Raise Your Voice for Fund-A-Thon with Katie Jakubowski

Katie Jakubowski, WMF Intern

She/her/hers

Introduce yourself. How did your college experiences lead you to WMF?

I am a Gender & Women’s Studies and Community & Nonprofit Leadership major, with a certificate in Health & the Humanities at UW-Madison. I plan on graduating in May, and I will be pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector, hopefully specializing in volunteer coordination.

In my time at UW Madison, I have learned a lot about the current healthcare system in the US and all the ways in which it has failed the American people, and that has had a huge impact on the direction I want to take my career. That’s what brought me to WMF! Through my work with this organization I have really become passionate about our cause to expand abortion access, fund abortion, and build power!

Why is mutual aid in abortion access so important?

Abortion is a controversial topic, but despite those valid concerns and opposition to abortion, I truly believe that ensuring safe and effective healthcare for all people is more important. It doesn't matter why somebody is seeking an abortion, it doesn't matter their age, race, gender, socioeconomic position, marital status, etc. etc. etc. Everybody deserves to get the healthcare they need, and furthering abortion access is one way we are contributing to making that a reality.

Funding abortion is mutual aid because it is just another way that we can work to fill the significant gaps in our healthcare system developed by our representatives in an attempt to pander to the religious right and maintain their political power.

This is especially true during the pandemic. Politicians have tried to classify abortion care as a nonessential service, making them unavailable for the entire duration of this pandemic. They are taking advantage of the COVID19 outbreak to further their agenda, and I think that anybody attempting to profit off this global tragedy like that is completely corrupted by their selfishness and privilege.

Why should we expand telemedicine abortion?

YES! There is NO REASON to force clinics to abide by all these silly regulations like hallway size and the need to have a physician present to TAKE A PILL, yet they are wrongly imposed on abortion providers just to make it more difficult to do their job.

What message would you like to send to abortion providers or those seeking abortions?

To those seeking an abortion:

You are loved & you are supported by the WMF community! Abortion care is healthcare, and it is so important to remember that while undergoing this process. This procedure, despite being a difficult and at times very emotional decision, can be an act of self care- and you deserve what is best for your health and well being.

To abortion providers:

Thank you for sacrificing your health and safety for this cause. You change lives for the better, and all us at WMF appreciate you and hope to do right by you through our advocacy work and community building.

We need each other now more than ever. This Raise Your Voice Campaign is part of Women’s Medical Fund’s Fund-a-Thon for Abortion Access. Join the movement #FundAbortionBuildPower at fund.nnaf.org/wmfwisconsin by donating and participating in our virtual events.