify that your funds are from a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident (Green Card holder), or from an entity that is domestically organized and operates primarily within the U.S. This certification is now a legal requirement for us to use your donation in our Ohio political work.

2. Stay Informed: Learn more about this law and its implications for our work. Knowledge is power, and understanding the challenges we face helps you better support our continued effort to make abortion accessible for all.

3. Spread the Word: Share this information with others who might not be aware of the new law and its impact on organizations like ours. The more people who know, the stronger our collective response can be.

4. Get Involved: If you have questions or want to know more, please get in touch with Kel McConaughey at 614-221-2594 ext. 406 or give@abortionforward.org.

Your support in meeting these new compliance measures is more important than ever. Make a certified donation to support our political work now.

Learn more about how this law affects our collective efforts to protect and expand abortion access in Ohio.

What the Law Does

The law mandates that we verify the source of all donations, ensuring that only contributions from U.S. citizens, nationals, or legal permanent residents (Green Card holders) are used for ballot initiatives and other political activities. Foreign nationals, are prohibited from contributing to or spending on Ohio candidates or ballot measures. This law also applies to funding for electioneering communications and contributions to political entities involved in Ohio elections.

How It Impacts Our Work

For Abortion Forward and similar organizations, this law creates a substantial new and politically administrative burden. We are now required to implement rigorous verification processes to ensure compliance, diverting time and resources from our primary mission—fighting for reproductive freedom. The law also empowers Ohio Attorney General David Yost to investigate any organizations involved in political or ballot work, increasing the risk of legal challenges and scrutiny, particularly for those supporting progressive causes like ours.

Why This Law is Problematic

The new regulations are not just about ensuring transparency in donations; they are part of a broader strategy to stifle progressive political activity in Ohio. By targeting groups that have successfully used ballot initiatives to advance rights and freedoms, this law is designed to make it harder for us to continue our work. It unfairly penalizes and stigmatizes non-citizen or legal permanent resident (aka Green Card holder) immigrants, , by barring them from supporting organizations that share their values and engage in the political process—this is a political stunt, not a genuine or necessary effort to protect election integrity.

Note to Foreign Nationals

We are appalled by this politically motivated and stigmatizing law that has targeted you and your families. We warmly welcome foreign nationals to continue supporting our vital work in education, outreach, and abortion stigma-busting. While the new law restricts your ability to support our political activities, your contributions are still essential in many other areas of our mission. To explore how you can get involved and make a difference, please get in touch with Kel McConaughey at 614-221-2594 ext. 406 or give@abortionforward.org. Your support is invaluable as we continue to advocate for reproductive freedom.

With the ever-changing news cycle and plenty of content to doomscroll, feeling hopeless is valid, and embracing those feelings is okay. But there are plenty of exciting ways to lift your spirits and make a difference. How about crafting a “happy playlist” filled with your absolute favorite feel-good songs? Let those tunes turn your day into a mini celebration, no matter where you are.

Or try your hand at art therapy—grab some paints or markers and let your creativity run wild on paper. It’s all about letting those emotions out in a vibrant, colorful way. For a bit of advocacy magic, look into volunteering with Abortion Forward and make a direct impact on abortion access. Find like-minded community at our monthly Happy Hour sessions across Ohio. You could also be a part of Patients to Advocates, a paid, 9-month leadership development program that prepares Ohioans who have had abortions for civic engagement around reproductive health, rights, and justice!

Combining these joyful self-care activities with impactful advocacy can give you a powerful sense of purpose and show you just how much positivity you can bring to the world, even on the toughest days.

Are you looking for a safe place to unwind and meet other folks in your community who are also pro-abortion? Join us for a Repro Happy Hour!

Over the past several months, the team at Abortion Forward has hosted ten Repro Happy Hours – from Akron to Dayton, we’ve been all over the great state of Ohio visiting fun local bars and meeting great folks like you. These events have brought organizers, students, teachers, and activists together to connect and form a community.

Whether you’re looking for more pro-abortion friends, to network with other progressive folks, or just need a safe space to laugh and relax, Repro Happy Hours are the place for you. Hope to catch you at the next one!