Reflections and a farewell

The end of the year is a time for reflection. And this post feels especially true for me as it is also my last blog post for the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Much has changed related to abortion during my tenure as the first Anne Nicol Gaylor reproductive rights intern and, later, a contributing writer for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Over the span of four years, we have seen some of the highest rates of attacks on medication abortion, abortion access and global reproductive rights, and, most notably, the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Alongside these horrific outcomes, we have also seen attacks on gender-affirming care, LGBTQ+ rights, and intellectual freedom.

And at the same time, much has stayed the same. When I won second place in the Brian Bolton Older Graduate Student Essay contest in 2019, I stated that women’s bodies will never be their own should the Religious Right prevail. Unfortunately, I believe that such a statement is as true as ever.

As I reflect upon the (nearly) four years that I have written for FFRF, I would like to share with you some blog posts that I especially enjoyed writing (and that I hope you have enjoyed reading). Some pieces are more personal, while others are focused on policies. Regardless, they all speak to the urgent need to keep state and church separate. I hope that you enjoy revisiting these pieces with me too.

Although I am ever cautious of what the future holds in the United States and around the world, I am hopeful for rightful outcomes because of people like you and organizations like the Freedom From Religion Foundation. As an attendee and speaker at the annual Freedom From Religion Foundation conference and chapter events, I have had the privilege of meeting many of you in person. Your enthusiasm and drive for a fairer and more just future is admirable. Your fearless activism and advocacy for secularism is necessary for a functioning democracy; a democracy rooted in reason, logic and human rights.

Of course, I’d also like to thank FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker and the entire incredible Freedom From Religion Foundation team for welcoming me with open arms over the years. It is truly amazing to work alongside people who are unafraid to show up for reason and progress. I am especially grateful to have had the opportunity to continue the work of the late FFRF Co-founder Anne Nicol Gaylor in some small way. Although I never met Anne, I am in continuous admiration for her tireless abortion and secular activism and advocacy.

In closing, thank you to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, its members, and its readers for providing me the space to study and share the intersection of abortion rights, reproductive health, and secularism. I look forward to continuing to champion for human rights with you.