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In 2008, I was asked to apply for a job with Planned Parenthood. An odd political mutt, I didn’t have any experience with women’s health care, so I was a little confused. It turned out that the Ohio affiliate had been given a grant from the national Planned Parenthood Action Fund to hire staff into key swing states Florida, Missouri, and Ohio that would build out digital programs in their advocacy operations, just in time for the presidential election.

This was Cecile Richard’s vision for how reproductive health care advocates should shape the national political discussion on abortion.

It also wasn’t my first time working in a program that she built. In 2004, the America Votes umbrella coalition began coordinating political work by organized labor, reproductive rights groups, environmental activists, education advocates, and many more. Cecile was a co-founder of that program, which is still coordinating political activities that Abortion Forward contributes to in 2025. It was clear in ’04 that, as a Texas daughter, she was familiar with the crap that came with the Bush administration and she knew the urgency with which we needed to fight back.

In the decade and a half that Cecile was the head of Planned Parenthood, many, MANY challenges to abortion rights popped up. She was very familiar with our fight in Ohio, visiting the state many times during the legislative battle over the six-week abortion ban. And her famous four-hour testimony before Congress in 2015 required her to face off against Ohio’s disgraceful Jim Jordan.

Over the last decade, I’ve met many people within Ohio’s reproductive rights community who got their start at Planned Parenthood, thanks in no small part to the structure that she helped build and maintain. Even at independent clinics and abortion funds around the state, you’ll find that the organization is a gateway for young activists, health care workers, and volunteers.

We were all saddened to learn of Cecile’s passing on January 20, but we’re grateful for the dedication she gave to the movement. Like many others, we’ll be carrying on in her memory, encouraged by her words:

“It’s not hard to imagine future generations one day asking: ‘When there was so much at stake for our country, what did you do?’ The only acceptable answer is: ‘Everything we could.’”

— Gabriel Mann

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.

Like everyone else, the Abortion Forward team is horrified that Elon Musk is a part of Trump’s fascist regime. Here are all the links for places that you can find us that aren’t twitter:

New account on Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/abortionforward.bsky.social

https://www.tiktok.com/@abortionforward

https://www.reddit.com/user/AbortionForward

https://www.instagram.com/abortionforward

https://www.threads.net/@abortionforward

https://www.youtube.com/@abortionforward

https://www.facebook.com/AbortionForward

The Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment has produced another victory for abortion rights as a Hamilton County judge issued a ruling that the six-week abortion ban is unconstitutional.

Passed as Issue 1 in the November 2023 general election, the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment enshrined reproductive healthcare, including abortion, into the state constitution. After more than 700,000 signatures from Ohio voters were submitted to qualify the ballot initiative for the 2023 General Election, the issue passed with 57% of the vote in November of last year.

Here’s a selection of media coverage from the ruling:

Kellie Copeland was interviewed by WCMH / NBC Channel 4:

The Toledo Blade reported on the ruling:

Kellie Copeland, executive director of the pro-abortion rights group Abortion Forward, praised the ruling: “This win means that tens of thousands of patients from the Buckeye State and surrounding communities can continue to access safe and legal abortion care from providers at nine clinics in Ohio,” she said. “The overwhelming decision by voters to enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution last November has paved the way for successful court challenges like the one we’ve won today. But the fight is far from over. Getting an abortion in Ohio is still needlessly difficult.”

Kellie Copeland was interviewed on WBNS / CBS Channel 10:

The Columbus Dispatch filed this report:

“This momentous win is due to the hard work of countless Ohioans who stood up and continue to stand up to protect abortion access in our state,” said Kellie Copeland, executive director of Abortion Forward. “Now, voters have the opportunity to flip the Supreme Court to ensure our hard work last year continues to expand abortion access.”

WEWS covered the story:

“It’s an important ruling because it means tens of thousands of patients from the Buckeye State and surrounding communities can continue to access safe and legal abortion care,” Abortion Forward’s Kellie Copeland said. “However, we expect that our opponents will challenge this case and that it will end up before the State Supreme Court.”

Should we re-elect Congresswoman Emilia Sykes to represent us in Washington, or should we elect Kevin Coughlin? Here in the 13th Congressional District, we have an important choice to make. The answer is clear.

As an advocate for reproductive freedom and abortion access, I’ve dealt with both of them when they served in the Ohio Legislature. Congresswoman Emilia Sykes has always been driven to build a community where everyone can thrive, and her support for access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare have been central to her work. In sharp contrast, Coughlin demonstrated a shocking disregard for the well-being of his constituents as he voted for every restriction on abortion and reproductive healthcare, regardless of the harm he knew they would cause.

Coughlin is clearly aware that he is out of step with the values of the 13th Congressional District which overwhelming voted for Issue 1 last year. When asked where he stands on abortion now, he has been evasive, refusing to talk to reporters. But his endorsement by Ohio Right to Life indicates he had no problem privately promising them that he would continue his record of voting to restrict and ban access to abortion.

Congresswoman Emilia Sykes has always fought against extremists like Coughlin. Following the recent US Supreme Court ruling that failed to enforce federal law requiring that hospitals treat patients in emergency situations, Emilia Sykes led the fight to push back and introduced a resolution to reaffirm access to emergency abortion care for all Americans.

This is literally a matter of life or death for people facing serious pregnancy complications in states that have banned abortion, and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes has their backs.

Emilia Sykes trust us to make our own decisions about abortion. Coughlin doesn’t. In fact, he is so cowardly he won’t even be straight with voters when asked where he stands.

Abortion access remains in serious jeopardy. Project 2025 and other plans by anti-abortion extremists call for a national ban on abortion that would supersede the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment.

I’m voting for Emilia Sykes, because I know that every vote she casts in Congress is a vote for the well-being of everyone in the 13th Congressional District and America. I hope you will join me.

For abortion, forever,

Kellie Copeland (she/her)
Abortion Forward Executive Director and lifelong Summit County resident