Professors Margaret Drew and Frances Rudko sat on an expert panel to take questions and provide answers to the south coast community on the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
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UMass Law Professors Margaret Drew and Frances Rudko sat on an expert panel to take questions and provide answers to the south coast community on the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The discussion was centered around bodily autonomy regarding overturning Roe v. Wade and its far-reaching implications. The panel that Drew and Rudko joined provided their expert knowledge and real-life experiences to give insight to local community members looking for answers.
During their introductions, the panel shared their personal backgrounds and what led to their choice of career paths. Then the panel opened the floor and answered questions on topics such as women’s right to choose, the impact on civil liberties if Roe v. Wade is overturned, culture’s role in unwanted pregnancy, and how to prepare for the overturning. The discussion between the audience and the panel was filled with vulnerability, heartbreak, impassioned anger, and hope.
Sitting on the panel of the local human rights leaders were:
(Moderator) Vivian Smith Barnes- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director at Child Family and Services
Lee Blake- President of the New Bedford Historical Society
Gail Fortes- Executive Director of the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts
Liz Lozada- Immigrant Youth Program Manager for the Immigrants Assistance Center
And from UMass Law
Margaret Drew- Associate Professor of Law, Director of Clinics and Experiential Learning and Director of the Human Rights at Home Clinic
Frances Rudko- Professor of Law teaching Constitutional Law, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, International Law, and Trusts and Estates
The event was hosted by Leadership Southcoast and the Womxn's Alliance. The Womxn's Alliance is comprised of local agencies: Leadership Southcoast, the UMass Dartmouth Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality, the YWCA of Southeastern MA, the Immigrant's Assistance Center, the Martha Briggs Educational Club, Inc, the Women's Fund Southcoast, the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, and the Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women.