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On Oct. 14, Kayla Raye ’23 attended a White House discussion with Vice President Kamala Harris on the fight to protect reproductive rights.

Vice President Harris convened 75 student leaders at the White House from colleges and universities across 33 states. Kayla was the Wisconsin student representative.

Selected by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Kayla went to the White House to discuss reproductive health care on college and university campuses. Sharing local organization and advocacy efforts following the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

After the opening discussion, student leaders attended break-out sessions with White House senior staffers and White House Council. Topics included protections in Title IX for reproductive health, college student healthcare privacy resources, and developing a policy agenda for college and university students access to reproductive health services.

Kayla’s advocacy for reproductive health services led them to collaborate this fall with other students on Carthage’s campus and begin the Planned Parenthood Generation Action (PPGen) organization. Currently serving as the organization’s president, Kayla now sees their education in sociology and women’s and gender studies as solid preparation for a career in advocacy for Planned Parenthood.

“Working with Planned Parenthood in this capacity has been an extremely rewarding and educational experience,” says Kayla. “It has helped me realize that community organizing and social service work is my passion. Social service organizations, like Planned Parenthood, are crucial for creating sustainable and equitable communities. My goal for the future is to continue working with Planned Parenthood and fighting for reproductive rights for the people of Wisconsin.”

Students interested in learning more about reproductive health advocacy are welcome to attend PPGen’s bi-weekly meetings. The next meeting is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in room 207 of the H. F. Johnson Center for Fine Arts.

The organization will also host a series of events and educational sessions:

  • Condom Handout — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Todd Wehr Center
  • History of Planned Parenthood Workshop — 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, H. F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts, Room 207

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Women’s and Gender Studies, Planned Parenthood Generation Action