Legal Voice

The final two LIZZIE performances are Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5! Learn more and get tickets: https://lnkd.in/eeHVnxxS

We regained access to our Instagram account on Sunday, Sept. 29! We closely monitored the account while it was hacked, and it looks like there was no activity. If you received any messages from our account while it was hacked, please notify us immediately. We’re very excited to be back with you all! 

Open Arms Perinatal Services provides critical support for new and expecting parents in the Puget Sound area. Often, that means helping parents stand up for their rights.   One common area of concern is breast/bodyfeeding at work. Employees don't always know their rights — and employers don't always respect those rights.   That's why Open Arms reached out to Legal Voice to provide a training for its staff and doula network. Staff attorneys Alizeh Bhojani and Julia Marks led the training, covering federal, state, and local protections for workers in Washington state. We were honored and delighted to partner with this community-based reproductive justice organization! You can view our guide to breast/bodyfeeding rights in Washington by visiting our website: https://lnkd.in/gYzp-UQA

We're excited to introduce our new Montana community outreach manager, Mariel Vander Schuur! Mariel is a first-generation American who grew up in a small blueberry farming community in West Michigan. She's passionate about engaging rural, underserved, and underrepresented communities. Mariel graduated from the University of Michigan in May with a degree in women’s and gender studies. As an Obama-Chesky Scholar, she participated in feminist organizing across five countries. She has also worked as a legal assistant for Afghan refugees, volunteered as a U.S. citizenship test tutor, and served refugees crossing the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border. In her free time, Mariel is an avid knitter, romance novel reader, and baker. Reach out to her if you have any questions about our work in Montana — or if you need a killer brown butter chocolate chip cookie recipe. https://lnkd.in/g_Qq_cuG

This summer, Legal Voice joined the Abortion Care Network (ACN), the only national membership organization for independent abortion clinics and their allies. Last week, our senior reproductive justice counsel, Wendy Heipt, and communications manager, Sam Fox, represented us at ACN's national conference in Detroit. We're feeling inspired after three days of connecting, celebrating, and learning. It was amazing to see how providers, lawyers, and advocates are making progress across the country and around the world. Despite the challenges we face, we're still here. Did you know independent clinics provide the majority of abortion health care in the United States? This is especially true for later abortions. Learn more about the important role of indies in ACN's 2023 report: https://lnkd.in/gykQTjG8

We're excited to welcome Robin Turner as our new Montana staff attorney! In her new role, she'll advance gender equity through policy advocacy and impact litigation. Since earning her law degree from the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, Robin has dedicated her career to serving survivors of gender-based violence. She has represented survivors as a tribal court staff attorney with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and she's fought for systemic change as the policy director for the Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (MCADSV). Most recently, she was the senior attorney at the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence. Want to learn more about Robin, her work, and how to advocate for survivors? Check out her recent interview with the American Bar Association about the legacy of the Violence Against Women Act: https://lnkd.in/gaACgew2

Support Legal Voice and see a ferocious, femme-fronted rock musical! We’re honored to partner with Pullman.vs.Paxton Productions, a Seattle-based nonprofit that raises money for LGBTQIA+ organizations. Proceeds from its new show, “LIZZIE,” will benefit Legal Voice. Opening night is THIS FRIDAY, Sept. 27. Learn more and get tickets: https://lnkd.in/eeHVnxxS 

Like many, I have been reflecting on the 30th anniversary of #VAWA this past week. I am so grateful and honored to have spent most of my career working with and on behalf of survivors of gender-based violence through many VAWA programs. The work has lit a 🔥 in me and challenged me in ways I never thought were possible. This week’s National Conference on Domestic Violence (hosted by National Domestic Violence Hotline) in beautiful Chicago energized and inspired. It was an honor to present with Maricarmen Garza of Tahirih Justice Center and Jill Flowers at ALSO (Alliance of Local Service Organizations) and to learn from the amazing advocates, survivors, and attorneys who work creatively and effectively each day for healing and peace. I felt challenged, engaged, proud, and ready for more.

Idaho Legislative Counsel William Mitchell and Senior Reproductive Justice Counsel Wendy Heipt are in Minneapolis this week, meeting with state-based gender justice allies from California, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania!

On Tuesday, Legal Voice Washington Policy Counsel Alizeh Bhojani testified against the city of Seattle’s prostitution loitering bill. If enacted, the ordinance would allow police to arrest people for SEEMING like sex workers. Buyers convicted of prostitution-related crimes could also be banned from a seven-mile stretch of homes, businesses, social services, and key transit routes. None of these measures are proven to improve public safety. In fact, research shows that they increase violence against the most vulnerable members of our communities. Click the link below to read the public comment we submitted to the City Council. https://lnkd.in/gCJFn9mZ