Overall, this experience has changed my life in a number of ways. After my epiphany with Shelby Knox, I really took the rest of the experience with a more confident mindset. If anything, this FSC has taught me to dream big and stay committed in all that I do, especially when it comes to my career.
Tuesday was dedicated to reproductive justice, which for all the fellow feminists out there that are unaware, is an all-encompassing term used to describe all aspects of the reproductive field. This can include abortion, maternal and child care or adoption. The term is often confused with reproductive rights, which focuses mainly on the right to a safe abortion. This entire field was something a little new to me. I was raised by an extremely "pro-life" mother, so internally, it took me awhile to understand the severity of the situations that would end up needing that procedure. It's funny to me how the people who complain about abortion are always the ones who complain about having to pay for welfare services. Just sayin... so the past couple of years, I have educated myself on the issue and actually lobbied with a friend in Richmond for Planned Parenthood.
My small group visited with Guttmacher Institute. Yes, THE Guttmacher. The one everyone quotes, worldwide, on statistics about reproductive issues. Before we left, we were able to snag some publications from their library! I stocked up on my HIV/AIDS in Africa information. When I left, my bag was about 15 lbs heavier with pamphlets and reports.
After that, we headed to Spence-Chapin Adoption Services in Brooklyn. I was extremely impressed by this organization. They really took a woman-centered approach to the adoption process. When we arrived, they were in the middle of an informational session for prospective African American couples. Right away, this showed me that this agency was noteworthy.
My eyes were also opened by my colleague, Katie O'Connell, to the presence of Crisis Pregnancy Centers that have infested Virginia. Katie will be interning at NARAL Pro-Choice America in combating these psuedo-help centers. They falsely advertise to women and girls who are pregnant and have no resources. Setting up shop next to Planned Parenthoods, they lore these women into this place with no medically qualified individuals. Most of these centers have gotten ahold of advanced ultrasound machines to scare the person out of termination. (These people apparently love scare-tactics considering they're mostly God-fearin'!) Virginians, ever see those Pro-Life license plates? 
That's their main source of income. However, Katie has informed me that NARAL investigated where the license plate money is going-- some women's house in Norfolk, VA!
So addition to learning about the reproductive justice movement in NYC, I learned about a growing problem in my own backyard. And for the record, Pro-Choice=Pro HEALTHY AND HAPPY Life.
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