Raise Your Voice for Fund-A-Thon with Silvia Martinez

Silvia Martinez, Fund-A-Thon Co-Coordinator

she/her/hers

Introduce yourself. Why are you passionate about abortion care?

I'm a nursing student at Madison College and a DACA recipient. I became an abortion access advocate because I belief that abortion care is health care. I'm passionate about abortion care because I believe that pregnant individuals are capable of making the correct choice for themselves and their families. It’s also a personal decision that should be made with a medical provider not by politicians.

Why is telemedicine important for abortion access? What other policies should lawmakers enact to make sure people can access this care?

I think we should expand telemedicine abortion regardless of pandemics because it would help individuals in rural areas access an abortion without having to worry about taking days off from work, travel and other expenses. I also think it would help keep individuals, clinic staff and abortion providers safe without having to travel long distances or risk coming across anti-abortion protesters and harassers.

Lawmakers should also grant Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Midwives the ability to provide abortion care. I think it would make this care more accessible and make more providers available.

What message do you want to send to folks seeking abortions? To abortion providers?

To those seeking an abortion: Continue to be strong and know that your are loved and supported.

To providers: Thank you and your families for the work that you do before, during and after the pandemic!

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